First week of school success + back to school treats

So we made it through the first week of school. It went so much better than I could have even expected. This being the first experience for Angelo going to any type of school or class environment, ever, I really didn't know what to expect and for me,and for Angelo, the unknown is always the worst. He not only had he never attended prek he really has never left me for more than a few hours unless it was with my mom, who he stayed over night with a few times. So this was an entirely new experience for both of us. I tried to prepare him the best I knew how by checking out books on starting kindergarten from the library, talking with him about what to expect and also having his older sister share and talk with him about what she loves about school. Even with all that I still was so unsure how it was all going to play out once he actually started. Well...he love it! "I actually like it" were he's exact words. I couldn't be happier! It makes it so much easier watching him walk on to the bus knowing he'll come home with stories of all the things the did that day. He has grown up so much in these last few months and even more in this last week, it's hard for a mama to watch her "baby" grow up sometimes but I honestly couldn't be any happier with the amazing little person he has become.

Here are a few back-to-school treats I made for their first day back.

These are Oreos dipped in the candy melts, found at Michael's, with a pretzel and a leaf made out of a gumdrop.

This is just a roll of Smarties, the extra large ones, I found at Old Navy for a $1, then I attached this great smartie pants printable 

First Day of School and Kindergarten! {2011}

 It's here! I can't believe the day I send both kids off to school is really here. I'm a mix of emotions. Excitement for this new chapter and nervous of not sure what that will look like. But more than anything I am confidant that I've raised two beautiful, smart and self-sufficient children and I can feel good about them going off to explore, learn and form new relationships. I have been blessed to stay home over the last decade to raise and watch my children grow to the wonderful young people they are today. I would not change a thing and that feels good.

Be back in a few days....

Summer fun {sailboats}

The summer sure has "sailed"by quickly! One of our last summer activities was making sailboats and taking them up to our little pond in our neighborhood.

The supplies we used where 3 wine corks per boat, hot glue, craft foam cut down to size, a toothpick and some twine. Simple,cheap and easy...my kinda craft. Basically it's pretty self explanatory we just hot glued the corks together, cut the craft foam to resemble a sail, inserted a toothpick and then stick the toothpick into the cork and finally added some twine so our little boats wouldn't sail to far from us. Oh and a stick for easy reeling in.

We had a really fun time and it was actually not too hot out maybe in the 90's! So crazy to think that's not bad but with 100+ and sunny, the days have been rough. Not much you can do outdoors except swim or like us wait until the sun is setting.

Only a few more days until this comes true. We will be spending a few days on the coast for the last weekend of the summer. Can't think of a better way to spend it. You can find this beautiful print at on of my all time favorite sites, Etsy.

Hello cupcake!

In honor of my lovely sisters birthday today I decided to make some pretty cupcakes as part of my gift to her plus I needed an excuse to try these rose frosted cupcakes!

I think they come out really prudy and they where really easy. For the two toned swirl effect I just painted red food color down the sides of  the piping bag before piping. I also found this video which showed me exactly how to make the rose.

I think I'll try it again, maybe on a cake next time, like this.  I boxed a few cupcakes in a pastry box I found at the dollar section of Target. Which completed the presentation.

I had a few left over so I made some fun ones for the kids!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, sweet sister! Hope you had an amazing day!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to one really great Dad!