Touching up

Here are all 19 plates from Jack's class drying from getting some finishing touches and protective spray :) I told the teacher I wasn't happy with how some of the names turned out and I wanted to use my own brushes and paint. I want these plates to be perfect for the kids and I hope they treasure them for years to come!

Festival of Lights

I truly love living in Mandeville! We took the kids to the kick off for the Festival of Lights at a local park where there is a giant water tower. There were TONS of Christmas decorations, decorated trees, rides for the kids, performances, and LIGHTS. The Parish strings lights from the water tower and it is visible for miles. The kids enjoyed themselves but were tired from their long day of school and Art Time. We didn't stay long but did a lot and got to take in the start of the Christmas season here!

Theo's craft day and Eli

Theo's teacher is always so sweet to take pictures in the classroom for me to share on the blog! Here he is with his classmates on Friday during craft day in his class painting the pine cones that his teacher found at her parent's house. Aren't they all so cute??

And we found our Elf Eli in our pantry this morning, helping himself to our candy stash! There were wrappers all on the ground too. Eli!

Crafting away

I've been super busy making burlap door hangers for Jack and Theo's teachers. I think they turned out super cute and I have Pinterest to thank for the inspiration!

I got to go in and help out with Jack's craft day today at school. It was my first time to ever step foot in a classroom since he transferred there last January so I really enjoyed it. I helped the kids paint plates and the other group of moms helped them decorate a cupcake. We worked fast and furiously and were out of there in an hour.

Theo's class also had their craft day and since I'm co-room mom for him, I got to plan out all of the crafts! Here is his decorated pine cone. Whoever sent in these big, gorgeous pine cones is awesome in my book! The kids also made a handprint ornament and started the makings for a handprint reindeer hat that will be worn at the Christmas party in 2 weeks (that I get to go to!).

Eli's letter

Eli the Elf is my best friend this time of year. He really helps me keep the kids in line and just the pure mention of him telling Santa about them not eating their vegetables, not listening, or stalling on getting dressed will send them running to shape up! Here's the letter "Eli" wrote the boys when he arrived. He got in to our candy canes last night and will be leaving a Lego advent calendar tonight :) The boys love their new pjs that Eli brought as well.

Raking up the fun

To say we have a ton of leaves in our backyard is an understatement. Jack had a romanticized notion of raking and jumping into the pile of leaves and was begging to do this. I ended up doing most of the raking given my height advantage but we all had a great time! Jack reveled in throwing the leaves up in the air and Theo made his pile in to a bird nest and sat in it :) Now the piles I raked remain...... as piles. Somehow bagging them up just isn't as fun as jumping in them!

Den meeting

Dave is shaping up to be an awesome Den leader! He he is teaching the kids about the food pyramid and having them cut out food items to place on the poster.