The weekends are never long enough...

This was the perfect weekend to take advantage of West Michigan outdoor activities.

When we weren't on our backyard ice rink, we were taking long walks in the woods behind our home.


 I've shared on other posts here and here that Consumer's Energy owns the land behind our home and it's fairly undeveloped.

 Our street is named after the creek that runs behind our property and with all the snow, the creek was nice and full of  rushing water.




Lots of warm beverages were sipped this weekend.

Happy Monday!  May the work-week go by quickly!!
 

Easter swap...

Just in case you're interested in participating in an Easter crafting swap, Sandy from 521 Lake Street is hosting an Easter swap.   

The idea behind this exchange is to make a pretty gift out of a vintage wooden thread spool , or new thread spool.  More details on the exchange and sample ideas can be found here on her blog.  Of course, being over-excited about this exchange, I started messing around in my craft room after the girls went to bed. Here's one version using a miniature putz house.

Happy Friday!  I can't wait to get this weekend started!  

XOXO

♥

Happy {Heart} Day!

May your Valentines day be filled with lots of love...

...and lots of sweet things!

XOXO

♥

  

Chinese New Year...1st Grade Style!

As promised, a few strategically edited pictures from Josie's 1st grade Chinese New Year party.

Didn't they do a great job on their lanterns and their paper snake?  

We celebrated with a short Chinese New Year parade down the hallway with our paper snake and lanterns.  

After the parade, bubble wrap provided classroom-friendly fireworks.

Passing out lai see (red envelopes) filled with chocolates...always a big hit!

Happy New Year!

XOXO

♥

 

Lucky Money!

As you can imagine, Josie is very excited to be celebrating her special holiday with her 1st grade classmates.

This afternoon I'll be in her classroom co-teaching a Chinese New Year lesson with another special Mom who also has an adopted child from China.

 Josie and I spent Sunday evening preparing her Lucky Money red envelopes (filled with chocolate gold coins) to share with her classmates. I also found Chinese fireworks candy at Oriental Trading company.  

More pictures coming Wednesday!