My favorite holiday cards

Ever since my daughter was born, picking out and sending holiday cards has been one of my favorite times of year. My other favorite is getting everyone else's cards in the mail. Last year my best friend of 25 years sent the most gorgeous cards. I assumed she spent gobs of money on these cards because they were just that beautiful. They had the most perfect combination of the weight of paper and sheen and quality of text and photo. Just perfect. So, I of course asked her where she got these amazing cards, and she sent me to Tiny Prints. So, in no particular order, here are my top five cards to choose from this year. I am so excited!

Classic. Perfect.

Love the heading font.

Simple. Elegant.

Love the simple gift tag.

Love the sweet font.

Now I just have to decide!

What's For Dinner? October 17, 2011

Pioneer Woman's Frito Chili Pie, from Eat Cake for Dinner

BREAKFAST

Cereal and Milk

Energy Bites (inspired by this recipe)

LUNCH

At school all week!

DINNER

Fritos, Chili, Shredded Cheese, Pears

Pizza

Dinner at Inlaws

Macaroni with Beef, Green Beans, Blueberry Muffins

Spaghetti, Corn, Brocolli, Rolls

SNACKS

Energy Bites (inspired by this recipe)

Raisins

Acorn Snacks

TREATS

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Brownies

Menu Plan with Me at orgjunkie.com

What's for Dinner? September 19, 2011

 For Breakfast this week:

• Toast and Jelly
• Cereal
• Yogurt

For Lunch this week:

• Everyone eats at school!

For Dinner this week:

• Chicken Divan Casserole with Rice
• Pancakes and Sausage
• Beefaroni, green beans, muffins
• Dinner at Church
• Dinner with Parents
• Tailgating - chicken from Zaxby's

For Snacks this week:

• Pumpkin Pie Crunch
• Yogurt
• Nuts
• Graham Crackers

Check out this week's coupons to help you with your shopping!
Find other great meals at OrgJunkie's MPM

My Top Ten - September 19, 2011

 First, a recap of last week's goals (50% isn't great!):

 

PERSONAL

• Run 30 minutes - {done!}
• Weigh in for Biggest Loser Challenge - {half pound lost!}
• Two water only days on Monday and Thursday - {try again this week!}

FAMILY

• Celebrate Daddy's birthday on Friday night - {dinner and a movie!}
• Two nights of walking partners with Finley - {didn't start this}
• Create a blessing bag- {didn't get around to this, either}

WORK

• Send 10 personal emails to students' parents - {only sent two}
• Go through evaluation documents - {done!}

HOME

• Get all picture albums updated - {will try again this week!}
• Stick to weekly cleaning schedule - {a little!}

 And, now on to this week's TOP TEN:

PERSONAL

• Run 40 minutes
• Weigh-in for Biggest Loser

FAMILY

• Start a positive attitude jar with Finley
• Complete the dogs Preschool pack with Finley
• Eat dinner together at home two school nights

WORK

• Leave every day ready for tomorrow
• Attend the Baylor/McCallie festivities

HOME

• Get all photos organized in albums
• Hang Finley's art in frames
• Forbes' birth pictures on wall

Thankful Thursday - Thank You Notes for Teachers

One of the most powerful gifts a teacher can receive is a heartfelt, sincere note of appreciation. 

You hear this often around the time of teacher appreciation, and I think I often times dismiss this as "not a real gift."  Or something to go along with the real gift.  However, having been a teacher myself for a number of years now, I wholeheartedly believe this is truly the best gift you can give or receive.  That being said, here are some tips on writing these letters AND on whether or not this is the best gift in your situation!

1. SINCERITY

First and foremost, can you be sincere in your note of appreciation.  If you are constantly having "words" with your children's teachers or always second guessing everything that is done in the classroom, think seriously about how a note of appreciation will come across.  This isn't to say you shouldn't write a note - sometimes that may be the most powerful way to tell them you think they are doing a great job in spite of your constant nagging!  But, don't write a note of appreciation if you can't put your entire heart into it.

2. BE SPECIFIC

When writing a thank you note of any kind, make sure you are specific in why you appreciate the gift or service you have received.  Don't just write blanket generic statements.  People want to know WHY you appreciate what you have given them, and what it means to you.  For teacher specific thank you notes, tell your teachers an interesting story your child shared with you about something that touched their lives in class.  Or, mention an act that occurred at home which you know stemmed directly from having been in the classroom with that teacher.

3. USE THE PERSON'S NAME

It might sound obvious, but don't just jump write into your accolades of the teacher.  Use his/her name.  Start the letter with Dear _________, 

When the teacher reads this note, it will make it even more personal.  You want the teacher to know you are talking/writing directly to him/her and not to teachers as a whole.

4. TALK ABOUT YOURSELF, NOT JUST YOUR CHILD

Obviously you are thanking this teacher for their role in your child's life and the things he/she has done specifically for and with your child.  However, make your note more personal by telling the teacher what he/she means to YOU, the parent.  This person is helping shape your child's life.  Tell your child's teacher just how important you find that job.

5. BE SINCERE

Yes, this was tip number 1, but it is what I want to leave you with as well because it truly is just that important.  A generic thank you note is really not that meaningful and probably a waste of most of the time you spent finding a notecard, writing it out, and remembering to get it to your child's teacher.  However, a sincere, heartfelt thank you note is by far the most powerful gift a teacher will receive.

And now I am off to write notes to my children's teachers!

Holiday Cards Galore! Stationery Sale!!

If you are like me, the only thing worse than getting a good Christmas card picture is paying for them!  Well, Holiday Cards are ON SALE right now for 25% off!!!  And you get free imprinted envelopes or return address stickers for them!

 And, birth announcements are 20% off.

In addition, any notecards or other stickers you order, your order will be doubled for FREE!!  That is 50% off!!

September is a great month for stocking up on stationery!!  And, personalized items make great gifts, too!

Next Up...a post on writing Thank You notes for teachers!

What's To Eat? September 11, 2011

Yummy Pumpkin Pie Crunch to snack on!

BREAKFAST

Cereal and milk

Toast with cream cheese and jelly

Yogurt

SNACKS

Pumpkin pie crunch

Yogurt

Graham crackers and peanut butter

DINNER

Sunday - macaroni, potatoes, blueberry muffins, grapes

Monday - pancakes, sausage, and sweet rolls

Tuesday - Open House at School - dinner with mom

Wednesday - dinner at church (lasagna)

Thursday - XC and gymnastics - chick fil a

Friday - dinner out for Chad's birthday