little man baby shower

With the help of the future husby and his parents, we threw my soon-to-be sister-in-law a baby shower! I was going for a “little man” theme – mustache straws, top hat, bow cupcake toppers, and chocolate cigar favors – but I think I could have done a little more to tie everything together. Next time! ;) Here are some pics, courtesy of J’s cousin, HD.

_hko7000The green bags that spell out “BABY SHOWER” served 2 purposes: decoration and shower game. Inside each bag was a baby item that began with the letter on the front of the bag (i.e. there was a bottle inside the first “B” bag, aspirator inside the “A” bag, and so forth). I topped the bag with tissue paper (alternating white and silver) to hide the contents from guests. I gave each guest a sheet of paper to write down their guesses for each bag, then had the mom-to-be do the big reveal.

Next time, I’d opt to provide each guest with a worksheet that spelled out “BABY SHOWER” down the side and even a list of baby items to choose from. “Y” and “E” were the toughest ones (yellow rubber ducky and Elmo), so I gave guests clues. I mostly used items on the mom-to-be’s registry, so she could at least keep/use the items after the game was over. If you know the baby’s name ahead of time, you could spell that out instead!

_hko6991Little froggie sugar cookies

_hko7040Mini strawberry pies and Nutella mustache pies. The mustache cookie cutters are by Fred & Friends.

_hko7042Pistachio, Hazelnut, and Green Tea Yuzu macarons – yum. What’s a party without macarons nowadays anyway.

_hko6997Thin Mints, Mint Oreos, chocolate rice krispy treats, and truffles. Yes, we went a little overboard with the sweets!

_hko6990Way overboard..

_hko6995Yellow butter cake cupcakes (made by the mom-to-be) and green sour belt bows (idea from Martha Stewart).

_hko7133Princess cake – too perfect, too delicious.

a year with Chloe

It’s been a year since we brought our little Chloe monster home. She fit into my arms so easily then. Now, at 26.1 pounds, she still thinks she’s a lapdog and will walk and jump all over you. Chloe has also, to my dismay, mastered the art of jumping onto the bed. I’m in trouble now! Her new favorite thing is getting brushed. “Do you wanna brush brush?” She’ll drop whatever she’s chewing on, run to her bed, and will lay down until you get there with a brush in hand. Sometimes, she’s just too smart for her own good.

like a chicken with its head cut off

via bumbumbum.me

I have a lot of awkward kids, and one of them happens to be our office assistant for (thankfully) only an hour a day. He was given a task by our secretary the other day, to bring a big brown manilla envelope to the main office to drop off in the outgoing mailbox. I was in my tiny office at the time, with the door wide open. The space between me and the door is no more than 6 feet by 3 feet. The student, holding onto the envelope with his arms extended as if it were attached to an explosive device, came into my office and started walking the perimeter of the 6×3 area. It’s like his mind was racing and he was impulsively following it. ‘I have to give the envelope to my counselor (walks inside my office).. No, I have to bring it elsewhere (walks outside my office).. NO, I have to give it to my counselor! (walks inside my office)’.. repeat x5. I was watching a live version of the old cell phone game, Snake. I didn’t know whether to laugh or be worried for this kiddo of mine. I tried to get his attention but he couldn’t find the words to respond to me. As this was happening, a teacher came to my office and stopped outside the door and he too watched the kid with confusion. You’d think the student would stop, but he started walking in circles! That’s when I grabbed on to the envelope and ended the show.

Another one to add to the books.

And sadly, I can relate. I’m trying to keep afloat though and making lists on top of lists… on top of lists! Here’s to hoping I actually look at them ;)

so busted.

Kids: “We’re going to band class, BYE!”
Me: “I know not all of you have band, so the ones that actually do may go.”
Kid #1: “Kid#2 has band! She plays the baritone!”
Me: “Oh really? Kid#2, what is a baritone?”
Kid#2: “An instrument, DUH!”
Kid#1: “You don’t even know what a baritone is, Ms. N!!!”
Me: “… It’s an instrument! … You may now exit my hallway.”

They keep me on my toes.