Bracket Madness

I'm a little late posting our Family Bracket Madness Challenge...It should have been turned into the blogging world around 11 AM this morning, but I assure you, that all family members completed their brackets in time for the deadline!

Well, the "dance" has started and has already proved crazy and entertaining.  We all watched the nail biting end to the Marquette/Davidson game.  Julia was the only one to pick the potential Davidson upset with them going to the Sweet 16, but unfortunately for her, it was not to be.  She also has Oregon over Oklahoma St...We'll have to see how that one ends.  It's looking like a promising win for Oregon at the moment...but, it looked the same for Davidson as well.

So, here you go!

DADDY'S PICKS FOR THE FINAL FOUR

Louisville, Ohio St., Georgetown, Miami (FL) with Miami (FL) Winning it All

MOMMY'S PICKS FOR THE FINAL FOUR

Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, and Miami (FL) with Gonzaga Winning it All

(I like the underdog...I know they're a number 1 seed, but let's be honest...They're a mid-major.)

ALEX'S PICKS FOR THE FINAL FOUR

Duke, Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Indiana with Indiana Winning it All

JULIA'S PICKS FOR THE FINAL FOUR

Duke, New Mexico, Michigan, and Temple with Temple Winning it All

and, finally...

DUKE'S PICKS FOR THE FINAL FOUR

Well, let's be honest, he only cheers for Duke...Go Duke!!

 

Party Planning

Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats

As, many of you know, I have time and time again offered up my services as a room mother for both Alex and Julia's classes.  This has given me much responsibility in terms of coming up with ideas for crafts, treats, and games.  It is unfortunately harder than it seems...Coming up with age appropriate ideas is never an easy task, but here are some projects I have come up with while researching Pinterest and the Internet.  They have all been successful party ideas for the kids at school!

Alex's version of a Valentine Garland done with First Graders...You live and learn...Next time, for Julia's class, each heart will have two holes two string the ribbon through!

 

My Version of the Valentine Garland

My Version of the Tin Can Snowman with help from my Helper, Julia

Ingredients:  Two empty canned food tins (1 larger, 1 smaller), fabric batting, felt, buttons, orange pipe cleaner for nose, Christmas decor for hat and scarf.  To make the hat...I simply used black felt to create the brim and wrapped black felt around a shortened toilet paper cardboard.

Alex's Version made during Second Grade Christmas Party

Julia's 'Merida' Valentine's Arrows

Simply Made With:  Foam Valentine's hearts, feathers, a skewer, and a pack of gum!

Julia's Valentine's this year:  We forgot to get a picture of the finished product, but when they were done, they were a pink fortune cookie with a Hershey's Kiss and Hug inside!  They were simple to make and easily folded into a fortune cookie shape.  They did need glue to hold the Hershey Kiss and Hug 

into place, however.

Ingredients:  felt, pipe cleaners, fortune, and Hershey Kisses and Hugs!

Alex's class made Valentine Wreath's for their craft at their Second Grade party!  They turned out great!

Ingredients:  cardboard wreath cut-out form and lots and lots of hearts cut from cardstock!

Princess Leia and McDonald's

 

 Julia's Fifth Birthday Party

Julia had a couple of unusual requests when planning her fifth birthday party.  She wanted it at both McDonald's and a Princess Leia theme.  McDonald's was easy...The Princess Leia theme, not so much.  After a little research and some effort, I managed to pull together a wonderful Fifth Birthday for the Birthday Girl!

 I simply took a black tablecloth and purchased some 'star' confetti and sprinkled across the tablecloth to help tie in the Star Wars theme.  Julia picked out some 'Princess' themed party plates and napkins since the Star Wars themed party supplies we found lacked Princess Leia images.  She was not on board with having a 'boys party!'  Each girly guest received a handmade Princess Leia bun headband made from brown yarn, a plastic craft headband, and lots of hot glue and Julia's two boyfriends received a set of Yoda ears made from green felt, brown yarn, headband, and more hot glue!  Julia just wanted simple cupcakes...I made them at home and sprinkled edible gold stars on top and put homemade 'Princess Leia' pokes in each one.

The Birthday Girl and her Guests

I saw another blog on a Princess Leia birthday party with a wonderful idea for a game...Pin the Bun on Princess Leia!  A great neighbor sketched her out for me and the kids had fun being blindfolded while trying to pin Princess Leia's bun on her!

 My friends showing off my creations...

Julia's friends enjoying Happy Meals and fun!