it is the end of the year already?!?!

actually, it isn't the end of the school here in utah yet. we have year round school, so my kids are in (and im working until) the beginning of july. then, depending what track you are (or if you work at the school), you might be going back by the end of july.

but nate's S.O.A.R. is over.

nate is a smarty pants, but has trouble reading. S.O.A.R. has really helped him and he is up to grade level now! it is one teacher for 5 kids and they spend time every day doing intense reading.

he doesn't like it because sometimes it goes into his recess, but i say it is worth it.

(but i would have hated it as a kid too!

i found out today that S.O.A.R. is over tomorrow, so it is lucky that i already had a gift, i just had to make it fancy.

last year i got some aluminum water bottles on clearance for something like $1 from roberts. all i did was tie some cute patriotic ribbon that i got from dollar tree on it and...

(no idea why nate feels like he needed the red crayon for the photo)

mrs. k deserves so much more than just a water bottle for putting up with little nate this year,

but the school isn't paying me for my looks.

good news bad news

the good news is...

1. i don't have strep (well, as of my typing this!)
2. i have a job
3. the job is at my kids school!
4. i will have more money to spend at aunt pegs and kohls!
5. my shift is over at 1.30 everyday, so i can still catch my 2pm nap
6. i get a bullhorn while working on the playground! (huge job perk)


the bad news is...

1. i have a job
2. i will have less time to craft
3. i so i won't have much to blog about

my job is only 3.5 hours a day and since i will be working for the school district, im certain i wont be paid much (so im not going to be chris's sugar momma or anything). i will be an aide in the copy room and the playground. we have 1200+ kids at our school, and this is a good chance to see which girls are cute and well behaved (and italian would be a plus!), so i can steer my boys their way.

im sad about the less crafting and blogging time. but im sure with only working 17 hours a week, i can find someway to post 2-3 times a week. i hope you will stick with the thrifty ba blog while i figure out how this will all work out.

but don't worry-i have a few more crafts to post before i start my new position!

another 'thank you' gift idea

i always thank the ladies that work in the office at my school.

they have 1200 kids (about 700 families) that go there, but they always remember my name!

and so far, we have had really really good teachers, so id like to think it was them taking care of me.

and if not, they just put up with me coming in asking for weird stuff.

(example:can i use the teachers lunchroom's soda machine? i don't want to drive to smiths for a fresca and i really need one.)

last year AND this year, i made them mulling spice gift bags.

of course, i started with fabric bags.

then i added an orange, an apple juice juice box and the following in a plastic baggie

1 T ground cinnamon

1 T ground nutmeg

1 T ground cloves

i attached it with this little card that says...

enjoy the warmth of the holidays while the scent of simmering spices fill your home! slice the orange and simmer them on low in apple juice along with the contents of the spice bag! add a small amount of water each hour to continue the aroma!

and yes, i stole this idea from blue cricket design.

my (VERY) low tech kids homework organization.

please don't be disappointed in me.

here is how i organize my kids school work.

it isn't pretty.

but for the past 2 years, it has worked very well.

here is the door going from the mud room into the garage. it is a nice, heavy, ugly, boring, metal door.

perfect for magnets.

each kid has their own magnet with their first initial...

and whatever homework that cant be turned in until friday, whatever spelling test, whatever whatever that i need to keep and not return to school right away goes here.

the lunch menu gets its own magnet. the kids have to put their initial on the days that they want hot lunch at the beginning of the month. no initial, cold lunch that day.

and then for some reason. parker posted this on here and it has been there ever since.

yes, my kids are weird.

but at least they know where their homework is!