five friday food favs

i'm always on a quest to find healthy snacks

for the boys while they are at school

as well as for me while i'm at preschool

cinnamon roast almonds

100 calorie pack

yum

boys haven't had them yet

but they were perfect for me when i forgot lunch

had these handy in the car

* * * * * 

michelle brought these to us one day for lunch bunch

glad she did!

blueberry brown sugar

newton fruit thins

yum

b likes them, j not so much

* * * * * 

anne brought this to me for snack one day

LOVE

yo crunch fruit parfait

yum

this was a hit with both boys

as long as i don't put it as their morning snack too often

* * * * * 

TOTALLY not related to healthy eating

but

the teachers went to lunch yesterday after our halloween party

to plaza ateca

the guacamole was amazing!!

they make it fresh at your table

i want to go back just for that

* * * * * 

pioneer woman's

amazing recipe!!

it's the little things

that are actually BIG things

such JOY

coming across a stack of pics of my boys

     in their younger years

     so sweet

     i placed them around the kitchen in hopes they would see them

     and *remember* how sweet they can be on each other

     sometimes

one of my little preschoolers

     only speaks spanish

     until this week 

     i hear

     "ms. skammer, look!"

     i got so EXCTED!!

some really really great evenings with the boys

the best we've had in a while ~ no big deal kind of nights

but with

     great conversations 

     easy evenings

     good dinner

     project progress

     lots of cuddles

we're in a good place right now

     and i am THANKFUL

"As long as thanks is possible,

then JOY is always possible."

ann voskamp

trash to treasure

i've seen a couple variations on 

preschool appropriate

activity dice

or 

movement dice

and decided i needed a set for my classroom

enter

 tissue boxes

 and grocery bag

now mine don't look nearly as nice as the ones in the store

but they don't cost nearly as much either!

free fun!

move fall loving

not sure what has taken me so long to post these pics

we went a couple of weeks ago

the boys were great sports

neither of them really wanted to go

but they did

and they made the best of it

it's one of my favorite things to do

 see how much fun they had

 this made me laugh b/c i remember them doing

these when they were much younger

and sitting on a non-moving tractor

can still be fun

The grass withers,

the flower fades,

but the word of our God

stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

five friday favs

i've had this book for years

really love how it helps me pray

ever have those days 

when you just don't know how or what to pray

this is a good starter on those days

* * * * * 

loved this blog for quite a while

this week i just couldn't shake some of the things 

i had gleaned a while back

the way she takes note of blessings in the trials

* * * * * 

Jesus to Simon

"I have prayed for you, Simon, 

that your faith may not fail.

And when you have turned back,

strengthen your brothers."

* * * * * 

this is fabulous for my 

over washed hands

and smells good too

not waxy either!

i LOVE how a little goes a long way

* * * * * 

all things candy corn this year really get me excited

not just the candy

but the colors, the decorations, craft ideas

trash to treasure

lots & lots of big fat crayons

 perfect for making little treats with

 unwrap them all

 place them in desired mold

 bake on 200 for less than 10 minutes 

 but keep watching

 tada!

 happy fall treats

any idea what i'm doing with this 

TRASH?!

five friday favs

. . . on a SUNDAY!  

haha  I was reminded that I hadn't posted!  

love this oldie but goodie

and forgot how much i missed jars of clay

* * * * * 

these make packing lunches so easy

i can even do a couple days lunches and toss them in the fridge

the boys empty their lunch box and clean these out

i refill for the next day

then pop in back in the lunch box the next morning

we have 4 so i typically make lunches sunday & tuesday nights

for the following 2 days

* * * * * 

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12076057&cp=4090259.4090324.4090329.4432046.4147333

thanks to friends

for getting me hooked on bath & body works

LOVE the Leaves 3 wick candle

my house smells cozy

thanks kim!

and the owl plug in

my classroom smells good 

thanks sommer!

* * * * * 

this movie isn't just a reminder for dads to step up

this mama needs to step up as well

very convicting to not just

"be good enough"

but be the best in leading our children

and in representing our God well

* * * * * 

it's no secret how much i've loved reading

angela thomas' stuff

i've just started

52 Things kids need from a Mom

so far so good

five friday favs

i was told i would love this song

and boy did i

for so many reasons!

* * * * *

julie at joys hope

has such a fabulous idea for blessing others

now you can see why her blog is on my favorites list

* * * * *

mama time

* * * * *

the fur fighter
we found it at target
it slides under the stove, washer & dryer, fridge, etc.
and i thought i had seen a ton of roxy's hair
with the "furminator"

* * * * *

the extra cuddles i've gotten from my boys this week
what a gift!

today

* i got to spend the day with my friend kim
* i got to be blessed by the teachings & ministry of susan rodenberg ~ wow! i just love her tender heart for women, God's word, her family
* as well as the fellowship with jenny & her friends
* begged & pleaded for kim to go through the chikfila just for some ice cream cones.  she even did a u turn to get into the parking log
* i came home to my almost FREE canvas print of jacob ~ i danced with it . . . . really!  he's so handsome
* changed the sheets on my bed (i know but this is a rare thing but it's a house job that became my responsibility about a year & a half ago.  since then, i've asked my dad to help with this when they come visit) but not today! all.by.my.self.
* had to close all the windows b/c our house has gotten too cold
* ended the day laughing like crazy while watching shrek 2.  it's so fun when jacob gets to giggling too b/c he catches the humor
* had the house to myself while the boys were doing their things . . . really quiet, calm, peaceful for a short bit
* thought so so much about a sweet darlin and her man as they made lifelong promises to each other . . . really though, is she old enough to be married. i can't count the times that crossed my mind this week!