What I'm Loving (Obsessing) This Week...

Well of course the NCAA tournament began this week and our TV has been tuned in non-stop. Usually I'm all in, but this year an early upset has me a bit tuned out.  As a result, I'm going to take this time to escape and share a bit of what I'm obsessing loving this week.

First, THE STICKY BUN BREAKFAST RING.  Made this little pinterest inspired yummy last weekend.  It was so quick and easy and we absolutely devoured it.

Click here for the recipe.

As most of the state of Texas was out of school this week on Spring Break (including the king of the castle), my district was not...and trust me a break is well due for both the kids and teachers.  A few key front office staff members realized the need for a re-charge and planned some excellent activities and goodies for the teachers and titled the week Spring Fling.  It was such a hit. Hot dogs and movies in the lounge, wearing flip flops one day, a scavenger hunt, and here's what I'm loving....FRUIT SLUSHES. They were delectable, and made with a couple of these handy dandy machines which I am now eye-balling on Amazon and trying to justify the purchase.  Do any of you have one?? I am in love.

A couple of weeks ago I hosted a Thirty-One catalog party for a good friend at work.  Here are a couple of my hostess gifts that I just adore.  They are so sweet and I'm wondering if a certain 5 year old will try to claim them before I get them stuffed with my "stuff."

Yesterday, I set out to purchase a new pair of ballet slippers for my little dancer and this tres chic bag caught my eye. I quickly flashed to my "take me shopping" pinterest board and thought it would be a fabulous addition to multiple spring looks.  I can't wait to carry it this week.

This weekend I mixed a few bars in my Scentsy (really just didn't want to clean out one before adding the other). Coconut Lemongrass + Rio Beach = an urge to schedule a tropical escape.

This next obsession was just discovered yesterday. YOPLAIT BITES. Oh my word...they are uh-mazing. I highly recommend you try these little bites of heaven.  They say 30 calories a bite, but by the time you hit bite number 2-3 you will highly likely take care of the rest of the bag.  Key lime pie flavored is my fave.



 This last one is always on my mind, but this week he has me especially attentive. My hero, my little brother,  Brandon (on the right) is working his last couple of weeks in Afghanistan. Unfortunately right now, tension is high over there.  I'm praying that he can finish up his last few days of his year tour safely before heading back to Hawaii in a few weeks.  He clearly deserves a little relaxation and toes in the sand. We love you B and can't wait till your back on US soil.

Well I hope everyone has an excellent week and can find a few things you're lovin too!!



Interested in Helping My Classroom?

Interested in helping my first graders receive this listening center and listening supplies for our classroom? Well it's easy and you can. There's a wonderful site called Donor's Choose. They allow teachers to write grants for classroom supplies and add them to the site.  Anyone can donate ANY amount...$10, $20, $50.  Once the full amount of the project is funded, they ship the supplies straight to our classroom. Nice huh? This is the 3rd grant that I have posted.  This summer, donors (some of my closest friends, family, and classroom parents) pulled together to help me begin an amazing classroom library of leveled books.  Take a look...

My 2nd project for mp3 players was not fully funded before the deadline.  Which brings us to now...My 3rd project.  I'm trying to raise funds to purchase listening center items for my first graders to use on a daily basis.  You can find more details on how these supplies will be used by going to my project page HERE and checking it out.  Normally, I just purchase supplies out of pocket for my classroom which is what I have done in the past for listening center supplies. However, this new listening center is more kid friendly and allows multiple students to listen to a story at a time, which is what I need. I'd love for you to check it out and help if you can.  It's a quick and easy way to help support a teacher, education, and most importantly students. Another way that you can help is by sharing the project with anyone that you think may be interested in donating.  Here's the cool thing..right now you can use the code CHASE and Chase/Clear Channel are doubling donation amounts. Just Fabulous. Thanks everyone, I appreciate your support.

So Proud of the Boys...

Well it's time to catch up on this little family blog but the truth is there's one thing going on in the Curtis household right now and that is FALCON BASKETBALL. It's been amazing to watch this group come as far as they have.  For the 4 seniors on the team, they have been playing for Coach all 4 years of their high school career.  The first year of varsity ball for the new program was exciting and seems so long ago.  Now here we are 3 years later and they are an amazing team.  We are so proud of their achievements this year and all that they have accomplished as Falcons.  Congrats to the Falcon Hoops program. District Champs, Bi-District Champs, and Area Champs...Regional Quaterfinal game this Tuesday at 8:00pm in Commerce against Texarkana Pleasant Grove.  Let's go boys. You can do it.

Peace, love, and Falcon Basketball.

The Daddy Daughter Dance...Oh my word

Well I think these are the moments you think about as soon as you find out that you are having a baby girl. The nails...the hair...finding a dress.  We were so excited to find out that our elementary school would be hosting a Daddy /Daughter dance for Valentine's Day. We have been talking about it for weeks.

We began with the dress. We had planned a dress shopping trip for the whole family about 2 weeks ago.  Well a busy Saturday, a long wait at the Cheesecake Factory, and the king of the castle finding the best coaching slacks EVER didn't give Lil C' much time to choose a dress. Needless to say, she and I headed back last weekend to find her dress. I pretty much let her choose but definitely filtered the ones that we actually took to the dressing room.  She tried on 4 and while looking fell in love with a pink purse. In true girl fashion, she decided that she needed a dress that would match the purse. Oh my word, I didn't realize that this started so young. So, I told her that we could go with the black and white dress that she tried on and add a little pink to it to match the bag.  Shoes, bracelet, and a slight alteration from nana later she was ready to go.  I actually scheduled a hair appointment for her just to help myself out.  Lord have mercy, I didn't even realize a 5 year old could be affected by a hair do they didn't like. Her hair didn't look anything like the picture that I showed the stylist and when we left the salon she just cried and cried. Sounds a bit dramatic, but ya'll it did NOT look good. So after a little convincing that mommy could "fix it" and a promise of a loan on a pair of mommy's earrings, we were back on track. We were so happy with the end result and sorry to be impartial, but she looked Uhhh-mazing.  As you can see from the pictures, she did not mind posing for the camera.

And with daddy... (The official event photo)

And best of all, I think the candids tell what kind of a time she had...

Not a whole lot of pictures with daddy from our camera since he was the one behind the camera, but I'm sure some will surface as the days progress. I know they had a great time and we look forward to many more.

On a side note...our Falcons clinched a playoff spot and will be District Champions with a win on this Tuesday night against Kaufman.  We are so proud of our boys and coaches. This will be the school's first boys basketball playoff run and district title. Great game Falcons, keep it up.

Proud Parents...

Today was parent conference day at our elementary school.  Not only did I have 18 parent conferences of my own, but for the first year I was able to attend my own kindergarten cutie's parent/teacher conference.  Of course I didn't go alone. The king of the castle scooted over between calculus and basketball so that we could meet with her teacher together.  We are so proud of our girl. She's becoming such a wonderful reader and writer. We are also blessed with a wonderful kindergarten teacher that's a great fit for what she needs.

One of my favorite things to do is read the stories that she writes.  She recently brought home what has to be my all time favorite story. On the eve of this second round of falcon district basketball, it seems so fitting to share. The prompt was to write about your favorite game.

For those that don't read "kid"...it says: "I like basketball. I can dribble with one hand. I practice at my dad's gym. I can dribble from one black line to the other."
As you can imagine, I'm not the only one who's a fan of the story...someone else in this house framed it onto the wall. Way to go Lil' C and let's go Falcon Hoops. Beat Ferris.

Is It Ever Too Early To Party Plan?...

Apparently NOT. And according to my child, not only do we discuss our 6th birthday plans daily (which isn't until the end of May by the way) but also themes for her 7th, 8th, 9th....you get the point.  I do have to say she comes by it naturally though and it's not like I actually mind searching for ideas and themes. However, if it's ever crossed your mind that the glitter, centerpieces, and skittle sorting (a handful of you know what I'm talking about) is ALL about me...well just ask the budding party planner that resides in my home!  As discussions and pinning for the 6th birthday party begin, I'm reminiscing past parties and some of my faves.  This keepsake from last year has to be my all time favorite.

It was so simple and she just LOVES to tell me about everyone's hand print from her party. I started with a giant blank canvas, drew the cake, painted the background including the cake, and painted the letters.  (pre-party of course!)

I painted the party go-ers hands with acrylic paint and pressed them on. After some quick drying, they signed their hand with a black sharpie. And the cake topper...well...5 candles from the birthday girl's 5 fingers of course.

Voila. A fabulous party keepsake and instant room decor.  Just love. Now what am I is she are we going to do this year? haha.

Peace, Love, and FALCON BASKETBALL!

Tomorrow is a big day for the Curtis Family. Coach and his NFHS Falcon Hoops crew begin district play on the road against a tough Ferris team. This is what they've been working for. This is where the season really begins.  Time for brownies and cookies for the boys, packing toy bags for the stands, and butterflies in my stomach.  Time for royal blue clothes (accessories at least), snacks for the car, and late night game analysis conversations (by ME.) We love no time of year better....well Summer runs a close second. Good luck to the Falcons and of course our favorite Coach in the world. We'd love any support and hope if you can't make it to the game that you cheer us on from wherever you are. If you need me I'll be courtside...my legs nervously shaking and eyes glaring at the scoreboard counting down the seconds.  Peace, love, and FALCON BASKETBALL baby!!!!!

TEAM FIRST, TO BE THE FIRST TEAM