How to make Easy Fake Plant Arrangements

My husband is super thrilled to be starting a new job this fall teaching at Indiana University.  We've been excitedly moving him into his new office-- which is fantastic except the 100% cinder block walls -- which are very, very white.

So, we're slowly working on sprucing up the place.  First, we've decided to start with plants-- fake ones since he has no windows.

We really lucked out Saturday when we went fake plant shopping.  We decided to go to Hobby Lobby (I'd remembered seeing them there when I was fabric shopping there in the past).  There were lots of options for plants already made, ranging in price from $60 - $200.  I couldn't believe how expensive they were.

Then I noticed all the fake plants and the pots were all 50% off -- Score.  I decided to try my hand at fake plant arranging. I remembered my mom doing a bit of this growing up.  So I decided to wing it.

I bought all of the below for less than the price of one, already made arrangement.

I figured out two good ways to make the arrangements.

First, I cut the green foam to the right dimension.  This stuff gets everywhere so be sure to cut it over the trash.  Then I just took the whole arrangement and stuck it in the foam, twisting straight down.  Turned out great!

For my second plant I took the arrangement out of the plastic base, holding it all together.

Then I individually placed each section, starting at the middle going out.

For my third plant I did a combination of both steps.

If these plants were going to be at eye level I probably would have put synthetic moss on the top to add to their realness.  But since they were going up high, I didn't bother.

Yesterday we placed the plants in their new home.

Before/ After

Before/After

After the plants we placed his diplomas and awards using these cool command strips.

Lastly we hung this white buffalo painting that I bought my husband a couple of Christmases ago.  A favorite in our home that was always intended for his office-- I miss it.

Stage 1 of operation: decorate office -- complete.

Now on to stage two.

Back To School

We celebrated our annual Back to School Night party a couple nights ago.  Yes, we're back in school already.  

We started the festivities with homemade pizzas, everybody helped make their own section of their pizza just the way they liked it.

Oh and don't worry, Dad wasn't left out.  We made him a gluten + dairy free pizza using Pamela's bread mix for the crust, gluten free pepperoni, and my homemade cheese made out of macadamia and pine nuts.

Can you tell which pizza's his?

Answer: On the right.

During dinner we talked about my son's goals and wrote them on note cards all over the table.

His goals varied from : -- Read 20 minutes every night-- to -- Make 4 new friends by September.  All great goals.

We had a really nice night together getting ready for school, celebrating education, and enjoying our family dinner together.

The next morning our son was well rested, happy, and ready for his first day of second grade.  After we dropped him off, we met up with some friends at the park to play and celebrate the kids returning to school.  It was a great day, we Love School!

10 years ago-- Remembering 9/11

My son came home today with some interesting homework.  He was given a piece of paper that encourages him to have a day of service and remembrance in commemoration with the 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11.

He has no idea what 9/11 is.

I have been searching for a long time for information that I can teach my five year old about September 11th.

I remember that day very clearly.

I was a sophomore in college.

I woke up late for class and ran out the door not talking to anyone until I sat down in my class.

Suddenly I noticed everyone talking tragically about

 airplanes

and crashes

buildings

and new york

and terrorists

I had no idea what was going on.

I figured it was some new movie everyone was talking about.

My teacher came in and we had a very serious discussion.

Class was dismissed.

I ran home.

Glued to my television I beheld sites I will never forget.







I am sure my five year old has never heard of 9/11, or terrorists, or Twin Towers.

His world is peaceful and happy.

But I want to teach him about our history that happened not too long ago.  Five years before he was born.

But where do I start?

I found this amazing resource and wanted to share it with you. Click Here.

It comes from the website http://www.911memorial.org/

I spent a lot of time today trying to find just the right way to approach this subject.  This fits my vision perfectly.



Linked in.

Back to School Celebration!!

I get happy with myself when I think of traditions that we can start at the very beginning.  

Yesterday evening we had our very first Back to School Celebration.

I suppose it's technically "Starting School", rather than "Back to School", but I wanted to make a banner that could be used time and time again.

I also wanted a new tablecloth to add festivity to our table for our celebration.  (FYI-- I went to 3 different stores before finally stopping in Big Lots and snagging this one for $8.)

To make our banner I first chose papers that matched my new tablecloth and cut them into triangle shapes.

Then I printed out and cut the letters to "B-a-c-k t-o s-c-h-o-o-l  2011 "and glued them onto my triangles.

Next I grabbed some yarn and stapled them on my triangles to make my banner.

Now, if you've ever been to my home you know that it is teeny.  We moved in here with three people and now we're completely busting at the seams with 5 people.

I was able to hang my banner in the kitchen...but I was not able to take a nice photo of it.  So, you'll just have to use your imagination.

Then Monday night we had a family night discussion of our goals for our five year old and wrote them down.  I printed each of the goals out and glued them onto paper and placed them around the table to talk about as we ate dinner.

This boy was Very excited we were having a back to school celebration just for him! 

We had a Delicious dinner of spaghetti, rolls, squash, zucchini, and grape juice.

Then I made apple dumplings for dessert.  If you haven't made these before you Must.  They are completely divine!

This morning our big boy was off to school.  He was So thrilled and happy to be going.  We sure love our big boy!