Apples For Teachers ~ End Of The Year - 2016

The end of the year is ALWAYS so hectic: dance recitals, baseball games, field day, volunteer breakfast celebration, award ceremonies, SOLs, Ty's birthday, this year graduation, and TEACHER GIFTS. IF you follow our blog regularly, you know how well our household treats those who care and teach our children all year long.  Enjoy a view into the gifts we gave at the end of the year.

First up, Mrs. Robin, the kids' bus driver, received a beautiful beach bag, with her name on it.  I had it embroidered.  I enclosed a few lottery tickets, a five below gift card, and a few travel size Bath and Body Works items. 

The school secretary, Mrs. Dixon, received ONE of my favorite gifts to give... "Whatever Is Lovely" adult coloring book and a set of colored pencils.  

The school principal, "Mrs. K", received Bath and Body Works NEWEST item...the candle warmer.  I also purchased her a few packs of the melts!

Each teacher received a white box, filled with gourmet chocolates, from the store "Chocolate Paper".

In addition to (2) Alex and Ani bracelets. In the beginning of the school year, I had each teacher fill out a questionnaire on things that they love or don't love.  One question was: "Gold or Silver?"  So I knew exactly what NOT to buy them.

Mrs. Thomsen received the "E" for Ellen.

AND the STARFISH!!!

Ms. Harlow, now Mrs. Peters, received the "L" for Lauren.

AND the Sand Dollar.

Mrs. Clifford received the "D" for Dee Dee.

AND the ANCHOR.

Although teachers LOVE gift cards, I think this makes a really great gift.  It's affordable, personable, and it's a memory that can last forever.

The "Etsy Bisty Spider" Gift!

At the end of the year, I gave the teachers both an "end of the year" gift and a "teacher appreciation" gift.  During the month of teacher appreciation, I had this idea, but all three of my kids were very sick and I just couldn't pull it all together.  I felt terrible for not acknowledging them, so I just doubled up on the gift giving on the last day of school.   

I wanted to give the teachers an ETSY gift card, but I wanted to give it to them in a fun way. I came up with a riddle that went just like this:

"The Etsy Bitsy spider went up Mrs. Clifford's desk. 

Up to her laptop to give her feet a rest. 

Out fell a gift card that read, 'You are the best!'

And the Etsy Bitsy spider felt so very blessed."

I found these adorable MAC greeting cards, on Etsy, at a shop called "Treasures For A Cure!"

Look at how precise the greeting card looks to my laptop.

It's an exact replica.  

I typed out the riddle, printed it, and put it on the "screen" of the laptop greeting card. If you would like to use the same riddle, I created a free printable for you to print and use HERE.

Then, using my labeler, I filled up the "keyboard" with a brief message to Mrs. Clifford.

I needed a spider.  I had a bag of plastic spiders, but I felt they would make the card creepy verses cute! So, I used Lilah's spider hair clips instead.  I took the spider off the clip, hot glued a string to the "belly" of the spider, AND hot glued the string to the card.

I purchased and printed ETSY gift cards.

I sealed this gift in a clear envelope wrapper.

I just love the way this gift turned out: creative, unique, and FUN both to receive and to spend.

Safari Park Zoo Field Trip ~ Virginia

Last week, the twins had a field trip at Virginia Safari Park!  I was thankful that I was able to tag along! It's always hard to convince myself to leave my responsibilities behind to go on a day trip, but I never regret going!

The forecast was calling for rain, hence the reason I had a hat and rain boots on, but the Lord was gracious enough to bless us with a gorgeous day!

Our favorite part of the Safari Park visit is getting to ride the tractor and feeding the animals. If you take your own vehicle, you have the option to drive through on your own.  We have yet to do that.  I am a little skeptical about damage and slobber to my vehicle.  

I think you can tell by Lilah's facial expressions how fun, but unexpected it is to field these animals.  

 Here's our little zoo keepers.  Hehe.  

There were a ton of mommy/baby animals.  I guess many of the animals have been busy.  LOL!

 

I have several favorite photos and this ostrich is ONE of them.

As well as this photo of the zebra.  

 

 

These animals got up close and personal.  

The flamingos were so pink!!!

We've been to Safari Park before, but I forgot that the giraffes actually allow you to touch them.  I LOVED this part of the field trip.

After the giraffes, we explored the bird habitat.  

I bought the kids bird seed sticks and the birds flew immediately onto the kids' arms, upon seeing the seed. 

Enjoy the slow motion videos of feeding the animals.  

While waiting on the bus to leave, Mrs. Thomsen's husband entertained the kids with duck duck goose and the hokie poke!!