We ♥ Our Papa!

 Oh yes, we sure do! I know, you are probably thinking, "Papa???!!?? Are you talking about their grandpa or what?" Let me explain. If you haven't figured it out yet, we are a little scatter-brained, mixed up and confused on languages around here. {Be very thankful that I proofread my posts before sending them out into bloggy land or they probably would not be decipher-able!} Well, it's not just me, it gets passed on to my kiddos and they don't know the difference. They think that the crazy use of 2 languages interchangeably mid-sentence is completely normal. Don't worry--Clara has no problem speaking either one fluently and Ethan is on the fast track, too. So the point is, in Spanish, the word for daddy is papá {accent on the 2nd syllable}. Therefore my kiddos, both of them, call their daddy "Papa" {accent on the first syllable, kind of a mixture of Sp/Eng.} at least 50% of the time. Honestly, I think it is about the sweetest thing ever and I love to hear them say it with so much love in their little ♥s for their papa!

Kiddos with their Papa on Father's Day!

Clara was very excited about all the special things we had planned for Father's Day and even kept our present a secret. Good thing we just bought it on Friday, nevertheless, pretty impressive that she held out that long! :)

Papa with his "Toolbox" card

Papa's "Tools"

Clara and I made this for papa while he was at the teen activity on Sat. Quick, easy and turned out cute!
One of the tools says, "We couldn't have 'built' a better dad!

Reading his "Dad Facts" Sheet ;)

 
We tucked the "Dad Facts" Sheet into daddy's toolbox, too. He got a kick out of reading some of Clara's answers. Such as:
Daddy weighs: 5 lbs.
He loves to:  Work on some things.
What I love most about my daddy is: I love him because I have a ♥.
It makes Dad happy when I: obey! {yep, she's got that one down!}

Papa with his present--a work/casual watch

Papa's new scarf

 This was our Sunday School project and present for Father's Day. {It's winter down here, remember?!} Fleece scarves with their kid {or kids, in my case ;) } hand prints on them, and it says "Papa, I ♥ U!" Isn't that the sweetest thing?! Then when they wear it, everyone can see how much their kiddos care about them! ♥

Here's all the fun crafts, including the nice "shirt and tie" cards that we also made in Sunday School class. The kids loved gluing little pieces of paper on the tie to decorate it for papa!

I would say we did alright in spoiling our Papa for Father's Day. And if anyone deserves it, he sure does! He is an amazing husband and father to our kiddos. He takes time for the kids, playing and tickling and wrestling and loving them, everyday. He takes care of our every need and puts us before himself.  He makes us feel special and wanted and loved. We want him to feel the same way, too! WE ♥ U, Papa!

Dad's Day Ideas

Father's Day is upon us...Let's let those amazing guys in our lives know how much we love and appreciate all they do. How they work hard to "bring home the bacon". How they protect us and guide us in every way.

Lookin' for some quick, easy, inexpensive gifts/crafts to do with your kids for Father's Day? I sure was. Dads always seem to be so difficult to buy/make for. They don't get into all that nice, frilly, impractical stuff like us girls do and, what do they really need/want? Even harder, what do they want that doesn't cost a fortune {or 2} and is possible for my kids to make.
Well, this is what I have found. I think they are some pretty good options that Daddy-O is sure to enjoy/get a kick out of!

Dress Shirt and Tie card

This one is great because it comes with template, instructions, and even a cute poem. Check it out HERE.

Toolbox Card

This Toolbox comes with easy instructions and template for your "tools", too! Go HERE to find out more!

Dad Facts Sheet

This is just a little "fill in the blank" page of stuff you can ask your kiddos about their daddy. Let's see what they really think of him; ages 2-5 will probably give you the most entertaining answers! You can get your own HERE!

Dad, we love you to PIECES!!

Isn't this sweet?! For my PB candy lovin' hubby, this will go over great! You can even download the cute little tag HERE.

Hope this helps! Or maybe you have an idea of your own to share? Please do, I will take all the creative inspiration I can get! ;)

Flavia's Baby Shower

Last Saturday we had a baby shower for my dear friend, Flavia. She is "heavy laden" with her 4th child--a little princess! As she has a boy (9), girl (7) and boy (3), naturally another little girl fits right into the pattern ;) . I had the privilege of decorating the church auditorium for the occasion and, in spite of recovering from the sickys, I had so much fun with it. It's always nice when the plan/idea in your head turns out the way you envision, or better!

Meet Flavia (and Luana) :)

I was especially glad to be a part of her special day as she has been such a sweet friend to me. When we first moved down here the missionaries we are working with left for a 6 month furlough. We found ourselves {plop} smack-dab in the middle of all things Spanish. Flavia is the youth pastor's wife at our church and did everything in her power, in spite of the pesky language barrier, to befriend me and make me feel comfortable and loved. It didn't matter that we could barely communicate more than a few words to each other, we bonded through smiles and acts of kindness. I am so thankful that the Lord gave me such a friend when I felt so isolated and "out of the loop." So, you see, I really feel like this was my opportunity to repay her for all her kindness to me. It's not easy trying to get to know someone that can't speak your language, dealing with the stutterings, stammerings, pauses, lack of words, etc. Not to mention me being a foreigner and not thinking or doing things the Argentine way. But she has always lovingly put up with me and been a friend to me. Also, I am grateful that things have MUCH improved since the rough beginning of our friendship over 2 years ago. Now, we can chat and laugh and look forward with much anticipation to the arrival of her little beauty. Can't wait to love on her!!

The pretty, girly cake!

Can't take credit for this--made by our pastor's wife

This is more my speed, Diaper Cake! ha

I have a lot of experience with diapers, and I used a soft blanket for the center!

My clothesline of princess' clothes :) This was so easy and fun to do!

Bulletin board (over another bulletin board) See, I am learning...

Flavia & her MIL, playing a game

What concentration! You can see more clothesline in the background, too!

Opening gifts!

Little hat and booties!

Her nephew came up for a closer look!

The much-needed DIAPERS!!

Holding her 2 week old nephew

As you can see, I used some of Clara's {gently used} clothes to do a girly clothesline and decorate the tables with booties and shoes, etc. It was so much fun reminiscing over the tiny garments and washing them up for the next princess to wear. At the end of the shower, I was so happy to give Flavia a box full to overflowing with things for her sweetheart. I know that she needs them, will put them to good use, and deserves all the nice things she received and more! Giving is such a pleasure especially when giving back to a giver.

Spring/Summer Bulletin Boards

 

Okay, some more glimpses of creativity (or "borrowed" ideas, depending on how you look at it *grin*)

Actually, believe it or not, I think all of these boards came from my own 'wittle noggin'. Scary, isn't it?!

First, we have a "Under the Sea" theme for summer, complete with treasure chest. My idea came from Matthew 6:19-21. Where it talks about our treasure. Treasure in my brain = treasure chest, and where do you find those? All good pirate treasure is buried in a watery grave. So, voila!! My "ocean" filled with sea creatures of multiple colors, shapes, and sizes, treasure chest, with most the most valuable treasure--a heart, inside, "parchment scroll" treasure map for the verses, and sunshiny question.

For where your treasure is there will your ♥ be also.

Where's your treasure?

 

 

Next, I have a very "springy" bulletin board covered with butterflies. I included 2 verses: II Cor. 5:17, that tells us that we are "new creatures" in Christ. And also, Ecl. 3:11, which tells us that He makes "all things beautiful in His time." I love the idea that we get a new slate at salvation, and how that ties in with the idea that he doesn't expect us to be perfect over night, but rather that he will mold us and transform us from ugly caterpillars to beautiful butterflies. That's why I am "in the making!" and thankful for His hand at work in my life!

We are new creatures in Christ and He makes us beautiful in HIS time!

 

 

 

Lastly, I did this bulletin board for a girl's 15th birthday party at our church. This happened to coincide with the church's anniversary. So in order to make this board do "double duty" for me, I simply printed 2 more small hearts, that read "IBBI de Moreno" and "9 años" to replace the "Mis 15 años" y "Paula" hearts. Worked great!! 

 

Colossians 1:10

Lastly, how about some cake and ice cream?! I am ALWAYS ready for ice cream. Yummy! I am thankful that the Lord is WAAAAAYYY better than ice cream! Have you tasted of his goodness lately?

O taste and see that the Lord is good...

 

Ok, I think I brought you all up to speed in the bulletin board department, except for my most recent Easter board. More on that soon! Hope these may be a blessing and encouragement to you, and hey, they may even give you the creative spark you've been looking for!

Seeing More Spots...

Wow!! What a crazy/busy time last week and weekend were! Our Ladies' Tea went off without a hitch! Praise the Lord, I finished all of my projects {grant it, much to the demise of my house--grimace} and everything turned out BE-A-U-TIFULLY!! At least in my opinion--I will let the 'evidence' speak for itself  ;)

Table Centerpieces--Huge thanks to my amazing hubby for hunting up all the materials for me!

A Closer Look

My Matching Bulletin Board--Proverbs 31:10, 28-30

My Cute Lil' Friend

He kept the guest speaker company on the pulpit!

Ladybug Key Chain Souvenirs

The Adorable Cakes--Our Pastor's Wife did a great job!

The Cake Table

All the Pretty Tables

Another View

Doesn't it look nice and inviting?!

And now presenting, the cutest little ladybugs EVER.....


Drum roll, please.....

"Mom, what's this thing doing on my head?!?"

"I know I'm CUTE!!"

"CHEESE!"

"So, how does it look?"

A Utensil Bouquet

I know, I know, you think I have completely lost it right?!? Right? You don't have to lie, just tell it to me straight. I myself haven't really decided if I think it is a stroke of creative genius or pure insanity, but nevertheless, here it is.

My Utensil Bouquet

 Good, bad, or ugly (Hopefully the first one {wink, wink}). I will still claim it as my very own attempt at putting a new spin on the ordinary...

Or maybe it's just my way of trying to incorporate a touch of spring into everything lately.  {pleased grin}

Some things, in and of themselves, just seem so basic and mundane, and well, just plain, old, "Blah!" So why not try to shake things up a bit, right?! Don't ask me where in the world I got this idea from or why cuz I really can't tell ya. It just came to me--and I thought, "Hey, why not?" Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Ordinary basic black kitchen utensils, regular ole' drinking glass, one little bunch of flowers, a nice soft dish towel and a scrap of ribbon--Viola!! {Attractive} Centerpiece. Nah, just kidding! It's just a little gift for my Secret Pal at church. 

After all, presentation is everything--don't ya think?!
Anyway, whether she likes it or not (and I really hope she does), I had a lot of fun playing around and putting it together.
Sure would love to hear your thoughts on my unique bouquet or share your ideas if you have done anything similar (even only 1/2 as crazy is okay, too {chuckle})


P.S. Don't forget, more "Spots" Projects to come soon!