i love making gifts!

I would like to start this post off by thanking everyone for their positive feedback to my last debbie downer post.  It really means a lot to me that you took the time to let me know that you support us on our journey. Thank you!
One of the guidelines to our challenge, is that instead of buying, we are going to give handmade gifts to friends and family.  I LOVE THIS!  I just love losing myself in making a gift for someone... especially when it involves using supplies I already have in my craft hoard.
This last month I have made 3 gifts (although I only have pics of 2...of course).

Gift one::

pic from www.thriftyandthriving.com

A mini marshmallow shooter for my nephew Isaiah.  I whipped up a little tote bag to carry all of the pieces in as well.  I have to say that it was super easy to make, cost a total of $8.00, and was a huge hit with the adult uncles.

Gift two::

A surprise room makeover for Ava.  I wish I had taken a before shot.... I have really been slacking on picture taking this month!  We painted her room April Blush, which she was dead set on.  We were able to find the shelving unit from Kijiji for $50 which included the baskets and magazine holders... super score!  I pieced the duvet cover together from my stash of fabic.... I think it looks adorable and it was really easy to whip up.  My grandmother generously donated an amazing light fixture (one i remember looking up at as a child) which makes an amazing bubble-like shadow on the wall.  Lastly, I hung a Sari I had over the window and Ava calls it a canopy.  It is not the Sears catalogue canopy bed of my childhood dreams but hey, the room is not mine!  Ava loves this room and keeps it super clean.  This was a gift well worth the effort and sweat... it was painted during the dreadful heat wave.

Gift three::

A Nancy Drew detective kit that Ava and I worked on for an 8 year old friend of ours.  We had so much fun putting this together.  We freezer paper stencilled the tote bag, collected detective essentials and made up a few fun envelopes and charts.  I know our friend loved receiving this and since the party, Ava is demanding one of her own.  She is running around the house creating and solving mysteries.  Knocking things over and then accusing random people of doing it.  Would you believe that she discovered that Ruby (our dog) was the culprit using up all of our Band-aids?  Thank goodness we have her around! 

the good, the bad, the funny and the mysterious

THE GOOD
I took Anthony to the Aviary yesterday and we hiked to Sassafras point.  The weather was amazing, he was able to fashion a variety of weapons from sticks, and we stood for a long time under the cherry blossoms.  The best part is that this morning of excitement was totally FREE because I was able to find 3 hour parking on the street instead of paying for parking in the lot as I usually do.

okay, the water looks gross in this picture but believe me when I tell you it was actually beautiful!

THE BAD
In a super duper rush I had to use a ATM that did not belong to my bank to get money for Ava's piano lesson (an exception from our challenge) and was charged an additional fee.  I am impressed that I was actually phased by this because usually I don't care but I hate that I spent money unnecessarily.  Better planning next time!

THE FUNNY
The kids think it is hilarious to tell jokes constantly.  Personally I am getting tired of fake laughing.  I will recount a few of the ones that stick out in my mind.
1. Ava:what did the cow do on the weekend?..... he went to the moooooovie theatre 

2. Ava: why did the donkey stand in the middle of the road?...... because he wanted to die (a little morbid don't you think?)

3. Anthony: What did the puffer fish say to the cow?....... want to go to the poopy tootie theatre?

They really only get more and more ridiculous.  Next week I will pass along some of the knock knock jokes they are telling.

THE MYSTERIOUS

Why does this ukelele keep showing up on my bathroom floor? No one will own up to it.