Oriental Trading - Lots of 4th of July Items!!!!

In just a little over a week, my husband and I will be hosting our annual 4^th of July picnic for our church.  This year we wanted to make it extra special for all our guests by have a few treats and decorations.  Thank goodness for ORIENTAL TRADING  and their wide variety of patriotic items it was easily accomplish! 

Candy Buffet anyone???  I started off with some red containers from Oriental Trading's patriotic selection to put all the goodies in.   There are 3 sizes (2 of each).   They are the perfect size.  I am saving the largest 2 for the Rice Krispie Flag Treats that I will make later!) The other 4 containers are filled with Sweet Creams Hard Candy, Candy Sticks, Tootsie Rolls, and Butter Mints.   What child (or adult for that matter) will be able to resist these eye catching sweets?!  And yes... I did the taste test and they all passed!  :-)   Chocolate is one of my favorite candies...I hope they make it for the party next week.  

When I saw these Red, White, and Blue Leis I knew they would be absolutely perfect for our celebration.  I was concerned they might be too hot to wear, but they are very light-weight.  I will definitely be wearing one.  

We wanted to decorate just a bit, so we decided to add a few bows randomly around the lake/picnic area.  They are very sturdy and I will be able to easily attached them to the trees.

And of course...every party needs a photo booth!!!  

I’m pretty sure these 

will be a big hit.  Since everyone (almost) has a camera in the phone it will be a do it yourself booth. The problem I found with these props is what to put them in.  I finally decorated a container and we are going to attached it to the tree so it doesn't constantly all over.  

Isn't my little boy absolutely precious!  I have to admit...he wasn't too happy about posing for me.  You probably can't tell that though.  lol

The 4^th of July wouldn’t be complete without a few glowing items!  Aren’t these Glow Necklaces awesome!  There are several kiddos in our church that are going to love them.  I might have to put a sign up that says “children only.”  

I hope you saw some things that 

you liked.  If not, you need to head on over to Oriental Trading and find items that will make your 4th of July more special.  

You still have time but you need to hurry... hurry... hurry... if 

you want them for your 4^th of July Celebration!!!!

Happy 4^th of July and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

Disclaimer:  I received the above products from Oriental Trading in exchange for my honest opinion of their products.

Naeir! Oh My!!!!

A few weeks ago I posted that I wanted to accomplish several things this summer and I thought posting might make me be more accountable.   Nope... it didn't work.  Instead I have developed an addiction... to a website can Naeir!!

Apparently I signed up a while back and was approved to purchased items but I never even checked it out... Until a few weeks ago...

Now I'm hooked.  It's crazy... being drawn to things that I could really use in my classroom and they seem so cheap... and they are... well... some of  them...

But now... my checking account is empty...and I must quit visiting that website before it becomes an addiction that I can't overcome.  I've read comments from other teachers on Facebook... apparently it is an issue for other teachers as well...lol

That's it...I quit!!!

SUMMER... PLEASE SLOW DOWN!

School has already been out for my over 2 weeks and I have did absolutely nothing!  I have a list of things that I promised myself that I would do this summer … so… I better get motivated pretty soon!

I love making lists, so maybe creating a list here will make me be more productive.  J

My goals for this summer are to:

vRead books for pure enjoyment! 

vWake up and walk 1^st thing in the morning before it gets too hot

vLose 15 pounds before school starts

vPractice my clarinet at least 3 times every week

vGet caught up on my daily Bible reading plan and stay caught up!

vOrganize my pictures on my computer – OH MY!!! What a mess

vBlog at least once a week!!!

vStay completely away from school!!!

vSpend lots of time out at our lake with friends and family!

vGo through my closet and give/throw away a bunch of items that are just taking up space

vPaint my Kitchen & Bathroom

vMove everything from my broken computer to my new one and GET RID OF A BUNCH OF FILES THAT I NEVER USE!!

vLearn how to use a camera that I have had for a couple of years!

  

Okay!  That is just a few of the things I want to try to accomplish!  Wish me luck!