Friday, March 12, 2010

Make Your Home a Haven: Drawer

Did you plan something special for someone this week? I hope the planning and the doing were a blessing to you as well!

Emily has been wanting to learn to read and has been working hard in her school time and it is finally clicking with her! Because of her hard work, we wanted to celebrate her effort!

So, I planned a little Storybook Princess party for her! Here's what we did:

We started out going to a very charming children's bookstore and let her pick out a new book! She picked out Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and we enjoyed reading books together.


Next, it was time to come home and fix dinner! I made ABC macaroni and cheese, soft pretzels that spelled out Good Job Emily (sort of, they did not hold their shape very well), strawberries and carrot sticks. For dessert I made a storybook cake. I used this recipe and made it into a 9x13 pan. Cut that cake in half and stack to make a book shape! (I'm no expert cake decorator - but Emily loved it!)

We snuggled up on the couch and read books in the evening - I had planned to play a game using Alpha-Bits cereal, but we never got to that!

Now, for next week - I'm going to choose something small just to get caught up on some other things. Pick a drawer that is a mess (my drawer under the phone!) and clean it out!!

18 comments:

Melissa said...

You did a great job on the cake - it looks like a book! You are so creative with your ideas to do special things for your children. Very inspiring!

Mom said...

Oh my goodness, how darling! What a special way to honor Emily's latest achievement in learning to read! I loved seeing Moonbeam and Sunshine "reading" books -- was that your centerpiece?

This is very positive reinforcement and encouragement not only to Emily in her reading, but for Rachel and Samuel as well -- who will be reading before we know it! Love you, Mom

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

What a great idea, Monica! I need to do that or my own kindergartener!

Wendi said...

So sweet! You rock with your themes and I think the cake turned out cute.

Looking forward to getting back into this challenge. I know the exact drawer I want to tackle.

Cheryl said...

everything looks special and it was just fabulous for your sweet little lady.
Mike Mulligan and the steam shovel was one of my fave books. Good choice Emily. : )

rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlife said...

YAY Emily!

Monica- Isn't it a wonderful feeling when they start reading to you...

Lovely celebration!

Katy said...

Aww...super cute time!!! :) Your little ones will always have such wonderful memories of their childhood! I Hope my children have the same! :) I just made some soft pretzels too...although I didn't attempt letters! Kudos to you for trying!!! :)

Paige said...

I did end up putting together a box for my friend w/ cancer. A box for her to hold incoming well wishing cards. One of your garlands, and a little journal that I had about 8 friends write something in for her. My intent is that we can continue to write in it, but we'll see how that works. I went ahead and gave her everything when she got home from her first chemo day. Thanks for the great pass along ideas!

angie said...

Since I didn't carry through on my pledge to do something special for another, I am going to add that to next week.
Emily's milestone celebration was fantastic. I think it is so meaningful when we celebrate an event that is not expected (eg. birthdays, holidays).
Such a simple touch to place the bears reading books on the center of the table, but it carries on the theme and signifigance of the day.
Congratulations, Emily! The world awaits you inside the cover of a book!

*carrie* said...

Very cute, Monica!

I haven't made those soft pretzels in years--really should try them sometime soon.

Unknown said...

I could make out the soft pretzels!! You are such an awesome mom, you do great things for your family and you are very creative. Too cute!!

Anonymous said...

So glad to be back Monica.And I think your cake is adorable, you're so fun and creative!Your family is very blessed!

Ginger said...

What fun for Emily!

Cheryl said...

Hi Monica,

I tried to get in on this a few weeks back with the filing deal...but it didn't work for some reason!

So here I go again! = )

I got my link on there...now I just need to get your photo on my blog. Wish me luck!

Cheryl

Lisa said...

Hi Monica,

Your celebration of Emily reading was so sweet!

As for the drawer task, I did my kids' dressers yesterday. Now I know what they need for the summer season! I am planning on doing one drawer each day this week. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Blessings,
Lisa

Mom2fur said...

Oh, my gosh, what fun! Looks like you had a great time both in the planning and the party itself!

Tammy said...

My son loved the Mike Mulligan book when he was little. We still have it stored for his kids some day. You put so much into things. Everything you do has special touches!

Camie said...

Great idea! And yah for reading! We had a classical books birthday party one year and that was so much fun!
I love your blog btw!

Blessings!

Camie