Basket Raffle

This year, I'm in charge of all the Room Moms at the girls' school.  I basically have it easy until February rolls around and... duh duh duuuuuh... it's time for the big Basket Raffle!

The Basket Raffle is one of the PTO's biggest fundraisers of the year.  Each class has a different basket theme, and then they fill the "basket" with themed items, and people can purchase raffle tickets in hopes to win them.  It's relatively cost-free for the PTO, as each basket is filled by donations- either by the class' parents or by companies.  It always amazes me how great these baskets turn out.

I spent many long hours at the school, collecting the baskets when they were due; putting them together; wrapping them in cellophane; making bows; taking pictures; and transporting them to the library.  There were 36 baskets in total, so this all took a lot of time.  FINALLY- we were done.  Then came the hours of volunteer time to actually sell the tickets.  All in all, I made up for any lost volunteer hours during those few weeks!

Here are some of the baskets:

There were around 10,000 raffle tickets purchased, and only 36 baskets, so... you do the math.  Not great odds. I purchased 25 raffle tickets and spread the wealth into several baskets.

Guess what?  WE WON ONE!  I couldn't believe it!  We won the "Date Night" basket.

We got a few restaurant gift cards, movie gift card, froyo gift card, Redbox gift card, Atlanta Botanical Gardens tickets, "Parents' Night Out" gift cards (where The Little Gym and a karate place will watch/entertain your kids while you go out), a picnic basket, canvas painting for two, a picnic blanket, and- Parker's favorite- the teddy bear!

Woot woot!  So exciting.  Now Stephen and I need to start planning some dates!

Soccer

The girls' soccer season started about a month ago, and we are in the full swing of it now!  They have the same coaches as last season and mostly the same teams.  Both girls' teams are undefeated so far.  It's really fun to watch them play.  Here are some of the pics from this season, so far:

Sydney:

Taylor:

Taylor just scored... love her expression!

Tee-Ball

Parker is playing tee-ball this season.  It is HILARIOUS.  The kids are ages 2-4 on his team.  Parents stay on the field with their kids to help them field the balls.  The whole line-up bats through and there hasn't been a single out yet.  The ball is almost always hit to the pitcher's mound, yet all 9 players seem to run up to it and try to grab it from each other.  Same team, people!  I also love that Parker does a full 360 when he hits the ball off the tee. ;)

Parker has been enjoying it so far.  It's his first team sport.  So far, so good.

Here are some pics!

Sydney's Field Trip!

Sydney's whole 2nd grade class headed to Athens to visit the Bear Hollow Zoo a couple of weeks ago.  I tagged along and my friend, Leighanne, rode with me as we followed the buses.  The weather was great- not too cold, not warm.  We basically had the whole place to ourselves, so we could all roam the "zoo" (I use that term loosely) on our own.  After seeing the (not very many or exciting) animals, we had a picnic lunch and the kids got to feed the ducks and play on the playground.  It was fun!

Sydney and Jordan.

Sydney and Izzy.  Reunited, and it feels sooo good!

Feeding the ducks.

Why, hello March!

Holy cow... how is it mid-March already??  2017 is FLYING!

Here are some photos that sum up our lives in the past month:

After school snuggle time!  (my favorite)

A girl and her dolls.

Parker and Tee Ball:

Gotta love that tongue hanging out!

Dr. Suess' Birthday:

I made green eggs for Taylor's and Parker's class.  Mmmmm!

T's teacher sent this of me serving the eggs. Ok, Ok, it's just green pudding and Nilla wafers.  Almost had you. ;)

Slingin' dirt!

Watching the Trolls with a big troll.

12 years!

We dined out on the beautiful Covington Square.

Babysitter selfies!

Sydney got us anniversary presents!

Posing with our new gifts.

Teaching at church:

I was a Mexican farmer. Ole!

Basket Raffle:

THIS has been taking up the majority of my last couple of weeks.  I'm in charge of the Room Moms at the school, and they are in charge of doing the themed basket for their classes for our annual fundraiser.  After many hours of working, wrapping, photographing, transporting items, they are done!  Woot.

Dinner with friends... these girls ran into their teacher's husband!  They were too shy to say hi.

Parker!

Soccer:

Soccer started back up this past weekend.

Lego Time:

It always seems to be Lego time in our house. (in case you were wondering, those little houses didn't last long.  Parker totally knocked them all apart about an hour later. :()