Shiver Me Timbers

Ahoy matey! We may have had a little too much fun today at work as we helped the child care celebrate Pirate's Day! 

 

The Kiddie Campers on their "Pirate Parade"

 

Arrrgggghhn't I lucky to work with such cool people and such a fun place?

Healthy Kids Day

This morning the Habersham YMCA participated in Healthy Kids Day. Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative of the Y to improve the health and well-being of kids, is filled with fun, active play and education activities that will help parents improve their kids' lifestyles for the long term. It is a celebration meant to kick start physical activity and learning during the summer. 1,900 YMCA's took part in Healthy Kids Day across the country!

Along with bouncy inflatable activities and the opening of our pool, we had youth soccer games...

... face painting...

... the fire department...

... healthy snacks...

... flash mobs/dancing...

... educational games...

... and lots and lots of happy, smiling children!

 

  

Yay for Healthy Kids and Team Habersham!!!

Twenty-Six

I just want to do a quick blog post about my 26th birthday! My parents came into town to visit and celebrate the weekend after my birthday (since the actual day fell in the the middle of the week). Friday night my parents tagged along with Miguel and me to a work event. The event was a silent and live auction/dinner to raise money for our Priceless Gifts Campaign. I'm so glad my parents were able to attend. We had a blast and I enjoyed introducing my co-workers to my family. My parents won some fun items including a vacation rental property for a week on Prince Edward Island! Can't wait to take that trip with family! I'm going to pretend I'm Anne (that's Anne with an E) while I'm up there! A friend of mine, Izzy, generously donated a photography session for the auction and my parent's won it as an anniversary gift for Miguel and me! We are super pumped! You should totally check out her work!! (Is 26 too old to say words like "totally"?)

I feel completely overwhelmed with love from my friends and family! I got spoiled with lots of cards and gifts and even two birthday cakes! Miguel surprised me with a cake from my favorite bakery (YUM)! My co-workers also brought an amazingly delicious cake to work to celebrate and they even decorated my desk too! 

 

I also love how everyone embraced my princess-themed birthday! Look at all these pink, girly, glittery, cards I received! =)

Like I previously said, I am overwhelmed with how blessed I am in my family, friends, and co-workers! I got totally spoiled! I want to brag about all the cool gifts I received but will limit myself to two (because these took cool pictures)...

Amy was so kind and brought me a beautiful hanging plant for our patio. I love this! It makes me happy every time I see it! You can see it from our family room which is an extra plus!

I also opened this cute wooden block that says, "All you need is love... and a DOG"! LOVE it!!!! I wish so badly I could say I remember who gave this to me (if you did please, please let me know!!!). I was too eager opening all my gifts that I was a bad birthday girl and didn't keep track of what came from who... sorry! 

I am so blessed. I thank God for 26 wonderful years and pray that the next 26 bring more blessings and joy and that I learn to love God more deeply!

OH! And Happy National Princess Week! Remember... Princess is a state of mind! ;)

"Sic 'Em"

A couple of posts ago I blogged about the Habersham YMCA Priceless Gifts Campaign and the "American Spirit" wreath I made and donated to the Silent Auction. I also mentioned that I made a University of Georgia spirit wreath. Well, here is the final result. It's one of my favorite types of wreaths to make, a ribbon wreath. 

The "Sic 'Em" wreath can be hung indoors or outside. However, the longevity of the wreath varies based on the conditions in which you hang it. I made a similar "Boo" wreath for Halloween last year and hung it outside and it held up absolutely fine. 

 

For some final touches I added some white, glitter UGA letters and a big red bow.

UGA detail

The "Sic 'Em" wreath along with the "American Spirit" wreath are up for auction starting this week at the Habersham YMCA. The "Sic 'Em" wreath is valued around $45 and the "American Spirit" wreath starting at $35. If you are interested in purchasing either and supporting a good cause, please swing by and check them out! Each are handcrafted with lots of love, wags, and puppy kisses. 

If you are interested in owning your own handcrafted wreath please contact me and I will be happy to whip one up for you. I can customize your wreath to your specific theme and requests... I will even turn a blind eye to a Florida theme if you so choose. ;) 

It may be March Madness right now... but thinking of all our strong SEC teams is making me itch for the fall and some good, competitive college football! 

"American Spirit" Wreath

No, I know it isn't even March yet and I should be posting about something St. Patrick's Day related instead of a July 4th or Memorial Day or whatever American themed holiday... but I think it's okay because this wreath isn't even for me... though I may make another one for myself. I actually made this "American Spirit" wreath for a silent auction we are having at the Habersham YMCA in March. Our silent auction raises money that goes directly to our community by funding financial aid for children, adults, and families who cannot currently afford a membership to the Y or childcare. If you're interested you can read a better and more eloquently stated description about it all here. The cool thing is that none of the money goes to the facility or staff, just to the community. Anywayyyy...

I made the wreath by tying scraps of fabric around a wire wreath frame. A great benefit of making this flag months ahead of any national holiday is the cheap prices of the star spangled fabric!

I used multiple red, white and blue prints with stars and some red plaid and bandana prints as well. 

It took me quite a while to tie all these pieces of fabric around four different rings of wire... but I found that I could easily multitask while doing this.

You can see all the knots on the back of the wreath

I added a white paper ribbon bow and called it a day! Hopefully it will raise some money! I'm also making a UGA themed wreath and will post a picture soon! If you would like to own either please contact me or visit the Habersham YMCA the week of March 19th! OR if you would like to donate an item to the auction that would be awesome too!

Priceless Fun

Friday night the Y hosted two events to help raise money for our current Priceless Gifts Campaign. This campaign focuses solely on raising money to support the community. None of the funds go to the facility or staff. I've seen first hand the impact that the Y makes on the community with the money raised and it really is such a God thing. 

The first event was a Glow For Good Zumba dance! Zumba is a dance/movement exercise class that is very popular because it is so much fun and doesn't feel like a 'typical' workout. But tonight's event was extra special. The class was held in black light and everyone sported neon body paint, outfits, and/or jewelry! I was just observing and taking pictures, but the energy was so fun I wish I could have participated and danced! 

The turnout was wonderful! I think I might pay to do this class on a weekly basis if they offered it, so I'm not surprised that so many people showed up with the good cause being an extra bonus! The event ran for two hours so instructors took turns leading the class. We have such great instructors! I just have to share a picture of one of my favorites, Dede, who is also the Fitness Director, sporting "ZUMBA" painted down her left leg!

I didn't get to participate in the dancing, but I dressed up anyways! Thanks, Lori, for lending me some neon bobbles and scarf!

The second event was a Coaches vs. Coaches Basketball Tournament. Our youth basketball league coaches played each other. The game also had a great turnout! The Sports Director, Cory, got all the spectators involved and pulled children from the stands to participate in various games during the breaks between quarters. 

It was really cute watching the kids raise their hands, jump up and down, and call out to be picked to play the games! Many of these kids are the ones who benefit from the financial assistance this campaign raises. 

Friday night was very successful in my book! I'm so glad our community has such a wonderful resource in the Y and I'm so thankful I get to be a part of it everyday! Plus, you have to admit, it's a pretty fun place to work!