School Party and eBay fun...

Today was Dearest Son's last school day before holiday vacation. I'd been asked to help with the classroom party, and I needed to distribute all the star ornaments I made yesterday. So after a quick lunch, I was on my way.

It was my original idea to just stand the stars up in my boot box, let folks choose their own. But Beloved Hubby thought it'd be nicer to have 'em wrapped, and I agreed with him. I'd already put aside two for the busdriver and monitor, and luckily, Dearest brought home two holiday-themed lunch bags from various school projects. I reused them this morning, adding cookies and candy canes. No one seems to remember the bus personnel.

I made a special red glitter one for his teacher. The rest were gold (8), green (8), and black (4) - basically what I had left from other projects and yard sale finds. The red glitter felt was a small bit left from his pre-k days - I made a stocking for each class member, four years ago. Luckily, the wrapping paper - another yard sale find, this time from a Free box - was already in the house.

So I wrapped them and camouflaged the box my boots came in with foil. Nothin' says 'Christmas' like a shoe box in aluminum foil. Left a bit early so I could hit the Thrift. Found several things I liked, but with mostly pocket change in my wallet, I decided on the wicker doll sofa, 75c plus tax. I am such a sucker for those things...

On to the fun part of the day ! It only took me a half-hour to get my little surprises distributed. I even had a few extras to share ! And I got the custodian - last year, I couldn't find her. For such a small thing, I got many thanks and smiles. Our librarian was especially happy with hers - since her daughter had been the Star of Bethlehem this year, she wore a yellow felt costume ! So this was an especially nice keepsake for her. I'd been feeling 'gift inadequacy' tremors on the way to school - but afterward, I was really glad I did it.

The party was fun, although few parents contributed. Seriously. Out of a class of eighteen, only half sent anything at all - and three of us were putting on the party ! What really ranks is that last year, it was even worse. We had candy canes, Doritos, drinks, and cookies, that was all. Beyond the homeroom parents, m'self included, only two contributed. Sad.

We stored the leftover candy, treats, and plates in the boot box - from where we had extra, but not enough to give out to the whole class. His teacher can use the stuff for rewards later. I ended up leaving the box there - and the better lid I picked out is still in the car ! 

Once home, I found that my eBay shipment had arrived. Whoo-hoo ! Thanks to simply knowing what she looked like, I scored a rare Little Mermaid 2  "Melody" doll - for $2.99 ! Plus $9. shipping. I hate shipping. Anyway. Last Sunday, out of boredom, I was looking up 'Barbie under $5.75' on eBay, and this auction came up. I cross-referenced a few online photos to confirm, and yes, that's Melody ! I'd been kind of wanting one for a while, being a big Disney doll fan, but there was no way I was payin' the going rate. "Melody" tends to go for around $60. out of box and usually nude. This one had her 'blouse and bloomers', at least. An hour later, I won with my opening bid and paid.

But that wasn't all. I also collect 'Midge' dolls, and here was 'Slumber Party Midge', who didn't show up well in the photo. I didn't have her - or the Surf City Kira. I couldn't tell from the auction photo who she was, so it was great to have her, too.

The rest were generic blonde dolls in 'meh' clothes, but I got more out of the shipment than I thought I would. The Dollar Tree doll, the Butterfly Art Barbie, the two DTree Kelly clones, and four other dolls will be cleaned up and donated. One doll's too badly damaged to donate, so I'll do a head-swap with a better body from the Experiments box. I always keep a few wrecked dolls around for hair and body trials.

And there's a yard sale tomorrow ! Wish me luck !

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A Box of Stars !

Here's a quick shot of the star ornaments, some wrapped, some not, that I made for various folks at Dearest Son's school. They're in a boot box encased in foil. Nothing says holidays more than a shoebox in aluminum foil !