Monday, December 30, 2013
This little nut is 2 years old today.
I cannot believe it, can you?
Sawyer is the perfect little caboose
to this crazy-train family.
And we don't call him 'boynado' for nothing!
He is the busiest kid I know.
If he's not jumping off of something and gaining a new bump or bruise
{did I mention fearless?}
he's exploring and making messes for mom to clean up.
And you know what?
I wouldn't want him any other way!
This sweet little face has brought so much joy
into our family and our home.
His older siblings absolutely adore him,
dad has finally found his own little buddy
{all three other kids didn't take to Beau at this age like Sawyer has}
and mom gets snuggles and kisses all day long.
We love you Sawyer!
Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
When the home that my husband's great grandmother raised her family in
was about to be torn down, a few of us were able to
snag up a few items for our personal sentiment.
I happened to end up with one of these amazing wooden boxes
found in the back of the property. It has turned into one of my favorite things in my home
and I find myself using it all of the time to display holiday items and everyday treasures.
Christmastime warranted some new decor for my beloved box
and after some serious Pinterest browsing, I had a plan.
Supplies:
Scrapbook Paper (your choice)
Scrapbook Embellishments
(your choice - be creative, check your local dollar store for different items)
Hot Glue Gun
Wooden Skewers
Floral Foam Blocks
Moss ( or another covering - your choice)
If you're like me, you probably had most of this stuff at home!
And the items I didn't have, I was able to snatch up for super cheap.
There is no rhyme or reason to my exact display,
but I will give you instructions on how to make the paper
accordion flowers and the paper trees - the rest is up to you!
Paper Trees
I thought about attempting a step-by-step tutorial of these,
but why reinvent the wheel? Krokotak has a flawlessly executed tutorial
on their blog - and posting a link is way easier
than doing the work, right?
{click on blog name above for direct link to the tutorial}
Paper Accordion Flowers
These, on the other hand, I want to give specific
instruction - only because I have tried other tutorials and kind of
pieced together the best way I know of how to make them.
1) Cut 3-5 strips of paper (the toppers for my trees are made
from 1 inch strips, the larger at the bottom are from 2.5 inch strips).
Depending on the length of your paper, you may only
need 2-3 - the more paper, the tighter the folds will
end up on your finished product.
2) Fold each piece into accordion strips (this can take some time)
and hot glue the end of one strip the the beginning of the next.
3) After you have glued all of your accordion pieces into one large strip,
hot glue the two loose ends together to make a circle.
Please note, as you are gluing pieces together, make sure that your paper
maintains it's accordion pattern - you may have to
overlap pieces at the end to keep the folding continuous.
4) Once you have a full circle complete, you are going to gently push
one end of the circle inward to make the flower shape.
5) Using scrap pieces of paper punch {or cut} out a small circle to use as reinforcement.
6) Add a liberal amount of hot glue to the small circle cut out
and place it on the back side of the completed accordion flower to keep it's shape.
7) Once the glue is dry, you can start with the fun stuff - embellishing!
Once you have the trees and accordion flowers complete,
glue a wooden skewer onto each one,
place your foam blocks in your container and go crazy arranging it all.
As you can see, I used the accordion idea throughout - even as tree toppers!
The cute little presents wrapped are everyday small box items found in my home
{package of pudding mix, leftover Halloween candy, etc.}.
There really are no limits here - make it your own!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
I am a serial planner.
I admit it, I own it, it's who I am.
We love our Elf on the Shelf Kit Kat!
Last year we had so much fun each morning
leading up to Christmas finding him
in precarious situations.
We're looking forward to it again this year!
{yes, even mom and dad}
So instead of winging it like I kind of did last year,
I'm planning ahead.
Did I also mention that I like to share?
Yup, I'm posting them all here.
We moms, dads and elves have to work together!
Keep in mind, these are only suggestions.
If you have a better idea, use it!
And if you feel so inclined, share it in the comments
I'd love to see what you come up with!
{references to ideas noted if available}
Elf on the Shelf 2013
December 1 - Welcome Package & Letter
Last year our elf arrived in a wrapped package
{it was our first year}
with a letter attached.
{message me for the letter - I’m happy to email it to you}
I thought this idea was cute, too, especially for a return visit.
Idea found here.
December 2 - Cutting Out Snowflakes
Leave your elf on the table surrounded by
scissors, paper scraps and completed paper snowflakes.
Idea found here
December 3 - Playing Solitaire
Lay out cards as if in the middle of a game
with your elf positioned as the player nearby.
December 4 - Elf Joke (#1)
Very cute printable jokes found here.
December 5 - Making a Snack
Let your kids find your elf making himself
a snack in their play kitchen {or doll kitchen}.
December 6 - Wrapping Toilet
Toilet paper your Christmas tree
{or another household item if your tree isn’t up and ready}
and position your elf to look as though he’s been caught in the act.
December 7 - Hiding in the Silverware Drawer
Make room in one of the areas of your
silverware drawer organizer for your elf to squeeze into.
Your kids will be in for a surprise when they open the drawer!
{no online source found to credit photo}
December 8 - Mini Pancakes
Make or buy mini-pancakes for breakfast and
position your elf to look as if he/she’s made them.
Bonus, breakfast is ready!
December 9 - ‘Sunbathing’
Lay out a washcloth {or a small cut strip of towel},
sunscreen, small drink with a straw, sunscreen,
Barbie {or make some out of paper}sunglasses and
a mini-book so that your elf appears to be sunbathing.
Idea found here.
December 10 - Elf Joke (#2)
Very cute printable jokes found here.
December 11 - Packing School Lunches
Another one that serves as double duty!
As you are packing your kids’ school lunches for the next day,
leave them almost complete with your elf nearby
positioned to look as if he/she’s made the lunch.
December 12 - Stacking Plastic Cups
Grab a stack of plastic or paper cups and
stack them up in a pyramid against the wall
with your elf sitting proudly on top.
{no online source found to credit photo}
December 13 - Fishing for Goldfish Crackers
Make a simple fishing pole with a Q-tip and dental floss,
sit your elf on a chair and have him fish for gold fish in a small bowl.
December 14 - TP Countdown
Write a countdown message on a long strip of toilet paper
and position your elf at the top of a shelf or cabinet
with message hanging down for the kids to see.
Idea found here.
December 15 - Roasting Marshmallows
All you need is a stick, a marshmallow and a fire
{we’re lucky to have a mini Barbie campfire from a playset}.
December 16 - Photobooth w/ Barbies
This is one I wanted to do last year, but found the idea too late in the process.
Idea found here.
December 17 - Paper Sack Races w/ Other Toys
{no online source found to credit photo}
December 18 - Rolling Down Stairs in Toilet Paper
Squeeze your elf’s body into the center of a toilet paper roll
{head out one end, feet out the other}
and roll him down the stairs,
being careful to keep a long strand of toilet paper
following him down for effect.
December 19 - Making a Marshmallow Snowman
This could be fun with those HUGE marshmallows that are sold at grocery stores now.
Pretzel sticks for arms, chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.
And, he’s edible when it’s time to clean up!
December 20 - Reading Books to Other Toys
This one is simple and sweet.
Just set up your elf with some of your kids’ other toys
for story time (with the elf reading to them).
December 21 - Locked In
Wrap your elf in a tiny blanket and
place him in the freezer snuggled up to stay warm.
After all, he is from the north pole, right?
December 22 - Elf Joke (#3)
Very cute printable jokes found here.
December 23 - Camera Pranks
This is my awesome cousin Cami’s idea!
While your kids are asleep, take silly pictures of the elf around the house
{even next to your sleeping kids}
and either print them or make a computer slide show
for the kids to see in the morning.
December 24 - Goodbye Letter
Last year our elf left a treat for the kids
{Kit Kat bars in honor of his name and their favorite treat}
This is another super cute idea I found on Pinterest.
{no online source found to credit photo}
Monday, November 04, 2013
Monday, November 4th
Tuesday, November 5th
Wednesday, November 6th
Thursday, November 7th
Friday, November 8th
Saturday, November 9th
Grilled Chicken & Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Sunday, November 10th
Monday, November 11th
Shrimp Tacos
Tuesday, November 12th
Wednesday, November 13th
Thursday, November 14th
Friday, November 15th
Saturday, November 16th
Sunday, November 17th
Pork Roast & Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23rd
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Tuesday, September 24th
Potato Soup & Rhodes Rolls
Wednesday, September 25th
Thursday, September 26th
Friday, September 27th
Chicken, Bacon & Ranch French Bread Sandwiches
Saturday, September 28th
Sunday, September 29th
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Monday, September 30th
Steak & Baked Potatoes
Tuesday, October 1st
Tacos
Wednesday, October 2nd
Ham & Funeral Potatoes
Thursday, October 3rd
Friday, October 4th
Saturday, October 5th
Breakfast Burritos
Sunday, October 6th
Pork Roast & Mashed Potatoes
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Monday, September 2nd
Baked Potato Bar
{baked potatoes w/ anything your family likes for toppings}
Tuesday, September 3rd
{trying these for the first time - I've heard they're great!}
Wednesday, September 4th
Chicken Fajitas
{grilled chicken, onions, peppers and mushrooms}
Thursday, September 5th
{trying this for the first time - looks super easy}
Friday, September 6th
{this recipe is pretty close to mine - we absolutely love this}
Saturday, September 7th
{this recipe is so, so good - I add chopped mushrooms}
Sunday, September 8th
Pork Roast & Potatoes
{basic roast, basic dinner, basically delicious}
Monday, September 9th
{my personal favorite - and everyone in my house will eat these}
Tuesday, September 10th
Homemade Nachos
{chips, meat, beans, cheese, sour cream, etc.}
Wednesday, September 11th
Spaghetti & French Bread
{the most basic of dinners, we always have this on hand}
Thursday, September 12th
{we love these!!!}
Friday, September 13th
Pizza Night
{most likely takeout}
Saturday, September 14th
{great recipe, the secret weapon is the ranch mix and it's a must}
Sunday, September 15th
Family Dinner @ Shanna’s
{pot luck style - not sure of my assignment yet}
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Cami, I'm starting this back up for you.
{and anyone else that finds it useful,
she's just mentioned missing it!}
Monday, August 19th
Tuesday, August 20th
Grilled Chicken & Baked Potatoes
Wednesday, August 21st
Thursday, August 22nd
Friday, August 23rd
Saturday, August 24th
Sunday, August 25th
{first time trying this}
Monday, August 26th
Pigs In a Blanket & Tater Tots
Tuesday, August 27th
Taco Salad
Wednesday, August 28th
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches
{making a double batch to also take dinner to a friend - new baby!}
Thursday, August 29th
Friday, August 30th
Homemade Pizza
Saturday, August 31st
Chicken Fajitas
Sunday, September 1st
Grandma’s Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes
Monday, March 25, 2013
Happy 8th Birthday
to my sweet Tatum!
What great things you have ahead of you!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Just for the record: I am not bored.
I am constantly doing laundry and washing dishes, mopping floors and wiping butts.
I clean mirrors and windows more than should be legally allowed. I sit with each of my children after school and help with homework, we eat dinner together every night (almost always a meal that I have prepared at home) and we read at least 20 minutes before bed.
I make lunches, volunteer in classrooms, take the car for repairs, hold church callings, and run a part time business.
I do all the grocery shopping, birthday shopping, Christmas shopping.
I pay the bills and balance the checkbook.
I don’t always get a shower or a sit-down lunch.
I can’t remember the last time I went shopping for me.
I pick up, drop off, call ahead and plan.
I am not bored, anything but.
Exhausted? Sure, but I will continue to celebrate ‘silly’ traditions
with my family, because that’s what we do. And we all love it.
I don’t mind a late night here and there to place green food coloring in the toilet and milk jug and leaving a small bag or ‘better luck next time’ treats after spending the evening with my children making a leprechaun trap that they are convinced will work this year (it never does). I love waiting for the quiet sounds of slumber downstairs every night in December so my husband and I can think of another fun (and free!) way our elf can surprise the kids in the mornings leading up to Christmas. And even more, I love hearing them remind each other to make good choices because their elf Kit Kat is watching. I am as anxious for birthdays as my kids are and secretly love the sounds of early morning voices unable to wait any longer. The magic that they see reminds me, even if it’s just for a short amount of time, that there is good in this crazy, scary, chaotic world we live in - good that they can always find in our home.
Is our world overly materialistic? Absolutely. I think we go way overboard with lavish gifts and money spent on children who will outgrow/break/tear/loose items in a shorter amount of time than I could have ever imagined pre-motherhood. But giving your children a little something to look forward to, giving them traditions and memories that last much longer than their childhood will, seems alright to me. And if you don’t maintain the same traditions in your family, that seems alright to me, too.
What I do mind, however, is the judgment from other moms. How about instead of being upset that other parents do it differently than we do (don’t even get me started on how much people pay for teeth or jeans these days), we teach our kids that traditions are family specific. How about we all teach our kids to quit asking each other ’what did you get for Christmas?’ and instead work on being kinder to each other. How about we stop with the mom-bashing and start showing our kids how to value their own traditions and quit worrying about what others do.
I will not apologize for being fun.
Someday my house will be quiet, clean and leprechaun-free.
That’s when I think the boredom will set in.
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