Snowy evenings and satisfaction

I can't believe I haven't posted on here since March 4th!!! Time flies when you're......doing too much. ;-)

I don't have time to share my Weekend Circle Time this weekend (the inlaws are coming....gotta clean!). But I did want to share a few pictures of the cute superhero capes that I made this week. I found the pattern/idea over here, and used most of her instructions, with a few variations. Since I don't have a sewing machine, they were slightly more "rustic" looking than hers too. (lol) But the boys ADORE them, so all is well.

Have a fabulous weekend......we are enjoying a cozy evening, snowed in at home.

(In March? What!? Yep......)

~Remember to spend time enjoying the ones you love!~

Pumpkins put me in the mood....

I have really been slacking off all summer, in regards to crafts and fun projects with my kids and my daycare kids. You know, kids are so creative on their own, who needs to provide extra opportunities for creativity, right? ;-)

But I have been feeling guilty.....and since I am trying to make myself be more fun and creative and stimulating and "teacher-ish", I figured I should start doing a craft time at least once a week again. And fall always makes me want to create cute little projects for some reason. Maybe all of the gorgeous colors? I don't know.....

What projects do you like to make with your kids, esp. in the fall?

Here are a few sites I have found helpful......

#1: Cute toddler ideas
#2: Fun fall projects.....this is my favorite one!
#3: Great site for all kinds of kid stuff
#4: One of my all-time favorite sites for ideas and coloring pages

How are you going to celebrate the beginning of fall today? I may have to go out and get a big mug of pumpkin spice yummy-ness somewhere.....or just stay home and snuggle with my own little pumpkins.

Oh, for the love....

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And the stores are crammed with all sorts of Valentine items to waste money on. Resist, resist.......

I love Valentine's Day.......my husband does not. :-) I am not sure why I like it so much---I usually shun most commercial holidays. But I like showing my appreciation and love for those closest to me. And I love having a reason to make fun little kid crafts. (See previous post for an explanation--of sorts--of my childlike behavior).

Here are my top five favorite Valentine crafts in categories.......now to narrow them down! Maybe you all can help. Let me know which ones you think are the cutest (or look the easiest!)

Easy and Charming Valentines

1) Good valentines for boys-- these and these

2) Perfect for any classmates--this one or this one

3) Fun teacher gifts here and here

4) Cute girly valentines.....here and here

5) Grandparent gifts....these and these

I will let you know which ones I choose, complete with pictures. I can hardly wait! :-)

(Plus, I will post pictures and plans from my Valentine party in a few weeks.....)

Teaching the ~TRUE~ meaning in a (sometimes) meaningless world

As we head into December and all of our preparations for Christmas, I always take a deep breath before "taking the plunge". As much as I love Christmas time, I also dread it. Between all of the gift giving, decorating, partying, card writing, program practicing, wrapping, traveling, baking, listening, and shopping.......I always end up feeling drained and unprepared to focus on Christmas Day.

To focus on Christ's coming to earth, being born as a human and yet still God,
and to dwell on the miraculous events surrounding His birth.

And I wonder if my children can focus on that either, amidst all of noise and clamor of our Christmas "preparations".

Don't get me wrong--I think all of the preparations are wonderful, and help exemplify the true spirit of Christmas to my family and friends. But am I taking time amidst all of the chaos (for lack of a better term) to remind my children of the quiet event that happened 2000+years ago, the TRUE REASON why we even celebrate Christmas?

As I was thinking about all of this over the weekend, I decided to do some investigating. Here are a list of resources I found, to help those parents who desire to instill the true knowledge of Christ's birth in their childrens' hearts and minds. If you have others that you use, please leave a comment and let me know what they are.

***Some activities to help focus your heart on the meaning of Christmas: here and here
(I also like the idea from "Being Frugal" about buying 24 Christmas books--scroll down to pg.8.....I buy my kids a new Christmas story book about Jesus' birth every year.)

***Some advent calendars that I really like: this one and this one and this one and this one.
(We personally use this one.....it is simple and easy to use with small children.)

***Some great resources for guiding your thoughts towards Christ's birth: here, here, here, and here.
(You should also check out my friend Gretchen's blog--she has some good thoughts for this season.

And as you prepare for this Christmas 2008, I pray that the real reason why we celebrate will be alive in your mind, and that you will daily be affected by it. Jesus came for me and you.......

Things that make you go AAAHHH (but not associated with any 90's songs)

So, here it is.....Tuesday already! (I think.....)

I was just talking to my friend today about feeling mixed-up this week. You know, when the kids are off of school for a few days, it throws you off for the next week or so. That is how I am feeling today.

But I checked the calendar and it is definitely Tuesday. My crazy babysitting day. The day before Wednesday, my other crazy day of the week.

Except this week's Tuesday has been a little calmer.

We made these cute pumpkins today--even the babies "helped" make theirs. :-)


My hubby also was home for awhile this afternoon, so he took the 3 older kids to the park.
(Hence why I am actually writing this post!) God bless him--it was one of the sweetest things he could have done today.

And before I go wash the dishes (I have to do one profitable thing while Hubby is gone!), I wanted to leave you with Tuesday's featured blog......

I am sure many of you are already fans of this woman's creative and charming blog and business--but in case you are not, I just had to share. Whenever I need to feel happy, I check in on her. I love her stuff--it makes me smile (and covet a little.....). :-)

Have a wonderful day!

My friend from Wisconsin has been here this week, so I put aside blogging for a few days. It was fun to catch up and have a few girls' nights, eating cheesecake....heavenly.... and watching chick flicks. (Josh was gone, so it didn't affect him as much as it usually would have!) :-)

Because of my "friend time", I missed sharing a new blog with you yesterday. Here is the one that I found....

I have begun at-home childcare, and just took on 2 more kids today. (Which is great money but means twice the insanity around here!) Our oldest will be heading off to Kindergarten in a few weeks, so that will leave the 2 four-year-olds to entertain themselves, while I watch the 3 babies. And anyone who has 4 year olds knows that they do not usually "entertain" themselves constructively. :-)

I found this website, chock full of great ideas for crafts, recipes, etc. I am excited to try out some of the ideas on the preschoolers, and hopefully keep them occupied for a few minutes! The writer gave this list of easy craft projects, using items around the house. They look really fun---and easy enough to finish during naptime! :-) I'll let you know if we try any of them.

Do you have a favorite resource for kid-friendly projects?