8 of the Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Depending on when your Elf returns from the North Pole, you still have a few weeks to spend with him.  I thought it would be nice to give you a few ideas of what you can do with him...er, a few ideas of what shenanigans he may pull while he's in your home.

Last year, our elf, Snowflake, introduced himself though a Magic Door in our living room. My kids were skeptical at first but, they each grew to enjoy seeing where Snowflake would be the following morning. Truth be told, I had a lot of fun with it, too!

{I got the door from Michael's, spray painted it white, sprinkled with LOTS of glitter and nailed to the wall. The little wreath is a mini wreath that I found a 6-pack of, also at Michael's. The string of lights is a necklace from Walgreens that really lights up! Finally, the door mat is a scrap of Christmas burlap that I sewed and then made fray a bit on the edges. }

Last year I had every intention in making Snowflake bendable. Because I never got around to it, he was limited in what he could pull off. This year I'm not holding back! I'm going to follow the directions in this tutorial and make it happen!

Wanna see what Snowflake may be up to this year? Here are a few great ideas I found!

We'll call this one Chocolate Lover. Imagine the looks on your kid's faces when they come down to see their elf digging into the chocolate chips!

This naughty elf replaced all of the stockings with the family's undies. {even a baby diaper!} Do elves get put on the naughty list??

How many Charlie Brown's Christmas fans do we have? Set up this "the elf is in" booth for your kids to enjoy.

Have a little wintry fun indoors with your elf and one of his best pals. Create a couple Lego walls and have them "throw" marshmallows at one another for a good old fashioned snowball fight!

Elves get hungry, too. This elf was making it pretty clear to his family that he was in the mood for a sweet snack. He said please. I wonder if he ever got his cookies?? You'll have to click through to the original blogger to see. 

My kids have a horrible habit of blaming it {whatever "it" may be at the moment} on their brother or sister...whoever isn't in the room gets the blame. Every time. How funny will it be when the roles are reversed? This Blame Game WILL be played by our very own Snowflake!

Your turn. Leave me a link with your best elf shenanigans. I may put together another round-up of ideas and feature yours!

**There are a couple of affiliate links within this post. This simply means that when you purchase from said links, I get a small percentage of your purchase to help support my family.

9 Easy DIY Valentine's Day Cards for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. 

Can you believe it's 2014? Each year, as January 1st passes, I get excited about the first holiday. Valentine's Day!

I can remember when I was a kid how fun it was at school to make a "mailbox" from an old shoe box. The next day or so everyone would bring in their Valentine's Day cards to pass out. It was definitely one of my favorite days of each elementary school year!

Today I've gathered nine DIY Valentine's Day cards {or small gift ideas} for you and your kiddos to make together. I imagine their little faces will shine bright as they deliver each of them to their friends!

/1/ Bubblegum Valentines - These are so fun! There's a bonus idea in this gal's blog post, too. {Tip: you can find the tubes of gumballs at Sam's Club. I saw them there just the other day.}

/2/ Heart Gift Tags - You can use chocolate OR heart shaped trinkets for this printable tag.

/3/ Love Potion Valentine - I love this idea! It's simple and SO unique. AND, it promotes drinking good ol' fashioned H2O!

/4/ "Say Cheese!" Printable - The photographer in me LOVES this! Send this free printable to your local print shop for optimum color and quality.

/5/ "In Good Hands" Printable Teacher Valentine - Do you love to spoil your kid's teachers? I do. They keep our silly monkeys six to seven hours of every day, after all. This is an inexpensive way to tell them you are thinking of them.

/6/ "Cake in a Cup" Valentine - Another great idea for the teachers. Pair it with a mug and call it done!

/7/ Popcorn Valentine Printable - This is a Valentine for anyone you love! Friend, spouse, teacher, care taker, babysitter....the list goes on and on.

/8/ Bobby Pin Valentine Printable - Are you crafty? Like, in a "I can make this AND wear it" kind of way? Well, you should share that crafty goodness with those you love! Here's a printable that allows you to show off in a loving way.

/9/ Felt Heart Pocket Bracelet - My daughter would LOVE these. I think I might make her one just because I love her so. Who will you make one for?

Thinking back on Valentine's Day when I was a kid, the cards available were so blah! Just cards. Or, maybe my mom never sprung for the ones with candy. :o) Either way, these are SO MUCH COOLER than the ones offered twenty-five years ago. #whoa #imold #hashtagsdontcare

Want to see more great ideas? Go check out my post on Blissfully Domestic!

5 Easy St Patrick's Day Recipes {and Kids Crafts}

As a mom, I always have these really great intentions when it comes to celebrating holidays with my kids. I peruse Pinterest for the most perfect ideas, I pin them and then I forget about them. Or, time gets away from me. This year will be different. At least, I'm hoping so. 

I've gathered 5 Easy St Patrick's Day recipes that I am going to strive to make for my family. Pancakes for the morning, a fruit pizza for lunch {Who cares if it has a cookie crust! My kids will LOVE me!}, Beef Pot Pies for dinner and a couple of snacks for throughout the day. I'm actually looking forward to March 17 now! Keep reading to get the recipes for yourself.

/1/ Green Pancakes Topped with Lucky Charms - Jamielyn at I Heart Naptime says she throws Lucky Charm marshmallows into the pancake batter sometimes to take the pancakes over the top!

/2/ Rainbow Fruit Pizza - My kids are HUGE fruit eaters...they will FLIP for this sweet {but healthy} pizza!

/3/ Guinness and Beef Pot Pies - I've always been a little intimidated by homemade pot pies, but Mary at Home is Where the Boat is makes them look easy!

/4/ Shamrock Shake - Have you guys checked out Amy at Living Locurto? She has some of the most amazing party ideas in the blogosphere! This shamrock shake is definitely one of them! My favorite touch is the rainbow on top.

/5/ Lucky Charms Munch - Oh my! It's a good thing St Patrick's Day only comes around once a year...this Lucky Charms Munch looks like something I could snack on all.day.everyday.

Looking for a few St. Patrick's Day crafts to keep the kids busy. Check out my post over on Blissfully Domestic for some really great kids crafts ideas!

How will you celebrate St Patrick's Day? Tell me about it on Twitter!

New Amazon Original Kids' Series WISHENPOOF

This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 From the Creator of preschool favorites like Blue's Clues and Super Why!, Angela Santomero brings us a NEW Amazon Original animated series, Wishenpoof, with a little girl named Bianca and her friend, Bob the Bear. On Wishenpoof, Bianca solves life's problems in her own creative ways. Even though she has "wishing magic", she learns that with a little belief in your self, magic isn't always needed. {Wishenpoof is available starting today, August 14th, for Amazon Prime members.}

 

McKinley and I had the privilege of previewing the first season together. She was instantly drawn to Bianca's ability to "wish" herself to a new adventure destination. But, as one episode continued, I loved that Bianca's mother encouraged her to not use her magic for everything. Instead, she was told that she could believe in herself {and show others that she believed in them} to get through a tough situation.


Since we don't have wishing magic, it's important for me to teach my kids that they can do anything they put their minds to if they believe in themselves. And well, if they fail, that's ok too. I really enjoyed watching Wishenpoof with McKinley and learning from her which she thought was the right choice in Bianca's decisions. Should she have used magic to help Penelope? Was it nice that she bought a ice pop for her brother, rather than use her magic? These questions helped McKinley and I have a back and forth conversation about believing in yourself and in others.

Are you an Amazon Prime member? If so, great, you can watch Wishenpoof today! If not, sign up for a free trial here.

Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers and Fruit Cups {a review and a giveaway}

Every day my four school-aged children burst through the front door and run straight for the pantry or the refrigerator for an after school snack. It's my job, as their mom, to make sure there are healthy, filling snacks behind those doors.

When a box filled Fruit Burst Squeezers and Fruit Cups from Del Monte showed up on my doorstep I was super excited to give these new products a try. Most of all, I was excited to share them with my kids.


{I grabbed one of the Fruit Burst Squeezers on my way out the door to sit in the carpool line. Yum!}

For years my family has enjoyed Del Monte fruit cups, in all varieties. I'm really pleased with the new flavor combinations that have been added to the line-up!

Here's a little more info on what you can expect from the new Del Monte products. Notice the first highlighted bit...MADE IN THE USA! I love that!

About Fruit Burst™ Squeezers

Made in the U.S.A., Del Monte® Fruit Burst®Squeezers contain 1 ½ servings of fruit or fruit and veggies and are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. In addition, Del Monte® Fruit Burst®Squeezers contain no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup.

                Fruit Burst® Fruit + Veggie Squeezers:

-          Peach-Mango: Pear puree concentrate, water, pumpkin juice concentrate, peach puree concentrate, pear juice concentrate, carrot juice concentrate, carrot puree, mango puree concentrate, natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid.

-          Blueberry: Pear puree concentrate, water, pumpkin juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate, natural flavors, carrot puree, blueberry puree concentrate, fruit and vegetable extracts for color, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid.

Fruit Burst® Simply Fruit Squeezers:

-          Apple Cinnamon: Pear puree concentrate, water, apple puree concentrate, pear juice concentrate, natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), cinnamon, malic acid.

-          Mixed Berry: Pear puree concentrate, water, pear juice concentrate, natural flavors, strawberry puree, red raspberry puree concentrate, blueberry puree concentrate, fruit and vegetable extracts for color, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), malic acid.

-          Strawberry: Pear puree concentrate, water, pear juice concentrate, strawberry puree concentrate, natural flavors, carmine, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), malic acid.

Mango Fruit Cup® Snacks

-          These rich and luscious mangos are a healthy way to add a little sweetness to your day - fat-free, cholesterol free, and high in Vitamin C - that you can enjoy anywhere.

Mango Pineapple Fruit Cup® Snacks:

-          Del Monte® Mango Pineapple Fruit Cup® Snacks combine two of the world’s most popular fruits: mango and pineapple. Made with rich and luscious mangos and pineapple, they contain no high fructose corn syrup and are a rich source of vitamin C.

Available at your local Walmart, be sure to add these squeezable snacks and fun fruit cups to your cart while picking up essentials for your family!

Now is your chance to WIN A $25 Walmart Gift Card and @ VIP Del Monte coupons! Leave a comment below telling me which Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezer or Fruit Cup Snack will be your new favorite. You can tweet about the giveaway for an additional entry.

Giveaway ends on February 27 at midnight EST. Good luck!

Disclosure: The Del Monte products, information, gift pack, and gift card have been provided by Del Monte.

Social Media and Our Children

Why are kids so ugly to one another these days? Why do they say things behind a computer screen that they absolutely would NOT say to the other person's face? Why do they feel that it's cool to use profane language? Why?

Cyber bullying {noun} :  the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person (as a student) often done anonymously

Here's the thing. I knew when our oldest son started middle school that it would be an adjustment. I remember when I started sixth grade what a struggle it was to fit in. Luckily, I made friends quickly and had a pretty smooth ride through much of middle and high school. {That's not to say I didn't have problems and issues with "mean girls". But, I made it out okay.}

Middle School is hard, y'all! 

What I wasn't prepared for with him was bullying. More specifically, cyber bullying. There's something a little more straight-to-the-heart when you, as a parent, can read the ugly words being said towards your child over social media. When you SEE words being spoken to your child that you yourself would never, in a million years, say. The profanity. The ugliness. The hatefulness. *sigh* I just can't even tell you how it breaks a momma's heart. 

Had he come home from school and said "so and so said this to me" it would have been painful. But, when I read profanity after profanity after profanity {does this kid know any other words} then it stinkin' hurt my heart. Mine and my son's.  

Why do I even bring this up? BULLYING NEEDS TO STOP. Bullying at school AND Cyber Bullying. TODAY!!

Talk to your kids. Every day. When they walk through the door ask them how their day was. Was it just "okay"? Pry it out of them. "I'm fine, Mom." To that I say, "No, you're not." Let your kids know they can trust you. You believe in them. You LOVE them. 

Are your kids on social media? Instagram, Facebook, Twitter?? Monitor it. Know their passwords. Know who their friends are. Know who they follow. Be one of their "friends".

I'm not telling you to be 100% in their business...but, really, you should be! We should ALL be in their little lives. 

When I was growing up, kids weren't so mean. We never had to deal with this kind of ugliness. Or, is that so? Had computers been such a large part of our generation as they are for our children, then kids would've surely been just as mean. Kids aren't "meaner", per se, they just have a new avenue to show their meanness.

We live in a world that is well on it's way to being all digital and social media. Today's technology is here to stay. As much as we don't like it. So, keeping our kids from the computer and social media isn't really the answer. Teaching them right from wrong in computer etiquette is a great start in fixing the problem. 

One important lesson we can teach our children: Tell your child to think to his/herself before typing it out to the other person, "would I say XYZ to _____'s face?" More often than not, so many hurt feelings {and other more serious, unfortunate events} can be avoided if our children would filter their thoughts before speaking/typing them for other children to hear/read. 

Do you have something to add to this post for other parents to read? Tell me in the comments.

You're Gonna Miss This. {An original post on "letting them be little."}

Ever need reminding that your kids are only going to be kids for a short time, that all they do now to irritate the snot out of you will soon be a memory, and that one day your home will be so quiet you'll hear a pin drop? I do. I believe we all do, if we're honest with ourselves.

Today I was feeling a little, okay a lot, overwhelmed. I had a horrible dream last night so I didn't sleep well, I hit snooze one too many times on my alarm, the kids were going to be late for school if we didn't get a move on NOW. Of course, the baby is crying, McKinley can't tie her shoes, Jett needs his agenda signed, Jonah, well, Jonah didn't need anything, thank goodness. I also needed to make sure Jake was up and getting ready for school so he didn't miss the bus. We are out of soda so my normal caffeine fix is in order and I'm beginning to feel a bit frazzled. I tell the kids to get in the truck and we're off.

It wasn't until I got McKinley dropped off at her school that I realize that I'm going to miss this. I am going to miss these days of hustle and bustle and getting everyone here, there and every where. I am.

The other night Hubs gently reminded me of this. Here's why:

Jett and McKinley were outside jumping on the trampoline. Every so often a bug or worm or something that slithers or crawls would catch Jett's eye. He has a keen sense for these things. As soon as he'd see something he'd jump down off of the trampoline, in his white socks and go investigate. The ground is still wet from the bunches of rain we've been getting so he's jumping down in to mud. Or, at least in my eyes it was mud. His socks were black before it was all over. It may as well have been mud.

After a while, I called them in for dinner. Jett came running inside- through the living room, down the hallway, through the dining room and then SKATED through my kitchen. You've totally got a mental picture of this, right? He used his little, six-year-old feet covered in wet, muddy socks to SKATE through the kitchen. Behind him he left nice long, black skid marks on the floor.

My eyes may have gotten as big as golf balls and there may have been steam coming out of my ears. I was so mad!

Without skipping a beat or saying a word to me, Hubs calmly told Jett to go get in the bath. He then grabbed the mop and bucket and mopped that kitchen floor stained with muddy marks. While he did that I sat to feed Mabry and proceeded to cry. I couldn't do anything else. I was mad at Jett for making such a mess. I was mad at myself for getting so mad. I was staring at my husband in amazement that he kept his cool and acted much like I should've acted in that moment.

After he finished mopping the floor Hubs went to get ready for work. As I walked him to the truck a little later that evening he stopped me and asked me to remember that it won't be long before those muddy feet are all grown up and no longer enjoy skating across our kitchen floor. He reminded me to take a step back and let the kids be kids. I should be enjoying the never-ending loads of laundry and the sink over flowing with dirty dishes. The constant yelling of "MOM!" I should be enjoying EVERY MINUTE. Before I know it they'll be grown men and women and living on their own in this great big, scary world.

Today I'm letting them be kids. I'll let them get muddy, it all washes off. I'll let the sound of their tiny voices saying "mom" fifteen thousand times {in a row} be a song in my ear. I don't want to miss a minute. One day they'll be all grown up.

You're turn. What will you let your little ones do that you would normally stop them of? Will you take a step back and watch them be kids? Tell me what you'll do today to "let them be little."

Resurrection Buns {a kids craft and recipe}

this is a repost from a few years ago when i made resurrection buns with my boys.
what a fun {and yummy} way to teach littles about the death, burial and resurrection of our savior.

enjoy!

***

So, the night before Easter the big boys and I made these very neat Resurrection Buns. I can't take credit for the recipe or the directions and my mind that left long ago can't remember even where I found the recipe....but, I digress. Here's what we did.

First, grab your ingredients.

1 can of Grands biscuits
Cinnamon and Sugar
Marshmallows
melted Butter

Flatten each biscuit to about 5 inches round, then "paint" it with butter

Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. (you can tell the kiddos that this represents the spices that were used to anoint Jesus' body) Place a big marshmallow in the middle and pull all of the sides up to make a ball. (the white marshmallow respresents Jesus being pure and sinless) Place the ball on your cookie sheet seams down...so it doesn't open while baking.

Please excuse him....he gives me a different face for every picture...but, rarely a smile.

Again, "paint" your bun and then sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar.

Just out of the oven...YUMMMMMM!

The bun is empty...where did that pure and sinless Jesus go???? He is risen!!

The GREAT Snow of 2010! Part 1

We got snow.
YAY!!
Not much.
But, we got snow!

Being a Floridian at heart, I jumped outta bed and ran to the window to see how much snow had fallen through the night.
I was so excited to see this...


All of my kids (The Hunky Hubs is scooched into that category for this day) ran out to play in the snow before work/school.










Jonah was given a lesson in which snow was okay to eat...
never eat yellow snow!


McKinley took part in the snow festivities for all of...
five minutes.
She's our little princess...
too much cold is no good for her!


there are more photos to come...
I gotta run and get the boys off the school bus.