a calendar I love...

I just love this downloadable calendar!

The birthday countdown...o"fish"ally 6!

Goldfish crackers with "you are o"fish"ally 6!"

The whole countdown was so much fun. I can't wait to do it again for Noah's b-day. He is already asking and giving me plenty of clever ideas to celebrate his birthday countdown.

Happy 6th Birthday Jo Jo and Becca!

Celebrating the birthday countdown...one more day!

 Tic Tacs with "Tick Tock look at the clock...1 more day!!"

Tomorrow my oldest set of twins turn 6!

Birthday count down...a treat for each day #2

Wow, only two more days!!

A container of cherrio cereal. We were traveling for their birthday trip today so a little non-sugary snack was perfect. We included all the kiddos with the countdown so two (birthday twins) said "until YOU say Cherrio to 5" while the other three said "until Jo Jo and Becca say Cherrio to 5". 

Celebrating the birthday countdown... day 4 & 3 until the twins turn 6

Day 4:
Gummy snacks with a note that said:
4 more days be4 you turn 6!

Day3:

1,2,3, can't wait for you to be 6!

the birthday countdown day 5...each day with a homemade gift

Day 5:
AW (A&W rootbeer) esome
We are counting down to you turning 6!!

Birthday count down...gifts for each day

My oldest set of twins turn six this year. They have been extra excited about his birthday. They have been asking how many "night nights" until their birthday for way to many night nights so we decided to join in on their countdown. This is day 6 (six days until they turn 6).

I found a new blog that I absolutely love! I got most of the ideas from their site, but had to tweek them to fit for birthdays and simplify them a bit to get all six days done.

Displaying kiddo artwork...the entry way

I had been working on a photo wall for weeks,  after countless crooked pictures and awful spacing issues I got frustrated. I took them all down and started over.

First I went to the family,  husband didn't care, kids said they would rather see their artwork vs. photographs. I choose my biggest frames from the photo wall ruble, let the kiddos paint a stripe, touched up the stripe myself, commissioned the best artist I know while the paint was drying, and in the morning we had an art wall to welcome our guest.

charts for kiddos... downloadable

I have said it before and I know I will say it again: I love charts!! This chart was a special request from my 7 and 9 year old sons. They came up with the idea, asked for the chart, and explained it to their siblings. They were feeling like one of their siblings (who's behavior requires a lot of help) was being rewarded for poor behavior. After a long talk, they decided this is how they would like to be rewarded for their good behavior. Let me just say, that conversation was one of the most heartbreaking talks that I have ever had. Hearing your children say that you haven't done a good job of letting them know you are proud of their good choices it tough! So without further delay, presenting Eli & Noah's chart. It's a blank one if you want to try it on for size. 

We have used charts in the past, each one a little different in purpose. This chart  has a duel purpose. Instill work/spend values as well as reward kindness & attitude. The center chart is similar to the one above, each child had a row. This is their place to record their "marks". The sheet on the left has ways to earn the "marks". The list starts with kindness to siblings and includes good attitude on trips, clean room, take out garbage, walk the dog, etc. The kiddos have an option to write (one of my boys most despised activities) additional ideas when they think of them. The page on the right is the spend page. It tells how the "marks" can be used. Just like the spend page, the kiddos have the option to write additional ideas (after approval). "Marks" have turned into a type of currency.

Happy Charting!

fta: Sew simple dress...your kiddo can do this

This is a very simple project that the kiddos enjoyed helping. If you are a beginner seamstrist, this is the project for you. 1. Using an existing dress that fits the child well, mark the top of the shoulders and the bottom of the hem. Add about four to five inches to the top of shoulder, this will be the top of the tie. Add two inches to the bottom of the dress, this will be where you cut. 2. Using the dress as a guide, add an inch on either side and cut the shape above. 3. Using a contrasting fabric cut two shapes to match the top of the dress stopping four inches below the armpit. 4. Hem the contrasting fabric. 5. Sewing good sides together sew one side of the dress to the contrasting fabric and repeat for the other side. 6. Turn the dress right side out, including the ties. 7. Sew the good sides of the dress together starting at the armpit and stopping at the bottom of each side. Note: do not sew the ties together. 8. Hem dress to desired length. Enjoy!

getting a reaction...

Add a dish (or clay), vinegar, baking soda and kiddos and what you get is a lot of fun.

This one requires adult supervision, but after watching the kiddos' faces light up with each "eruption"you won't want to be anywhere else.

We enjoyed this activity outside, but with the right large piece of tupperware you can enjoy it inside too.
May all your reactions be happy!

Homemade Valentines t-shirts for kiddos by kiddos

Let me first admit, these shirts are two stolen ideas put together. The first is from my extremely creative sister who made adorable name shirts with bias tape for the youngest twins first birthday. I just love the originality! The second is the painted doily idea from Ashley Ann Photography blog. I made a tote bag from her tutorial that has quickly become my favorite from her instructions. Thanks Paige and Ashley Anne!

With that said, I feel ready to start with some Valentine's Day shirts:

1. Apply a little spray adhesive to the back of the doily and stick it to the shirt. Let the kiddos sponge on the paint. No matter how many time I let them know the center didn't have to be covered, they insisted in painting the whole thing. :) My kiddos used a sponge brush, but any type of brush would do the job.  Put a little cardboard in the shirt to ensure the paint stays only on the front side.

Since boy's don't do doilys we modified the project for the only male of our trio. Using construction paper we cut out hearts and applied spray glue to the bottom side and set him loose.

2. Peel the doily off (the shirt looked like this). As you can tell there are a few imperfections around the edge, but I think it just adds to the childish charm.

Below was my first attempt at he Paige bias tape letters. This time the mistake didn't add so much charm. :) Turns out I should have gotten a tutorial from the creator before I tried to copy. :) Try number two was much better, but still look forward to having Paige show me a few tricks I think she has up her sleeve :)

1. Using tailor's chalk draw the letter or name you plan to add.
2. Fold bias tape in half (or purchase thin bias tape) and slowly stitch the tape over the chalk using a straight stitch.

The boy's shirt is read to wear after painting. If you want to stick with paint only for the girl's shirts, use the construction paper method to add a heart in the middle of the doily once it is dry.

I can't wait to see all the variations you come up with. Please leave me a comment with a link to any new creations your family enjoyed making. :) Happy stenciling, sewing, and Valentine's Day.

homemade thank you gifts under $5...transfer candles

These little transfer candles are so easy to make, but make a huge statement of gratitude when paired with a thank you note.

The materials you will need are as follows:

tissue paper (color to match candle)

permeant marker

candle

wax paper

hair dryer.

Step 1: draw with permeant marker on tissue paper (ensure drawing the size your desire on the candle)

Step 2: Cut closely around the edge of the design

Step 3: layer design and wax paper over candle (candle, design, waxy side of paper, paper side)

Step 4: heat with hair dryer until wax becomes slightly soft

Step 5: remove wax paper, without burning yourself rub over the design to ensure wax has covered the design (tissue paper will seem to disappear)

The size of the candle doesn't matter, but the smoother the better. You can also use this technique with stamps or  handprints. There is something irresistibly adorable about little handprints to me. :) Especially when they are on my candle instead of my windows. hehehe :)

homemade thank you gift for under $10

We were given a very special gift a few months ago, time alone! My sister, brother-in-law, and parents all joined forces to keep our kids while we went away for the weekend. Well for those of you who know us well will remember, that weekend away is why we have our youngest twins. :)

Since gratitude is one of my favorite emotions to express, I savor working on little thank you gifts. This one was for my sister. It's just a simple bag from your local craft store, a little love, inspiration, needle and thread.

After I delivered the bag, my sister added a big button to keep the front closed, which made it even cuter. The inspiration came from this book:

It is a fun, easy read that will have you looking for places to stitch. :) Enjoy!

Easy sewing for little ones: Chef Hats

Chef hats seem to make every kiddo kitchen creation a culinary masterpiece. :) My trio had outgrown their old hats and I was so excited to make them new ones. They took about an hour each. Very easy, very fun sewing! Not a great project for kiddos to sew because of the gathering, but a fun one to surprise them with. :)

Amongst all the Christmas gifts, I was thankful that these homemade creations were a favorite.

The tutorial at Skip to my Lou is so great that I am not going to try to recreate the wheel. I did mine a little differently, but I love her easy to follow directions. I hope you enjoy!

Since the aprons weren't quite finished, I am aiming to have them as a Valentine's Day gift. :)

Toothfairy pillow: how to make your own - the boy version

Four months of waiting, and he lost a tooth. Having to watch his two sisters (that are five as well) grow richer with each tooth loss was hard, but finally the need for Jo Jo to have a tooth pillow has come. 

The easy to follow directions are only a click away.

Happy sewing!

A homemade picture book for baby...

I can't wait to surprise my dear friend with this little book. I grabbed all the pictures off her blog so it should be a complete surprise.

The last page reminds little Ryan that we made it just for him. :)

Oh, my youngest boys have a birthday soon. I can't wait to get started on their book! I am already thinking about the pictures that I want to include. :)

a health halloween snack....

I just love these little cheese fingers. The nails are made with bits of red bell pepper. The teeth are made with the little bits of cheese from the fingers and apples. So healthy they are scary!

Seasons bag: easy fall craft for elementary school kiddos

Today was the day! After three long weeks of waiting the five year olds got to bring a craft AND CANDY for the class to enjoy. The teachers gave me the priveledge of coming up with a "fall" craft. So today, each kiddo got to make a "seasons" bag. Here is the fun that went into the bags.

At home, my seven year old stamped the word seasons on an old scrap.

He used a small paint brush, a 2/$1.00 bottle of brown paint, and foam stamps. This could have easily been done in the classroom, but I hoped the teacher would let us craft again so I kept the paint at home. :)

While it was drying we cut rectangles of burlap and stitched up the sides to make bags. I love the look of the raveling top. Using a straight stitch we sewed the words to the front of each bag. I added little grommets so that the kiddos could choose their ribbon at school, but a simple piece of tape on the ribbon would work just as well.

The kit for each kiddo included a bag, leaves that I punched (with hole puncher), leaves that came with wire stems, and yarn with the ends taped (to allow for easy sewing). There were three ribbon choices for the straps. Just look at what those kiddos created!

treats... easy favors for school age kids

treats for our friends...

An inexpensive plastic bad coupled with a white sheet of paper. Add a glue stick to adhere you label and staples to seal of your treats. The only thing easier is eating the sweets inside.

The adorable labels are from two straight lines.

working as a team...

Within the four walls of each house lay a distinct set of values. The view from 10,000 feet may look similar (God, family, then others) but what does the day to day look like? My biggest daily value struggle is check marks vs. the children because I am a check mark lover. But today in response to a question from a fellow home school mom lets talk about sibling love/relationship vs. discipline.

Many think this odd, but we allow our children to share their consequences. Thankfully we have a Savior in Jesus that paid the ultimate price to share our consequences. Using that as a model, if someone has their cookie taken away, often their siblings share and they eat cookie. If you are Becca (our youngest) you often end up with more than you would have had if you didn't lose your cookie. We have seen great benefits to this policy. The kids have a comfort knowing that even when they have messed up someone is willing to show kindness. Even a consequence issued with a calm tongue can feel unkind (if they liked it, it wouldn't be much of a consequence). It is not uncommon to see all five sitting in "time-up" when one was required to be there. It isn't that the consequence has gone away (the cookie is still gone, you are still in time-out) but the full intended extent may not be felt. A concern may be that an arrogance may develop of "oh well, my brother will give me his cookie anyway". We have not seen this, but we have seen a genuine gratitude develop and servants heart's grow. We have seen them bloom into compassionate and loving children when a sibling is in trouble. I remember being so excited when my sister was in trouble(I know, I am a terrible person). We don't see that in our home. Our mercy policy may or may not have any effect on that behavior, but it has worked well for our family. We believe it is one of the reasons our children get along so well and enjoy each other so much.

Homemade for baby...

It's almost like having your whole house filled with that just bathed baby smell. When I start stitching baby gifts, I just can't help but smile. These little bibs have been a favorite of mine as of late. So useful, so easy, so cute, so much fun to sew. :)

Wall Art for a kiddos room: DIY style

An exact-o knife, glue stick, paper, recycled frames, and an extra piece of glass cut to fit each frame is all you need for this little project. So simple!

1. Using the exact-o cut out a simple shape and glue it to a background piece.

2. Sandwich the art between two pieces of glass.

3. Hang art & let the kiddos enjoy.

a chore for you and you and you...

The dread hasn't set in yet, as for now the kiddos are enjoying their assigned chores. Charts work well at our house. My kiddos (that do chores) range from 5 years old to 8 years old. I partner the kids together on some tasks so they learn to work together and a task with a partner is way more fun. This chart is divided up into 6 days. Mommy and Daddy handle the kitchen on Sunday. Each of the kiddos has only one task for that day of the week. Two kiddos have "washing the dishes" so that a five year old always has a bigger kiddo to help. The other task include spraying the counter (the favorite!), sweeping (the least favorite), and clearing the dishes. As with a lot of other things at our home, the kids are allowed to work as a team. So when one person is having an off day and refuses to perform their chore another sibling may (and often does) step in and complete the task. So as long at the task is complete there are no consequences even if one person did not work. They seem to find comfort in knowing their siblings will step in for them, and enjoy helping each other.

As you can see things don't always go as I planned. :) Sometimes there is a mess made, but soggy rug or not, the seeds of responsibility are worth sowing.