Our Valentine Mailboxes

I seen this on pinterest and wanted to do it. I posted earlier with the link to the original.

Here is what I did
Target- got mailboxes in dollar section. I got the black sticker letters in the scrapbook section. Enough to make our names. I also got fun stickers to put on the notes too!
I bought the pink bucket in the dollar section for the notecards but that was in the fall. They may have something there still.

Dollar Store- I bought these glass candle holders. I came home and spray painted them black. I also bought a small notebook with different colors of papers to use for notes. I cut them in half when I got home.

Once the paint was dry I out gorilla glue on the top of the candleholder and put the mailbox on top of it. Let them dry completely before using the mailboxes.

Now we are ready to write sweet and encouraging notes to each other. Once someone puts a note in don't forget to put up the flag!! As valentines gets closer we may do treats too.

Our Valentine Cards

We did it!! I found this idea on Pinterest and we accomplished them. I love them and the kids do too. It was easy to do. Take a picture of your kid, load it to your computer. I search google for a website for adding text to a picture since I don't have photoshop. There I put the wording on the pictures. I uploaded the images to Costco. Keelin I picked a border and Bryson's I just printed. Once I got them I took a razor blade no not a shower razor but one for a utility knife and made slits where the suckers went. When making the slits I put the picture on a cutting board. Once the skits are in put the sucker in the slits and you are done.

If your school is like mine they don't want names on the cards. It usually takes too longer for the kids to pass them out. Plus if you kid is in preschool you have to do all the work so make it easy on yourself!

Valentine's Day Plans

On Monday afternoon I tore a ligament in my left ankle stepping off our back porch.  So with that I am in a cast and sitting on the couch all day and I have time to blog now!

Here is are my plans for Valetine's Day!

Decorations- http://pinterest.com/pin/146015212888351303/
I will also be doing some Valentine's day crafts too but haven't nailed those down yet!

Breakfast

• Powdered Donuts with Milk- http://www.hostessblog.com/2012/01/sweet-love-bird-valentines-day-brunch/

Dinner 

• Spaghetti with Bread

• Twinkies with Strawberries- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvXCNhjPzF2bvd5buzCRU6Ke5hOC4oAqzuqr8VOcdESm_tLbCrA25HDss5XEgUuRKMpOMAPkyMJjnkjXJ2Esh92CV3AV5s0jaYwIQBUr-RqSRQFyT3CdSXUQHjQLDfGni_moQcaRllIc/s400/twinkie+dessert.jpg

• Strawberries with white chocolate with pink sprinkles (these ones I made on 4th of July and they were so delicious)

• Sprinked Pretzels- http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/248612841899176677_937zFPXI_b.jpg

Valentine Mailboxes

I have my mailbox now I am ready to make!  I will post my picture when I get done with mine!!!!

Check this out from a great blog - http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/2011/02/emily-did-something-crafty-holla.html

Date with Mom and Dad Coupons

Are you looking for a fun gift to give your kids?  Kids love to spend one on one time with their parents so why not give a gift that will do that.  I found that our kids would rather create a memory than just get a present.  My kids seem to be very social and would rather sit and talk with us than play with their toys.

While on Pinterest I came across this great idea and I can't wait to do it with my own kids.

Check it out!
http://lets-explore.net/blog/2011/12/a-year-of-dates/
You can download and print the coupons!!!

Prayer Pail

I came across this idea on Pinterest and I loved it.  I thought it was simple and great way to pray for other people in our lives.

Here is what you need:

• A small pail (I found mine in the dollar section at Target)
• Sticker letters
• Various ribbon
• Large popsicle sticks
• Marker

1.  Place the sticker letters on the pail - we call ours "Prayer Pail"
2.  Tie ribbons around the handle of the pail
3. Write names or whatever you would like to include in your prayer time.  We includes family names, friends names, school, church, government...
4.  Place them in the prayer pail - we will add more as we go.

Make it cute too so you want to have it in your dining room!!!!

Now it's time to pray.  We work ours out at dinner time.  My intention was to prayer for one stick per night but the kids changed it up and we each pray for a stick each night at dinner time.  It has become a highlight of dinner together.  The greatest plus out of the whole prayer pail is that the kids are learning to pray and pray for others.  It is priceless!!!

Here is the link from where I got the idea:
http://www.joyshope.com/2009/07/prayer-pail-with-supercool-guest.html
I didn't like the way the paper looked so I did the letter on the pail.

My Pinterest Fall Projects

So I finally did some projects especially for the fall.  Take a look!  I have included a link to each of the blogs I got the ideas from.



Masterpieces- I made the boards and cut the vinyl letters out with a Cricut machine.  I fell in love with the Cricut machine!  The boards took a few hours just because of drying time.
http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-kids-art-display.html

Halloween Banner- Lots of work but cute.  It is in my front window so I couldn't get the best picture.
http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/?p=23806&cpage=1#comment-15395

Prayer Pail- This is my pail that we use at night.  Each stick has a prayer request or family name and we pray for one or two sticks each night.
http://www.joyshope.com/2009/07/prayer-pail-with-supercool-guest.html

Tulle Fall Wreath- This was fun to do! 
http://www.babyrabies.com/2009/10/tutu-cute-halloween-wreath/
This is what I used for the wreath tube part.  http://www.thepennyparlor.com/2010/09/coffee-filter-wreath.html

Thirty One Party

A fun special for September!

On Sept. 10th I am going to be hosting a Thirty One Party with consultant Lea Lockwood.  I am very excited because I LOVE their products and the organization and fun it brings to my life.

If you haven't been to a party, your invited!  Just send me an email (salbegs@gmail.com) I will get you the time and my address.  If you can't make it and want to order something you can go to www.mythirtyone.com/lealock

The fall stuff is super cute too!!!

Vacation Christmas Ornaments

I was at a neighbors house many years ago before we were married and I was looking at her Christmas tree.  She was the type of lady who had everything very uniform and all looking the same.  Her house was straight from Pottery Barn (so cute).  But as I was sitting there looking at her tree there was all sorts of ornaments and some I could see writing on.  I asked her what they were all about.  She then explained that whenever they went on a family vacation they would get an ornament from the vacation spot and then at Christmas as they were setting up the tree they would reminisce about the vacation and what they did.

When I got married, Shawn and I started collecting ornaments where ever we went and we still do to this day.  We try to get an ornament that represents what we did on that vacation.  We love Christmas time and the time we spend laughing together just remembering our fun get a ways that we had. 

Maybe you can start this simple tradition in your family!!!

(I want to post pictures but that takes me going downstairs to pull out my christmas decorations!)

Slow Melt Popsicles

I know this may seem like a silly post but I have to write one.  I LOVE Popsicles but I don't like them when they are dripping down the front of my child's shirt, melting as soon as you walk outside and most of all HUGE for little kids. 

I came across a great box of Popsicles called Slow Melts.  They are tiny and don't melt fast at all.  Look for them in the store if you have little ones because they will make having a Popsicle enjoyable!

Funny Sign

This sign made me laugh!

Summer Park Passport

This is an idea I saw on Pinterest and so I took the concept and we are going to try and do it.
We are going to try and visit several parks in our city.  We live in Livonia, MI so some of this might not apply to those reading but you could take the concept for your own city.

The idea is we go, have a picnic and play.  Of course we take lots of pictures, especially one my the sign.  We will then print the picture and put it on paper and write what we all liked best about the  park.  After it is completed we will put it in a sheet protector and in our Summer 3-Ring Binder.

Livonia Parks

All have playgrounds

• Beverly Park
• Merriman and 6 Mile
• Bicenntennial Park
• 7 Mile and Newburgh
• Bluegrass Park
• Newburgh and 5 Mile
• Botsford Park
• 7 Mile and Middlebelt
• Castle Gardens Park
• 96 and Newburgh
• Clements Circle Park
• West Chicago and Middelbelt
• Country Homes Park
• Yale and Plymouth
• Devon-Aire Woods Park
• West Chicago and Merriman
• Elm Park
• Inkster and Plymouth
• Greenwood Park
• 5 Mile and Newburgh
• Harry Wolfe Park
• 5 Mile and Merriman
• Jaycee Park
• Farmington & 7 Mile
• John F Dooley Park
• 96 and Middlebelt
• Livonia Community Rec. Center
• 5 Mile and Merriman
• Meadows Park
• Inkster and 6 Mile
• Mies Park
• West Chicago and Merriman
• Nash Park
• Lyndon and 5 Mile
• Pastor Park
• Lyndon and 96
• Rotary Park
• 6 Mile and Hubbard
• Shelden Park
• Farmington and Plymouth
• Stymelski Veterans Park
• 96 and Farmington
• Wilson Acres Park
• West Chicago and Joy Road
• Wilson Barn
• Middlebelt and Plymouth

WELCOME TO SUMMER

So I seen this fun idea on Pinterest to make a plain WELCOME TO SUMMER sign.  But I did something a little different.

We were able to share it with some friends and the kids were so EXCITED.  Something they will never forget!!!

Drive In Movie Birthday Party

On June 17th we celebrated my sons 6th Birthday with a Drive In Movie Theme.  We had a blast with it.  Actually I think I had more fun with it then the kids did. 

Here are some pictures from the party!

These were the party favors.  I bought the Popcorn cups at Target in the dollar section.  I got the treat bags at Hobby Lobby.  In the treat bags are a microwaveable popcorn bag, a tube of Mini m&m's, glow sticks and dubble bubble gum.

 We wanted to set the big screen up outside but it didn't get dark until way too late so we moved it inside to the backroom.  Featured movie was Despicable Me!

 My Concession Stand.  I gave every kid 6 tickets.  They could get a certain amount of items for tickets.
One Ticket per Item

• Capri Sun
• Lemonade
• Popcorn
• Hot Dog
• Mini Kit Kat
• Mini m&m's
• 3 Hershey Kisses
• 2 Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• 3 Twizzlers
• 2 Airhead Sour Strips

 A big picture with the delicious cupcakes

 Our popcorn cupcakes.  I made cupcakes with a cake mix.  I used Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting Betty Crocker.  I used white miniature marshmallows and yellow miniature marshmallows for the popcorn.  I used a knife and put a cut them in half (not all the way throw just enough to make them look like popcorn).  I put a mixture on each cupcake and there you have it!

 My popcorn machine and hot dog set up.  I just put hot dogs in a crock pot with some water for a few hours and they were ready to serve.

 Here are the cars for the drive in.  I bought large moving boxes from Home Depot.  I cut off one of the sides and then taped it all up.  I bought large black plates for the wheels and stirring wheel and small yellow plates for the headlights.  The kids then decorated them with markers and had fun!

Here are the boys in their cars.  They wanted to race them - surprise I was dealing with 8 Kindergarten boys!!

The boxes were a great thing because during the movie they stayed in them and ate all their snacks in them plus if we need to get control we just said "Everyone get in your box".  It was great!

This party was the most fun I have ever had from the planning all the way through the kids going home!

Hope someone else will have fun with the idea!!!

Here are a few links that SO helped me in planning.
Whole party idea:   http://partiesandholidays.blogspot.com/2009/01/drive-in-movie-night.html
Cupcakes: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/popcorn-cupcakes-686323/
Party Supplies: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/party-supplies/themed-party-supplies/carnival-party-supplies/

My Garden!!!

On May 22nd I planted a garden for the first time.  I was determined to do it because I LOVE fresh tomatoes!  Also I wanted to get my kids involved with it all and maybe spark more interest for eating vegetables.

Here are some pictures of my garden at the very beginning.  I need to take pictures this week because it has grown SO much.

 All tore up ready to go!

Putting our fencing up so no little rabbits visit it.
I planted 3 tomato plants, 4 Zucchini plants, 4 Green Pepper plants, 4 Red Pepper plants, 4 Yellow Pepper plants, 4 Lettuce, 4 Cucumber plants and 4 onion.  I also have 2 basil plants in pots.  I am just so excited about this garden and the veggies that are going to come soon!!!

I bought most of my plants at a local Flower shop called Flower King here in Livonia.  Also my in-laws bought some from Eastern Market downtown Detroit.

My garden on June 22nd!!!  So big - I love it!!!  Can't wait for the fruits of it!!!!!!

Turn Your Backyard Into A Campground on June 25th

I was at REI today and got an REI Kids' Adventure Journal.  It has lots of fun stuff for the kids to do in it.  But in the back of the book was...
Turn Your Backyard Into A Campground on June 25th!
Join in the fun as campers across the nation head outdoors for the Great American Backyard Campout.  It happens the fourth Saturday of every June.  It's a fun, easy way to get outside with your family, friends and neighbors.

Visit www.rei.com/family-adventure for more info

Here is another website the REI leads you too.
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageNavigator/gabc_why_aboutcampout

I hope we can do this but if not it will be on the calendar for next year but also for another night this summer.  They give you great ideas too!!!

Magnet Responsibility Chart Review & GIVEAWAY!!!

As a parent, I have stressed about raising responsible children.  Everything from helping around the house to being kind to others.  When processing all that I think about I also begin to try and think how many chores are too much or what should I expect from my children.  I have a 5 year old and 2 year old and I know they can help around the house but I couldn’t figure out how to keep track and keep them accountable in a fun kid friendly way.  I have tried to create multiple chores charts - some are kid friendly but too short, some are so long that my children will never understand them.  I am sure they look at it and become overwhelmed.  


I came across this great product on Families With Purpose - Melissa & Doug Magnet Responsibility Chart.  Families With Purpose is a great resource website for families and has great encouragement too.  Their mission is “We inspire and enable parents to create a meaningful family life for themselves and their children by providing products, resources, and services which empower parents to take control of their family life and build a warm and loving home.”  I think this is so amazing to me as a mom.  


Families With Purpose sent me this product to review for them.  For those who read this blog you will be able to enter a giveaway for your very own Magnet Responsibility Chart!!!!!!  I love a giveaway, so enter! (See the bottom of this post for the giveaway.  DISCLOSURE:  I did receive a free Responsibility Magnetic Chart from Families With Purpose that has enabled me to do this review)

Here is how we are currently using the chart in our home.
We have hung the chart in a place where we see it all day.  We didn’t put it in Bryson’s room or is a corner.  I knew if we did that we would not use it.  This chart is heavy and made very very well.

Every week Bryson (my 5 year old son) and I sit down and pick out the 7 responsibilities from the 27 magnets provided that he will focus on for the week.  We place them in the spaces next to the days of the weeks.  I love that we can change them out easily each week and change things up.  They also give you 2 white blank magnets to write your own responsibilities on.  

With the chart, you get 63 reward magnets that are super cute smile faces.  When they accomplish a responsibility they place a reward magnet next to the responsibility magnet under the correct day of the week.  

Bryson is finding this so enjoyable and it keeps him engaged in what he needs to do throughout the week.  One rule we have is you must do the responsibilities with a positive attitude or you don’t get a reward magnet.  

At the end of the week, if Bryson gets 30 reward magnets he earns his small allowance and a slurpee or Icee from where ever he chooses.  His allowance is set at $3 a week right now.  He has three jars - Save, Spend, Give.  He puts a dollar in each one.  We are doing it this way until he understands the math of how to split up his money for Giving and Saving.  This has worked well for him.  

Families with Purpose has many many more amazing products that I can’t wait to look at and try.

Okay now is the time - this is how you can enter the giveaway... (U.S. Residents ONLY)

• Leave a comment on this blog about how this chart would help your family
• Visit Families With Purpose and leave a comment on this blog about another product that would help you.

Additional ways to enter... (come back and leave a comment separately for each one that you do.)

• Like Families with Purpose on Facebook
• Follow Families with Purpose on Twitter
• Follow Families with Purpose Blog
•  Follow my Blog - Organizing As A Parent
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook Page
   

Winner will be randomly drawn on June 15th!!  Winner will be notified by email.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!

**I will add my own pictures tomorrow!

Mosquito Plant

So my mother-in-law was at Eastern Market and one of the vendors was telling her about the Mosquito Plant- so I bought a few for outside.  This way we can actually enjoy being outdoors this year.

Here is a website with some info about it:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2237704_use-mosquito-plants.html

A Game of Things

If you haven't tried this game you should...

I was introduced to this game by my sister-in-law at Christmas.  We played it with my husbands family along with my 7 year old niece which I thought was fun that she could join in with us.

We just played it with a group of about 12 the other night and we laughed so hard.  Ages who played we as young as 10 years old all the way through adults.  I don't want to share too much about the game because I don't want to ruin your first experience. 

You will learn some crazy things about people and enjoy a great time of laughing.  Great game for Game Night!!!