tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77075028829406561542024-03-04T23:10:46.408-08:00making home the happiest place on earthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-50743137112550694202010-08-02T09:52:00.000-07:002010-08-02T09:56:38.312-07:00order.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FJhWkS7QHGl3TClki_198_9qnCOopZ9dGYrSer7-9_o9DfTYxOJyfGKSOqaq_u0Lu6pCNwGi9G9Fqrhyphenhyphena8G1CivRengrGTWMxiGjykqMi74rMFIYVjuE5rEWTHAlityPiRaKy_P1S1M/s1600/weeklymenu-orange.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FJhWkS7QHGl3TClki_198_9qnCOopZ9dGYrSer7-9_o9DfTYxOJyfGKSOqaq_u0Lu6pCNwGi9G9Fqrhyphenhyphena8G1CivRengrGTWMxiGjykqMi74rMFIYVjuE5rEWTHAlityPiRaKy_P1S1M/s400/weeklymenu-orange.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">image from ollibird</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We are officially gearing up for school to start August 11th. I saw a link to <a href="http://blog.ollibird.com/2009/04/menu-planner.html">this weekly meal planner</a> on a friends blog and thought I'd share it. I love the idea of framing it and writing on the glass with a dry erase marker, you could also do the same thing by putting it under a sheet protector and hanging it with a magnet on the fridge. I'll be posting more ideas on how to stay organized and sane while prepping for another school year. I'd love to hear your ideas on creating order.<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-51788517503658211352010-07-22T09:49:00.000-07:002010-07-22T09:51:59.859-07:00school supplies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhNQiXLsIKeMD-9t6_RchLeHlXiZw4-J5c-1CiVaa5EA2pGuduZzPFgKwwwOegEYZiFAEq7VFKFKkWsBhUdPtE3wj_OGEHIkArmRUsOULj0-m6hFhjFM-2qqbVFOHPSh7Iv7hUf-eVSg/s1600/school_supplies_rftt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhNQiXLsIKeMD-9t6_RchLeHlXiZw4-J5c-1CiVaa5EA2pGuduZzPFgKwwwOegEYZiFAEq7VFKFKkWsBhUdPtE3wj_OGEHIkArmRUsOULj0-m6hFhjFM-2qqbVFOHPSh7Iv7hUf-eVSg/s400/school_supplies_rftt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love this time of year, it means school supplies are on sale, and I get to stock up.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm not sure what it is about a new box of pencils or a stack of spiral notebooks but I love it all, don't you?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-82438289535449627562010-07-14T08:51:00.000-07:002010-07-14T08:51:20.069-07:00gossip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12aEhDK1Tuf2-a6qq8ekqKRFuMumgQxbHrGeZiVfQEAYj3A5oWL6Xbvm2ZDViwSLKeI5D2mgqS0V_IqRX0zw5I49dQ_jHi6xc-HwojOpwjmRFKvvoaEyCDdz8J3BU9S1YoVAE3uLiA9Y/s1600/gossip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12aEhDK1Tuf2-a6qq8ekqKRFuMumgQxbHrGeZiVfQEAYj3A5oWL6Xbvm2ZDViwSLKeI5D2mgqS0V_IqRX0zw5I49dQ_jHi6xc-HwojOpwjmRFKvvoaEyCDdz8J3BU9S1YoVAE3uLiA9Y/s320/gossip.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>One thing we have been trying to do more of around our house is gossip. Now wait a minuet it's not what you think. Anytime we see our kids within earshot of us we (my husband and I) let them over hear us gossiping about them. All good things of course. It's just another small way you can let them know you love and care about them. Try it sometime, spread some happiness!<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-67388121133441211212010-07-12T11:38:00.000-07:002010-07-12T11:38:13.169-07:00family mission statements.A few years ago I began the process of writing a family mission statement. I had to think about what was really important to our family, what we wanted to teach our kids, what kind of people we wanted to be in the world, and what kind of family we wanted to be.<br />
It took some time but it has made all the difference to our family. Opportunities have presented themselves that have helped us accomplish the things that we had said our family is all about. Like serving others and opening our home up to those in need.<br />
I think it is such a good idea, after you write it place it in a spot where you will see it. It's also something that you'll want to update often, as your family changes and grows.<br />
For inspiration just google family mission statements and see what you find.<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-91245057618943573962010-07-07T08:43:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:46:56.503-07:00sheets.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QYSGBjDeJHhS7xTT9H2EES8Tzu2jHMujPo28E4TN-KD2DHuVyzGWAw28VWGrUBPePoQ8JS7sSLXqrWXy32nEe1CWq_e3o3f-baPY_tO-hrdgzbaaDkFwMo90M3_BAtS0xDGyQXbT6EM/s1600/3338999826_e5852c8c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QYSGBjDeJHhS7xTT9H2EES8Tzu2jHMujPo28E4TN-KD2DHuVyzGWAw28VWGrUBPePoQ8JS7sSLXqrWXy32nEe1CWq_e3o3f-baPY_tO-hrdgzbaaDkFwMo90M3_BAtS0xDGyQXbT6EM/s400/3338999826_e5852c8c85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(image from pioneerwoman.com)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>At first I thought the <a href="http://pioneerwomancooks.com/">pioneer woman</a> was all about recipes but I've recently realized it's so much more. One day I was checking out her home and garden section and found <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2009/03/the-trouble-with-six-beds/">this post</a> about making multiple beds after guests leave. And let me tell you her solution is genius, when you take the sheets out of the wash put them directly on the bed, and smooth them out, let them hang and air dry (which happens quickly), and you end up with crisp, clean sheets. Love it, it's the only way to go!<br />
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<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-71236811620267156802010-07-06T13:51:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:47:16.639-07:00garden.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmhyNfFCucoRx5FIe5k_wGVHL4J-wZQXrRX0zd1krdNEZ3UEMyIXpk6I7xrqfqQ76NUupjU8d-PKmvztAySI7j2SJg2AtxYQm0EvuweUTlaRvcAvdcliPOKcpsI_hYj36y5P4to1ZnsE/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmhyNfFCucoRx5FIe5k_wGVHL4J-wZQXrRX0zd1krdNEZ3UEMyIXpk6I7xrqfqQ76NUupjU8d-PKmvztAySI7j2SJg2AtxYQm0EvuweUTlaRvcAvdcliPOKcpsI_hYj36y5P4to1ZnsE/s400/IMG_0496.JPG" /></a> </div>After writing <a href="http://makinghomethehappiestplaceonearth.blogspot.com/2010/05/plant-something.html">this post</a>, we did end up planting a small garden. We bought seeds and put them in the ground not really expecting much to happen, but we've been happy with the growth and the kids have loved it. <br />
<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" /><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-54008875260888524562010-06-28T10:34:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:48:05.353-07:00inspired<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6CuaR2hor3sHrRslVTlbYkKlh7sf00AojSgIvmSam0ikRmL1wIlxeQ6fzuy-2RW6Q0VMTm3QhPoqaXh7xzbwClll0UY4wpNZcjz-6RmQV2hJx9WknxuwAUiuTdKSWtMWKjMdA8xPUiY/s1600/Fall-0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6CuaR2hor3sHrRslVTlbYkKlh7sf00AojSgIvmSam0ikRmL1wIlxeQ6fzuy-2RW6Q0VMTm3QhPoqaXh7xzbwClll0UY4wpNZcjz-6RmQV2hJx9WknxuwAUiuTdKSWtMWKjMdA8xPUiY/s400/Fall-0341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I spent some time with my family this past weekend and my sister told me about <a href="http://71toes.blogspot.com/">71 toes</a>, a blog I just had to read. It is worth looking at. I'll admit at first glance I felt like I could never be like this woman, but after I got over that I just felt inspired like I can do better and be more for my family. <br />
<br />
I noticed nienie posted about emersonmade too. </div><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-84116382374290153412010-06-18T08:42:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:48:33.766-07:00so pretty.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmY4fTZveHsgi4ax1RYH3JzmSOIFyfVWXxbyQeuBhDHUogwbgqRg6vvHI5CBeQ9dhfih_d2hbgFrxwXb4auxiK1EmMfqnANK0IlCuXxZfHSzXDSkoVl7q_6jDYbpfES9Jd3F7mGxF6Wo/s1600/lookin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmY4fTZveHsgi4ax1RYH3JzmSOIFyfVWXxbyQeuBhDHUogwbgqRg6vvHI5CBeQ9dhfih_d2hbgFrxwXb4auxiK1EmMfqnANK0IlCuXxZfHSzXDSkoVl7q_6jDYbpfES9Jd3F7mGxF6Wo/s320/lookin.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw this on these favorite things the other day, and after taking a closer look at <a href="http://emersonmade.com/">this site</a> I'm in love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be dreaming about having one of everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Emerson even makes things for the home and will soon have a clothing line.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brilliant, and so pretty!</div><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-88888172926347750362010-06-16T08:03:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:49:21.609-07:00escape.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NOjm6V5Cy2LSmH-Of3rjPy9H9v9cwr1AKUwV5mEbB-S5k97jWc5vWaHK8xXWbnJVyxWab-3LZcfjajOPKrJjaDiIKLa2LFrTGGHPT7V4U4xOuGVxfZM_flpeV7S2jqYmFAw-BTytqpc/s1600/anne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NOjm6V5Cy2LSmH-Of3rjPy9H9v9cwr1AKUwV5mEbB-S5k97jWc5vWaHK8xXWbnJVyxWab-3LZcfjajOPKrJjaDiIKLa2LFrTGGHPT7V4U4xOuGVxfZM_flpeV7S2jqYmFAw-BTytqpc/s400/anne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Summer should be about escape.<br />
We should all be able to get away, even if only in our minds.<br />
This summer my husband and two older kids will be escaping to Yellowstone.<br />
I on the other hand will find other ways to escape.<br />
Like mentally escaping to Prince Edward Island.<br />
What do you do to escape?<br />
<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-26156083925692427162010-06-09T09:38:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:49:58.563-07:00YUM.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_CuLSOJYjQtvNTk8edJiZRxbP_2lya_d9PVb5icOcG4yQbtg2-dYLbeOTuuzSbwE4HtpTNw22SwXuGCiDC88nVV0INv2JzTx6ufvYCs9iKcbQc4gq3o3DGro2XxnBHg-uFYIHjdMCOw/s1600/imageload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_CuLSOJYjQtvNTk8edJiZRxbP_2lya_d9PVb5icOcG4yQbtg2-dYLbeOTuuzSbwE4HtpTNw22SwXuGCiDC88nVV0INv2JzTx6ufvYCs9iKcbQc4gq3o3DGro2XxnBHg-uFYIHjdMCOw/s320/imageload.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>Yesterday we found this cookbook at the Library.<br />
So today we will be in the kitchen making yoda soda and wookiee cookies.<br />
YUM! Now that's what I call love.<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-5504359182417035702010-06-07T08:06:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:50:22.834-07:00health.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNCU1a8z-RcaKOaAhZeY0FtpnCtr34ZBnZgG3f7KAwhY4jAi8PoJro-DXbuzyDpQsTmBMDur5l3i54icW5T2xgONdMLkuu7MzFL2cSVx0zFV86DXmO1MmVJFBQDxBrTmKmj4kHMkAi98/s1600/shirt-pillows-diy-0909-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNCU1a8z-RcaKOaAhZeY0FtpnCtr34ZBnZgG3f7KAwhY4jAi8PoJro-DXbuzyDpQsTmBMDur5l3i54icW5T2xgONdMLkuu7MzFL2cSVx0zFV86DXmO1MmVJFBQDxBrTmKmj4kHMkAi98/s400/shirt-pillows-diy-0909-de.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>Who knew strep throat could have you in bed for 4 days?<br />
Let me just say I now appreciate my good health.<br />
The to-do list is long.<br />
After I'm done with everything on my list, <br />
I want to make some of <a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2010Q2/msl_0610_fathers_day_labels.pdf">these</a> for my bed.<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-50140382695412088192010-06-02T10:24:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:50:47.443-07:00the dad.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd9j2tECbYSoQRjlzon9DWOumN6w9KHG6o14RHvW436_HWAC6pZBfANXYbohBDPx7p5eh4eEmFJHhZ1ymIjJQT6tf9_Lm_OTGXyFc2CebNKO9Tvlxo0qMmhDIvBjlIX4xA6_rfmoJfDs/s1600/mld105719_0610_dad2_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd9j2tECbYSoQRjlzon9DWOumN6w9KHG6o14RHvW436_HWAC6pZBfANXYbohBDPx7p5eh4eEmFJHhZ1ymIjJQT6tf9_Lm_OTGXyFc2CebNKO9Tvlxo0qMmhDIvBjlIX4xA6_rfmoJfDs/s400/mld105719_0610_dad2_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We are thinking about Father's day at our house.<br />
We want to make it a great day for the DAD.<br />
We found these labels at marthastewart.com, <br />
they would be great to use on all the DAD's favortie snacks<br />
or to just print out for a card.<br />
<a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2010Q2/msl_0610_fathers_day_labels.pdf">Here's</a> the pdf file.<br />
There's an on going debate at our house on what is better<br />
No. 1 Dad or Worlds Greatest Dad.<br />
You Decide.<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-33413791966672806042010-06-01T09:45:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:51:06.743-07:00chore charts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6aSDbZwj4bgZW886-h9pnSqWs7sW_JbAsOs837vTFtq4isPu990NB8BqDLPCFkw_TsedcEzGq8TeXjlIqwF27WSlRhNvvfpj7d0okavel_nXTREwTutlnLyYBnr7lXMMlWqO5lwgKJA/s1600/il_430xN_145673146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6aSDbZwj4bgZW886-h9pnSqWs7sW_JbAsOs837vTFtq4isPu990NB8BqDLPCFkw_TsedcEzGq8TeXjlIqwF27WSlRhNvvfpj7d0okavel_nXTREwTutlnLyYBnr7lXMMlWqO5lwgKJA/s400/il_430xN_145673146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We are working on getting things cleaned and organized<br />
before the summer craziness sets in.<br />
To help keep things clean I found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47631607/personalized-happy-helpers-chore-chart?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=chore+charts&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=1&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">this</a> on etsy.<br />
<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-51769651024939036132010-05-28T10:06:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:51:24.170-07:00friendship bracelets.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmmtuNBXK5iENwAuqIILmwKtXstUg4VVHsbX2RGseyL-DO1kx1T1HvqzYIbZhw-NcQl3z1Hl2anWmNaOe0q7NGrSWpyojxJsIAk5Q9kza_9x5ZYnsPujrVqTfsO22gLWLXUIXgXZtPac/s1600/800px-Friendship_Bracelet_square_forms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmmtuNBXK5iENwAuqIILmwKtXstUg4VVHsbX2RGseyL-DO1kx1T1HvqzYIbZhw-NcQl3z1Hl2anWmNaOe0q7NGrSWpyojxJsIAk5Q9kza_9x5ZYnsPujrVqTfsO22gLWLXUIXgXZtPac/s320/800px-Friendship_Bracelet_square_forms.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today we are making friendship bracelets.</div><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-type/jewelry-accessories/homemade-bracelets/friendship-bracelet-660726/">Here's</a> a beginner how-to.<br />
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<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-90204311662517479622010-05-27T10:54:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:51:49.938-07:00smores.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7DRAGAT1xdunL2G9HsRlFVeviYx-g7PXr8gFmCKE_QoHiwX3Fpo8xEzbzDSdVb2c6tPZgWxActuabrolXO_w7KktU19a0p3nTDM6zCezSeAKvzd5Ky_ZWEqgFuCSsmM4Nl0fPAZvSUM/s1600/mla102659_0707_smores2_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7DRAGAT1xdunL2G9HsRlFVeviYx-g7PXr8gFmCKE_QoHiwX3Fpo8xEzbzDSdVb2c6tPZgWxActuabrolXO_w7KktU19a0p3nTDM6zCezSeAKvzd5Ky_ZWEqgFuCSsmM4Nl0fPAZvSUM/s320/mla102659_0707_smores2_l.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
It's the last day of school and we are excited to kick off summer<br />
with a backyard campfire and smores.<br />
Let the summer fun begin!<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-82273321642685899442010-05-26T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:52:33.580-07:00ice cream.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI8QYpYPc9LxPT2mdUyg5xymhH04qSFTEav32GYNtW3mv1oPdb5zBAqns7QI1sgvZBPz78_4NugVZUlsL_DrgQFEjU5qQkJHVt5tKX3oUI5GU7od-hI2JkFGI_PYn0tJjTxCi8TLpg_s/s1600/Ice-Cream-Recipes-Chocolate-Ice-Cream-0610-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI8QYpYPc9LxPT2mdUyg5xymhH04qSFTEav32GYNtW3mv1oPdb5zBAqns7QI1sgvZBPz78_4NugVZUlsL_DrgQFEjU5qQkJHVt5tKX3oUI5GU7od-hI2JkFGI_PYn0tJjTxCi8TLpg_s/s400/Ice-Cream-Recipes-Chocolate-Ice-Cream-0610-de.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>One of the things I love best is to share my childhood favorites with my kids.<br />
A favorite childhood memory, a favorite story, a favorite movie, a favorite song, or a favorite book.<br />
It unites parent and child like nothing else.<br />
<br />
While looking through my country living mag this month, I was reminded of one such favorite memory.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spending summer nights in my grandma's backyard, sitting on the old churn-style ice cream maker, while someone else churn the ice cream by hand. And then getting to taste whatever amazing flavor my grandma had whipped up that night.</div><br />
Anyway, there was a <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/easy-homemade-ice-cream-0610">spread on homemade ice cream</a>. Full of recipes and pictures.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That's when I decided I've got to not only share this memory with my kids but recreate it for them.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After doing a little research <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-ICE-20-Automatic-2-Quart-Ice-Cream/dp/B00000JGRT">this ice cream maker</a> seems to be the best for the $$.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvN0s2LPvSil__VKndi0co3uEFxxa7VrF4WbBZI4aYo7IvJ-tOCHsT1KSizVM75aohpcaKe9ZGWADjkgOsSn6hEmG2lFcG0sukY-JRrQfOssVQw29_36THxvWk_Pit3vEJJU2YIkqgMQ/s1600/41MNVDT294L__SS350_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvN0s2LPvSil__VKndi0co3uEFxxa7VrF4WbBZI4aYo7IvJ-tOCHsT1KSizVM75aohpcaKe9ZGWADjkgOsSn6hEmG2lFcG0sukY-JRrQfOssVQw29_36THxvWk_Pit3vEJJU2YIkqgMQ/s320/41MNVDT294L__SS350_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-33459067737268841642010-05-25T09:32:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:52:50.675-07:00teacher appreciation.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2CHJ_yDbWSIOpoo1NBnU0IIajqOuDC_rG2ncuFrG5_N-ROoeMzJuV_Yyd47pWt7MdeqN2XWkpLDcTbNR45Y7UXhaWZwF5gQXGQ6qqUpUGGN0c1IEZ-U87qRPKS2_HjTwwbM57S3kfCI/s1600/pencil-cup-craft-photo-420-FF0607TEACHA08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2CHJ_yDbWSIOpoo1NBnU0IIajqOuDC_rG2ncuFrG5_N-ROoeMzJuV_Yyd47pWt7MdeqN2XWkpLDcTbNR45Y7UXhaWZwF5gQXGQ6qqUpUGGN0c1IEZ-U87qRPKS2_HjTwwbM57S3kfCI/s320/pencil-cup-craft-photo-420-FF0607TEACHA08.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8uWYAik_NDx5iUfIAx9QTkhS4RqeGCaEzYowuRYMa1Q2pAQklWkyxkPmYC4WkXu2I83MZoANAIhWRMGhVBwOkU_JwNJWq-TFuX9kyZ1JE2k4UXbDas8CMTRfDbmZ6epW5CxDS21L3WI/s1600/favorite-reads-photo-bookmark-craft-photo-420-FF0510GIFTA01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8uWYAik_NDx5iUfIAx9QTkhS4RqeGCaEzYowuRYMa1Q2pAQklWkyxkPmYC4WkXu2I83MZoANAIhWRMGhVBwOkU_JwNJWq-TFuX9kyZ1JE2k4UXbDas8CMTRfDbmZ6epW5CxDS21L3WI/s200/favorite-reads-photo-bookmark-craft-photo-420-FF0510GIFTA01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My two school age kids have had a great year thanks to their teachers.</div><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/schools-out/schools-out-teacher-gifts/favorite-reads-photo-bookmark-874475/">Here</a> are a couple of ways we found to say thanks.<br />
I love that both these <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/schools-out/schools-out-teacher-gifts/pencil-cup-with-a-gift-card-672795/">ideas</a> involve the kids making something.<br />
Not only does it encourage creativity, it teaches kids gratitude.<br />
So, this year instead of the mom doing the gift, leave it to the kids.<br />
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<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-33509526143419579872010-05-24T12:30:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:53:19.303-07:00bake.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYk_UIj8Q8ofrvTLgW8KwfZwpNKvmSrMEu8Jh6s5jb6heW5C07W45zBNsmvIDbxQarRXzaCdZPdMWlcRiEDKCsr0ZiVp_oyoTHhyphenhyphennSZhPiCG-moiJXUJYIQtainNjcJEo-4kJct1AAi4/s1600/meri-tweet-kit-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYk_UIj8Q8ofrvTLgW8KwfZwpNKvmSrMEu8Jh6s5jb6heW5C07W45zBNsmvIDbxQarRXzaCdZPdMWlcRiEDKCsr0ZiVp_oyoTHhyphenhyphennSZhPiCG-moiJXUJYIQtainNjcJEo-4kJct1AAi4/s320/meri-tweet-kit-lg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I think cupcakes have magical healing powers.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My kids feel the same way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So we've decided to bake once a week this summer.</div><a href="http://bakeitpretty.com/">This</a> is my favorite place to stock up on all things cupcake.<br />
They have something for everyone.<br />
From cupcake liners, to wrappers, to kits, to sprinkles, even recipes.<br />
Happy Baking!<br />
<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-54711507590448469582010-05-21T10:57:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:53:48.059-07:00summer crafts.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTj0AOL5PLu6aLqQ2jOeT1ASRjUx-KAU-KVE8qoBj1g1DIA7EiGaPL9_GfLNoWlzujyl2tE9HbKitwn7dnfN5kJrQkfjMiixnAHZ-xvKrEoJH95KqPKos2ZFTUAztNbB7Jez7yeCpZZY/s1600/mka101353_sum05_box_collections_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTj0AOL5PLu6aLqQ2jOeT1ASRjUx-KAU-KVE8qoBj1g1DIA7EiGaPL9_GfLNoWlzujyl2tE9HbKitwn7dnfN5kJrQkfjMiixnAHZ-xvKrEoJH95KqPKos2ZFTUAztNbB7Jez7yeCpZZY/s320/mka101353_sum05_box_collections_xl.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYazGl-ShOuo7UgCAi6bMExAxv0g-xG56VB5mGVifYnZKo-dlr65MKXzfhQAIkqh9NyeGT7LOIvMcpuL20sGXU7ug_SD65e-pdHZZxT0iXvuBFcW2Ar8zCyxFpvcX-3W7k3SJyRpcuuio/s1600/paper-blossoms-mothers-day-craft-photo-420-FF0505MOMA03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYazGl-ShOuo7UgCAi6bMExAxv0g-xG56VB5mGVifYnZKo-dlr65MKXzfhQAIkqh9NyeGT7LOIvMcpuL20sGXU7ug_SD65e-pdHZZxT0iXvuBFcW2Ar8zCyxFpvcX-3W7k3SJyRpcuuio/s320/paper-blossoms-mothers-day-craft-photo-420-FF0505MOMA03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our summer will be filled with glitter, glue, markers, crayons, and lots of paper.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's a sampling of what we want to make.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/kids-art-projects">This</a> is perfect for all the kids' collections.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We love <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-material/paper-crafts/paper-flowers/paper-blossoms-668540/">this</a> one enough to keep it on display all year round.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/rock-crafts"> finally</a> we'll have something to do with all those rocks my kids bring home.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy weekend!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-18621199547573367582010-05-20T09:04:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:54:06.543-07:00plant something.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUleoTtExJtrBlmwrdV7HpqW6SpehMhI_WvNx6jSkFaM0v8KeSVZ-gs6TvCYF8cynwaDYhiXpVSfXz36b7BzxrjrhylvPObw7klDxw_x_ClMmF1TnwCCwcRglu0QfgnqD6WHiWiy7mDOY/s1600/New-Header-Collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUleoTtExJtrBlmwrdV7HpqW6SpehMhI_WvNx6jSkFaM0v8KeSVZ-gs6TvCYF8cynwaDYhiXpVSfXz36b7BzxrjrhylvPObw7klDxw_x_ClMmF1TnwCCwcRglu0QfgnqD6WHiWiy7mDOY/s400/New-Header-Collage.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2010/02/beginning-food-journey.html">image & inspiration found here</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Something else I want to do with my kids this summer,<br />
plant a garden.<br />
I found the homestead revival blog a few days ago.<br />
It inspired me to get started.<br />
We have never planted anything together, so it'll be a first.<br />
Maybe it'll become a summer tradition.<br />
We are going to start small, and there are a ton of great ideas out there.<br />
I love <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/garden-bed-670537/">this diy garden bed</a> and <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/plant-pals-672473/">this</a> would be fun for younger kids.<br />
I just want to be part of the homestead revival, don't you?<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-36361799554145336742010-05-19T09:34:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:54:22.450-07:00create a nook.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFimARwWfkvF6DAgxkmidNiNyVEuJOQ2GfY4q-jJx4sODh4ba057OkOP9catBEBdnJLSo_XJBjqo2lUGsVtEXbKvAFDh_7WPMpJreKHEmH-RFdndxd3XroJhGSPcwqQb3TO5E3nhWDZw/s1600/kmldesign-dk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFimARwWfkvF6DAgxkmidNiNyVEuJOQ2GfY4q-jJx4sODh4ba057OkOP9catBEBdnJLSo_XJBjqo2lUGsVtEXbKvAFDh_7WPMpJreKHEmH-RFdndxd3XroJhGSPcwqQb3TO5E3nhWDZw/s400/kmldesign-dk.jpg" width="275" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ty9ZpBROs7N5KwafIrNS2lrrT7aWCX-K99605ydcP9cRZa1gLknpvr63wQs236Vc6_fqVVho8KvlcrCCI4EfZcTsizUaUL-40hn6A8jQNlJSrvQs3s8GtlD1VQXDciyZuaWFtHCiksk/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ty9ZpBROs7N5KwafIrNS2lrrT7aWCX-K99605ydcP9cRZa1gLknpvr63wQs236Vc6_fqVVho8KvlcrCCI4EfZcTsizUaUL-40hn6A8jQNlJSrvQs3s8GtlD1VQXDciyZuaWFtHCiksk/s320/cookie.jpg" width="313" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.thebooandtheboy.com/2010/03/reading-nooks-for-kids.html">images found here</a></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Something I'm hoping to do for my kids this summer,</div>is turn a small space I have in the playroom, into a reading nook.<br />
I want them to fall in love with reading all over again.<br />
Here's a couple of inspiring ideas. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love the bookshelf in the top pic & the hanging books in the last one.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I definitely think it will help make our home the happiest place on earth.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-67456512114736760302010-05-18T09:23:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:54:46.886-07:00almost summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46PpnG9otpOyHu4S9QfgtxEs16CjJRMzaeK00OciA83BE6WPJu083YR0SJ2ps0AHFbY9sa70T8oUclRxZCm9jgTaRmaBhJ8TlSPi2v4IZPD8KPeMgTseLB4I3WinnhpxXvHfAdnjujS0/s1600/penny-pitch-games-photo-420-FF0803BDAYA20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46PpnG9otpOyHu4S9QfgtxEs16CjJRMzaeK00OciA83BE6WPJu083YR0SJ2ps0AHFbY9sa70T8oUclRxZCm9jgTaRmaBhJ8TlSPi2v4IZPD8KPeMgTseLB4I3WinnhpxXvHfAdnjujS0/s320/penny-pitch-games-photo-420-FF0803BDAYA20.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/outdoor-games/penny-pitch-game-707701/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">summer fun ideas found here</span></a></div>Well another school year is wrapping up.<br />
It's almost summer.<br />
When you live where there are seasons, you look forward to summer.<br />
I've been thinking about ways to make this summer happy.<br />
Maybe a party to celebrate the end of the school year.<br />
I'll be scouring the Internet looking for ideas to share.<br />
If you do something fun each summer I'd love to here about it.<br />
<br />
<img class="centered" src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/mrs0930/themom_signature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-83117603186068453232010-05-17T12:36:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:55:15.411-07:00dinner time.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USz_4yj2-DmmQsbhYI0u34T_lWZwbRLTSBlAoE0ig80h-kCj_aIr8Ygnvd20hir6gZZDxJKNGAWoRH4Lan3SGvyW2zHrPj3oqxplK5wLe6RChKCMPVKR89FHAXWRAX1IXZHWZPlwxqI/s1600/dinner-time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USz_4yj2-DmmQsbhYI0u34T_lWZwbRLTSBlAoE0ig80h-kCj_aIr8Ygnvd20hir6gZZDxJKNGAWoRH4Lan3SGvyW2zHrPj3oqxplK5wLe6RChKCMPVKR89FHAXWRAX1IXZHWZPlwxqI/s400/dinner-time.jpg" width="282" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://blanketmagazine.com/?p=453">image found here</a></span></div>A few years ago we moved from the big city to a small town.<br />
We wanted to simplify our lives and create slow-paced childhood for our kids.<br />
<br />
It was a good move for our family.<br />
There are things we gave up in the way of opprotunities for our kids.<br />
The flipside is that we have gained so much more.<br />
<br />
Living a few miles outside of "town" means that you can't just run to the store,<br />
or grab something from a drive-thru.<br />
Consequently, I have been forced to plan and prepare meals for my family.<br />
(which seems to be a growing trend)<br />
We eat dinner as a family at least 6 times a week.<br />
Believe me it's not gourmet food, or stimulating conversation.<br />
Most of the time we are laughing with each other or sometimes playing an informal game of "guess what I am".<br />
But it turns out there are benefits to family meal time.<br />
According to TIME magazine, family meals can act as a vaccine for your kids against destructive behaviors.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not only do family meals nourish body and soul they can improve communication between parent and child, and improve a child's grades.</div>All good things in my book.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Looks like dinner time can help make your home the happiest place on earth.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhqlFNhMLn1JKKWy1hMuRFF241HkYtBUFEn9hyphenhyphenjcOd4Z-jlHX4DN4qt6IKtsElvy3VXZVvoczAqyBKX94p1tUo_gS6_tuzkKk_aG4AOV_JGZAjqL4LUtLyHE7eIJUrJsfG1pgjHxvB8/s1600/themom_signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhqlFNhMLn1JKKWy1hMuRFF241HkYtBUFEn9hyphenhyphenjcOd4Z-jlHX4DN4qt6IKtsElvy3VXZVvoczAqyBKX94p1tUo_gS6_tuzkKk_aG4AOV_JGZAjqL4LUtLyHE7eIJUrJsfG1pgjHxvB8/s320/themom_signature.png" wt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-74465368582000410152010-05-17T11:56:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:55:43.143-07:00the results.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So let's just say the nicknaming didn't go so well.</div>But my daughter and I do have a secret handshake, so secret in fact, that she never wants to do it with me.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With that not working it did get me thinking about something else, labels.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I guess I've always thought labeling your kids was one of the worst things you could do to them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But what about positive labels? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Like labeling your kid <span style="font-size: large;">creative</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">smart</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">tough.</span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I think kids like having their own identity.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All parents recognize that each child comes with their own unique traits and gifts.</div>It's our job to help them figure out what those gifts are and how to best use and develop them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOcB8IT4O4nli5qy3Kx2I5XsEv8UQJdVJCyhcI2ClsBvN3JKUaL3GA1F3yb-sgDcp3S3GeYLYrw4cctgLla6xfWk03Ujo6SGOJqJculloi1V2XntceEwP0otQP5O3CIZVa6Baj1IZwmk/s1600/themom_signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOcB8IT4O4nli5qy3Kx2I5XsEv8UQJdVJCyhcI2ClsBvN3JKUaL3GA1F3yb-sgDcp3S3GeYLYrw4cctgLla6xfWk03Ujo6SGOJqJculloi1V2XntceEwP0otQP5O3CIZVa6Baj1IZwmk/s320/themom_signature.png" wt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707502882940656154.post-12544389696406356862010-05-14T10:16:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:56:03.443-07:00day 2.Nicknames & Secret Handshakes<br />
<br />
Everyone loves to feel important and special.<br />
Especially kids.<br />
There are so many things we can do as parents to create deeper bonds with our children.<br />
It maybe a secret handshake or endearing nickname for each child.<br />
It's something our family really hasn't done.<br />
I'm going to give it some thought and give it a try.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I think it could help make our home the happiest place on earth.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7bIVWcF2l-mp1xpMBMRYbO_l0mLQxBowVoEptNDkuYuYgMGvib7So8GIni6dW4_TsQHeiUFbcW5H_MXFvnmhV48D3WzmayoSiaEHz97Fq4H-ozt9wRfCqnTTMfep-yF4swXtFiEi1oo/s1600/themom_signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7bIVWcF2l-mp1xpMBMRYbO_l0mLQxBowVoEptNDkuYuYgMGvib7So8GIni6dW4_TsQHeiUFbcW5H_MXFvnmhV48D3WzmayoSiaEHz97Fq4H-ozt9wRfCqnTTMfep-yF4swXtFiEi1oo/s320/themom_signature.png" wt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0