How Was {School} Today?

When the kids get home from school they usually ALL have something to tell me & usually at the same time. I want to hear about it all but one at a time. I thought about it and today I'm going to try something new. . .

1- they need to pick a numbered stick/coin. . .


2- then they get time on the timer. . (Family Fun Idea & timers found at Zurcher's Party Store for $0.49)


3- but if, by chance, they do run out of something to say or need some help they can pick a question stick(the ones with the colored tip facing out of the cup).


I colored the tip of each stick and taped the question on. When they are done answering that question they put the colored side down in the cup. When all the "colored side" tips are down, you can turn them over and reuse them.


These are just a few questions I have but I'm trying to think of more. If you have any i would you to share.
1-Did you meet anyone new today?
2-What was your lunch time like?
3-Did you love the outfit you wore?
4-Name 2 fun things that happened in a class.
5-Did your teacher say something funny?
6-What was your favorite part of your lunch?
7-Did anything exciting happen on the bus?
8-What was your favorite assignment today?
9-What did you do in P.E. ?
10-What did you do in Math?
11-What did you do in Science?
12-Tell me about your favorite part of the book you are reading.
13-What did you & your friends do at recess?
14-Name 2 things you love about your school.
15-Did you help another teacher or student?
16-How do you feel you are doing in school?
17-What was your favorite part of the day?

Somedays it will be nice to ask another question like these instead of "How was School Today?"
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Who Goes First? Ideas #2

Like my other idea this tool is to help you know which child will Go First in an activity. These Wooden Sticks are a perfect addition to our container.


I covered these plain craft sticks(walmart has a big box for a great deal but so do the craft stores if you have a coupon) in some denium fabric (with mod podge of course). I used a stencil to spray paint the numbers on.


I found this tin at the second hand store and (mod podged) added some fabric for beauty & durability.


I keep all the "idea" tools in this container. Then I can alternate them.

I love having fun "Tools"!
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{Lunch} Tote Holder

The girls love having cold lunch to take to school. This year (instead of using paper bags) we got some fabric lunch totes from Walmart. So they wouldn't get lost or misplaced, I decided to make this Lunch Tote Holder to hang in our Pantry.


I found a left over drawer face from the 2nd hand store.


I gathered these knobs from my mom's old dresser.


I painted, sanded the edges and drilled the holes for the knobs.


I cut and mod podged (underneath & on top)a piece of fabric for the middle inset.


Add knobs and its ready to hang.


From trash to A treasure. Pin It

Back to School Binders

Now that school is back in for our children I wanted to stay organized with all the important papers that I receive from the kids' teachers. So I decided to put them in a trusty School Binder.


Inside: I got the dividers that have pockets for extra space. I'm going to love knowing schedules, phone numbers, email addresses, lists of what I've given them & anything else that pertains to that teacher for that child.

Simple but so effective! Pin It

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

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Busy With Projects... Always

My kids are back to school... all 4 of them!! I have until noon ALONE now. This is a new chapter for me! But my time alone is not for relaxing... I am a project person. I've been spending my mornings cleaning, running errands, and doing projects.

Right now I am working on my church assignment, putting together Emergency Preparedness Binders for my entire ward (for about 160 families). This has been a HUGE project!! I can't wait to get these binders done, and my deadline is next Wednesday.

Also, I've been working on a denim quilt for a long time. I've been collecting all of our old, worn out jeans for years; and I've spent time here and there cutting them apart and storing them in my craft closet. Yesterday I decided to get them out and see if I felt motivated to sew a little. It's going to be awesome when it's all done! It's going to be our picnic blanket. Have any of you made a denim quilt before? I can't believe how easy it is! The cutting is the tedious part. Sewing the pieces together has been the fun part so far! You just match up pieces that look good together and that fit. I've been using all different sizes of squares and rectangles. I've had to trim some of them, but that's quick and easy.

I can't wait to be done with this project too. I will show it off after it's all done!! Pin It

{Bedtime} Passes

Now that school has started we are back to doing all the routines. This is one of our families "must do". {Plus it keeps mom sane!}

I started this tradition about 1 1/2 years ago for Bedtime and it has worked like a charm. Each night our children have the opportunity to use their Bedtime Pass. After we tuck them in for the night it never fails, there's always one last thing they have to do. {I read that many children do this and need this opportunity}.

The pass can be used to get a drink, tell us something, a trip to the bathroom or whatever they need to do. But they only have 1/2 hour to use it. [I try not to limit the "going potty" trips because I don't want them to feel like they have to "hold it" all night long.]


I copied the free pattern (you leave an opening or not depending on the type of door knob you have)& traced it onto beadboard to cut out with my scroll saw. If you don't have a saw, they have many of these wooden door hangers at the dollar store or craft store.


I used acrylic paint for the little grooves. Then sanded it and sprayed it with clear protective spray.


I put the wording in vinyl but you could easily use stickers or rub-ons.


Embellish with ribbon and a letter accent.


Hang on the back of the door when not in use. (They bring it to me when they use it and I return it when I go to bed).


Just another great parent tool! Pin It

Getting Those Kids To Sleep!

Do you have a hard time getting your children to sleep at night? Do YOU have a hard time falling asleep at night? Do you suddenly feel wound up and ready to ??[clean]?? once you've got the kids down for the night and finally have time to yourself? Or maybe you have so much on your mind that you can't seem to shut it off when you lay down to bed?

I can say a big YES to all of these questions!!

Well, I recently learned about something that could help...

Our bodies naturally produce Melatonin in our brains to let us know we are getting tired at the end of the day, and that it's time for bed. Some people may not produce enough, especially those with a little bit of anxiety (like myself and 2 of my 4 children). Or ADHD children (or you) that cannot seem to turn off your many racing thoughts at night.

We can supplement (ourselves or our kids) with this natural stuff at bedtime. I just bought some and am here to tell you that it WORKS!! Yay! With school already started for my kids, and the sun still not setting until after 9 PM, this stuff is heaven-sent for us!

With school starting soon, if not already for you, I thought that today I would share my new-found knowledge with you. Be sure to check with your doctor, of course, if you are a little apprehensive. But I tell ya what... If there is no other reason for Benedril, this natural Melatonin supplement is a great way to help move the sleepy process along, and get you and your children a good night's sleep!

*Update 8/18/10: I guess I should have told you where to find this stuff. I got my 8oz. bottle at Fred Myer in Meridian, ID [on sale] for $7.99 (normally $10). But I found that Walmart carries it too, and their prices look a lot better than Freddy's...

Interesting... I wonder how many of our LOCAL readers went to Walmart after this post, because they were COMPLETELY OUT of Melatonin when I was there this evening!! {{wink}}

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Back-to-School Family Night

We have a tradition in our family for the Sunday night before the first day of school. I love this book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

I read the book to my children, then my husband gives each of the kids a father's blessing.

For our treat I make these kissing hand cookies.

I just use the sugar cookie recipe below (using a hand-shaped cookie-cutter), then after I've moved them to the cooling rack I place a Hershey's kiss in the middle of each one.

Soft, Perfect Sugar Cookies

1 c butter, softened
2 c sugar
1 c sour cream
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 c flour

Cream butter, sugar, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Chill in fridge for about an hour. Roll to 1/2" thick on floured surface... (the thicker, the softer; less flour, more flavor.)

Bake at 325 for 8-10 min ('til just barely/almost golden. Do NOT overbake! (Don't underbake either, ew.) Pin It

{Secret} Destination

I love to surprise our kids. My favorite times are when our kids our blindfolded so they really have no clue. Since our two younger girls start school tomorrow i thought it would be fun to use our Blindfolds to go somewhere to cherish the last day of their summer break. I wanted an updated version of our blindfolds.


Our old version-a felt strip.


Our new inspiration(from Joann Fabrics in the Dollar bins).


Just take the eye cover and trace the outside edge on the wrong side of the fabric.


Cut it out, pin it & sew it.


I frayed mine using this tool. I like the look (I know with kids they'll eventually fray, so I'm saving myself a step) but you could easily fold the fabric over so it is a clean edge.
You could add their name to personalize it. I didn't so they would have the opportunity to trade and where a different one.

Hope your summer had been wonderful and your kids are excited to go back to school-I know our kids are! Pin It

A Question for Moms of School-Aged Kids

Do any of you moms out there have a child(ren) who absolutely HATES to read?? I do. And I worry!

I've never been much of an avid reader, myself. But I read the Twilight series, no problem! (Couldn't put those books down to save my life!)

I have a 10 yr/old boy that just will NOT pick UP a book to save his life. It's as if he thinks books are some kind of a poisonous serpent that he cannot touch. I've read to him his whole life, and he loves being read to. He just refuses to read on his OWN.

After reading Twilight with no problem, I've been thinking that just maybe if my son had some books that were just as captivating to boys his age as Twilight was for me... Just maybe he would enjoy reading on his own??

Please!! I need suggestions, ideas, anything!! Please leave a comment if you can help!! Pin It

The Idea Door

Heather and I are both former Primary Presidents, and when you are serving in PRIMARY (or any calling in the church for that matter) and you need a good idea, there are some great websites to go for help. One of the ones that Heather and I both frequent is The Idea Door. They have ideas for not just church stuff, but for all kinds of fun things!



In fact, they recently featured us with our Birthday Balloon Wreath!
Thanks Idea Door. We are honored! Pin It

{Balloon} Weight

My daughters birthday was this last Sunday.


Each year when I put this decoration out, I get them the amount of balloons of the age they are turning. Here is my version of the Balloon Weight. FRONT view. . .


Back view. . . I just spray painted the 4x4 (9 inches in length) piece of wood blue, attached an eye screw & found some fun scrapbook paper to cut circles. Then mod podged the whole thing.


Using this sparkly glitter glue, I put dots and went around the paper circles.


Now its ready for the balloons! Pin It

{Splatter Cookies}

We made these FUN cookies.


Just make the cookie recipe and put the dough in a sheet pan. Using food coloring, drop the colors onto the cookie dough. Then have kids take a straw and blow to spread the food coloring to make fun designs. TIP: they have to work quick to it doesn't sink into the cookie dough. Then bake as directed.
[We baked our cookie dough first, then decorated it- you can do it either way.]
Just be prepared to have different colored tongues! Pin It

{Wrapping Up} for a Wedding Idea#1

My cousin got married this last weekend. Since its such a special celebration, I wanted the present to look just as special.


I tied the present with thick ribbon(teal poka dot) then I cut some coordinating strips of ribbon. . .


Added some flowers and greenery. . .


Then double knotted it.


I added a beaded letter to complete the present. Pin It