ABC's of SUMMER

I love using the alphabet for different things.
Our 9 yr old mentioned the other day that we should do activities for the summer using the alphabet. I will list each day (Mon-Fri only) of some activities that would be fun to do with that letter.(I will try to post the pictures I can get of the activities we do.)
Have a Great Summer!!!

Today is letter A.
1. Eat "A" Foods: apples(anything with apples), acorn squash, alphabet soup/cereal, almonds, animal crackers, angel food cake, avocados, apricots.
2. Crafts with Apples.(MS idea)

3. American Idol: sing on the wii.
4. Ancestors: learn something new.
5. Address: does your child have yours memorized?
6. Airport Games
7. Aluminum Cans. Collect them and take them to be recycled.
8. Make an Ant Farm. Buy a kit from the craft store and then collect some. This would be a good opportunity for a lesson to teach because Ants do a great job working together.

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Altered {Baby Wipes} Container

Another idea to add to a Baby Gift. . . 

Personalized Baby Wipe Container.

BEFORE

AFTER

How To:

Cut the fabric to fit around the container.

I mod podged the fabric onto the container. 

*tip: I had to cut slits in the back 2 corners due to the curve so it would fit.

I finished it off with a fabric flower and "ribbon". 

If you know the baby's name it would be cute to put their name or letter on the top lid.

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End of School Gifts {2012}

With our 4 kids in 3 different schools, the end of the school year has been pretty crazy.
This week marks the end of school for ALL our kiddos.
For the end of the year gift for the Teachers, we just did something very simple.

 I made Chocolate Zucchini Bread(I had A LOT of zucchini) and added some treasures I found (for $0.50 each) in the Walmart clearance bin. The outside paper got stamped with a bunch of "Thank Yous" for that special touch.
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Baby Rattles

My cousin Aimee is having a baby girl so to her gift I added these homemade Baby Rattles. I found the idea here but they used batting . . .

I decided to recycle this vending machine plastic container and put a bell inside.Make sure the lid is tightly closed.

Stuff the container inside a baby sock(found at the dollar store in a 2 pack 18-24 months size).

You could also use this cat toy with the bell already in it.

Tie a ribbon around the neck and make sure the knot is tight so the ball/bell does escape. I left the ends of the ribbon long.
 You could easily wash this toy with soap & water and then air dry it.
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My New Temple Dress

I want to show you my new 3-piece temple dress that I put together for only $10!

The background story:
I own 2 other temple dresses that are too small for me with all the weight I've gained over the years since before I left for my full-time mission. They are an adjustable size small/medium and a size large, (both homemade). Well, I've gained so much weight that I've been renting a dress from the temple every time I go. I got tired of renting a dress, plus you can't rent temple clothing at most temples now. So I decided it was time to get a new dress, but I didn't wanted it to be pretty and comfy without having to spend a lot of money.

What I did:
I was at Ross one day and saw some long, white summer skirts on the rack. At that moment I decided that my temple dress would be a skirt and top instead of a dress. It took me several trips to Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, other discount stores, and different thrift stores. (I would always just keep my eyes peeled for the perfect "white" pieces.)

Where I got my 3 piece temple dress:
I got the white skirt at the Good Will for $3 because it was half-off.
I got the white (knit) shirt many months later, also at the Good Will for $1 (half-off).
I got the lace-collared top at Burling Coat Factory just last weekend to complete the outfit, at the cost of $5.99. *This top was not gathered at the bottom when I bought it. It was really loose and unflattering, so I added elastic around the bottom hem to give it a more finished look.

Goal accomplished! Cute, comfy and inexpensive!! Pin It

Clay Necklace

Our daughter made this Necklace for her friends' birthday.

She molded the heart out of clay.

We added ribbon and tied knots at each bead.

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Bread in the Bag

I did the greatest activity today in Science with my daughter Aulina. We made Bread in a Bag(ziplock).
It was so easy. I might be able to take a break for a week and let her make the bread for our family.
I came home and recreated it for you to see(since I forgot the camera) what we did.

How To:
In the Gallon Ziplock put the DRY ingredients.

2 cups white flour(but wheat or bread flour will work also)
1 envelope of yeast
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
Close bag and shake for about a minute.
Add WET ingredients.

1 TBL. oil
3/4 cup HOT water
Mix well in bag for 2 minutes. If you can turn the bag upside down and the dough will fall to the "bottom" then it is ready to take out.

Put the dough onto a floured counter top.
With floured hands knead for a couple of minutes.

 Cover it with the used gallon zip lock bag & let rest for 5 minutes.

I cut the dough into 2 pieces to fit into the 3x5 loaf pans.
 I let it rise for a couple of hours (until double in size). Bake it at 350 for 15-18 minutes.

The Science teacher is going to bake all the bread loaves at the school. Aulina will get to bring hers home tomorrow.
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"Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. It is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; 

it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death.

Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people."

Gordon B. Hinckley

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Happy Mother's Day

Beautiful Mary, the mother of our Savior...
I feel so grateful and honored to be a mother... Happy Mother's Day, my beautiful friends. Pin It

Quote Blocks

I went to my cousins baby shower a while back and on one of the shelves sat these cute Blocks.
I had to make some.

I thought this would be a great reminder for our Family!
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Exercising the Brain

I have recently learned about some amazing sites online that can strengthen our brains...

KHAN ACADEMY is unbelievable! You can learn anything under the sun on there. Plus they have all kinds of educational games for all ages.

LUMOSITY is super cool! It's like having a personal trainer for your brain. Visiting the site is like going to the brain "gym". Haha.

Dr. Bill Vicar's American Sign Language (ASL) Fingerspelling Practice Site is awesome for anyone who is involved with American Sign Language in any way. It's just fingerspelling comprehension (receptive) practice. You can choose different speeds and challenge yourself. I am a sign language interpreter, so I love this site! It has strengthened my "receptive" and voicing skills a ton!

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A NEW Way to Exercise

I walked through the front doors at Walmart the other day & saw the new album cover for Carrie Underwood-she looks awesome(I want those legs)! So I googled what she does for exercise(I know eating right is part of it too).

When she's not with her trainer, she uses just a simple deck of cards(I found mine at the dollar store which makes them 50 cents for each deck) to make a workout fun.
I followed what she does:
Each suit is a part of the body. So when you get a "heart with a 4", you would do 4 lunges.
You can go through the whole deck or just half or whatever your body can start with.
Hearts=legs(like lunges/squats, etc. . . )
Diamonds=arms(like push ups, resistant band, etc. . .)
Spades=core(like sit ups, etc. . . .)
Clubs=cardio( like sliders/jump rope/jumping jacks)
Joker=mile run

I'm so excited to keep my body guessing(and burn up to 600 calories) plus I can't get too bored with this!

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baby {TIME}

My friend Trina just had a baby boy-this was my gift. . .
I did gifts from different times of the day{Play Time, Any Time, Bath Time, Bed Time & a "Just for Mom" Time}

PLAY TIME

Fabric Toys

Cut 2 pieces of fabric(7"x7"). Pin 9 strips of ribbon (5" in length)folded in half. 3 on each side. Stitch 1/4" seam around the square. Leave an opening on one side.

Cut a ziplock bag to fit the dimensions of the fabric.

Layer all the pieces together to do the final stitching. On the bottom start with the fabric with the stitched on ribbon then the other piece of fabric(right sides together) then the ziplock bag.

Stitch 1/2" seam around the square. Leave the opening so you can turn it inside out.

Turn right sides out and stitch all the way around.

ANY TIME

Hats & Wipes

BATH TIME

I used a scrapbook die cut shape for my duck pattern.

Stitch the duck on with coordinating thread.

Pin 2 bath hand towels right sides together then stitch.

Turn inside out and stitch around the outer edge.

BED TIME

"Baby Sleeping" door sign(I hot glued felt onto the back so it wouldn't hurt the door)

JUST FOR MOM TIME

Hair Clip, Chocolate, & Calgon Bath Salts

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I am a MOTHER

This is an inspiring WONDERFUL book {perfect time to get/give for Mother's Day}.

Jane Clayson Johnson was a news anchor woman who gave up a 6 figure job to stay home with her 2 children. I know not all woman can do that because we all have different circumstances to challenge us but what an example of the sacrifice a mother can make for her children.

I'm thankful for this great reminder that teaches me that our role as a mother is truely divine. We MATTER and what we do can help shape our children into the people they are to be.

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"Never stop striving for the best that is within YOU.

Never stop hoping for all the righteous desire of your heart.

But don't close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life."

{Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Forget Me Not"}

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Meridian Spring Formal

My friend Cami is in charge of putting on this dance. You can go here to print the info.

In an effort to provide a prom where both the parents and students felt good about the moral climate, the Meridian Spring Formal was born. Our goal is to provide a formal dance for the teenagers of Meridian, ID where the dress, lighting, lyrics, music, and entertainment contribute to a wholesome atmosphere. Regardless of school and religious boundaries, all High School couples who are 16 and older, and are willing to comply with the dress and conduct code below, are invited to attend.

This special event will be held at:

Ten Mile Christian Church

3500 W. Franklin in Meridian, ID

which is on the corner of Ten Mile Rd. and Franklin Rd.

Cost of tickets is $30 per couple until May 5, 2012.

Cost will then increase to $50 per couple.

Cost includes admission to the dance, pictures, and refreshments.

Conduct Standards include:
*Must be 16 years or older and accompanied by a date
*No profane, vulgar or crude language
*No alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
*No full body contact, suggestive dancing, moshing, grinding, running, or sliding

Dress Standards include:
*Girls dresses should not be short, tight, sheer, low-cut in the front or the back and should cover the shoulders
*Boys should wear Sunday dress or tuxedos

Individuals not in compliance to these standards will either not be admitted or asked to leave by the chaperones.

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PEEPs

I love PEEPS. It was a tradition to get them every year for Easter.
My friend Megan got this Peep Banner idea from her mom. Megan & I serve together in Activity Days with the 10&11 year olds. This was such a fun activity.


This is the simplified version for the girls' to make. . .


This is mine. . .

How to:

Trace a peep for your pattern (increase 200%). Cut 2 for each peep.

Stitch around the felt fabric with coordinating color. Add eyes and nose with black paint.

Hot glue the felt peeps to the ribbon spaced evenly (I did 55" long so then I could have loops for hanging) and attach tuelle, fabric strips or fuzzy yarn in between the peeps.

You can make it as long as you need it-just add more of peeps, ribbon and tuelle.

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