tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55939371574293804092024-03-13T10:56:13.320-04:00Small Journalings of our BLESSINGSJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-63038588095202194212013-01-03T21:13:00.000-05:002013-01-03T21:13:06.625-05:00Lego "Lab"In 2012, we were blessed with adding an addition onto the back of our house. The original layout had NO STORAGE downstairs. I'm talking none! There is a circular closet in the foyer. Circular closet means no GOOD storage due to no shelves fitting in, no closet bars, nothing. And that, my friends, was the only closet downstairs. So I KNEW I was going to utilize every inch of this addition for storage anywhere I could.<br />
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Once we talked about a staircase and adding a second story, I said, "I want a closet under the stairs!!!" I was going to make this into a Lego closet. Somewhere along the way my kids named it the LEGO LAB. In fact, when we went to dedicate the foundation, the kids wrote this on the foundation at the entrance to the closet.<br />
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So now we have the "official Lego lab" in our house.<br />
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The closet is shaped like an L. You walk in and there is some space and then turn to your right and the ceiling begins to slant down as the opposite side has stairs that are going up. <br />
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I hate to even tell you where I got the things for the Lego Lab. Solely because whenever I go to a blog about organizing something and they say this store, I gag. We don't have this store where I live. And this store is awful at shipping (unless you are buying over $500 at a time). But, it's true...I got the supplies for this Lego lab at IKEA.<br />
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I started with two of the TROFAST systems. You can find them on IKEA's website {<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50171122/" target="_blank">here</a>}. I thought two would be plenty as that is 12 drawers...but I need to go back and get a third. Who knew we'd have so, so, so many grey Legos? However, I don't have an IKEA in this city, so that third system will have to wait.<br />
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Anyway, starting with two TROFAST systems, they were mounted on the wall. I used my Silhouette Cameo to label each drawer. Right now, we have blue, black, yellow, green, orange, purple, brown/gold, grey, white/clear, red, battery packs, and mini figures. When I get the third set, I'm going to add a 2nd grey drawer and a 2nd mini figure drawer, plus a drawer for wheels and Ninjagos. I realize there are tons of ways to store Legos and lots of people just dump them in a huge container and let their kids dig. Let's be honest, if you need that tiny piece at the bottom of the huge container, it can be difficult to find. However, if you know that the tiny piece is white, at least you have somewhere to start with these drawers. Honestly, you have to find what works best for you. This works great for us.<br />
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Once the systems were hung and the drawers were labeled, we began filling the drawers. The kids use the tops of the systems to display projects or hold containers with pieces they are using in progress. <br />
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I don't have a ton of rules about the "Lego Lab" other than when they are done, I want everything off the floor. So they can set pieces "in use" on their personal table (I'll show you those in a minute) or on the tops of the system or if they are done, they can put the pieces back into the correct drawer. <br />
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Over in the corner, I have a Rubbermaid drawer where the boys keep the design books/guides. In the khaki container, the boys will store projects in work. Right now, they have a Lego City set in there. If you are familiar with the larger Lego sets, then you know they come in multiple bags. While they are working on bag one, this container is a good place to hold bags two through eight.<br />
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The boys each have a personal Lego table. These also came from IKEA (yikes) and can be found {<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104270/" target="_blank">here</a>}. Using these LACK side tables, I added 4 Lego building plates to the table. These can be found at Lego's website {<a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Blue-Building-Plate-620" target="_blank">here</a>}.<br />
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Then I added casters to the legs of the table. This makes it easy for the boys to roll the tables in and out of the closet. Although they often just stay in the closet to work.<br />
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Now I know you are thinking, this is WAY too clean for boys to be actually playing, building, creating. I would have to agree. This is Maddox's table. He has been very tied up in his new iPad Mini from Christmas and not that interested in playing with Legos the past week.<br />
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However, this is Brewer's table (see below). And he has multiple projects going on at a time!<br />
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The tables roll in and out of the closet. I've thought about putting shelves up above the tables for the boys to display their finished pieces. For now, Brewer likes to put his finished pieces in his room. He says they are "safer" up there. And I tend to agree. We have kids in and out of our house all week long (which is wonderful to be the house where people want to come and play).</div>
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Below is a shot I took from the corner (as the ceiling is lowering). This is our LEGO LAB. Again, the only rule I have in there is that the Legos have to be off the floor when they are finished playing. It has worked great for six months. Hoping it will continue!<br />
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The closet isn't that big but on new year's eve we had a party and 5 kids were in there at one time. It was tight, but kids make stuff like that work.<br />
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Thanks for letting me share. Legos are wonderful for kids but can be stressful on parents if they are laying all around your house. You have to find what works best for you. <br />
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Oh, and I think I want to add some fun Lego art on the walls. I'm still considering adding those shelves. And don't forget, I have to add a third Trofast system at some point; I've got to make it to IKEA first. ...always a work in progress.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-79727995950112814372012-12-16T15:04:00.003-05:002012-12-16T15:29:27.737-05:00Advent - Random Acts of Christmas Kindness - 2012Today we did one of my favorite advent activities of the season - R.A.C.K., Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. We did it last year for the first time, you can read about it {<a href="http://thesicilianfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-day-8.html" target="_blank">here</a>}. <br />
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This year, we hit the ground running. When the boys found out we were doing RACK, they cleaned out their playroom toy closet and found things to donate. Maddox decided he wanted to "paint pictures for people." <br />
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So we did a little bit of prep work at home (cleaning the toy closet & painting) then headed out.<br />
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<b>1. At lunch, Maddox decided he wanted to give one of his paintings to our waitress. She hadn't smiled much while waiting on us. After the painting, she smiled every time she came to the table.</b><br />
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<b> 2. After lunch, we went and donated our two bags of toys. I truly do hope these toys will be blessings to others.</b><br />
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<b>3. We went to Publix and bought a FOOD FOR SHARING meal for someone else to have food.</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPPliANSHGnzcTRXdrnvmh-aDLRmP6t2RgUNX8zbmu8rIbMaHxC2R0DaTuEvwb1lL6_pAyZ-SFsAkEawD59m12M8PhWjov4V0fMwixpuzVtYr5FjrGnxcO1JTp0yQ4qkE4s_WS4NpZAKD/s1600/food-is-sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPPliANSHGnzcTRXdrnvmh-aDLRmP6t2RgUNX8zbmu8rIbMaHxC2R0DaTuEvwb1lL6_pAyZ-SFsAkEawD59m12M8PhWjov4V0fMwixpuzVtYr5FjrGnxcO1JTp0yQ4qkE4s_WS4NpZAKD/s1600/food-is-sharing.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<b>4. When we arrived at Publix. First, we collected carts in the parking lot and took them in for the baggers.</b><br />
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5. We taped quarters to a Coke machine, so strangers could have a drink on us.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74knPBRhr5huXU0Zb2EclyqjlLLi7iIB5XkCf3BlRzpqwRCBg8o5JS4B2TpmkR5QsNgnLsgoGHWIRz4HN_HJNxp5FU7mdDmIuRanYulih3RRTZRoyicl4oNb83LVsmzXUzRH62qXlKis2/s1600/IMG_1777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74knPBRhr5huXU0Zb2EclyqjlLLi7iIB5XkCf3BlRzpqwRCBg8o5JS4B2TpmkR5QsNgnLsgoGHWIRz4HN_HJNxp5FU7mdDmIuRanYulih3RRTZRoyicl4oNb83LVsmzXUzRH62qXlKis2/s320/IMG_1777.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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6. Brewer asked if we could take cookies to the fire station. What a great idea! And you know what, those firemen were WONDERFUL and even gave the boys a treat with a tour of their truck.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitglXAaqq2epNgzHMwARBmPoASBCXolFW-NR-IKcJujrPnOWM-tgy24yGYdOOv0nxwnAz07LhD5Gj_K5pm2l1VAiUPa7WAOJhT0NnXVG9V17w7YBY5kKeA0hxxijjVCnfJB9NFNDFe7Gt0/s1600/IMG_1778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitglXAaqq2epNgzHMwARBmPoASBCXolFW-NR-IKcJujrPnOWM-tgy24yGYdOOv0nxwnAz07LhD5Gj_K5pm2l1VAiUPa7WAOJhT0NnXVG9V17w7YBY5kKeA0hxxijjVCnfJB9NFNDFe7Gt0/s320/IMG_1778.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7f1NFA2mkVooEXpSAAEy9KisyOJwLjigF2hpyCFvvRBlh_l4-Kd8Ed0NoFftOgSyUCMqxmvcTX4rumFslwTp8rHyxrJkcJChwrv7xdFPrM4ybTIsbrIM8gPQG7AT5LkdPdRBWx463E8Z/s1600/IMG_1779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7f1NFA2mkVooEXpSAAEy9KisyOJwLjigF2hpyCFvvRBlh_l4-Kd8Ed0NoFftOgSyUCMqxmvcTX4rumFslwTp8rHyxrJkcJChwrv7xdFPrM4ybTIsbrIM8gPQG7AT5LkdPdRBWx463E8Z/s320/IMG_1779.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7s_Vl9Bedz3qGcemIiwEIr_Olol77A_apbserxyrifp7Ujm01PP68Sn0bzk6KhVR1_ytokaPZ_BTeUB7pBkmy2uWDCPf8hY-ldOyxuo1-lPDOxLkOq7nTVO1wHDqOHQA48rdPcYptr06/s1600/IMG_1780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7s_Vl9Bedz3qGcemIiwEIr_Olol77A_apbserxyrifp7Ujm01PP68Sn0bzk6KhVR1_ytokaPZ_BTeUB7pBkmy2uWDCPf8hY-ldOyxuo1-lPDOxLkOq7nTVO1wHDqOHQA48rdPcYptr06/s320/IMG_1780.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrscWlUvoNjZprjl2cp062Ftzaky5eWMqfLLjOuclnekSYeHpG5xLkPyrjPPecBPztVmIGsFqLzPfYbHOioXtimi85uCuPPEHne2eCFm5Hn78CxoHgG5RsccOIg0QegsEmPJXzNyoKLVKJ/s1600/IMG_1783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrscWlUvoNjZprjl2cp062Ftzaky5eWMqfLLjOuclnekSYeHpG5xLkPyrjPPecBPztVmIGsFqLzPfYbHOioXtimi85uCuPPEHne2eCFm5Hn78CxoHgG5RsccOIg0QegsEmPJXzNyoKLVKJ/s320/IMG_1783.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
We had plans to go through a drive-thru and pay for the person's order who was behind us. But our kids were "done" with this project after the fire station. They really seemed to enjoy the afternoon, so I didn't want to push the issue. After all, we can go and pay for someone's order any day. I hope we do sometime soon. The boys can be reminded of this simple act of kindness and realize it can be done not just at Christmas but all year long.<br />
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If you would like RACK cards to print, here you go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X0kHXk1alhMgCTLug8o8CQHfNnNZhueH5LGN4LtsgzmqP8ZMYVVSeRC76HA5sYiCnuoFg8u9SsnlE9RqxGxFGpj22C0HRA8ySH7QXes3DqiGoKJmMI7sRP2UFkJEIwi9HmjPQq9Ine5T/s1600/RACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X0kHXk1alhMgCTLug8o8CQHfNnNZhueH5LGN4LtsgzmqP8ZMYVVSeRC76HA5sYiCnuoFg8u9SsnlE9RqxGxFGpj22C0HRA8ySH7QXes3DqiGoKJmMI7sRP2UFkJEIwi9HmjPQq9Ine5T/s320/RACK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-62001358261344143192012-05-28T16:31:00.002-04:002012-05-28T16:31:33.333-04:00Yeah! for picmonkey.comHere is a trick that many people will want to know about. I'm so happy, excited, thankful for it!!! PicMonkey.com now lets you make a collage!! It's wonderful! <br />
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Here's what you do:<br />
- Go to www.PicMonkey.com<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-PBBcqrBLxFaIA_epTPuRq9BuZhqVqxdCiGHVxopWQUZ3nlv6GCxAXyXNaCnZ8wumPGFkB9ifUIIl2sjWW99rUavqixwokW8hVynG9elm1wK1X4p_l2SFeJ2ZfXFFZw-753ZO5aMF4TA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-28+at+4.10.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-PBBcqrBLxFaIA_epTPuRq9BuZhqVqxdCiGHVxopWQUZ3nlv6GCxAXyXNaCnZ8wumPGFkB9ifUIIl2sjWW99rUavqixwokW8hVynG9elm1wK1X4p_l2SFeJ2ZfXFFZw-753ZO5aMF4TA/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-28+at+4.10.44+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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You'll get this screen that I'm showing you above. On the left, there are three boxes, select the third box, "CREATE A COLLAGE".</div>
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- You'll be taken to this screen:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa3GXyckfSvotELPPEV602LMKNxJLMjgEl0wP7zzvJNpdOSVSpU6GLSLfAoVIiHbn-prkfvEZTKSaby_TtPm9GR0ykbDUBAvKQFKyfGPeBhlCuu9Ka9jbCIgY94qvZg8itzfWQQHJDRCc/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-28+at+4.15.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa3GXyckfSvotELPPEV602LMKNxJLMjgEl0wP7zzvJNpdOSVSpU6GLSLfAoVIiHbn-prkfvEZTKSaby_TtPm9GR0ykbDUBAvKQFKyfGPeBhlCuu9Ka9jbCIgY94qvZg8itzfWQQHJDRCc/s320/Screen+shot+2012-05-28+at+4.15.59+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the far left you'll see an icon that looks like a group of mountains. This is what you select when you want to upload your photos. Below that there is an icon that looks like some blocks. This is the format you will want -- two photos, horizontal/vertical; three photos; four photos; etc. There is even a selection on here for your FB COVER. The third icon looks like an art palette. Here you will be able to size the boxes for your photos, add a background color, round the corners, etc.</div>
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- So start playing and see what you can come up with.</div>
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Here are some things I've done with it so far.</div>
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A. One of my favorite things is when I want to post two photos on FB but have them under the same post. For example, I was asking for suggestions for our new playroom on displaying kid art. I was able to make this collage and show what we have now vs. what we are thinking of doing and get feedback from people comparing the two.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoykop3ZMWv79AlibJzcImQkBJZDkw0_NlO0oNJtoN3pFjlbdXxF86FXS5VzqvLJ9r0fnhwtpnozyPj6XqMamNARTElaAB7LeFDbpMW2wB7HRy4JjwxJwQJ5r23Iy80z91kVgs-vLNbfQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoykop3ZMWv79AlibJzcImQkBJZDkw0_NlO0oNJtoN3pFjlbdXxF86FXS5VzqvLJ9r0fnhwtpnozyPj6XqMamNARTElaAB7LeFDbpMW2wB7HRy4JjwxJwQJ5r23Iy80z91kVgs-vLNbfQ/s320/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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B. I also made a new FB COVER photo. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36bWplj3lTKLLOUgywzHJ-sqOhyYybBPAeGLDA1zcIGNv758aRewILBUq7V4n_Mykfuv65UmNTvzKq2JmKPuv4zOvvuL2FuY1dPpdq7ASVBM0sMECoIaCf3tfRl4opZ2dj9ss2DlQozpZ/s1600/FBCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36bWplj3lTKLLOUgywzHJ-sqOhyYybBPAeGLDA1zcIGNv758aRewILBUq7V4n_Mykfuv65UmNTvzKq2JmKPuv4zOvvuL2FuY1dPpdq7ASVBM0sMECoIaCf3tfRl4opZ2dj9ss2DlQozpZ/s320/FBCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a great new feature of picmonkey.com. Oh, and did I mention -- IT'S FREE!!!</div>
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<span id="goog_499436127"></span><span id="goog_499436128"></span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-4829825255638837422012-02-29T10:15:00.001-05:002013-01-03T20:32:56.721-05:00Jake and The Neverland Pirate PartyBack in November, Maddox started talking about his 4th birthday party. He wanted it at Pump It Up (a bouncy place we have locally), and he wanted it Jake and The Neverland Pirate theme. I wasn't sure how I was going to combined the two, but it ended up working out great.<br />
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I can tell you with 100% certainity and well-researched, there was NOTHING out in the stores for Jake and The Neverland Pirates back in November 2011. So etsy.com became my new best friend. I found some centerpieces on etsy. You can order them {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/playpatterns" target="_blank">here</a>}.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg0jG7QfrOq9rfLkE07rINJGNZklzFYF9wO5iUNLmxZV-Tu8QUaifPNE21Rb2ZEaAZhpvMvgisboxv0BOo6wRQl1U_Hk6WCxrFGjJS3PATp6QzT0uDlo6VyBmJSAK8BGfY5mdDyL5H22s/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg0jG7QfrOq9rfLkE07rINJGNZklzFYF9wO5iUNLmxZV-Tu8QUaifPNE21Rb2ZEaAZhpvMvgisboxv0BOo6wRQl1U_Hk6WCxrFGjJS3PATp6QzT0uDlo6VyBmJSAK8BGfY5mdDyL5H22s/s320/IMG_0470.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOYE1XbzbwuRvKLGfJZJw-d4Zgw36h2233s1TJ5lEovzafsrNqtCOhnKIzg1T8Sx0KTCzyP2jMcsccS-pVmfz0T6Bzlh2uD2v4P5_qW4X_1MpphdXNXvOMvMxuspV500qN2vi8MrLMlUn/s1600/IMG_0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOYE1XbzbwuRvKLGfJZJw-d4Zgw36h2233s1TJ5lEovzafsrNqtCOhnKIzg1T8Sx0KTCzyP2jMcsccS-pVmfz0T6Bzlh2uD2v4P5_qW4X_1MpphdXNXvOMvMxuspV500qN2vi8MrLMlUn/s320/IMG_0482.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I also found some shirts on etsy. You can check them out {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74385664/custom-appliqued-birthday-tshirt?ga_search_query=jake&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5485833" target="_blank">here</a>}.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNmMymQCVduvm_EP9ztv5L2rx4LwItpL_N6h6uWhDee6MzdkJjgzdpp-aRvs9pd-QItJP1w1qCopTzhu0XuHRsS5LW56EUa8fKU1sPVa0nDJRDlaD7WdB584Wu2vxso-bWn03FjgiGxO5/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNmMymQCVduvm_EP9ztv5L2rx4LwItpL_N6h6uWhDee6MzdkJjgzdpp-aRvs9pd-QItJP1w1qCopTzhu0XuHRsS5LW56EUa8fKU1sPVa0nDJRDlaD7WdB584Wu2vxso-bWn03FjgiGxO5/s320/IMG_0522.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddox was eating his cupcake like a pirate in this photo. I posted it, because you can get the best view of the Jake shirt. Maddox's brother had a Captain Hook shirt.</td></tr>
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I ordered from both of these places before Christmas. <br />
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Then in the new year I kept looking...still nothing. I ordered his invitation and thank you from etsy found {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74221568/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-birthday?ga_search_query=jake&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6193476" target="_blank">here</a>} and had them printed locally. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnZwM5zQxhxRug_uPbqUmKqDu4hGYTgjMK2qthQXKafyVTh-vLMDeg-m5oMJMCB1mC0HM8SFXQwXkBNYYzSH2JOspR730welMwavSsyg-BrrtbS9frgn9JCieaaoUVWcluef6MGMMWSAv/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnZwM5zQxhxRug_uPbqUmKqDu4hGYTgjMK2qthQXKafyVTh-vLMDeg-m5oMJMCB1mC0HM8SFXQwXkBNYYzSH2JOspR730welMwavSsyg-BrrtbS9frgn9JCieaaoUVWcluef6MGMMWSAv/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invitation</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImh2yf82ibPV_AdoHENTkuw8tFW5YS8vzkiMRmMonjbyR_lCVrOiWAOPZIsfAz_kBLnhlJCV56Anpfqh4i2VWybeRGdo7GYnMD4WNoqW_5EF0_2Y2d3Q0GU8iUFAvAFJB0GLATk-Jpe-2/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImh2yf82ibPV_AdoHENTkuw8tFW5YS8vzkiMRmMonjbyR_lCVrOiWAOPZIsfAz_kBLnhlJCV56Anpfqh4i2VWybeRGdo7GYnMD4WNoqW_5EF0_2Y2d3Q0GU8iUFAvAFJB0GLATk-Jpe-2/s320/photo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You Note</td></tr>
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When I called to book Pump It Up, they were offering an add-on package of either Superheros or Pirates. Well, the pirates would be perfect...so yes, I booked that!<br />
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Pump It Up was supposed to have pirate music but when they called to confirm the week before the party, the girl told me the CD hadn't arrived from the head office. So I made a pirate mix on our iPod and took it in for the party. This way the kids could JUMP-JUMP-JUMP to pirate music.<br />
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I looked from November to February for some type of party favor. I knew I could always fall back on the Pump It Up water bottle of treats. But I wanted something pirate and specifically something Jake and The Neverland Pirate. Pump It Up was giving the kids eye patches (as part of the treasure box find). I ordered (from etsy found {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93125737/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-headbands?ga_search_query=headband&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6320721" target="_blank">here</a>}) these Jake headbands. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWXTfTfexE-Q307LLFUpajuNwf8SGyvj2brsopIlCgVDbJo9hsljeK8Jt-9V60_Ppx2Km3-Th2f1P9x1lZI0vUT4a3v4b5GUyFmNDEKQf7N5B3_rp1MTz0J16Mb7b53G0jxOamDDu9jGS/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWXTfTfexE-Q307LLFUpajuNwf8SGyvj2brsopIlCgVDbJo9hsljeK8Jt-9V60_Ppx2Km3-Th2f1P9x1lZI0vUT4a3v4b5GUyFmNDEKQf7N5B3_rp1MTz0J16Mb7b53G0jxOamDDu9jGS/s320/IMG_0383.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And then I found these Jake plates at DisneyStore.com. The site now has several things to choose from but a few weeks ago, this was about it. Yet, it was a perfect favor to give a group of 4-year-olds. I added a "thank you" tag to the plate. The tags can be found {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80405035/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-birthday?ga_search_query=jake&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6433530" target="_blank">here</a>}.<br />
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So the kids got to take home a Disney plate, an eye patch, a headband, a swirly straw, and a Jake tattoo (I found those at Walmart also).<br />
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And wouldn't you know four days before the party, Walmart got their Jack and The Neverland Pirate party plates, napkins, etc in their stores. Yipee! We had some Jake stuff.<br />
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I purchased plastic cups and lids (I knew the drink they were serving was going to be red; hence, the lids), added a Jake sticker to the cup (a name tag sticker worked great because I could add the kids' names to the cups), and got swirly straws. The tags for the cups can be found {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78984932/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-35-x-25?ga_search_query=jake&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6433530" target="_blank">here</a>}.<br />
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Pump It Up did a great job. The party host was dressed like a pirate. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaln5-2_nUXSrEUGcbMk7wVhuEt2F5fOq-pAadLMTxV3U3zJNZzdf3SqKuUHMfQD_hxMznWPG8JVfRd7EtylEfxdMgLRz0dfC8S3dtxGSpLNHGjh28MITBOpytvFyaPWeakK7I5ke63hn/s1600/IMG_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaln5-2_nUXSrEUGcbMk7wVhuEt2F5fOq-pAadLMTxV3U3zJNZzdf3SqKuUHMfQD_hxMznWPG8JVfRd7EtylEfxdMgLRz0dfC8S3dtxGSpLNHGjh28MITBOpytvFyaPWeakK7I5ke63hn/s320/IMG_0378.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
The pirate's parrot came to visit us during the party. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStOF5XiG5Mx_lyxkgd19M0D22kkZLsnQbPjwjyk-KmtZx17cwG9d9k_-waaUUpykOdZBuDPolycs-BuPpgLsdr8-z2pws8W55kQ45C7PzTsIf2V-4sj8rnFL8S-K3n7X1KMZJ82TQfiA6/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStOF5XiG5Mx_lyxkgd19M0D22kkZLsnQbPjwjyk-KmtZx17cwG9d9k_-waaUUpykOdZBuDPolycs-BuPpgLsdr8-z2pws8W55kQ45C7PzTsIf2V-4sj8rnFL8S-K3n7X1KMZJ82TQfiA6/s320/IMG_0444.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><br />
And the kids searched for clues during the party so they could locate a key that would open the treasure box.<br />
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After jumping for 80-ish minutes, we went into the party room to eat pizza (Maddox's request), have cupcakes, and FIND THE TREASURE BOX!!! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7oBo2N1AW4Sn3KAZCaLCAnSCy8C166nmycC7eat9gegC1f09QVl5mNVz0esqQ8OULzhNyJAOduZzIn0Uvx0H8THXBi2V_umhJwpbooiEfumT9ywLcHz3NH037tVo_Anwk-v8kXrsLr8Q/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7oBo2N1AW4Sn3KAZCaLCAnSCy8C166nmycC7eat9gegC1f09QVl5mNVz0esqQ8OULzhNyJAOduZzIn0Uvx0H8THXBi2V_umhJwpbooiEfumT9ywLcHz3NH037tVo_Anwk-v8kXrsLr8Q/s320/IMG_0535.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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These cupcake toppers are so cute. I found them on etsy (surprise, surprise). You have to print and cut them yourself. I would NOT suggest buying them if you do not have a Silhouette. It was so easy to cut them on the Silhouette. However, I would not want to hand cut these. You can find the cupcake wrapper and toppers {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79077212/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-cupcake" target="_blank">here</a>}. The cupcake stand was found at HomeGoods and worked perfectly as it mimicked the top of a ship. UPDATED TO ADD A NEW LINK FOR THE CUPCAKE WRAPPERS: {<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85670097/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-printable?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=jake+and+the+neverland+pirate+cupcake+wrappers&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">here</a>}<br />
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The Happy Birthday banner was found at Walmart when I found the plates, napkins, & tattoos. It all came together well.</div>
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Best of all, Maddox had a great time at his party. Argh! Mateys! </div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-14010790379895856642012-02-10T21:47:00.000-05:002012-02-10T21:47:09.069-05:00Man, I've Got Your Back<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">February 1st was a day that rocked me. I had a call that my dad was being taken to the ER due to his right hand not "working". It was a day that could have been filled with fear, a feeling of loneliness, or distress. Instead, I was at peace. Before I stepped into the ER, I had already talked to a few friends as I was trying to get the afternoon for my kids situated. Those people stopped what they were doing and went to take care of things for my kids...providing them lunch, childcare and more. Those people started praying for me. I emailed a group of girlfriends and texted some others. Messages of prayer were pouring in. That night, Dad was put in ICU. Messages continued to pour in. People wanting to know if they could help with the kids, provide meals, grocery shop for me, go to the house so Lou could meet me at the hospital,...Offer after offer were pouring in. Everyday the support was amazing. People showing up to hug us in the hospital, bring us meals, take my kids. Generosity was pouring in. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the one week mark, the messages hadn't stopped. The offers hadn't stopped. The generosity hadn't stopped. The prayers hadn't stopped. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're on day 9 and to be truthful, I'm exhausted. The haul of the regular day plus spending large parts of the day in the hospital with Dad are starting to wear. But I still have text messages asking what I need. Encouraging emails popping up throughout the day, cards in the mail, baskets of food being delivered, offers for child care. It has been tremendous. Honestly, people may never know what an email that simply says, "Thinking of you" can do for a person's boost in the day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you ever heard the saying, "Man, I've Got Your Back" or what about, "When times get rough, you'll know who your real friends are"???? Well, the last week had a huge blessing in the midst of this difficult trial. When I stand with the unknown in front of me and my focus has to be on my dad, I turned around and there was a wall, a wall of friends supporting me. A wall of friends standing shoulder to shoulder making sure everything was taken care of so that I could focus on my dad. Praise God that these people had my back. Praise God that these people didn't run when times got rough. Praise God (insert laugh) they still answer the phone when they see my number pop up because chances are, I'm not calling to talk about their day. I'm calling for a favor (mainly for my kids to be taken care of).</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have a long recovery ahead of us with Dad. But I know I don't have to go through it alone. I have an army of friends...real friends...standing shoulder to shoulder with me. Ready to help me take on this season of my life.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To those of you who have been there for me -- THANK YOU. Words will never seem like enough to tell you how much I appreciate all you've done for me and my family!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ecclesiastes 4:9-10</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 9 Two are better than one,<br />
because they have a good return for their labor: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10 If either of them falls down,<br />
one can help the other up.<br />
But pity anyone who falls<br />
and has no one to help them up.</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-58684359956958393842012-01-01T08:42:00.000-05:002012-01-01T08:42:29.367-05:00A New Year with the Gift of Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-T8nbOJ4o/TwBiGQJH_hI/AAAAAAAAAq8/kIQFFjZQC6c/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-T8nbOJ4o/TwBiGQJH_hI/AAAAAAAAAq8/kIQFFjZQC6c/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR! </span></div><br />
A few years ago, Lou and I implemented a date night for the two of us. It has worked great and been something that we both look forward to. Some nights our dates are special things such as a concert or show but most of the time it is playing tennis or trying a new restaurant or shopping or seeing a movie. It really doesn't matter to us; we just like being together.<br />
<br />
To kick off 2012, we gave dates to our kids. Each month the boys will get a date with either Mom or Dad. While Lou and I get plenty of time with the boys, this one-on-one time with the parent and child is important and something we don't get as much of. Our boys have already opened their January envelopes and are super excited about their "dates". <br />
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The dates/outings throughout the year will be: go to the movies, go to the park, bake something of your choice, go to Adventure Landing, go to the book store, go out to breakfast, etc... None of the activities "out of this world" but this time will be special for each of us.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to having this one-on-one time with each of my kids this new year!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*This idea was not my own. I saw something similar and tweaked it. :)</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-82590621879953218582011-12-27T13:49:00.000-05:002011-12-27T13:49:10.445-05:00Allowance -- oh, what to do, what to do...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpgVL_lP0Bw/TvoSejOdS5I/AAAAAAAAAqw/62mMChwD0Co/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpgVL_lP0Bw/TvoSejOdS5I/AAAAAAAAAqw/62mMChwD0Co/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>I've wondered about allowance for awhile. Brewer is 6-years-old. (Well, he'd correct you to say his is 6-1/2!!) He wants everything he sees. I want to instill the value of saving to him. I believe saving for kids has two meanings:<div>1. Saving where you SAVE UP for something. For example, you want a $50 Imaginext toy. You have $20 from your grandma. This means you need 30 MORE dollars before you can buy it. So you'll need to save your $20 plus start to save other money you receive until you reach the $50.</div><div>2. Saving where you are actually putting money into a bank account, and saving it there. This is not the type of situation where the boys would be allowed to go to the bank to withdrawal money. This would be a true savings. (No withdrawal system.)</div><div><br />
</div><div>So I started to research allowances about a year ago. I still haven't found the "perfect" system. Growing up, I didn't have an allowance. The jobs we did around the house were expected, because we were a member of the family. We were not compensated for these jobs. I understand this school of thought. And I've read plenty in my research of situations where others believe this as well. However, where does the money come from when teaching a child to save? In my research, I've seen all kinds of systems for allowance, dollar amounts, etc. While searching and searching, nothing was perfect to me. In the meantime, Brewer started asking for an allowance. The timing of allowance was beginning to align. I was researching; he was asking.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As we close this year and start 2012, it seems like a good time to start a new system in the house. I modified a couple of different allowance systems I liked and came up with our own. The majority of what we are doing is based on <i>Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Junior</i>. You can find out more about it by clicking <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">{<a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/kids-teens/kids-3-12/cYOUTH-cKIDS3TO13-p1.html">here</a>}</span>. We have the full set from Dave Ramsey include the chore chart, the children's books, the three banks (giving, saving, spending), etc. We aren't using all the pieces, as we are using what works for us.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I ordered chore cards from an etsy seller. You can click <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IdahoMomof2">here</a>}</span> to see her listings. Of course, I had to make changes to this as well so that I could really make it work for our family. I requested she put magnets on both sides of the cards. I hung the chore cards on a magnetic board in our kitchen. When the chore is showing, this means the chore is available for Brewer to do. When he finishes the chore, he can ask me for "approval". Once I approve his work, he can flip the card to the star side to show he has earned the money. Each chore card has a money amount on it. He can decide how much money he wants to make in a day. </div><div><br />
</div><div>There are three cards at the top of the magnetic board that do not have a money value associated with them. These are jobs that Brewer is asked to do, because he is a part of our family. We all have to do our part to help our family. If he does not do these three each day, then at the end of the day he cannot get paid for the other jobs completed.</div><div><br />
</div><div>With the system set up right now, we'll have to pay Brewer at the end of every day. I don't think I want to do this. So I'm going to have to come up with some type of tally chart for us to tally his daily earnings; we can pay him on PAYDAY.</div><div><br />
</div><div>When Brewer does get paid, he'll have to take 10% of his total and put into the GIVE bank. Then he'll take the remaining money and divide it in half. Half will go into the SAVE bank and the other half will go into the SPEND bank. I don't like that it is called a SPEND bank...as I want Brewer to realize he is <i>saving</i> this money too but that he can eventually spend <u>this</u> money. Another part I still need to tweak to make work for us. There is a workbook that comes with Financial Peace Junior. So we worked on numbers today with it. (Brewer loves math so this helped make it fun.) In the workbook example, Dollar Bill (one of the characters in the book) earned $8. We figured out that 10% of $8 is $0.80 and that money went to the GIVE bank. This left Dollar Bill with $7.20. We figured out that half of $7.20 is $3.60. Therefore, $3.60 will go into the SAVE bank and the other $3.60 will go into the SPEND bank. When the GIVE bank is full, we'll let Brewer choose a charity or our church to give the money. When the SAVE bank is full, we'll take it to his savings account at Wells Fargo. He will be allowed to use the money in the SPEND bank, when Lou, Brewer, and I agree on something that he wants to buy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This is newly implemented in our home. We'll see how it goes and make tweaks to it along the way. I'm also willing to match Brewer dollar for dollar in his SPEND bank if he is working hard for a big dollar item.</div><div><br />
</div><div>What do you do for an allowance? Any ideas to can pass along to help us in the process??</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-49092226714687194312011-12-25T13:11:00.000-05:002011-12-27T13:13:20.363-05:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Happy birthday to Jesus and merry Christmas from our family!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gopEzlIyfZo/TvoKo0okXTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9TCzYrjcqSM/s1600/DSCN1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gopEzlIyfZo/TvoKo0okXTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9TCzYrjcqSM/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-51245005809976047432011-12-24T08:30:00.000-05:002011-12-24T08:30:27.995-05:00Advent - Day 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_9j8WTX4mE/TvXTkdhvxpI/AAAAAAAAAqY/7_MtFk-rDVQ/s1600/Sicilian2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_9j8WTX4mE/TvXTkdhvxpI/AAAAAAAAAqY/7_MtFk-rDVQ/s320/Sicilian2a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today advent comes to a close...tomorrow is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CHRISTMAS</span>!! The boys are so exciting. Our home is buzzing. And I'm feeling a slight bit sad that it's coming to an end. I just love the entire Christmas season. I love, love, love it!!<br />
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Our advent activity today is as old as I am. I can't remember not doing this growing up, as a single adult, as a married adult and now as a mom. We will go to church, out to dinner, and then off to look at Christmas lights. As the evening ends, we will come home to prepare for Santa's arrival -- leaving out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We will leave notes for Santa and go to bed with much anticipation. A great anticipation...similar to what I felt the night of June 22, 2005, and February 24, 2008, which were the nights I went to sleep knowing I would have a baby the next day. I think of the anticipation Mary felt on that night when she was about to deliver the Saviour. Oh, just to pause on this busy and exciting day and think about the whole picture of what Christmas did for me. What Christmas did for you. What Christmas has done for the world. Because of His coming, we are free.<br />
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May you and your family have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas! Blessings to you!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-70612214624217436902011-12-23T11:06:00.000-05:002011-12-23T11:06:07.948-05:00Advent - Day 27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwc7iwqNecw/TvSm0dSZciI/AAAAAAAAAqM/_o8ImM823aA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwc7iwqNecw/TvSm0dSZciI/AAAAAAAAAqM/_o8ImM823aA/s200/photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Today for our advent activity we talked about traveling by car v. traveling by donkey. What was it like? How would you like to go to school on a donkey? How did Mary feel pregnant on a donkey? <br />
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We are getting very excited about Christmas around here! Our elf had a snowball fight with Buzz Lightyear last night. What a fun thing to wake up to this morning!<br />
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</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-66243095830506482672011-12-22T20:22:00.000-05:002011-12-22T20:22:18.189-05:00Advent - Day 26Tonight our church did a Christmas Eve (eve, eve) service. This was our advent activity. The service was followed with a birthday cake for Jesus, bouncey houses, and a hayride. It was a lot of fun! I don't have any photos since I'm not an advocate of taking pictures in church (LOL!). It never occurred to me to pack my camera!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-8377850667605924542011-12-21T19:39:00.000-05:002011-12-21T19:39:57.716-05:00Advent - Day 25Today we did a tradition that my brother, David, & I did as kids -- decorated Christmas cookies. My mom likes to host this "event". So we all went over and decorated cookies at my parents' house. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUzzpwNbuks/TvJ8UwMV5yI/AAAAAAAAAp4/6v0AUfqHuEI/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUzzpwNbuks/TvJ8UwMV5yI/AAAAAAAAAp4/6v0AUfqHuEI/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-70957665632588324852011-12-20T16:48:00.001-05:002011-12-21T19:40:19.346-05:00Advent - Day 24Psalm 139:13-14 -<i> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. </i><br />
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We are special for lots of reasons, but the main reason is because God made us. Our handprint is one of the special things about us. Today we made our handprint out of a handprint kit. This way we can remember the size of Brewer's hand at age 6 and Maddox's hand at age 3.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82QfNWnjO712p7MRDYg8oC9NU0ad35ESSDJPx3WCWNmkk-NG3AxF-ycHY6CrjHZXL9Kq_CIIParBQGZPg91YzW4dfKuc3tvjV4fXwz7cr2Q0A1Rg20ny20eS07BEmYDzs3sCAfQ1xDK4I/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82QfNWnjO712p7MRDYg8oC9NU0ad35ESSDJPx3WCWNmkk-NG3AxF-ycHY6CrjHZXL9Kq_CIIParBQGZPg91YzW4dfKuc3tvjV4fXwz7cr2Q0A1Rg20ny20eS07BEmYDzs3sCAfQ1xDK4I/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now they have to dry overnight and then I can add the boys' names and make them into ornaments.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-59541837017348003472011-12-19T18:08:00.000-05:002011-12-19T18:08:05.829-05:00Advent - Day 23As Brewer says to me sometimes, "They can't all be gems." Well, this advent activity certainly didn't turn out to be a gem. Our activity today was to make baby Jesus out of Wikki Sticks. The idea came from an article in Family Fun. They made baby Jesus out of yarn. I thought we could modify it and make him out of Wikkis. Um...not so much. <br />
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Thanks for sharing in our laugh tonight!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF9lWHEEnn-rjKIcN8PkL1ja1lXRU-z0V39InrSieTUJaIejJdWOOVGsiYx9vxVsWwcBgYq49qUatB48L-PQ8PwV1ZbN71e0QEr9nyagEIv-Tz9dsJfQCdkREyfSMD46l1FckAO1Jsg9R/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF9lWHEEnn-rjKIcN8PkL1ja1lXRU-z0V39InrSieTUJaIejJdWOOVGsiYx9vxVsWwcBgYq49qUatB48L-PQ8PwV1ZbN71e0QEr9nyagEIv-Tz9dsJfQCdkREyfSMD46l1FckAO1Jsg9R/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle photo is the yarn idea from Family Fun.<br />
The left photo is Maddox's baby Jesus. Yes, he decided Jesus should be wrapped in a hot pink blanket,<br />
The right photo is Brewer's <strike>alien, oops,</strike> baby Jesus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-82064191792842847952011-12-18T17:24:00.000-05:002011-12-18T17:24:23.872-05:00Advent - Day 22Anticipation for the 25th is building in our home. Is it in yours? Sometimes waiting for something can make you feel like you are going to explode. Today's advent activity helps to represent this explosion. We want our boys to know that it is good to share the joy of excitement of the coming of Christ to overflow in every part of their life. This was fun for the boys. Of course, they thought it was "AWESOME"!!<br />
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Take a 2-liter of soda, add 4 Mentos, and move away. You will see the drink explode and overflow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL-BgyBhg-40fTKS0rpl44Ht_vq0y9V877RRGw9R1hYO24yXxEj9HKY-JF_o0_x_6wh5msdT7AOrs7MP9SoKFxeWkFbgVvyIUTJQP2_2kH9rSvH-syDpyk1HSjDhPjZFAxffAkQf_7x-1/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL-BgyBhg-40fTKS0rpl44Ht_vq0y9V877RRGw9R1hYO24yXxEj9HKY-JF_o0_x_6wh5msdT7AOrs7MP9SoKFxeWkFbgVvyIUTJQP2_2kH9rSvH-syDpyk1HSjDhPjZFAxffAkQf_7x-1/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-56220761977195141882011-12-17T10:07:00.001-05:002011-12-17T10:09:08.665-05:00Advent - Day 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bethlehem is where Jesus was born. It was a small town and its name means "City of Bread." No one really knows why it is named that, but maybe at one time the town was famous for its bread. Over the years, people laughed a lot and did many fun things in Bethlehem. Think about David and his seven brothers, or Jesus and his siblings. I'm sure they laughed and had lots of fun in Bethlehem. Today our advent activity was something fun for our whole family -- making gingerbread houses! John 6:35 says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thrist." Bread of Life is another name of God. The base of the house was made out of gingerbread to remind us of the City of Bread and the Bread of Life. The houses are soooo cute! This is one of my favorite things in advent to do with the boys. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeWlXNLxKMDOw8k2o7pArlSSg8a92qPwbku4UCUSh3m10g3D-ZQaRwW6Q8rf7cvhxN1-3B0aow1HoJE1_1QzXa5AL6p31ieZBwy90jQrR-xOdy95Jg6xv96etSC4h-mWyD_JyCLfanqDK/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeWlXNLxKMDOw8k2o7pArlSSg8a92qPwbku4UCUSh3m10g3D-ZQaRwW6Q8rf7cvhxN1-3B0aow1HoJE1_1QzXa5AL6p31ieZBwy90jQrR-xOdy95Jg6xv96etSC4h-mWyD_JyCLfanqDK/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The candies and goodies were ready to be added to the houses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuFBj1AGUbhGOHL_MR0UQdbhNZWqM-ih-gKnTzuGjw8Lhu2eE4HHmLGeAB1Jp-aTa_-U1HKRg9l2CXAvltfZ0VJQXY_RRUkDa6GKdVZk_IV14Qe9zfAOgq8VpPlEqZP8zh8E92YFBkdSV/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuFBj1AGUbhGOHL_MR0UQdbhNZWqM-ih-gKnTzuGjw8Lhu2eE4HHmLGeAB1Jp-aTa_-U1HKRg9l2CXAvltfZ0VJQXY_RRUkDa6GKdVZk_IV14Qe9zfAOgq8VpPlEqZP8zh8E92YFBkdSV/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a fun morning it has been!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-1187943329123724752011-12-16T19:36:00.008-05:002011-12-17T07:41:04.591-05:00Advent - Day 20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09tCiWuqSnw5mLXdZMV-oLf2O-B58oO2rLsvLKSK5KntmL4aXRHJqB0jl8Gb_plmJtGIbYGuI2J6Re2BzL6aByRkTh5zqBUAivMabPv9sG35HYzfWNCEKV_CiA_uinkA_sg8rA9zBRhs8/s1600/prayer+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09tCiWuqSnw5mLXdZMV-oLf2O-B58oO2rLsvLKSK5KntmL4aXRHJqB0jl8Gb_plmJtGIbYGuI2J6Re2BzL6aByRkTh5zqBUAivMabPv9sG35HYzfWNCEKV_CiA_uinkA_sg8rA9zBRhs8/s200/prayer+book.jpg" width="166" /></a>A few posts ago, I told you how much I love children's Christmas books. Today in the boys advent bag, they had an ornament of Santa kneeling by the manger. They added this ornament to our tree. Along with the ornament was a note saying we were reading the book, <u>Santa's Christmas Prayer</u>. This story is about an unplanned Christmas Eve stop where Santa visits a country church, and he prays for the greatest gift of all. I love the illustrations in this book as well. They are bright and vivid. If you are looking to add to your children's Christmas book collection, this is one that I would recommend adding.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-11293708694416615632011-12-15T20:17:00.001-05:002011-12-17T10:09:17.983-05:00Advent - Day 19How can it be day NINETEEN in advent? This season is just flying, flying, flying by!! Tomorrow is the boys' last day of school until 2012. Unbelievable really!<br />
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Today for advent, we watched the movie, <u>Why Do We Call It Christmas</u>. It is made by the same guy who did <i>Veggie Tales</i>. It's an hour long, which I was concerned about for the boys. But it's cute and it held their attention (for the most part). It has lessons on the word Christmas, Jesus celebrating Hanukkah, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, why do we celebrate on Dec. 25th, what's the deal with the stockings, and more. Click <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">{<a href="http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4005">here</a>}</span> to find out how to order the video for yourself.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-72647503052974994212011-12-14T21:17:00.001-05:002011-12-14T21:18:30.458-05:00Advent - Day 18<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqv1OlCtlCSRLiYj_p0p4Zji-OvxziwUKSNzxOvKRE52n6s9NeDXbau8QEhLA-MqLT-8cuqA7Wqkwzt31rkPbwmN0ZkxilGY5LhZyJef1eYxJbWYtwakuAMpGG5GvocdbAEy3pGn9g30P/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqv1OlCtlCSRLiYj_p0p4Zji-OvxziwUKSNzxOvKRE52n6s9NeDXbau8QEhLA-MqLT-8cuqA7Wqkwzt31rkPbwmN0ZkxilGY5LhZyJef1eYxJbWYtwakuAMpGG5GvocdbAEy3pGn9g30P/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today was a Christmas book day. I love Christmas books for kids! We read <u>Christmas In the Manger</u>. It is a board book that rhymes and is illustrated to share the Christmas story through the characters in the nativity -- animals, shepherds, wise men, Mary, and baby Jesus. Brewer liked reading the book to us. After we read the book, the kids made a nativity scene of their own with a felt set I purchased from Hobby Lobby. (Have I told you how much I love that store???) Here is a photo of the boys' art:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewer's is on the left; Maddox's art is on the right.</td></tr>
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</span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-31662258527050537772011-12-13T21:05:00.000-05:002011-12-13T21:05:54.153-05:00Advent - Day 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPx9RP1pO1johGmCMcIIAaSFDMEZrOF_usHW_8iJHViiupJhu0eSJgzk7nTmthhVngjeGrOPW5-iLZu0W8y-siLod0qCK1SWRisGpVxQwyQVf258B9CvC-4IQDF4HuA6zKMLnhzu95FbV/s1600/brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPx9RP1pO1johGmCMcIIAaSFDMEZrOF_usHW_8iJHViiupJhu0eSJgzk7nTmthhVngjeGrOPW5-iLZu0W8y-siLod0qCK1SWRisGpVxQwyQVf258B9CvC-4IQDF4HuA6zKMLnhzu95FbV/s320/brothers.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Brothers are a gift from God. They are very special and on Christmas our boys will give a gift to our brother. Tonight we went shopping so Maddox could pick out a Christmas gift for Brewer and Brewer could pick out a Christmas gift for Maddox. (Each child went shopping with an individual parent. Remember when we did this last year, and I lost Maddox. Kohl's had a complete lockdown for me. Yikes! You can read about the leash I acquired due to that lockdown <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">{<a href="http://thesicilianfamily.blogspot.com/search?q=kohl%27s">here</a>}</span>. I'm happy to report that I didn't lose Maddox this year. In fact, I decided we would shop together in the same store.) The boys had a good time looking at things their brother might like -- or things they would like to see be a part of their playroom...LOL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqelT9f_u_zUYCW_SYSL0wU7_4-bsEripzNqJ4TsGyCKcF1g5c3ewuT0rZyEZ-RXgwRIbh4oIQKir30EWi5-7s7j1sWNtegH7-nPGrIvkR5sJAox_Pk9NILLZXZSPw6Ra-GSXbaYKMrzl/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqelT9f_u_zUYCW_SYSL0wU7_4-bsEripzNqJ4TsGyCKcF1g5c3ewuT0rZyEZ-RXgwRIbh4oIQKir30EWi5-7s7j1sWNtegH7-nPGrIvkR5sJAox_Pk9NILLZXZSPw6Ra-GSXbaYKMrzl/s320/Diptic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewer is checking out this Batman/Penguin/Imaginext piece for his brother while Maddox is checking out this pink car for his brother. LOL!!!</td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-17242943339701182492011-12-12T17:17:00.000-05:002011-12-12T17:17:33.171-05:00Advent - Day 16 and Giveaway WINNER announced!<div style="color: #1c5d0d; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1tW-kWS7I5XS2MSfLOQ7c3TE5miRE4r9LT1o1UvpH9A1BQgeH3hXUUJfqzmUddMJEUf_xQ5sselsIPNEf_xJJ9oJG4TEMmWH1mKf5GNQg1IPqC92lblAVwTeSpDkI7e9gonSZU6qOQNC/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.16.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1tW-kWS7I5XS2MSfLOQ7c3TE5miRE4r9LT1o1UvpH9A1BQgeH3hXUUJfqzmUddMJEUf_xQ5sselsIPNEf_xJJ9oJG4TEMmWH1mKf5GNQg1IPqC92lblAVwTeSpDkI7e9gonSZU6qOQNC/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.16.56+PM.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. </span></div><div style="color: #1c5d0d; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">The wise men brought Jesus three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Santa brings our boys three gifts just like Jesus got three gifts. Today in the advent, the boys found three pieces of candy for each of them to remind them of the three gifts Jesus received.</span></div><div style="color: #6628e7; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #6628e7; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all of you who entered my first GIVEAWAY. The winner is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5zPpHb6LkWNpH68ZqEGiiCJnhr27ZhhvRRjM2iqBepJE8Ta6a-Sv79iq_EVmC0CEOlHN7Voaz2llSPVsnABu87OlhQoaXHid-NRtbFPhRJ9k-NwGgQHvzQdRzPo1otV7A8i21QRgr4l0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.13.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5zPpHb6LkWNpH68ZqEGiiCJnhr27ZhhvRRjM2iqBepJE8Ta6a-Sv79iq_EVmC0CEOlHN7Voaz2llSPVsnABu87OlhQoaXHid-NRtbFPhRJ9k-NwGgQHvzQdRzPo1otV7A8i21QRgr4l0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.13.19+PM.png" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6628e7;">Steph's comment #9. Here is her comment:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblsTX8j_GJTER8tJ-AfHMxfpLY35Sb4H5ZQqUwzv5CQB5UJa0j557gXrnrMFrVvh5FEjMA47r_EKLVUBsBNoGhnbS4fDFx5-iPJJXoYeoWuWE1aFUcNeQW9V4NyX_LE2CI3dQrufJ37NB/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.13.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblsTX8j_GJTER8tJ-AfHMxfpLY35Sb4H5ZQqUwzv5CQB5UJa0j557gXrnrMFrVvh5FEjMA47r_EKLVUBsBNoGhnbS4fDFx5-iPJJXoYeoWuWE1aFUcNeQW9V4NyX_LE2CI3dQrufJ37NB/s320/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.13.34+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="color: #6628e7; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6628e7; font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Way To Go! I have sent you an email so you can contact me about the $25 gift card to Amazon!! YEAH!!</span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-69606806626043422722011-12-11T20:25:00.000-05:002011-12-11T20:25:04.490-05:00Advent - Day 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqw8PSJmcDwSvOkfSgHU5QFResj32egg8dB3h_oSpTKqtBDigS6-Qc9YPo8rafrOm_miQP8vOMg2wsBg0wsgNnCyeZEIyQv35B2bciI5C-1Ay1rXv3DYVvOjWYZbKXH_oxi8pjhkM2ZqG/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqw8PSJmcDwSvOkfSgHU5QFResj32egg8dB3h_oSpTKqtBDigS6-Qc9YPo8rafrOm_miQP8vOMg2wsBg0wsgNnCyeZEIyQv35B2bciI5C-1Ay1rXv3DYVvOjWYZbKXH_oxi8pjhkM2ZqG/s200/Diptic.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>God wants us to spend time together as a family. I'm under the belief that even if we're on electronics, as long as we are together & laughing together & encouraging one another, then we're good. Our advent activity today was playing games as a family. It's difficult to take photos when you're in the middle of playing. And in fact, I forgot to take any photos. But it was a fun day of board games, puzzles, & video games. So I put a few of our favorite games together for a photo here.<br />
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Today is the LAST DAY to be entered for the $25 Amazon gift card. Check out the details by clicking <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">{<a href="http://thesicilianfamily.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-first-giveaway.html">here</a>}</span>. Share it on your FB page so others have the opportunity to win as well. The winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-8582032077890692482011-12-10T16:05:00.001-05:002011-12-10T19:30:05.658-05:00Homemade Oreo RecipeHere is the Homemade Oreo Recipe. This recipe came from Janet's blog at Simply So Good. You can link to her blog {<a href="http://simplysogood.blogspot.com/">here</a>}.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIXhRLzm9Uquf9wjfwHpB-e6iHGPbG4r4Z_vUzfTgqSd3TQETdP-5h9V1kMW_KheO9_J43XZG4E8mjtCTDqlEBmxZgkGol0Oy-mwgwoMyszDycKn7ANsn9ht8PB2qHm1tbFGI0RR46et3/s1600/oreos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIXhRLzm9Uquf9wjfwHpB-e6iHGPbG4r4Z_vUzfTgqSd3TQETdP-5h9V1kMW_KheO9_J43XZG4E8mjtCTDqlEBmxZgkGol0Oy-mwgwoMyszDycKn7ANsn9ht8PB2qHm1tbFGI0RR46et3/s320/oreos.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Homemade Oreos</b><br />
Ingredients:</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 packages Devils Food Cake Mix</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 eggs</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2/3 cup oil</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix until well blended. Roll cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. (I use the large scoop from Pampered Chef.) Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool 5 minutes on pan, then remove to cooling rack. </span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I store in an air-tight container and wait a day before adding the filling.</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Filling:</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup butter, softened</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3-4 cups powdered sugar</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In medium mixing bowl blend cream cheese and butter. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread filling over the bottom side of a cooled cookies (I used a piping bag), then place another cookie over the filling, sandwiching the filling between the </span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the filling between the cookies. </span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #003aa1;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I keep refrigerated since there is cream cheese and butter in the filling.</span></span></span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-45099712985789214132011-12-10T16:04:00.003-05:002011-12-10T16:11:07.643-05:00Advent - Day 14 - Kids' Christmas PartyIt's one of our favorite events of the holiday season. We invite our friends (8 years of age and under) and their parents to come celebrate Christmas with us! This year it was an art themed party. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj_fy3R5TufsRll-0UiMFnP63G2ZuL7vzPjakKP5WnKNcgO-_LzlncJ_RBq_Utm5KabJfN3qsL0E_5tDMYedal6GkiBzjtUlqUY80oZEWN_Z80-S8g4qj87jPHIqjWSSRpsQDI42EmM9X/s1600/blog+invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj_fy3R5TufsRll-0UiMFnP63G2ZuL7vzPjakKP5WnKNcgO-_LzlncJ_RBq_Utm5KabJfN3qsL0E_5tDMYedal6GkiBzjtUlqUY80oZEWN_Z80-S8g4qj87jPHIqjWSSRpsQDI42EmM9X/s320/blog+invite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had three art projects for the kids to do with their parents. There was a wood ornament, a handprint potholder, and an accordion Santa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SWyhvaAISPMYvhG42BC1FkYujOyKdcbMtlKY2y3REGmUF-vhZZasfGqew4hQDBNjn1iVtd8e_hpDCOtEErBOdalKhirXQLW6qOc0qwp067UZCzcaPZLMmisoqHXSouxPW3Vx_vq-SMaw/s1600/ornaments.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SWyhvaAISPMYvhG42BC1FkYujOyKdcbMtlKY2y3REGmUF-vhZZasfGqew4hQDBNjn1iVtd8e_hpDCOtEErBOdalKhirXQLW6qOc0qwp067UZCzcaPZLMmisoqHXSouxPW3Vx_vq-SMaw/s320/ornaments.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8BTNYK3guSVyIgCu32V3tsfGyhwsVDSw29VofJIPmBcr1zbzkZ80uytqckbUq9F91YFiYI-jxPUBGy0sPAyMyXoa8tlApNYRKoqtYmEnrWoy7Z2pyVv_5zKMewi1Ff4UhA8TvSgx4C3N/s1600/crafts.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8BTNYK3guSVyIgCu32V3tsfGyhwsVDSw29VofJIPmBcr1zbzkZ80uytqckbUq9F91YFiYI-jxPUBGy0sPAyMyXoa8tlApNYRKoqtYmEnrWoy7Z2pyVv_5zKMewi1Ff4UhA8TvSgx4C3N/s320/crafts.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Santa and Mrs. Claus came to have pictures with the kids and families. They also shared the book, <u>God's Christmas Gift</u>, with us. It reminded us of the real reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU0-AFfc7_wJr4j-Jo3trciiKZqdLlCDioSZ-EoGOTDmq-PpiA0Gt_caAuCs6Mbp-SwSVaCDHkb1DEnsDvoucxMi69rngcDmwhNP6HfuhT3F1aXrISSIunPh2YOEJpmJLM-BK75yiWzcr/s1600/DSCN1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU0-AFfc7_wJr4j-Jo3trciiKZqdLlCDioSZ-EoGOTDmq-PpiA0Gt_caAuCs6Mbp-SwSVaCDHkb1DEnsDvoucxMi69rngcDmwhNP6HfuhT3F1aXrISSIunPh2YOEJpmJLM-BK75yiWzcr/s320/DSCN1207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj3pHOVAC9UbNjiBskUEGp0xGbKOCVDBhEzRcn6okdBBahyphenhyphenPQuODQMPTWiUeoOv-qsR_vLFDYRvla36mCqJd7g5SZgzBWhyphenhyphenacggXlWG9Cw2vCpAaoDo3-LpzKJiVl5P7FlwjDircCn5uu/s1600/DSCN1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj3pHOVAC9UbNjiBskUEGp0xGbKOCVDBhEzRcn6okdBBahyphenhyphenPQuODQMPTWiUeoOv-qsR_vLFDYRvla36mCqJd7g5SZgzBWhyphenhyphenacggXlWG9Cw2vCpAaoDo3-LpzKJiVl5P7FlwjDircCn5uu/s320/DSCN1210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVViGut53QYWel_Y456l8oy5hbH3pL26IHd92anlAI_2bxCkiRyoS8v6dWOnZFqx2SctN5zKzSqFPIhRlabmBb-vmdhOa3xWdK9rKN-PDL2tkp7hRcG0LjsJu0Ez0tgva7-TqgjiZ3wSxX/s1600/DSCN1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVViGut53QYWel_Y456l8oy5hbH3pL26IHd92anlAI_2bxCkiRyoS8v6dWOnZFqx2SctN5zKzSqFPIhRlabmBb-vmdhOa3xWdK9rKN-PDL2tkp7hRcG0LjsJu0Ez0tgva7-TqgjiZ3wSxX/s320/DSCN1220.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also had cookies & milk with Santa. Yes, I baked all of those cookies except the set of sugar cookies. I had lots of friends share great cookie recipes...and my Kitchenaide was put to the test over the past few weeks. I think it ended up being 400+ cookies. The cookie table doesn't make it look like it was this many...but it was a lot of cookies! I don't know if all the parents knew this, but on the party favor table I had recipe cards for all the cookies. They were there for anyone to take if they had a favorite or many favorite cookies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the milk bar, there were three type of milk and paper straws. Paper straws make everything a little more fun!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90gOtUcVdH_dgAuk9I8UJ16tf02oC9tHMYV5B4-5ck_jDPXaexz8zATNxsSFG9Ow6SwkDBODLMEU-HU-rbvrLbyPGN6mTwlvF37UtvxXNYmWna_LFUOsELWaA2TdkNLiWkQpyT1k0LY7s/s1600/DSCN1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90gOtUcVdH_dgAuk9I8UJ16tf02oC9tHMYV5B4-5ck_jDPXaexz8zATNxsSFG9Ow6SwkDBODLMEU-HU-rbvrLbyPGN6mTwlvF37UtvxXNYmWna_LFUOsELWaA2TdkNLiWkQpyT1k0LY7s/s320/DSCN1203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies & Milk with Santa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQdItiNNRyTzCheW40cKFouSSlprAVDpI-f48k1Ztxix6Pp3RJnGQbKb11P1wDgcWhmANCw_LB0MIVelw-nTzvhyjlqQWn2kiiGQv0BGT-WgEXncLg03IBETnZW7tMtGM0ORglocREEoH/s1600/DSCN1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQdItiNNRyTzCheW40cKFouSSlprAVDpI-f48k1Ztxix6Pp3RJnGQbKb11P1wDgcWhmANCw_LB0MIVelw-nTzvhyjlqQWn2kiiGQv0BGT-WgEXncLg03IBETnZW7tMtGM0ORglocREEoH/s320/DSCN1204.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember the art palette invitation? These cookies by Mary-Beth Smith are a replica of the invitation. So CUTE!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcp540md1Nj93TJvQxHXTVYtD6RkRfEcso1-H8TpqpLNzcUIQq1A_yNZ1VvDyo8bUxuij7gafe_WDsxAGn0BoNRqWIijuSHfG1gvFaQg8oaW7l-ORamTVgClSzjJd1QtTyDAMUFYt6AFj/s1600/DSCN1205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcp540md1Nj93TJvQxHXTVYtD6RkRfEcso1-H8TpqpLNzcUIQq1A_yNZ1VvDyo8bUxuij7gafe_WDsxAGn0BoNRqWIijuSHfG1gvFaQg8oaW7l-ORamTVgClSzjJd1QtTyDAMUFYt6AFj/s320/DSCN1205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoMOCGJNXkh1iD_sMoa1_ZRu2YNhLQZVDxoRhblxc3CEQHoMJyNGU9DGozJRgDYqrSgE-u7aZfg13o0-VV-Fi15vjtMIgXEQN9SV1B7xivlEkIYCx9YPwWOerRLqB8N7NMBh_02zA4z0f/s1600/DSCN1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoMOCGJNXkh1iD_sMoa1_ZRu2YNhLQZVDxoRhblxc3CEQHoMJyNGU9DGozJRgDYqrSgE-u7aZfg13o0-VV-Fi15vjtMIgXEQN9SV1B7xivlEkIYCx9YPwWOerRLqB8N7NMBh_02zA4z0f/s320/DSCN1212.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of my ideas came from the <a href="http://simplysogood.blogspot.com/2011/08/cookies-milk.html">Simply So Good</a> blog. Her son had a milk and cookies wedding reception. How fun is that? Janet was so kind to give me pointers for this party. The Homemade Oreo recipe came from her. You can find the recipe on my blog {<a href="http://thesicilianfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/homemade-oreo-recipe.html">here</a>}. They were the first cookie to go. People loved them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUzl2XVWbgJKZSeb2yzcHJ4kSkqDOC4ZO8_dI8w9CJHnV438z9Fiuj-p2Ede_GtTMJdXA9FBtb2Q1_0AWxrcAMJPnFVDF5Ap9UGw40dO48hyphenhyphenCecN3Td_fJnYtAjfIkJFkpW-y4z7YgIbM/s1600/DSCN1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUzl2XVWbgJKZSeb2yzcHJ4kSkqDOC4ZO8_dI8w9CJHnV438z9Fiuj-p2Ede_GtTMJdXA9FBtb2Q1_0AWxrcAMJPnFVDF5Ap9UGw40dO48hyphenhyphenCecN3Td_fJnYtAjfIkJFkpW-y4z7YgIbM/s320/DSCN1214.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjfX78yXVzbecyMPP7NsbkMASYr5Qe5kLErdyupOUF6HFcl8tc1oFs7wXfgyEB46dIW4k16O2E5_MNn9qUvTjMQOAOYUtsLlifoMF53HuUanmJ13doZ-aOy9gjiqJYAkb2WMbtf-QCPym/s1600/DSCN1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjfX78yXVzbecyMPP7NsbkMASYr5Qe5kLErdyupOUF6HFcl8tc1oFs7wXfgyEB46dIW4k16O2E5_MNn9qUvTjMQOAOYUtsLlifoMF53HuUanmJ13doZ-aOy9gjiqJYAkb2WMbtf-QCPym/s320/DSCN1215.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't realize the straws were covering the milks...but you can see the strawberry here. There was also plain and chocolate. They are in the containers behind the straws.<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The party was a lot of fun. I changed the party from a set two hours to a drop-in style this year. It helped reduce the masses of people being there at the same time. (We usually have 80 to 100 people attend.)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't forget today and tomorrow are the last days you have to enter in the giveaway for $25 Amazon Card. What a great treat that will be for someone to win this holiday season! You can find all the details<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> {<a href="http://thesicilianfamily.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-first-giveaway.html">here</a>}</span>.</span></div></div><br />
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</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593937157429380409.post-85228388238678092302011-12-09T17:38:00.001-05:002011-12-10T22:15:17.975-05:00Advent - Day 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtwBXqEuKA_n1gw4p59651CQbTYQ87n09dazYZty4AEJO4UvTj3CM5jB_asGzrFFvRWW61D7ro540mZY0XHvxUFY_07hyphenhyphenjHGnwSBxeMCYGqlzr6jHH5iVi7_aVdCZpSwRXGne5in1Cwnt/s1600/Diptic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtwBXqEuKA_n1gw4p59651CQbTYQ87n09dazYZty4AEJO4UvTj3CM5jB_asGzrFFvRWW61D7ro540mZY0XHvxUFY_07hyphenhyphenjHGnwSBxeMCYGqlzr6jHH5iVi7_aVdCZpSwRXGne5in1Cwnt/s200/Diptic.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
My kids made Christmas cards for soldiers today. I don't know if the boys get it. I know that our freedom really isn't free...and I'm so appreciative for the sacrifices made. Maybe these cards will be a small bright spot for a soldier this holiday season.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090100514223892368noreply@blogger.com0