Wednesday, November 30, 2011

My favorite holiday cards

Ever since my daughter was born, picking out and sending holiday cards has been one of my favorite times of year. My other favorite is getting everyone else's cards in the mail. Last year my best friend of 25 years sent the most gorgeous cards. I assumed she spent gobs of money on these cards because they were just that beautiful. They had the most perfect combination of the weight of paper and sheen and quality of text and photo. Just perfect. So, I of course asked her where she got these amazing cards, and she sent me to Tiny Prints. So, in no particular order, here are my top five cards to choose from this year. I am so excited!

Classic. Perfect.


Love the heading font.

Simple. Elegant.

Love the simple gift tag.

Love the sweet font.


Now I just have to decide!

Monday, October 17, 2011

What's For Dinner? October 17, 2011



BREAKFAST
Cereal and Milk
Energy Bites (inspired by this recipe)

LUNCH
At school all week!

DINNER
Fritos, Chili, Shredded Cheese, Pears
Pizza
Dinner at Inlaws
Macaroni with Beef, Green Beans, Blueberry Muffins
Spaghetti, Corn, Brocolli, Rolls

SNACKS
Energy Bites (inspired by this recipe)
Raisins
Acorn Snacks

TREATS
Brownies

Menu Plan with Me at orgjunkie.com

Monday, September 19, 2011

What's for Dinner? September 19, 2011


 For Breakfast this week:
  • Toast and Jelly
  • Cereal
  • Yogurt
For Lunch this week:
  • Everyone eats at school!
For Dinner this week:
  • Chicken Divan Casserole with Rice
  • Pancakes and Sausage
  • Beefaroni, green beans, muffins
  • Dinner at Church
  • Dinner with Parents
  • Tailgating - chicken from Zaxby's
For Snacks this week:
Check out this week's coupons to help you with your shopping!
Find other great meals at OrgJunkie's MPM

My Top Ten - September 19, 2011

 First, a recap of last week's goals (50% isn't great!):
 
PERSONAL
  • Run 30 minutes - {done!}
  • Weigh in for Biggest Loser Challenge - {half pound lost!}
  • Two water only days on Monday and Thursday - {try again this week!}
FAMILY
  • Celebrate Daddy's birthday on Friday night - {dinner and a movie!}
  • Two nights of walking partners with Finley - {didn't start this}
  • Create a blessing bag- {didn't get around to this, either}
WORK
  • Send 10 personal emails to students' parents - {only sent two}
  • Go through evaluation documents - {done!}
HOME
  • Get all picture albums updated - {will try again this week!}
  • Stick to weekly cleaning schedule - {a little!}

 And, now on to this week's TOP TEN:

PERSONAL
  • Run 40 minutes
  • Weigh-in for Biggest Loser
FAMILY
  • Start a positive attitude jar with Finley
  • Complete the dogs Preschool pack with Finley
  • Eat dinner together at home two school nights
WORK
  • Leave every day ready for tomorrow
  • Attend the Baylor/McCallie festivities
HOME
  • Get all photos organized in albums
  • Hang Finley's art in frames
  • Forbes' birth pictures on wall

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thankful Thursday - Thank You Notes for Teachers


One of the most powerful gifts a teacher can receive is a heartfelt, sincere note of appreciation. 

You hear this often around the time of teacher appreciation, and I think I often times dismiss this as "not a real gift."  Or something to go along with the real gift.  However, having been a teacher myself for a number of years now, I wholeheartedly believe this is truly the best gift you can give or receive.  That being said, here are some tips on writing these letters AND on whether or not this is the best gift in your situation!

1. SINCERITY

First and foremost, can you be sincere in your note of appreciation.  If you are constantly having "words" with your children's teachers or always second guessing everything that is done in the classroom, think seriously about how a note of appreciation will come across.  This isn't to say you shouldn't write a note - sometimes that may be the most powerful way to tell them you think they are doing a great job in spite of your constant nagging!  But, don't write a note of appreciation if you can't put your entire heart into it.

2. BE SPECIFIC

When writing a thank you note of any kind, make sure you are specific in why you appreciate the gift or service you have received.  Don't just write blanket generic statements.  People want to know WHY you appreciate what you have given them, and what it means to you.  For teacher specific thank you notes, tell your teachers an interesting story your child shared with you about something that touched their lives in class.  Or, mention an act that occurred at home which you know stemmed directly from having been in the classroom with that teacher.

3. USE THE PERSON'S NAME

It might sound obvious, but don't just jump write into your accolades of the teacher.  Use his/her name.  Start the letter with Dear _________, 
When the teacher reads this note, it will make it even more personal.  You want the teacher to know you are talking/writing directly to him/her and not to teachers as a whole.

4. TALK ABOUT YOURSELF, NOT JUST YOUR CHILD

Obviously you are thanking this teacher for their role in your child's life and the things he/she has done specifically for and with your child.  However, make your note more personal by telling the teacher what he/she means to YOU, the parent.  This person is helping shape your child's life.  Tell your child's teacher just how important you find that job.

5. BE SINCERE

Yes, this was tip number 1, but it is what I want to leave you with as well because it truly is just that important.  A generic thank you note is really not that meaningful and probably a waste of most of the time you spent finding a notecard, writing it out, and remembering to get it to your child's teacher.  However, a sincere, heartfelt thank you note is by far the most powerful gift a teacher will receive.

And now I am off to write notes to my children's teachers!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Holiday Cards Galore! Stationery Sale!!

If you are like me, the only thing worse than getting a good Christmas card picture is paying for them!  Well, Holiday Cards are ON SALE right now for 25% off!!!  And you get free imprinted envelopes or return address stickers for them!



 And, birth announcements are 20% off.
In addition, any notecards or other stickers you order, your order will be doubled for FREE!!  That is 50% off!!

September is a great month for stocking up on stationery!!  And, personalized items make great gifts, too!

Next Up...a post on writing Thank You notes for teachers!

What's To Eat? September 11, 2011

Yummy Pumpkin Pie Crunch to snack on!

BREAKFAST
Cereal and milk
Toast with cream cheese and jelly
Yogurt

SNACKS
Yogurt
Graham crackers and peanut butter

DINNER
Sunday - macaroni, potatoes, blueberry muffins, grapes
Monday - pancakes, sausage, and sweet rolls
Tuesday - Open House at School - dinner with mom
Wednesday - dinner at church (lasagna)
Thursday - XC and gymnastics - chick fil a
Friday - dinner out for Chad's birthday

Pumpkin Pie Crunch


Fall is definitely my favorite season - fresh, crisp air coupled with school spirit and the smell of pumpkin pie spices everywhere.  Really, if pumpkin could just be in season all year long, I would be in heaven!  If it has pumpkin in it, it is my favorite!!



So, when I saw the recipe for Pumpkin Pie Crunch over at Giving Up On Perfect, I immediately put it on my list to try...NOW!  Then, when I bought one of the Chex cereals, I found the same recipe on the back of the box along with a few other Chex Mix variations I think I will try soon.

But, on to the recipe:

PUMPKIN PIE CRUNCH

1/4  cup light brown sugar
1  tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4  cup butter
2  teaspoons vanilla
2  cups Cinnamon Chex
2  cups Honey Nut Chex
2 cups Golden Grahams
8  oz honey-roasted peanuts

Mix the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
Melt the butter in a separate bowl and add the vanilla.
Stir the sugar mixture into the butter mixture.

Mix the cereals in a large microwaveable bowl.
Pour the sugar &  butter mixture over the cereal and stir it up to coat the cereal.
Add the peanuts and mix.
Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes and stir.  Repeat.
Spread on a cookie sheet or wax paper to cool.
Enjoy!!

Be warned: this stuff is addictive!  Make for a party so you don't eat the entire batch yourself!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

My Top Ten - September 12, 2011

First, let's RECAP last week's TOP TEN:

Personal
  • Run 30 minutes - {I am guessing about 35 minutes}
  • Weigh-in for Biggest Loser - {done on Tuesday, 133.8}
  • Drink no more than one coke per day - {good except on Saturday}
Family
  • make baby food pears, squash, and green beans - {so yummy!}
  • print and complete one preschool pack with Finley - {looked but didn't print}
  • family movie and ice cream night on Friday - {didn't happen due to accepting dinner invitation from other family members...not going to preempt family night again :( }
Work
  • outline next week's plan before leaving on Friday - {pretty close}
Home
  • take "before" pictures of the kitchen half bathroom - {done!}
  • make morning and afternoon/evening routine charts for kids - {this project is started but not done yet}
  • eat at home together Monday, Tuesday, and Friday - {Monday and Tuesday done, but Friday was out with other family members}

And now on to this week's TOP TEN

PERSONAL
  • Run 30 minutes
  • Weigh in for Biggest Loser Challenge
  • Two water only days on Monday and Thursday
FAMILY
  • Celebrate Daddy's birthday on Friday night
  • Two nights of walking partners with Finley
  • Create a blessing bag
WORK
  • Send 10 personal emails to students' parents
  • Go through evaluation documents
HOME
  • Get all picture albums updated
  • Stick to weekly cleaning schedule

    Saturday, September 10, 2011

    Willow Tree Nativity Gift

    A few of the women at church are planning a wedding shower/reception for some friends who are getting married and joining two sweet, sweet families that both include children.  When deciding what to tell people they might like for gifts, we all individually reached the same conclusion - the Willow Tree Nativity set. 
     Willow Tree Nativity Set 

    When our Christian Educator took a new job in sunny Florida, she and her husband were given this same gift, and it was beautiful! 
     Willow Tree The Three Wisemen 

    I am looking forward to this wedding and shower, but I am also just giddy thinking about receiving this nativity in the mail soon and displaying it at the reception for the sweet new family of five to enjoy for years to come. 
    Willow Tree Shepherd and Stable Animals 

    I think this is just the perfect gift from their church family to bless their newly joined family.

    Willow Tree Metal Star Backdrop, Nativity Set, 26007

    Willow Tree Angel of Prayer, Susan Lordi 26012

    Willow Tree Ox and Goat Nativity Figurine Set

    I can't wait!!

    Monday, September 5, 2011

    My Top Top - September 5, 2011

    OK - not the most productive week, but let's recap Last Week's Top Ten...

    Personal
    • Run 60 minutes. - more like 30, oh well...here's to next week!
    • Drink no more than one coke per day. - definitely not...but, again, let's try next week!
    • Plan and delegate wedding shower. - planned, but not delegated yet
    Family
    • Locate a copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - still no, but closer!
    • Eat at home together at least three nights - together, yes, but at home, I think only once.
    • Friday movie and ice cream night - yay!  we watched Clash of the Titans per Finley's request, and she LOVED it!
    Work
    • Outline next week's lesson plans before leaving for the weekend. - not so much!
    • Send in all evaluation materials. - DONE and on time!!
    Home
    • Fold and put away all the laundry - the mound is not yet gone, but at least it is all clean!
    • Go to bed with an empty sink every night - most definitely not, but I'm working on it!
     
    Now, let's move on to This Week's Top Ten
     
    Personal
    • Run 30 minutes
    • Weigh-in for Biggest Loser
    • Drink no more than one coke per day
    Family
    • make baby food pears, squash, and green beans
    • print and complete one preschool pack with Finley
    • family movie and ice cream night on Friday
    Work
    • outline next week's plan before leaving on Friday
    Home
    • take "before" pictures of the kitchen half bathroom
    • make morning and afternoon/evening routine charts for kids
    • eat at home together Monday, Tuesday, and Friday

    Monday, August 29, 2011

    My Top Ten - August 29, 2011

    First, let's Recap Last Week's Top Ten:


    Personal
    • Run 60 minutes - I ran 40 minutes for sure, although it was probably closer to 60.
    • Girls Night Out to watch The Help - crazy night of movie time changes, but we did it!
    • Assist with the children at church on Wednesday - love watching my little ones interact with the other little ones!
    Family 
    • Begin reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Finley - maybe I should actually FIND the book this week!
    • Make sweet potatoes and avacado baby food - made and in the freezer - he loves the sweet potatoes!
    • Eat dinner at home together three nights - crazy week of tragedy and business...we were together but only at home I think once :(


    Work
    • Read Whale Talk - done and had book talk with 8th graders
    • Outline next week's lessons for each grade - not so much...better luck next week!

    Home
    • One complete load of laundry each day - almost caught up washing...folding is another story!
    • Go to bed with an empty sink each night - definitely not this week, unfortunately!

    OK - now onto this week's TOP TEN

    Personal
    • Run 60 minutes.
    • Drink no more than one coke per day.
    • Plan and delegate wedding shower.
    Family
    • Locate a copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
    • Eat at home together at least three nights
    • Friday movie and ice cream night
    Work
    • Outline next week's lesson plans before leaving for the weekend.
    • Send in all evaluation materials.
    Home
    • Fold and put away all the laundry
    • Go to bed with an empty sink every night

    Tuesday, August 23, 2011

    My Top Ten - August 22, 2011

    In an effort to be more accountable and actually get things accomplished, here are my ten goals for this week:

    Personal
    • Run 60 minutes
    • Girls Night Out to watch The Help
    • Assist with the children at church on Wednesday
    Family 
    • Begin reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Finley
    • Make sweet potatoes and avacado baby food
    • Eat dinner at home together three nights

    Work
    • Read Whale Talk
    • Outline next week's lessons for each grade

    Home
    • One complete load of laundry each day
    • Go to bed with an empty sink each night

    Tuesday, August 9, 2011

    Free Chips and Queso from Chili's


    Sign up for Chili's email list and get free queso and chips.  We love Chili's!


    Monday, August 8, 2011

    Cloth Diapering for the Working Mom, the Beginning

    I considered cloth diapering my second child before he was born, but truthfully, once I started looking into it, I was just too overwhelmed with the options and supplies.  Therefore, cloth diapering fell to the wayside before he was even born.  About once a month or so after he was born I would revisit the idea, again becoming overwhelmed each time.  Fast forward to baby boy turning four months old and mama getting ready to start teaching again.  My sister-in-law casually mentions she's been cloth diapering my niece and nephew at night...I ask a million questions, go home, and again am overwhelmed with all the choices.  This time, though, I am determined, and with a promotion from diapers.com, I go for it and place my first order of gdiapers.  Being the cheapskate I am, I then scoured ebay and the gdiapers resale forum for deals on more.


    I ended up with 7 medium gdiapers, 11 cloth inserts, and 8 plastic snap-in liners.  I put the first one on baby Forbes, and I was hooked within seconds.  Love them.  Seriously love them.  No leaks during the first day...even though I really didn't know what I was doing.  And, Daddy even changed one!

    (pic taken by the sweet four year old)

    Now the only problem is that in about two weeks I go back to work...great timing to start cloth diapering, huh?  We will have to see how daycare feels about these things!

    Printable Coupons

    So, are you one of those extreme couponers like the people on tv? Watching that show makes me really wonder about the hoarding tendencies of some people, admire the giving spirit of others, and then sometimes wish I was more thrifty. However, I just can't get a good stash of coupons going, and printing from a hundred different sources everyday is just too time consuming. But, I do like to save money on the things I am going to buy anyway.  So, my go-to coupon sources are as follows:

    1. Target

    I visit Target's coupon section about once a week or every other week.  They have some great coupons that when combined with things on clearance can lead to some really good deals.  In addition, if you have manufacturers coupons for items, you can combine them with the Target coupons for additional savings.


    2. Coupons.com

    I like this website best for printing coupons because of the quantity, variety, and relevancy.  They always have great cereal, yogurt, and snack coupons, and they get high dollar diaper coupons, as well.  I try to visit this site once a week as they get new coupons and reset others.


    3. Sunday Paper Inserts

    I buy the Sunday paper at Walmart and save 33% on the price of the paper.  Usually this is where I find the healthcare and beauty coupons.  I also sometimes steal my mom's from her paper because she doesn't use very many.  So, if there is an especially good deal, I will snag hers also.

    Sunday, August 7, 2011

    What's on the Menu? August 8, 2011

    Breakfast:
    • toast and jelly
    • smoothies
    Lunch:
    • turkey sandwiches
    • peanut butter and banana sandwiches
    • taco leftovers
    Dinner:
    • taco bar
    • hamburgers and hot dogs
    • leftovers
    • dinner with family
    Snacks and Desserts:
    • oreos and milk
    • smoothies
    • trail mix
    • bananas
    • mixed nuts 

    What's on your Menu this week?

    Mommy's Yummy Trail Mix


    We eat this for breakfast and snack often!  It is definitely a staple around our house.

    Mix equal parts of the following:
    • Raisins
    • M&M's
    • Peanuts or Cashews (other nuts work great - really your preference, here!)
    The number one rule with Trail Mix - you must eat all three parts of the trail mix to receive more (no M&M hoarders around here!).

    Thursday, August 4, 2011

    Yummy Summertime Treats


    Some of my favorite summertime desserts are berry parfaits and homemade ice cream sandwiches.


    Right now, you can get a free ebook from Mr. Food with 18 different no bake dessert ideas.  Two of which are, you guessed it, variations of my all time favorites!!  August definitely still counts as summertime around here, even if we are back in school.  So, I have planty of time to whip up some of these goodies while it is still nice and hot outside!  I think I may even sneak some orange creamsicle and pink lemonade pie making into the Summer Fun Jar!

    Tuesday, August 2, 2011

    Wordless Wednesday - Zoo Baby


    This Week's Meal Plan - August 1, 2011


    Breakfasts
    • Cereal and milk
    • Sausage and juice
    • Pancakes
    • Bacon and eggs
    Lunch
    • Peanut butter and jelly
    • Hot dogs
    • Out and about (movie day!)
    • Macaroni and cheese
    Dinner
    What is on your menu this week?

    Monday, August 1, 2011

    Festive Friday - Sock Monkey Party

    I have absolutely fallen in love with the sock monkey theme.  As I was attempting to get in the spirit for a boy nursery after only dealing with all things girly for the last our years, I came across the sock monkey Finley was given for Christmas a few years ago.  All of a sudden I had the perfect mix of fabrics, colors, and feel for a classic, vintage boy nursery.

    Now, I've been scouring the web for sock monkey birthday parties in hopes of finding all the right pieces for my little one's first birthday!

    This sock monkey party, thrown and photographed by Shutterbug and the Sweet Life, is absolutely my favorite party on the web right now, I do believe!



    Host Your Own Sock Monkey Party!