PlayFoam

Have y'all heard of this stuff? I had never played with it before and it was certainly new to Ellie. A sweet lady from church gifted to her, knowing that we are getting lots of presents for the new baby and that she might need a special present of her own. Some people are so thoughtful!

Anyway, I've been letting her play with it at the end of our school time. It doesn't crumble into tiny pieces and I can store it all in one large gallon size ziploc bag. Of course she had to make a castle for her princesses :)

My Journal Accomplishment

I really enjoy journaling but I am really bad at it. By that I mean I never actually write in it. For instance, my January 1, 2011 entry is immediately followed by my January 1, 2012 entry (new year's resolutions and goals). But when I do write,  I enjoy it in a therapeutic kind of way. There is something so special about the written word. Unfortunately, my perfectionist tendencies have always kept me from writing anything on the first few pages of a journal. A first entry always feels cheesy to me and I just can't bear "messing up" my journal on the first page. Today, I combatted my fears and wrote on that first journal page and I'm okay with my handwriting being less than perfect and my spelling error too ;-)

Maybe you will be encouraged to write down your thoughts today. Recently,  Lil Blue Boo posted a journaling series on her blog. I haven't been taking part in it but it sure looks like a lot of fun if you are more consistent with your journaling ;-)

A quick birthday card idea

My cousin has five adorable kids and I try to remember to send them each a birthday card. Unfortunately, remembering birthdays and special days is not my forte. I'm two weeks late on this sweet little girl's card ::shakes head in shame:: If it makes it any better, I am learning how to use iCalendar and putting all the birthday reminders in there since clearly my binder method hasn't been working ;)

Even though it will be over two weeks late, I still wanted to send a {belated} birthday card. The card is pretty simple but I think the birthday girl will like it. If you are looking for amazing talent, you came to the wrong place. There is much better talent out there in the blogosphere but I just wanted to share a quick, easy card idea.

Here is the outside of the card. Inspired by this pin.

And the inside of the card. I always send $5 for each birthday. Isn't this a lot cuter than stuffing money in a card?! I had to search a while to find a tutorial...and then I asked the hubby to fold it! Ha! Here is a tutorial that the hubby used....but I thought this video looked helpful if I ever try it ;)

Sharing this with...
A little inspiration * bear rabbit bear *Bubbly Nature Creations 
French Country Cottage * House of Hepworths * I can teach my child
It's Overflowing * Oopsey Daisy * Ruby Jean * Six Sisters Stuff * Tatertots and Jello  
The Girl Creative * The Grant Life * The Southern Institute * Whipperberry

Advent Calendar {a little late}

I realize it is now New Year's Eve. Christmas is over. But I really meant to post this. You know, before the whole fam came down with the flu (ugh) and ear infections (double ugh). So for the sake of my blogging self-esteem, just go with it. Please :)

As you search out those after Christmas deals (if there are any left...), be sure to think about projects to work on for next Christmas. I bought this advent calendar five years ago from Starbucks. Can you believe it?  It was just after Christmas and only cost me a few bucks. It's durable enough to last our family a long time. We have used it every year. In the past I've filled it with candy, other times with notes and this year I did a combination of candy and trinkets for Ellie.

Did you notice that the boxes are reversible? 

By Christmas, all the images are revealed to form a picture.

I've realized using an advent calendar is a great way to practice numbers with a toddler! Each morning Ellie asked to "pick a box." I would tell her the date and help her find it. She can only count to ten but I think she recognizes some larger numbers even though she hasn't been taught them directly. Whenever she had trouble finding a number I would help her by saying, "Find the nineteen (or whatever day we were on). It is a one and a nine."

I love how all my crafty bloggy friends made amazing advent calendars. There is some major talent out there. I also love that I didn't have to because Starbucks sold this for cheaper than I could have made one.

Hope everyone has a great New Year's eve!

Fall Fun from the Past

I hope y'all are enjoying cooler temperatures wherever you may be. As a tribute to the cooler fall weather we are finally having, here is a picture that just makes me smile and I had to share it with you all.

And since my mom's birthday is just around the corner, here is an early birthday message. (Please feel free to disregard my obnoxious laugh in the background. I promise you that I laugh just like that every single time I replay this video. True story.)