Weekend Links

Vintage Blue and Yellow Tablescape

Caprese Kabobs

21 Surprising Statistics That Reveal How Much Stuff We Actually Own

A Fancy, Fun, and Fizzy Popsicle Drink

Rhubarb Raspberry Crisp

This Week:

What I Made: Truthfully... nothing.  I haven't felt very creative this week.  I need to get back into a creative groove.

What I'm Reading: I started the June book (Three Little Words).  So good.  It's a great insight into the mind of a foster child.

What I'm Doing: Watching my daughter play baseball.  The season is coming to an end and while it will free up some time, it's sad to see the end.

What I'm Watching: I just watched the season finale of Once Upon a Time this week.  Wow!  Not the way I saw that one ending.  Can't wait for September.

What I'm Enjoying: Swimming... time to read... summer travel plans...

What are you up to?

2015 May Bookmarks

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for May was God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg.

 These are the books I read this month:

The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis-- See my review here.

Tales of the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne-- I've actually be reading through this series for the past two months as there 6 in the set.  But they're all written at a fourth grade level and a very quick read.  Noah's been reading them this year and I wanted in on it as well.  If you've ever had problems understanding The Odyssey, this is the series to pick up.  It makes it so easy to understand and the books are incredibly engaging.

Books I read with the kids this month:

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss-- I've been waiting for awhile to read this one to my kids.  I knew when they got older I wanted to share this adventure story with them.  And they loved it so much.  My first grader didn't want me to put it down.  In fact, we read the book and then watched the classic Disney version and she was on the edge of her seat.

Blue Willow by Doris Gates-- This book was a part of our Beautiful Feet History of California curriculum.  The chapters were long, but the kids were really into the story.  And it really brought the Great Depression home to them in a way that wasn't too heavy, but included enough material to give them an overview.  Honestly, this is one that I wouldn't mind reading on my own as well, but wouldn't expect my 4th grader to read on his own.  The vocabulary was intense and provided a lot of discussion.

Our suggested reading for May was God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg--  This book was so good and came at a time when I needed to hear it.  God really is closer than you think.  Ortberg uses the example of the Sistine Chapel in God is straining to reach Adam.  Always reaching, always there on the edge, just waiting for a response.  God is everywhere, a breath away, just waiting.  Honestly this is a book that I will definitely be re-reading.  It's so rich and full of insight.  I'll be picking it up again in a few months.  I can't recommend this one highly enough.

So what are your bookmarks this month?

Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg.

And come back June 26th as we discuss Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes Couter.

*Linked to these Parties

Our 2015 Summer Bucket List

Summer's coming and we're making out our bucket list.  Gonna take a few minutes to breathe and then jump into the fun.  

What's on your summer bucket list?

Make homemade lemonade

Visit the Acquatic Center

Stay up and star gaze

Have a water fight

Play with water balloons

Make homemade ice cream

Bake blackberry cobbler

Go on a family bike ride

Go to the lake

Get snow cones

Have root beer floats

Build your own pizza night

Go on a cruise

Fly a kite
Plant some strawberries

Create an obstacle course

Feed the ducks
Go kayaking

Have a car wash day
Read Cheaper by the Dozen

Roast marshmallows
Learn some magic tricks

Make smores

Finish bird feeders

Make popsicles

Use the slip n slide

Scrapbook summer photos
Figure out iMovie
Learn 5 new hairstyles

Make fairy houses
Write a book

Pick blackberries

Visit Grandma's

Watch the fireworks

Make a big chocolate cake for Daddy

Take swim lessons

Create some yard art

Try glow in the dark bubbles

Go to a dollar movie
Host a Barbeque
Read Stuart Little

Check out the Farmer's Market

Do fingerprint art

Read for the library challenge

Make campfire cones

Go to VBS

Read for B&N challenge

Play croquet

Go to the butterfly house

Make a heart map

Make sponge bombs

Create ice cream pops
Read Phantom Tollbooth
SWIM!
Bake cookies
Keep a summer journal
Work in science books
Take summer dance classes

Homeschool ABC Collab: U is for Update

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did 2 weeks ago:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 2 swim, 2 games
• Make dentist apt.
• Make monthly dates

Blogging:

• Complete 2 vlogs
• Finish 2 drafts

Homemaking:

• Get supplies for invitations
• Try a new recipe

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Start a new book
• Journal

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 2 baseball, 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 2 swim
• Finish LP6 grades
• Schedule dates

Blogging:

• Complete 3-4 vlogs
• Finish 2 drafts

Homemaking:

• Return school library books
• Order baseball photos

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Start the new chapter book
• Journal

What are your goals this week?

Weekend Links

Why Homeschool?  Keep them young just a little longer.

Scientists Say Child's Play Helps Builds a Better Brain

40 Organic Items You Can Buy At Big Lots

An Entire Year of Homeschool Lesson Plans

Glitter Bee Necklace

This Week:

What I Made: I worked on Josiah's birthday invitations.  And made some plans for a summer science camp for the kids.

What I'm Reading: I just finished the May book club book.  So good.  Has anyone read it? 

What I'm Doing: Enjoying a baseball free weekend.  Love it, but nice to have a weekend off.

What I'm Watching: Survivor... Love it!  Gonna watch the finale this weekend.

What I'm Enjoying: Finishing off the school year... one more week!

What are you up to?

Belle Inspired Hair Clips

Awhile back, I really got into making these pretty hair clips for my daughter.  It's so easy to cut the felt and roll it into roses, much easier than I imagined.  And the white ribbon is perfect for making the red pop.  I love using these and other hair clips in my daughter's hair and she loves feeling like a princess. 

Hope these inspire you to make a few pretties for your little girl too!

Related projects:

Rapunzel Hair Clips

Wedding Flower Hair Clips

Homeschool ABC Collab: T is for Thankful

Homeschool ABC Collab {Special Edition}

DITL May 13, 2015

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did 2 weeks ago:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 5 games, 1 swim
• Sign up for summer swim and gym
• Pick up chapter book

Blogging:

• Finish and review book
• Finish up 2 drafts

Homemaking:

• Attend clothing exchange
• Make invitations (started)
• Finish shoes

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Start book club book

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 2 swim, 2 games
• Make dentist apt.
• Make monthly dates

Blogging:

• Complete 2 vlogs
• Finish 2 drafts

Homemaking:

• Get supplies for invitations
• Try a new recipe

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Start a new book
• Journal

What are your goals this week?

Homeschool ABC Collab: S is for Science

Homeschool ABC Collab: R is for Rod and Staff

75 Free or Low Cost Free Time Activities

 

 Summer's almost here.  And if you're like me, you're looking for some easy activities to keep the kids busy this summer.  Here's a fun list of 75 Free or Low Cost Free Time Activities for your family to enjoy in the coming months.

Outside Activities

1. Ride a bike
2. Draw with sidewalk chalk
3. Roller skate
4. Play catch
5. Plant some seeds
6. Have a water fight
7. Jump rope
8. Swim
9. Blow Bubbles
10. Study butterflies
11. Study birds
12. Pull weeds
13. Play frisbee
14. Study bugs with a magnifying glass
15. Collect rocks, feathers, shells
16. Make leaf rubbings
17. Look for four leaf clover
18. Plant some herbs
19. Feed the birds
20. Whittle
21. Play hopscotch
22. Play tag
23. Play in the sprinkler
24. Plant some vegetables
25. Play in a sandbox

With a friend

26. Play a board game
27. Play cards
28. Write a play
29. Act out a play
30. Perform a circus
31. Have a bike parade
32. Play baseball
33. Play store
34. Play restaurant
35. Play school
36. Put on a magic show
37. Put on a puppet show
38. Bake something
39. Craft
40. Have a tea party
41. Play dress up
42. Hold a talent show
43. Cook dinner
44. Do a puzzle
45. Listen to an audiobook
46. Play soccer
47. Perform in a concert
48. Have a relay race
49. Play flashlight tag
50. Read to a younger sibling


Independently

51. Build a blanket tent
52. Do an extreme dot to dot
53. Press flowers
54. Make jewelry
55. Write a letter
56. Load the dishwasher
57. Run a load of laundry
58. Read a book
59. Play with play dough
60. Clean bedroom
61. Have a picnic with dollies and bears
62. Draw
63. Color
64. Paint
65. Write a story
66. Dust the house
67. Wash and bath your pet
68. Play on the computer
69. Practice on a wrap up
70.  Crochet or knit
71. Rest
72. Practice an instrument
73. Finger paint with pudding
74. Write in a nature journal
75. Stargaze

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did 2 weeks ago:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 2 games, 3 practices, 2 swim, 1 training
• Make foster child folder
• Go on field trip

Blogging:

• Record 3 vlogs
• Edit 2 reviews

Homemaking:

• Drop off donations
• Go through foster care checklist
• Fertilize

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Finish one book

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 5 games, 1 swim
• Sign up for summer swim and gym
• Pick up chapter book

Blogging:

• Finish and review book
• Finish up 2 drafts

Homemaking:

• Attend clothing exchange
• Make invitations
• Finish shoes

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Start book club book

What are your goals this week?

The Ultimate Disneyland Packing List

Packing for a Disneyland Trip starts out like any other trip.  Lots of clothes for the little ones, extra socks after the water rides, and don't forget the camera.  Check the weather and plan for an extra sweatshirt.  If you want to see how I packed for our three kids, you can see it here.

But as every mom knows, there are always unexpected turns when you're traveling with kids.  And while you can't plan for every event, here are just a few items that helped our trip run smoother:

Clothing:
Pants/shorts (depending on time of year/ pants for evenings other than summer)
Capris (great for transitional seasons)
Shirts/long sleeve shirts
Lightweight jacket
Dressy clothes (for that occasional night out)
Underwear
Pajamas
Socks and comfortable shoes
Flip-flops for water rides
Headbands/ Hair accessories
Hats
Belts
Jewelry/watch
Sunglasses
Swimsuit w/ cover-up

Laundry supplies (if needed):
Laundry soap
Dryer sheets
Stain remover
Quarters for machines

Toiletries:
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Flosser
Rinse
Body wash
Shampoo/conditioner
Hairbrush/comb
Hairspray/gel
Deodorant
Contacts/solution
Sunscreen
Lipbalm
Face wash
Face lotion
Makeup
Makeup remover
Facial pads
Tampons/pads
Fingernail polish
Fingernail clippers
Finger file
Tweezers
Razors
Shaving cream
Earplugs
Kids' items
Nightlight
Wet Wipes

Medicine Items:
Thermometer
Pepto bismol
Pain reliever
Children's pain reliever
Eyedrops
Vitamins
Allergy/sinus medicine
Presciption medicines
Bandaids
Antibacterial ointment
Anti-itch spray
Aloe

Paperwork:
All confirmations (airline, hotel, travel agent)
IDs
Tip and toll money
Insurance cards
Disneyland tickets
Stamps and pens
Notebook
AAA membership card

For the Backpack:
Stain remover stick
Water Bottle
Snacks
Something to mark your stroller
Rain ponchos
Glow sticks
Lanyards and Pins
Autograph book and Pen

Misc:
Power strip
Chargers
Extra batteries
Ziplock bags

To avoid the panic, I usually start looking for small Disney related items in the Target Dollar spot or the Dollar Tree 4-6 weeks early.  Little things like stickers or notepads.  Sometimes a pen for taking notes or getting autographs.  Then I tuck them away in my suitcase to surprise the kids.  My favorite find is picking up glow sticks at the Dollar Tree.  They're great for the evenings and a fun treat (at a much better price).  And then a couple of weeks ahead of time, I start packing things like batteries and rain ponchos.  While you can get these items in the park, they will certainly got you more.  So a little preparation goes a long way.

We love our trips to Disneyland.  They're a real treat and create a world of family memories.  But the most important thing to pack is a positive attitude.  Vacations can be overwhelming sometimes, but a positive attitude goes a long way in spinning any situation into a great memory.  I hope this list helps and I can't wait to hear how awesome your vacations are.

What's your favorite Disneyland memory?