Homemade Un-Crustable Sandwiches

I am sooo EXCITED to have found this new kitchen gadget for making sandwiches.

Last week I was getting bread for sandwiches and this Kitchen Tool (at Walmart)was hanging by it. Our kids love sandwiches without the crusts. I always have to cut the crusts off(unless its homemade) the bread- its a pain but I love my kids so I do it. Sometimes we will will buy the "uncrustables" but their not as versatile, healthy and a little on the spendy side.

With this Tool all you have to do is place the tool on the bread. Push down the white first then the red. Automatically you have a uncrusted pillow pocket sandwich-the "insides" have endless possibilities.

 Thank you Wonder for coming up with such a Fabulous idea!!!
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Homemade Dry Erase Board

We had to make some menu board changes at our Restaurant. With the Restaurant Menu we like to change things and it was a challenge to always change the vinyl wording. So when I found some wood at Lowe's to use as a dry erase board, I was so excited. For a 4'x8' board(could be labeled as:"white panelboard" or "mark-r-board wainscot"), it's 11.87.

I used this saw to cut them up into the measured pieces I needed.

Because the edges frayed a bit, I used my palm sander to sand the edges smooth. Then wipe the board off with a wet paper towel.

Homemade Dry Erase Board.

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How Was {School} Today?

When the kids get home from school they usually ALL have something to tell me & usually at the same time. I want to hear about it all but one at a time. I thought about it and today I'm going to try something new. . .

1- they need to pick a numbered stick/coin. . .


2- then they get time on the timer. . (Family Fun Idea & timers found at Zurcher's Party Store for $0.49)


3- but if, by chance, they do run out of something to say or need some help they can pick a question stick(the ones with the colored tip facing out of the cup).


I colored the tip of each stick and taped the question on. When they are done answering that question they put the colored side down in the cup. When all the "colored side" tips are down, you can turn them over and reuse them.


These are just a few questions I have but I'm trying to think of more. If you have any i would you to share.
1-Did you meet anyone new today?
2-What was your lunch time like?
3-Did you love the outfit you wore?
4-Name 2 fun things that happened in a class.
5-Did your teacher say something funny?
6-What was your favorite part of your lunch?
7-Did anything exciting happen on the bus?
8-What was your favorite assignment today?
9-What did you do in P.E. ?
10-What did you do in Math?
11-What did you do in Science?
12-Tell me about your favorite part of the book you are reading.
13-What did you & your friends do at recess?
14-Name 2 things you love about your school.
15-Did you help another teacher or student?
16-How do you feel you are doing in school?
17-What was your favorite part of the day?

Somedays it will be nice to ask another question like these instead of "How was School Today?"
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{Lunch} Tote Holder

The girls love having cold lunch to take to school. This year (instead of using paper bags) we got some fabric lunch totes from Walmart. So they wouldn't get lost or misplaced, I decided to make this Lunch Tote Holder to hang in our Pantry.


I found a left over drawer face from the 2nd hand store.


I gathered these knobs from my mom's old dresser.


I painted, sanded the edges and drilled the holes for the knobs.


I cut and mod podged (underneath & on top)a piece of fabric for the middle inset.


Add knobs and its ready to hang.


From trash to A treasure. Pin It

Back to School Binders

Now that school is back in for our children I wanted to stay organized with all the important papers that I receive from the kids' teachers. So I decided to put them in a trusty School Binder.


Inside: I got the dividers that have pockets for extra space. I'm going to love knowing schedules, phone numbers, email addresses, lists of what I've given them & anything else that pertains to that teacher for that child.

Simple but so effective! Pin It

Back-to-School Family Night

We have a tradition in our family for the Sunday night before the first day of school. I love this book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

I read the book to my children, then my husband gives each of the kids a father's blessing.

For our treat I make these kissing hand cookies.

I just use the sugar cookie recipe below (using a hand-shaped cookie-cutter), then after I've moved them to the cooling rack I place a Hershey's kiss in the middle of each one.

Soft, Perfect Sugar Cookies

1 c butter, softened
2 c sugar
1 c sour cream
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 c flour

Cream butter, sugar, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Chill in fridge for about an hour. Roll to 1/2" thick on floured surface... (the thicker, the softer; less flour, more flavor.)

Bake at 325 for 8-10 min ('til just barely/almost golden. Do NOT overbake! (Don't underbake either, ew.) Pin It

School Supplies

I know its early to be thinking of school supply shopping but I have found that mid July is the best time to buy. Great prices and selection. We shop at Walmart & second hand stores for the best deals.

Every year before I go shopping with the kiddos I make a School Supply List. I check their school website for the supply list and then make my own.


FRONT:At the top I put each of my child's name and under that is the supplies they will need. If a child needs the same supply as another I put that item on the same line as the other child's. Then I just go down the list in order and tell each child what they need to grab. {Its beats doing one child at a time}.


BACK: I write down backpack, lunch tote, clothes, shoes totals. I add it the front total to see how much I spent for this years school items.

I love that I have all the info on 1 sheet for reference. It is such a HUGE time saver! Pin It