Colorful, Random Gifts of Kindness with Starburst and Skittles

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I love secret, random gift giving.

(I love gift giving in general!)

I know... you already knew it ;)

I had the chance to use colorful Skittles and Starburst to create a gift for some very important people and my creative process went straight to random acts of kindness. So, today I'm sharing a free printable that can turn the Skittles & Starburst 30 Pack from Sam's Club into an actual memorable, heart warming activity for your family too.

This package is perfect for creating with because there are so many candies and a nice variety. I found it in a candy area of Sam's Club, bordering the bakery.

I gotta interject- oh my goodness, I love this picture of my little Ryder! Both of the boys were SO excited about this box of candy, and wanted me to open and dip into it well before I was ready. I really loved the actual gift delivering part of this project, but putting it together with my little guy is a very close second. Candy and color put together- perfect combo for happy kiddos :)

Happiness is Getting to Wear Shorts :)

As I'm writing this, it's actually snow/raining outside- welcome to Idaho! But lately the boys (Cooper specifically) have been thinking it's pretty great to get to wear shorts again :) Sometimes what you're wearing just makes it a good day, eh?

Inspiring Creativity Link Party

Hello hello!  Thursday again... shocker, I know... ha ha :)
Just means Twin Dragonfly Designs and I are hosting another chance for you to share anything you might like- we're so glad to see new projects and more great ideas all the time.

This week, I'm featuring this fun, simple countdown project from Little Blue House. These sweet pics speak to me, since my boys are forever "counting down" or looking forward to something too :)

Also, before linking up, make sure to enter to win the cute Paper Pumpkin box from Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin is their monthly subscription service that puts an adorable little box of stamping and crafting supplies on your doorstep. Each box has literally everything (even the glue and ink!) that you need to take a break and create for a change. Check out the simple gifts I made with this box above HERE.  The winner will receive one free box to enjoy! Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A few Linky Guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}.
If you are new to Link Parties and have any questions let us know ~ we would love to help out!
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An InLinkz Link-up

Fast and Easy Gifts with Paper Pumpkin {and a giveaway!}

Are there certain things that you just pretty much always seem to be inspired by? Maybe those are kinda what we call our "style," I guess :) Like I always seem to draw towards things that are rustic, bohemian, bright or bold colors. Or stamp projects! I'm taken with the look of paper crafts that have been created with stamps involved. I haven't spent much time at all stamping myself over the years for some strange reason, though. Bummer- I wish I was a much better stamper!

I recently got connected with Paper Pumpkin, a division of Stampin' Up, and felt like they really spoke to my "style." Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription service- they send a fun box full of everything you need to sit and create a great paper craft project or homemade card set, really just to have an easy dose of creativity. For the next couple of months, I'll be sharing how you can take your Paper Pumpkin box and quickly create a small gift! Plus, today I get to giveaway a box to one of you! 

Helping Kids to Think of Others First with Disney FROZEN

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. 

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

It feels like this week has been revolving around Disney FROZEN the movie coming out! Our little band of men loves this flick too- certainly not just a girl show :) We've had the chance to comb both our local stores for fun Walmart toys and the FROZEN DVD... all with the intent of giving them away...

This quote above is my favorite from the movie. I believe this, I know it to be true. That I'm happier when I'm not so self-absorbed and narrow minded. That I love, even crave, the deep-down good feeling of giving, of selflessness.

The kind of selflessness, or love, that made Kristoff turn around from having left Anna behind to (he thought) be saved. The kind of selflessness that governs Anna throughout this whole movie; that puts her on a horse to go after her sister when she could be scared or angry instead. The kind of selflessness that makes Olaf refuse to leave Anna when she needs to find a solution, even if it does mean melting. Maybe even the kind of selflessness that keeps Elsa locked in her room, alone, not wanting to ever hurt her little sister again.

Wow, FROZEN can sure get a person thinking and feeling and learning, huh?! I want my boys to learn from it, to learn in general how to think of others before themselves. Not the simplest concept when you're four or six, right? We do a lot of gift giving, card making, knock-and-running to that end. Hopefully they don't realize it's all a big life lesson... otherwise, the gigs up ;)

Thanks to #collectivebias, we got to visit both of our Walmart stores here in town looking for toys and other FROZEN goodies. 

We knew that we wanted to send a #FROZENfun package to Coop and Ry's cousins, my nieces that are fairly close to their same ages. For real, my sister had two girls and I had two boys- it's cut and dried in this family ;)... They live just far enough away that we don't see them as often as we'd like. Unfortunately, the boys seem to like to tackle them without their consent when they are together, but it's really just because they are bursting with excitement for getting to see them at all. (I know, it's true, boys can be pretty weird. :P)

Really, the two little girls whom this package was for are incredibly special in my boys' minds. They love their cousins and this was a great opportunity for us to put that love into action, sending them FROZEN items that we all knew they would enjoy. Little did I know how unique the result would be...

I just grabbed what we found- some books and the Anna and Elsa Sparkle Dolls- and didn't think anything of it. We also chose some candies in FROZEN colors and some sparkly tulle to complete the package. The boys announced that girls love glitter... see, they get a small glimmer of feminine influence around here ;) 

Simple Bib Clips and more DIY Baby Ideas

What a full week it's been already- kinda exciting! And it's not over yet ;) Today I'm joining some of my favorite bloggers again- this month we've each got a baby project to share :)  My simple little number above is actually an idea I shared a long time ago at my friend Ginger's blog but actually never did post here. It's still one of my favorite baby tools ever! The easiest thing ever to make- an instant bib clip!

First here's a look at the other projects for you to check out today too...

Diaper Cake Gift Card Holder from Happy Go Lucky

Easy Minky Tag Blanket from Happy Hour Projects

Knitted Baby Bib from 4 You With Love

Diaper Trike from One Dog Woof

DIY Tag Toy from One Artsy Mama

Keep Calm Baby Onesie from Suburble

First Birthday Photo Prop from It Happens in a Blink

Inspiring Creativity Link Party

Hello friends!  It's Thursday which means its time for a link party with Twin Dragonfly Designs! We always enjoy anyone that shares!

From last week's links, I was intrigued by this clean home motivational post from Crystelle Boutique. It's nice to read that someone else struggles with keeping things tidy and dealing with creative clutter! She shared some fun VanGogh facts in the process too :)

A few Linky Guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}.
If you are new to Link Parties and have a question or two let us know ~ we would love to help out!
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An InLinkz Link-up

DIVERGENT Inspired Dauntless Bracelet and More

Remember yesterday I mentioned that there would be more Divergent inspiration around here today?! Two of my blogger friends are also fans of the book and excited for the movie, so we decided to each do a creative project and share them together...

See them all at the bottom of this post! But first...

So, it goes without saying that this boy mama isn't so much a jewelry maker. But I have dabbled in it very little and do actually enjoy it, especially when what I try actually turns out! At the risk of proving that I really am a silly fan girl, I have to share the specific inspiration for this bracelet before we go any further...

Favorite DIVERGENT Quote Printables

For quite awhile now, I've been wanting to read the book Divergent. I knew if I didn't read it before the movie came out, I'd end up starting with the sequels afterwards and didn't want to miss actually reading the first one too! Do you do that at all- once the movie comes out it's hard to get yourself to read the book?!

And do you maybe also get sucked in to a series- can't stop until you just get to the end already? I sure do! Read these three in one week- and that was holding off some. I'm really glad there's only a matter of days before the movie comes out! I've had Divergent on the brain big time... A couple of my blogger friends are fans too and tomorrow they're joining me for even more Divergent inspired creativity!

But I had these simple quote printables ready to go too, so I'm sharing them tonight! These quotes and phrases from the book are some of my favorites. The faction symbols are the ones that will be seen in the movie and were released HERE.

Natural Wire Spring Flower Wreath

Does this little project look at all familiar? I did a Valentine style one with hearts and a heart shape last year and thought a Spring version might be fun! This "Naturally Wired" craft wire is some of my favorite stuff to work with :)

Most of the time, any sort of larger decor like this, or any wreath I've ever done otherwise at least, has taken a fair bit of time. But this style is really super fast and easy. Seems like that's kinda what I go for around here :)

Inspiring Creativity Link Party {and an Easy Lunchboxes Giveaway!}

Hello hello!  It's Thursday which means that it's already time to link-up with Twin Dragonfly Designs and I! Today Heather actually arranged a fun giveaway to go with out party! And I honestly wish I could enter- I've been really wanting to try these lunchboxes for Cooper. Heather has the cutest ideas for bento style lunches if you ever need :) Enter to win a set of Easy Lunchboxes- perfect for packing school lunches in!  This prize includes four lunch box containers in classic colors.  Check out these fun lunch ideas...

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For my feature this week, I picked this great re-finish by Sarah from Purple Patch DIY- love these colors she chose! 

Now time to share! A few Linky Guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}. If you are new to Link Parties and have any questions, just let us know- we would love to help out!
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Simple Moments That Carry Us

Ha ha- I asked Coop to show me how excited he was to be wearing shorts to school and  this is what I got! Love this pic! Shorts and the winter coat :)

Anyhow, high time again for a little family update! Given that, ya know, we live in Idaho, the weather has been pretty weird lately. On this day above it was really beautiful- honestly warm enough for short sleeves outside all afternoon. And then two days later, of course, it snowed. Sure not much snow this winter- we barely scraped together one half-hearted sledding trip... kind of a bummer. Hopefully the high country has enough at least.

On this walk above, we explored the dry creek bed not far from our house. We throw rocks in the water all summer long, so it was pretty interesting for the boys to see it like this! :)

I know this is a terrible picture, but it was a fun memory that I wanted to capture. We were all in the car Sunday night taking Taron and Keaton back to Pocatello, jammin' out to some loud music, just a happy moment.

Leave it to me to wax poetic about it to boot, but in this simple, fun moment, it occurred to me that it's these bits of time that carry us. For me personally, at least, the snippets of real family comfort and happiness get somewhat over-absorbed to make up for the time we spend apart. :)

Goings on that mean Spring is coming- bright colored paint and paper- Ryder know Wood Creations as "the Lego table" store :) As usual, he always takes a toy of some sort with us wherever he goes :)

Stephen recently took the three oldest boys down to the Utah Sky Trials- we usually go together every year and have a good time out in the middle of nowhere. Cooper is sure in heaven bashing around the sagebrush with the big guys!

The two puppies we have are about ready to head to their new homes and the boys have been enjoying them before they do! They really are as cute as it gets.

We went out to a local restaurant to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the day Stephen and I went on our first date! This year we'll be doing plenty of acknowledging our ten year mark I daresay ;) 

I'm sure grateful for the simple goodness of our life!