it's pretzels.

I'd like to say this idea is all mine but really...I got it from Martha.  If you haven't signed up for her craft of the day and you're into crafting...it'll get your craft juices going.

This is a fun project especially if you're in the middle of teaching your kids about the civil war, Abraham Lincoln, etc.  Plus, there's lots of peanut butter and pretzels involved.  As you can see...there was a lot of finger licking and crunching going on.  Some of it made it onto the houses.

Supplies:

A milk carton from school

peanut butter

pretzel rods, squares, and those little sourdough fat rectangles (completely forgot what they're called)

wheat thins

a graham cracker

Spoons for spreading

It's super easy.  Spread the milk carton with peanut butter and build your house with the pretzels.  You can use the squares for a window or a front door mat or a sky light.  Build your dream house...or a house you want to eat.  Either way.  Fun times.

yummy. LIFE.

it's a beautiful day.

So...you say you're having a gorgeous spring day?  It's time to break out the soil, some seeds, and bulbs (or some plants...I'm all about instant gratification when it comes to gardening).

This project is always a hit with my kids.  They get to get dirty and they have a quick reward for their work.  The terra cotta planters are usually only $2 or less at the store.  Just make sure you soak them in some water before using so they don't rob your plant of all the drinking they need to do.

If you're starting from seed you'll want to get some starter soil.  If I'm keeping my plants indoors (which I love to do at this time of year when the rain likes to show up for days at a time) I usually just use potting soil.

Pick plants that can endure shade or plan to put your tulip bulbs near a very sunny window.

After a long winter it's nice to bring the outside in.

Have fun!

new. LIFE.

what to do.

I don't know about you but the weather has really been teasing us around here.  We'll have a gorgeous day one day and then the next 3 days will be completely miserable with rain. rain. rain.   Even Cocoa doesn't like it.  She doesn't want to get wet.  (And I'm thinking to myself..."you're part Labrador! You're supposed to love water."  Apparently rain doesn't fit into the water category for her.)

So here are a couple of fun things for you and the people you love to do if you're in the middle of weird spring snow storms or April Showers.  For us we're having a totally gorgeous day today (yay!) but the next at least 5 days are all rain in the forecast.  So we'll be doing some of these bits of fun.

Have a read-a-thon. 

Go to the library, stock up on some books, come home, get cozy with blankets, and pillows.  Here are some ideas for a read-a-thon at home:

1. Decide on a charity that would benefit from your read-a-thon.(Ronald McDonald House, Reach Out and Read, and more.)

2. Choose the guidelines for your read-a-thon.  How long will you read?  Will pledges from family and friends be based on minutes?  What will be donated?  Money?  Books?

3.  Cuddle up with some books for the day for the benefit of children in need here in the U.S. or half way across the world.  The gift of a book can make a huge difference in a child's life...

4.  Collect for your pledges and then purchase new books for kids in need or send your contribution straight to the charity to do with as they need.

Create a family game time.

We all have a closet full or shelves stacked 10 deep of games and puzzles.  Are you playing them?  Now is the time to pull those dusty things from the closet and set up a marathon game day.  Play Connect Four, Clue, Monopoly, Mancala (love this one!), Phase 10, Apples to Apples, Pictionary, Pick up Sticks (don't poke your eye out), Guesstures, Cranium....

Have fun just playing games or as a nod to the NCAA playoffs set up a tournament.  The most important part is the chance to relax, stay inside where it's warm and dry...and, of course, don't forget the treats.

One of the things that I learned from my college major was that happy families play together.  It's easy to forget to play when life is so hectic and there are so many things to run to, put together, plan, be to on time, remember, drive to, schedule, etc.  It seems like we're trying to keep up with some invisible clock somewhere.  Ocassionally, it's nice to put the brakes on in the middle of regular day and just stop and smell the brownies bake while you play a couple of games with the people that really matter.

playful. LIFE.

doing something new.

I love that my girls wanted to create a birthday party that was completely different. When they first told me they wanted to do a backwards party I thought, "That's not going to be cute."  But it was!  I loved creating this awesome party with the girls.  We had so much fun thinking up backwards games and all of the things that we could do in a backwards way.  I LOVE getting to be with my sweet missies.  Happy Birthday!! (belated though now since it's been over a month ago that we had all this fun!)

Here are some things we did:

The invitations had everything spelled backwards and had to be read in a mirror

Everyone wore at least 2 items of clothing backwards

We sat under the table instead of on top of it.

Colored coloring book pages outside of the lines instead of inside

Played hide and seek backwards (sardines)

Instead of eating cake last we ate it first (before lunch)

We made gumball necklaces instead of chewing gum

Played games blindfolded

Decorated with balloons hanging down from the ceiling instead of letting them float up

Made birthday banners that were spelled backwards

And had a fun photobooth (pictures coming on Monday)

More info:

Gumball Necklaces: One Charming Party

Pretty Party Supplies: Shop Sweet Lulu

sweet. LIFE.

today is going to be a good, good day.

On Saturday morning the kids and I got up early in the morning, grabbed some donuts and milk, and headed to a place that I think it absolutely gorgeous.  I wanted to see how the light played out against the trees once the sun was up.  I knew I would love it.  We had made kites the day before and we were excited to fly them.

Only there wasn't even a whisper of a breeze.

We made the best of it and the kids got a great work out running like mad trying to make their kites fly by seeing how fast they could go to make their own wind.  Some people got tired out.  Some people took a little power nap right when we got there.  Some people made another kite upon arrival.  Some people wanted to bust out the donuts and milk before we even had a blanket laid down.

It was a fantastic start to the day.  Even though we were up on a weekend morning before the sun I have to say it ranks up there with my favorite Saturdays.  I loved the chance to hang out with the kids first thing in the morning when it was a perfect temperature, sweet and delicious light, and a relaxing location.  I couldn't have asked for a better way too keep me smiling all day.

blissful. LIFE.