Kids Craft Christmas Decor

Say that one ten times fast!  Between Tim and I we were really starting fresh with Christmas decorations.  He came with a cute ceramic tree from his childhood and a stocking and I had some ornaments my mom gave me along with ones I inherited from my Dad.  Now that we are in our own house and living on a budget I was really missing my mom's endless boxes of Christmas decorations.

Bear and I were feeling crafty and in the holiday spirit and made up some great easy decorations that kids can help with too (ages 3+)!

We made a Pom Pom Garland and a Christmas Star for the window.

Pom Pom Garland

Pom Poms in various sizes and colors
Thread - we used a sparkly silver thread we had leftover
Needle

Thread your needle - I didn't cut my thread to size since I didn't want anything to get tangled.  Have you preschooler choose the pom poms and help you thread them on. We used ones sized .25 inch, .5 inch and 1inch and used neon colors since that's what we had lying around from other crafts.  We didn't worry about the spacing until it was hung up.  We used about 38 pom poms spaced 2" apart to go over our big window in our living room.

Make sure when you are threading them to poke the needle through the center of the pom poms or they will fall off.  They didn't slide around once we spaced them out so we didn't bother to tie any knots before/after each pom pom (too much work)

Christmas Stars

Popsicle sticks - 10 per star and large or small size is fine.
Tacky Glue - I find this works best with popsicle sticks/wood crafts
Modge Podge - any finish will work fine
Foam Brush
Tissue Paper - any color(s)
Thread - for hanging

Arrange your popsicle sticks like shown below and use the tacky glue to hold them together on the ends in the shape of a star.  Let dry (this is a good time to make a pom pom garland or have a Christmas dance party).

Once dry tie your thread around the top of the star - cut long enough for your star to hang where you'd like when it is finished.  Using the foam brush and modge podge, paint on a thin (ish) layer on the back of the sticks and start putting on some tissue paper.  We found it was easiest to make 4 x 4 torn pieces of tissue and to work from there.  You want the paper to go over the edges of the sticks.

Then turn your star over and modge podge the other side and fold the edges over.  Add more modge podge and tissue paper until satisfied.  We only had two colors so we made a green star and a smaller purple star (broke the sticks in half for the smaller star).  Let dry and hang!  I think these would also look really cool with different colored papers collaged on.

What crafts are you going to do this winter?

Love,
PlusPeace

Holidays

Wow! It's been over a month since I've posted - oh dear!!

Quick update on toddler life:

1) Being 3 is hard.
2) Daddy's make good "bad guys" but also the best "P.I.C."
3) Getting a 3 year old who has never slept a whole night in his life to sleep takes persistence, patience and a routine but IS possible (we are on night three of 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep)
4) Napping is for adults too.

We have had a lot going on the last several weeks and I foresee a lot more chaos in the near future but, it's going to be OK.  We got a new washer and dryer last weekend - BEST thing we could have ever gotten!  If you need new ones I highly recommend the Samsung 4.2cu Washer and matching Dryer.  We got them on sale and what is usually a full day of laundry (6-7 loads) was only 3 loads!!

Anyways, I got a jump start on my Christmas shopping this year (I was pretty much done by November 1st) and I wanted to share some of the things I got that are my favorite...we overdid it...

Playmobils - I loved them as a kid and scored a few deals online so I got the advent calendar and some small sets for stocking stuffers.

Spiderman Action Figure - on sale at Target!

Accessories - Oddly, Bear really likes boy accessories (like cool superhero pins) so I got a bunch of those, a skull velcro belt (which is the best invention ever) and a hat

Spiderman Sweatshirt - it has a pull down mask in the hood!

Modular Race Track Set - I chose this over hotwheels because it was on sale and it came with a lot more pieces that go in a lot more different ways and works with matchbox cars too.

Lanard Engine Overhaul Set - This is the coolest of everything!  It's a toy engine with working parts that you can take apart and "fix".  Bear loves helping Daddy in the shop so we thought this would be perfect.

Train Set - Tim picked out one on ebay that is battery controlled and like 35 feet of track so that will be fun around the tree!

I got almost everything on Zulily - I recommend signing up they have awesome deals on kids stuff, women's stuff and stuff for the home.  I also always use Ebates for extra cash back :)

What are you planning for under the tree?

Love,
PlusPeace

Something for the Grandma-Nana-Grammy-Noni in Your Life

I know Grandparents have their own day but I still like to give something to my moms on Mother's day too from the kiddo.  When it comes to Grandparents, home-made is always better.  Especially when they live far away, although I know my mom treasures Bear's handmade gifts too!

For Christmas one year we made hand print snowman ornaments and for Mother's day we made these super nifty sun catchers!

So easy to make, got the idea from blogger mom over at WorkmanFamily

This was our test one, if you want pretty pictures, go to the blog mentioned above.  I will update with nicer images after we make the final products to ship out tonight! See prettier pictures below!

You will need:
Clear Pony Beads - I got a 1lb bag from Jo-Ann Fabric for $2.99 with a 20% off coupon (print coupon on their website)
Round Metal Pie Pan - Ours had a brand name embossed on the bottom.  Find one without because it shows up on the final sun catcher.  Glass also does not work.  For tonight we bought the toss away ones that have a bumpy pattern on the bottom - I think this will help refract the light when they are done
String - Yarn, twine, fishing wire, etc.  Pretty much anything will work.
Philips head screwdriver OR a drill.  To make the hole I didnt want to drag out the drill so I just used a screwdriver and some elbow grease to make the hole.

How to:
Preheat oven to 400 F.  Fill the bottom of the pan with pony beads.  Bear liked that part.  Then turn each so the hole is aiming up.  That part is easier for older kids.  Bear did some but lost interest so Mommy finished. Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes on the middle rack.

Now light a nice smelling candle.  Bear took a bath during this part.  I am not going to lie, you are melting cheap plastic, it will smell.  It's not really bad and it doesn't linger so you can open a window or wait it out and be fine.

Take it out to cool.  You will know when it's done when all the holes have melted and it looks like a nice even shiny puddle.  After about 5 minutes it will be completely cooled and will literally fall out of the pan.  Don't grease it or anything (this is why we use metal instead of glass or ceramic).

Bear thought it made a cool plate.  On our tester the edges were a little brittle so make sure your kiddo is careful, you can sand down the edges with fine sand-paper if you want but try not to rub elsewhere because it scratches easily.  Drill or make a hole 3/4 of an inch from the edge, tie a string and DONE!  We are going to write Bear's name and the date in sharpie above the hole to make it more keep-sakey.

Other variations:
We made little ones I thought would be cool on wind chimes from a metal cup-cake pan.
Use sparkly clear beads for extra shimmer.
Instead of a hole you can glue a suction cup so it sticks right on the window.
We made some all one color and some mixed colors.

This is a pretty easy project.  Once you do it once, you'll want to do it a million times!

Love,
PlusPeace

Citrus Lane - March Box Review

As I have previously stated - I am way more than happy with Citrus Lane!  I had to cancel for one month and it was very easy to turn off and then right back on.  Our boxes always arrive 3 days after they ship and the products are well worth it!  The monthly box is $25.00.

"I like to think of our monthly boxes as care packages to help moms and dads on their parenting journeys. Every product we include has been recommended and reviewed by our advisory board and our community. No marketing gimmicks, no paid placements -- just real recommendations from real parents for products that solve real problems."

I have been using these boxes as gifts for special occasions.  Pieces of the first three boxes were used as Christmas gifts and the below box is for Easter!

March Box:

Slumber Friends Plush Pillow (Cloud B) - This guy is cute - Bear will LOVE it.  It is a plush lamby pillow with a removable lavender pack inside for a good nights/naps rest.  It also has a strap that makes it more into a stuffed animal shape as opposed to a pillow.  ($21.95 retail)

On the Road Pouch Puzzle (Mudpuppy) - Nice sturdy puzzle with large pieces good for an easily-frustrated two year old! Comes in a nice zipper pouch so the pieces stay together. ($9.99 retail)

Jungle Tattoos 12 Pack (Wee Gallery) - Who doesn't love tattoos?? ($5.00 retail)

Banana Apple Pouch (Peter Rabbit Organics) - This is my least favorite thing - they throw them in there every few months.  Bear doesn't eat them so I give them away to a youngster who will enjoy :) ($1.50 retail)

$20 OFF (JustFab) - They always include a gift for mom which I am all for.  Sometimes it's a lotion or candy.  I am not thrilled with the ones like this where you have to spend money to redeem it but some of the shoes on the site are worth it so this one is a better one :)

Try it out for only $15.00 for the first month (cancel online anytime) with my link: HERE

This is a great box for parents who want to spend a little at a time as opposed to a lot at once.  On the ones I let Bear have right away, his face was priceless!  It's great to try out new, organic and made in the US toys since, although I love these toys, they are often out of my price range and items I would not normally purchase on my own.  I am really big on surprises too.  I also recommend this as a gift :)

Love,
PlusPeace

Monster Sillybets - FREE SHIPPING

Easter baskets are always the cutest little things - especially for toddlers when the toys are all colorful to begin with.  How about topping off your little's basket with a Monster Sillybet in the color of your choice!

Choose from Green, Red, Pink, Orange, Blue or Ivory/Brown.  26 cute, fuzzy, plush Monsters in the shae of your most favorite letter! These alphabet learning pals are perfect for making the alphabet less scary to learn.

Use code: EASTER13 at checkout for FREE Flat Rate Shipping withing the United States!

Offer valid until 12AM EST 3/31/13

http://monstersillybets.bigcartel.com/

Love,
PlusPeace

Daily Deal

A new daily deal over a Zulily everything Curious George and low prices too!!

How cute is THAT?! And this...

Ahh! Bear would love this for Easter or Birthday or whatever :)  Check it out here: Zulily

Love,

PlusPeace

Success!

About a week ago I posted a Weekend Deal for a EarlyMoments.com Dr Seuss book membership package.  We received it today and I am quite pleased! We got 5 hard cover books, a book on CD and a backpack - I do admit the backpack is cheap but - it was free.

I got this deal for $10.49 including shipping from EarlyMoments  After I purchased the deal my mom warned me that these things are traps and they cycle it so they send you books that you now owe immediately after you cancel.  I got the package today, cancelled online (very easily I might add) and now it's done.  I highly recommend this and if you can afford to keep it going then more power to ya!

Check it out (ignore my dirty kitchen flood please)...

I plan to put this loot in the Easter basket along with this month's CitrusLane package :)

Love,

PlusPeace

FREE Printable Valentines

We made some Valentine's to share!

I got the background from NASA's picture a day page and made a 'galaxy' background.  Then found some fun fonts for the back and left a blank space for your kiddo's name!

Since we wanted to give them a personal touch, I had used paint chips and a star punch to punch out a ton of stars and Bear glued them on.  You could also glue hearts, planets, glitter, etc to make them super pretty and personal!

Here are Bear's out to dry...

Go to THIS LINK to download and print yours.

 There are two pages, if your home printer does not print two sided print one side, flip and print the other.  I have included gray marks that show where to cut.

Love,
PlusPeace

New Years Resolutions

"I am going to succeed because I am crazy enough to think I can."

Res-o-lute: Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

Re-solve: Settle or find a solution to (a problem, dispute, or contentious matter).

Res-o-lu-tion: A firm decision to do, or not to do something

Taking all of the above into consideration my New Years Resolutions are (drum roll please)

1. Be Happy

2. Move Forward

3. Wake Up Earlier

I can make list upon list of things I need to be doing, or things I should be doing, or things I can do to better our lives but when it comes down to it I need to make sure my family is happy, I need to make sure we do not dwell on the past and I need to get my butt outta bed (seriously, I am late for work every day).

What are your resolutions for 2013?

Love,

PlusPeace

Advent Calendar: Day 15

So Advent Day # 15 was another fantastic one - while Mommy and Daddy had a night on the town and attended a few Christmas parties, Bear and Nana went on the Polar Express!!

We watched the movie twice before he went and he had so much fun drinking coco, riding the train and seeing Santa! He even held the bell up to his ear and repeatedly said "I believe!"

I was sad I didn't get to go but very happy he had a great time :)

Love,

PlusPeace

Don't forget Ebates for your last minute shopping!! My next check will be $53 (Just use my button below)

Advent Calendar & Christmas Learning

I have to admit  I am totally against the "Elf on the Shelf" thing.  I remember a moment when I was about 3 or 4 and I went snooping around for Christmas presents only to get really freaked out because I thought that because I was naughty and went looking around for presents, Santa wouldn't give me anything for Christmas.  As far as I understand the Elf from Elf on the Shelf is there to watch your kids 24/7 and report back to Santa who is being naughty or nice, instilling a fear of constantly being watched.  I also don't agree with the Elf being able to be naughty or mischievous.

I read an article in Parenting magazine recently on why you should let your kids break the rules (once in a while) and did some serious parent soul searching on what my views are on Christmas and introducing Santa into our traditions.

I don't want Bear to have a moment of panic somewhere down the line when he is scared he will be forgotten on Christmas for being naughty.  I found an episode of Mr. Rogers where Daniel Tiger is afraid that Santa watches him while he's sleeping and Santa comes to the neighborhood and Elaina tells him to confront Santa with his fear.  Santa tells him what he is not watching while he's sleeping but he is in all of us and is the spirit of Christmas.  One of Mr Rogers' friends also sings a great song with the line "Sometimes even good people do bad things" and make mistakes.  I like that, it's telling my child that even though he may make a bad decision now and again, that doesn't label him as naughty or bad.

Even thought Bear is only 2.5 and he doesn't always understand  he was a little fearful of Santa until after we watched the episode.  Now he is actually excited to go meet him!

There you have it, my view on Santa!

For more advent fun:
Day 4: Open up a new Christmas book. I chose "Bear stays up for Christmas"
Day 5: Make coco.
Day 6: Choose a Special Treat. AKA leftover Halloween candy
Day 7: Make ornaments with Mommy

and....drum roll...day eight...

Sesame Street Live!!! I highly recommend this, it was tons of fun! We were center to the stage in the third row of the floor seats! So great, Bear was nervous at first but got very into it in the middle.  Just be prepared to buy a $15 toy just because EVERY other little boy has one.

Love,

PlusPeace

Advent Calendar 2012

I decided I was bored with the usual advent calendar you get at the Christmas Tree Shop or rite aid so we decided to instead do something special each day!  I thought of 25 things ranging from traditions we already have like decorating the tree and opening Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve to new ones like special holiday books and donating toys we no longer play.   I lucked out, some days end up being REALLY awesome for Bear because I was able to include December events we've had planned for a long time like Sesame St LIVE (Thank you Rickie and Katherine) and the Polar Express with Nana.

Anyways, I printed them on cards and put them in envelopes.  Since Bear can't read yet, I've been putting them with what the activity will be.  Here is where we are so far...

Love,

PlusPeace

Edited 12.3.12 to add:  For the Cinnamon Ornaments (I made these as a kid) I didn't want to buy 1 cup of cinnamon so we used 1 2 oz jar of cinnamon and 6 oz of flour (to make 1 cup) mixed with 1/2 cup elmers school glue and 1/4 cup applesauce.  Mix until doughy and add more flour/cinnamon until it is a workable consistency.  Roll out the dough and cut the shapes with cookie cutters.  We used a straw to cut the holes for hanging.  Lay out on a pan and parchment paper and store for 24 hours in a dry climate.  Once hard, string and hang!

Stocking Stuffers under $10...

...That your kids will actually enjoy!  I keep seeing lists of stocking suffers and everything I have found is either way too young for Bear or way to generic.  Afterall nobody knows my kid better than me so why should he get socks?  I'm sorry but you get socks for someone who you are not sure what to get...like your husband :)

This is my stocking stuffer list!

$4.95 - Picture Projector (Dinosaurs) Yup - a flashlight that makes giant dinosaurs on the wall!

$1.00-7.95 - Slinky Fun for a girl or a boy and it can either be the original slinky or one from the dollar store

$6.95 - Incog-neato Mustaches AMAZING!

$5.00 - Tattly Cute tattoos for cute kids

Sheriff Badge (Dollar store)

Various Colors of PlayDough (Dollar Store)

$5-10.00 Wikki Stix Craft stores have them and they are fun but dont poke you like pipe cleaners

Plastic Animals (Dollar or Toy Stores)

$4.95 Jacob's Ladder I loved this when I was a kid :)

$9.95 Nesting Doll Robots I got another set last year for Tim and Bear loved them

$7.54 Crystal Crayons Sweet!


$7.99 Hot Wheels 5 Pack

The of course an orange in the toe :)

What are you giving your littles for Christmas?

Love,

PlusPeace

Part Two of Father's Day Post

So here is the craft half of my Father's Day gift idea. I got the idea from Life in the Green House and modified it to fit my family.

I plan to make three different colored sticks Red, Blue & Green
Red - Family Outings
Blue - Mommy & Daddy Outings
Green - Mommy & Daddy Stay@Home Dates

we always drive around or see and add for somewhere and go "we should go there!" and then when we have time/money we forget and don' know what to do.

I thought this would be a good father's day gift specifically for Tim because it can be a "daddy's pick" jar and also Bear can help me paint and decorate :)

Ideas:
Family Outings - Story Land, Beach Trip, Train Ride
Mommy & Daddy Outings - Bowling & Beer, Drinks at 188, Movies, Drive In
Mommy & Daddy Stay@Home Dates - Burgers & Zombie Movies, Wii Shakes & Popcorn, Daddy Cooks & Chick Flicks

Love,
PlusPeace

Date Night - Possibly Father's Day?

So this one is between you and hubby - possibly on father's day evening?

I have made this meal 6 times in less than two months trying to perfect it and I have finally gotten the whole meal down to tasty.

On the menu: Tipsy Chicken over Angelhair with Vegetable Gratin & Crunchy Garlic Bread

Ingedients (Tipsy Chicken)
2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese (sprinkle cheese)
Mrs Dash Table Blend
2 Cloves Garlic
Pinot Grigio - I get the yellowtail because it's <$6 but still a wine I drink anyways
Milk
Salt & Pepper
Butter
Angel Hair Pasta

How To: (Tipsy Chicken)
Pour 1/4 milk into a sallow bowl. on a plate (I use disposable for this) put 1 Cup of grated Parmesan and 2 tbs Mrs Dash and mix together. Wash and try chicken and cut each breast into three smaller pieces. I just them the long way and no more than 1" thick. Plunge each piece into milk and then coat in cheese mixture. In a skillet put 1 tbs butter and 1 clove chopped garlic. when pan is hot add chicken and flip as soon as the chicken is brown and coating is crispy. Begin boiling water and a dash of salt for the angel hair. Once both sides of the chicken are crispy, add 3/4 cup of Pinot Grigio and let simmer. I flip the chicken a few times until cooked through add more wine as needed. Strain the pasta and place the fully cooked chicken on top.

For the sauce leave excess from the chicken in the pan and keep the heat, add 1 cup wine, 1 tbs butter and a few pinches of Mrs Dash and whisk. Cook until wine is browned and reduced to 3/4 cup of sauce. Our over chicken and pasta.

Ingredients (Vegetable Gratin)
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Olive Oil
1 Zucchini
Leaks
1 Vidalia Onion
Red Pepper
Cherry Tomatoes

How To: (Vegetable Gratin)
Slice the zucchini, onion, leaks and peppers into 1/4 inch rounds. In a cast iron skillet (casserole dish will work but not as well) Layer in this order: Onions, Zucchini, Drizzle Olive Oil, half the cheese, half the bread crumbs, red peppers, leaks, remainder of zucchini and then slice the tomatoes in half and layer on top. Add remaining cheese and breadcrumbs, add a final drizzle and put in the oven at 400 F for 12 minutes or until you can easily poke with a fork. Broil for 3 minutes until the top is crispy.

For the Garlic bread i used butter, fresh garlic NOT garlic powder (ick) and put both generously onto thick cut sourdough and broil for 2 minutes (dont burn it!)

To plate this I put a nest of pasta with two chicken pieces then a slice of the gratin and toast on the side. YUMMY!

There is a craft that goes with this but Bear woke up - see ya!

PlusPeace

New Years Resolutions: Mama Style

I don't normally do New Years Resolutions. Mostly because I feel like a jerk for not accomplishing them so this year I've decided to make a list of New Years Goals for my family and I.

1) Get my butt off the couch and play with Bear > even on days when I am so exhausted I can barely move.
2) Introduce 3 new and healthy foods to Bear
3) Take a week long vacation > even if it's just going up North for a week in the summer.
4) At least LOOK into buying a house, or rent something larger.
5) Stay on routine for bedtime and wake up time > no skipping baths or eating in the car.
6) Get outside every chance we have in the warm weather.
7) Actually celebrate my birthday and don't just pass it off as another day.
8) Get Bear potty trained before 2013
9) Take a weekend family camping trip
10) Continue to love my family and my life every day of the year.

Simple yet, satisfying.

Love,
PlusPeace

The Cutest Gift Ever

Dear Nana discovered these gems yesterday so we decided to give it a whirl. We didn't expect them to turn out this cute. We sat around the table for about 45 minutes deciding who we should give them to! So here is a breakdown of the how-to as well as some tips on doing them with a toddler.

You will need:
Ornaments - the non-breaking ones are best. We found that the glitter and matte ones turned out the best.
Thick White Non-Toxic Paint (white, black & orange)
A thick paintbrush, and a thin paintbrush
A sharpie
A toddler

Directions:
It is helpful to have a helper (as in two adults) for this project. Sit the kiddo on one persons lap and cover only one hand in white paint. Get a nice handprint with the palm at the bottom of the bulb and fingers pointing up. About a medium thickness of paint works best and an apron is recommended. After all the ornaments have one handprint wash your toddlers hand and paint the other with white paint and do the same to all and give a final wash to the hands.

Next step is for you to do or an older kid in the family. With the fine brush, use the black to paint hats & coal eyes and mouth on each of the fingertips to look like snowmen. Then use the same brush for the carrot noses.

When completely dry, use the sharpie to write your kids name and the year. You can make these every year as keepsakes!! SO CUTE!!!

The trick for these is do them fast, use two adults and thick paint.

Love,
PlusPeace

These are ours:



(http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2010/11/five-fingers-snowman-ornament.html)

Wrapping Paper

This is going to be our first Christmas we stay home as a family and start our own traditions. Due partly to costs and partly to start a new tradition we will only be wrapping presents in brown paper. Your can get a giant roll of it at the craft store and either have your tot help decorate the paper with finger paints or just leave it plain. Surprisingly this looks nice and rustic under the tree :)

What traditions have you started with your new addition?

Love,

PlusPeace

$50 Christmas

So I am tight on cash and I have already wrote about my plans for Christmas but this morning I went out real quick to grab some last minute things and passed a Walgreens sign saying "Toy's But One Get One FREE" and I turned that car around and went for it. I am kind of liking the "pre-black Friday" sales. Yes it is Thanksgiving and maybe I hsould not be out shopping but we got ALL of Bear's Christmas gifts for......$50.00!!! We got:

First Learning wood train tracks with trains

Little Tots Speed trcks play track with 4 cars

100 piece Mega Bloks set

Little Tots bull dozer with construction man and traffic signs

Fisher Price rumblin' rocks dump truck with construction man and boulder

Magnetic Alphabet case with chalk, lower case and upper case magnetic alphabets

GREAT stuff for Walgreens being a pharmacy and variety store!

So seriously, if you are tight on money, take advantage of the sales this weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

PlusPeace

Loose Ends.

I've got a lot of loose ends to some of these blogs so lets wrap em up!

Well apparently the thing with the kitten is a-ok. It just takes time to adjust when you add a furry friend to the mix! He's learned how to pick her up and doesn't boot her across the room anymore!!

The Halloween costumes came out great! Tiger was definitely the way to go and Bear had a blast going from door to door with us:

And I thought I would share these books for Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas, they are neat! http://www.spoonsisters.com/product/65901.html

All for now, it's getting late!

Love,

PlusPeace