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A Not so Crafty Craft: Good News Jar

My friend, Heather, a teacher, always has awesome parties, as well as little crafts, do dads, and thingamabobs for kids. She is one of the most generous people and one of my most favorite people.

For New Year’s she gave each child a plastic container with stickers. She told them to decorate it, and it could be their “Good News” Jar for the year.

Every time they had good news, something they want to remember, something they were thankful for, anything, they could write it down on a slip of paper and put it in their good news jar.

On New Year’s Eve of 2015, we will read them.

I loved this! I wanted to do it too. So, I did. It isn’t as elaborate, but I am proud of myself for putting some good news in our jar already.

 

I didn’t care so much what the jar looked like. I did however have a few criteria.

1. The slips of paper were scrapbook paper quality so that if someday I did want to put them in a book I could.
2. There were pens available at all times for writing the good news, memories, moments of gratitude down.
3. Everyone could reach in case they wanted to write.

First, I put some Becky Higgins Project Life card stock rectangles I found on sale at Michaels in a vase with a few Sharpie Pens (you guys these are my favorite pens, they are like Sharpies but they are pens and don’t bleed through paper.)

 

Grabbed an empty jar that I was no longer using to put our memories into.

 

Then, put it all on my desk.

 

Now, anytime Brian or I have a memory, good news, something to be grateful for, or anything we just think is special (like someone pulling out his own wiggly tooth last night) we have a place to put it all.

 

Thank you, Heather for your great idea! I know mine isn’t as crafty, but at least now all the memories are safe.

What is some good news that would go in your jar?

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Losing Teeth: Tooth Fairy Pillows

The parents of older children like Tweens who are in the aloof stage of life asserting independence and start to pull away probably don’t want to commiserate with me. The Teen parents probably whose kids apply to colleges and DRIVE around from place to place (by the way you’re saints) will most likely think I am absolutely ridiculous. These parents have bigger problems than to talk to a Mom who is clearly unstable about a stage of life that is seemingly normal, and passes so quickly.

The losing of the baby teeth is emotional for me. With every one that falls out, and with every visit from the Tooth Fairy I am reminded of how close these little people are to not being so little anymore.

 

Look at them, they’re huge!

I remember when these kids had no teeth and I was lovingly nursing, making bottles, and pureeing baby food. Now, they are eating like horses and the amount of pancakes I flip in the morning would be enough to give anyone carpal tunnel. I remember waking up with teething little babies in the night to comfort them and give them something cool to gnaw on while they settled in to my shoulder to be rocked to sleep. Now, my darlings take up more room in the bed in my husband. I remember when they would stick their chubby little fingers in their mouths when those back molars would be coming in. Now, they are wiggling those teeth free or to point to an adult tooth coming in.

 

The only team we all agree on is the Blackhawks.

AN ADULT TOOTH. There is no way the boys kids in my house playing Playmobile Soccer and helping their baby sister put clothes on her baby dolls are ready for adult teeth.

When the first tooth was lost by oldest son, I kind of shrugged it off. However, now with my kids being so close in age, they are popping out all over the place. Sometimes, I think the Tooth Fairy is going to forget whose pillow to put money under.

To mark this milestone, to keep things organized, and as a little therapy for myself, I made the kids Tooth Fairy Pillows.

 

As my regular readers know, I don’t have a sewing machine, so I had to do this the old fashioned way, but honestly, I was able to do them while watching Netflix. Let’s not pretend I wasn’t going to be watching a show anyway. I got them done in about 2 – 2 hour sessions this includes tracing, cutting, and sewing. (Remember I did THREE and I stop to take pictures for my lovely Readers.)

Supplies:
White Felt (for tooth shaped pillow)
Color Felt for Heart and Pocket
Scissors
Needle
Embroidery Floss
Pillow fill cotton balls
Pen

Full Disclosure: I don’t have measurements or amounts of felt or thread used as I wasn’t sure what size my pillows would be. Please note that these can be any size you want and you can always return any unused and UNCUT felt.

 

 

Trace or Draw: I am not good at anything free hand, so I printed out  a picture of a tooth, a square, and a heart and traced each of these on the the felt. (Yes, I even traced the square.) Remember, you are making a pillow, so you will need two EXACT tracings of the teeth to sew together.

 

Cut: I, then, cut out all the teeth, squares and hearts.

 

Find your a show: I would suggest something that isn’t too deep, like a comedy. Maybe even a movie you have watched before as you will have to kind of pay attention to the hand sewing until you get hang of it. Unless of course you have a sewing machine, then you can ignore this entirely.

Sew: First, using the embroidery floss, sew a square onto the center of one of the teeth. This will serve as the pocket so you will only want to sew the bottom, and two sides. I used a straight stitch.

 

Then, on the other tooth cutout sew your heart using the same stitch.

Next, putting the wrong sides together (meaning the heart and the pocket facing out, begin sewing the two tooth pieces together using a whipstich. NOTE: Make sure not to stitch the entire way around because you still need to fill the pillow. 

Fill: After the pillow is stitched about 3/4 of the way around, using your pillow fill or some cotton balls go ahead and fill the pillow just an tiny bit. NOTE: If you stuff the pillow too much it will be difficult to get teeth and treasures out of the pocket.


Finish it Up: Finish sewing using the whipstitch.

Voila!

 

What milestones of your children are making you sentimental? Any of them inspire a craft?

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50 Questions: Why Do I Love These Damn Things?

One of the first things I ever filled out on Facebook was something similar to this, back when I first was a stay at home parent. Who knew years later I would be blogging three different places and still love doing these things. My friend Shannon over at Deepest Worth asked me 50 Questions. Here goes:

1. What are you wearing?
The Uniform: Jeans, hoodie, converse.

2. Ever been in love?
Yes.

3. Ever had a terrible break-up?
Yes, and I am glad for the experience to be honest because I survived the heartbreak and lived so share the tale with my kids for when they experience it too.

4. How tall are you?
5’9″

5. How much do you weigh?
More than when I was born and less than when I was pregnant.

6. Any tattoos?
I cannot decide on curtains, can you imagine? No.

7. Any piercings?
Ears.

8. OTP (One true pair, favorite fictional couple?)
TV: Scrubs, Turk and JD. Their friendship know no bounds

Movies: The Apartment, CC Baxter and Ms. Kubalek. CC doesn’t judge her for her mistakes.
               When Harry met Sally, Harry and Sally. Friends first.
Book: Emma by Jane Austen, Mr. Knightley and Emma. Mr. Knightley is the only one to call Emma out on her crap.
9. Favorite Show?
I am a TV junkie, so this is VERY HARD, but I will give you the short answer. Right now it’s: Brooklyn 99 is my favorite sitcom and House of Cards is my favorite drama.10. Favorite Bands?
U2, Guster, Mayer Hawthorne, Ryan Adams, a few more.

11. Something you miss?
Dad12. Favorite Song?
Too many. (That isn’t the name of the song, there are just too many to mention.)

13. How old are you?
33 and proud!

14. Zodiac sign?
Sagittarius

15. Quality to look for in a partner?
Humor, loyalty, and consideration.
16. Favorite Quote?
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.'” ~ Erma Bombeck
“If someone called me chubby, it would no longer be something that kept me up late at night. Being called fat is not like being called stupid or unfunny, which is the worst thing you could ever say to me. Do I envy Jennifer Hudson for being able to lose all that weight and look smokin’ hot? Of course, yes. Do I sometimes look at Gisele Bundchen and wonder how awesome life would be if I never had to wear Spanx? Duh, of course. That’s kind of the point of Gisele Bundchen. And maybe I will, once or twice, for a very short period of time. But on the list of things I want to do in my lifetime, that’s not near the top. I mean, it’s not near the bottom either. I’d say it’s right above “Learn to drive a vespa,” but several notches below “film a chase scene for a movie.” ~Mindy Kaling
“When humor works, it works because it’s clarifying what people already feel. It has to come from someplace real.” ~ Tina Fey
17. Favorite Actor?
I want to give a shout out to the six amazing performers I had the pleasure to work with this past summer at Second City. They were able to bring my words and the words of other writers to life, and that is a thrill that I cannot ever explain. They are my favorite! Thank you Galya, Sarah, Melisa, Damian, Chris, and Tim.18. Favorite Color?
Every color can be worked with, to be fair. You’re talking to someone who buys “oops paint” at Home Depot. So, yeah, I guess you could say I like all.the.colors.

19. Loud music or soft?
Loud, unless I am trying to give orders like, “put your clothes away!” or “do your homework!” then I don’t like any music at all.
20. Where do you go when you are sad?
To my bed, with all the pillows and I make all my people come with me to read books or watch movies.
21. How long does it take you to shower?
It takes about 10 minutes.
22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Am I showering or not? Showering: 30 mins. Not showering: 15 mins. (Before you judge me, sometimes I shower at night because I work out or do a paint project or something, Judgey McJudgerston)
23. Ever been in a physical fight?
No comment.
24. Turn on?
Funny. You gots to be funny.
25, Turn-off?
When I was in college we called them tools. I think the kids call them db’s now. Basically any self-centered moron who picks up more chicks than books.
26. The reason I started blogging?
I like to write. I like to be crafty. I like to make people laugh.
27. Fears?
I have fears about my kids daily. DAILY. I know I need to calm down.28. Last thing that made you cry?
I cried hard last week saying goodbye to one of my favorite family members.

29. Last time you said you loved someone?
Just now when I put my youngest down for her nap.

30. Meaning behind the name of your blog?
Brian, my niece and I were all coming up with names that had the word HOME in them. When Brian said, how about, “Home Everyday.” I mean that’s where you are. We all laughed because well, with three kids all under 4 at the time, I wasn’t getting out much.

31. Last book you read?
Top Secret Twenty One by Janet Evonovich
32. Book you are currently reading?
Going to the library today 🙂
33. Last show you watched?
Watched Sunday’s Brooklyn 99 last night on DVR. “I’ve been a cop for 30 years. Also, I’ve seen movies.” How can you not love the captain?!
34. Last person you talked to?
Caroline told me all about her day at school.
35. The relationship between you and the person you just texted?
Spouse.
36. Favorite food?
Pasta.
37. Place you want to visit?
Ireland. Always Ireland.
38. Last place you were?
My bedroom for my laptop charger.39. Do you have a crush?
I totally have a hetero-comedy crush on Mindy Kaling.

40. Last time you kissed someone?
This morning.
41. Last time you were insulted?
Yesterday. It’s ok. I was probably oversensitive, and the insulter was an idiot.42. Favorite flavor of sweet?
All of them.

43. What instruments do you play?
I played piano for 10 years. Until I was a senior in high school. I never looked back. I can still play some Christmas carols and a few tunes, but I don’t have a piano so…

44. Favorite piece of jewelry?
The earrings Brian sent over to me the morning of our wedding. I wear them every day.
45. Last sport you played?
Volleyball in the backyard. I stink.
46. Last song you sang?
“All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor you can judge of you want, but that song rocks my socks off.


47. Favorite chat up line?
I’ve never been to a discotheque, so…
48. Have you ever used it?
Used what?
49. Last time you hung out with anyone?
Over a week ago. Lame.
50. Who should answer these questions next?
Samantha Schultz of The Peanuts Gang 

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The Best/Worst Time of the Year

This time of year, I always have such mixed emotions. My love of school/office supplies, organization, school, and new beginnings always of course makes my heart all a flutter with possibilities with what is to come with the upcoming school year. Then, my heart is aching a teeny bit too. No more flying by the seat of our pants to take trips to the zoo, no more sweaty heads learning to ride two wheels, no more popsicles on the front porch for lunch, or running through the sprinklers.

 

This year brings an extra whole set of mixed emotions though. This year, my youngest is heading off to school a few mornings a week. I know it isn’t much, but for the first time since becoming a mother six years ago, I will be alone for a few mornings a week.

When I tell other mothers this, they all give me this mischievous smile as if to say, “I know what you’ll be doing.” I want to ask them, “What? What should I do?”

Will the laundry get done? Will the house be cleaner? Will I exercise during this time? Perhaps a pedicure? Shower? Write? What? What is your secret? Why are you winking at me!?

Maybe all of those things will get accomplished. I am sure I will be a little more productive during this time, but what I think those Moms are really saying with their winky eyes is that: I will ecstatic to be by myself for once.

That’s where the mixed emotions come to play. You see, I actually enjoy being home with my kids. While I would say it is the most difficult job I’ve ever had, I am not so quick to kick them out at the end of every summer, and I am especially not so quick to get my youngest out the door to school. Especially not at a time in their lives when we all truly enjoy each other’s company so much (Two Words: Teen Years).

However, I am so proud of my kids’ independence, their love of school, and cannot wait to see all they accomplish this year. There is a kind of growing that happens through school that I love to see. The relationships they are forming with their teachers and friends makes me happy and proud. The sense of accomplishment they feel each day, or the discussions we have each night at dinner about all they are learning are all things I love about sending them out into the big wide world.

So, this is the time of year when I am having a complete internal struggle. I am completely re-organizing the house, buying school supplies, and taking on projects to get ready for the beginning of the school year, while still trying to soak up every last bit of summer by running through the sprinklers.

 

It is a very confusing time, but I look at it this way: You cannot get that awesome smiley tight hug from your kids coming off the bus at the end of the school day because they missed you so much, unless you send them off in the first place.

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Hi Honey, We’re Home!

The saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation,” most definitely was created by a parent. I would be willing to bet it was more specifically coined by a parent who had just taken a road trip. While I could use a good nap and a foot massage from all the walking we did, I have to say I am already looking forward to another family vacation, but not for the reasons you may think.

We drove to Washington D.C. with a stopover in Columbus, Ohio as it is about halfway. Breaking up the drive into two days was perfect for the little ones and for us parents too. Also, there were some tips and tricks I learned along the way that really helped keep everyone happy on such a long car ride. I will share all our tips and tricks (like headphones) in an upcoming post.
Once we were in the D.C. area we stayed in Bethesda, MD and were easily able to navigate our way around the area using DC’s public transit, The Metro. Also, with a little help from some locals and our GPS systems on our phones we managed to see some amazing sites.
On our first day in DC we headed out to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum near the Dulles Airport. Washington D.C. has two air and space museums, one is in the downtown area, and then there is the one near the Dulles Airport. Brian and I had seen the one downtown when we were younger, and had done a little research about them both ahead of time, and after reading about all the planes, the control tower, and that the space shuttle, Discovery, was there, we decided the kids might have more to see here.
On our second day, we took the Metro to The National Zoo. We love visiting the zoo in our own hometown and are frequent visitors, so we were excited to see a new one in a new city. The kids were thrilled to see the Pandas. Our favorite animals to see the new lion cubs, and the otters.
On our third day, we packed in a lot of sightseeing, but we were able to do it easily via a bus tour of Washington D.C. The kids were able to take in all of the sights and learn so much.
Day four we headed to Baltimore for a tour of Oriole Park and Camden Yards, a stop at Charm City Cakes (for me), and to take a picture of Pimlico Racecourse where the Preakness is run (my kids have a thing for horses).
While we are glad to be home, the memories made on this trip are going to last us all a lifetime. Watching the kids so filled with wonder and awe the entire trip was, as a parent, amazing to see. Yes, I am exhausted and I would love another vacation, but not because I’m tired, because we had so much fun!If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

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Beaded Bracelets and Just Us Girls

When Coco was born I was bleary eyed for most of her babyhood. I’m not going to lie, there was a guilt that washed over me the minute she was born that I didn’t feel with my older boys. I knew I would be chasing those boys around when I got home, stopping occasionally to nurse Caroline. I knew there would be plenty of love to go around, but would there be enough time? After all, Russell was not yet three, George was a baby himself, and we were living with my Mom and looking for our home. Bringing home a newborn is hectic under any circumstances, but bringing home our baby girl was a whirlwind.

It was as if I blinked and she turned ONE.

In the beginning, I was kind of sad that she had missed the cut off for beginning school. At least then she would be in on the fun with the boys. I saw them bonding in preschool and making the same friends and looking on as they were achieving milestones together because they were back to back in school, and I wanted Coco to share in that fun with them. My three stair step kids are all very close in age, but I couldn’t help but feel that the one year gap in school would kind of make Coco feel left out. Not to mention there is a gender difference, boys share a room, and this was just another thing that would just kind of leave her out of the mix. As a youngest child myself, I know that feeling all too well.

It is no fun to be left behind.

 

However, when the boys were at school, I noticed all the little things my girl and I were getting to do together. Just us. We had time to eat breakfast together, run errands, go to the park and make play dates. Just us. It was as if I was getting the chance to spend extra minutes with her that were missed when she was a wee one.

It then occurred to me that I had another lady in the house with me, and I had extra time just with her. So, while the boys are in school, and for the next two years while they are in “big kid” school and she is only attending half day preschool, her and I have plenty of time for fun girly activities. Activities like afternoon tea, painting our nails, playing dollies, and making beaded bracelets.

A few months ago, I found a huge bag of larger beads on sale and I thought they would be fun for stringing. After a few attempts at stringing them with yarn, I realized that for Coco’s age, it was too hard, so we started stringing the beads onto pipe cleaners and making bracelets, necklaces, tiaras, whatever struck our fancy. This is one of those activities that is cheap, age appropriate, and is conducive to girl chat.

 

Sometimes, I know Coco squeezes the boys extra tight in the morning before they leave for school because she misses her playmates, and I cannot help but feel a little sad of her. However, I get out the beads, and I know that I am thankful for this time that we have together.

 





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Spring Fun Bucket List

HAPPY SPRING! I know the official start to spring was over two weeks ago, but to be honest, after the winter we had I was afraid to utter the words for fear I would put some weird jinx on the weather. It hasn’t been incredibly warm yet, but we have been able to enjoy some simple pleasures so far like: we have resumed walking to the bus stop, spend our afternoons after school outside, we have reduced the layers of clothing we wear, and have even enjoyed a little bit of ice cream.

 

With Spring on our brains, we took some advice from my friend Christine at The New Abides who did a new activity and wrote about it every day for a year (yes, 365 days), and created a Spring Bucket List! We each contributed a few things that we wanted to do this Spring, and are hoping to check off while the weather and conditions are perfect for these kinds of activities.

One night at dinner we talked about Springtime holidays and weather, and that helped us come up with our list. I put it together in PicMonkey, and now it is hanging on our Art Wall. Now there is no reason to be bored. We have a list of things to do.

 

For a printable version of the list CLICK HERE!

This isn’t the only bucket list we will be working on this Spring.

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Jammie Days

Sometimes when my kids come struggling out of bed, carrying their lovies, still in their footie jammies and bleary eyed, I can already tell it is going to be a jammie day.

We are a busy family. Between school and activities, church school, and other commitments, our kids are already pretty involved at young ages. While we are scheduled, there are many days where we only leave the house for school. I have tried hard to maintain some sort of balance, and even still there are days I can tell it is going to be a jammie day.

The kids climb in our bed, and it is tight, but Brian and I gladly make room for them to all tuck in under the covers. Sometimes we chat, sometimes we doze back to sleep. The chores, and the errands can wait. I mentalIy start pairing down the “to do” list and Brian does a little work from bed on his phone, because we can both already tell it is going to be a jammie day.

 

“Thank goodness I bought doughnuts, popcorn, and stuff for homemade pizzas.” I whisper to Brian as we pad down the stairs to eat sweet treats and cocoa and prepare for a day of lounging, dozing, Legos, movies, and throwing our dishes in the sink. “I had a feeling it was going to be a jammie day.”

This is one of those spontaneous traditions for which I am so incredibly grateful. It is a day for togetherness, unplugging, and making memories. It is one of those traditions that is timeless, even as our family grows we will always need a day to unwind together. While the they might not be wearing footie jammies for much longer or be carrying their loves around the house, I can tell we will always need a jammie day.

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Working Together: Kid Benches

When Brian or I are working on a household project, the kids definitely have their interest peaked. They want to be involved, and while that is not always possible, we do the best we can creating projects for them.

A few months ago, Brian was working on a home repair and the kids were “helping.” Brian said the idea just came to him. He grabbed a few pieces of wood, and he made benches with the boys. He said it took all of 10 minutes and the boys got to use screw drivers so that that made them very happy.

 

Last week, when I doing a paint project in the garage, we decided it was time for the kids to paint the benches they made with Brian. I just got out some paint smocks, brushes, and poster paints (Note: While they don’t have the best coverage Crayola Poster Paints are kids safe, no odor, and washable.)





This project was great because it used up some scrap wood we had on hand, the kids were able to create something themselves, we were all able to work together and be involved, oh and I had time to finish painting the garbage picked dresser (reveal soon, I promise).

 

Sometimes, people ask how am I able to do these projects when I have three little kids, and I have to say the main reason is because Brian is incredibly supportive, but the other reason is, we try to include the kids with their own projects at the same time.

 

I have even been known to bring out the dreaded Play-Doh when I am working on a craft. That way we are all at the table doing something fun together.

Isn’t that what this is all about anyway? To be together.

 

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Autumn is Near: So Much for the Lazy Days of Summer

I mentioned how busy we were this summer, and while I sometimes dream about laying back and kicking my feet up, I must say this summer has been such an awesome opportunity for my kids to be doing and trying all kinds of new things. I am really grateful that they are able to have these experiences like I did (many moons ago).

I have loved every minute of watching them grow, learn, and develop life long skills. While my kids are just being introduced to these activities, I feel like we have already seen the benefits to being a part of them.

We started the summer with swim lessons. This was my children’s first experience with swim lessons, and I have to say they have taken to the water pretty nicely considering they were all a bit tentative in the beginning.

 

 

Then, my daughter was enrolled in a beginner to ballet class. I was amazed at how not only how my daughter followed directions and danced her little heart out but how all the little dancers in this class hung on the teacher’s every word.

 

Next up, was soccer camp. Watching the boys was amazing. I could not believe how much they had improved from last year, and how they were not nearly as timid with introducing themselves to their camp mates.

 

We also tried a t-ball clinic, which basically taught the kids the rules of the game and some fundamentals like running the bases, fielding, catching, throwing, and hitting.

 

With all of these organized activities, I also tried to make a conscious effort to make time for some other summer fun such as running through the sprinkler, going to a few movies, and hitting the bowling alley.

 

Now that school has started we are glad that used up every bit of summer.

HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR!!!

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