Resolutions!

Maybe, just maybe if I post my resolutions, I will be more likely to succeed. My youngest will be turning one in March, and I have 30lbs to lose!! Egads!! This is the first baby for me that the weight is not budging...actually thats a bit of a lie. It budged, just in the wrong direction. I somehow gained 10lbs after having her. It hurts my feelings a little bit :(  So like a zillion other people, my goal this year is to lose weight.
I've actually lost 5lbs so far, just by eating breakfast daily. And that was actually resolution #1. Instead of having just the open goal of losing weight, I've broken it down into smaller goals.

MY RESOLUTIONS
1. Eat breakfast everyday. Even if its small, eat something :)
2. No more seconds. I don't need 'em, even if its delicious. I can have it for lunch the next day. No more seconds.
3. Move. Walk, run, ride a bike, yoga...just get moving more!
4. Relax. One bad day is no reason to throw in the week. Each day is its own battle, don't wait for next week to start over.

So thats it. That is my goal this year. And hopefully I'll shed that 30 lbs by summer, just in time to do some wedding dress shopping :D

Ahhh the whirlwindd that is December- plus a printable :)

Yeah...so I haven't posted anything in what feels like a loooooooong time. Life has been BUSY! But that is the whirlwind that is December. Christmas shopping, parties, concerts, regular extra curriculars, plus full time jobs, 3 children, house cleaning, wrapping, and making some of my gifts- OY! Even thinking about that makes me tired. I'd ask for pity, but I have a feeling that everyones life is like that this time of year.
But in the spirit of Christmas I thought I'd share some of our Christmas Eve traditions. After supper, we all sit down by the tree, and get one present to open (its usually marked) and oddly enough, its always brand new pajamas! So we all get our `jammas`on, and then we go outside, and sprinkle Magic Reindeer food all over our lawn, and driveway (more on that later). When we come in, we set out cookies and milk/hot chocolate for Santa, and either apples or carrot sticks for all the reindeer, and my kids sit down, and write a little note to Santa wishing him well on his journey and other little tid bits. Then its the last chocolate from our advent calendar and off to bed.  And if your curious, Santa always replies to my kids letter :)

So for the Magic Reindeer food, here is a free printable to you if you'd like to try this with your kids. I set out 3 bowls, each was filled with oats, sugar, and sprinkles. I gave each child a baby food jar, and had them fill them up with the stuff from the bowls. Then screwed the cap on, cover the lid with a square of jersey, and tied the printable on with some embroidery floss.

Isn't it pretty?

Do any of you have any really fun traditions that happen the night before?

Heeeere's Jack!

I'm sure by this point, you've probably heard of "The Elf on a Shelf", or seen pictures of him. He is EVERYWHERE right now, all over blogs and pinterest (that totally counts as everywhere). Well, I didn't really feel like coughing up the $40ish for the actual one. Plus I wasn't really feeling that elf. Sorry to everyone who loves him...he's alright, just not my type. lol. So I figured I'd give making my own a go, and for my trial elf I am happy that we decided to go that route. I think I may make a couple more before we decide on our elf, but homemade is just better, IMO.
I found a free pattern here, that I adapted slighty to suit my elf. I pointed the hat, and curved the toe of the shoes. It was an AWESOME pattern to work with.

I tried to make bendy arms and legs by adding wire, but it didn't work out super well. It does bend, but its kinda wonky. W/E, not a big deal.

I added some rosy cheeks by rubbing a pink crayon onto the apples of Jacks cheeks. And I totally (not) made his smile crooked on purpose! And I thought I'd even throw an easy little printable out here for those of you who want a little story to go with your Elf (and are also not wanting the Elf on a Shelf kit). I know I am totally ripping off that idea, but I'm choosing to call it inspired by instead. Sounds better :)

Just click on the pic, and you should be able to print or save it. Hopefully. If not, shoot me an email and I can send it to you.

Handmade Holiday

I know everyone has/is doing their own version of a handmade Christmas series, so I have decided not to add to all that with an actual series. Cause who wants to try and compete with all the awesomeness already out there? So instead I am extending the challenge that has already been extended to me...everyone following so far?lol!

My Mom challenged herself, my sister and I to make each others gifts this year. Nothing bought (with the exception of supplies of course). So thats two completely handmade Christmas gifts for me to get working on. One of which needs to be shipped. Before Christmas.

 Challenge extended. Try making at least one persons gift, entirely. It will totally be worth it. And to help, I will share some ideas, recipes and things over the course of the next month and a half or so that I have found, or come up with or whatever.

In the words of the great Martha, " A handmade holiday, its a good thing!"

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in other exciting news (not exciting at all, I lied)

This is my daughters new onesie I made. Its the Dalai Lama's handprint (shes pretty peaceful, its fitting lol). Which she pooped all over the first time she wore it. I mean all over! So I washed it- no stains YAY. And she pooped all over it again the next time.
Its still stain-free but I have questioned whether she gets to wear it again. Maybe I'll just keep creating for the kids who don't poo on my projects!

Eeeeehh, she`ll probably keep getting stuff. She`s lucky shes cute :)

Happy Thought #31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

and thus concludes the 31 days of Happy Thoughts.....

Happy Thought #30

Sorry todays post is a weeee bit late...its been a BUSY BUSY weekend, and I am very quickly popping on to the computer to do this.

Happy Thought #29

So I am stilling having a wee bit of computer issues at the moment and so again this Happy Thought may suck a bit.

What do you call a blind dinosaur???













Idontthinksaurus! HAHA

if that didnt brighten your mood try eating some chocolate or icecream or any comfort food that you prefer.