Our girls love to help wash the cars, so for Father’s Day I thought Mark would like to have a special car wash kit to have on-hand to keep all his supplies together in one spot! This way he won’t be wasting time trying to find all the supplies that are “somewhere out there in […]
Around the Web — Cardboard Vehicles
June 11, 2011 by
Cardboard is one of our all-time favorite crafting materials because it’s super-cheap (if not free), and can be made into all sorts of amazing toys or play spaces for kids (or those of us who are kids-at-heart). Here are a few inspiring ideas from around the web to try for some great frugal imaginative travel […]
Our New Creative Space!!
June 8, 2011 by
Mark has been very hard at work recently — for our wedding anniversary, he transformed what used to be our dining room into a wonderful creative space for me and the girls. He installed all new flooring, lighting, and a pegboard wall — all budget-friendly!! This could win him Husband of the Year Award! I […]
Summer Fun — Let’s Build a Road!
June 6, 2011 by
As a kid, I remember using my dad’s electrical tape to make elaborate playscapes for my younger brother in my parents’ basement. There was a small-scale basketball court, a soccer field, and plenty of race tracks that were made over & over again — good times!! This afternoon, Clara and I built our own roads […]
How to Seduce a Man Using Bacon
June 2, 2011 by
Ten years ago today, I shamelessly seduced my husband Mark and tricked him into marrying me. Here’s how I did it using items I already had on-hand (super-frugal) in my tiny dorm room in college. Step 1: Cook bacon. Don’t let the man of your dreams get away. Be sure to keep a never-ending supply […]
Wordless Wednesday — Sprinklers!!
June 1, 2011 by
They say that money can’t buy you happiness, but for $4.99 it will buy you a sprinkler at Target — and that’s almost the same thing. Lots of good (clean) FUN!!
Inspired Picnic Spaces from Around the Web
June 1, 2011 by
We’ve been on a bit of a picnic kick lately, and I wanted to share some inspiring picnic ideas from around the web. So grab your favorite picnic blanket, pack up some tasty food, and enjoy some time outdoors!! Better Homes and Gardens has a great article featuring ideas for budget-friendly outdoor spaces. I love […]
Our Favorite Picnic Games
May 30, 2011 by
Know what’s LOTS of fun?? Grabbing the kiddos, packing up some lunches (or better yet, breakfasts), and whisking them away for an impromptu picnic!!! Whether you go to a local park, or just enjoy the time in your own backyard, here are some of our favorite picnic games to make things even more fun! […]
Things That Made Me Smile Today
May 26, 2011 by
1. Commissioning Emily to paint a “masterpiece” for our kitchen, and watching her joyfully paint a large canvas! 2. Playing dress up with Clara, and then…. 3. Taking her out for ice cream (a rare treat) made even more fun in her princess dress up clothes! Oh, the smiles she received from other […]
Thrift Store Find!!
May 20, 2011 by
I still can’t get over this amazing thrift store find — a kids wooden & metal table and chair set!! It’s super sturdy and perfect for the girls’ artwork, homework, pretend tea parties, or just eating an afternoon snack! And look! There’s room for two of their friends!! **glee** Wanna come play with us?? Yay for […]
Let’s Build a Flower Shop!
May 19, 2011 by
Tucked away in the corner of our living room, you’ll find a bit of sunshine no matter what the weather might be like outside. The girls are still really enjoying this cardboard play house we built using our Makedo kits awhile back, and I thought it would be fun to turn it into a colorful […]
Father’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make
May 16, 2011 by
Want to get a head start on some Father’s Day gifts?? We’ll be posting lots more gift ideas for Dad in the days ahead, but here are some fun projects from our archives that the kids can make to give to Dad on his special day. Get out some old Legos and let the kids […]
10 Sanity-Saving Activities for Quiet Time
May 15, 2011 by
Every kid needs a bit of down time during the day, and so do most moms. Whether you have younger children who nap, or you need a few minutes of quiet to make a phone call, quiet time can be a BIG asset! Here are ten of our all-time favorite activities for that sacred time […]
Mandatory Picnic
May 12, 2011 by
We’ve been blessed with beautiful weather lately! You know, the kind of weather when it feels like a crime to be spending any amount of time indoors?? Yeah, that kind. As I was just about to do my usual boring reheat the leftovers from last night’s dinner for lunch thing, I looked at Clara and […]
Sunday Snapshot — Rock Star Gardening!
May 7, 2011 by
Know what makes working in the garden seem like a lot more fun?? Cranking up the radio and gardening rock-star style!! Also?? I play a mean air guitar with a shovel! 😉 Wishing all the mommies a very Happy Mother’s Day!!
Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts Galore
May 6, 2011 by
Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift that won’t break the bank?? Here are some fun projects the kiddos can make just in time for Sunday! If Mom enjoys tea 1. She must have awesome taste because everyone knows tea is supreme!! and 2. Invite the kids to make up a quick batch of heart […]
Garden Photos That Make Me Smile
May 3, 2011 by
The whole family has been hard at work on our garden — here’s a little update with things we were happy to see!! We get excited when we find tiny sprouts of lettuce starting to appear! Aren’t they sooooo cute??? And look — potatoes starting to sprout!! Yay!!! There’s always work to be done, but […]
Sweepin’ the Clouds Away
May 1, 2011 by
We were invited to Sesame Place for Opening Day! Here are some pictures that make me smile…. The look on Clara’s face when she watched the new Street Party Parade from Mark’s shoulders. Dancers in colorful tutus along side Zoe!! A NEW face to Sesame Place…. Murray! Super Grover!!!! Parents turned into kids again….. And […]
