Family Calendar

I have been busy working on some crafts, but it seems like the extra few steps of uploading pictures and writing a post is just too much. Such is my life lately.

For some time now, I have been irritated with our lack of family calendar. I try to sit down with JM on a weekly basis to review, but that doesn't always happen. And there are things I need on his calendar and there are things of his that I need on my calendar. I considered linking our phone calendars, but that was a bit much. I don't care about all his work meetings, and vice versa for him and my meetings. So I decided to go low tech and do a wall calendar. I wanted a white board so we could re-use it. I started out with this. A basic white board from Wal-Mart.

I didn't like the color so I sanded it down and painted it. I tried to skip the sanding, but this thing has serious lacquer coating on it and the paint wouldn't adhere. I only did one coat because I kind of liked the streaky look. Made it look a little old and worn

Next I figured out how I wanted to lay out my calendar. Originally I was going to go with five weeks, but Hubby requested six so we can always see at least two weeks out. That works better for our family. I also knew I wanted some space for a menu. I've also been looking for a menu board idea that I like. I didn't need anything too complicated, but someplace I can write down what meals I'm planning for the week.

After I had it all laid out, I turned to my Silhouette to cut some vinyl. My Silhouette needs a whole post all on it's own. Mostly because I want to gripe about all the issues I have with it. I do really like it. But about every third time I use it, I want to throw it out the window because it doesn't do what I want it to do.

Once I got the vinyl all laid out, I added the tags: Menu, Events, Key. I also decided to add the days of the week at the top too, just to make sure everyone is clear. The key at the bottom is because the calendar is color coded. Each family member gets their own color. Family events are in black. That way it's easy to see at a glance who is doing what. Here is the final result.

I like the way it turned out. It took another few weeks to get it hung on the wall in the kitchen. Now that it's up, I'm hoping we'll actually use it. It's going to take a little getting used to, but it will be better than the nothing we had before. I am already loving the menu portion. Eventually, I'd like the train JM to look there on nights when he has the kids and/or gets home before me. I would love to have him get dinner started. (A girl can dream right?) Here's to family organization!

Winter Wonderland Party

Look who had a birthday!

For Blanche's birthday party, I decided on a Winter Wonderland theme. Which was kind of ironic because it's been so warm with no snow to been seen. My sister-in-law made this fantastic cake. I sent her a few ideas and she made these adorable polar bears around a fire. The trees were incredible.

For dinner, I wanted to do something that kept with the theme, but also was something Blanche likes. It was her birthday after all. This child loves soup. I think it's kind of an unusual thing for a 2-year old to like, but she loves it. I think mostly because she likes to pick up a bowl and drink from it. We had three different soup options: Tomato Basil, Beef Stew, and Clam Chowder.

And since you can't have soup without yummy bread, I made bread sticks to go with it.

We also had a hot chocolate bar and a cheese tray. I made cute signs on my Silhouette. The pretzel "icicles" were a hit!

Here is the whole table scape. I had a lot of fun putting everything together. Blanche got spoiled between Mom and Dad and two sets of grandparents.


 BG spends days before hand cutting out snowflakes. I didn't get great pictures of them, but she had them taped all over the house. It was really cute to see her get excited about her sister's party and want to help. All in all, it was a great party with a fun theme.

Humor Me

You know how every now and then, you just need a good laugh? Here is a list of my favorite websites that deliver. I suggest putting your beverage down now. You're welcome.

• Cake Wrecks: Funny cake, love it.
• Not Always Right: People are the worst!
• Pinterest You Are Drunk: A fairly new one. I hope they keep it up.
• Regretsy: Just because it's homemade, doesn't make it good.
• People of Walmart: You've seen this right?
• Damn You Autocorrect: Funny iPhone fails. This one does have some R rated content.

What are your favorite funny sites?

This and That and the Other Thing

Life is busy. Life is always busy, but I use it as an excuse for not blogging. Even in the last few weeks, we have had a bunch of stuff going on. Just since the year began:

• I took the GRE. Ack! I am currently working on my application for graduate school to get an MPH (Masters of Public Health). I hope to start this fall for the 2 year program. I fully expect my blog to be pretty non-existent during that time. I will continue working while going to school and trying to balance a family and everything else.
• JM has started hiking. He has always liked hiking, but has recently really geared up more for cold weather hikes. He takes the dog and they both enjoy it.
• Blanche turned 2. The time flies by so fast. She is an independent, assertive, little personality. She is a mover and loves to explore. Party pictures to come.
• We are starting to think about 1st grade. Even though BG is only half-way through Kindergarten, we have already received re-enrollment forms. I'm amazed at how early you have to start thinking about the next year.
• We booked a condo for a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth! The kids don't know about it, because I don't need them asking daily if it's time to go to Disneyland. I, however, am pretty excited about it, even though it is a few months off.
• We have a new daycare situation. I was not happy with the place they were at before. Now they are with a neighbor and friend who I trust SO much more. It is so nice to not stress about where they are spending their day and what they are doing/learning etc.
• I started making a family calendar/whiteboard. The frame has been painted, but I need to do the rest. Hopefully soon and I can show that.

Whew. How's your new year been so far. Do I still have any readers out there?

Top 11 of 2011

Have you noticed how all the bloggers are posting their top 11 lists? Top 11 crafts, recipes, funniest moments. Since I am desperate to be part of whatever is going on thought it was a good idea, I thought I would jump on the band wagon.

However, my blogging this year has been pretty sporadic, and not cohesive enough to create a complete list. So, without further adieu, here is my top 11 list of things I c/should have blogged about, but didn't.

11. Christmas
10. Thanksgiving
9. The somber post (still sitting in drafts) about being broken.
8. How cute puppies grow into dogs you hate.
7. Camping
6. Spiritual questions and their journey
5. How Steve Jobs now rules in our house.
4. The side business
3. More crafting adventures
2. Babies
1. The family credo

There. Don't you feel better knowing there is more going on in my life than what the blog shows?

Teacher Gift

Have I mentioned how much I love BG's school teachers? Yes? Well, that's because they are great! I have been really impressed with what she has learned so far this year and am excited to see her progress the rest of the year. I think I'm as excited as she is for their Christmas Program on Wednesday. I wanted to give her teachers something for Christmas that would not only be useful for them, but cute as well. I debated on a gift of home baked goodness, but figured they must get tons of that already.

I asked around on Facebook for teacher ideas as well as Pinterest. There are some really great ones out there that I'm excited to use over the years. Many of the comments on FB followed the theme of either:

1. No candles, body lotions, or smelly products
2. Gift cards are great

I've also heard in the past that apple and teacher themed gifts are way overdone. So even thought I really liked the pencil cup holders and apple shaped candy holders, I resisted. Instead I went the gift card route. Who wouldn't like a Target gift card? Much classier than Wal-Mart, but just as flexible for the receiver. Did you know their gift cards are scratch and sniff? These ones smell like peppermint. MMmmmmmmm, peppermint........

I put the gift card in a Ziploc bag (along with some fudge, I couldn't resist) and made these cute little toppers for the bag. It says "Thanks for keeping my learning on Target!" I made the bulls eye with my Silhouette, but it could easily be done with by hand or with circle punches. I distressed the edge of the largest red circle so it would stand out from the red backing. BG wrote "from BG" on the back.

Pretty simple, cute, and functional teacher gift! What are you giving the teachers in your life for Christmas?

5 Things

Mama Kat is at it again with her Writers Workshop. Here's the prompt I chose this week.
2.) Five Things. List 5 things we don’t know about you, 5 things you’re knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe.

5 Things you don’t know about me:

1. I taught a class at a local university a few years ago and really loved it. I would love to teach full time.
2. I'm not sure I would make a good stay at home mom. It makes me feel like a bad mom that this isn't my goal. 
3. I crave chocolate at 2 pm everyday. 
4. I have terrible posture. I try to sit up straight but find myself hunched over a lot. 
5. I'm an efficiency fiend. Almost to a fault. If I can't multi-task/make something more efficient, I don't want to do it at all. Example: I have something that needs to be taken upstairs. If there is only 1 thing, I won't go. I need multiple items to make my trip worth it.

 5 Things I'm knowledgeable about:

1. Conference planning: I have planned many, many in my career, both big and small. I enjoy all the details of putting it together; mostly I like being in charge. ;)
2. Healthy Lifestyles: I really try to live one and teach my kids about them. I'm not always perfect, but think I do a decent job. I fight for healthy nutrition choices in my kids daycare.
3. Jewelry Making: It's been a while since I've done much with this, but I like making pretty things. I'd love to learn more.
4. Public speaking: I enjoy giving presentations on topics I know well. (Which does NOT translate to speaking/teaching in church)
5. Cooking: I really enjoy creating healthy, yummy food for those around me.

 5 Things I know nothing about:

1. Cell Phones: I have one, I use one, but I'm scared of them. My new iPhone arrived three days ago and I'm waiting for JM to get home from a business trip to set it up for me.
2. Football: Every season, I have to relearn the game to watch them. By the end of the season I can follow a game pretty well, but I lose it all between Jan and Sept.
3. Business: My hubby has started several and I love listening to him talk about what's going on, because it's all new to me.
4. The stock market: It confuses me and makes my head hurt.
5. Single Parenting: After three days of a business trip and I'm desperate for JM to come home. I'm very blessed.

 5 Things I believe:

1. I believe in God, my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, my Saviour.
2. I believe that most people are inherently good and doing the best they can.
3. I believe in choice, that everyone has the right to make their own and live with the consequences.
4. I believe that respect and good communication are critical to the success of a happy marriage.
5. I believe that teachers should be paid more for the incredible work they do.