Abraham has been up since 5:30 am because today is trick or treat day...ugh!! Anyway, I just wanted to share a few pumpkin carving moments...
Abbey absolutely loved the pumpkin guts...oh what fun she had!
This was Abraham's response to the pumpkin goo...LOL...He's such a boy!
Here they are with there personally designed Jack-O-Lanterns!
We hope that you all have a safe and fun Halloween!
Happy Creating and God Bless!
J@
When we bought our home it came with a flag & pole. The flag was pretty beat up so Frank disposed of it properly by holding a private burning ceremony. Here is a little more information on disposal of the American flag:
The U.S. Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferable by burning." After your flag has been burned, the ashes should be buried. If you cannot burn and bury the flag yourself, then there are several organizations that will retire your flag in a proper and respectful ceremony. Among them are:
VFW @ vfw.org
American Legion @ legion.org
Boy Scouts of America @ scouting.org
Girl Scouts of America @ girlscouts.org
Marine Corps League @ mcleague.com
Contact one of the organizations above and they will be able to direct you to a local post, troop or location near you.
Though I didn't get picture of the disposal of our flag I did snap a few of the kids helping Frank put a new one up.
Holding the flag is serious business...I love how all three have the same expression.
This one's my favorite...
Admiring the stars and stripes....
Last but not least...this is the second card I created for the Papertrey round 5 swap.
Have a beautiful weekend! God Bless!
Happy Creating!
This month the Ladies Giving Ministry at my church are packing shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. I thought this would be a great activity to get my kiddos involved in the spirit of giving. So, last week we went on a little shopping spree. There was some grumbling while we looked for underwear and socks (some of the suggested items) but once we got to the toy section there was no stopping them.
Here they are packing the shoe boxes. One cool thing about this process is we are going to be able to track the boxes we sent out. I think it'll be fun for the kids to see where their boxes end up.
If you would like more information about this project you can visit Samaritan's Purse. There is also this cute Veggie Tale clip to inspire the young ones.
One last thing... Here is the card I created for one of my spots in the Papertrey round 5 swap.
Have a blessed day! Happy Creating!
J@
Hello Everyone! I know I've been MIA for awhile now. It's not that I don't have anything to share...actually finding time to post keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the to do list. Anyway, Abraham and Abbey have both found activities they love! So, as a proud Mommy should I'm going to share some photos.
Abbey started dance classes a month ago. She looks forward to her weekly visit to Ms. Laural's Dance Studio. I often here "Is it Tuesday yet?"...."Is this a Tuesday?"
First position....
I love that she has a very small class. I think it gives all the girls lots of attention from the teacher.
Abraham started swimming lessons a few weeks ago. He really wanted to join a swim team but he is happy with his "swimming lesson team". Perhaps next year he'll be ready to do laps.
He really is good at swimming on his own...with his own style. The lessons are just giving him some form to it all.
Hope you all are filled with many blessings!
Happy Creating!
J@
This was a quick and cute project our family created together. I painted a foam half sphere brown and printed off the turkey parts from here.
I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
J@
Morning everyone! I have been away for a few days due to a sever cold and trying to keep up with the kiddos. I'm still not feeling 100%. Hopefully I'll be back to crafting soon. In the meantime here are a few projects the kids have created. These ideas came from the October issue of Family Fun.
Pumpkin Bats:
Apple Heads:
Unfortunately we had to throw out our apple heads. They started attracting bugs...yuck! I'm sure there must be away to preserve these. I read on one site that they keep theirs year after year. Maybe if we cored them first??? We will have to try again.
Hope you all are enjoying a beautiful fall! Happy Creating!
J@
I was just going to show you all some picture of my beautiful daughter in a dress my mom made her and leave it at that. Then I decided to give you the story behind the pictures....
My sweet Abbey has a style all her own and I love that about her!
Here is an example:
I let her embrace her creative style almost daily. That being said the other day I turned into the the evil mommy and made her wear a dress. It was a handmade gift from her Grandma. I just wanted one picture to send as a thank you...just one! You see during the making of the dress Abbey decided she didn't want anything to do with dress, skirts, lace or even the slightest ruffle on a sleeve (she calls them spikes). Now there were a few tears and some "you are not nice mommy!" But she did put it on.
Now, this goes against everything I know is right about parenting...but I will let you decide if this looks like a tortured girl.
Her big brother told her she looked like a princess. Abbey's reply "Don't talk about my dress!"
Hula hooping with a puppy in one hand and a baby doll in the other...now that's talent!
Okay, one more....
Grandma even made baby doll a matching dress! Thanks Grandma!
I know I'm evil mommy through and through. She did end up wanting to leave the dress on all day. She likes the yellow and the pretty flowers. The deal breaker of course was how it spun around.
Happy Creating!
J@
30/30 challenge...2 more days!
My 30 day challenge is coming to an end. I'm not having any trouble with the no spending part but I'm behind on the projects. I do hope that in the next day or two I'll have the two mini albums I'm working on complete. Until then here is another kid inspired project.
On a trip to the library we came home with not one but three versions of the Gingerbread Man (okay two and a stinky cheese man). So, my son wanted to make gingerbread cookies.
Roll the dough....
Taste the dough....
Mommy bakes the cookies....
The best part (besides eating them) is decorating!
Last year I bought a Pampered Chef gingerbread house mold on e-bay. This was a great time to give it a try. It worked like a dream. No sticking or breaking. Such a deal at $8!
Hope you all are enjoying your week! Happy Creating!
J@
Today the kids and I made some fresh play dough. I've tried many recipes during my teaching days and this is one that I tweaked a little. It's soft,smooth (no gritty salt feel) and last beyond anything you buy in the store. Plus, we add Kool-aid so it smells yummy!
Here's my recipe:
You will need:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 (heaping) tablespoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package unsweetened Kool-aid
Combine all ingredients in a non-stick saucepan. Heat (med/high), stirring often. When the dough has a good consistency take it off the heat and allow to cool. Store in ziploc or plastic container.
Enjoy your weekend! Happy creating!
J@
Challenge day 23 (I think I've lost count somewhere):
After dinner the kids discovered that their little tomato plant has produced some ripe yumminess. They were so excited!
Being a little absent minded this morning I forgot it was the kids last day of part day preschool. My son starts Pre-K at the elementary school and my daughter will be staying home helping Mommy. So, I quickly put together these little holders and ran to the store for some chocolate and flowers.
Product detail: Stampin up Wild Wasabi, Grovey Guava, Kraft cardstock and purely pomegranate ink. Papertrey Simple little things and white cardstock.
Happy Creating!
J@
