The Sweeter Side of Valentines
By Krista Clinton
Saturday is Valentine’s Day. In our house that means it is time to pull out all of the pink and red whatevers, put on our cute little heart shirts and make some crafts, and more important, make some memories.
My husband believes Valentine’s Day is just another day made up by the chocolate companies to make more money. I happen to think that Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to teach our kids what love is and show them how just a small token can brighten up someone’s day and that lesson can be utilized any day of the year.
I really enjoy making Valentine’s cards with the children to give to their classmates. I know there are a million picks at any store but it’s just too easy to buy them, write your name on them and then forget what you even gave two weeks later. How much more fun to sit around with a bunch of craft supplies and make an afternoon of memories with your children.
This year my youngest has picked play dough for his friends. It’s so simple and inexpensive to make. You can find a recipe on the Internet. We will tint it red or pink, roll it into a fist-sized ball and put it into some heart covered plastic bags. What fun for his friends and even more fun for mommy and son to be working together, cooking, cutting and playing all afternoon.
My middle child loves word puns and is learning all about reading and writing in kindergarten this year. We decided we would buy a Valentine’s pencil for all of his friends at school. We will also cut up some red and pink construction paper and write “You’re All Write” on them and attach them to the pencils. Of course, there will be plenty of stickers and glitter to “spice” up the construction paper. So much fun getting to use our scissors and practice our writing!
My 9-year old has chosen a fun captured heart project. We will get some heart shaped chocolates and then we will cut a heart the same size out of pink and red construction paper. We will write a note such as “You’ve captured my heart” on each heart. Then we will take some wire and shape it into a heart, put the paper note with the chocolate on top inside of the wire heart and then use the wire to wrap around and capture the heart inside. We will then attach pink or red ribbon and make necklaces and bracelets out of them and use the captured heart as the pendant. This project is a bit more complex but I can’t wait to see the joy on my daughter’s face when she sees that she can accomplish something so difficult and make it look so pretty.
I’m looking forward to all of the fun that will be had while making our “lovely” creations. And I’m quite certain, beautiful or not, the kids will enjoy making their creations, feel proud of their accomplishments and enjoy lots of laughs...I’ll post the pictures on the blog to prove it!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Grocery Game
Oh my gosh! I have never loved grocery shopping so much in my life! I am the first one up on Sunday morning so I can run downstairs and get the paper and then log onto www.thegrocerygame.com and let the savings begin!
Today I bought $268.90 in groceries and only paid $143.03!! That's crazy nuts! I'm getting things so cheap that I'm buying lots and stockpiling them to have for the future. Pretty soon I'll only have to buy meat, produce and dairy. It's fantastically ridiculous!
If you want to try it out you can do a 4 week trial for only $1. If you do, make sure you put my email as the referral kristaclinton@hotmail.com so I can get some more weeks for free.
I promise that you will love grocery shopping like never before!
Today I bought $268.90 in groceries and only paid $143.03!! That's crazy nuts! I'm getting things so cheap that I'm buying lots and stockpiling them to have for the future. Pretty soon I'll only have to buy meat, produce and dairy. It's fantastically ridiculous!
If you want to try it out you can do a 4 week trial for only $1. If you do, make sure you put my email as the referral kristaclinton@hotmail.com so I can get some more weeks for free.
I promise that you will love grocery shopping like never before!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Valentine's Crafts Galore!
All three children have Valentine's Day parties coming up on Thursday and so today was the day to get the Valentines made. And what crazy fun we had!
Kaylee made the neatest little gift for her friends. We have only done some of hers since they are the most time consuming, but they are also really great for her age. We found the idea at www.familyfun.com . I believe it is called Captive Heart. It's a 20 gauge wire formed into a heart. Put a heart shaped chocolate, with a heart shaped note on the back, inside and then use 32 gauge wire to capture the heart inside. We then attached ribbons to them. Kayee was able to make the big heart herself and attach the ribbon...I got to do the capturing. It's really quite fun and so very pretty.
For once could she stop hating taking pictures??!!
Here is one close up...sans the grumpy girl!
This year we celebrated James' journey through Kindergarten by making pencil flags for his friends. It was great work for James because he had to cut out each of the flags and write his name on the back of each message (I wrote "You're All Write" on the flags for him). He also got to have fun and make a fantastic mess by using glitter and stickers.
Kaylee made the neatest little gift for her friends. We have only done some of hers since they are the most time consuming, but they are also really great for her age. We found the idea at www.familyfun.com . I believe it is called Captive Heart. It's a 20 gauge wire formed into a heart. Put a heart shaped chocolate, with a heart shaped note on the back, inside and then use 32 gauge wire to capture the heart inside. We then attached ribbons to them. Kayee was able to make the big heart herself and attach the ribbon...I got to do the capturing. It's really quite fun and so very pretty.
For once could she stop hating taking pictures??!!
Here is one close up...sans the grumpy girl!
This year we celebrated James' journey through Kindergarten by making pencil flags for his friends. It was great work for James because he had to cut out each of the flags and write his name on the back of each message (I wrote "You're All Write" on the flags for him). He also got to have fun and make a fantastic mess by using glitter and stickers.
Here he is enjoying the glitter....
This is a dark picture but the boys were really enjoying their projects.
James' final product...so very cute!
Jagger was a very big boy and helped me make play dough for all of his friends. It was great fun getting to measure and mix all of the ingredients in the saucepan. It was also the first time he got to use the stove and he did very well holding the handle with one hand and stirring the thickening mess with the other hand.
This is a dark picture but the boys were really enjoying their projects.
James' final product...so very cute!
Jagger was a very big boy and helped me make play dough for all of his friends. It was great fun getting to measure and mix all of the ingredients in the saucepan. It was also the first time he got to use the stove and he did very well holding the handle with one hand and stirring the thickening mess with the other hand.
I have to say, this is some serious chef work going on here!
And what fun would making play dough be if you couldn't test it out before you wrapped it up?!
The paper, wire, scissor mess....
And you know the glitter that James was enjoying...it's been banned from my house! I don't know how well you can see this but when I enlarge it on my computer it makes me cringe! (That big red thing in the middle is dropped play dough.)
The kids enjoyed every minute of our craft-making Saturday. And even though it was a lot to clean up...it was so much more fun than just writing our names on a box of candy.
And what fun would making play dough be if you couldn't test it out before you wrapped it up?!
Now for all of you that I've inspired to get out the craft junk with your kids and have a fabulous time...stop reading now!
For those of us that do this often and know what is to come, enjoy the pictures at my expense!
A girlfriend and I were talking about nannies one day. She said that she wouldn't want one except for potty training. She hates the chore and she wants a "Potty Nanny!" I disagreed and said that I would like a "Clean Up Nanny." I don't want to miss the fun of the crafty activities with my children...but I sure hate the cleanup afterwards!
The disgusting play dough mess...and yes, it's still soaking in my sink!
The paper, wire, scissor mess....
And you know the glitter that James was enjoying...it's been banned from my house! I don't know how well you can see this but when I enlarge it on my computer it makes me cringe! (That big red thing in the middle is dropped play dough.)
The kids enjoyed every minute of our craft-making Saturday. And even though it was a lot to clean up...it was so much more fun than just writing our names on a box of candy.
James is a Dancing Machine
Last night James and Kaylee's school held a Snowflake Ball. It was a dance from 6-8 and all parents were invited...children were not allowed to be dropped off alone since it's an elementary school. So, our little family got all dressed up and off we went to the Ball.
I was expecting Kaylee to be the only one to really enjoy it. She, and her girlfriends, had been talking about who they wanted to dance with and they had been very particular about they way they looked while getting ready. Of course my shy little girl just sort of "hung out" at the Ball. There is no dancing to be had for a nine year old girl! She did spend most of her night completely and totally embarrassed by her parent's dancing skills. Her look in this picture says it all!
Jagger is very much like his sister. He absolutely would not dance....until the last ten minutes! He much preferred to be held and walked around by daddy. These shy children of mine!!
Now...for the reason of this post...my James is a Dancing King! He immediately asked me to dance when we arrived and pulled me into the middle of the floor. And then he quickly moved on to some much prettier girls...let's count them.We'll count me as one.
Two..and this was his favorite dancing partner. He twirled her around the floor like a party animal! At one point he was dancing with her and had three girls in line to dance with him next. My little stud!
Three...
Four....
Five....
Six...and this is number two's mom!! She made him jump high and even flipped him. He was very impressed with her skills!! haha
Six little ladies for my James! What a little charmer he is!!
What a wonderful night for the children. I was totally amazed at their different little personalities and so thrilled to see my James in his element. I can't wait for next year's Ball!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Obama's Stimulus Package
I'm not a political person and I love Obama from what I've seen of him. But....this just really makes me angry!
According to the bill, which the Democratic-controlled House passed despite unanimous Republican opposition, funds are prohibited from being used for the "modernization, renovation, or repair" of facilities that allow "sectarian instruction, religious worship or a school or department of divinity."
What this means is that any school that has a group that meets for any kind of religious function or group would not qualify for the stimulus.
Could someone please tell me what the point of this inclusion is other than to just totally anger Christians???
Here is a link to the full article
http://sn102w.snt102.mail.live.com/mail/TodayLight.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0&n=1331057141
According to the bill, which the Democratic-controlled House passed despite unanimous Republican opposition, funds are prohibited from being used for the "modernization, renovation, or repair" of facilities that allow "sectarian instruction, religious worship or a school or department of divinity."
What this means is that any school that has a group that meets for any kind of religious function or group would not qualify for the stimulus.
Could someone please tell me what the point of this inclusion is other than to just totally anger Christians???
Here is a link to the full article
http://sn102w.snt102.mail.live.com/mail/TodayLight.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0&n=1331057141
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Eating Out Takes on a Whole New Meaning
Jimmy received a small bonus yesterday and we decided to go wild and take the kids out to dinner. Yipppeeee!! We were so wild we went to Applebee's since it was Wednesday so the kids could eat for only 99cents...oh ya...there's no stopping us now!
Well, I have to tell you...it was not an extremely fun time. The company was great...but I get that every night for free in my own home. The food was okay...I ordered the steak and I think my hubby's steaks taste way better (and they cost half as much!). I think that if we are going to make a big deal of going out then we really need to go somewhere that will make it worth our while. Applebee's is okay but I can cook all of that food at home. I need to go out for seafood or somewhere that I can see a show while I'm eating....really make it a grand night.
The biggest issue we had was the cost. Since we are so money conscious right now with all of my new resolutions, it was hard to enjoy being frivolous. First of all, the bill came to $30 which isn't bad but I got $140 worth of groceries on Sunday and only paid $65...so that $30 is the equivalent of a half week's worth of groceries!
While scanning the bill we realized that Jim's ice tea cost us $2.40. Are you kidding me??!! I just bought 80 teabags for $2.48 this weekend....80 teabags!! for the same price as his one ice tea!! Crazy!
My $9.99 7oz steak dinner was loaded with little costs. I did upgrade to add shrimp and parmesan which cost me $1.99. I asked the waitress for a baked potato for my side and was shocked to find out that I was charged .99cents to get it loaded (I thought that was standard as a side dish). Then I also ordered a side caesar salad which was $2.50. So...my ten dollar dinner really was a fifteen dollar dinner to get it how I wanted it. My choice, I understand, but it adds up so quickly!
The Oreo shake that was offered to the children was $1.99 each. I told the kids no...which is crazy because I ALWAYS let my kids eat dessert at the restaurant. I explained to them that the $6 it would cost me to buy the three shakes could pay for a whole pint of Cookies and Cream ice cream which they could eat for three or four nights.
Maybe this whole money saving thing is going too far...I'm starting to become cynical! Oh well...I'll just go drown my tears in all the money I'm going to save....by never eating out again!!
Well, I have to tell you...it was not an extremely fun time. The company was great...but I get that every night for free in my own home. The food was okay...I ordered the steak and I think my hubby's steaks taste way better (and they cost half as much!). I think that if we are going to make a big deal of going out then we really need to go somewhere that will make it worth our while. Applebee's is okay but I can cook all of that food at home. I need to go out for seafood or somewhere that I can see a show while I'm eating....really make it a grand night.
The biggest issue we had was the cost. Since we are so money conscious right now with all of my new resolutions, it was hard to enjoy being frivolous. First of all, the bill came to $30 which isn't bad but I got $140 worth of groceries on Sunday and only paid $65...so that $30 is the equivalent of a half week's worth of groceries!
While scanning the bill we realized that Jim's ice tea cost us $2.40. Are you kidding me??!! I just bought 80 teabags for $2.48 this weekend....80 teabags!! for the same price as his one ice tea!! Crazy!
My $9.99 7oz steak dinner was loaded with little costs. I did upgrade to add shrimp and parmesan which cost me $1.99. I asked the waitress for a baked potato for my side and was shocked to find out that I was charged .99cents to get it loaded (I thought that was standard as a side dish). Then I also ordered a side caesar salad which was $2.50. So...my ten dollar dinner really was a fifteen dollar dinner to get it how I wanted it. My choice, I understand, but it adds up so quickly!
The Oreo shake that was offered to the children was $1.99 each. I told the kids no...which is crazy because I ALWAYS let my kids eat dessert at the restaurant. I explained to them that the $6 it would cost me to buy the three shakes could pay for a whole pint of Cookies and Cream ice cream which they could eat for three or four nights.
Maybe this whole money saving thing is going too far...I'm starting to become cynical! Oh well...I'll just go drown my tears in all the money I'm going to save....by never eating out again!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I Need Help
Hello all my favorite blog readers!
I have been asked to do a craft with my third grader's class at the Valentine's Day Party next week. I love crafts and have done internet searches but would love to hear suggestions from you!
Thanks in advance for sharing all of your favorite ideas that you've done with your children and your classrooms over the years!
Krista
I have been asked to do a craft with my third grader's class at the Valentine's Day Party next week. I love crafts and have done internet searches but would love to hear suggestions from you!
Thanks in advance for sharing all of your favorite ideas that you've done with your children and your classrooms over the years!
Krista
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