Arts and Crafts

A few years ago, I decided to jump on the Elf on the Shelf  (in our house Jake) bandwagon, and I have never looked back. The original concept of the Elf watching the kids and reporting to Santa was definitely a draw, but this is a common misconception because the scout elf in the book also encourages good deeds. Regardless of telling good or bad deeds, I was sold on being an Elf family once I saw my kids' reactions to their very own Elf.  I admit that there have been times when I cursed the whole thing as I was walking to bed and remembered that Jake forgot to move that day, but overall I have been pleased with my decision to be pro-Elf. I'll...

For the past few years, our church has encouraged us to reach more into our imagination and less into our pocketbooks and give Christmas gifts that speak thoughtfulness and intention rather than throwing items into a cart last minute, wrapping them, and calling it a day. The notion of taking ourselves out of the spending machine that is what Christmas has become took a couple years for us to adjust, but I'm thankful to have the perspective shift. Now I really enjoy trying to think of unique and meaningful gifts to give people we love. If this sounds like something you would like to give a try, here are a few ideas for some specific people in your life. Spouse--A framed...

Like most of you, I'm a mom on the go.  I've always seen my super crafty momma friends posting all these fun and cute holiday treats that they made with their kids.  I was determined that I was going to give my kids that lasting memory too, by George!  So a few years ago, I decided that for each holiday I'd do at least one holiday treat that we could all make and eat together!  This year, I got a little ahead of myself and did three! Eek!  They are so simple, quick, and fun to do with your kiddos' help! 1.  Pretzel Pumpkins Ingredients: Bag of salted mini pretzels green decorator's icing (or bag of m&m's, you'll only need the green ones) 1 bag of...

I am not crafty.  My degree is in Finance and Insurance (read: boring stuff). I don't do creative. So when I told my husband I was going to restore an old kids' table I found on Craigslist, he probably wondered what I had been mixing with my lemonade. Luckily, it was fairly quick and painless, and I'm probably way too proud of myself.  Here is a step by step of my toddler table transformation: 1. Buy super awesome Care Bears table on Craigslist for $20.  I'd been looking for a little table for Etta Mae for awhile, and I couldn't pass this one up.  To be honest, I was a little partial to the Care Bears (Etta Mae kept talking...

Confession:  I'm a photographer, with very little photos of my own family.  Ya know, kind of like the road construction company with the owner's driveway the worst in town? I am that girl.  Too busy with clients and work to even want to take my camera out with my own family.  The sight of it makes me cringe....it's work to me and who wants to work on their downtime?!  After realizing about a year ago that I'd totally neglected capturing those special moments of my own, the ones that I'd hold closest to my heart I decided that I was going to be proactive.  With a major case of guilt because I had missed out on what seemed like an...