Arts and Crafts

If I had $1 for every time I Googled or Pinterested (is that a word?) "creative ways to display kids' art" I would have enough money to build an art studio on the back of my house. But since I've been searching furiously for free, I have to make do with my formal dining room. I wanted my daughter to have a nice space to be creative, with lots of handy tools, and the wall space to see her creations proudly displayed. But because this is the first room you see when you walk into my house, I also didn't want it sticking out like a sore (and messy) thumb. I'm happy to report that I think I have...

You may be wondering, "A birthday party whaaa?" I thought the same thing when I saw a blog introducing the concept a couple years ago (I wish I had the link to give due credit!), but it brings celebrating birthdays as a family to a whole new level. And as a birthday-loving family, we have come to embrace it fully. All this took was a quick trip to the Dollar Tree and we had our bucket o' birthday. These are just a few things we have included, and I haven't had to restock yet: We keep it in our kitchen buffet and whip it out the night before to surprise the boys as they wake up or surprise each other. I'm telling...

Happy Valentine's Day! This holiday, while usually associated with flowers and chocolate, doesn't have to be only for adults! Get your kids of any age involved in the fun by making love-inspired crafts, either to give as gifts or to enjoy themselves.  Paper Roll Hearts Great for Homemade Valentine's Day cards or refrigerator art What you'll need: Paper roll Paint, red or pink Cardstock, pink or white Paper plate        1. Push the roll inward to make the top of the heart and pinch the bottom for the point. 2. Spread a layer of paint onto your plate.  3. Dip the roll in the paint and use as a stamp!     *My two and a half year old daughter loved this one! It was easy, had minimal mess and it kept her attention.     You can stamp as much or...

The hubs and I were married nearly 11 years ago in 2006, and we had an engagement period of about 7 months. We're in the South y'all, and you know we love our PARTIES. My side of the family in particular will find any reason to throw a festivity. My sister's in town? PARTY. That family friend of ours we haven't seen in over 10 years, but bless her heart she recently acquired a kitten that was a rescue?! PARTY (okay maybe that last one is stretching it). This baffles my husband ... why all the pomp and circumstance? Like any good man, he's learned to just roll with it.  But back to our engagement period -- the blessed event...

Remember when you were a kid and had to do some crafty, themed homework assignment? I vividly remember having to create a sock puppet for my kindergarten graduation ceremony and even a family crest in the fifth grade (both of which turned out terribly because evidently my hatred for crafting goes waaaay back). You know what I don't remember? My mom overseeing each step of the process, helping me make creative decisions, or even completely taking over the assignment for fear that my five-year-old, amateur craftsmanship might reflect poorly on her parenting in some way. Y'all. When did that become a thing? I get it, I do. Elementary schools seem to have a theme-based, cutesy-crafty activity pretty much every week. But...