Jesse's Girl

12 Days of Christmas Blogger Exchange

2012-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

I know I said I'm not blogging, but I did start the 12 Days of Christmas blogger exchange, so I feel like I need to see it through.

For those of you participating, you will open your first gift TODAY and one gift each day until Christmas. Then sometime between December 26 and December 31, link up a post on the linky here spotlighting your new blog friend and what she gave you.

You can follow along via twitter and/or instagram with #12daysbloggerxmas.

Have fun everyone! And Happy Holidays!

Blog Hiatus

2012-12-06T12:34:00.001-08:00

Hello friends, family, and followers!

I just wanted to write a quick note letting everyone know that I'm taking a 2-3 month blog break. This was a really tough decision for me {I love blogging and I don't want to be apart from it!} That being said, I have a lot of personal stuff going on right now and I feel that blogging needs to be put on the back burner for now.

I will probably be lacking a presence on twitter and Facebook as well (though for those of you that know me in person, I will still be on my personal Facebook account, just not my Jesse's Girl Facebook page).

I will still post here and there on Instagram, I'm sure, because I won't stop taking pictures of my little man and our crazy life. So if you want to keep up with us, feel free to follow along on Instagram. Our username is @jessesgirlblog. We'd love to have you there! And I will try to check my blog email every few days, so if you have a question or need something, feel free to email me.

Just to clarify, the blog isn't closing. It will still be here if you need to look up a post or something, I just won't be posting new material for a while.

Thanks for being such amazing supportive readers! I'll miss you and see you in a few months!

Christmas Advent Calendars

2012-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

This year we have three different advent calendars. Yes, you read that right. THREE. We {love} Christmastime and want December to be a month of fun, a month of giving, a month of tradition, and a month of memories. Now that Ryan is two, we are starting in on all the fun!

Our first advent calendar is our book calendar.

Each night before bed, Ryan grabs a present, opens it, yells "book!", then we read it together. It's so much fun! Each book is about Christmas or winter. We had about 4 Christmas books to start with, so I knew I needed 19 more. I started gathering them about a month ago from garage sales, thrift stores, and used book stores. Of course there were a few classics we needed that I bought new from Amazon (The Polar Express, to name one). Then I wrapped them all up and used Christmas colored washi tape to attach these numbers from Living Locurto. I stuck them all in a cute Christmas box I bought at Hobby Lobby for 50% off!

Our next advent is our scripture advent.

Inside each chevron bag is a printed out scripture from this 25 Days of Scripture list. I also stuck a mini Kit Kat in each bag for Ryan. This advent I bought off of Groopdealz earlier this year. Super easy to put together and so cute!

Finally, our last advent is our activity advent.

I ordered some silver jewelry boxes off Amazon and printed the numbers from Oh Happy Day.

I found cute holiday countdown printables from iheartorganizing and used those to list our activities. We do one a day.

Our list includes:

Watch a Christmas movie

Watch Christmas devotional

Pick out a Christmas tree

Make gingerbread houses

Decorate tree

Do a Christmas craft

Go see the Zoolights

Watch a Christmas movie, sleepover style

Have a Christmas music pajama dance party by the tree

Buy an angel tree gift or another service project

Go see Santa

Go elfing

Throw a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party for Ry and friends

Visit Temple Lights and Organ Stop

Ward Christmas Party

Make Christmas deliveries

Go look at Christmas lights

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Day

Make Christmas Cookies

Fun Christmas breakfast for dinner & movie

Play in snow

Ride the Polar Express

Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus & act out the Nativity

Breakfast with cousins

What do you do for Christmas?

November Recap

2012-11-29T13:14:00.002-08:00

Here's what happened on Jesse's Girl in November:

Current Pinterest Faves

Birthday Memory Subway Art

Thanksgiving Decor Roundup

Car Activity Box

An Important Lesson

Giveaway worth over $80

Celebration of World Kindness Day

More Current Pinterest Faves

Introduction of Tyler Ward {one of my fave musicians!}

List of Blessings

Ramblings of a Southern Belle Introduction and Giveaway

November Sponsors Feature

Family Memory Game

Elf on the Shelf Welcome Breakfast

Guest Post on Truly Lovely

See you all next month!

Elf on the Shelf Welcome Breakfast

2012-11-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Our elf flew into town on Friday night after Ryan went to bed. He filled me in on his job, the fact that if Ry touches him he will lose his magic, and expressed his desire to meet Ryan at a special breakfast the next morning. I obliged.

We had snow covered donuts with Santa Clause toppers.

Red and green scrambled eggs.

And hot chocolate straight from the North Pole.

Then we met our elf, read his story, named him Dash, and read the letter he wrote Ryan. It said:

Dear Ryan,

I’m so happy to be assigned as your new elf friend! Santa says you are one special boy! I can’t wait to see all the nice things you do to keep yourself on Santa’s nice list! I’m rooting for you to keep yourself out of trouble. You don’t want to get switched to the naughty list!

I will spend my days watching you and my nights reporting back to Santa about your behavior. And, of course, I’ll have a little fun at night doing some silly activities. Each morning you will have to find me and see what I’ve been up to at night!

To introduce myself, I brought you a few small presents along with a yummy breakfast! Snow covered donuts and warm hot chocolate straight from the North Pole should get you in the Christmas spirit! I also brought you some of Santa’s stationary so you can write the big man your Christmas wish list.

I can’t wait to get to know you better. I can already tell that we’ll become best friends!

Candy canes and mistletoe,

Your new elf

Next, we opened up the presents Dash got us. We all got a pair of Christmas socks to keep our toesies warm this winter. Ryan also got a coloring book, Santa magnets, and a Santa glow wand.

To finish off the morning we wrote letters to Santa.

Yes, Ryan told us what he wanted. Then he asked Dad to help him draw each one of us.

It was such a fun morning and a great way to start off the Christmas season. And it only took a few minutes to put together. Awesome!

So I'm pretty sure my dog hates me. But Ryan loved it, so it was totally worth it!

Has your elf arrived yet?

Mommy Moments: Family Memory Game

2012-11-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

We got Ryan a Disney memory game for his birthday and he loves to play it with us. I've had the idea for a family memory game for awhile now, but when I saw how much he loved it, I knew it was time to make one. It's such a simple project {and great to help your toddler learn the names of out of town relatives!}

Supplies

Photo editing program {I use Photoshop Elements}

Photo paper {I scored my pack for $1}

Paper cutter

Laminator

Directions

1. Crop pictures of each family member's face to a 3" x 3" square.

2. Open up an 8.5" x 11" page and place 6 cropped faces onto the page. Remember since it is memory, you will want 2 of each face. Since I had 8 people, this meant 16 squares and 3 pages.

3. Print each page.

4. Cut out the squares.

5. Place the squares on a laminating sheet and laminate.

6. Cut out again.

7. Have fun with your little one!

Over time we will add aunts, uncles, and cousins! But for now, this is plenty! Let me know if you make one. I'd love to see how it goes!

Linking up with:
Making the World Cuter, See Vanessa Craft

November Sponsor Feature

2012-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today I want to introduce you to the rest of my amazing sponsors! They rock!

Meet Charlotte from Berice Baby!

Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Pinterest ** YouTube ** Instagram

What is your favorite food?

Bacon lol

List 10 things you are thankful for.

My beautiful son, My love Rovi, My parents, Our health, Reality TV, Amazing supportive friends, Music, Sunshine, Movies & Youtube

What is the best 2012 movie so far?

The Hunger Games

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.

I am a mummy blogger/vlogger with a sweet little boy called Hayden. I blog & blog about our daily life - Living & Loving in London.

Meet Nichole from Pinkie for Pink!

Blog ** Etsy ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Pinterest

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Rolls :)

List 10 things you are thankful for.

My husband, my children, my parents, my siblings/family, my friends, being a stay at home Mom, my home, having food, having clothes, crafting :)

Best 2012 movie so far?

Haven't been to the movies in years :(

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog/shop.

I am a Mom and a wife blogging about my passions in crafting, DIY, baking, event design and planning and everything in between.

My other two lovely sponsors were unable to answer my questions, but here's a shout out to them.

Jillene from inkhappi (aka my mom)

Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Pinterest

Ditzy Sprinkles

Blog

Send them all some love! They are great!

If you want to sponsor Jesse's Girl, you can find more information on my sponsor page. And I have some great discounts starting today. The first person to sign up for my "Pink" ad (the largest ad available on Jesse's Girl) can use code "PINK" for a $5 discount making the ad only $3! The first 6 to sign up for ANY of my spots can use code "HOLIDAY" for 50% off!

Sponsor Feature: Ramblings of a Southern Belle

2012-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today I want to introduce you to one of my wonderful sponsors, Tif, from Ramblings of a Southern Belle.

I asked Tif a few questions to help you guys get to know her a bit better. Here goes!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Green bean casserole

Green bean casserole is always my food assignment. I love it! List 10 things you are thankful for.

10 huh? Well I have to say there is one all encompassing thing I'm thankful for...my entire life!

Good one! Best 2012 movie so far?

The Hunger Games

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.

I'm a fun loving, giving, fashion hogging, furbaby loving, writer of songs, lover to my high school sweetheart, Mom to an amazing 23 year old son, and I could ramble on for ever! I blog about fashion, things I love and have just started blogging about a very personal part of our lives here in the Kennedy household.

Some of my favorite posts of Tif's are:

Amazing Technology & Ideas

Resolutions in Motion series

Fashionista Friday

Now go visit Tif and give her some love!

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

And Tif will be giving one lucky reader a $10 Starbucks gift card! Wooo!

Enter using the rafflecopter below. Open to US residents only. Giveaway will close November 29. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Am Grateful for...

2012-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Gospel

Family

Friends

Prayer

Music

Scriptures

Warm showers

A dishwasher

Nash

Books

Washer/Dryer

Notebooks

Computer

My home

Blogging

Magazines

Comfy bed

Yummy food

Health

My car

Blankets

USA

Cell phone

Straws

Camera

Toothpaste

Planes

Sippy Cups

Deodorant

Marriage

Medicine

Electricity

Grass

The beach

I could go on and on and on. I am blessed beyond measure. But most of all, I'm grateful for this:

There's still time to enter the giveaway that ends at 12:01 on Thanksgiving morning!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tyler Ward Music

2012-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to blog about something that I don't often blog about: music. But seriously, I need to do this because I'm kind of obsessed. I found this musician, Tyler Ward, on YouTube probably 9 months to a year ago. I thought he was super talented, downloaded some songs, and watched his videos on YouTube quite often.

Friday night I got to see him in concert. And guess what? I'm even MORE obsessed! He put on such a good show and I can't even begin to tell you how talented he is. The boy can sing (and dance)! He has so much passion about music and you can tell he has so much fun doing what he is doing. I'm also impressed because he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Plus, he does lots of covers and he won't swear or talk about inappropriate things. Instead, he'll change the lyrics. How awesome is that? Yeah, he's pretty sweet.

Here are a few of my favorite Tyler Ward videos:

You can find Tyler on his website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes.

Current Pinterest Faves

2012-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have found some true gems on Pinterest in the past couple weeks. Oh my goodness!

Guide to a Flawless Face via The Dating Divas

Gratitude Quote Printable via inkhappi

9 Advent Calendar Ideas via Echoes of Laughter

Pirate Themed Toddler Activities with Printables via Hey Mommy, Chocolate Milk

Giant List of Activities for Ages 1-3 via Play Create Explore

Goal Setting for Success via Mom on Time Out

240 Free Chevron Printables via Fabnfree

Family Yearbook via Apartment Therapy

Infant Whip Cream Color Paint Play via Play at Home Mom

101 Elf on the Shelf Ideas via Blossom Bunkhouse

You can follow me on Pinterest here.

Celebrate It: World Kindness Day

2012-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was World Kindness Day, and it just so happened that we were going to do something nice for someone ANYWAY. That worked out well!

Ryan and I put a basket of goodies together for someone we knew was having a rough day and delivered it. Super fun!

What's in the basket? Some of my faves!

OPI nail polish (perfect holiday color)

Baby Lips chapstick

Hershey's with almonds

2 magazines

Five gum

Ryan was adorable delivering the basket all on his own. He was so excited!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week? Can you?! It's crazy!

There's still one more day to sign up for the blogger Christmas gift exchange. Don't miss out!

November Sponsor Giveaway

2012-11-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have an amazing giveaway to share with you guys from my awesome sponsors. What's up for grabs?

A family size banner ad from Berice Baby

Ad will be 400x100 and will be placed at the bottom of each Berice Baby post. Ad includes weekly social media shout outs, option to guest post, and option to co-host a monthly giveaway!

A $15 shop credit from Pinkie for Pink

Pinkie for Pink sells super cute bows and birthday party hats in her shop! They are SO cute!

A cute frame and 5 printables (the Christmas one shown and 4 custom prints) from inkhappi

And last but not least......

A $20 itunes gift card from me

There will be one winner. Giveaway ends on November 22 and the winner will be notified that day via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose another winner. Winner of prizes from Pinkie for Pink, inkhappi, and Jesse's Girl must be US residents. If a non-US resident is chosen, she will win just the banner ad and another winner will be chosen for the other prizes. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And there is still time to enter the blogger Christmas gift exchange!

Lessons Learned from Being Sick

2012-11-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday I woke up with food poisoning. It was probably one of the most miserable 24 hours I've ever had. I even chugged a glass of apple cider vinegar because it "supposedly" kills the bugs in your tummy. I was willing to try anything! And don't let the apple cider part fool you. It smells exactly like regular vinegar. Hardest thing to drink and still not sure if it worked or not.

Anyway, I couldn't leave my bed all day (except for toilet runs) and was apart from my son all day and my hubby until Ry's bedtime. I had a LOT of time to think and I came to some realizations.

1. I love being a mom. Not that I didn't already know that, but I know it even more now. I missed my little guy like crazy! It was so hard being upstairs knowing he was downstairs! I just wanted to cuddle him!

2. I have world's greatest husband. Don't try to argue with me, just go with it. Really. The second I was sick, he took Ryan for me and let me rest. He consistently asked me if I needed anything and immediately got it if I did. He had his phone ready for me to text him for ANY little thing. He set-up our extra tv in the bedroom so I could watch a movie to try and take my mind off the pain. (We don't have a tv in the master, just the family room and the loft). He researched remedies. He went to the store to buy apple cider vinegar. He was so concerned and so helpful! I just love him.

3. Popsicles are actually yummy. And here I thought I didn't really like them.

By Monday the nausea was gone, but I still had sharp stomach pains all day along with weakness and fatigue. So I spent the better part of the day in bed also. This meant many to-dos were left unchecked. This also taught me some lessons.

1. Cuddling with Ryan is much more fun and much more important that anything on my to-do list. Do it as often as I can.

2. Somehow everything I really need to get done will get done (and on time!). If it doesn't get done, it probably wasn't all that important to begin with. Let me repeat this, because it was an epiphany I think most women need to hear: If something on your to-do list doesn't get done, it probably wasn't all that important to begin with.

3. So let it go. I know, easier said than done, right? But it'll all be okay. Life goes on.

4. Stressing only makes things worse. It makes you cranky (which makes you a worse mother, wife, friend, etc.). It makes you less productive. It makes you tired. At some point it might even make you sick. And it doesn't even HELP. Stressing = pointless. (I need to tell myself this every day, multiple times a day!)

5. I am blessed!

You can sign up for the Christmas blogger gift exchange for a few more days!

Mommy Moments: Car Box

2012-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

When we went to California a couple weeks ago, I got a bunch of fun car activities for Ryan to do on the road trip. I've been wanting to make a "car box" of some sort for him for those moments when he does NOT want to go anywhere. So here is our latest "toy."

Here are the goodies inside it:

Board books, coloring books, crayons

Cookie sheet with wooden animals (from JoAnn's) that I added magnets to, and song dice I created. Roll the dice and each colored star stands for a different song to sing.

A couple different types of toddler puzzles from Dollar Tree.

Notebook, stickers, and flashcards. The stickers kept him entertained for an hour and a half on the drive. NO JOKE. I was flabbergasted. And yes, I just used that word.

Fake iphone, cars, and kitchen utensils (all from Dollar Tree).

Pom Poms and pipe cleaners. These are best used when one parent can supervise!

Snacks and an extra sippy cup. I bring snacks and a sippy cup of ice water with us every time we leave the house, but sometimes I do forget. This is for those "oops" moments.

Diapers, wipes, and boogies wipes. Also for oops moments. And (not pictured) I also have a change of clothes in here for spills or accidents.

I bought a second one of these boxes to put in the back of my car to hold returns and to load groceries into to bring inside in ONE load. Yay!

Thanksgiving Decor Roundup

2012-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Always Something to be Thankful for Printable from inkhappi

Thanksgiving Subway Art from How to Nest for Less

Be Thankful Countdown Bunting from Tatertots and Jello

Give Thanks Gratitude Board from Jellybean Junkyard

Thanks Glass Jars from Naptime Decorator

Button Pumpkin from Auntie Lolo Crafts

Paper Pumpkins from Craftiness is Not Optional

Thankful Tree from Simply Vintagegirl

Glitter 2x4 Pumpkins from A Diamond in the Stuff

2x4 Turkey from Craft Goodies

Don't forget to sign up for the 12 Days of Christmas Blogger Gift Exchange!

Celebrate It: Look for Circles Day

2012-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was Look for Circles Day. A random holiday, but a FUN one--especially for a toddler who is obsessed with shapes!

We started the day with a mini circle pancake breakfast on a circular plate.

Then we ran some errands and played "Spot the circle!" while browsing and waiting in line. Ryan had a blast!

And finally...craft time! I wanted the craft to be circle themed (obviously), but I also wanted it to double as Thanksgiving decor. I knew I needed a wreath for November, so I created this:

Supplies:

Styrofoam wreath form

2 different ribbon designs (I needed 2 spools of the orange at 1.5" x 3 yards each.)

Glue gun

Paint (I used a mustard color)

Paint brush

Pen

Fall scrapbook paper (I chose 3 patterns)

Scissors

Outdoor Mod Podge

Scrabble tiles (GIVE THANKS)

Directions:

Don't forget to sign up for the 12 Days of Christmas Blogger Exchange!

Linked up here:
Making the World Cuter, SNAP, Someday Crafts

One Year Twenty Wishes Link Party

2012-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Kassi and Kayli from Truly Lovely have started a SUPER fun One Year Twenty Wishes party and I'm a co-host! Here is the idea behind it, from Kassi:

A few weeks ago I read a book. Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. In short it’s about a group of ladies that each make a list of 20 Wishes. Things that they really want to do. Fun things. Happy things. Things like buying a pair of red cowboy boots or traveling to a foreign country. Not things they have to or ought to do… Like paying off bills, exercising more. Although a 5K might be a fun one.

So, what we’d like to do is write OUR own lists of Twenty Wishes. We’ve decided to put a time limit on it being twelve months starting in December… In other words you have twelve months to complete your twenty wishes. Then next December we’ll each write a new list.

Once a month from now on, starting in December, we’ll host another link up. One where you can write about the wish(es) you’ve accomplished over the last month. Kayli and I plan to photograph the completion of each of our wishes, so we have something concrete to look back on later! If you haven’t accomplished anything don’t fret… Some will take the full year I’m sure, and that’s OK. But the ENTIRE point is to do these things before next December because you never know how much time you have left.

Sounds fun, right? The hosts and co-hosts are the first 10 spots on the linky. It isn't required to follow anyone as part of this because that's not the point of this. LIVING is. But if you have some spare time to check out and follow the hosts/co-hosts, awesome! They are great bloggers!

So I now present to you my One Year Twenty Wishes list:

1. Participate in a 24 hour read-a-thon

2. Have a Disney movie marathon day with my husband and son

3. Write for 6 hours straight

4. Watch a football game

5. Hand make holiday décor for all the major holidays

6. Throw a party for no other reason than “it’s fun!”

7. Start a brand new family tradition (non-holiday related)

8. Attend a blogger meet up

9. Write a novel in a month

10. Tour my own city

11. Decorate and organize my dream craft room/office

12. Visit a spa

13. Read 6 classics I’ve never read

14. Come up with my own recipe

15. Make Ryan’s milestone book

16. Learn to make bread and jam

17. Have a day of random acts of kindness with Ryan

18. Decorate the play room

19. Go to Out of Africa

20. Visit 8 new restaurants

Once again, these are supposed to be WISHES. Fun things you want to do, not things you should or need to do. The list should make you excited about life!

So what are you waiting for? Write your list, link-up, grab a button, and fulfill those wishes!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.trulylovelyblog.net/category/twenty-wishes/" title="Truly Lovely"><img src="http://www.trulylovelyblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wishes-button.png" alt="Truly Lovely" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

12 Days of Christmas: Blogger Style

2012-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming in less than two months!!! Can you even believe it?

I've been thinking a lot about the Christmas season and how bloggers could connect. This is what I came up with:

Here's how it will work. Each participant will be paired up with another blogger. You will have about a week and a half to get to know your partner and create a "12 Days of Christmas" package to send them. When your package arrives, open one present a day from December 14 to December 25. Then write a wrap-up post sharing a bit about your partner and what she sent you.

Sign ups will go until November 17. I will email all participants on the 20th to let you know whom you are paired up with. Packages need to be in the mail no later than December 1 to ensure everyone will get their packages by the 14th. Wrap-up posts need to be shared sometime between December 26 and January 1 and can be linked up on my blog.

Sound fun? I know it does!

So basically you will send 12 gifts. To cut down on costs, some of them can be gently used gifts. That being said, please don't gift your new blog friend with something you don't like and were going to get rid of anyway UNLESS you honestly think it's something they will like! Please take the time to get to know your new friend before you choose their gifts. We want everyone to get something they really like!

We will have two available price categories on the sign ups. Price applies to new gifts only. You can choose the $12 price range or the $25. If you sign up for $12, your gift will also be worth $12. If you sign up for $25, you will get a $25 gift.

Gently Used/Practically Free Gift Ideas:

Magazine

Nail polish

Jewelry

Printable printed out

Book

Shirt

Christmas ornament

Free ad space on your blog

Purse

Movie

Something handmade

Credit to your shop

Piece of home decor

Candy

So who's in? Sign up here:

Put this button on your blog, pin it, share it on your facebook page. The more bloggers that join in, the more fun!

Spread the word!Linked up here:Someday Crafts, House of Hepworths

Tuesdays with Jesse: Crafting Quiz

2012-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

I should have known my husband wasn’t into crafting when he asked me where Hobby Lobby’s sporting goods section was. When I start talking crafts, Jesse just shuts down. He has NO idea what I'm talking about. So I thought it would be funny to give him a crafting quiz of sorts. His answers are priceless. He doesn't have a clue...

1. What is a cricut?

It's like a grasshopper, but I don't know the difference. I think it's like a brown grasshopper?

2. What type of project would require Mod Podge?

Building a wall because you gotta cement it up. Or a collage with big stuff, like household utensils.

3. What would I use a Cameo for?

If it’s cold out, you wear the the cameo. Or a camera. It’s either a camera or that shirt thingy. (**I figured out he was thinking of a cardigan…)

4. What is a Silhouette?

A silhouette is a black and white profile of a person.

5. Name three well-known crafting blogs.

The Crafty Crafters

Craft Me If You Can

Crafts ‘R Us

(**Yes, he totally made those up...)

6. What is subway art?

Graffiti

7. Share a project idea for washi tape.

Taping a collage together! That’s a craft!

8. What supplies were most likely used to make this craft?

via No Time for Flashcards

Construction paper, glue, wood blocks

9. How would you make this?

via Two Yellow Birds Decor

Break into an old person's home, steal their toilet seat, and glue fake flowers to it.

What did your husband/boyfriend/dad answer?

Come back tomorrow for an AWESOME surprise!

Mommy Moments: Preserving Memories

2012-11-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

When I had Ryan, people always told me to enjoy EVERY moment because it would go by so fast. They weren't kidding! It goes by faster than I thought possible! I don't ever want to forget certain moments, things he did, faces he made, what he liked, etc.

I love when we get professional photos taken and moments are caught on tape that are just so him. For instance, take this photo from his newborn photo shoot:

Or this at one year:

Or this at 18 months:

To preserve memories of Ryan at age two I combined two of my favorite things: pictures of Ryan and subway art.

Now I won't ever fogey these things! Memories for the win!

Come back tomorrow to see Jesse's answers to my "crafting" quiz. It's pretty hilarious! Guys have NO clue!

Linking up here:
The Gunny Sack, Making the World Cuter, Project Inspire, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Sugar Bee Crafts, SNAP, Ginger Snap Crafts

Current Pinterest Faves

2012-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Pinterest STILL hasn't gotten old. I think it's here to stay!

How to be a calm parent from Awesomely Awake

Fridge Mats from It's An Organized Chaos

Leather Bow Bracelets from A Geek in Glasses

Craft Room Hutch from Lil' Luna

Monster Match Game from Artsy Fartsy Mama

How to un-shrink clothes from One Good Thing by Jillee

Craft Room Reveal from Keeping it Simple

I'm A Mormon Printable from Burlap and Denim

The Spouse Christmas Countdown from The Dating Divas

Life Printable from inkhappi

**As always, if you want to "pin" one of these pictures, please go the original source and pin from there. Thanks!

Celebrate It: Halloween 2012

2012-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween festivities started with costume day at preschool...

Then he got to wear his "Wanted: Dead or Dead" shirt all day Wednesday...

Then finally his costume! Halloween this year was SO fun because it was the first year Ryan actually got to go trick-or-treating to more than just family! He dressed as a pirate, and while I took his pictures, he ran around slashing and stabbing with his sword yelling, "Arrrhhhh!" Cutest. Thing. Ever.

No, wait. the cutest thing ever was probably when we asked, "Ryan, are you ready to go home?"and his response was "no! Twit-tweat!" Needless to say, we have a Halloween lover in the family. Granted he was more interested in counting and organizing his candy than he was in actually eating it. Our little brainiac. His mind never stops working!

How was your Halloween?

Disneyland

2012-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to California for a few days. The first day we were there, we went to Disneyland! This was Ry's third time (fourth if you count the time he was growing inside me...). So yes, you could say we are Disneyland fanatics. Correction, I'm a Disneyland fanatic. Jess just goes along with it.

This time was special though. Ryan now knows some of the Disney characters, and as you know from his birthday party, he's obsessed with Mickey Mouse! Before the trip I kept asking him if he wanted to go to Disneyland. His response? "Mouse! Mouse!"Yeah, he was excited!

Of course the first thing he wanted to do was ride the carousel. Seriously? We pay all this money to go to Disneyland and he is most excited about the carousel. We have one of those at the mall. But whatevs. He loved it!

We did the teacups which he liked for the first 10 seconds. Then he HATED it. We didn't even spin! Poor guy.

Then, finally, we went to Mickey Mouse's house. I was stoked! We were the only ones in the room with him and he spent TIME just playing with Ryan. It was adorable! Ry was a bit scared when we first walked in and set him down, but as soon as Mickey knelt down, he was all for it! Ryan gave Mickey about 4 hugs. They high fived and just played together. Ryan was in heaven and I was seriously one happy mama! There isn't much better for a parent then seeing their kids dreams come true! He had been SO excited to meet Mickey and he finally got his chance. Easily the best part of the day for ALL of us!

I didn't get many pictures after that point {oops!}, but we had tons of fun on rides, Ry napping, meeting Pluto, and watching the parade.

My Disneyland Faves:

Churros

Space Mountain

Meeting Mickey

Getting to tell girls in princess dresses they look beautiful

Peter Pan

Smell of Pirates

Ryan saying, "Mouse!" and "Duck!" all day

I can't wait to {inevitably} go back again soon!

What's your favorite part about Disneyland?