Landon's Baptism

My son was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday.  In our church, we do this at age 8.   Almost every emotion I could possibly have was present that day.  

1.  Happy - because of the decision my son had made to be baptized.

2.  Sad - My son is getting too big!

3.  Stressed - There was a lot to prepare for this day!

4.  Uplifted - The program went well.  There were great speakers and lovely music.  I felt the spirit and I hope my son did too!

5.  Loved - Lots of people came to show their love and support for us.

6.  Pleased - Everything from the program to the dinner afterward went relatively smoothly.

7.  Relieved - All the planning, preparing and work was over!

8.  Beat - It was a big day and I was tired!  

I am so proud of my son and I hope he had a special day.  I know that his decision to be baptized will bring him joy all throughout his life.  I hope he continues to live righteously and make good decisions.  I also hope that he learns to recognize the Holy Ghost in his life.  What a precious gift he was given on Saturday.  

We had a celebration afterwards at our house.  Here are a few things I did to decorate for the party.

I filled up our apothecary jars with things that help our guests get to know Landon a little better.  He has always loved Hot Wheels.  The other jar is filled with Legos.  And just look at that handsome little bugger...   

I gathered my favorite pictures of him and hung them up on a photo garland.  I used tiny, white clothespins found at Hobby Lobby to hang the pictures on the twine.  

I covered our tables with white tablecloths, and had a blue-and-white chevron table runner.  The table runners are made out of....wrapping paper!!  I found the wrapping paper at Tai Pan for about $4 a roll.  The wrapping paper is that good quality kind that is heavy and thick.  I also bought the pots at Tai Pan and stuffed them with floral foam.  I then poked two doughnuts on each skewer (to make an "8") and arranged them in the pot.  I stuffed some tissue paper in the pot to cover the floral foam.  I finished the centerpiece off with a bit of blue-and-white twine and an "It's Great to Be 8" tag.  

The last detail I didn't get a picture of!!  I was SO busy entertaining guests that I didn't think about it! We served a dinner of deli sandwiches, salads and chips and had a two-tiered stand with some of Landon's favorite desserts.  In each brownie, I stuck a cupcake topper.  In this case, it was a brownie topper.   I wanted to share this pretty printable with you!

I cut out each circle with a 2 in. circle punch.  Then to assemble one, I found two of the same design, used a little double-sided tape on each circle, centered a sucker stick in the middle of one circle, then sandwiched the stick by covering it with the second circle, making sure the edges of both circles matched up.  So, it look something like a sucker, just make out of paper. ;)  Make sense?  I hope so!  I wish I would have taken some pictures!!

Here is the link to download the circles.  I had mine printed at a professional print shop because I wanted the colors to be vivid and bright.  My home printer just doesn't do that.  I printed them on regular paper, not card stock.  Though, I think you could do either one.  

It was a special day and I hope my son loved it and will remember it always!

  

Valentine, You Make My Heart SOAR!

Here is a super cute and fun Valentine idea for you!  I made this for my son who wanted to give out gliders to his class for Valentine's.  So, I bought a box of 72 gliders for about $8 from Amazon (a bit overkill considering his class has 24 in it, but I know we will end up using all of them in the future!)  Then, I created this tag to go with it.  My son is super happy with the results, I had a great time making them and I know his class will love them.  Here is how you assemble these Valentine's...

1.  Print image.  It can be on either regular paper or card stock.  I printed on regular paper to keep the cost down, but it looks nicer on card stock.  You can fit 6 Valentines on one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
2.  Cut out the Valentine.
3.  Fold in half
4.  Insert the glider in folded Valentine so that the top of the bag reaches all the way to the fold.  Make sure that it is centered.
5.  Staple on the middle-top and the middle of both sides.
6.  Personalize.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Right click and save image.  You can resize it it to fit your package.  I used 3 in. x 3 in.  dimensions.

A Little Bag of Sunshine

I know two people right now that could use some cheering up.  Most of the time, when I learn about somebody who is having a rough time I think, "I should do something for them!" and then I can't think of anything to do, and lots of time goes by and I end up doing nothing...and then I feel bad.  Well, now, thanks to Pinterest, I always have something in mind that I can do to help brighten someone's day.  I have seen this idea and all it's variations pinned over and over, so I don't know who to give credit to.  This is my own version.  I filled a bright yellow bag with yellow items like, yellow nail polish, Swedish Fish, yellow taffy and yellow gum.  Then I added a yellow bow and topped it off with my cute, sunshiney printable that I had printed on card stock.  I really hope this gift helps brighten my friend's day! 

 

Feel free to download this printable and brighten someone's day!

Click to Download

Lucky You!

We have a naughty little leprechaun visit us every St. Patrick's Day and I suspect this year will be no different.  We don't know his name because he has never had the manners to tell us what it is.   So, we lovingly call him Larry because "Larry the Leprechaun" rolls off the tongue nicely, don't you think?  

The little stinker sneaks into the house, finds the kid's rooms and messes them up.  Clothes and underwear are pulled out of drawers and strewn on the floor and hung in odd places, toys out of place, and the beds unmade.   The only good quality that we can find in this little guy is that he leaves a sweet treat in an adorable box that resembles a black pot o' gold under a rainbow. 

The kids love this tradition and really look forward to their visit from Larry the Leprechaun.  I love this tradition because it's simple, easy and, well, I love messing up their rooms!  I am always cleaning them, so change is good!    Hope you enjoy it too!

 
Tools Needed
scissors
ruler
butter knife
double sided tape 

Instructions
1.  Print the shapes on heavy card stock at a professional print shop. 
2.  Cut out the shapes.
3.  Gently score the fold lines on the colored side of the box shape using the dull side of a butter knife and a ruler to keep your scoring straight!
4.  Fold the long side of the shape up into a square (white sides on the inside).  
4.  Tape the tab (on the colored side) with double-sided tape and press to the white wall of the box.
5.  Fold in and tape the remaining 3 tabs and press them to the white walls of the box.  
6.  Add a little strip of tape to each of the clouds and stick to the top of the box.

Click to Download

Birthday Present idea for the Young Women

New year, new youth theme, new birthday presents for the Young Women!  The theme this year is “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved” (D&C 87:8)." This year I wanted a gift that went along with the theme to remind them what the youth of the church are focusing on this year.  Well for some reason I couldn't think of just the right present!  Since about November of last year, I've thought about it, and thought about it, and thought about it.  I couldn't ever think of anything until recently so I am just NOW finishing up the birthday gifts for the year.  Good thing, because we're handing the first one out tomorrow!

I came across a scripture...Psalms 24: 3-4.

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."

Perfect!  So I hit the Bath and Body Works sale and got some hand soap, bought some Valentine hearts and finished it off with a bow and these awesome printable tags that I made...   

   

Click to Download

 

Click to Download

 

See how cute?  I hope my sweet young women love 'em!

Handout of Manual 1 Lesson #46 The Purpose and Value of Education

Well hello there!  Here is a little handout for lesson #46, The Purpose and Value of Education.  It's a simple one this time, and it may or may not be because I ran out of color ink in my printer ;)  Enjoy!

Click to Download 

Halloween Pillowbox for Treats or Small Gifts

I don't know about you, but I am always scrambling to find gift wrap because I ALWAYS forget to pick it up at the store.  So usually, I search through my bag of gift bags, find the best gift bag that I can (which is usually a crumpled one that has been used and reused 20 times) manage to find some tissue paper that KIND of matches and hang my head in shame as I give my sad gift to my loved one.  So I can really appreciate the kind of gift wrap that I can print.  I don't need to store it, it doesn't get crumpled and it is so darn cute!

Here is my Halloween version of the Pillow Box.  Adorbs...

These are really easy to put together, just follow the steps here which will also take you to another version of my pillow boxes.

You can download this pillow box and the tag in a few different colors by clicking one of the links.  Enjoy!

Black Pillowbox and tag

Halloween Green Pillowbox and tag

Halloween Purple Pillowbox and tag

Orange Pillowbox and tag

Neighborhood Photo Scavenger hunt

It's fall.  Bright trees, the smell of leaves, orange pumpkins, cold nights, hoodies, scarves...COZY.  MMMMM-mmmm I love it all!  I just want to stay outside and enjoy every moment of this season.  Which is why I put together this fun activity that is PERFECT for autumn.  It's a Neighborhood Photo Scavenger Hunt.  Imagine a big group of friends running around in the brisk air, laughing and giggling as they find and snap a photo of such things as a fire hydrant, something pink, a Halloween decoration, an acorn and a tight space they can all squeeze in to.  Seems like a lot of fun huh?  IT WAS!

Posing like a tree, in front of a tree

Our group broke up in to 3 teams of 4 people.  I gave each team a list, a pen, a camera and 1 hr. to find everything on the list.  We had at least one adult per group to ensure safety.  When the hour was up, we gathered at the home we started from, downloaded the pictures on a computer and viewed them on a big TV.  It was so fun to see all the pictures and the creativity of each group!  It was fun to see familiar faces of the neighborhood and I really think that we made a few people's day a little brighter.  Two of our groups found every item on the list so we went through the pictures to make sure they were legit.  We found that one group did an Internet image search for 2 of the items and tried to use them!  The big naughties!  :)  So we ended up with one team that won.  I suppose that if you happen to have a LEGITIMATE tie you could award extra points for creativity and for using props or something.  

To finish up the perfect night, we had apples and caramel apple dip for refreshments.   MMMM-HMMMM!

So...here is the file for you to download.  There are two options... let me explain.  I originally made this list for a Young Women activity for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and it has two more items to take photos of.  One is a photo of their interpretation of "Arise and Shine Forth" which is the youth theme for the 2012 year.  The other is a photo interpretation of "Stand Ye in Holy Places" which is the youth theme for the 2013 year.  The other list is the same but without the last two items in case you want to do this activity with another sort of group.  

One team's interpretation of "Arise and Shine Forth"

Enjoy! 

Click to Download

Click to Download YW version

Young Women Manual #1 Lesson 38 Nutrtion and the Word of Wisdom

Hello!  Here is a handout for lesson #38 Nutrition and the Word of Wisdom.  This lesson has a lot of writing on the chalkboard, so I thought I would make the handout look like a chalkboard with writing on it!  (Thanks to Kevin and Amanda  for letting me use their fun, handwritten fonts!)   I truly believe in following the Word of Wisdom and I am thankful I live it because I know that I am healthier and am free from the addictions of harmful substances. 

The link will download a page with two handouts on it.  Print as many as you like.  I always recommend printing at a professional print shop but a home printer will do too!  Enjoy!

  Click to Download

Young Women Handout Manual 1 Lesson 37 Caring For Our Physical Bodies

Here is a handout to help with lesson #37, Caring For our Physical Bodies.  We are taught that our physical bodies are temples and we are commanded to keep them in the best possible condition (1 Corinthians 3: 16-17).   This handout will help the young women remember the habits we need to maintain to care for ourselves and it includes the quote by Elder Delbert L. Stapley, which highlights the relationship between our physical health and our spiritual development.  

The download link is for a page with two handouts.  Print as many as you like on heavy card stock.  Enjoy!

Click to Download

Young Women Handout Manual 1 Lesson #34 Worthy Thoughts

Don't think about pizza!  Don't you dare think about pizza!  

You're thinking about pizza aren't you?  Hahaha!  

Sometimes it seems difficult to control our thoughts.  I am giving lesson #34 on Worthy Thoughts tomorrow in Young Women.  Worthy thoughts are the KEY ingredient to a virtuous life.  The young women will learn how important it is to control them and HOW to control them.  President Boyd K. Packer said to have a favorite hymn to think about when not-so-virtuous thoughts creep in our minds. So,  I will give the Young Women this handout where there is a space for them to write their favorite hymn for future use!

When you click on the link below, you will download a page of 4 handouts.  Print at a professional print shop on heavy card stock.  Enjoy this pretty printable!

Click to Download

 

Screen Tickets

"Mooooommmmm, can I watch a show?" 

"Moooooooommmmm, can I play my game?"

I hear these questions from both of my kids every day.  I am either the best Mom ever for saying yes or the worst Mom of the year if I say no.  

Really, I have a love/hate relationship with television, movies, video games, games on the iPad, games on the cell phone, any sort of screen time.  I love them because my kids are entertained for a short time so I have some much needed, uninterrupted time to get some things done.  Plus, I think it's a good way for my kids to relax and unwind after a busy day.  I hate them because my children aren't using their brains or getting fresh air or exercise.  Have you ever looked at your kid's faces when they watch TV?  They have this horrible blank stare and you can almost see their brains turning to mush.  Plus, I hate it when I say "No, go do something else..." and they whine and complain.

So, I've come to the conclusion that a little screen time per day is okay. The problem we run in to is monitoring the amount of time they spend doing it.  I think they would spend most of their day in front of the television if I let them!  The other problem is, I don't like telling them what to do ALL the time.  I like for my children to make some decisions on their own so they can learn to make the really important decisions later in life.  

Do you want to see what we have implemented in our home?

SCREEN TICKETS!  My lovely and awesome sister told me about these awhile ago.  She has used them for years and it works in her family.  So, I made my own and now use them.  At the beginning of each week, I give my children 14 tickets for the week.  That is 7 hours of screen time a week.  1 hour a day for television, video games, cell phone games, computer games, anything in front of a screen.  The beauty is that they decide and figure out how to use them for themselves.  They can choose to do 30 minutes one day and 1.5 hours for a movie the next day.  This way, they aren't spending too much time in front of a screen and they are learning how to budget their time. 

Thanks to my wonderful sister for the idea.  She also said that she uses these screen tickets for rewards and I thought it would be a good idea to use them as stocking stuffers.

Click on the link to download a page of 6 tickets.  Print as many as you like on heavy card stock (since you will be reusing them).  Divvy out the tickets at the beginning of each week.  Have your kids hand you the tickets when they want some screen time.  Reuse the tickets week after week.  Enjoy this pretty printable!

Click to Download

Tea Party Birthday Invitation

Here is a sweet little birthday invitation just for your little one!  The card just oozes with femininity and cuteness.  Don't you just want to sit at that pretty little table with the friendly bird and butterfly and open a gift or two?  

The downloadable file includes 1 page with 2 invitations.  After you download the file, print as many times as you like on heavy card stock with a matte or glossy finish.  For best results, have the file printed at a professional print shop.  There is a medallion in the center of the tablecloth for you to customize with the child's age.

Enjoy!

Click to Download   

Young Women Handout Manual 1 Lesson #28 Resisting Sin

Lures, traps, snares and hooks.  These are all disguised as something appealing to animals or fish who are lured in and then trapped.  Satan also uses lures and traps to catch us.  This handout is to remind the Young Women how they can resist sin.  It includes a list of 10 ways to resist sin and the quote, “Satan has no power over us except as we give it to him. … God never forces us to do right, and Satan has no power to force us to do wrong” (Sterling W. Sill)  Both the list and the quote come directly from Lesson #28 Resisting Sin.  

   

Click to Download

Young Women Handout Manual 1 Lesson #27

"KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON"

Surely you have seen this catchphrase.  You may have also seen 1,000 different versions of it.... 

"KEEP CALM AND BUY SHOES"
"KEEP CALM AND RUN A MARATHON"
"KEEP CALM AND EAT CUPCAKES"

and the list goes on and on and on!

Well, here is my version for my young women.  "KEEP CALM AND READ ON"

This bookmark is the handout for lesson #27, Scripture Study.  It will hopefully remind them to read and study their scriptures every day.  I know that if they do, they will be blessed and strengthened to meet the challenges they face every day.

Click to Download 

The link will take you to a pdf document to download with 4 bookmarks on the page.  Print this on heavy card stock.  The gray dot on the top is where you punch a hole and stick a ribbon through it.  You can print this at home or at a professional print shop.  I recommend the professional print shop because the results are way better.  Enjoy!

Pillowcase Nightgown Tutorial

My daughter's sleepwear wardrobe is well....totally and utterly DISGRACEFUL.  Or I guess I should say, WAS disgraceful.  Seriously, I can't think of anything more hideous.

I am unsure as to why I don't like to buy jammies in the summertime.  Maybe it's because I would rather spend my money on clothing that she can wear during the day.  Maybe it's because I deplore those cheesy character jammies.  Maybe I am just too cheap.  Or maybe it's because it's too darn hot to wear anything to bed anyway during the summer.  Whatever the reason, my sweet daughter went to bed with a t-shirt from last year that has a grease stain on it and a pair of those bloomers that go under her dresses so that at least her diaper is covered.  I am red in the face because I am even admitting to this....the good news is, her bedtime wardrobe is now absolutely lovely thanks to this awesome blog with a free PRINTABLE pattern and tutorial found here.  

My grandmother, bless her heart, made each of her granddaughters a trousseau, and I am forever thankful for the many, many hours she put into it.   Quilts, afghans, dish towels and beautifully embroidered pillow cases.  I figured my dear grandmother wouldn't mind if I used one of those hand embroidered pillow cases to solve her poor great-granddaughter's sleepwear woes.  Here is how it turned out...

The tutorial is very easy to follow.  I am a beginner seamstress.  I just barely learned how to *sort of* sew a straight line.  If I can do it, I am pretty sure anyone, with a desire to sew, can make one.

Lesson #26 Handout

It's my turn to give the lesson in Young Women on Sunday!  Yay!  With each lesson, I try to include a handout of some sort.   These handouts (will hopefully!!!) be posted up in their room, stored away in a special book or even just stuffed in their scriptures (and not just thrown away in the trash)!  Whatever they decide to do with it, I hope it reminds them of my lesson and the spirit they felt, the truths they learned and what they felt prompted by the spirit to work on in their lives.

This handout is for Lesson #26 in Manual 1 titled "Testimony" (link to the lesson). You are more than welcome to use these handouts.  Below is a link to the pdf file with a page that has two 4x6 handouts.  Print as many as you'd like on your home printer or at a professional print store.  Enjoy!

Click to Download 

11 1/2 years ago when I was a blushing bride, I gave my bridesmaids some jewelry to match their dresses they would be wearing for my reception.  Each necklace and pair of earrings were wrapped in a small pillow box.  I had found the pattern to make the pillow box in a magazine, traced the outline of it on a piece of heavy card stock, cut it out and assembled it.  I was giddy with the results.  I was so excited that I could make such cute gift wrap with a bit of card stock.  The memory of those sweet little gifts returned to me the other day and I decided to make my own updated version of the pillow box.  These are perfect to hold small gifts like gift cards, jewelry or maybe some treats.

Click here to download the gray, teal, red, pink, or the green pillow box printable for you to cut out and assemble.

I mean seriously, how cute are these??

Tutorial of how to assemble these babies...

Note:  The outer lines are to cut, the inner lines are to score and and fold

1.  Cut the shape out.
2.  Score the inner lines using the dull side of a butter knife.   Use a ruler for the straight lines and just be very careful and precise around the curved lines.  When you score, use just the right amount of pressure to create a nice crease in the paper.  Don't press too hard, or you'll cut through the paper.
3.  Fold the curved lines first.  The scoring you just did makes this part a ton easier and makes it look great!
4.  Fold the straight lines next.
5.  Line the tab with glue or double-sided tape (I am a double-sided tape kind of gal) and stick to the other side of the pillow box.
6.  Line one of the curved flaps with glue or double-sided tape and stick to the other curved flap.  Do no repeat with the other side, leave that part open to insert your gifts.
7.  Insert your gift with a small amount of tissue paper.
8.  Close the flaps.
9.  Cut out the tag.
10.  Punch a hole in the tag and string some ribbon, twine, or whatever you want through the hole.
11.  Tie the ribbon around the pillow box.

And there you have it, a sweet gift for someone special!

Dirt Bike Birthday Invitation

Some people like adrenaline rushes...they love that feeling they get when they have a brush with death.    I prefer NOT to have them....as evidenced by my LAST experience (I may or may not have cried like a baby while I was repelling off a cliff).  The "rushes" I like to have is when I create something awesome, or sing in front of a group of people.  I am not the most exciting or daring person, but I'm ok with that.  My husband certainly makes up for my lack in that area.  He seeks out daring and exciting activities.  The closer to dying, the better.  He enjoys sport bike racing, dirt bike racing, rock climbing and I'm sure he'd participate in others if he had the funds!  

It appears as if my son is taking after his dad.  His favorite hobby is dirt bike racing.  He loves to go fast and he loves to go over jumps.  Sigh...So, for his birthday, he wanted a dirt-bike theme.  I created invitations similar to these, only a little more personalized.  I created a more generic version for you to use.  Remember for best results to print these at a professional print shop.  Enjoy!

 

Click to Download

You Make My Heart BOUNCE!

So, we just got rid of my son's Halloween candy, and we're still working on the Christmas candy...the last thing we need is more candy.  Does anyone else feel the same as I do?  I think kids get WAY too much candy nowadays.  Especially at school!  Oh, you brought back your homework?  Here is a treat!  You were my helper today, thanks and here's a treat!  It's disgusting really.  The kids are rewarded like we reward dogs.  Anyway, instead of just ranting about it, I am going to take a stand this Valentine's and NOT give candy.  I found this idea here for an ADORABLE valentine that uses a bouncy ball?  What kid in the world does not like a bouncy ball??  Whenever we have any at our house, my kids spend hours bouncing them on the floor (and off the tv, and kitchen table, and light fixtures, etc. etc....ya good times)  So, I made my own version for my son.  He loves it and is excited to give it to his friends.  You are free to use it as well!  

 Click to Download

Some brief instructions are included on the printable.  One thing I did not mention in the instructions is that I got the little bag in the cake decorating section at Walmart.  They are little 3 x 4 inch bags.  The most valuable advice I could give  you is to print these (and anything else I post on here) at a professional printing place like Alphagraphics or some other place like that.  The colors are much more vibrant and crisp.  Also, I got the balls on Amazon.com.  I got 4 dozen for $5.56.  AND, they glow in the dark.  Definite bonus when you're in Kindergarten!  

Enjoy! 

xoxo,

Courtney