Wishing You a Happy Easter!

Shadow or No Shadow?

image source

Welp. According to a fuzzy little hairball surrounded Mr. Monopolies with camera's attached to their heads, Spring should be on it's way!

That's right! Punxsutawney Phil (try spelling that without Google) did NOT see his shadow

which is a forecast for an early Spring. I'm all about that! Though I'm pretty that little groundhog just wanted to go back to his cozy little hole and would probably tell us anything to get there :)

February 2016 Calendar

Some fun things to celebrate this month!!!!!

Check it out!

America Recycles Day!

Tomorrow is "America Recycles Day"! Really!

So in preparation take a look at this article from our Fall 2015 Issue

and see how you might be able to Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle a little bit more each day!

Happy Recycling!

November 2015 Calendar

Happy November!

Fall is cruising along and there are so many fun things to do! 

We hope you'll have fun!

From our Fall 2015 Issue

Happy Elephant Day!!

So it's Elephant Appreciation Day and no, we did not make that up! :)

But what a FUN little holiday to celebrate a cute (though not fluffy) animal.

In honor of the creatures, we gathered together some fun Elephant DIY Crafts 

that are pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on your face. 

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This is such a cute (and simple) bookmark!

Just trace the shape of an elephant onto some scrapbook paper

and use in your next reading material!

Source: Pinterest

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Maybe I'm weird, but I LOVE to color!

So of course I fell in love with these FREE elephant coloring pages

from Easy Peasy and Fun.

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I'm pretty sure my fingers will get all twisted

but I can't wait to try out this Origami Elephant Tutorial

from Origami Spirit!

Aren't they just adorable!!!

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Would you believe it if I told you these elephant bookends 

were made with elephants from the dollar store?!?!?! So cool right? 

Check out the tutorial at Love Grows Wild and see just how EASY these are to make!

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This adorable banner-of-sorts is super easy to make!

Just cut out the shape of an elephant and trace it onto different colors of scrapbook paper.

Then tape onto string or jute and hang!

  Source: Pinterest

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In case you get bored doing laundry, 

learn how to fold this fun Elephant Towel!

Instructions from Twenty Two Words.

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Over on Ginger Snaps you'll find a great tutorial

for these amazingly cute key chains!

Isn't the gold elephant just speaking to you?!?!

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If you're into sewing, there are a lot of free patterns for 

soft and fluffy little elephants like this one from Fabric Worm:

Or this one that just makes my heart melt from Wonderful DIY:

Grandparent's Day

Grandparents Day is tomorrow!

What an awesome day to celebrate people who have done so much for us!

Make the extra effort to call or visit them, let them know you love them!

Or if your grandparents have already passed on, take time to write down a favorite memory of them.

If you need ideas, check out last year's post.

National S'more Day

Hey! You wanna s'more?

Some more of what?

No, do you wanna s'more?

I haven't had anything yet, 

so how can I have some more of nothing?

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Haha. Can you name that movie?

We thought it was fitting for today since it's National S'more Day!

And what better what to celebrate than enjoying some ooey gooey goodness!

Perfect for FHE tonight!!!!

And no worries if you can't roast mallows over a fire,

check out this DELICIOUS recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up! for melting the chocolate & mallows in the oven and using like a dip for your grahams. SO GOOD!

August 2015 Calendar

Here is our August 2015 calendar! 

Filled with fun and random holidays to celebrate throughout the month!! 

Happy August Friends!

From our Summer 2015 Issue!

Happy Pioneer Day!

For those of you in Utah, today is Pioneer Day!

It celebrates the day that Brigham Young and a group of pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley!

(It was on July 24th 1847...I totally had to look that up...)

Painting by William Henry Jackson

If you celebrate Pioneer Day, you'll probably be out at parades, having BBQ's, and watching fireworks. In the midst of all that AWESOME fun though, take some time to think about the pioneers. A great way to celebrate, maybe later this weekend, would be to spend some time on Family Search learning more about your pioneer ancestors or finding more ancestors that need their temple ordinances. 

The new pioneer site on Family Search is awesome and you can connect it to your family tree to see what information there is about your pioneer ancestors. 

Or you can read more about the journey of the pioneers and check out their Google map with information about their stops and experiences.

And you can also share what makes you a pioneer...I think this is so great since all of us are creating and leaving a legacy for those who follow, whether it be our families, future children, or friends and acquaintances.

So how are you going to celebrate??

Happy Fourth!

Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the U.S. of A.! 

We hope everyone has an awesome weekend and plays safe!!!!

See you next week!

July 2015 Calendar

Summer is in full swing!!!

Are you LOVING it? 

Along with all of your adventures, check out some other fun holidays you can celebrate!

Obviously the 4th of July is a big one here in the U.S. of A.

but there are some yummy sounding holidays like Chocolate Day or Peach Ice Cream Day!

Relax on Hammock Day or find someone to served on Cheer Up the Lonely Day!

So many options!!!

Enjoy!

Simple & DIY Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is Sunday...how are you showing your Dad the love?

Check out some of our simple ideas below that we're sure any Dad would love...

unless he hates food or candy. Then he won't like most of these, haha.

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The Breakfast of Champions

And no, it's not Wheaties in this case!

Make your Dad his favorite breakfast - maybe it's bacon, pancakes, muffins, whatever!

He'll be sure to feel the love when his tummy is full of goodness!

image source

A Jar of Nothing

For real.

Maybe you have the same problem we do: Dad usually says that there isn't anything he wants

for Father's Day (or his birthday or Christmas or whichever special day it may be).

So do it. Give him nothing! Haha.

idea source

A Funny Card

It's super easy to make a card for Dad!

And why not make it funny!

There are tons of ideas online...some of our favorite lines are:

Dad, you are rad.

Thanks, Dad. I turned out awesome.

World's Greatest Farter Father

I hope this Father's Day is as fun as your life was before kids.

I love how we don't have to say out loud that I'm your favorite child.

Thanks, Dad. For killing all the spiders.

Dad, you make socks and sandals look cool!

Thanks for letting Mom spend all of your hard earned money on me.

Thanks, Dad, for not ever actually shooting one of my boyfriends.

Dad, you've always been like a Father to me.

You are my all time favorite Dad!

This image & idea from Bead & Cord

Dad's Stache

Does Dad have a sweet tooth?

Then make a little "stache" of his favorite candy

that he can hide away wherever his heart (or stomach) desires!

Find the free label at Thoughts from Alice!

image from Thoughts From Alice

The Classic Candy Bar Poster

We know this is a oldie...but who doesn't love getting TONS of candy bars!!!

So make up your own poster with unique and fun saying just for your Dad!

This image & idea from Bits of Everything

Father's Day Gift Ideas Under $10

Father's Day is this Sunday!

How are you going to show that Dad of yours how awesome he is??

Here are a few ideas (all under $10) that would make awesome gifts!
And later this week we'll share some DIY gifts as well!!!

(We are not sponsored by any of these companies...just sharing some fun ideas!
And please note that prices can change at any time.)

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We love this book What I Love About Dad made by Knock Knock!

You just fill in the blanks with all of the things you love about Dad!

Currently $8.70 on amazon.com

If your dad is a techy, he might like these Bluetooth Neckband Headphones!

Currently $7.34 on amazon.com

From Old Navy, this cool Rad Dad shirt!

Currently on sale for $9.50

Target has a bunch of their men's watches on sale right now...

like this cool Green Watch on sale for $8.79

If your Dad loves to grill, something like this Shish Kabob Set might do the trick!

Currently $6.97 on amazon.com

This fun Key Ring Pocket Tool is handy for a handy Dad :)

Currently $8.54 on amazon.com

On Amazon you can find all sorts of cool mugs!

Is your Dad a Superman? Then this Superman Mug is perfect!

Currently $8.40 on amazon.com

June Calendar & National Donut Day!

So. June. 

Here we are.

And I just can't believe it's Summer!

WAHOO!

And today just also happens to be National Doughnut Day!!!

Which is also "WAHOO" worthy don't you think?

But in all seriousness, go. get. some. donuts.

Many places offer FREE donuts today so check out your local donut shop

(like Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts)

and see if you can get some free sugary goodness today!!!!

You're welcome :)

And check out our June 2015 Calendar for some other fun things to do this month...

Happy Memorial Weekend!

It's Memorial Weekend here in the U.S.

For many that means a day off of school and perhaps a camping trip or fun weekend getaway!

But we just wanted to briefly remember what Memorial Day is really about!

It is always celebrated the last Monday in May and is a day to remember all of the men and women who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.

Military Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, photo from Beverly & Pack

We honor those who have given their lives serving their country.

And we are thankful for their dedication and sacrifice.

If you have lost a loved one in the armed forces, our hearts go out to you. 

Simple & Free Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is this weekend!

And your mom deserves something special, right?

But that doesn't mean you have to empty your piggy bank to do something nice for her.

Read below to see some of our Simple & FREE ideas

that will let your mom know how AWESOME she is!!!!!!!

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"Shower" Your Mom with Compliments

Cut some small paper raindrops or stars or whatever shape you want.

On each one write something you love about your mom.

Hang them from the ceiling with string in her room or bathroom or kitchen...

wherever you think she'd like to see them!

image source

 And similar to the image above, you could even make some white tissue paper clouds!
This is definitely a great way to "Shower" your Mom with love!

Old School Hand Print

Remember when you were five and gave your mom a handprint so she'd always

remember how cute and little you were?

Well break out the paint and make another cute handprint for her :)

image source unknown

You could turn it into a cupcake, a family tree, some cool heart art,
maybe a watercolor or something with a little poem.

And even though you're not five, you're mom is guaranteed to still love the cuteness of it!

Coupon Book

Get a bunch of index cards or small pieces of paper

and make your Mom a coupon book of things you will do to help her out.

image source

Some ideas of coupons you could include are:

Washing the dishes when it's not your turn.

Give her a hand or foot massage.

Make dinner for her one night.

Take care of an extra chore she does.

Watch younger siblings so she can run errands alone.

Clean the bathrooms.

Help fold and put away laundry.

Entertain siblings when she needs extra help.
Take out the trash for a week.


You can also find lots of FREE printables to use for coupon books
if you don't want to make your own.
I love the ones from Tidy Mom or the cute ones at Skip to My Lou as well!

Memory Jar

On small strips of paper write out your favorite memories of your Mom.

It could be things you've done together, something you remember her doing,

a favorite vacation you took, etc.

Fold the strips and put them in a mason jar.

image source

You could add a cute label or tag too!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

In honor of Cinco de Mayo today, I wanted to share a few simple ideas to spice up your day!

Could be fun to make with your family or maybe for a YW Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

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Churro Chex Mix

sounds just heavenly

from Sweet Charli

We've made a Donkey Piñata

very similar to this one from eHow

- so much fun for a party!

This Cinco De Mayo Slushies

look so refreshing

from Stock Piling Moms

For a splash of color

make some fun Fiesta Flowers

from the Mama's Girls