Thursday Thirteen

Sorry for the absence...  Life is crazy (lots of family drama) but I'm hoping to be around a bit more...

Today I have Thirteen Inspiration Links for fun neighbor gift ideas!

1.  A Snowcone Kit from the pcCrafter clipart site:

2.  A Snowman Kit from Make it Do:

3. Peppermint Patties from Inking Idaho:

4.  A darling Snowman Gift Box to put treats in from Blue Cricket Designs:

 

5. Cute Christmas Coasters from Beneath My Heart:

 

6. Cookie Dough from Design Dazzle (with more from Blue Cricket Design and Make And Takes):

7. Sand Christmas Tree Ornaments from Twiddle-Thumbs:

8.  Jingle Bell Treats from It Is What It Is:

9.  Snowman Candy Bars from Small Fry & Co.  (and even more examples from Coley's Corner and  It's Been A Hard Days Night)

10.  Festive Soap Dispensers from Brown Paper Packages:

 11.  Marble Magnets from Not Martha:

12.  For those much more talented than me - a Snowman Oven Mitt from The Idea Room:

13.  And lastly - The Greatest Gift from Celebrate the Little Stuff:

For even more gift ideas and lots of other inspiration make sure you visit my Facebook page and my Tumblr Blog!  Lots of fun inspiration added DAILY!

Notebook Entry: Door Knob Pumpkins

How cute are these Door Knob Pumpkins from How Does She?

Notebook Entry: Team Shirts

I LOVE these t-shirts from How Does She? - So cute!

Notebook Entry: Laundry Sign

LOVE this laundry room sign over at Love Stitched!  Too cute!

Notebook Entry: Mirror

I have always wanted to try something like this mirror that Miss Craft Pants made!  LOVE it!

Notebook Entry: Thank You Binder

My Mix of 6 posted this awesome Thank You Binder! Maybe I'd get my Thank You notes written that way?!?

Temple Bracelet

When I saw these LDS temple bracelets at Sisters' Stuff, I LOVED them and decided I needed to make some of my own!

I bought white & clear beads, plus clear stretchy string and an alligator clip...  And in a few short minutes I had these...

1.  Lay out the beads how you want them...
2.  String the beads on the stretchy string.  When I came to the alligator clip I put it through the hole, but a tiny white pony bead on and then back through the hole so the clip won't twist sideways...
3.  One all the beads are strung, tie tightly with a square knot.
4.  Before clipping the ends, coat the knot with clear nailpolish.  This will strengthen the knot.
5.  Once the nailpolish is dry, clip the ends!

And there you have it!  Now get to the temple to try it out!  I can't wait to use it!

Book Review: Fine Old High Priests

Another book review...  I promise I do have some crafty stuff to post also, but I thought I'd post this book review first since I have another one coming soon!  lol

Meanwhile, if you are looking for crafty inspiration make sure you follow me on Tumblr or Facebook for daily inspiration!

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The June book for our book club was Fine Old High Priests by Donald S. Smurthwaite.  Can I just tell you that I LOVED this book?!?  As I finished the book, the first word that came to my mind was "Beautiful!" 

It is so uplifting and it made me want to be a better person.  I absolutely loved it and it will be on my "To Buy" list!  I've been told that there are two others in the series also and I can't wait to read them also!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi 

Book Review: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

The book club book for this month was Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.  Although this wasn't one of my favorite books ever, it was definitely a page-turner and a very good book.

Shannon Hale is SUCH a great story teller and this was a great and captivating story! I couldn't put it down and the ending was terrific!  What I love about Shannon Hale is that she writes these awesome stories that I can't help but sharing with my children.  I will read the books and the kids are excited to tell me the story to them! 



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review:A Train to Potevka

I just realized that I am WAY behind on my book reviews!  So over the next few days, I'll get caught up!


In March, we read A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell for book club.  I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. 

Although it is a "novel", it is based on the author's own experiences in Russia and it was amazing to think of him going through what he did and the inner strength he had to survive!

I think my favorite part in the book was when it describes him walking in the snow (and you can imagine how FREEZING it was) and how he collapes from exhaustion.  Then he hears the wolves and forces himself to get to safety.  AMAZING!  Definitely an inspiring story!!!



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

My First Blog Award! - Happy 101

I received my first blog award!  Woohoo!  Lots of Thanks goes to Suzanne at Surviving a Family of Nine!  I know Suzanne personally and she is amazing!  Such an inspiration to me to be a better mom!

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. When my kiddos are in bed, sleeping!  They look SO sweet!
2. Getting one-on-one time with my kids when I can truly ENJOY them!  That's complete JOY!
3. Going outside right after a hard rainstorm and taking a big breath of the fresh, clean air! 
4. Chocolate-covered Raspberries!  YUM!
5. Vacations - even short 24-hour vacations...  Just getting a break from life is awesome!
6. The Gospel and the peace and joy it brings me!
7. The Sun!  There's nothing better at making me cheerful than a nice, sunny day...
8. A clean house - especially when it's mine...
9. My husband
10. The laughter of my kids!

I'm awarding this to:
Crystal's Craft Spot
Secrets of a Super Mommy
Our Family Treat
Someday Crafts
Tummy Yummy's
It's All in My Head!
And about 100+ more blogs I read!  How do you choose?

Here's the rules for accepting the award:
1. Copy & Paste the award on your blog
2. Tell who gave you the award and link to their blog
3. List 10 Things that make you happy
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.

Football Themed Birthday Party

My son recently turned 8-years old and wanted a football themed birthday party, as well as a "late-night" over (we don't do sleepovers at our house, but that is a different post! lol)

So we decided on a 5 hour long football party with a late-night movie to end it...  and invited 11 boys to come!  I was a little nervous to have it at my house, but it was a HUGE success!

The invite:
We handed out letters explaining that the boys were drafted into the NFL and invited to attend a Spring Training Football Camp.  You can see in the invitation we put the location as "Nelson Stadium" and then our home address and then gave them an idea on what we would be doing.


The party:
When they arrived, we let them decorate flag pendants and then took them outside to take photos in their best photo pose.  I am kicking myself though because I forgot to take a "team" photo with all of them!

My son in his best football pose - and you can see his VIP Field Pass Hanging from his neck...

We made them each VIP Football passes that had a checklist on the back of all the football drills we would be doing.  We put them in vertical badge holders that we had bought from Walmart.

They did the drills, we had dinner, and then I sent them back outside to have a scrimmage game.  Once they were freezing, they came in for cake, ice cream & presents.  We then had them change into the pajamas, play "pin the football between the goalposts" and then settle in for a movie.  The parents started showing up just as the movie ended and the boys squeezed in a quick pillow fight - which is what my son was looking forward to all night!  lol

Football Drills:  We did each of these drills until they were tired of them (except the tackling which they could of done ALL night!  They LOVED it!

Our checklist included -

• Sit-ups
• Push-ups
• Running in Place
• Throwing - we had them throw a football through a hula hoop. 
• Punting - we just had them practice drop kicking a football.
• Kicking - I made a goal post out of PVC pipes and they practiced kicking the football through the uprights.
  
• Tackling - We put a bunch of blankets and pillows on the floor to make for a soft landing.  We then held a rolled egg-shell bed cushion up for them to run and tackle it.  The LOVED this! 
  

The Food:
For the food, I just made it EASY! For dinner we did hot dogs on the grill, chips, and powerade.  The cupcakes came from Sam's Club.  Very easy and they boys loved it!

The Movie:
We watched the "Game Plan" which all the kids really like but it was a little long.  Other football movie ideas I had was "Air Bud" or "Little Giants".

I did have some concern before from a few parents who said that their sons were a little nervous since they didn't know much about football, but I just reassured them that it wouldn't be awkward.  I know that all the boys had a BLAST and were talking about it for weeks!

I actually had even more games planned such as football bingo and a dizzy kicker game with a balloon but we just didn't have time...

I got a lot of my ideas from here on BirthdayPartyIdeas.com.

Thursday Thirteen Inspiration (A few days late!!!)

Okay, I'm DAYS late on this, but I thought I'd share some inspiration I added to my Notebook on Tumblr...  Aren't these women amazing?


#1 - DIY Barbie House from A Girl and a Glue Gun - I LOVE this Barbie house and wish my daughter was more interested in Barbie's so we could make one!  Now I'm hoping my baby girl will have an interest when she gets older, JUST so I can make a barbie house!  lol

#2 - Silk Tie Dye Eggs from A Little Tipsy- I bookmarked this LAST year and think it is awesome!  It's a little late for this Easter but put it in your files for next year!  These eggs are incredible!

#3 - Mac and Cheese at The Pioneer Woman Cooks -

This Mac-n-cheese looks AWESOME!

#4 - Flower Pot Magnet Board by JK Made - How cute is the magnet board and flower magnets? 

#5 - Crafty Storage by Controlling My Chaos - I LOVE this because I have lots of cards and puzzles that REALLY need new boxes or containers!

#6 - Memory Makeover at Infarrantly Creative- Another great game container redo!

#7 - Easiest Cinnamon Rolls Ever at That's {FAM}tastic! -

These cinnamon rolls look DELISH!  Can't wait to try them!

 

#8 - Family Game Night Board at How Does She? - I LOVE this board and I can't wait to make it into a FHE board!

#9 - Mickey and Minnie Cake Pops at Bakerella - I LOVE Mickey & Minnie House and I LOVE cake pops!

#10 - Family Photo Coloring Pages at A Little Tipsy - What a GREAT idea to make coloring pages for the grandparents!  LOVE it!

#11 - Towel Rack at Poppies at Play - I've been looking for a towel rack idea for the kids bathroom and this is definitely a winner!  Now to find me a cute cabinet door!!!

#12 - Big Dice at Lemon Tree Creations - One day I will have my dream house which will have a fun game room in it and this will make an awesome decor piece for that room!  LOVE it!

#13 - Sock Exchange at Lemon Tree Creations - Another fabulous decor project!  I've been thinking of doing something like this with my mismatched socks for my laundry room, but this is SO much cuter than what I've come up with! 

And for LOTS more inspiring ideas, feel free to visit my Notebook on Tumblr  or my bookmarks on Delicious!

Thursday 13 - April 8th

I'm going to share thirteen of my favorite inspiration ideas that I've added to my notebook from this past week...

In no particular order:

#1 - Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts from How Does She? - How cute and easy are these?  My kids would LOVE making these for their teachers!!!

#2 - Twirly Skirt from JK Made - Jeanette is a friend/neighbor of mine and she is AMAZING! I can't wait to make matching twirly skirts for my girls! 

#3 - Driveway Signs at Family Fun - LOVE these signs...  I think I will just paint some to put in my garden!  Too cute!

#4 - Dress-up Suitcase by A Girl and a Glue Gun - LOVE this!  We are getting quite the dress up clothes collection and I would love to make one of these to store them in! 

#5 - Inbox by How Does She? - I am THE WORST at paperclutter and I have just the spot I could hang one of these if I made it!  Love it!!!

#6 - Bird Bath at Family Fun - LOVE this!  You could decorate it to make it all cute and the kids would love it!

#7 - Fabric Flowers at My Blonde Ambitions - These Fabric Flowers are SO cute!  LOVE them!!!

#8 - Don't Eat Pete Game at Crafting Chicks - How much fun is this?  My kids will LOVE it!  I can't wait to design it up to play with them!!!

#9 - Letter Hanging at The Virginia House - I can't wait to make one of these for my plant shelves!  Cheap, Easy, and Beautiful!!!

#10 - Giant Carrot at Restlessrisa - I know Easter is over but I can't wait to make one of these for next year!  Awesome!!!

#11 - Bunny Bread at The Little Green Bean - Another one for next Easter!  How fun would it be to have this veggie/bread tray for next Easter!  LOVE it!!!

#12 - Strawberry Short Cake at Every Crafty Endeavor - I LOVE Strawberry Short Cake and can't WAIT to try this one out!!!

#13 - Fun Spring Crafts at Lyndsey's Craft Spot - I LOVE these!  How fun and bright!!!

And for LOTS more inspiring ideas, feel free to visit my Notebook on Tumblr!