Saturday, December 31, 2011

Countdown to New Years...Easy Last-Minute Ideas

Hello friends!
I realize New Years is t-minus 10 hours.
Nothing like last minute suggestions!!
These are easy though so maybe a couple will pop out at you!  

I love the fresh start of a New Year, full of hope, 
such a great feeling!  On the heels of Christmas though,
we usually stay pretty low key around these parts.

I am working on a Christmas wrap up blog post
and since I didn't know how long that could take {smile}
I decided to sneak this one in.

Since we're ringing in twenty-twelve,
here are TWELVE great last minute ideas to celebrate the New Year!


1. A New Years Parade
Parade around your neighborhood with hats, beads, recycled noisemakers {i.e. beans and water bottle containers}.  My friend organized this, what a great idea right?!  We are bundling up and heading out around 4pm.  So if you hear a wild rumpus, it's us!  I will let you know how it goes!


2. Pinata
It's a little late to make one, but if you're staying in, it's a little something fun to splurge on.  We got this disco ball pull-string pinata last year from our Party Store, it was a huge hit with the boys.  We counted down and then they pulled the pinata strings!  


3. Bubbles
Our local Children's museum has a bubble bash it's so fun.  They countdown the hour at noon.  Gather all of your bubble making supplies, head to the bathtub and fill the room...add some bubble bath, instant fun.

4. Interview your Kids
I love this idea for any time of year, birthdays, especially.  It would make for a great New Years tradition too.  You could make up your own or use one of these ready-made printables.



5. Countdown Bags
These have been talked about a lot, really a great idea.
Every hour on the hour, starting at 6pm say the kids open one bag
with an activity in it...watch a movie, make sundaes, play twister.
This would be great for a night in with friends.  You could draw some clocks
on the outside of paper bags with slips of paper.  
These beautiful ones are from 


6. Midnight {or faux Midnight} Snack
Some Pinterest inspiration...adorable and can be done quickly
especially if you use store-bought cupcakes {grin}.


7. Keeping Memories
This one is always on my list of resolutions, a better way to keep our memories.  I used to use a journal, write things on calendars, but this one
I could actually do.  Take a jar, use any scraps of paper and write down those 
things your kids say that you never want to forget.  I know I have lost some of the really precious ones thinking I would remember.  It doesn't have to be perfect or super pretty, just do it and think of all the things you could do with that info!  I am committing to this one this year!!

8. Oreo Cake
OK so we don't have time maybe to construct this one.  I included it for plain awesomeness and before PINTEREST had ripped this page out of a magazine for my oreo-loving husband.  The black and white are great for New Years.  This idea I am saving for his 40th birthday...I have a few years to make it {smile}. 
Don't tell him?!!

9. 2012 Bucket List
Go on and make that list! This one is super pretty.  Again
mine is just some scribbles in a journal.  Things I want to do with my
husband and kids.  I know writing them down makes them seem
a little more possible and real and gets the planning started!

10. New Years Printable
This amazing printable from The 36th Avenue could be your only decoration!!
Hop on over to print one out.  I always think if you download a printable for free, follow the blog, just a common courtesy!!


11. Time Capsule
Fill it full, let everyone contribute, and open it in 5 years, 10 years, you decide!!

12. Make your own New Years Ball
You may even have all you need for this adorable craft, loving it!
Click the link below for instructions. 

However you enjoy today it will be special!!
Wishing you all a safe, happy, and healthy New Year...
full of wonder!!!

{michelle}

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!


Well Hello, Hello!!  How is everyone after Christmas?!!
I am always sad to see it go, but it truly was magical!
Are you still climbing out from under the piles?
How very blessed is that?!

Now for the winners, this always makes me happy
to give a couple things away!

The choice of either the boy or girl print and some playroom
design help and inspiration is...

JILL!!!






Jill said...


I shouldn't have a hard time organizing my kids toys - I have a 700 sq. ft. playroom. Buuuut, I'm constantly organizing and reorganizing the space as they grow older and as we start getting boy stuff in after years of only girl toys. It's such a wide open space with so much potential...and it's taking soooooo long for me to focus on getting it just how I want it. :/ I feel like the little stuff is just lost in bins and then the pieces that go with other pieces don't get played with because it's all just tossed in so carelessly - With my oldest just turning 5, there isn't much skill in the cleaning dept. with them and I just don't have to time to put it all back together every day. How can we keep it all where it belongs???

True Random Number Generator  2Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Can't wait to get some thoughts and ideas going with you!!

And for the Starbucks Giftcard...

{insert Star Wars music here because well we're having a Star Wars marathon over break}

The winner is....

JAIMEE!!!


True Random Number Generator  8Powered by RANDOM.ORG





The McOmie's said...







I am new to the blog and I am now a follower! Hi!

Jaimee

Jetyson747@yahoo.com

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas!!!


Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas!!

{Christmas 2011}
{l-to-r: Griffin, Liam, Ethan, Beckham, Aiden}



{Christmas 2010}


{Christmas 2009}

See you after Christmas! 
I'll be announcing the giveaway winner
and we'll have lots to talk about won't we?!

Safe travels and enjoy your time with family and friends!!
Hugs from us to you!
{michelle}

A Child is Born, Celebrate!



Our advent calendar surprise today is...
We do this every year and sing "Happy Birthday" on Christmas. 
While I always want us to make an angel food cake
because it makes the most sense, 
we usually end up making something with chocolate,
which also goes by another name I will refrain from using {yikes}.
Admittedly we are chocolate lovers if you haven't seen enough proof by now!


Since I am not such a great cake baker, we stick to cupcakes,
but I do hope to make this one, isn't is so pretty?
{Squidoo}

As taken from The Worldless Book explained in the Squidoo link...
Each layer has a meaning {love it!}
chocolate reminds us we are sinful
red reminds us Jesus shed his blood for our sins
white reminds us that Jesus has given us a clean heart
green reminds us to grown in Christ
yellow decorations remind us of heaven
candles remind us Jesus is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD


My sister makes a jello poke cake every year like this one.

We do give gifts to Jesus, in this box on slips of paper.
The last couple years we slacked off...hmm...
I think at that point all we were wishing for was a 
SILENT NIGHT {grin}.


We add something we are working on to better ourselves,
something we did for someone else in the spirit of Christmastime.
I am happy to get back to this beloved tradition this year.
The slips of paper are great to look back on.  


One of our all-time Christmas favorites is this set,
What God Wants for Christmas.

I picked ours up at our local Christian bookstore a few years ago.
We had a birthday party for Jesus before the little guys came along
with E and friends, and it was such a great activity.
All the boxes contain pieces of the nativity, 
but the most important piece is you!!
The last box holds a mirror and it is a sweet surprise and 
fantastic reminder for all ages.


And because we love a celebration, here are a few 
great things you can add to your decorations.
All are ready-to-print, just click the links below each.
{I always think it's great to comment or follow the blog in appreciation!}


The sweet duo from Lolly Jane, offers this free printable...

{Lolly Jane Boutique}

So glad Jennifer from Bella Grey Designs contacted me,
she has adorable {and free} printable cupcake toppers
and a Happy Birthday Jesus banner, just perfect!!

If you happen to have a Hobby Lobby near you, they have
always carried Happy Birthday Jesus paper goods and activities
like nativity ornaments, etc.  Love that!


So I am heading out to be pummeled by all those
carrying the Christmas Spirit {said with load of sarcasm!}


I will keep this in my heart though as I fight through it all
{pause for dramatic effect}.


Wish me luck!!  
{michelle}

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmastime {LOVE}...


Join me on a little trip through our week in pictures.
This is such an amazing time of year!
Yes, it's me promising I don't have much to say...
I know, crazy right?!

{our shepherd with the loose tooth}

{method acting, character acting? just smile!}

{loving the Christmas pageant stage}

{tooth officially lost during dinner}

{mommy cuddles after naptime}

{Aiden loving our musical snowglobe}

{first sugar cookie frosting for the little guys}

{Count Liamcula}

{Liam's first decorated cookie}

{Aiden + Griffin, me want cookies!}

{Aiden's sugar overload!}

{Beckham covered in icing..all or nothing baby!}

{more after nap cuddles...with big bro}

{practicing...he looks so old here!}

{free printable:  Jones Design Company}

{Little Christmas Concert}
{my beaming little performer, so much fun!}

Christmas Carols played by piano:
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Away In A Manger
Jingle Bells
Joy To The World

We will be wrapping things up here {literally!} and 
savoring our days together.  Wishing you wonder*filled moments
in these last couple days before Christmas!!

{michelle}

Little Drummer Boy Plates and More...

Good Morning friends!!!
Can you believe it?

Counting today of course because I still have some wrapping and errand running and we're having a little get together for Ethan to play some
Christmas carols tonight.  Him playing Christmas music, nothing sweeter!!


A reminder too to enter the GIVEAWAY!
Odds are in your favor to win this print, some playroom design help
{thanks to the after-Christmas toy-takeover?!}.




It makes my morning happier to say my 

{Stenciled Christmas Tree Bucket}


was featured by Allison at House of Hepworths,
I have loved her blog for a long time, so it's great to be there...
IhookedupwithHoHlamespice
and 
Jaime Lyn over at Crafty, Happy, Scrappy, 
one of my favorite places for inspiration...
Photobucket

Thank you so much lovely ladies!!!
*~*~*~*~

Today I am sharing my tutorial for these great drummer boy plates
that now adorn our stairway...




Here is the post I shared a couple weeks ago over at Little Blue Prints...
*~*~*~*
Hello there!  It's so great to be over here visiting at Meg's blog today! 
I adore her style and well I adore her too!  

As part of my {twelve day} It's A Wonder*Filled Christmas series, I created some Little Drummer Boy inspired plates  In lieu of placecards, I thought these would be sweet and fun!  With five little guys, I like to make things unique, but they have to be simple too.  



To make some of your own, you'll need...


Supplies:
*plates {mine were $5 for 8 at Goodwill}
*painters tape
*sharpie paint marker {1 fine point, 1 medium point}
or if you'd like your plate to be food safe, 
you can use this marker and follow the instructions
*imagination!

You will also need an image, and since this is just for my personal use,
I found one here that I liked.  Print the image out and then cut the image out creating a stencil.  

Before starting make sure the surface of your plate is clean and dry.
Tape your outline to the plate {painters tape works great!}
Slowly outline your image and then fill in.
You can worry about the little details at the end,
initially just get your shape down.
I recommend shading in one direction 
for the smoothest image.  


Note: The Sharpie paint marker is permanent, 
so just go slow and steady and you'll be fine!!
If I can do it, you can!

Once you have the image inked on the plate,
it will look a little like when you've painted just a single coat of paint.  


You'll want to go back over the details and add 
embellishments you add along the rim of the plate.
{Have fun with it!}

Here are some more designs I created switching up
the drum and outer part of the plate.




In a row like this, reminds me of the Beatles a bit! {grin}


Do you Pinterest? 
Any of these images can be added to 

These silhouette plates would make GREAT gifts.
In total I spent about ten dollars, really budget-friendly too!

Meg, thanks so much for having me by!  
I have enjoyed hanging out in your beautiful space!!

{michelle}


*~*~*~*~*~
Take care friends and enjoy these last few days before Christmas!!!