Easter Egg Fun

I recently needed a quick and fun project, that would keep some girls busy.  Alana mentioned decorating Easter Eggs.  At first, I wasn't thrilled over the idea, but with some organization and thinking it through, it actually turned out to be one of my favorite activies that I've done lately and I am planning on doing it again in the next couple of weeks with a few others kids on a larger scale. 

I thought I'd share how I pulled this off very quickly and successfully, without destroying the kitchen and having a huge mess on my hands, since it really can be messy and a big job when you are dealing with more than one child. 

Supply List:
Easter Egg Color Packets
Stickers
Eggs
Plastic Table Cloth
Paper Towels
Whisk (1 or 2 per child)

What I did:
1. Boil an even amount of eggs for each child.  I boiled each child 6 eggs to decorate.
2. Spread plastic table cloth over table so that you and the children can relax and not worry about spills.
2. Give each child their own sticker sheet. (I purchased 1 barnyard animals sticker pad at the Dollar store for $1 at the last minute, it included chicks, rabbits, ducks, etc.) Next time I will get something with an Easter Theme.
3. One or Two boxes of Easter Egg Color Kit (I used one box) $1 at Dollar Store. It goes smoother if they aren't having to wait too long to dip their eggs in coloring.
4. Use the egg cartons to hold the eggs once they have been colored.  I cut the cartons for each child, so it was as if each child had their own little station that included a sticker sheet, whisk, and an egg carton that would hold 6 eggs, which kept them from bumping into eachother.
5.  A whisk is a great way to hold an egg while dipping.  I had quite a few of them, but a spoon will do the trick as well.  (got the whisk idea off of Pinterest)

What to do with those too young to color Easter Eggs?  Give them some paper and let them color an Easter picture, or put stickers on paper.  I chose to let Micah and Johanna decorate paper with stickers.  It kept them occupied and they felt like they were part of the fun! Ever since that day, Micah asks for "tickers" 'aka' "stickers."

I learned that from this activity that you don't have to wait until the week of Easter to enjoy decorating Easter Eggs.  The kids had a great time, and Alana has already asked when we are going to do this again with her other friends.  Next time we will add a hunt to the project:)

Look Who's 2!

SO, I'm Not A Cook..LOL

Any of you out there feel like you are not great at something that you should be really great at doing, because it's something that automatically comes with your territory?  Well, I've been wanting to talk about this for a while, because I definitley feel this way about a touchy subject, COOKING.  My husband is better at cooking than me.  He can get it done quicker, he's not as messy as I am, he's much more organized at it than I am, and no matter what I do HIS DISH always tastes better.  So, there's a lot of intimidation when it comes to OUR kitchen.  Honestly, I feel like I should just say, HIS kitchen.  He's not MADE me feel this way, it's just how it is.  On the night's that I mention cooking, within five minutes, Alana usually chimes in and says something like, "Should I fix a bowl of cereal or something?"  So to any of you out there that are super cooks but keep it simple (I'm not talking out of the box) and have some ideas for this mom, I'd love to hear them.  I'm not one to give up, but after 10 years of marriage, I'd love some ideas that are actually COOKABLE and delicious. And no worries, our marriage has not suffered from this...none of us are starving due to my lack of talent in the kitchen-:) 

Now that I've admitted my weakness, I would like to end on somewhat of a high note and share some of what I consider to be my strength in keeping my little nest nice and comfy. Many people ask me how I do what I do. I'm assuming when they ask that question they are referring to the daily schedule of being a Home School Mom, keeping up with a very active 2 year old, working a part time job, while giving private piano/vocal lessons, and volunteering as Youth Praise Team Director at our local church, and still enjoying all the things that come with being a wife and just living life and making a house a home.  One of the things I love to do is organizing and making my home easily functionable and livable.  I'm finding that it's something I just have a love for doing and it makes me so happy to do.  I also enjoy working on special projects to give my home a little bit of my own personality and so I've shared some of that as well. When people look at things on my walls, I like for there to be a story behind it, or a memory that comes with it.  I have a sample of one of my projects that I'm working on below as you will see.  Maybe I'll share some other things later on, but for now I've started with a few things.  All of these projects are VERY simple, yet have made a big difference, that's why I wanted to share.  I've labeled the pictures below with what I did and the reason behind it.  I'm simplistic in my approach to things and I have a purpose behind every project (I learned this from my husband) If there isn't a purpose behind it, no use in wasting my time or his on it...lol.  I also have a couple of pictures that I'm looking for a product to complete a project.  If you know where I can find the product, please comment.  Thanks a bunch.




this is a glass container I decided to use for some of my spring

nail polish that I got tired of pulling out over and over.  It makes for 

easy access.  It's also a lot harder for little hands to get into without

permission. (Organization)

Looking for 3 clocks that are either identical

or similar in style to be centered with each frame.  Each

clock above the children will be set at the time of their birth and

the clock above mine and Jim's picture will be set at the time

of our marriage.  There will be a phrase centered above the entire piece.

If you have seen a set of clocks that would work, please let me know where.

 

This was a terrific find at TJ MAX .   I put it

on one end of my dresser and it holds the necklaces and bracelets that

don't easily fit in my jewelry box. Organization (Pinterest Board)

 




Flower Power  (LOVE POPS OF COLOR IN MY HOME)

and fresh flowers is the way to do it. I'm not the best at arranging,

but I think it's so welcoming, especially to my husband when he

comes home after a long day.  I may not have the best meal ready, but

I think a gorgeous mantle let's him know he's home and he can

take a deep breath now. (Special Project, I pick fresh flowers every week)




Micah is a major climber.  So this is a shorter shelf that I

use for his stuffed animals that he wants to get his hands on daily, along

with some of his favorite trucks and other toys with wheels that

needed a permanent home.  I have to give credit to Anna Gillis (a piano student)

for giving me this idea.  I kept trying to use this shelf for organization, and she came up

with this idea and it works perfectly for my little climber.  (Organization)

side note:  the shelf is going to be painted.




more flowers (another inexpensive way to make the home feel inviting)




This project is a work in progress...My Grandfather built this chest

for me, and the first thing he said to me is that he built it sturdy enough

for a grown man to stand on. So while I do not intend on grown people standing

on this, I do intend on it becoming a window seat in my kitchen and

this is the beginning stage (these are not the actual pillows) I just put them in

to give an idea of where I'm going with this project.  I do already have the curtains up.

But, I generally keep them open.  I'm looking for a cushion and the proper pillows in

order to complete this project.  I'm thinking I'm going to move forward with this project. 

I had a get together at Thanksgiving and already had the chest in front of the window, and

it was actually perfect for some of the guest to sit on while the others finished preparations,

and we were all able to visit.  (special project)

 

 





I didn't take a picture of the entire shelf in Alana's room because if

you see two shelves, you've gotten the concept.  But, I do this a lot with

Alana's toys, especially if they are "themed."  For example:  Lala Loopsy, Barbie,

Lego Friends, etc.  I take a shelf unit and show her which one is for a particular toy

and we organize from there.  From then on, it makes for easy play and cleaning.  Everything

may not fit on one shelf, but you get the idea.  For example, the top shelf in this unit is for her

LIV GIRLS snow house that falls apart very easily, so by keeping it on the shelf, it makes for easy play. 

She can add and take down dolls as she likes or if she just wants to play with dolls separately and not play

with the house at all that's fine as well.  But, she has an idea of where things that are easily lost belong.  She

aslo has a shelf for Lala Loopsy items that will fit.  If it doesn't fit, it's in a separate bin, but this way, we aren't

crawling on our hands and knees looking for something with a magnifying glass (yea, I got tired of

that a very LOOOOONG time ago...ha ha!)

 I have more pics to add, but my blog is giving me a fit today and I try to manage my time well, so I'll have to save some of my other pictures for later. God bless:)

Peace

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

What an encouraging scripture to begin my day.  I am so thankful for the peace that Jesus has given to us as his children.  Peace in the midst of all things on our journey.  It's not always a simple journey.  As a matter of fact, we often times find ourselves dodging circumstances in life, just like the days in P.E. when we played the game of dodge ball.  Except, it's a lot harder now.  This is the real deal.  It's no longer a kid throwing a ball at us that if we get hit, we won't get injured, but we are now dodging (sometimes HIT BY) real issues that can often leave us feeling weary, worried, and afraid.  However, no matter what we are facing, it's not God's plan for us to be any of those things.  That's why he said "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." I'm really thankful he left that peace for all of us. 

No matter what we are facing, we can trust Jesus with it.  I like to look at it as a trade.  I give him the things that I can't handle, understand, or control because I know that he is able, and in return, I receive his perfect peace.  It's hard for me to do becasue it's not in my nature, but the result is simple:  A better and more productive life that is lived to glorify and honor Him.  I have made my needs known to him and he can meet them, it's okay now.  I can trust him and I have perfect peace.  If you are struggling, I invite you to do the same.

Hoping someone needing His peace is encouraged today-:) And as always, I have shared lots of pictures below.


Alana's girlfriends: left to right: Brittany Mears, Heather Mears,
HannahSmith , Alana, and Hope Smith



LOVE this one!



So we favor a little-:)



Isn't she lovely?



Mommy's Boy

Thinking he's marked for life...lol.



My favorite pics of Jim and Micah so far.

A Walk Down Memory Lane (Alana is 9)

Flower Girl in her Aunt Crystal and Uncle Gary's Wedding.

Being curious in Grandpa and Granda's yard.

VPK/Pre-School Graduation Emmanuel Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL



VPK/Pre-school Graduation Emmanuel Baptist Church Tallahassee, FL



McClay Gardens Family Pic-nic Day.  Running from Daddy, Mommy
 captured a photo.



McClay Gardens, Tallahassee, FL.



McClay Gardens, Tallahassee, FL



Vacation: Baytown, Destin, FL



Pool Time:  Mommy Jumped in to give her a throw.



Saturday Pool Time.



Pumpkin Patch, Tallahassee, FL.



Four Generations:  Great Grandmother, Granda, Mother, and Alana



Texas State Fair, Beaumont, Texas



Alana's Kindergarten Mother's Tea.



Had to throw this one in...Look how tall she is compared to Granda.
Zoo World.



Trying to wrestle with Jim, looks like he is in control and they
are losing the battle.



Alana was tired, but this was our last Christmas without Micah.



Pumpkins anyone?



Her life changed forever.  She is such an awesome sister.



When I saw this picture for the first time, I thought "WOW, she
looks so much like a young lady."  It just hit me like a ton of bricks.
And every picture since then, has been the same.



Spending time in her "Princess Fort"



Last year: My first year of home schooling, learning how to manage
caring for a baby on top of it, working a part time job, and vocal and piano
lessons on the side.  I see this picture, and I realize how these two angels got
me through that time.



Alana's baptism:  She was able to select the location.  She chose the
Chipola River and it was PERFECT.



Another one of those, "She's growing up" pictures.



Pioneer Girl for Blountstown Pioneer Settlement



Solo



Caption This..lol



October 2011, I was actually pregnant with Micah in this photo.



80's Bowling Party- or that's the year we picked.



Loving on Grandpa



Teaching Micah



Cowgirl star



Dressed for the Party



Love this one



9 Years Old....Happy Birthday to my Angel:)