Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Priorities...

Have you ever read this story? This story reminds me to keep my priorities in check. Working on re-figuring some of my "rocks"... be back soon!
XO
BB

Monday, August 15, 2011

What lurks in the shadows of Family Fun Night....?

This week for Family Fun Night, get lost in the shadows! Creating your own shadow puppets is a wonderful family activity. This ancient form of entertainment is sure to get the whole family involved.
Snack:
Brownie Shadows:
1. Make a batch of your favorite brownies
2. Use Christmas gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut out shadows
3. Enjoy the deliciousness of your shadows!

(Thanks Google for images!)

Activity:
Puppet show:
Either make your own shadow puppets (get templates here) or create good old fashion hand puppets (see chart below.) Adjust the lighting to get solid shadows along a blank wall or white sheet. Get the whole family involved in creating a story, let your shadows bring your stories to life!


(puppet images via pin)


Do:
Shadow Hunt:
cut out "animal shadows" out of dark construction paper, place around your home let your children go wild on their shadow hunt!

Splurge:Capture and display your children's "shadows" forever. Purchase a digital profile and frame to display your wee ones shadows proudly. For all the details click  HERE!


** From your small infant to the inner child of your wonderful spouse, children of ALL ages enjoy shadow gazing!

May you lurk in the shadows more often!
XO
BB

** See last week's family fun night idea here!
P.S.
Thought I would share one of my favorite images....I keep this in my office. I love the that their shadows tell a story and reveal the innocent youth of their souls, and of course serves as a reminder that you are never to old to dance! This image makes me happy!

Learn more of this image here.


Friday, August 12, 2011

Have a bright week-end....

Each week-end I try to make hot breakfast for my family. After the week long hustle and bustle, it's nice to have a slow morning around the table together. I decided to add a bright note to a week-end classic...why not?!

May you have a colorful week-end!
XO
BB
** PS. I love to add fruit and veggie purees along with milled grains like spelt to my pancakes...a yummy way to sneak in nutrients!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

A little something crafty ...Mommy Time out!

Most of the crafts I post are crafts geared for your little ones or for you to do with you little ones. While you could do this craft with the kids, I suggest you give yourself a Mommy Time Out and do a little something crafty for yourself. I love all things garland. when I came across these felted garland pictures I knew instantly I had to make garland of my own. I am off to the craft supply to purchase my much needed materials, tonight when all are sleeping I will pop in a classic Jane Austin flick and make my own felted garland. I plan to make mine in shades of red, grey, and mustard yellow so I can use it both for my little Liam's vintage plane party and for Christmas!

Click here to learn how to make this simply perfect, felted garland!

 Make a beautiful strand of your own!
XO
BB

*** to see another Mommy Time Out idea click here!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Food Fun...

Have a little fun with your food. Today's Food Fun, is homemade chocolate bowls! Remember, kids love to help ...your dessert will taste sweeter as you think of all the smiles involved in it's creation!
(pic. via pin)

1. dip balloons in melted chocolate
2. wait for chocolate to harden
3. pop balloon
4. serve ice cream or your favorite treat inside the bowl!

Don't forget the cherry on top!
XO
BB


Monday, August 8, 2011

Add a hint of Rustic to your Family Fun Night...

Sneak in one final summer camping trip. Set up camp in the comfort of your own home. Today's Family Fun Night is indoor camping!

Campsite:
Tent:
set up a tent in the living room, or make a homemade tent using sheets, blankets strings.....anything! We hang t sheets in our the living room over the couches using string that we tie with thumb tacks to the wall. This creates a very large tent over the entire living room. Your kids will  have a lot of fun helping you to set up the homemade tent. Be sure to fill your tent with the camping essentials... sleeping bags and flashlights!


(both images via pin)
Campfire:
 Make a fake camp fire using craft materials. I like to gather rocks and sticks from the yard ( or better yet, let your kids gather them for you) and use orange and yellow tissue paper for the flames. Build your fire were you can all gather around. This is a great place for story telling and campfire songs!

Wildlife:
Decorate the room with any plants you have in the house, and place stuffed animals behind the plants, as if they are playfully hiding.

Menu:
Dinner: Tin foil Dinners
Wrap your favorite chopped veggies, protein options, and seasonings in foil, and toss into the oven. Bake at 350 degrees until fully cooked. A meal fit for the most experienced of campers!


Snack:
Munch on your camping favorites, we always have popcorn and trail mix!

Treat:
French S'mores
Find out how to add the Oooo La La factor to your S'mores  HERE
Activity:
Go on a bug hunt. You can use glow in the dark plastic bugs,that can be found at your local toy store, or bug stickers, have your children walk around with flashlights to find the bugs!


Make:
Leaf Prints:
Gather leaves from your yard. Apply paint, or ink to the leaves and stamp onto paper. These leaf prints will make fabulous artwork for you to decorate your home for fall!


Read:
Gather around your campfire and share a story. Consider checking out a camping related book from your local library. I recommend;
  • Curious George Goes Camping
  • Dora's Camping Trip
  • Maisey Goes Camping
  • Matthew and Tall Rabbit Go Camping
  • Otto Goes to Camp
  • S Is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet
Don't let the bed bugs bite!
XO
BB

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Inspired Spaces....

We all do it, there is no avoiding it; might as well embrace it.!Today's inspired space is the laundry room! Washing your laundry in one of these spaces may make this everyday ordinary chore feel like loads of fun!

Can you imagine sorting your clothes in here!

Add vinyl decals directly onto your appliances for a splash of color....you can change the design with your mood or season....I am thinking I found a new place to expand my Christmas decor!

Simple, clean, practical, very entertaining!

Great for small spaces

Beautiful built ins, love the color scheme....cheerful place to tackle that dirt

 Just feels Clean!
Love this DIY drying rack.....I think this will make it's way into my laundry space

Stunning!

 Love the folding table...I need one!

May every inch of your life be inspired!
XO
BB
(* images via pin)


Monday, August 1, 2011

WACKY Family Fun Night...

Have you noticed things have gotten a bit "wacky" around your house?  Inspired by Dr. Seuss's Wacky Wednesday,this week's Family Fun night is sure to break up the everyday mundane.We will be having our family fun night on....you guessed it.....Wednesday this week...really you can have Family Fun Night, on any night you choose to.

Meal:

Shake up the dinner hour by having a "Backwards meal." Serve your children dessert first! While I am not one to completely ruin a meal I suggest serving a bite size dessert like these bite size banana splits.
(Pic via pin.)
Slice banana into 3rds, dip bottom in chocolate sauce or soft ice-cream, then dip in sprinkles. Finish off with a squirt of whipped cream and a cherry on top!


Following dessert, serve up dinner with an extra side of wacky.....add colored mash potatoes to your menu!
(just add a drop or two of food coloring into your side dish!)


Activity:
Create a bunch of "wackiness" around your home. Let your children find the 10 wacky things. Some wacky ideas include;
  • Dad wearing his dress shirt....backwards!
  • The pillows are on the wrong side of the bed!
  • The milk in the fridge is green!
  • A chair is on top of the table!
  • The toys are out of the toy box!
  • The laundry is folded inside the dryer!
  • There is only a spoon to eat dinner with!
  • The door bell rang....but no one was there ( make sure you put Daddy to work, Daddies are great at wacky tricks!)
** anything else you can think of.... It is really great to make routine things around your house.....your children great appreciate a chance to have a bit of silly in their normal routines.

Learn:

Ask your children, and your spouse to share their wackiest idea of a perfect day. Learn what things your children really love, desire and dream about.....maybe you will find a wacky way to make some of their silly dreams come true!

** I played a similar game with some of my friend's children who were over for dinner the other night. I was thrilled when I asked them about their "perfect" day. Their answers were so delightful. One of the little guys said he would win a million dollars so he could buy a flat screen tv and a water bed for his room, then he would eat a Thanksgiving dinner....but not pumpkin pie....rather apple.... his mom had no idea he even liked apple pie....so you can guess what will be on her Thanksgiving menu this year! Really, this can be a wonderful way to learn more about those you love the most!......(I think she is still on the fence about the water bed...wink-wink!)

Make:
Wacky Sacks...so easy and fun to make....you can buy all materials at dollar store! Even my 10 month old enjoys playing with them. Learn how to make them here!




Read:
Of course, your Wacky Family Fun Night could not be complete with out reading Dr. Suess's Wacky Wednesday!


Modifications:
If it is just you and your spouse you can still add a hint of wacky to your day, by having a "backwards meal" and sharing your wild idea of the perfect day.

If your children are too young for the wacky hunt, you can always read them the story. You can never be too young or too old to read a Dr. Suess classic!

May you have one WACKY week!

BB
XO
P.S. did you catch my whiff of wacky?!

** To see last week's Family Fun Night click here