Thanks to my dear friends at Weathered Ways, I created my first ever spring wreath for my front door. Normally, DIYs scare me but I am all about being unique and putting my own twist on home décor. The one thing I love about Spring is the colors. I love the fresh air and the flowers that embrace our front porch. I love the cherry blossoms that line the path near our house and the sun that peeks through the clouds more and more every day. Spring happens at a time when mamas need it most. Bright colors and the freshness of new life is a real mood lifter. Am I right, mamas?
This wreath only cost me $23 in supplies. The most was the $14 WELCOME sign that I purchased from my friend who owns her own sign business called Weathered Ways. Please check them out.
Here are a few more DIY inspirations for your front door...
Extra Materials:Stick Wreath = $2, Faux Flowers = $9/3 stalks, Green Floral Wire = $2
And this one is for my own mama who, like me, loves to knit. This wreath uses feathery yarn and is a super easy DIY.
I heard someone say this one time when I was struggling to balance motherhood with my desire to write. Writing doesn't scare me but the unknown does. What if I dive head first into a book and it takes over my life? What if my kids suffer? What if people don't like my work? What if... what if... what if?
So I did what any crazy mama would do - I took the bull by the horns and reminded myself that parenting scares me every day so, WHAT THE HECK! BRING ON THE SPOOK FEST!After all I am due for a mid-life crisis anyway.
Writing is a journey. It is a test of patience and commitment. It allows you to embrace the unpredictability of the imaginary world in which we all wish we lived. And that, my friends, is what makes this journey so scary and yet so exciting.
My first book, Billy Barlow Makes Room For School, was released at the beginning of this year. I was inspired to write this book when my kids' 1st grade teachers set a goal for each of the students to read 100 books by the end of the year. Amongst the categories of required books was Chapter Books. My first thought was "How can a 1st grader read an entire chapter book, much less 6 of them by the end of the year." We went straight to work and, thankfully, my kids were able to reach their goal. It wasn't easy. Bedtime was like wrangling horses and listening to them sound out word after word tested our patience but we got through it and they were very proud to reach their goal.
This experience with my own kids gave birth to the Billy Barlow Series of easy chapter books. Book #2, Billy Barlow and the Bacon Lovin' Bully, is still in progress but is set to be released on Amazon Kindle in April 2016. In the meantime, head over and download your copy of Book #1 today and watch your young reader beam with pride when she reads her very first chapter book.
When my kids were born, gender reveals was not a thing. In fact, social media was not even a thing. Couples found out the gender of the baby and either sent out a mass email or told family around the dinner table. My husband and I were old school. We decided to hold on to the excitement until the day of our baby's birth {both times}. My doctor told me that she only had 3 patients (at the time) who decided to not find out the gender, and I was one of them. I never heard of anyone in my mom's family finding out ahead of time so I guess my generation was the start of a new trend and my husband and I were just not willing to hop on board just yet. There was just something so exciting about waiting - like a child anxiously awaiting Christmas or a puppy jumping up and down to go for a walk.
That said, I find great appreciation in gender reveals. All of the cute YouTube videos, the cutting of the cakes, and the professional photos that ignite a sense of excitement are all things I wish I had the chance to enjoy when I was pregnant with my kids.
And so, if you are a parent searching for a unique way to reveal the gender of your baby, check out these 5 DIYs I compiled for you here.
And let me be the first to say CONGRATULATIONS!
1. Color Pinata
Make your gender reveal a colorful and festive event for your friends and family with this DIY Pinata.
What could be more fun than getting a little messy? Get the whole family involved and throw some paint on a blank canvas that you can later use as a décor piece in the baby's nursery.
4. Map It! Place a few baby items, like onsies and blankets inside a box or chest. Make sure items are pink or blue in color. Hide the box {or burry it} and have your guests follow the map to it's location. Or, instead of using a map, place riddles at various locations that will eventually lead them to the treasure chest.
Want to find out the gender when everyone else does? Have your ultrasound technician or Doctor write your baby’s gender on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope.
When you are ready for the big reveal, open the envelope in front of your guests or let a parent open it for you. SURPRISE!
Everyone was late for school today, and I don't just mean my family. I mean everyone. Okay, maybe not EVERYONE but close to a third of the school's population was strolling into the building after the first bell. Phew! We're not the only ones who were messed-up by Daylight Savings.
I know we are not alone in this struggle. I know because a few years ago when we showed up late to church, we were not the only confused family engulfed by a Twilight Zone experience. Changing clocks is the real deal. It graces us with bags under our eyes and bed-head for two days straight.
All laughing {and yawning} aside, it is SPRINGand the kids will be on Spring Break soon. I am all about sun and flowers and having fun, so here are some ways to keep your kids active over the break. Top 10 Family Friendly Spring Break Activities
1. Photo Shoot!
Take your kids to a tulip farm or a local park surrounded by flowers and greenery. You can dress them up, but let them be kids while you are there. Feed the ducks. Climb trees. Enjoy yourself. Trying to get them to POSE will just add anxiety and you do not want this to come across in your photos. Remember, this is a way for your family to enjoy nature together.
2. Softball/Baseball
One of America’s greatest pastimes begins in the Spring. Even if your child does not belong to a softball or baseball club, take them to an open field to practice batting and running. Kids just want to be outside so pick-up a bat and play as a family. Most clubs and stadiums allow the general public to attend games as well. This means you can take your family to cheer on a local team. You will enjoy great weather, hot dogs, and lots of cheerful excitement. What could be more fun?
3. Spring Ahead... to the BEACH! If you live close to the ocean {or a lake}, Spring Break always means it's beach time! The rainy season is winding down and the gray skies are turning blue. Work and school have weighed you down and you are ready to enjoy a nice relaxing day at the coast. Look for low cost hotels or a VRBO and make a weekend of it. It is just what the doctor ordered!
4. Backyard Fun Turn your backyard into your very own theme park. Set-up a volleyball net or if it is warm enough, lay down a Slip-n-Slide and let the kids be entertained by sprinkler water for hours on end. If you are creative and like DIY projects, turn your backyard into your very own splash-pad like this DIYer.
5. Multi-Family BBQ
Invite your friends or your neighbors over for a good ol' fashioned BBQ. Spend the day in the company of people you love and celebrate the season with a family favorite - BURGERS! If planning for a large group of people is too much, ask your friends to bring a dessert or dish for everyone to enjoy. Want to make it fun? Have the grill-masters do a cook-off! Who can make the best burger? Or have the bakers do a bake-off. Who can make the best pie? Have your kids get involved every step along the way. Not only will you all have fun, and full bellies, but you will be showing them that adults can be fun too!
6. Crafts
Spring Break is the perfect time to pull out that long list of craft ideas and let the kids go wild. Need some inspiration? Try making these cute water balloon flip flops. They are inexpensive, look cute and will keep your kids occupied for quite some time. All you need is about an hour per flip flop and the ability to knot. Make a pair for everyone in your family, or make a few and give them out as gifts. They are fun, easy, and make a great statement!
7. Make a Music Video!
When was the last time you let loose? I mean really let loose and got in touch with your inner rock star? Find your favorite semi-isolated location, bring your video camera and ipod, and make the magic happen. Kids love being STARS so let them get involved too. It doesn't take much filming or planning to create a music video - just some fun and focus. There are a lot of apps out there to edit your video and add music, or you can do what we do and use the FREE Windows Movie Maker.
Have you always wanted to try pottery or sculpting but haven't gotten around to it? Do you feel like your creative energies are bursting and need release? Check out your local Cultural Center, YMCA, or Parks and Rec to find classes you might enjoy as a family. There is nothing like getting messy together. Look for Groupons for Paint Nights in your area. They are a fun and interactive way to learn the techniques of painting. When all is said and done, you will have beautiful art you can put on display in your own home.
9. Shopping Spree!
Because, why not?! Everyone loves shopping for themselves, right?! Well, maybe not EVERYONE, but when you stop for ice-cream and take a break at that cool treehouse in the middle of the outlet mall, shopping for summer clothes becomes a breeze! Don't forget to download the Retail Me Not app before heading out. You wouldn't want to pay full-price for clothes your kids will just grow out of in a few months!
10. Berry Picking
Berry picking is very popular this time of the year. People love to get fresh fruit early so they can freeze them for those sweet summer recipes. Strawberries and Blueberries go quickly so use this site to find a u-pick farm in your area and get there before the good ones are all gone. And don't forget your rubber boots and bucket!
My son wants to be a Lego Engineer when he grows up. Basically, he wants to play with Legos for the rest of his life, and I am okay with that. Why? Because Legos are COOL!
When I was a child I begged my parents to buy Legos for my birthday, prayed Santa would slip them under the tree, or better yet that they would just appear under my pillow while I was sleeping like something out of a magical fairytale. But I was a girl, and girls don't play with Legos - at least they didn't 30 years ago.
So you could imagine my surprise when, in our first year of marriage, my husband gifted me my first set of Legos. I was pregnant at the time so I'm sure I shed a few tears. I had already forgotten about my childhood dream of playing with these fascinating blocks. I had already forgotten about being a "Tomboy" and moved on with my life - with my Barbies and Dolls and all things "girlie." But it was in that moment, when my groom sat down and started building Legos with me, that I decided Legos were in our lives to stay - for better or for worse!
For worse came sooner than I thought.
Our daughter was our firstborn. She loved playing with the large Mega Blocks but she was just too busy to sit still long enough to build anything stable. Then, about two years after our son was born I introduced him to Legos and I have been stepping on them ever since. Which reminds me, have you heard of LEGO SLIPPERS? Listen-up parents! These slippers just might save your life! Or at least rescue you from searing foot pain.
Now, back to my son - the aspiring Lego Engineer. Two weeks ago he came home from school with a library book called The Lego Ideas Book. Immediately he built a moat he saw within it's pages and had every intention of building the castle to go along with it when he was due to return the book to the school library. Upon looking in his backpack after school, I noticed the book was still there.
"I thought you were supposed to return this book to the library today!" I said in my not-so-calm mom voice.
"Oh, well I decided to check it out again because I thought you might need one of these for your desk!" came his heartfelt response. {See picture left}
This guy knows how to tug at my heart strings!
And if he actually does grow up to be a Lego Engineer, I'm almost certain his house will look something like this...
And I will be forced to use this...
Or sit on this... OUCH!!!
but I'm okay with that because I vowed to love Legos for better or for worse!
Bonjour! Hola! Hello! Thank you for stopping by my new parenting blog. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tammy Williams, Mother, Wife, Volunteer, Children's Author, and Creator of Parenting Unscripted. My goal is to be real with you and to dive into exciting parenting topics. I strive for family balance and encourage my own kids to make good choices in life. I am hoping this blog will allow you to see that you are not alone in this whole parenting thing. Our kids are not always angels, and neither are we, but every twist and turn can become a teachable moment for all of us. From this day forward, I promise to engage your heart, show you how to embarrass your kids as I do mine, and provide tools for creative parenting.
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