A New Year...A New Idea

So, the holiday season is wrapping up and I am still here in Lego H E double hockey sticks. I had an epiphany. After a long discussion and many long nights the week before Christmas, I have decided that I will rectify the "Here comes Christmas, so I don't get sleep because I have so much to do season" Are you with me???? Well, over the next year I am doing two things to solve that problem. plus, I am going to throw in one more "to Do" for giggles.



First, I am going to purchase one gift a month for the year for the adults that we lavish Christmas love with. We have a very large family and I am often at a loss for what to get the adults. Well, starting in January, I will knock one special person after another off of my list. There are many (about half of my list) that I could go out today and cross off my list. To defray some costs, I will start with those ones and purchase (or make) one gift a month.



Second, I will be making many of my gifts for all the small ones this year. I will break those gifts down by month as well.



And last, for giggles, I am going to declutter my home this year. You guested it, one month at a time. One month per room and then throw in some paper clutter and odds in ends into that mix too.



Lucky for you (my nonexistent followers/readers!) I am going to blog it all! Pics, tutorials, crazy before pics and all! BRING ON 2010! I am not scared! I am excited. And then perhaps next December, I will be able to take in the season the way it was supposed to be.







This will also help me post more often!!! Yeah!!



So, first room on the list is my family room. I just purchased a great dresser/buffet from the good ole' Good Will. I then marched over to HD and bought myself one of those great spray guns

and some "made famous in blog land" heirloom white, warm grey, and canyon black spray paint. I can't wait !!!! When this weather warms up, I will grab the sander and start!!! Check back!

~Heather

Samaritan's Purse | Operation Christmas Child | Drop-Off Locations

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Drop-Off Locations

Pictures from Heather

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Pictures from Heather

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Pictures from Heather

Click here to view these pictures larger

EtsyKids Halloween Design Challenge

there's a great new design challenge contest on EtsyKids that I am in. Check it out if you have time.
http://etsykids.blogspot.com/2009/08/etsykids-design-challenge-vote-now.html

bread recipe to try tomorrow

grabbed this recipe to try tomorrow from the great blog A feathered nest! Love her blog. Go check it out.
http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-02-09T20%3A09%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=10

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
(makes 2 regular-sized loaves)
2 1/2 t. yeast (or two 1/4-oz. pkgs)
1 c. warm water
1 c. scalded milk
2/3 c. honey
2/3 c. melted butter
2 t. salt (or a little less)
2 eggs
4-8 c. white wheat flour
Optional:
a handful (about 1/2 c.) quick oats
a handful of ground flax (about 1/4 c.)
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix milk, honey, melted butter, salt, egg, and yeast mixture while the mixer is running on low speed. Add the oats and flax if you're using it. Add flour gradually, 2 c. at a time. You may only need 6 c. of flour, you may need a little more, but you probably won't need more than 8 c. The dough should be a little sticky, pulling at the sides of the bowl a little bit. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Place in a well-greased bowl; cover and let rise until doubled in size - about 1 1/2 hours.
When dough is doubled in size, punch down dough. Knead a few times on a well floured surface. Cut dough in half; form into loaves and set them evenly into two regular-sized, buttered loaf pans. (The dough should sit about 2 inches below the top of the loaf pan)
Let the bread rise again for another 30-minutes to an hour. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it with your fingernail. Let the bread rest and cool for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing into it.

Santa's coming in 128 days!!! ok, thats 18 weeks!

Santa's coming in 128 days. That's only 18 weeks of shopping left! I have Christmas on the mind and then i found this in a great blog. www.bugnbelle.com/wp
By the way, besides having adorable bulit in models (aka children) she has a cute little shop on Etsy that I am in love with. Oh, I can't wait to strat dressing Lexi Lu in the cute little dresses and pantaloons.
Ok, so on to the point of the post:

First of all you can call Santa daily for FREE starting 12/13. It has a prerecorded message that changes daily!
1-800-972-6242
Now if you’re willing to shell out a little money I saw this on the Rachel Ray show and was blown away by the concept. You go online pay and schedule your child’s phonecall with Santa. You provide key personalization information and they even record the conversation for you to save! Now how darn cute is that?
http://www.santaspeaks.com
And finally of course what Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete without tracking Santa’s progress on the Norad Website. Now this is high tech!
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php

Modern Handmade Child Magazine

Ok so obviously I love handmade. Now, you all need to see this. This is the premier issue of the MHC magazine. It is made from the members of EtsyKids. I am a proud member of the great group, but that aside, this mag ROCKS!!!! Check it out here

http://modernhandmadechild.com/

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Though I don't have many (if any) readers, I have to apologoze. I am attempting to vamp up my blogger site by myself. I have little computer training, so this may take a while. Bear with me as I use the help of this amazing online world to give my blog a new, updated look. Also, on another note, try to excuse the grammar and punctionation. I am often tending to my little princess or energectic boys while typing and that doesn't always benefit this blog.

Walgreens photo deal-Limited time offer

A great lady from one of my groups let me know about this one! Thanks Kim!!

Open a Walgreens photo account before Aug 24, and get 25 free prints! Just in time to print some photos of the lil Princess.

http://photo.walgreens.com/storepage/storePageId=AFF1

Also, you can get .10 prints when you order more than 50 using code EASY50. This is valid until Aug 22. Both codes can be used!!!

Check out kim's blog at
http://chattywomen.com/valleyview/2009/08/12/photo-printing-found-at-walgreens-awesome-coupon-with-free-prints/

She always has some great tips!

RedBox meets WalMart

So, I am in love with Red Box. you know, rent a movie for a dollar a night...return it to any REDBOX booth. Well, I just found out that until September 30 if you rent a movie at the RedBox in Walmart and print your receipt you can get a free 8x10 photo from them!!!! Use a free movie code and get a movie and a print for free!!!! YEAH! Now what pic of my little princess do I want to blow up??

For the details go here
http://www.insideredbox.com/free-8x10-portrait-from-redbox-and-walmart/

BTW-this is a great site for special codes and deals at the Redboxes

We're back!!!!

So, I've been MIA, but for good reason. I would love to introduce my precious gift from God...

My angel came to our family on June 29, 2009. I am so blessed and love my three little pumpkins! Prince (4), Pumpkin (2), and Princess

Here are some shots from the first few days!!!

My boys

The family

Meeting their little sister

Going home

I have been totally consumed with the kiddos and following other blogs.

Then, I had a visit on Sunday from my hubby's cousins and they put some pep in my step. They were looking at my hair products and got so excited. They bought a ton, ordered some more, and are going to peddle my wears at their dance studios!!!!! Yeah!!!! Clearly I should be more outspoken about my SAHM business! fact is, I am shy about it. I have such a big family and i never talk about what I am doing. I need to "grow a set" and share!!!!

REI Outdoor Adventure series for Kids 5-12

Show kids how rewarding it can be to spend time in the outdoors. That's what our Passport to Adventure program is all about. Designed for kids aged 5-12, it's a fun way to connect them to the natural world and start them on a lifetime of outdoor recreation and stewardship.
Here's How It Works!
1. Start with an Adventure Journal, where kids can document their hikes, bike rides and other fun times. Pick up a journal in any REI store, or download and print one here. (PDF 880KB)
2. Use our handy interactive map to find local family-friendly hikes and bike rides. Lists are also available at your REI store.
3. Earn a prize! After you finish one outdoor activity, send in the tear-off postcard from the journal or fill out our online form to get a certificate of completion and a special prize—binoculars or a whistle that turn into other cool tools including a compass, magnifying glass and more!

It's Easy to Get Started!
At the center of the program is the Adventure Journal, where kids can document their adventures—from bird watching and hiking to kayaking and climbing. Stop by the Customer Service desk in any REI store to pick up an Adventure Journal, or download and print one here. (PDF 880KB)






Earn a Prize
After at least one outdoor activity, send in the tear-off postcard from the journal or fill out our online form to get a certificate of completion and a special prize—binoculars that turn into other cool tools including a compass, signal mirror, magnifying glass and more!-->

Free Camps at Bass Pro Shops

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageID=4766&cm_ven=redirects&cm_cat=mktg&cm_pla=ad&cm_ite=camp&cm_sp=family_summer_camp_2009-_-05_25_09-_-na

Kids Bowl Free

Another freebie (sort of) for the summer. Click on the link and see if there is an alley near you. You'll still need to rent shoes, but otherwise...2 strings everyday!!!!

http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

Father's day deal at OBS

So, no joke, my son's favorite meal is a horseradish filet from Outback w/ a baked potato and salad w/ ranch on the side. Did I mention that he is 4???I was so excited to find this deal for Father'sDay.
http://www.outback.com/foodandmenus/fathersday2009.aspx

Enjoy!

another theater...1.00 at AMC

Families, schools and organizations alike are invited to see great kids' movies during AMC Summer MovieCamp. Available at select AMC theatres, this fun-filled program brings you:
$1 movies from June 17 – August 5
Shows starting at 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday
Great field trip opportunities – groups can purchase tickets one week in advance starting June 10 at the box office or online at participating theatres
*Excluding applicable taxes & operating costs.

***AMC KidsPack™Only $3.00** for:
Kids’-size drink
Kids’-size popcorn
Kids’-size snack
Upgrade your KidsPack snack to a regular candyfor $1.00.
**Exclusive during AMC Summer MovieCamp.A $2.75 Savings.


Movie Schedule**
June 17:
Space Chimps
June 24:
Kung Fu Panda
July 1:
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 8:
Tale of Despereaux
July 15:
Horton Hears a Who
July 22:
The Spiderwick Chronicles
July 29:
Nim's Island
August 5:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Freebie deal o' the Week

So, we have decided to join the "Rice and Beans society" and pay our debt down for once and for all. In an effort to do this while keeping my children and I sane this summer I am on the look out for some free or near free deals. Once a week I am going to post a link or two to help anyone else looking to save some loot too!

First off is the Regal Theaters Free Summer Movie deal:

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx


REG’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing!When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!
Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.
Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.You can also select a state from the list below to find participating theatres in your area along with what films are playing each week!

For my own memory (or lack there of)

Brass Mill Stadium 12495 Union StreetWaterbury ,CT 06706-1292203-757-1621
06/16/2009-06/17/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Evan Almighty (PG)
06/23/2009-06/24/2009
Wallace And Gromit (G)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009
Charlotte's Web (G)
Inkheart (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009
March Of The Penguins (G)
Igor (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
08/04/2009-08/05/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
08/11/2009-08/12/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)