Recent Reads

My recent reads as I continually work on providing a home of love and harmony. I adore how the tv is off and we are reading, reading..reading :)

30 Very Veggie Devotions about Kindness:  Love it, simple and meaningful. The kids are enjoying it. We read it every night, only takes a few minutes to make a valuable point.

Making Brothers and Sisters Bestfriends:  So far so good, thought later we'd read and discuss as a family. Very biblically based, some good points. I like how its written by siblings. 

A Sane Womans Guide to Raising a Large Family:  Great, for the new Mom of 1 or the seasoned Mom of 10. Offers some good advice, and websites.

What are you reading? 

DeAnn

Fairy Garden

The weather is a tease of spring, perfect for playing outside all afternoon, which we took full advantage of from bikes, 4 square, chalk pictures on the drive way and What Time is It Mr. Alligator.  We started our outdoor fun, with the girls making this cute fairy garden, that I wanted to share:

If I was a fairy, I'd want to live here! ~ DeAnn

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year!! May 2011 bring good healthy and joy to you and your families. New Years resolutions, maybe if I post them I'll actually do them. One can hope right :)

Like the rest of the world, I resolve to get in shape!
Hopefully riding my new pink bike will help :)
Start a new family devotion book.
Practice and learn more about sewing, bought a machine..no excuses.
New doors for the house, been meaning to do that for what 10yrs!
Oh..my list could go on and on..but you know what, I'm just going to enjoy each day as it comes!

Life is a celebration, maybe that is my new years resolution!
~ DeAnn

Building Self Esteem

Moving beyond the refrigerator and building self esteem, my dear friend Lisa suggested this idea for blog post, thanks Lis! A simple but often over looked way to build a child's self esteem is to show off their good works. Here are some ways I've enjoyed all the hard work my children have done.

This is the door leading to the garage. I have put some of the children's work to admire as we leave each day.  I found it easy to use file folders with the prongs to make an easy display to build on.

                                                 Framing and displaying their best work.

  Adding a magnet or clothes pin can make for some creative ways to show off your budding artist work.

Last year the girls made these cute little hearts. I originally displayed them with suction hooks on the sliding glass door. This year, we made this cute little decoration to welcome guests by our front door.

One day I'd like to use these ideas:
Magnetic paint
Nice frame with a magnetic backing to easily display and change art. (creative memories has a sample)
The fancy sticker word of Masterpieces above a designated wall for the children's art.
If I had the right spot, a clothes line to hold and show off their art.

Filling our home with children's art, builds self esteem and makes me smile! 
DeAnn

Christmas Frenzy

Christmas always leaves me exhausted! It was a lazy enjoyable day at our home. I found that I totally over bought, so we are good for the next few birthdays, valentines and maybe even easter.

My favorite Christmas gifts: Teagan giving each of the girls one of her cheerished dolls. Trinity giving Brendan a drawing she made for him. Sadie wrapping and giving me one of her stuffed animals.

This Christmas we had a lot of "things" yet the greater gifts were the thought, love for one another, that I will cheerish and remember.

~ DeAnn

Rudolph Kisses

This may have to be a new tradition! Rudolph came and gave the little ones kisses last night! They laughed and giggled when they saw their noses in the mirror. 

                         If this might be fun at your casa, use paint not lipstick. The lipstick was gone by morning.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!  May the joy of the season fill our hearts and homes as we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.  Love, DeAnn

Tutu's and Jewelery

I wanted to share these cute crafts. Tutu's are the rage and I never knew how simple they are to make.
I made these two no sew tutu's in no time. A great way to spend a cold afternoon.

They are full, fun and easy! My girls are loving them.  Step by step instructions:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTXo6uv9HxA

 I also made this fun braclett.   Gotta love super simple crafts!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yahhHoXE9c

Have fun! ~ DeAnn