Back to School Journal Writing

Have you ever wanted to do journal writing or keep records for your kids but have a hard time doing it? Here is an easy method. I bought journals for each of my children to write in. I found this list on the internet a couple years ago and typed it up really quick (thus the spelling errors-sorry!) and printed it out to keep in their journals. Right before school starts we sit down and I ask them the questions, and fill in the answers. My oldest can write her own answers. Then I reflect and write a little entry about them. My idea was to write several times a year, like at Christmas and birthdays as well. The kids love it and enjoy looking at what their answers were the year before and how much they've grown an changed. It really does not take that much time at all, and it is something you will treasure forever!

Do you keep a journal? What works for you?

Homemade Playdough {Recipe}

In medium pan combine 2 cups flour, 2 cups water, 1 cup salt, 4 teaspoons cream of tarter, 2 teaspoons oil, food coloring.

Cook over medium heat about 3 minutes, until consistency of mashed potatoes.

Turn out on flat surface. 

 Knead 1 minute.

Cool 10 minutes and play! Store in fridge.

Simple Summer 2013 Decor

With all of the excitement and chaos with the new baby, I realized today that I haven't shared our summer decor. It is really simple this year and most of it is from last year which you can see here. This wreath is new, however it only cost $1 for the grapevine wreath which I thrifted and then used a bunch of fabric and felt scraps for the flowers which I hot glued on. My friend told me a girl around here is selling these on facebook for $25! I told her she should list mine because I'd much rather have the $25!

Here is "the nook" which my husband actually did - I put the stuff up there and he laid it all out and I think he did a great job! The sailboat is the only thing "new" to me - thanks, mom & dad :)

We changed up the living room a little. We needed more seating. It's too narrow for a sectional, and we can't afford one right now anyway. So I tried to use what I had and decided to move the big chair to the other side of the room and bring in these old wood chairs. I put my cheery summer blue pillows on them and our big basket for library books in between. The girls think its a great reading nook and it has definitely helped with more places to sit.

And of course here is my new chalkboard with some quick summer "art" I threw up there.

Quick Fix: Two Easy Kitchen Updates - Chalkboard & Curtains { No Cost }

The first project was a new chalkboard, just because :) My mom gave me her old calendar holder. Have you ever seen these? So I spray painted the frame white first.

Then I got out my quart of Rustoleum Chalkboard paint and applied it with a sponge brush this time instead of my mini roller because I wanted to get it as close to the edges as possible without touching. Then I used a small brush to finish the edges under the frame. And that's it! I love it, I think its cuter than my old one and it's kinda neat that this used to hang in my mom's kitchen and now it's hanging in mine after I updated it.

Next "project" took just a few minutes but seriously made SUCH a difference and I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before. I have these cheap Ikea curtains in the kitchen that I just threw up with clips. They looked sloppy and hit the floor in sections.

So I did a faux pinch pleat of sorts - I just eyeballed it and clipped pleats evenly across. Now they hang nice and straight and do not touch the floor. When they are closed and the dining area is clean (ha!) it seriously looks so nice and stream lined now. It makes a difference to ME :)

So there you have it! Two quick fixes. (Sorry the pic is dark - I do not know how to get them right with big windows in the pic!)

Thanks for stopping by!

linked to http://www.remodelaholic.com/2013/10/diy-shoe-storage-organization-ideas/

Fourth of July Chalkboard Art

Just a quick post to wish you a Happy Independence Day 2013 and share a little chalkboard art I did for the occasion. I free-hand copied something I found on pinterest but there was no link or source.

Enjoy your holiday!

Baby girl.

I can't believe it's already been a month! I've been busy and consumed and fully enjoying this little lover...

Hope you are enjoying your Summer!

Nursery Reveal: Before and After "On Parade" Baby Girl's Room

At my doctor appointment today, it was decided to schedule me for induction tomorrow at 5:00 in the morning! So as I finish up a bunch of things around the house I thought I'd do one more pre-baby post of the nursery, we finally hung the curtains today and are all ready to go!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Sources:

PB Teen Blue Velvet Blackout Curtains via Ebay

Curtain Rods homemade and spray painted white

Pink acrylic curtain rod finials - PB Teen $1 each on clearance

Changing table - Craiglist

Changing table baskets and liners - garage sale

Side table - Ikea

Rocking chair - wedding gift

Pillows- handmade with Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Children at Play On Parade Fabric

Lamp - family antique with mod podged fabric lampshade

Picture Frame - PB Kids, thrifted

Crib Sheet - Target Circo on clearance

Crib - hand me down

White crib bedding - Ebay

Almost everything for this room was either what I already had or given to us. The only thing we bought specifically for this space was the EMT and brackets for the curtain rods and the curtains. We love how it turned out! Now we just need a baby :) 

Wish me luck ~ until next time!