New Year's Eve (for kids)!

If you're reading this and thinking that you haven't done anything for your little family to celebrate New Year's Eve...its not too late!  I made up a couple quick things for us to enjoy with our kids tonight before midnight, of course.  

I whipped up some cupcakes (total time: 30 minutes - 10 prep, 20 to bake), let them cool, frosted, and garnished with sprinkles (my kids' favorite!).

Find these quick to print cupcake toppers here!

I just taped a itty bitty fork from my cupboard onto the backs of these toppers.  The kids will help stick the rest of the toppers in the cupcakes when they wake up from their naps.

I made these celebration hats (total time: 10 minutes) for the kids to wear while we eat and party!  This idea is from Mommyapolis and the quick tutorial can be found here.  She made her hats for 4th of July last year, but I thought they were perfect for any celebration!  The kids decorated with stickers (well, mostly I did the stickers because they lost interest).

There you have it.  A super quick, thrown together little New Year's Eve for kids.  You can do it, too!  We'll add a little take-and-bake pizza and a dance party and the night will be loads of fun!

Happy New Year, Mamas!

(Un)Crafty - Wire Frame

This is really an (un)crafty project!  I took a frame, removed the glass and backing, stapled some wire to the back and voila!

This frame is 24 inches x 36 inches.

Now I can change photos, artwork, and season decor with ease in our family room!

Easy project (can you even call that a "project"?!).

Holiday Traditions

The beauty of the holidays are traditions.  Traditions make that magical feeling we all love so much about that wonderful time of year.  We have a few holiday traditions in the works.  We do not have family in town so sometimes we travel on holidays which doesn't always lend itself to creating many traditions at home.  Now that the boys are getting older and more into tradition, Hubby and I are too...

This year, we started a new tradition: "The Elf on the Shelf".  We love this adorable story that has created a great new tradition for us.  The book is wonderful and at the end there is a page to mark the date of the start of the tradition for your family and the name of your elf.

Image from potterybarn kids

The Elf on the Shelf

Each night your elf magically travels back to the North Pole to report back to Santa.  Then, the elf is in a few spot in the morning than the day before.  The boys love getting up and looking for...

Zippy.

That is what we named our elf.

This is our other tradition.  I'm still working out some kinks.  Last year, I made this felt advent calendar but the boys weren't really into it.  This year, I made a little Christmas tree out of tag board and got some felt stickers.  Each day, we take out the stickers and decorate the tree a little more.

I admit that I would like this tradition to be more centered around the real reason for Christmas.  Next year I hope to be a little more prepared with some nativity pieces, bible verses, and stories from the birth of Jesus.

What are your favorite holiday traditions, mamas?

Baby Gift

I am so excited because I just ordered this adorable gift from The Baby Bunch for my good friend who just welcomed her first baby girl.  Have you ever seen anything cuter?!

Pink Birdhouse Pajamas

Do you do this? {Book Advent Calendar}

Do you do this? {Book Advent Calendar}

I love this Book Advent Calendar idea for next year!

(Un)Crafty - Starburst Mirror

You have seen starburst style mirrors everywhere.  They are cool.  And usually expensive.  I saw this tutorial on Honey We're Home how to make my own and I thought it was worth a try.  I used chopsticks (available at party supply stores...or your favorite take-out restaurant), bamboo skewers, a cheap 5" circle mirror from JoAnn's, a hot glue gun and metallic silver spray paint.  It was so simple!  I think the whole project only took about 30 minutes from start to finish.  The mirror ended up being pretty big, so I didn't have a place for it, but it was perfect for my mom's bathroom, so she has it hanging in there!  I encourage you to try this project for yourself or for a gift!  Visit the tutorial for steps to follow!

Amy Lou Jewlery

My super crafty, super trendy little sister launched her Etsy site yesterday!  Amy Lou Jewelry has cute, affordable, up to date accessories.  You have to see the earrings, bracelets, and necklaces she has created so far.  Of course, she would love to create a custom piece for you, mamas!  With prices like these, we can always have the perfect accessory.  A few of my favorites so far: the Ava Earring, the Amelia Bracelet, and the Addison Necklace.

So...what's your favorite???

Rudolph Cookies!

Adorable Rudolph cookies made by our friend, Jen.

What child (or adult) wouldn't love these festive Rudolph cookies?!  This special reindeer is pretty popular at our house, so the cookies our friend, Jen brought over last weekend were a huge hit!  Here's how to make them...

1 package of Pillsbury Simply Peanut Butter Cookies
M & M candies (for eyes and nose)
chocolate covered pretzels (make your own OR buy them already dipped!)
frosting (just a bit: to attach M & Ms)

Directions:
Form each cookie into a slight triangle shape before baking.  Bake according to package.  Cool for 2 minutes, then press pretzels into cookie for antlers.  Continue to cool cookies completely, then add small dots of frosting to attach M & M candies for eyes and nose!  Voila!  Thanks to Jen!

Crunchy Craisin Salad

As usual, I can't take credit for this recipe.  A friend, Molly, started bringing this salad around years ago and now its a staple for my family, too.  We especially like this tasty salad around the holidays - its so very festive!

Crunchy Craisin Salad:
1 head of broccoli (cut into small florets)
1 head of romaine lettuce (cut)
1 package ramen noodles
1 cup pecans (chopped)
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1/3 cup brown sugar

Toss cut broccoli and cut lettuce in large bowl.  Set aside.  Combine dry ramen noodles, pecans, butter and brown sugar in oven-safe bowl.  Stir until noodles and pacans are coated.  Brown in oven at 350 for 10 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool.

Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3-2/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce

Toss all ingredients together and garnish with craisins.  Enjoy!