Stop that rhyming now I mean it!

Name that movie?
I wanted to share some gift ideas. My friend Lacy posted some and I am always looking for new ideas so I thought I would share some as well.

I'm giving out these candy tins for Christmas. I got the idea while I was in Missouri. They had their Super Saturday table out. You can get the tins at specialtybottle.com. The cost depends on how many you order (because of shipping). I called around my family and we ordered 65, so the cost was 1.33 per tin. Anyway you just wrap Hersheys nuggets in Christmas paper, tie with a ribbon and voila.

I have a saying I put with them:

People are a lot like chocolates
You are never sure whats inside
They're covered with a protective shell,
And you must see what they hide.
Some folks seem to be very smooth,
While others are soft and sweet,
Still others can be quite nutty,
But having Friends like you is a treat.

If your kids want to give their friends something for Christmas, this would be inexpensive, just attach the poem to a candy bar.

These notepads are at square one printing for 20 cents each. Just add scrapbook paper to the top paper and wrap it around to the back and it makes a cute (very inexpensive) gift.

Wanna hear the corny poem I came up with for this one: I'm planning on giving these to those I go visiting teaching to in January

A new year's upon us,
the old one is through.
So here's a note pad,
to jot a thought or two.
A new year's resolution
for you to pursue.
Don't worry if you fail,
I always do.

I love to come up with poems to go along with gifts. Here is what I did for the month of November. (It was a mug that had a hot cocoa packet and a microwave popcorn bag in it) We had the mugs already and so to do this for those I go VT to and Kevin goes HT to, was only around 2 bucks.

Leaves are falling all around

The days of Summer gone.

Time for a little R&R inside

No more laying on the lawn.

Hot cocoa and some popcorn,

A mug to hold it too.

Sit back and enjoy it knowing

that we have thought of you

I told you I was corny. I usually come up with a new poem every month. Kevin says I should compile them all and publish them. I wonder if people would even be interested.

BriLynn turns 3

We had BriLynn's birthday at Grandma and Grandpas house. It was fun to have all the cousins there to celebrate with us. We took video of her opening gifts and blowing out the candles but these ones show her excitement. I can't believe my baby girl is 3. I remember coming home after the ultrasound and telling Danika she was going to have a sister. She was so excited. We were a bit nervous since we felt we were missing a boy so we knew we weren't done having kids after she was born. 

Dora is her favorite, so I made a Dora cake. I think it turned out good for having left the instructions as to what colors and tips to use at home. I had made it when Danika was three as well, so I was happy to use it again since cake molds cost quite a bit. 

Ahh BriLynn you brighten up our home with your contagious smile and laughter.  Happy Birthday Baby Girl We Love you!

Ummm.. I disagree

I have seen so many friends talk about the Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  I was curious about it so  I borrowed it from my friend down our street. I love self help books. I remember when I first started having kids, I was constantly reading books about how to discipline in love.  Anywho...I was happy to know we have already been doing the things he suggests. I'm really enjoying it.  Given...I'm only a little over halfway through the book but, so far so good....all except for 1 thing.
I can't get over all the negativity about Credit Cards. I believe it's wise for those who use CC foolishly to cut them up and get rid of them. I know that he says 75% of airline miles are never redeemed etc.etc...I've read that but I see what has worked for us and I don't agree with it.
We use our CC like a debit card. As soon as I make a purchase I take it out of our checking account, just like I would a debit card. We pay it off every month (because it's already out of our checking account, of course I match the #'s first). We have never had CC debt, we don't pay late fees or any other penalties because like I said, the money is already taken out to pay it off every month. The difference is, at the end of the year we have over two hundred dollars in cashback to use for Christmas. Whereas, the interest from the bank would be umm...two bucks? umm....2 bucks to 200 is a big difference. I feel like I'm using the CC company instead of them using us. Make sense?
We have been doing this for the last six years or so.  We don't use our CC for emergencies...that is what the rainy day/emergency fund is for. We don't buy frivolously either.  Like I said before, we use it like a debit card.  So that's my disagreement, thoughts anyone?

Feelings

My feelings have been on the surface this week. My thoughts first turn to a family that just lost their mother. I do not know the family very well. I've just known them through the scouting program, but I can't imagine the heartbreak they are going through. You are always reminded how precious life is when these kinds of things occur.
Second, today I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for our school.  I don't deserve it as there are so many that have helped me in my duties as PTA president. I don't need to be recognized, they do.
I got a book from my sisters called Side by Side. It's about helping your spouse in their church calling. I was reading last night how the load of a calling can be lightened by others doing their jobs. This works in everything. A mothers load is lightened when her children pick up after themselves and so on. My load is lightened by those willing to support me in my duties. So, thank you to all who lighten my load.

11/11/11 Party

I thought it would be fun to throw an 11/11/11 party for the kids.  I let them invite 11 friends, there were 17 kids total. Thank goodness again for my neighbor who helped with the kids. That and the nice weather so they could burn off some energy outside.

  Every time I said 11 in the story I made up they would pass the prize. Like the left and right story for Christmas. 

Doing a word search to find eleven, 11 times.

 Jumping on the tramp 11 times

 Doing 11 jumping jacks. Watching BriLynn try to do it was so stinkin' cute!

The prize after completing the treasure hunt that had 11 clues. Well...except the I love you cake, that was for Kevin :)

Maybe next year I'll do a 12/12/12 party since there won't be a 13/13/13

A day of bonuses

Yesterday in Relief Society a girl had mentioned that we should focus on the good stuff and our blessings. I'm going to try doing that...

My morning started out great. Got the kids and hubby out the door by 8. The three little ones were still asleep so I could shower. Bonus one (a quiet shower...so nice and rare). I got the kids fed and dressed, did some laundry then dusted the house. As I do my housework I like to listen to the radio. There was a contest, the 11th caller would get a prize if they answered a question correctly.
I was the 11th caller and here was the question:
How many players can be on the field in Football? Uhhh...yeah I'm not a big football fan. The DJ said "I'll give you a hint. 11/11//11 is coming up."
Well I get to choose a  tie or woman's necklace at a local store for free. Bonus 2! Good way to start off a day.

I headed shopping to Smiths because I LOVE the play land the kids can go to. Shopping with one is much easier than three. The baby fell asleep in the cart cushioned by all our coats. Bonus 3.

In the afternoon I watched my friends kids. It was a half a day of school so I had my six and her four. Danika called from the school and asked if a friend could come play. Lets just say I'm not cut out to have 11 kids 10 and under. A 5 month old, a 7 month old, 2 two year olds, 2 four year olds, a 6 year old, a 7 year old, an  8 year old and 2 ten year olds. My neighbor, a 13 year old girl came over to play. She helped a lot with the kids. Bonus 4!

Sure I had to clean my two year old and her sheets since she had peed the bed this morning, a kid got their fingers slammed in the door, kids snuck green sugar sprinkles and made a mess in my pantry, had to clean mud off my carpet and floor, a kid got whacked with a bat,  had to clean up flour from a two year old jumping on the flour can,  found marker on my wall, and the list could continue but...I'm going to focus on the bonuses that happened.

Bring on tomorrow :)