Love, Actually

I grew up with holidays being a big deal at my house.  This was made apparent when my sixteen year old brother asked my mom, "Why hasn't the leprechaun come yet?" last year at 7 p.m.  My husband rolls his eyes, but to me it is a tradition I want to continue.

The problem is, I don't make holidays about my husband at all.  In fact, it's always about the kids.

So I want to do something ultra special for him this Valentine's Day, so maybe next year he'll say, "Honey, how come cupid hasn't shown up yet?" and he won't mean it in a *wink wink* sort of way.

Stumbled across this blog by way of one of the many blogs I frequent.  Love, Actually is such a great idea blog!  I have to get some ducks in a row and try out some of these.  The best part, most of the ideas are not only feasible, but affordable too.  Makes having date night more of a reality once the little monsters show up in your house -- or start sleeping in your bed.  {Yes, that is still a common occurance at my house.}

 

Hope this helps make your Valentine's Day a little more romantic and hubby oriented!

Major Snowstorm in Arkansas!

Just because I know all you westerner's are getting slammed,
I thought I'd let youknow I feel your pain.

Hehehe

What? You don't see the specks?  Ok, ok, here's some proof!

So we had to bundle up our snow baby to go to church.  After all, it was her first snow experience, being an Arkansas girl and all.

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW

We all know that our inbox's are overflowing with invites to some pretty fabulous New Year's Eve parties...of if you're more like me, not so much.  I tend to kick it old school, by staying up with some treats, games, great company, and movies {all in my PJ's, of course} - minus the dressing up and drunk drivers.

Found these awesome party hats at Cathie Filian - probably won't make them, but it's on my list of things to do...  And I think the little neighbor girls would look too darling in them.

Also, for some good conversation starters with the neighbors you keep meaning to get to know better, check out these FREE playing cards from Real Simple.

Hope you all have a fun-filled and SAFE New Year's Eve.  Here's my toast to making 2010 the best crafting year ever!

My thanks for all your support in 2009!

The Beast

"Honey, you're going to kill me..." are not the words you want to hear from your DH when he comes home from a quick trip to Wal-Mart.

I like to think I've trained my husband to be frugal, so those words days before Christmas sent panic to my heart. I quickly called out, "How much did you spend?"

"No, it was free!"


And that's how the beast came to join our house. It's massive {for only being 6 weeks old}. And I'm going to groan inwardly every time I look upon it. What was he thinking????

Ornaments & Decor

Well, since I can't bring you anything I've been working on, I went on a search for some awesome Christmas crafts you can do with your kids. Now that I'm out of school, I'm looking for things to entertain all of us.

I found this Easy Fragment Ornaments tutorial HERE at I Love My 5 Kids. I totally made these when I was a kid and am so glad to have found out how to do it! Get this, mine still faintly smells - and I'm pretty sure I made it when I was 5 (19 years ago!)


I'm also loving these popsicle stick Trees from Michaels - tutorial found HERE. They are so cute with the polka dots and color scheme - not the traditional Christmas decor.


I think I'm going to have to go hit up my local dollar store or Wally World for some supplies.

Tis the Season

...for Christmas Cards!

Call me crazy, but I LOVE Christmas cards. I like seeing everyone in the pictures and reading the stories of what's happened to them over the past year. I expect to get a card from everyone I mail one to and if I don't, I feel very disappointed.

I think I put too much pressure on myself when it comes to Christmas cards. Granted, I do NOT hand-make 75 elaborate cards and send them out December 1st, but I do try to put some time and effort and thought into what I write. I want it to be charmingly witty, memorable and not braggy or boring. Do you see the pressure? And then enters into my mind thoughts like, "What if they don't even read my card? Or even really like us, for that matter?"

So, who do you send Christmas cards too? Family is an automatic yes. But what about the friends you think are friends, but you never get a card from them. Do you cross them off the list, or still send it out year after year? I just don't know...

Oh the pressure, oh the pressure.

And yes, I want your Christmas card too! I'll even send you mine if you convince me in an email that you aren't crazy or psycho.

Kids Outlet Online

I'm a huge sucker for used kids clothing. I can't help it. I won't, well actually refuse, to buy anything unless it is on sale (preferably on clearance) and so used clothing is high on my list of buys. However, isn't it such a hassle to drag your kids out to the store and look through racks of unorganized clothing (and a smell that usually accompanies your hands out of the store!) Meet the solution! Kids Outlet Online. A gently used kids clothing store from the convenience of your home. Browse through tons of clothing organized by gender and size, order, and it shows up at your door. How great is that? Oh, and did I mention that shipping is a flat rate of only $5.95 for unlimited purchases?!?!?

Shelly, the owner of Kids Outlet Online, takes great pride in the clothing she selects and showcases, nearly all of them being practically new! Of course, if there happens to be a blemish it is fully disclosed, but I didn't come across any while perusing her merchandise.

A really cool feature Shelly offers is when you view clothing you can actually roll your cursor over the photograph and it acts as a magnifying glass.

I'd definitely head over her way and look for some name brand steals this Christmas Season. Remember it's new to your kid!

Just don't buy these shoes -- I'm in love with them!

Real or Fake?

When it comes to Christmas trees, are you a real type of gal, or fake type of gal? I'm the proud owner of a pre-lit, artificial tree and I LOVE it. What it lacks in the pine smell department, it makes up for with no falling needles, no need to water, and no "character". But I want to hear the arguments for those of you hardcore tree people who trek up a mountain in the snow with all your kids and chop down your own tree. Make me a believer!

Then comes the decorating. What's your style? I'd have to say I lean towards the CLASSIC style...balls, white lights, a bow on top. {Actually, now that I look at my tree it kinda looks like a Patriotic tree...} But some are more NOSTALGIC with kids ornaments and popcorn strands. Some people are EXTREME when it comes to their trees and go way over the top - even have a theme. I want to see some of your trees. Send me a picture and we'll have our own Festival of Trees right here on My Tiny Sweet Cheeks. {Maybe your tree is only decorated from the top, up! Mine was last year...}

Just a sampling of my Christmas decor.

The balls are actually purple, silver, and blue -
but they really look red, white, and blue, huh?

I'm in the process of finding a fourth stocking for my little girl, but can't find one I like. Suggestions welcome.

My tiny village - it's a start, right?

Donuts

I love donuts, but I can't get myself A. Out the door early enough to buy the good ones, and B. To spend the amount of money on them they ask. Here is a cheap way to get some good donuts in a short amount of time. In your pajamas no less!

Get Yourself a tube of biscuits. I'm cheap. Namebrand works just as well.
Cut the biscuits in half.
Fry them up in some oil. You want your oil set to about medium temperature, otherwise you'll burn the outside and the middle will still be doughy.
**TIP** Throw a pinch of salt in your oil and it won't spit at you while you fry.
Let them drain on some paper towels. Don't use my burned donuts as an example. I got distracted by a two year old.
Roll them in a sugar-cinnamon mixture.
Voila! Best hot, but still good cold.

Sequel to Yesterday

...How I found my son last night when he finally was quiet.

National Family Week

Day 24
My siblings.

~~~

In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE my family. Honestly, they are my best friends and I talk to all of them all the time. {Really I do, just ask my husband about our cell phone bill!} It wasn't always fun growing up with a large family {you know how kids bicker} but I can't imagine life without them and am so grateful we get to be together for eternity.

This is National Family Week. Take advantage and make some memories with your family and be sure to tell them how much you appreciate them!

Click on the links for some great information on Building a Strong Family, or Family Home Evening.

Happy Veteran's Day

Day 11
For the men and women who give so much to serve our country

~~~

Check out these darling baby onesies from Cafe Press found HERE.

Staying In Love

Day 7
My Faith.

Day 8
The ability to fly thousands of miles in just a few hours.

Day 9
For the wonderful husband I have.

~~~
Found HERE at How Does She?

1. Put the kids to bed early

2. Turn off the TV

3. Grab your sweet heart and ask him to dance (no one will be watching).

Click Here for the U-You Tube song (It’s Free)

Fall deeper in love!!

Day 6
Chunky baby legs that are cute naked or covered up.

~~~

I have been wanting some of those darling baby leg warmers, but am too stingy to play boutique store prices. You know me and thrifty go hand-in-hand. So, of course, I turned to my wonderful internet and found a tutorial HERE at Everything Your Mama Made and More. So glad resourceful women figure these things out for me.

I'm thinking of making a pair for myself too!

You Need:
Womens tube/knee socks (6m-6yr) or Womens crew socks (0-18m) Girls knee socks also work GREAT.
Sewing machine or needle & thread
Scissors
Pins

What to Do:
First cut the socks into sections as pictured below. You will toss the heel & toe scraps, but keep the bottom of the foot. Note: for this tutorial I am working with crew socks, but the process is the same as with tube socks.

Take the section remaining from the foot & you want to fold it inside of itself as pictured below. You should have the nice side of the sock on the outside & inside with a fold on one end & both raw edges on the other.

Stick the long section of the sock inside your newly created tube. This would give you 3 raw edges on the side we are going to sew, the other side will have the folded edge & the finished edge that was originally the top of the sock. If you have a pattern such as stripes or argyle as I used you may try to get them to line up. Once you are happy with the positioning pin together. Make sure to pin just 3 layers, not all 6 or you won’t have a hole to stick your little ones leg through when you are finished.

Time to Sew! Set the stitch length on your sewing machine to 4 (longest stitch), this will allow the most stretch. If the long straight stitch just doesn’t stretch enough for you can also us a narrow zig zag stitch… width at 2 & length at 3. You want to stretch the pinned side over the arm of your sewing machine & sew a straight stitch all the way around. If you can’t get it to stretch over then you can use what ever method you use to sew circles normally, or you can simply stitch it together with a needle & thread the old fashion way.

OPTIONAL Your finished seam should look similar to this. For a cleaner more professional look you can use pinking sheers, a zigzag stitch, or serge the seam for extra strength & to prevent unraveling.

Then simply fold the trim down (putting the seam inside) & TADA… a baby & toddler leg warmer simply make another one & test them out on the nearest happy child!

Day 5
That families grow in love and size.

~~~

Today my little sister is getting married for time and all eternity. Isn't she beautiful!?!? I love her so much and am thrilled to be spending the day with her.