Get Thee to the Mailbox! A Tiny Prints Review
November 29, 2011 1 Comment
Do you still send out Christmas cards? We do, but I have the sneaky feeling we are in the minority. I don’t know if it is due to cost or just the fact that everyone already knows what everyone else is already doing due to Facebook or whatever, but the amount of Christmas cards that arrive in our mailbox has been on the decline for the last few years. I also think it is a generational thing. My mother has not seen a change in her Christmas card bounty. Then again she is, and has always been, more popular than me.
Anyway…I do love me some Christmas cards. Especially ones that have photos. For this year, I have been perusing the online selections at Tiny Prints. I love their selection this year! I swear each year it gets better and better and thus harder for me to settle on just one card. Here are the choices I am currently mulling over. Perhaps you can help me choose.
I really like the overall message in this one.
I love the colors in this one. Will go with our family photo.
How unique would this be? An ornament as a card! Too cool.
See how hard it is? So many great choices! I hope that more will be inspired to take the time to send out holiday greetings this year. It means so much to get that special piece of mail that contains a hand written note and/or photo. You never grow tired of that thrill.
Full Disclosure: I was asked to write about Tiny Prints current holiday cards collection in exchange for 50 free cards. This compensation, while a nice bonus, in no way influenced my opinion of their product.
Thanksgiving Leftovers
November 28, 2011 1 Comment
Last Wednesday, we drove the usual five hour trek to southern Illinois to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with J’s side of the family. We had clear weather with just a couple of hiccups due to bridge construction. The whole family was able to spend Thanksgiving together. It was especially wonderful due to the fact that J’s brother had just recently returned from a six months overseas deployment. So much to be thankful for. Here are some highlights:
Enjoying “Don’t Let the Pigeon Run this App!” Immensely
Making up their own virtual worlds
Cousin Love (they are 21 months apart)
Horsin’ Around (they are 9 months apart)
The Newest Cousin to Love (She and C are 22 months apart)
As you can see fun abounded and overflowed. After the cousins left to visit their other grandparents, we went to an Indian Art Show / Market Days at Cahokia Mounds. Both MaGa and Pop (the girls’ grandparents) have (and continue to) conducted archaeological digs there. I love how the girls are so comfortable there and already have a sense and appreciation of history.
How was your holiday?
Be Thankful For: Free Thanksgiving Printables
November 22, 2011 1 Comment
Below are some goodies that I have found across the interwebs. Print them out to decorate your home, entertain your kiddos and generally celebrate your blessings.
Today’s Fabulous Finds: Thanksgiving Subway Art
ThirtyHandmadeDays: Thanksgiving Placement for kids– (cover it with contact paper)
Anything But Perfect: Coloring Page and More!
Homespun With Love: Gratitude Cards (I am thankful for..)
Kiki Creates: Mr. & Mrs. Turkey Potato Head (with tons of fun outfits, etc!)
At the Half
November 14, 2011 1 Comment
I love my half birthdays. Yes, I said my HALF birthday. I don’t get any presents but I do get a song. My mother calls me up and will sing to me “Happy Half Birthday to you. Happy Half Birthday to you. Happy Half Birthday dear Angie. Happy Half Birthday to you!” Sometimes she forgets it is our half birthday and so my siblings and I have to call her to remind her to sing to us. We are silly that way.
Today is not my half birthday. (It is next month in case you are curious). Today is C’s. She is 2 1/2. I try to continue my mother’s tradition and sing to my girl’s on their respective half birthdays. When they are little like C they just look at me strangely and then inquire about cake and presents, not quite getting the sentimentality of the little song.
Although I like my own half birthday, I do not like it when my children reach theirs. I have never had any experiences with the “Terrible Twos,” but rather the “Terrible Two and a Halves.” It never fails. They reach their half birthday and they become a little less fun to be around and more trouble and cantankerous. Take today for example, I can not just pick something out for C to wear gladly. No. She has to pick it out herself and if the shirt that she wants is in the wash? Watch out.
My biggest frustration and hers is when C is trying to tell me something and I don’t understand her. This. Drives. Me. Crazy. So many times she will just cry and scream at me instead of trying to tell me what she needs, wants, etc. This behavior ultimately gets her a one way ticket to time out land. She does pretty good in time out, meaning she stays put and is much better when she is “released.” I just wish I didn’t have to put her in it as many times as I have to sometimes.
Parenting is hard, yo.
Free Child Admission at Morton Arboretum!
November 14, 2011 Leave a Comment
From now until December 31, 2011, Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL is offering free admission for one child with a paid adult.