DIY: Mini Crochet Heart

here is a quick and easy project

i posted this pattern a few years ago 

but since valentine's day is just around the corner

i thought it would be nice to post it again

these little hearts are quick and easy to whip up

 and can be used for anything your little heart desires! 

(yes, pun was intended)

 

see how quick and easy that was?

for the girls' class valentines this year

i made each of their friends a heart

hot glued the heart to a brooch backing

and instantly made mini heart pins!

DIY: Simple Cake Bunting

Farewell 2012!

Well, hello 2013!

I blinked and 2012 happened...does anyone else feel that way?

That feeling pretty much sums up why every year

our little family takes annual family photos 

because poof before you know it another year

has come and gone

so, it's nice to have a professional photographer

capture a few family moments in time

 

so folks, this is what our 2012 family photos look like

(click here for 2011, 2010, 2009)

last year, for the first time in many years i made a few resolutions

did i break them?  let's just say i tried my darnedest not to

oh, and not only did i run one half marathon, i ran two!

husband and i took our first "just-the-two-of-us vacay"

both the girls are in school full time 

and are at the age where all our hard work at parenting

 is evident and paying off

(i may be biased but they are the sweetest, funniest, smartest girls i know!)

my baby sister got married

and my middle sister eloped and took us with them!

so yes, 2012 was a very good year

and 2013 is going to be an even better year

no resolutions for me this year

but let's just say i only want to surround myself with the positive in life

positive people, positive feelings, positive relationships

i don't have room or time in my life for negativity

so 2013, bring it on!

DIY: Winter Wonderland Snow Globes

For day 16 of our annual christmas countdown

the girls and i made 

waterless winter wonderland snow globes

i was first spotted these lovelies at anthropologie

they looked simple enough to recreate at home with my girls

and they most certainly were!

take a peek below

see how simple that was?

we opted to do waterless snow globes

but you can also add distilled water

for water filled globes

just make sure the trees (or whatever you decide to use) will last in the water

and glitter will probably work better than the snow

the girls have been thoroughly enjoying

our christmas countdown this year

 you can follow along on instagram to see what

we have been doing daily!

our 25 days of christmas countdown

for as long as the girls can remember

we have been preparing for the 

birth of baby jesus with our 

25 days of christmas countdown

essentially it's just an advent calendar

but instead of chocolates to count down the days

husband and i try to do activities

with the girls that embody the spirit of christmas

of course with the girls in school during the day

and busy, busy evenings with after school activities and homework etc

there are days when treats and not activities make it onto the calendar

we also have our whole family get involved

both sets of grandparents choose a day and activity

and so do both of my sisters

the activities don't cost a lot

actually most of the ones we choose to do are free

(since the holidays get so costly already!)

here is what the first week of advent has looked like for us

(if you follow me on instagram you already know!)

 

day 1: breakfast with santa

day 2: santa claus parade

day 3: toy slinkys

day 4: visit and photo with santa

day 5: donate toys to the toy drive

day 6: go to the store and choose your very own ornament

day 7: christmas movie night

and today for day 8 it's extra special

 they had waffles for breakfast and received mini blythe dolls

and in the evening my in laws

will be picking them up and taking them to a christmas party!

the countdown is really fun to do

but it really does showcase how time just flies

the first week of december is almost over!

 (eek!)

i'm off to wrap more presents

happy weekending folks!