Santa don't forget about us down here

You know how when you're little and still believe in Santa? And how you're forever unsure how Santa know exactly where you are on Christmas? It's because parents make this super awesome "Santa stop here" sign. It's true, I read it on Wikipedia.

Seriously though, we had a Santa stop here sign growing up and I loved that thing! I thought it was the only reason Santa came to our house (because let's be honest, I was not good all year). He knew from that sign that there were children in our house and that he needed to stop.

This sign was super easy to make (with the help of a power tool wielding hubby).

He marked out the octagon in the size I wanted (which was big so Santa could see it from way up high) and used a circular saw to cut out shape. He used a piece of wood in our stockpile and cut a tip on it so it would be easy to put into the ground. Coupl'a screws later, you have a stop sign. 

                            

Painting was the most time consuming thing of the whole project. I spent my time painting while watching one of those wonderful Hallmark channel Christmas movies (seriously, aren't those just great?). My handwriting is not that fabulous but I also haven't broke down and bought stencils yet either. Add a topcoat of polyutherene and it's now weather proof (although this "huge" ice/snow storm we are supposed to get this weekend will be the first true test). 

I had fun making this, it was simple, the kids thought it looked cool and it was just big enough that they couldn't pick it up and whack each other with the sign. Maybe in a few years. 

How old are you kids and do they still believe in Santa??

~enjoy

xo Stacie

It's a little late, but it's the thought that counts right?

                               

Okay okay, so it's December 2nd and I'm just now posting about our advent calendar.  But, well, (enter excuse here).  To be honest, I've just been lazy with the blogging. Our computer is still on the fritz so doing everything by phone is annoying!  Maybe Santa will bring me a new computer (yeah right, I pay Santa's bills, he's broke).  I also only took one iPhone photo of the actual advent calendar. Forgive me.

So the advent calendar is a new tradition in our house this year. Little Miss is slowly starting to understand days of the week so this is also an exercise in that (gotta make everything educational right?).  I didn't have a whole lot of money to spend on one, especially this time of year so I wanted to use things I already owned (or needed to buy for a certain little lady's birthday coming up next week).  

Supplies needed for this project:

-a large chalkboard (like the one I made here)

-parchment paper bags (25 for $2 at Hobby Lobby)

-glitter!

-numbered stamps (I borrowed from my awesome mother in law)

-stamp pad
-rubber glue or mod podge

-washi tape

-string (I used bakers twine I got on clearance)

-craft paper (my husband had a ginormous roll in the garage so I stole it for myself)

-clothespins (buy these at the dollar store)

It seems like a lot of supplies but you can make your bags as elaborate or as plain as you choose. I sat on the couch and watched a movie while I made mine and it. Was. Wonderful. That is MY time and I enjoy being able to do two things together like that. 

I just stamped the date on the bags (truth: I forgot dec 11th), then added some glitter underneath because they were a little too plain for me. I had originally planed on hanging them on a different board so I had added the craft paper cutouts, however when I moved them to their final resting place, the craft paper isn't really seen. Which also makes the bakers twine I used to tie the paper to the bags obsolete too. Oh well. See, now you don't have to waste your time, unless you stopped reading at the supplies list and already started. Sorry. 

I'm on a budget, and with two kids in the house I wasn't about to buy little toys for each for 25 days. So candy it was. I alternated between Hersey kisses and mini candy canes. I also ate the leftover kisses as I made the calendar. Then I hated myself a little. Then I ate some candy canes and got over it. 

Seal your bags with washi tape and pin to your board (I put mine in order by date).  I wrapped lace I already had on hand (I think I paid 1.00 for it at a thrift store) around my board but any string will work (oh look, you can use that bakers twine if you want!!). I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Maybe when the kids are older well invest a little more money into the calendar, but for now, the kids are just happy that I'm letting them eat candy every day. 

                             

What does your calendar look like? Did you start late this year (my kids can't tell the date yet)? Let me know! Don't forget to follow on Instagram for real time pictures(because I actually post things on there). 

~enjoy!

xo Stacie

What does it mean to be thankful?

Growing up, saying thank you and please was drilled into my head. Some of the first words I taught Little Miss were those same two words. But what does it mean to really be thankful?

Teaching our kids manners is one thing, who doesn't want a polite kid? Teaching the meaning of being thankful to an almost four year old (the one year old doesn't count yet) is another story. To attempt this huge feat (in my eyes anything to do with the Little Miss is a huge feat) we created a new tradition in our house.  The "Be Thankful" board.

Our Be Thankful board is a huge board hanging in our living room. Every day each person in our family has to think of something they are thankful for and write it down. Yes, we are only doing this in the month of November (for now).  With little kiddos, you have to start small, but starting is the key to success.  We still try to instill a sense of thankfulness daily year round by being good examples.  We plan on starting a tradition of giving in our house too.  I think Halloween helped to teach me that even at almost four (an age where I personally thought being selfish was just in their nature), a child is happy giving without receiving.

Our giant board was also super easy to make! The most time consuming thing was waiting for the paint to dry!  This little sucker was a $4.95 mirror I found at a thrift store!! It was one of those tall mirrors that belongs on a dresser (you know that style, the one that is no longer cool?). And because those mirrors are "uncool" they are cheap and easy to find! 

Slap a little white craft paint and some (of course) chalkboard paint on that sucker and you have a giant board for all seasons. Thanksgiving? It's a thankful board. Christmas? Countdown, advent calendar, card holder, and on!! To say I'm excited over this project is an understatement! It also has a home on a wall that I plan on making into a big gallery wall, and this project totally kick started that project (because as I type this, it looks kinda silly being the only thing on that poor wall).

Teaching thankfulness is something that doesn't happen in a single month, for anyone. But a daily reminder right now as we enter into a holiday of gift giving (both kids have winter birthdays) is something I'm excited to start with my family, even if one of them was only thankful for "lions and giraffes" today. 

~enjoy

xo Stacie

I linked up to www.primitiveandproper.blogspot.com