Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mason Jars

I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE Mason Jars at parties. I have used them for 4 different events, sometimes for the same things, and sometimes as a favor. I purchased my jars at Walmart for $7 for a case of 12. I like these because the jars are plain and don't have any embossing on them.

For my latest party I planned on using the jars as drinking cups, I first just replaced the top with cardstock, punched a hole and placed a straw inside. It needed more punch, way too plain for my taste. I had scraps of paper left over from the goodie bags I cut down so I decided to wrap the jars.





Cheers!



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

End-of-school gifts

As a mom of three I am always trying to find ways for my kids to stay in touch with their classmates during the summer. I like to send little gifts that are age appropriate and somewhat educational. I never spend more than a few dollars and I always attach my childs name and phone number so a playdate is a possibility. Here is a small sampling of what we like to send.
Chalk:
We go through so much chalk in the summer. My kids will chalk on anything that stands still and some things that don't (i.e. the dog, themselves.)  A friend of mine created this great tag with chalk tips, just put a few pieces in a bag and you are done.
Snail's Pace
Use the sidewalk chalk to draw a big spiral in the shape of a snail's shell on the ground. In the center, draw a circle and label it "Home." Then divide the rest of the spiral into twelve spaces. Player 1 must hop on one foot and land in each space, all the way to "Home," where he can then land on both feet before turning to hop back out. If this is done without stepping on a line, he can write his initials in any space he chooses. No other player can land there for the remainder of the game. Player 2 then tries her luck at hopping to and from "Home," but must skip over the initialed space. If she succeeds, she too earns a square. The game continues in this way until no one can reach "Home." The player who earns the most spaces wins.

Tic-Tac-Toss
This is a pebble-tossing variation of tic-tac-toe. Use sidewalk chalk to create a large box on the ground with a tic-tac-toe grid inside it. Player 1 must try to toss a pebble into one of the squares. If she is successful, she marks the space with an "X." If a pebble lands on any of the grid's lines, it is a miss. Player 2 then tries to earn a square, marking his successful throw with an "O." The first player to fill three squares in a row is the winner.
Water Bottle/Squirt Gun Erase Game

Draw stars on your driveway. Have you children or two teams of children race to squirt their star off the driveway

Number Hop
Create a hopscotch area in the image of a calculator. Player 1 tosses a pebble on the "1" key and must then hop on an equation that is equal to 1, such as: =, 1, +, 0 or =, 3, -, 2. Players must hop on one foot when landing on zeros and odd numbers and hop on two feet for even numbers and symbols. Each player continues until he or she makes a mistake, like stepping on a line or an incorrect equation. The first person to correctly get through all the numbers up to 9 wins.
Shoot and Score

You will need a basketball hoop and ball for this and of course, chalk! I draw three numbers on the driveway; 2, 3, 5. I place them in random places where my son can stand on the number and then shoot a basket. She stands on a number of his choice and tries to shoot a basket. If he makes the basket, he writes the number he was standing upon on the driveway(as seen in the picture). Repeat five to ten times. Add up your numbers to get your score.

Toss Game

Draw a board with three rows and three columns. In each square place a sight word. For the younger kiddos, place a number or letter sound. Have the children take a rock and toss it in the box. What ever square it lands on, the child must read, if they read correctly, they color in the square. Play till all squares are colored.
Do-the-Math Hopscotch
Draw a hopscotch area to resemble a calculator.  The first player tosses her stone on the "1" key. She then hops on an equation equal to 1 (for example, she might jump to the following keys: =, 1, +, 0 or =, 3, -, 2). Players use 1-footed hops when landing on odd numbers and zeroes, and 2-footed hops for even numbers and symbols. A player's turn continues until she makes a mistake, such as stepping on a line or hopping on an incorrect equation. The winner is the first person to work through all the numbers to 9.
Jumping Path

Make a line with things your child is working on. For my daughter (who is three), I would draw a star, triangle, the sound /b/, the number 3, her name, the sound /a/. I would draw this in a path form. Then I would show my daughter how much fun it is to jump on the path. When you jump, make sure you shout out what you land on.  For older kids you could have them jump on sight words you write on the driveway. Or you may want them to jump on math problems and give the answer after they jump on the problem.
                                                              Stationary and a Pencil:
What better way for the classmates to stay in touch during the summer, send them home with stationary and a pencil. This is a great way for them to practice their reading and writing skills over the break.

Sketch Pad & Colored Pencils:
Send classmates home with a sketch pad and some colored pencils to keep their imagination and creativity fresh during the summer.

Workbooks:
My kids LOVE workbooks, and I can always find age/grade appropriate ones at the dollar store. What a great way to beat the “I’m Bored” syndrome!

Monday, March 28, 2011

You're Engaged! Now What?

1. Share the good news
Your parents, and any children you may have from a previous union, should hear the news first. Then comes other relatives and close friends. Whether you do it in person or over the phone, do it yourself. Those closest to you will no doubt be hurt to hear the news second hand. Don't announce an engagement until a former union has been dissolved, whether by divorce or annulment. Post it on Facebook only after your family and closest friends have heard the news from you. 
2. Meet the parents
Your engagement certainly signifies a change in the relationship with your fiancé's/fiancée's parents. Now's the time to lay the foundation for a positive bond with your future in-laws. This is also when the parents of the bride meet - or at least make contact with - the parents of the groom. Traditionally, the groom's parents call the bride's parents to introduce themselves and extend an invitation to meet. But nowadays that first contact can also be made by the bride's parents.
3. Make the guest list & set the budget
Your budget is the determining factor for the shape, size and fanfare of your wedding. But you can't decide the type of wedding you will have until you have some idea of the size of the guest list. The easiest way to cut costs is to narrow your guest list.
4. Pick the date
The time of year you have your wedding is a key consideration. The most popular months for weddings are May, June, July, August, September and October. Popular wedding sites will be at a premium in terms of availability and cost during these times. Are you hoping for an outdoor wedding? Consider how many of your guests will have to travel when choosing a date as well. 
5. Don't forget the three C's
Not clarity, cut or color. We're talking about consideration, communication and compromise. How you handle your wedding plans can foretell how you will handle the other major decision of your life together. Along with the stress that will accompany the big decisions and little details should be a sense of adventure and fun. You are celebrating one of the most joyous milestones in your lives. Do so with a focus on consideration, communication and compromise and the process is sure to be less stressful and more satisfying.

-compiled from Wedding Etiquette from Emily Post

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Our new blog- the first of MANY posts

After fighting this for months, after having tons of people tell me that I need to do this, here is our blog. I am vey excited to be able to share ideas, tips and my favs with everyone.

The website is still an active part of what I do, but here is where I can let it all out. Brain dumping at it's finest!

If there is something you would like to see or read just let me know. This is just as much for you than it is for me.

Last but not least...enjoy!

Cheers!

Lucia
Come Join Us, LLC