Christmas Book/Activity Advent

Call me crazy, but I am going to try to do this Christmas Book/Craft Advent with the kids this year. Luckily, our library system has most of the titles. For the others, I have requested them through the interlibrary loan system. I just hope they get here in time!

Edited to add:

Thanks to The Crafty Crow for bringing the Christmas Book/Craft Advent to light.

Feeling Fallishly Productive

Did you sign up for the free holiday countdown e-course? I'm thrilled to report that we have: 1) planned costumes (except for one hold out), 2) decorated the interior windows and some doorways with homemade garland (see picture), 3) calendared some exciting activities such as a trip to the Butterflyfest and a local "haunted" history tour (age appropriate, of course), and 4) bought treats to hand out at our church's Trunk or Treat. Whew...I'm feeling very productive, indeed! Amazing what a little e-course will do to get your fall holiday spirit going. :)

Freebie Friday - Nearly FREE Halloween Decorations

I LOVE this post about budget decorating for Halloween. Most of the ideas use things you already have around the house (such as milk jugs, egg cartons, and black markers) and are very easy to pull together. Long live the frugal decorator!

Gifting for Father's Day

As I am driving this evening on an errand, I am listening to the Clark Howard show. I don't listen all that often since I avoid being behind the wheel as much as possible. (Shuttling four kids around will do it to you!) Anyway, Clark happens to be talking about how everyone is tired of hearing and reading about gas prices, ways to save money on gas, etc. Of course, I immediately think of Thursday's post...I'M RUINED...RUINED I TELL YOU! And I'm still in my blog infancy!

So, I've decided to tell you about what we're considering for a Father's Day gift this year. That's a timely and welcome topic, right?! Thank goodness he doesn't read my blog. Or anyone else's for that matter. We are hoping to make Dad a special plate he can eat on each night he has dinner with us. Since he has so few opportunities to do so now that his schedule has changed, this will be a VERY special plate indeed. I'm considering a field trip to our local pottery studio, but I've also found a few online ideas here and here. Then there's the Amazon option. Our city also has an art center open to the public that provides "studio time" for the children and sometimes even a class for free.

What gift is Dad receiving from you or the kids this year?

Being Happy on Mother's Day

After a taxing relaxing jaunt out of town for a short beach getaway with the three youngest, I wanted to post something about Mother's Day. That's when I came across this post at My Ice Cream Diary. Although I am not big on expensive, store-bought gifts (do you hear that, Honey??!!), and I do not mind being Mom on this day, it is always nice to receive some TLC, no matter the circumstances! What has been your most memorable Mother's Day?