Star Spangled Fun Ideas

With the Fourth of July upon us, here are a few fun holiday ideas. We made this festive star garland with decorative scrapbooking paper and ribbon.



You can find a star template at this website.

Supplies needed:

Scissors
Red, White, and Blue paper (construction or scrapbooking paper)
Ribbon
3 hole punch
Star Template



Feeling lazy, I put our scrapbooking paper into our computer printer and printed off the star templates right onto the scrapbooking paper. Emma was good about helping me cut out the stars while Josie attempted to cut out her own versions.




Josie was able to help me string the stars together to create the garlands.



We chose to string them on our dining room chandelier but they would look fun anywhere.



These festive little treats are just marshmallows with a thin coat of icing dipped in sprinkles. I cut straws in half for the sticks. Who doesn't love a little bit of sugar for the 4th!!



For a few other ideas (including crafts, printables, games and recipes) check out the Family Fun website.

During this 4th of July, we certainly will remember the gift of our independence and treasure it. In a little over a week, my work is sending me to Washington DC for a conference and I'm bringing the whole family. I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate our independence. If anyone has a MUST SEE exhibit or family-friendly activity in Washington DC, please share. We picked up a travel packet from our local AAA office, but I'm always open to personal recommendations.



Happy Crafting and Happy 4th of July!!

She's here!!!!

Welcome home, Sophia Jane.



You are treasured and loved by so many people. Congratulations, Kimberely. This has been a long time coming. I'm so happy for you.



It was so much fun to join up with Kelly and Steffie and their kiddos at the airport.





Josie and I are looking forward to lots of future play dates.

It's all coming together...

Chris and I were commenting on how much Josie's ability to articulate her words has changed dramatically over the last few weeks. She's been expressing herself verbally for quite awhile, but it wasn't uncommon for one of us to still have to translate a few of the words in her sentences.

All of a sudden, she's now asking questions, giving us directions (dang she can be bossy), and she's even telling us stories that she's made up about her dolls and stuffed animals. She's grown into quite the chatterbox and we're loving it.

Emma has decided that since school is out, Josie needs to continue with her daily educational routine and she's set up a classroom in our downstairs family room.



I have to credit Emma for helping Josie with letter recognition and counting. Josie is leaps ahead of where I expected her to be after only being home a little more than a year. She knows all her upper and lower case letters and is trying to read sight words. Her brain is a little sponge and Emma is more than eager to fill it up.



Tomorrow night we're heading to the airport to greet Kimberly and Sophia Jane from China. I've made a few special flags to celebrate their arrival. Stay tuned for more pictures. I just love happy endings!!

Fun in the Sun...Part 2

After being at the cottage this past week, I have to say that Michigan has the MOST wonderful weather! It is what I like most about living here. Experiencing all four seasons is so much fun (sometimes that pesky winter season lasts a bit too long) but when spring turns to summer, it’s just magic.



Here are a few more shots of our Lake Michigan beach vacation. I can't wait to go back next year.











We'll be shaking out the sand for weeks from our beach clothes. We were able to extend our cottage vacation into Sunday and I'm so glad I took an extra day off before returning to work. Yippee for a shortened work week!! See you on Tuesday, coworkers.

Fun in the Sun...Part 1

Our week at the cottage has been all that I had hoped for. Even the weather has been absolutely amazing. I have so much to share and show that I am going to post in segments (thus the title part one).



We're home temporarily, but going back to the cottage in a few hours. The cottage is only a little more than an hour from our home.





Every year, Chris and I fantasize about owning a cottage on Lake Michigan and then reality sets in when we pick up the real estate ads. Ouch. Guess we'll continue to rent. Enjoy the pics.





PS. Hey, Michigan friends. Did you know that a snow toboggan is the perfect way to transport a toddler and beach gear through the sand dunes? Josie just loves it and it's been saving our backs and arms.