Pot O' Gold game (freebie)

I came up with this game last year & it was a big hit.  

Here's the original post - I hope you enjoy it!

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My game is inspired by the Turkey Feathers game by The Idea Room.  

The lizard & ladybug had such a blast
 playing the simple dice & clothespin game over Thanksgiving.  

I wanted to make a St. Patrick's Day version.

I already had the painted clothespins so a rainbow seemed like a no-brainer.

I found a free pot of gold graphic and created this fun little game.

The rules are pretty simple.  

Each player gets a card (click HERE for card & instructions) and 6 clothespins.  

Each player rolls a dice (or die, if you're proper).  

Add a clothespin to the corresponding number.

The first one with a Rainbow wins.

 

the ink in my printer is a little wonky...but you get the idea.  

I'd love to know if you like this game & if you use it, I'd love to hear how the kiddos like it!

Our Spring Break (so far)

so the husband is off this whole week also..

which means EVERYONE is home which means our routine is out the window.

We spent yesterday doing a whole bunch of nothing.  

The weather was perfect, the kids got dirty & I'm exhausted.  

Our plan is to spend a few days at the beach, see the Lorax, 

have a few play dates, and try not to go nutso :)

Have you had Spring Break yet...

or are you having it soon or not until next month 

(like most of the country)?!?

Fab Finds Friday (NYE inspiration)

I can't believe this will be my last post in 2011!!  

Where has this year gone?  

Today's finds are all about New Year's Eve...and last minute party ideas.  

Whether your celebration is HUGE or low-key (like ours), 

I hope you find a little inspiration today.  

Plus I'm sharing my own little NYE kit :)

If you're still looking for decorations, Piggy Bank Parties has 3 great collections!! 

They are a deal, only $5.00!! 

If you're not stalking Oink! The Blog of Piggy Bank Parties...you really should be!  

It's one of my FAVES!

Looking for a fun, festive dessert?  

These New Year's Eve Midnight cupcake from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen are perfect!

How adorable are these?

Click here for the recipe & instructions.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? 

Mique of 30 handmade days is sharing this great resolution activity printable. 

Click here to get yours.

I've already printed some for our NYE!

Another great activity for the kids comes from The Idea Room.   

New Year's Eve Countdown Activity Bags.

 

Click here for the instructions (and free printables) along with Amy's activity ideas.

Here's my contribution.  

A NYE kit for the kids.

Borrowing this idea from One Charming Party.  

I got a few aluminum pans w/lids from Dollar Tree.  

The graphic is from Graphics Fairy - enlarged to (sorta) fit the pan.*  

You could use any color paper and hand draw a clock too :)  

I'm filling the pan with candy, noise makers, masks & 

anything else that will keep the kids entertained. 

If you wanted, you could add clock hands and have the kids countdown to midnight.  

Lots of ways to use this simple NYE kit.

I wish you all a very very Happy New Year!!

 

Hanukkah party (flashback)

Tonight is our Hanukkah party and I'm in full prep mode!  

Don't forget my FranklinCovey weekly planner giveaway.  

Enter HERE!

Here's a look at our Hanukkah party last year!

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I wanted to share some of our Hanukkah party before next week...

Here are some highlights: 

all of the printables are from Frog Prince Paperie (love them)

 

 yes..dreidels (part tres)

chocolate chip cookies and blue candy canes = yummy menorah

jelly filled donut bites

ravioli, fried cheese and more donuts

Star of David made by the lizard (popsicle sticks and crayons)

the glass bottle (Starbucks coffee drink) filled with blue colored rice

all the kid's crafts.  

Noodle art/jewelry, coloring pages & crayons.  

White lunch sacks to make luminaries are there too.

We had a fun night. 

Ate way too many donuts :)

Next week, more holiday goodies..

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

looking for inspiration..

I have LOTS of other things going on right now..

but that hasn't stopped me from gathering ideas for my big 4-0 coming up in January.

We're planning to have my party the same day as Superbowl Sunday.

a '40th Football Fiesta'. 

I've even created a Fiesta 40th board on Pinterest to save ideas.  

*if you aren't on Pinterest, let me know & I'll send you an invite*

There are a few things I REALLY REALLY want to have...

1. Mexican Food

2. FAB cake/cupcakes

What fun ideas would you include at YOUR party?

Tardy for the Party

Yes, I realize Thanksgiving is over
but I figured before we hit December 1st, 

I'd share our Little Turkey play date 

(yes, the one that was a week ago - hee hee)

The kids thought these were really funny!

Turkey Toes (free tags from She's{kinda}Crafty)

 Super simple marshmallow pops

Turkey juice boxes turned out so cute!  

I tried to keep the treats really simple :)

One of the moms offered to bring their bouncer.  

Of course, it was a hit!

I managed to get 1 non-jumping shot!

Nothing beats good ol fashioned running around in the yard!

Cookie decorating - and eating.

All the little turkeys had fun!

Maybe I'll make this an annual play date :)

Don't forget to enter the Gloveables giveaway .HERE!

Thanksgving Week

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  I'm getting there.  

We have 2 Thanksgiving meals, 

one at lunch (with my family) and one at dinner (with the husband's family).  

We usually host Thanksgiving dinner.  

My mother-in-law is bringing the bird 

since we will be busy eating a whole other turkey meal before our dinner :)

I'm in charge of sides and desserts.

I am planning on making mini pies (apple, cherry & blueberry)

with the sole purpose 
of using these adorable Fall Pie Stand designs from PS Harvey.
 


I love the idea of having a Pie Stand dessert table!
How cute would your Thanksgiving be with these designs??

Let's Go Red Sox

If you follow on Facebook, 

you know the lizard has his 'end of season' baseball party this weekend.
  

We hosted the party at our house -


mainly to get a bounce house
allow the parents to drink.

I have to say, I'm not used to having a party
where I'm not controlling everything

(yes, I know I have issues).

All the moms divided up the food/drink duty
so I was only left with a little to do.  

The fabulous talent behind Lauren McKinsey hooked me up with some adorable printables.

You know I had to do something

A fun banner for the outside.

I used a few of the pieces to make stakes for our sidewalk.

The big chalkboard came in handy too!

I prettied up some water bottles and candy.

These adorable tags were perfect for treats for each of the kids. 

Big League Chew and a glow in the dark cap.

One of the talented mamas made these yummy cupcakes

with cute socks on top.

Of course, I had to dress up my 3 tiered stand!

The kids bounced their faces off...

then it was trophy time.

So cute seeing each of them get their trophy along with a medal.

Here's the whole silly gang.

*the weather was so nice, we were able to open our sliders ALL the way* 

It's been a great season!!

Have a great Monday!

I'll announce the winner of the luggage giveaway tomorrow.

Turkey Thursday (FLASHBACK)

Before we start talking turkey (get it..hahaha), 

don't forget about the adorable rolling luggage giveaway.  

Click here to enter! 

Here's another Turkey project.  

This one involves paint chips. 

It's so simple, it seems a little silly that I did a whole post on it -

but I did, last year...so here it is!

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This is a super inexpensive, very versatile & too cute idea

(if I do say so myself)

I've wanted to try a 'project' using paint chips for quite a while.  

I make shopping lists - since paint chips are free..they never make it on the list.  

So I forget to get them.  

Luckily, this past weekend the husband and I were kid-less 

(thanks to my mom) and we hit up Lowes.  

Exciting, I know.  

Anyhoo, I remembered to grab up a few different colors and got to work.

My supplies...these paint chips, clothespins and glue dots.
(optional : paper cutter, corner punch, magnetic tape, googly eyes, color paper)

Depending on your paint chips, cut out the colors you want.
I used a corner punch to 'round' the edges.  I arranged them to my liking.
Glued them together and then to the clothespin.

Flip 'er over & you've got a turkey
(although, the ladybug called it a 'rooster')

 I know a turkey should have eyes and a 'gobbler'
(whatever that thing is called) 

but I plan on using it as a place card.
I needed the space to write a name :) 

Here's where the versatility comes in:

since it's on a clothespin..you can clip it to anything.  

{You need to glue the clothespin the right direction, depending on where you want to clip it.  Unless you want an upside down turkey}!

Add magnetic tape to the clothespin and use it as a memo holder on the fridge.

Use it to hold up a Thanksgiving banner.

Use them to close small brown bags filled with goodies for a classroom treat.

Gather all of the supplies (& turkey facial features) for a fun project for the kids.

Use it as a place card (like me) and clip it onto your napkins/glasses/plate.

this is a horrible picture but I hope you get the idea :)

Get to the paint section and pick out your favorite turkey feather colors...

{if your favorite football team plays on Thanksgiving, 

why not grab some team colors for a 'spirit' turkey}

It's basically a free craft that is sooooo simple!

You really have no excuses :)

Are you an Organized Parent? (giveaway)

I was recently contacted by The Organized Parent. 

My first thought?

"HA..they've got the wrong person if they think I'm organized" :)  

I quickly realized it's a place to help all of us become better organized.  

Offering a wide range of products, along with many helpful tips and ideas - 

I fell in love!

I was given the chance to review 2 great products.  

Steven Joseph's Rolling Luggage & Rolling Backpack.

The luggage bag is HUGE!  It has lots of storage & easy for the lizard to wheel around. 

Now if I could just plan a vacation so he can really use it :)

The backpack is just plain adorable.  

I'm partial to ladybugs :) 

It's high quality and the perfect size for my little ladybug.  

Looks like she's ready for school!

These would make great gifts
for sons/daughters/nieces/nephews/grandchildren etc.

With holiday traveling coming up, these are the perfect choice.

To make your decision easier, if you use the code 21509 at checkout,
you'll save 15%!
(this deal is good until Nov 30th).
 Just click their button on the right side bar.
You'll be taken to The Organized Parent.

***Want to win the Rolling Luggage bag***
(the sports one)

Here's How:
(2 chances - leave separate comments)

1. leave me a comment telling me you want to win :)

2. become a fan of The Organized Parent on Facebook
come back and tell me you did.

the winner will be chosen at random Sunday Nov 13 (midnight est)

(US shipping only)

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And if you're just reading to find out my BIG news...here it is.

Tomorrow one of my little goodies from last year will be included in 

Parents.com 100 Days of Holidays!

(yes, that Parents)

I'm so excited I may pass out :) 

If you haven't signed up to get the newsletter, please do.  

There are so many great ideas & I'm beyond excited to be included!!

Happy Tuesday!