Bidding winter good-bye!

This winter season was weak!! Although you won't see us complaining when we are at the park in February on a 60 degree day, we still like our time hunkering down for a seasonal cold spell.  However, what we did get this year was our share of indoor time.  This had to be the rainest winter ever!  If these 38 degree rainy days were a tad chillier, we would have had the best snow ever!

The snow boots, sleds, snowboards, ice skates, and snow toys all stayed packed away this year.  We did not bundle up and take winter walks, as it was too cold and rainy most days. Instead we made our cozy home the center of fun; crafts and imaginative play was what we were up to these past few months.

As the days grow just a bit longer, we see a new season just around the corner. We are ready for spring!

Another Reason to Craft

Crafting has gone in full force at the homestead as Valentine's Day approaches. Here's what we've been working on all week:

 

Of course, the gals are not aware that premade Valentine cards exist.  What fun would that be?

 





We also made some sugar scrubs for our teachers.  This may be the easiest and cheapest (and most fun!) gift to give. I follow a simple recipe of equal parts: 1 cup white granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup of oil (vegetable, almond, sunflower, etc)  We used sunflower oil for this recipe.

So we combined all the above ingredients and mixed in some nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon.  We were trying to get a warming, winter scent.  Other times we have used different essential oils, vanilla, or other dried herbs.  It took us about 10 minutes from start to finish to make these gifts.

Of course we always have mason jars on hand, so the packaging was easy.  I also printed these awesome labels (for free!) from Printable Girl. We got the jar labels here and Marlee listed our ingredients on these heart tags that I got here.  Kellie is extremely talented, and I'm not just saying that because I knew her in elementary school. Her website is full of great products and ideas.


Since Marlee is a novice sewer, we put her new skills to use.  She made these nifty little candy pouches for the girls in her dance class.

Oh and of course the Valentine box.  This year she wanted to make this one, which I got the idea from Pintrest.  It is made from a cereal box.

We had fun scurrying around making all these little treats for everyone.  Valentine's Day has become a favorite in our house.  I just wish we had some snow around here to make it feel like a winter holiday. 

Marlee's Birthday

My sweet girl turned 8 last Wednesday. We decided to forgo the birthday parties this year since we went to Disney in the month between the gals' birthdays.  I think we may be on to something though; Marlee claims this was one of her "funnest" birthdays.

In the past, we've had our share of parties.  Living in the neighborhood we do, it is difficult to leave anyone out.  So we just invite everyone...and I mean EVERYONE shows up!  The parties are usually huge and wild, lots of screaming, dancing, things getting broken...the only difference between this and a wild college party is the absence of a keg. I think the police were called only once ;)



Last year's 7th birthday party, this is only half of the kids in attendence. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not.







...and here's Marlee's 6th, I would need a wide angle lens to get the whole crowd!

 

 



Anyway, This year was definitely more quite and calm, but I think more memories were made and the day felt more special.

Here's what went down on the big day:

 

Of course I had to overdo it and make homemade treats for school.

 

 

 

Dave came in for lunch with Marlee.  I love having the same lunch period as her so I can catch these moments :)

 

 

Dave checked Marlee out of school right after lunch, I grabbed Mya a little early and we were off to our favorite spot in Asheville. We are definitely getting our mileage from that 12 month pass.

 



 

We topped the evening off celebrating at our favorite family restaurant with our extended family and one of Marlee's BFFs.

 

 

 

Not sure if I'll get out of throwing a wild bash next year, but it doesn't matter, we always have a great time.