Thank you notes

I just came across a post from a person telling everyone that its okay not to send thank you notes for gifts that are given to you. She went on to say that the person would understand that you are too busy to send them a thank you.

Obviously this person never met my mother. 

I have written about Thank You notes in the past. I have also written about my mom and her (strong) belief in the importance of a proper Thank You note. 

If someone took the time out of their life to get you a gift (or went out of their way to do something for you) the least you can do is take three minutes out of your "busy" life and write them a little note thanking them for their kindness and thoughtfulness.  

Yea. Three minutes.

It doesn't have to be an essay.

It doesn't have to be perfect.

Just a simple thank you will do (well, you might want to mention what you are thankful for, too).  

You don't have a card? Fold a piece of paper in half. Too much work for you?  Then just write your note on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope. 

For this card I used a punch on a paint swatch, cut it out and glued it onto a card.  Simple and oh, so easy.

 

 

Yes. I stand behind sending "Thank You" notes as a way to let the person know that you are grateful for them taking the time to think of you.  Your note will let the giver know that you appreciated their thoughtfulness and their gift is happily received.

 

So, don't be lazy.  Take a few minutes and write that thank you note.  You will be glad you did it.  

Homemade Bubbles

I found this recipe for bubbles years ago in the newspaper. I always wanted to try it out and see if it works.  We're always looking for fun things to do outside.  These bubbles are easy to make (and your child can help you make them!).

What you need:

4 cups water

1 cup dish soap (I used Palmolive)

1/4 cup corn syrup

Plastic jug to hold bubble solution

Mix all ingredients in the jug and let it settle (it will be quite bubbly from the mixing)

*I just happened to have an empty bubble container to store the bubbles.  At least I won't have to use my fancy post-it note system on an empty milk container. :)

Corn syrup can be purchased in the baking aisle.

These bubbles were easy to make and, most importantly, they work!   

Bella and I had fun outside using the bubbles.  If you need fun bubble makers check out the dollar store. 

 

if you look closely, there's a bubble stuck in her hair by her ear

we have quite a few interesting bubble wands

 Even Pippen got in on the fun and started jumping and trying to eat the bubbles.  He probably would have licked the bubble wands clean if I let him (he's a little crazy).

Let me know how the bubbles turn out for you.

The "Mom, I'm bored" List

It's summer.  School is out. Nice weather (finally).  Lots of free time.

Time for swimming, hanging out with friends, go to the zoo, ride your bike, hula hoop, play hopscotch, play baseball (football, tennis, basketball, Frisbee), go for a hike, well, you get the picture. 

Once all of those activities have been done (once, maybe twice) then it starts.

"Mom, I'm bored!"

"There's nothing to do!"

Of course, any activity that you suggest to your child immediately gets shot down as not fun or "boring."

I decided to make a list of activities that Bella can choose from on her own.  I thought about putting them in a jar, but, figured, if she can read them off a list, she can decide which one she wants to do at that moment.

Here's my list:

1.    Draw a picture

2.    Have a picnic

3.    Make cookies

4.    Play with chalk

5.    Eat a vegetable

6.    Interview a family member

7.    Play hopscotch 

8.    Hula hoop

9.    Read for ten minutes

10.  Write a letter

11.  Take a nap or rest

12.  Pick up ________ outside (trash, pine cones, weeds etc.)

13.  Organize your toys 

14.  Dance

15.  Color in a coloring book 

16.  Play with bubbles

17.  Clean your room

18.  Vacuum the ________ room

19.  Ride your bike

20.  Write in your journal

21.  Play a board game

22.  Do an art project

23.  Make an obstacle course

24.  Build a fort

25.  Play dress up

26.  Do a puzzle

27.  Make a craft

28.  Do a service for someone

After I wrote these out (yes, they are listed on a piece if notebook paper that is pinned to the cork board in my kitchen) Bella said that she was bored. I told her to look at the "I'm bored" list. She was so excited about the list that she did four or five of the suggestions!  

So far, this has helped me out. If you have any ideas to add to the list I would love to hear them!

Garbage Truck Pause

I think the garbage truck ran out of gas across the street from our house.  The poor driver waited for another truck to bring him to a gas station.  I felt bad because it was close to 5:00pm and he probably just wanted to finish up and go home for the day. 

If you look closely you will notice there is no one in the truck.  Another truck came and picked the guy up (probably to drive him to the gas station?)  An abandoned garbage truck.

Bella and I thought it was an odd thing to see (a garbage truck at a standstill so close to our house) so we did what any normal person would do...We took pictures.  That's normal, right? 

Help came

 

and our truck was once again on its way.

Things you never thought you would say

I thought it was time to add to this post. 

My last post was "Things you never thought you would say until you became a parent."

I have a new post, because apparently there are "Things that I never thought I would say until I became a dog owner."  I don't recall saying these things when Newton was a puppy.  These sayings just came about recently and were pointed out by my loving family.  They use some of these sayings too, thanks to Pippen.

*Don't smell my butt
*Get your nose out of my butt
*Get your nose out of my water
*Don't lick that!
*Stop sniffing me
*Don't lick my arm pit!
    and, the less formal, "Don't lick my pit!"

and, this one was just pointed out to me:

*get out of my butt
   (funny in lots of ways, I know)

Homemade Side Walk Paint

I found this online and had to try it out. I'm always looking for fun things to do with Bella outside.

I found the recipe for this at Ashley's Homemade Adventures.  She has the how to on her blog post.  She also has some cool things on her blog. Check it out. 

Back to the side walk paint. 

What you need:

Corn starch

Cold water

Non-toxic washable paint

Equal parts corn starch and cold water. I used 1/4 cup each. I then added about 1 tablespoon of washable paint. Mix it.  Then Paint.
 

I put these in small plastic containers with lids so we could reuse them. I decided on plastic since they will be used on the path and might get dropped.  (most likely by me)

Here is a sample of what it looks like on the driveway.

 

I think it turned out pretty good, what do you think?

Summer Sizzler

Bella got to play in her Summer Sizzler for Softball.

The Summer Sizzler is the ultimate game played at the "Big Field."  That is where you have an announcer who introduces each player, they play the National Anthem, Photos on the ball field (parent papparazzi) and little tidbits of information about each player.

 

The tidbits are important things like, what's your favorite food (movie, subject in school), who are your parents and siblings, what do you like to do for fun, and one thing that everyone should know about you.  Music is played when the teams are changing from batting to field.  Once in their positions on the field, the girls start dancing until the game resumes.

The Diamonds played their best and Bella is already asking when they can do it all again.  :)