From Clutter and Chaos to Lego Center Sanity!

If you are a parent, you have stepped on a Lego or cursed the piles of random pieces throughout your home at some point. Well, I decided I couldn't live one more minute with Legos all over my house! After my husband and I discussed a very vague plan, we packed the kids in the car and we were off to Ikea!  We were the last ones to drop off our three kids to the lovely staff at the ever so popular Kiddieland  before the wait time began. Phew, that was a close one.   Knowing we had limited … [Read more...]

The Banyan Tunic-a pattern review

Well Hello. I am so excited about this pattern! It's the Banyan Top & Tunic from Figgy's Patterns available at Go To Patterns.com (affiliate link) Here is the cover shot for the pattern. As you can see, it comes with a "boys" and a "girls" option, and tunic or tee length for the girls.  Georgia already has a top like this from Old Navy or Target or something, and I love it on her, but it's a little too short to wear with leggings, and I was already trying to work out how to hack a … [Read more...]

Dress up those “Gift Cards”…

It is the most wonderful time of the year…for everyone but the people who make it happen! That’s right, I am talking about the pack mules, the photographers, the cooks, the cleaners, the Christmas spirit bringers…the MOMS (and some dads…just not in my house) And with all the trimmings and the trappings and the gifting and the gabbing, comes teacher gifts. You know, the people who give my children some knowledge and me the most glorious 6.25 hours a day alone, 180 days a year. With five … [Read more...]

DIY- Love Inspired Decor

Blank space is more than a Taylor Swift song... it is something that inspires me to decorate!   For those of you who don't know me very well yet, my DIY decorating usually also includes leveraging an upcycle idea or two. After staring at the blank wall for a few weeks now, I looked up and had enough. It was time to make use of a few picture frames I bought on clearance last fall and make my own artwork. Supplies I collected at home: Empty Picture Frames Wrapping … [Read more...]

Sunday Funday – Superbowl Snacks!

It’s Superbowl weekend and I am sure folks are going crazy in Seattle and Boston - right FinPop? Here in Chicago, the game is not anywhere near as exciting without our beloved Bears. However, Chicagoans never miss an excuse for a party, or an excuse for some great party food. Those that know me, know that there is always a reason to get excited about the food that comes along with watching those can’t miss commercials. Our annual Superbowl party hosts have put our party on hold until 2016 (Da … [Read more...]

My Least Favorite Day of School….

Aside from the LAST day of school (honesty IS the best policy), my least favorite day of school is the dreaded 100th DAY of SCHOOL celebration. Having five kids means I've been through about a gajillion classroom celebrations, and I flinch when I even hear the number 100. I finally got smart and solved the problem of "MOM! I need 100 of _____ today for school" at 8:03 in the morning.  I created a rainbow shirt of 100 buttons to pull out in such crisis situations. Supplies: White … [Read more...]

December Birthday – Elf Surprise

Like many people, my son has a December birthday. Don't you hate it?! I feel bad that he gets all his presents for the year all that the same time! So I try to make it extra special in any way I can.  This year I enlisted our Elf, Buddy, to help with a special surprise for my son. Since I decided to do this at about 11pm the night before his birthday, I rummaged through the craft supplies I already had at home and the idea of a birthday banner was born.  I made two tiny pennant banners on my … [Read more...]

Kid Craft: Time Capsule Ornaments

As each year passes and my children get older, I am constantly reminded that it goes by FAST.   The school years bring less and less artwork and stories to remind me of each child at that age. Schedules are mandates rather than maybes and the days whiz by with screeching tires in different sports’ parking lots with sandwiches and apple slices (or fast food-let’s be honest) are hucked from row to row. I wanted to capture a glimpse of my kids each year for the Christmas tree to remind me of who … [Read more...]