Amazon's Daily Deal- Board Games

Family and Strategy Board Games

Today only, save up to 50% on select family and strategy board games over at Amazon.  Our favorite, Spot It, is at the top of the list and is at the lowest price I've seen it!
If you have Amazon prime, these will arrive before Christmas.  If not, consider a free trail (link on the right hand side of my page, scroll towards the bottom).  You are under no obligation to continue your prime trial membership and can cancel at anytime.

-Affiliate link.

Grandma's No Roll Sugar Cookies

Today my mom (granny) came over for a day of making Christmas goodies with the grandkids. 

We used my late mother-in-law's recipe for these no roll sugar cookies.  My mother-in-law, Dorothy, was the real baker.  She spent each December making an assortment of cookies that really could put any local bakery to shame. 

While we didn't get nearly as extravagant as she would've, I think our efforts today would have made her a little proud. 

These cookies taste just fine how they are and are easy to store (& freeze) this way. 
We are planning to let all the kids frost these at Christmas as an activity. 

It will be super simple whip up a batch of frosting the day of the decorating.

Growing Grateful Kids: Even When You're Tired & it Doesn't Seem to Matter Much

Of all the Build-a-Bears in the house, the 7yr old suddenly needed this one tonight.
  To be truthful, I thought about telling him to grow up & look for it in the morning. 

Because really:
1. It was already a full hour or better past bedtime.
2. I had no idea where to even start looking for it, since we hadn't seen it for months. So why does he need it now? Right now.
3. He's plenty old enough to not need a stuffed animal.
4.  I was h-angry. So hungry it made me angry.
5. I was still trying to paint a canvas and didn't particularly want to be interrupted.

Instead though, I chose to offer compassion & sympathy to my hurting child.  I didn't really get it, but I scoured the house anyway. Fast.
  The minutes went by and I wasn't having any luck.  I feared I had sold it on a garage sale...
Finally I found it in a basket under the toddler's crib.  Goal!
He was so grateful to hug his Buddy Bear again. I wish y'all could've seen the look I his face when he embraced that bear.

You found it!   Thank you mama! My buddy bear!

#GrowingGratefulKids

Recipe: Warm Coconut Cream Cheese Goo

I <3 warm satisfying sweets on cold wintery days. 

 

 

This has been my go-to when I'm craving something nectarous & savory.

In a skillet, warm these things together until you can easily stir them up (don't worry about measurements, just use your own judgment):
Shredded Coconut
Cream Cheese
Almond Flour

Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chips

A little water
Oatmeal- I don't usually add this, unless I have to share with the kids, then I throw it in to bulk it up.

 

Does it look totally gross?  You betcha.  But TRUST ME, it tastes AMAAAAAZING.  How could you go wrong with coconut and chocolate?  You just can't!

 

{Sneak Peak} DIY Hot Cocoa Stand for Family Pictures

{Sneak Peak} I'm crazy excited about this hot cocoa stand my hubby built, for our family photo shoot.  The best part is that when I asked him to make it, he didn't even try to talk me out of it.  

 

He's learning! haha

 

 

 

I pulled the idea off of Pinterest.  There were so many cute ones to choose from, but this is what we came up with.  We sort of used this design {click here} from Ana White to get us started.  Really you could make this just about any way you'd like. 

 

 

 

 

We had a majority of this lumber leftover from other projects, so the cost was minimal.  I picked up most of the accessories from the dollar store or used things we had on hand already.  We spent a grand total of about $30 to pull this off. 

Now, that's not including the new coats I picked up.  But hey, I had coupons at one store and used Cartwheel at the other! Honestly us 3 girls really needed nice dress coats anyway. 

 

 

 

 On Thanksgiving we got the stand out to give it a trial run.  All the cousins loved playing with it.  My super styling SIL & my momma helped me finalize our coordinating warm outfits.  Outdoor family photos in Iowa are pretty rare during the winter, but us crazies gave it a try anyway! 

 

The actual photo-shoot day was super fun!  We had a young photographer and her mom (my friend) pose us, laugh with {and probably at us}, and capture some great memories that we'll have for a lifetime!

 

Here are my tips for pulling off an outdoor family photo session like this in the coooold winter:

1. DRESS WARM.  Hats and gloves kind of warm, okay?

2. Let the kids play.  Relax mama, the shots of them playing were the best.

3. Ask the kids how they want to pose.  You'll be surprised -or not- but their personality really comes out when they are free to move how they wish.

4. Bribe them with cookies.... then take more pictures!

 

 

I've been so excited to share some of these with you!  I'm glad I finally had a minute to sit down and compile these scribbles!  I hope you enjoyed the pictures, I know I sure did! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes Photos:

 

 

 

 

Ps.  If you don't have a Beverage Dispenser yet, I suggest you get one!  We love ours for when we are hosting company, either big groups or small.  We usually just put water in it with lemon and mint leaves, but the presentation is beautiful!  I bought one, and we received one as a gift; which was perfect because now we have one for upstairs and downstairs! Kids LOVE them!