Tag Archives: family

Birthday Party Ideas: Book Exchange Party and Printables

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My daughter turned 11. Diapers one day… eye-rolling tween, the next. I joke. She’s a great kid, growing into her own person. How do they grow so fast? To celebrate her birthday, we hosted a simple evening with a few of her close friends and a book exchange. (I give her all the credit for choosing that.) Sharing books, swapping with everyone, tearing open the wrapped books… it was like Christmas all over again! The nice part: all gently used books. Bring one, leave with one; bring two, leave with two.

Keep going for the free printables!

Crafting for a Cause: CuddLeS for Claudia

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(I appreciate you reading this whole post. Happy Valentine’s Day. –Julie)

About a year and a half ago, I had an idea (and I have lots of ideas) to make some goodies, sell them and give some money to a good cause. Tons of people do this, but I wanted to do this in honor of a terrific girl out in California for her 10th birthday. She turned 11 last September. OY!

The big idea: 10 for 10. I thought I could make ten blankets or maybe one item for ten months… for Claudia, the little girl in California. Proceeds from those ten items would go to the CdLS Foundation.  They serve people with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and their families. Why the CdLS Foundation?

Claudia. She lives with CdLS. She is my cousin’s daughter. My list of cousins – ridiculous! My mom, oldest of seven, and my dad is #9 (or #10) of 14. Compute.

So, Claudia’s dad – think back and remember your very first best friend. That’s who my cousin is for me.

Yes, I look like a boy in Swiss Miss gear. (1977)

Continue for the crafty idea!

Easy DIY Photo Card Stationery

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DIY Photo Card Stationery

How are we in February already? And, how am I so behind in sending out thank you notes from the holidays? Am I the only one who falls behind? (Probably, because I’m the nutty girl who wants to make everything herself.) But these… these are way cool. I’ve thought about doing this for a while now.

The possibilities are endless with your camera, willing family members (i.e. children), blank white boards or cardboard, Sharpies and blank cards. I took about 10-15 pictures of the kids and picked my favorites. Uploaded and printed them out at the photo center for very little cost. If you print them glossy, you get the coolest effect.

Use Sharpies on glossy photos

I love my Sharpies. Use them and turn these blanks…

Use blank white boards or cardboard in picture

… into any card you want! For 4″ x 6″ pictures, you could purchase empty photo card frames. I have extra cardstock laying around so I just cut it to size for my blank cards. (See first picture.)  They measure at 4-3/4″ x 6-3/4″.  I get weird when it comes to the borders… I don’t like them too wide.
And to stick them on the card, use double stick tape or glue dots. If you want to get fancy, use photo corners or with an X-acto knife, cut slits on a diagonal at each corner and feed the corners of the photo through.

DIY Photo Card Stationery: Use permanent marker to customize picture

Don’t limit yourself to just saying “Thank you.” You can split it up like, “Cool! Thanks a bunch!” Or “Happy / Birthday”.

DIY Photo Card Stationery: Use permanent marker to customize picture

My daughter thought the pictures “freakishly” looked like the words were already printed on the boards.

DIY Photo Card Stationery: Use permanent marker to customize picture

Yes, I could’ve printed the cards out at the photo center as folded cards (for a whole lot more money), but what’s the fun in that? Enjoy… let me know if you’ve done this or if you might try it!

Chaperoned an Outdoor Education Trip

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The grade school Outdoor Education trip. Somehow, I missed this rite of passage when I moved schools between sixth and seventh grade. Actually, the three-day trip was a welcome change of scenery and nice chance to see my kid with her friends, and maybe more importantly, without her little brother. And, for the record, I’m not really outdoorsy.

I’d never been camping before, though, this was far from REAL camping. I imagined the movie Parent Trap – both versions. And no sleep… kids trying to escape the cabins, playing pranks on each other. Nope, none of that. I think the main reason you don’t sleep is because you’re not in your own bed and you hear all the swooshing of polyester sleeping bags on top of vinyl mattresses during the night. Not to mention, the warm weather.

As chaperones, we watched and helped with classes and activities like canoeing, archery. And the campsite… really nice facilities! (For a camp… this isn’t a five-star hotel, right?)The kids amazed me (most of the time) with their respect and listening skills. I met a few new students, watched how classmates could be so kind to each other… and I saw how some kids can be so competitive. The girls basically went to sleep when they were supposed to, but I did enjoy the sound of giggling and whispering as the other moms and I called “Lights out.

You might call me a brave soul for going on a trip with my daughter… and 109 other students from her fifth grade class. I would recommend it to any parent, if you can set aside the time. I figure, she still doesn’t mind me being around. That may change sooner than later, but I hope not. Thanks, kiddo, for letting me see you in your world. Love, Mom.

Chaperones at archery