Dr. Seuss End Of The School Year Tradition

Several years ago I  purchased two copies of the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go to use as a new tradition with my two youngest boys (Caleb and Nate-no).  At the end of each school year I have their school teachers write a little note inside these books to them. When they graduate from High School I will present the filled book to them and allow others to sign it at their graduation party.

I came up with this idea as I was looking at the copy of this book given to my #1 Son (Stephen Jr) when he graduated from Kindergarten. The giver had signed the book with a little note to him. It’s too late to now to have all of Stephen Jr's teachers sign his copy - he graduated from High School in 2008. But, there is still time for a new tradition for the 2 youngest boys. Now to just remember to have their teachers sign it each year.

* You can start this at any grade or age.

Like it or not they are watching us - A Poem you will enjoy

Today as I was reading my emails I came across my daily update from my friend over at Happy Home Fairy and just knew I needed to share her Mothers Day post with you.

I love this poem - the reminder it is to me of the role model that I am  to my children on a daily basis.

Happy Home Fairy has created it to be a FREE printable - perfect for framing and placing on my desk or other fun place in m home.

Thanks my Happy Home Fairy friend.

Here was her post for the day:


Just wanted you all to know that you mean the world to me!

I would not be doing what I did without your support and encouragement!  You are each precious and you matter so dearly to me and to the Lord!  He has called you to be a mom and He has equipped you to be the very best at it – in His strength and for His glory!

Thank you for letting me be a part of your Mommy Journey.

And if you need a bit more affirmation that you matter and that you are making a difference, read this poem…

Make sure you have tissues nearby.

Click Image for PDF Version

Free DIY Subway Art For Mothers Day

Create your own DIY Mothers Day framed art work with these Free printables for Mothers Day.

 Colorful Subway Art

Free printable Subway art for Mothers day from Pink Ink Doodles.  Click here to download your free Subway art in two sizes 8X10 or 5X7.

Assorted Subway Art Colors

Free printable Subway art for Mothers Day in various colors from Lady Crafter 14.  Click here to choose color and download your free Mothers Day printable Subway art.

Fun Subway Art For Mothers Day

I should Be Mopping The Floors created this FREE Mothers Day Subway art that we can print and frame to create fun gifts and decorations as we celebrate Mothers Day this year.
Click here to get your free printable.

The Perfect Mothers Day Gifts - Budget and Splurging

Mothers day is almost here and you may still be in need of a few ideas for the moms in your life that you want to celebrate – We came up with the 24/7 MOMS  Perfect Mothers Day gifts Budget vs. Splurge list for you to help you think about what to purchase as gifts this year.

 

Techie Mom

Budget:  Cases and/or covers for tech items, lap desk,

Personalized Flash drives from  www.pexagontech.com.  You can  pick the color of the flash drive and what wording to put on them. You get two lines of text.

Splurge: iTouch, iPad, or GPS.

Cooking Mom

Budget: Empty Recipe book that she can fill in with her favorite recipes, cookbook, cooking utensils, pot holders, apron, new spices.

Splurge: Keurig, Kitchen aide or other new tool or gadget.

Gardening Mom

Budget: Gardening Hand tools, gardening gloves, assortment of seed packets or plants, bird feeder

Splurge: Hanging flower basket, Fruit or other tree, bird bath, garden bench.

Scrapping Mom

Budget: Designer paper, assortment of embellishments, various supplies ( trimmers, scissors, adhesives etc)


Splurge: Cricuit Expression,  rolling tote, Gift certificate to scrap booking retreat


Sporty Mom

Budget: Water bottle, gym bag, yoga mat, exercise clothes, small weights, exercise DVD.

Splurge: Running shoes, Health or fitness tracker, treadmill, gym membership.

Bookworm Mom

Budget: Magazine subscription, book light, book from favorite author.

Splurge:  e-Reader such as Kobo, Nook or Kindle etc.

Spa Mom
Budget: At home spa supplies, manicure or pedicure gift certificate

Splurge: Spa gift certificate, parafin dip machine, Make-up makeover.

Free 24/7 MOMS Summer Planning Organizers

Plan, Prepare and Play all summer long with these TWO free printable Summer planning organizers from 24/7 MOMS


The 24/7 MOMS Summer Family Planner Template

Click here to download and print your copy.




The 24/7 MOMS Plan. Prepare, Play Summer idea list  for Staycations and Backyardcations

Simple Kids Can Make Gifts For Mothers Day

Iron-On Bags with Kids' Drawings

From: Martha Stewart

Decorate canvas bags or eyeglass cases for Mom with your child's hand-drawn masterpieces.
It's quick and simple to do with iron-on transfer paper (available at crafts stores) that fits through any ink-jet printer. Print a drawing onto the paper, trim out the design, and then use a dry iron to transfer the image to clean canvas according to the instructions on the package.

 Click here for complete instructions.

Free Mother's Day Award Certificate

Click here to download your free Mothers Day award certificate from www.leehansen.com

Hand-Warming Mug

From : Better Homes and Gardens Web Site.

What You Need:

• Ceramic mug
• Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Surface Conditioner
• Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Paint in colors you like
• Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze
• Paintbrushes, including a medium flat and liner

Instructions:

1. Wash the mug with soap and water. Rinse the mug well and let dry.
2. Use the flat brush to apply a coat of conditioner to the outside of the mug. Let the conditioner dry. Do not touch the cleaned and prepared surface.
3. Shake the paint bottle well and squeeze a dime-size dot of paint into the clean palm of your hand. (Ask a grown-up for a helping hand with this.) Use the flat brush to spread the paint, completely covering the entire palm side of your hand. To make a good hand print, the paint should be shiny and thick.
4. Place your paint-covered hand on the mug. To avoid smears, try not to move your fingers. Lift your hand straight up from the mug. Immediately wash your hand.
5. Dip the liner brush in paint and write your name beside the hand print. Let the paint dry completely.
6. When the paint is dry, use the flat brush to apply a coat of clear gloss glaze over the painted surface. Let the glaze dry for one hour and apply a second coat.
7. Be sure to wait 10 days before using and washing the mug, or the paint may come off.

Buyer's Guide:

Delta Technical Coatings (PermaEnamel paint) 2550 Pellissier Pl., Whittier, CA 90601-1505 800/423-4135 www.deltacrafts.com

Checkbook Covers

From: Martha Stewart

These playful covers can make Mom's most mundane tasks more pleasant. Using a clear passport cover or clear checkbook sleeve as a template, trace over the child's artwork. Cut out, and slip artwork inside the sleeve.

Click here for complete instructions.

12 Mother's Day Recipes for Brunch and Dessert

Celebrate Mom this year by cooking or baking something fabulous for her. Rather than heading out to a crowded restaurant, treat your Mom to the best Mother's Day recipes for brunch or dessert, or both! The effort will be all the more appreciated. We've gathered some of the best blogger Mother's Day recipes out there to share in 12 Mother's Day Recipes for Brunch and Dessert: e-Book


Click here to download your FREE 12 Mother's Day Recipes e-book.
 

Chocolate Brunch For Mothers Day

 Chocolate Hazelnut and Banana Crepe
from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• 2 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella
• 1/2 banana, thinly sliced

Directions

1. In a blender, combine flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and butter.
   
2. Puree until mixture is smooth and bubbles form on top, about 30 seconds. Let batter sit at least 15 minutes at room temperature (or refrigerate in an airtight container, up to 1 day; whisk before using).
   
3. Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium. Lightly coat with butter. Add 1/3 cup batter and swirl to completely cover bottom of skillet. Cook until underside of crepe is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
   
4. Loosen edge of crepe with a rubber spatula, then with your fingertips, quickly flip. Cook 1 minute more. Slide crepe out of skillet and repeat with remaining batter. (Coat pan with butter as needed.)
   
   5.  After flipping a crepe in the skillet, top with chocolate-hazelnut spread and banana. Cook until spread melts, about 1 minute. Fold into quarters.
   

 Chocolate Chip Scones
from:All Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender or a large fork, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chocolate chips. Mix in the orange juice to form a dough.
3. Turn out the dough on a floured surface. Pat or roll into a 9 inch circle about 1/2 inch thick. With a 2 1/2 inch fluted biscuit cutter, cut out 12 scones, pushing the dough scraps together for the last few, if necessary. Transfer the scones to the baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Move to wire racks to cool.

 

Chocolate Waffles
from Nestle

Ingredients

* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* Toppings: whipped cream, chocolate shavings, sifted powdered sugar, fresh fruit, ice cream

Directions

COMBINE flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl.

MICROWAVE morsels and butter in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Cool to room temperature. Stir in milk, eggs and vanilla extract. Add chocolate mixture to flour mixture; stir (batter will be thick).

COOK in Belgian waffle maker* according to manufacturer's directions. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

* Can also be cooked in standard waffle maker (makes about 20 standard-size waffle squares).




Simple Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
from: Trisha Novotny

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips and brand
  
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 container fresh strawberries with leaves
• Box of tooth picks

Directions

1. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
2. Pour chocolate chips into microwaveable dish - I use 1/2 a bag at a time.
   
3. Place bowl in microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high. stirring each 30 seconds until melted ( be careful to NOT over cook)
4. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate covering all sides of it.
   
5. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool or place on a sheet of wax paper.

Chcolate Brunch French Toast
From: Nestle

Ingredients

1 cup NESTLÉ NESQUIK Refrigerated Ready-to-Drink Chocolate Milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons butter or margarine
8 slices white or French bread
Powdered sugar (optional)
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)
Grated chocolate (optional) 
Fresh raspberries (optional)

Directions

WHISK together Nesquik and eggs in medium bowl.

MELT butter in large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Dip bread into Nesquik mixture to coat evenly. Cook bread on each side for about 3 minutes or until cooked through. Dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate and raspberries 

MORE Chocolate FUN ideas:
- Serve a Chocolate fondue click here for fondue ideas and recipes
- Serve Nutella with toast or plain doughnuts, scones. biscuits or pancakes
- Create a Hot chocolate buffet/bar. Click here for ideas and recipes

Decoration Ideas:
- Use Color theme of Brown and pink from the table cloth to the dishes.
- Add chocolate fragrant candles
- Use mini chocolate candies ( kisses, sees candies, M& M's) for confetti all over the table
- Create a chocolate centerpiece using a pink anted pot filled with candy bar Flowers ( glue candy bars to sticks and arrange)
- Use chocolate dipped spoons for the hot chocolate
- The ideas are endless just think Chocolate, brown and pink.

Last Minute Teacher Appreciation Gifts To Create

Spiffy Scissors

Every Teacher needs her own pair of spiffy scissors.  You can easily create a pair of these fun and simple scissors by using the instructions we found over at Crap I've Made blog. Click here to get the instructions now.

Alphabet Vase Of Flowers

Simple, inexpensive and fun to give to your Children's teachers this year as a Thank you gift.  Pick up the alphabet letters and vase at your local dollar store add in a bunch of flowers and you have a fun gift. WE found this cute idea over at One Charming Party.  Click here to go there now.

Gift Card Bouquet

Who says money doesn't grow on trees? Sow a giving tree by surrounding a potted plant — Family Fun used a schefflera — with a grouping of card stock envelopes shaped like flowers. In the openings, slip gift cards donated by students in the class, then ask each contributor to write a short thank-you note on theirs.
Click here for complete instructions from Family Fun.

Countdown To Summer
 Create a fun Summer countdown to celebrate your Teacher.  Click here for the complete instructions from 25eighteen.

Teacher Subway Art Clipboard or Framed Art

eighteen25 has created a fun Subway art to creat a Teacher clipboard or framed artwork.
Click here for inscrtuions and to print your Free Subway art.

CORRECTED LINK - For Teacher Appreciation gifts with sayings and foods

 It is time to appreciate our Teachers, May 2nd -6th is Teacher Appreciation week so why not create some  Simple - Fun - Creative and Do-able gifts for your children's Teachers to show your appreciation.

24/7 MOMS has created a list of Teacher Appreciation Thanks Yous Using Food and Fun Sayings.

Such as:
• Pop Rocks:We think you "rock"... (pop rocks)
• Mounds Candy Bar: You're "mounds" of fun
• Whoppers: "Thanks for helping us have a whopper of a good time in school


You can Click here to download and print your own copy of our list.

Teacher Appreciation Sayings Using Foods and Cute Sayings

 It is time to appreciate our Teachers, May 2nd -6th is Teacher Appreciation week so why not create some  Simple - Fun - Creative and Do-able gifts for your children's Teachers to show your appreciation.

24/7 MOMS has created a list of Teacher Appreciation Thanks Yous Using Food and Fun Sayings.

Such as:
• Pop Rocks:We think you "rock"... (pop rocks)
• Mounds Candy Bar: You're "mounds" of fun
• Whoppers: "Thanks for helping us have a whopper of a good time in school


You can Click here to download and print your own copy of our list.

Kids Bowl Free All Summer Long

My two youngest have become bowling fanatics. They continually ask " Mom, can we go bowling?" So, I am one excited mom that once again the Kids Bowl Free program has launched for Summer bowling fun for my family.

The last two years we have participated and choose our favorite Bowling alley The Chalet Bowl. So, if you live in our area and are wanting a family environment bowling alley join us over at Chalet bowl this summer and let's bowl our days away.

Across the country you too can join in the fun at Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the second annual “Kids Bowl Free” program.

Easy Sign-up!

Signing your children up for the free bowling is easy! Just complete the registration form and your kids are on their way to bowling fun this summer. Click here to register now.

Mom, Dads, Teens get a deal as well: In order to accommodate parents and older children in your family that may like to bowl with the child, the participating bowling centers are offering a Family Pass. The Family Pass provides the same great "2 games a day" package for up to 4 adult family members for a one-time payment from $24.95. Click here to register now.

Show Your Love for Mom

 By: Amy Hannold

247Moms Frugal Living Editor

Mothers Day is May 8th this year.  It’s time to begin preparing some homemade, unique ways to show our love for Mom.  I encourage you to share the joy of Moms and gift creation with your kids.  These ideas are affordable and will express thoughtful, lasting sentiments to Mom.

 

TeacherVision.com

Free registration to their email updates will open 7 free, printable resources for Mothers Day.  Suggested age for these activities ranges from Pre-Kindergarten through the 8^th grade.  Activities range from the history of Mothers Day, poem writing, tissue paper flowers, “pop-up” portraits and my favorite – “Roses for Mom”.  This page of drawn roses invites the child to write “promises” of how they will show love for mom.  They can color the roses, cut them out and then give them to Mom (perhaps as part of a handmade card). 

BusyBeeKidsCrafts.com

Free, printable Mothers Day stationery, word searches, Mad Libs, color-me cards and coloring pages will suit your household for creating a fun, special Mothers Day.

DLTK-Holidays.com

One of my favorite sites for finding creative activities – even for the un-creative mom.  (I love the process of creating, once we’ve found the activity.)  Bingo cards, anagrams, craft ideas, and more await you. 

Fisher-Price.com

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=printcardlanding

Fisher-Price offers a free collection of printable greeting cards your kids can color for Mothers Day – or any day!

Other Ideas:

Memories for Mom:

Search back into your own childhood years, find a picture (or a memory) and create a card for your Mom.  You’ll both enjoy the time you spend remembering your childhood, and perhaps she’ll have some more advice for the stage of motherhood you’re currently in.

Photo Gifts:

Now is the time to find that perfect photo of the kids and use it to create a photo gift.  Online or in-store you can find some great deals on just the perfect gift.  Give Mom something she can show off, bragging about her special little ones.

Gift Baskets:

Use your frugal skills to create an especially collected assortment of Mom’s favorites.  Whether it be food, books, or small luxuries, show mom you’ve thought of what she likes.

Share these ideas – even with “Dad”, so that he can help the kids create something special.  Enjoy Mothers Day.  Celebrate the “Moms” in your life!  Also, remember Moms with spouses deployed, single moms, and others who also may benefit from some special attention on Mothers Day. 

Image from http://happy-mothers-day-ideas.blogspot.com/

Teacher Appreciation Cards - Free Printables

 Starbucks Thanks a Latte


Print these fun Starbucks gift card holders from eighteen25.com for your favorite coffee loving Teacher. Click here to get your free printable




 

 
 Cards For Gift Card Giving

Teachers Love gift cards and I Am Momma Hear me roar created the perfect Teacher Appreciation cards to use when giving your children's teacher a gift card.  The gift card easily attaches to these fun cards.  Click here for complete download instructions.

You are Berry Sweet


Inspired by the luscious, juicy fruits of summer, these cards will work for lots of treat giving occasions! Thanks to Tip Junkie you can just download, save and print by clicking here.

Teachers ROCK Cards and Printables

This FREE  retro cool collection includes: free lunch gift certificate for your teacher, “5 reasons teachers rock” cards, party labels, and a “teachers rock” banner. All from Catch My Party.  Click here to get your FREE printables for Teacher Appreciation week.

Teacher Apple Thanks

Quick to print and fun to give these sweet cards from Cottage Industrialist.  Click here to print your FREE Apple card of thanks.

Free Teacher Appreciation Subway Art Printable

Teacher Appreciation week is May 2nd - 6th with this free Subway art printable from Today's Fabulous Finds you can create a simple and inexpensive gift for your Children's school Teachers.
 
Here are a few additional fun ideas:

1.  Have The students in the class sign their names on the white border around the subway art print.

2.  Use a permanent marker and have your child write their teacher's name in the empty top box and then have them draw or paste a picture of their teacher in the center box.

3. You could also use the subway art as the front of a card.

To choose and print your free subway art for Teacher appreciation week click here.

What To Do With All That Easter Candy

My home is now filled with empty plastic eggs, empty Easter baskets, half eaten bags of candy and sugar overloaded kids which only means there must be a few piles of candy around my house. So, now what will I do with all of this leftover candy?

Option #1 - Let my kids continue to overload on the sugar or Option #2 use a few of the creative ideas below:

Left over chocolate bunnies and eggs –

Melt them and create a yummy Fondu'

Melt them and create chocolate dipped strawberries.

Chop them up and use in your Chocolate chip cookie recipes.

Melt them over ice cream

Chop them up and add to a batch of brownies

Bake a batch of chocolate muffins

Shave the chocolate and use on top of other desserts and sundaes

M&M’s

Add into your cookie recipes

Add into your next batch of cupcakes

Add into brownies or Rice Krispie treats

Make a Brownie pizza

Add to your morning pancakes

Use in decorative jars for Spring

Peeps

Make microwave S’mores

for more leftover Peeps recipes click here

Jelly Beans

Jelly Bean Guess - During your next party or event place a jar full of jelly beans out allowing everyone to guess how many are in the jar. Winner gets to keep the jar.

National Jelly Bean day - April 22nd is National Jelly Bean day celebrate it.

Bingo Fun - Use jelly beans as bingo markers.

Trail Mix add in - Put some jelly beans in your trail mix. The added sugar will give you a boost or sugar high. Mix one part each of peanuts, pretzels, and jelly beans and any other yummy items you like in your trail mix.

Math Beans- Have your children create graphs with jelly beans sorting them by colors.

Creative Cupcakes - Use jelly beans to decorate cupcakes. With the variety of colors the decorating ideas are endless. Easy addition to making your cupcakes FUN.

Holiday Fun - Save your jelly beans in a zip lock bag to use on your Christmas Gingerbread houses.

Recipes - Create a Yummy dessert with Jelly Beans. Click here for recipes.

What are you doing with your left over Easter candy this year?

4 Easy To Make Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Looking for a fun simple gift to appreciate your Children's Teachers with?  we found 4 simple ones we think every Teacher would be delighted to receive.

 
Teacher Goody Box

Create this simple and useful Teacher Goody box filled with office supplies and treats.
Click here for complete how to instructions from eighteen 25.

Teacher Note Cubes

How Does She created these fun #1 Teacher note cubes of paper to appreciate your teachers with.  Click here for complete instructions.

Summer Countdown

Not only are our children counting down till the last day of school I imagine many teachers are as well and looking forward to a few lazy summer days.  Why not help then with the countdown with one of these simple to create adorable countdown clipboards we found over at eighteen 25.  Click here for complete how to instructions.

my teacher is AW-esome
  Who doesn't love a bottle of A&W rootbeer.  What a fun way to tell your child's Teacher how AW-esome they are. 
 Click here for complete how to instructions from eighteen 25.