Candy Land Party

Two of my daughter’s birthdays fall within seven days of each other, so we always have their “Big Birthday Party” with family and friends, together. Then on their actual birthday, we do something special just for them. In the past, I would have them pick out their own themes. One might have Dora and the other might choose Cinderella, but this year I asked them if it was okay if I surprised them with the theme. After searching around, I came up with Candy Land…the perfect theme for my two, sweet, loving girls.

Candy Land is not a commercialized theme, like Disney Princesses or Dora the Explorer, so I had to get creative if I wanted decorations for the party.

First Project: Dum Dum Pops Centerpieces.
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Dum Dums

Items Needed:
– Styrofoam Balls (Wal-Mart)
– Large Bag of Dum Dum Pops (Wal-Mart)
– Sharp Scissors
– A container to put your masterpiece on (glass vase, flower-pot, sand castle beach pal, etc…)

*I first cut all the pop sticks in half, then placed and arranged them from the top to the bottom. There were a couple that weren’t cooperating, so I hot glued them.

Second Project: Gum Drop Tree

Gum Drop Tree Items Needed:
– Gum Drops (Wal-Mart)
– Styrofoam Cone (Wal-Mart)
– Toothpicks
– Scissors

*I first cut all the tooth picks in half. The top four Gum Drops I hot glued to place them exactly where I wanted them. The rest I placed a toothpick into the Gum Drop then pushed into the cone.

I also made cute balloon decorations. Hellobee.com tells you step by step how to make them. Click here to go directly to the site.

Instead of making goodie bags, I purchased these reusable glass candy jars to hand out as favors to all the friends that attended the party.
Favor (Warning: If you aren’t pleased with your merchandise from shindigz.com, you can return it, but on your own dime! Make sure it’s exactly what you want.)

Simple Candy Buffet
Candyland Buffet

Candy Land Themed Cakes (from Publix)

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Last but not least Castle Bounce
DSC_1143 *If you live in the Central Florida area and are looking for something exciting to add to your party, I highly recommend Leaping to Fun. We have used them over six years for all of our kids parties. They have bounce houses, wet slides, food machines and more. For more information click here and make sure to tell them Bethany Boy sent you.

Tuesday Truth (Marriage)

The word “try” can often be used as an excuse, but when something important to us comes up, we will then replace “try” with “I will”. No person is perfect, which means no marriage is perfect. Each marriage and every marriage has issues, but the difference between the ones that make it and the ones that don’t, use two key words…”WE WILL”. Choose today to make your spouse a priority. Remove “try” from your marriage vocabulary and replace it with “I will/we will”.

I will put God first.
I will put my husband second.
I will put my kids third.
I will wake up early.
I will serve my husband.
I will be the helpmate God designed me to be.
I will pray for my husband.
I will be strong.
I will be tender.
I will be compassionate.
I will be patient.
I will be reaffirming.
I will be encouraging.
I will be forgiving.
I will be positive.
I will be humble.
I will be submissive.
I will be organized.
I will be loving.
“I will” because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, watch over our marriage. May the hurtful words be quickly forgotten and replaced with words of love and forgiveness, always. May the walls that have been built be destroyed in your name. Help couples to see no marriage is perfect, but with your help it can be close to it. Give us the strength to stay strong and to fight for one of the most important things you could ever give us, our marriage. And help us each to remove “try” from our lips and replace it with “I will”.
Amen

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Changing It Up (Homeschool)

We are halfway through our school year and things are getting a little redundant, so last night I planned two fun surprises!

First, the girls went shopping at BB’s Boutique, where coupons aren’t allowed, but returns are accepted. They took turns purchasing merchandise in the store and paying with quarters, nickles, dimes, and pennies. They were able to work on addition, subtraction, counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s. Each shopper received a lovely gift bag to put their merchandise in when they checked out. Needless to say, they enjoy their morning at the BB’s Boutique.
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After cleaning up the shop, I took out dry erase boards and shaving cream. The girls spelled out each of their words, by writing with their fingers and paint brushes in the shaving cream.
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I’m a worksheet kind of teacher (I use A Beka and BJB), but kids need change and so do moms (teacher).

Happy Monday everyone, make your school week a great one!

Our Morning Snapshots

“But the fruit of the Spirit is….joy” Galatians 5:22
This is my joy!

A and JJ staying dry under the awning at Starbucks.

Hot Chocolate
K picking out her shirt for school…excuse her messy closet…we are still working on keeping things neat, including our closets!
Picking out a shirt
JJ playing on the Leap Pad while A works on her English paper.
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V decided to do her school work on the couch this morning…whatever works 🙂
V

Happy Thursday Everyone! I hope you make it a GREAT DAY!!!

One Project Done!

Are the house projects adding up, leaving you to feel hopeless and discouraged? Then it’s time to put all your DYI and Organize My House Pins, from Pinterest, to use!

Sit down and make a list of all the projects you would like to accomplish this year. Projects as small as cleaning out a linen closet, to big projects like renovating the kitchen. Now take a calendar and plan as many projects as possible. For example, Pantry on Monday, book shelf on Tuesday, Master Closet on Thursday, and Garage on Saturday. Make sure to give yourself enough time to complete the project. Some projects may require an hour, while others two or three days. After finishing the project, mark it off your Master List. By visually seeing each task being marked off as completed, it will enable you to keep moving forward.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Set a daily goal and you will achieve your yearly goals!
CouponingLast night’s project…clip all coupons and organize them in a folder. (DONE)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty…” 
Proverbs 21:5

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7

Berry Goodness

Fruit Drink

My Daniel Fast drink…Berry Goodness!

*8 to 10 fresh strawberries
*8 to 10 fresh black berries
*1 cup of crushed ice
*1/4 to 1/2 cup of water
*1 to 2 tbsp Agave (optional)
*1 tbsp Chia seeds

Simple drink to sustain you on your Daniel Fast.

Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds.

Planning for Today

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty” Proverbs 21:5

Each day is special and unique, but do we view it that way? Probably not, we are guilty of being sucked into the hustle and bustle of life. In this new year, I desire to make the most out of each day…for no one is promised tomorrow. So, how do we cherish each day in itself? We have to plan intentionally for that day.

Preparing a successful day takes preparation, right before you shut your eyes for the night, plan out the next day. Take your journal, planner, or I personally use my iPad. First, schedule your quiet/devotion time with God. Second, write your husband’s name and list his needs (make his lunch, iron clothes, pick up dry cleaning, etc.). Then, write down your children’s names and the things you need to do for them (pack lunches, sign papers, schedule doctor appointments, etc.). Next, write down house, list the things that need to be cleaned that day or taken care of. Last, write down your personal “to do” list, which could consist of ministry, personal growth, fitness, etc. Make sure your list is prioritized: God first, husband second, children third, house next, and all other activities follow. Now, for the fun part, think of ways you can make that day special, lunch at the park, Mickey mouse pancakes, a little note in their lunch box, the list is endless.

By scheduling out your day the night before bed, you are able to get the things of tomorrow off your mind. You are able to write them down and let them worry about themselves, as you drift off into a peaceful sleep, so when morning comes, you are set up for success. Look over your list again, make sure you wrote down everything you wanted from the night before and then enjoy your day to the fullest!

Remember “this is the day” not tomorrow, not next week, but today, “which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I hope you all have an amazing TODAY, every day!

“…who gives us richly all things to enjoy” 1 Timothy 6:17

Kids’ Cabinet (kitchen)

Creating a kid friendly space in our kitchen, was one of the best things I could have done, for the kids and myself…they are able to put their dishes away when they empty the dishwasher, it saves time from them asking me to get their cups, plates, and bowls, it teaches them to be more independent, and my favorite, it is organized in one space.

Kids' Cabinet in the Kitchen

*(1) Threshold Global Folio Bin-Dark
*(2) Threshold Global Media Bin-Dark
I purchased all three baskets from Target when they were on sale.