XOXO - A Valentine's Tic Tac Toe!



I'm so excited to be offering my first ever FREE printable to all my sweet friends for Valentine's Day!  This is a quick, easy and inexpensive idea that's perfect for classroom treats!

In years past, I have almost always done photo cards (featuring MY little sweethearts of course) but between our family vacation last month and an out-of-town obligation next week, pictures just weren't going to happen.  But you know what they say . . . Desperation, no, procrastination - uhm, wait . . . oh yes, "Necessity is the mother of invention."  Or PIN-vention in this case anyway!

 

This is definitely a 'copycat' project I pinned earlier this week in anticipation of our upcoming Valentine's activities, including TWO classroom parties now that both Sheep and Snacks are both in school!  And a big shout out to Jodi for the idea and instructions!  You can check out the original version and other great ideas for kids at www.JodieFitz.com.

 

Valentine's pinspiration from JodiFitz.com

Honestly, I would have just used Jodi's version myself because it is adorable, but I have been using my color printer A LOT lately and decided to try making my own version without the colored background to conserve ink.  I also wanted to personalize it with Sheep's name . . . and add a cute poem for the instructions.  I know, it's a sickness of some sort. {Grin.}

 

 

Ironically, the final version ended up with some cute, heart, COLORED clipart as the background - so much for conservation!  I did make a version without the background though, so for those without a color printer or who actually do want to conserve their ink, it will still work for ya!

 

These little treats print up four to a page and cutting lines are included to help you out!  They are approximately 4" X 3" and fit perfectly in a standard-size treat bag you can find in the candy or cupcake aisle.  Sheep stuffed and I stapled and together we knocked out 24 of these in under 15 minutes - now that's sweet!

Now, I know what you might be thinking . . . While these treats are pretty darn cute, they could use a cute topper as well to really 'complete' the project.  I thought the same thing (I wanted to add X and O stickers on the kisses too  - Like I said, it's a sickness), but Sheep seemed satisfied with them 'as is', so 'as is' they are.  My over-embellishing genes have obviously been diluted by her father!  But if you are similarly afflicted so inclined, you can grab these adorable, free, printable treat toppers here and they would be a fabulous addition!

 

This is my first attempt at file-sharing, via Keep & Share, so let's hope this works!

 

Valentine's XOXO Printable PDF - Color

 

Valentine's XOXO Printable PDF - B&W

 

Happy Valentine's Yall!

 

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Edible Photo Props!

Aren't these the sweetest?!   And they're not even 'perfect' yet, because I forgot to add the sparkling sugar before baking them!  This was just a test run, but it came out sooooo stinkin' cute that I couldn't wait to share!

 

 

Sweetheart Cookies are a Valentine's Day tradition at our house, but this year I decided to try something a little different and cut them into lips instead of hearts - mainly because I saw these awesome lip-shaped cookies at my grocery store last year that appear to be made with a cookie mold rather than a cookie cutter and look amazing!  However, they did NOT taste amazing (which my Sweetheart Cookies do and you can grab the recipe here) so I wanted to replicate them using our recipe instead.

 

Last year I was unable to find a lip-shaped cookie mold (grrrr), but my sweet MIL gave me a cookie cutter and told me to do my best.  Always good advice by the way!  I actually did find one this year, but it won't be here in time for the big day, so I started experimenting with what I had.

 

Snacks routinely 'reorganizes' my kitchen and I couldn't seem to find the rolling pin.  Talk about making do with what you have . . . . !  Anyway,  I rolled these out a bit thicker than I would have otherwise to make sure I could draw the lip line without breaking the cookie in half.

 

I baked a couple of  'test cookies' and then used a chopstick to indent the line for the lips once they came out of the oven and while they were still hot.

 

Hmmmm.  Not sure I like the cracked edges at the lip line.

 

So, on the next batch I decided to draw in the lip line before baking.

 

At some point during this process, Sheep and I decided that they reminded us of the 'Brownie Smile' photo props we made for her Bridging Ceremony last Spring, and that gave us another idea . . .

So, we added some craft sticks before baking!

 

Still some cracking at the lip line (so perhaps she's old, or smokes, or both - ha!),

but what a GREAT idea for Valentine's treats this year!

 

Packaged in some cellophane with a cute ribbon at the bottom, these are sure to be a classroom favorite - even without using the cookie mold!  The craft sticks worked great and they are flat, so I'm thinking they slide into the cookies a little easier than a round popsicle stick or paper straw, but those would probably work as well.  Use what 'cha got!

Of course now I want to find a moustache cookie cutter for the boys - and a chocolate rolled cookie recipe too!  Link in the comments if you've got a good one to share!

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!

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An American Girl (Doll) Sleepover!

 

Hello!

Merry Christmas!!

and Happy New Year!!!  

The past month has been a whirlwind for us -  between the holidays, some travel, a bug that made it's way though the house one family member at a time (ugh!) and of course planning Sheep's birthday party!  Poor thing really, really wanted to celebrate her birthday ON her birthday this year, but as usual, the weeks leading up to Christmas make that almost impossible.  This year the girl scouts were in the Christmas parade the night of her birthday and Speed had an office party to attend, so her idea for a sleepover was just not in the cards.

Shhhhh!  Don't tell Sheep but personally, I like having her birthday party after Christmas because it gives me something wonderful to look forward to once all the holiday fun is taken down and put away.  Since she was turning 8 this year, we had decided to get her an American Girl Doll of her very own for her birthday, but while we were in Dallas over the summer - visiting the American Girl Doll store to see which one she might want, my BFF (God love her!!) just couldn't resist and bought her one on the spot instead!

Meet Lexi!

So when it came time to plan her birthday sleepover, Lexi became part of the plans and before I knew it, we were planning a party for 12 little girls and  their favorite dolls!  Not all of them were American Girl Dolls - but you get the idea.  I was a big fan of dolls myownself growing up, so this was definitely a party theme that mommy could get into!  Back then, the dolls de jure were Fisher-Price 'My Friend' Dolls.  I had both Mandy and Jenny but . . . back to the party!

First things first - invitations, which I copied from a Christmas card I got this year.  The picture was printed on the inside of a cardstock envelope that was sealed with a cute sticker - thanks for the inspiration Michelle!

I can't wait to show you how simple these were to make, but that's a post for another day! Sheep helped by handpicking the American Girl stickers that best represented each of her friends for each card.  Goodness, she's so much like her mama it ain't even funny!

We made invitations for each of the dolls as well, and included them in the cards!

Once we had the invitations out, it was time to turn our attention to decorations!  Pinterest is usually my go-to for situations like this, but there was surprisingly little American Girl Doll party ideas to be found.  It did lead me to Michael's though, where I was able to snatch up all things American Girl on either sale or clearance - yippee!  I actually had no idea that there was a whole line of American Girl Doll crafts, paper goods, etc. but Sheep was so excited to find it!! (She is fast becoming a Pinterest fan as well.)  On the one hand, I was relieved because pre-made crafts make life simple, but on the other hand, I was feeling a little like I might be phoning this party in because I wasn't doing it all myself.  Crazy, right?!

Aren't these hanging paper flowers cute?!

And the kit came with enough 'extra' materials that I was able to get creative after all and combine them with the place mats from the paper doll place settings and turn them into thank you cards - Bonus!!

We took 'family portraits' during the party, used some pop dots and glitter glue to jazz them up and Mallory (and Lexi) added a personal note on the back - voila!  Thank you cards and a cute keepsake too!

On the mantle, I used some of her American Girl Doll accessories (courtesy of her cousin who has outgrown them for the time being) and some boxes from the store to make a cute display in the living room turned sleeping quarters!

That's Mandy and Jenny masquerading as American Girl Dolls!

My favorite idea for decorations was also the easiest.  I simply enlarged a copy of her school picture from this year and secured it on the inside of the box.  I did the same thing with another box and picture and placed it on the hearth as well.  She is MY American Girl Doll after all!

We found our new favorite birthday cake recipe last year while putting together her Art Party, and it makes about 36 regular-sized cupcakes.  More than enough for a dozen girls and their dolls!

We made miniature cupcakes for the dolls and my 'Party Planner In-Training' took care of sprinkles and writing her guests' names on the American Girl cupcake toppers!  Everything looked perfect!

Look how CA-UTE this little doll place setting and cupcake looks!

Now it just so happens that the Cupcake Decorating kit included a dozen cupcake wrappers as well as the toppers, but Sheep didn't want to use them because we already had matching liners for both sizes of cupcakes and she wanted to keep them the same.  Like her mama, for better worse I'm telling you . . . !

No worries!  These lacy wrappers looks more like party crowns to me anyway. {Grin.}

And with a little bit of elastic and some staples, that's exactly what they became!  So simple and so cute!  Even though they weren't the sturdiest accessory (let's face it, party hats never are), the dolls and their girls loved them - Lexi said so herself!

Lexi in her party-wear and cupcake wrapper crown!

We had plenty of room for the girls to sit, but I wanted to have someplace special for the dolls as well, soooooo . . . . we made chairs for each of the dolls using shoe boxes and duct tape!

I say 'we' but it turned out to be a little trickier for Sheep than I thought it would be, and I was getting a wee bit overwhelmed getting Christmas away, birthday out, and running sick kiddos to the doctor.  Luckily one of my dear enablers friends, stepped in and took over this project once we were satisfied with the prototype - bless you Valerie!!

These were so simple to do and really sturdy once they were finished, so I will walk you through how to make your own American Girl Doll chairs using duct tape soon!  Once the chairs were taped, the cupcakes baked and the crowns and crafts in place - it was time for a party!

Sheep had a plan . . . .

So they crafted . . . .

American Girl bead bracelet craft in progress!

Decorated goody bags for each guest using American Girl stickers.

They ate . . . 

They played doll musical chairs!

They also found time to open birthday presents, even though that wasn't on the schedule - ha!

The girls and dolls changed into jjs before starting the movie.  I think Crafty Texas Girl Samantha gave me the tip on the 'Me and My Doll' outfits that were featured on Zulily before the holidays.  She's always got great little girl 'going-ons' going on too so stop by and say hello!

The dolls watched from their chairs-turned-movie theater!

Before the end of the night, the dolls had been to the movies, the salon and even heard a few no-so-scary ghost stories!  Whew - those girls dolls were busy!!

Amazingly, the living room was quiet by midnight!  The next morning, we feasted on biscuit donuts, which were devoured before I could even snap a picture, so I will have to make them again and share the recipe with you another day!

It was a great party and Sheep was all smiles!

I love you my beautiful, smart, funny, thoughtful, kind, crafty American Girl.

Sometimes more than I think my heart can hold.

I am so proud and honored to be your mom.

And so happy to help you make ALL your birthday dreams come true!

Happy Birthday (Party) Sheep!

 

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He's Got This

It has been one week since a horrible tragedy took place at an elementary school in a small town that could have been my own.  I considered myself lucky that I was busy working on Christmas orders that day, and didn't even hear about the event until late in the afternoon.  Right then and there I decided to NOT give life to this most unthinkable act of violence by reading about it or hearing about it if possible.    Past experience has taught me that I cannot undo the terrible and frightening images that are invariably left in my mind if I even take a peek.  I find they are haunting.

But despite my best efforts, I have been forced into conversation about Newtown, Connecticut.  And so, the door has been opened and it cannot be closed.  Which leads me to wonder, if I am so strongly affected by this story, how are those parents, those children, those teachers, those first responders - those survivors, either in the school or related to the deceased, supposed to go on, for I truly cannot imagine.  My heart aches for them.

I spent most of the day on Tuesday, anxious and upset, and cried several times for the innocents that were lost last week.  And it's taken me a while to process things.  But I discovered that I was also grieving for my own lost innocence with this painful reminder that sin knows no boundaries.  Though plenty would categorize him as evil rather than a sinner, I am struggling with questions about the lost soul that committed this crime against . . . Who?  His parents?  A community?  All of us?  And as I look into the smiling eyes of my two-year-old son I am left wondering how you get from here . . . to there?

This same question harassed me for months after reading the novel 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult when Sheep was in kindergarten.  If you haven't read this book, I would recommend it, but know that it is as unsettling as everything I have since watched and heard about the events last Friday.  The tragedy in Newtown has reawakened those questions, those fears, all the anxiety I experienced after reading her fictional novel about a school shooting and the events that led the killer to commit his final act of violence.

And I want to know if/how we as a nation, as a community, but mostly as individuals could do something different so that these children, who are often bullied but probably all marginalized, might feel connected to the people around them.  Could feel loved, accepted, supported by more than just their parents.  I think about how many people have loved and encouraged my children over the years - and if you were to add it up, you too might find that it extends so far beyond you that it is truly a miracle.  But ALL children need to feel that.  In fact, don't we all, even us grown-ups, want to feel that?

I read a quote from one of his classmates that said he didn't recall the shooter ever being bullied in school.  But I can't help but reflect on the difference between 'not bullied' and 'being included.'  One is a lack of action.  The other requires action, and often lots of courage and patience and love as well.  We are all busy.  And now we are all afraid.  But that shouldn't stop us from remembering Jesus' two great commandments - to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.  Are we watching for those little souls that might need an extra hug or kind word from us?  Are we seeking them out?


After a day of tears and heartache (for I cannot process this information with my head, only my heart), soul-searching and prayer (LOTS of prayer) I snuggled down with my kiddos to enjoy a Charlie Brown Christmas Special, hoping to just take my mind off of things for a bit.  Still wondering how I, much less they, move on from here, God reached through my television and spoke to me.

"And the angel said unto them Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

Turns out the angel of the Lord looks a lot like Linus Van Pelt, but I'll take it.  And I hope you will too, because He's got this.  As crazy awful as this whole thing is, He's got this.  My continued prayers go out to all those involved in Newtown, Connecticut.  May you find peace and comfort in the arms of the Lord.

Jennifer