Pin-spiration - Snacks for Kids

Just a few items that I've been pinning lately in regards to snacks for kids.  You can click on the source link below each picture to get the recipes.

{source: The Girl Who Ate Everything}

{source: Whole Foods Market}

{source: Smashed Peas and Carrots}

{source: Love Hugs and Giggles}



Enjoy your weekend!!

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Art Journaling: I bought a few supplies

I went to Michaels and bought a few supplies to get myself started on the art journaling project. I also ordered 3 watercolor moleskin books for each child.  They ended up being smaller than what I thought they would be, though. :(

My list of supplies include, but not limited to:
acrylic paint
paint brushes
Gesso
3 watercolor moleskin journaling books
stamp
alphabet stamps
watercolor pencils (I already had)

I still need to pick up a couple Sakura Pigma Micron Pens, modge podge, ink pad and wide masking tape. As I embark on this project, I need to start collecting junk teasures, for example, bubble wrap, yarn, rubber bands, old lids and really anything to create texture on my pages. I'll definitely have to think outside the box.

Now, to clear out the basement, so I can get started!

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Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis

I fell asleep around 11:30pm last night and my dog, Lucy, woke me up in the middle of the night to go outside.  I kept trying to talk her into waiting for the alarm to go off because I was sure it was about time for it, but Lucy wan't having it.  When I got up, I looked at the clock and it read 2:30am.  I was so rested, that I thought it was close to 6:00am.

Normally, when I let her outside in the middle of the night, I can fall back to sleep pretty quickly.  Not last night. I tossed and turned with no luck.  So, I browsed my facebook, then Joseph's facebook until my phone died.  I still wasn't sleepy, so I turned on the television.  I forget what infomercial was on at the time, but I just rolled over hoping that the noise and flashing lights would help me fall asleep.  Then Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis come on and it got my attention.  I was wide awake listening.  I usually let infomercials go through one ear and out the other, but for some reason this one was speaking to me.

I got on the computer today and researched all of the reviews, some good and some bad.  I browsed the different blogs that mentioned it and talked myself right into buying it.

I actually bought it from QVC instead of her website because it is so easy to return items from QVC.  If I'm not 100% satisfied with the videos, I can return them within 30 days with no questions asked and from my experience, QVCs customer service is great.  I think I paid an extra $2.00 to do this, but the convenience was worth it to me.  It should be delivered on Oct 5th, but I bet it will come a little earlier.  I'm excited to get started. 

Every 10 days, there is a different video/workout to do for a total of a 90 day shred.  I'll share my experience on here along the way as I switch videos.  I may even post a before and after picture. 

I think I may be addicted to workout DVDs.  Please tell me I'm not the only one.

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You Conquered Your Fear

We stayed pretty busy this weekend.  I had good intentions of taking pictures to share, but never got around to it.  Hailey and Joseph stayed with a friend Friday night.  RJ, Hunter and I went to dinner with my cousin and his girlfriend.  Saturday, Joseph and Hunter had a baseball game and Hailey had cheer practice.  Hailey had a friend spend the night Saturday night, while we had my cousin and his girlfriend over to watch the football game.  Since WVU wasn't doing too well, we all played dominos until about 1am.  Sunday, I took the girls to cheer practice and I cleaned out my car and then we went to Hunter's baseball game.

This is where I would have inserted pictures, but I didn't take any. FAIL  I'll get used to this blogging role soon.

The kids brought their midterms home on Friday.  Hunter made straight As on his midterms, Hailey had 3 Ss, 1A and 3Bs.  Joseph had 2As, 3Bs, and 2Cs.  Still a 3.0, but he could do better.  I was proud of him because he wasn't doing too well and brought the two bad grades up to Cs.

I did create a scrap page using Shabby Miss Jenn's Autumn Walk kit.

This is a picture of Hunter jumping off of a waterfall at Summersville Lake.  He is terribly afraid of heights, but desperately wanted to jump off like his older brother.  He made up his mind that he was going to do it, then walked up the cliff with our friend, Mike, and stood at the top and contemplated.  Mike finally talked him into jumping and he got to the edge, looked down and just leaped.  Best time ever! He was so proud of himself for doing something that scared him to death.  I love this kid.  He is always trying new things and breaking the shell.

I combined two pictures to make the long photo.  That is him in the orange shorts at the top of the waterfall, next to Mike.  That is also him in the midst of jumping, getting ready to land in the water.

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Cinnamon Dulce

This is heavenly!  It calls for 4 teaspoons with 8 ounces of hot water for a total of 70 calories, 2 grams of fat and 14 carbs.  I'm sure it would taste fantastic with 4 teaspoons, but I only use 3. I use three teaspoons to reduce the calories to 56.25, and to make the container go further and it is still delicious!  I haven't drank caffeine in over a year, so it certainly gives my energy a boost.  I can sure use the boost during these cold mornings.

So, if you are looking for a new alternative to coffee or tea, try this! You won't regret it. I love the warm cinnamon/cocoa flavor, topped with a creamy foam.  So, delicious.

Happy Friday!  I will spend my weekend on the baseball field and cheer lobby.  My kids will bring their midterms home today.  Come Monday, I'll let you know how much they were allowed to do this weekend.  Hopefully, they'll bring home good grades.

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Fall Clothes

I am in the mood to shop.  I've pinned a few style boards for fall inspiration and I see a trend. Can you?

First on my fall shopping list are scarves and boots.

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Art Journaling

There is a reason I am turning a corner of my basement into a craft room. I am going to journal my children's year in 2012. But, I'm not going to do the ordinary journal or my normal scrap journal. I'm going to try something new. I'm going to art journal. Have you ever heard of it? I come across it by accident. I joined Pinterest over the summer and a friend I am following pinned a bunch of cool looking artsy pins that intrigued me. I began clicking on a bunch of her pins and came across this website. I probably spent a good few hours browsing and pinning a bunch of my own inspirations. Then, I come up with the brilliant idea of doing 3 art journals for each child and giving them a journal of their life, my feelings of them, their accomplishments, etc in 2012.

{source: Balzar Designs}

This will definitely be something new for me and way out of my comfort zone because I'm certainly not an artist.  But, I will take you along on the ride and blog about it along the way.  I'm excited to get started, but I have to stock up on supplies and create a little area that can get messy.  What better location than my basement, right!?!

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Weight Loss update

Last winter I lost a total of 28 pounds, but during the summer, I put back on 10 pounds. Well, yesterday, I started my diet and exercise program again. I hope to lose 20 pounds this winter. I bought this yoga DVD and this pilates DVD.




Hailey, Hunter and I tried the Yoga DVD the other day and it was definitely different. It focused on breathing, relaxing and meditating. It was definitely a workout, just different. Hailey thought the Yoga video was dumb, Hunter loved it and I spent most of my time helping them correct their breathing and posture. I will try it a few more times before I decide if I like it or not.

We are going to try the pilates video tonight. Hailey is excited about this one. I bought these for her to build her strength and flexibility for gymnastics, so hopefully she will have better success with this video.

I will continue to do my 30 Day Shred because I had the most success with this video. After about 3 weeks, I could really tell a big difference in my body tone. Can't wait to get started with this again.

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I'm back!

I took a summer vacation from everything.  I didn't do any projects, I didn't blog, scrap or clean very much.  I spent my summer just enjoying life and relaxing on the river in our boat.  We went camping three times and went to the beach in August.  We celebrated 3 birthdays.  My kids turned 12, 7 and 10. 

But, I'm back and I'm going to try to blog a little something everyday. I have big plans this fall/winter/spring. 

Remember this photo? 

It hasn't changed much.  But, I I hope to turn this corner of my basement into a craft room.  I've already started by priming the walls.  Now, I need to pick out a color.  I may use something that I already have.

Remember this post.  Well, I've marked a few items off of the list. 

For instance... 

#22 Visit a new state that I've not been to yet.  That was my florida trip with Hailey for her cheer competition.

#35 Try Yoga - will post about that later.

#41 Have a campfire and make smores in the backyard. - will post about this later.

#76 Fly on a plane.  Hailey and I did this on our way to Florida, documented here.  I plan on flying the whole family this spring to the same event.

I hope to accomplish more in the upcoming months and I plan on documenting it all right here!  So, stay tuned...

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