Make your own packaging

This is more about recycling than actually making anything.

For all those crafters, people with kids and anyone else who might have stickers lying around the house did you know you can reuse the package the stickers came in?

It's simple! When opening the stickers make sure you open from the bottom. (this only works if it's got the bottom that you peel open-if you have to cut or rip open the package this doesn't work)
Take out the stickers.
Cut the top off if it has a label like mine did. But be sure you don't cut open the bag.
Than place whatever you want into the bag. Reseal using the peel away bottom. And VOILA!
I added some stickers to the packaging that went along with what was inside.
And now to mail away for a girl who's turning 14 real soon!

Sharpie mugs

So I've seen this idea floating around on pinterest.
I thought to myself, easy to do and needs next to nothing.
So Savannah and Kiefer spent Sunday afternoon together and I thought this would be a good project to do for my SIL's birthday.
I handed 3 year olds permanent markers and an oversized mug and let them go wild.
Afterwards I placed it in the oven as directed 350F for 30 minutes.
Let it cool and then it's ready to use.
This is not dishwasher safe but it states you can wash it in soap and water and the design stays on...

Nope.
I tried. The marker washed right off.
My SIL is getting a plain white mug.

Anyone else try this before? Any suggestions? I really liked this project... Just not the end result.

Pinterest addiction

I always thought I can't be bothered with pinterest.

Apparently I've discovered how easy and addicting it is to pin!

You are welcome to follow along.

I'm going to try really hard though to not be a pinner who does not do what they've pinned.

Today we are doing our first craft from my pinterest page.
Stay tuned!

Smarty pants

I'm amazed more and more everyday how smart my kid really is.
I'm a little bias and have to say he's the smartest kid around.

The other day he was sharing with me what an octagon and hexagon is.
Do you remember?
Octagon is 8 sides
Hexagon is 6 sides

I have no idea where he picked that up.
Today he also told me how to spell his name...
K...
I...
E...
F...
E...
R!

Reward? Chocolate chip cookies!

Girlie blanket

Awhile back on my old blog I posted the beginning of this project. It was made with scraps of fabric I had lying around.
I found it took awhile as I didn't really know anyone who was having a baby girl. Seems like its been a lot of boys lately.
I had a feeling though Alison would have a girl...
And she did. So this is for Emma Marie.

Butterflies

Just a short drive from our home we have the butterfly conservatory.

Kiefer and I spent a few hours enjoying the butterflies, waterfall and birdies.

How to Potty Train a 3 year old...

Leave him at Babba's house and Grandma's house for 4 days!

It's true.

My husband and I went away to Michigan back in June.
'K' was left with Grandparents while we were off checking out race cars and shopping.

Babba took it upon herself to start 'K' on the potty... Grandma continued it and when we got home he was constantly using the toilet.

Since then we have yet to have any accidents.

'K' is still wearing pull ups or diapers to bed, he occasionally still wets at night but other than night time he is wearing underwear all the time now.

Easiest toilet training ever.
Thank you Babba and Grandma!

Anyone have tips for Mom's who might be reading this and going through the potty training stage? I realize not everyone can pawn off such task to a grandparent... leave your tips in the comments below! I look forward to reading them.. I'm sure when we have another little one we will need the tips!

Crusin On King

Friday the 13th is usually a day for Motorcycles and a trip to Port Dover for some but this year it was Kitchener's Crusin On King.

'K' was super excited and actually enjoyed himself this year. 

(Last year he found the cars too loud)

Here he is watching the "race cars"

 
 


There was a lot of cars, a huge variety! Trucks, Cars, Doon Buggys  and even an old ambulance.

This was the only "race car" of the parade.

After the parade, the cars all parked and we got to walk around and check them out.

'K' checking out an engine!

This car was pretty cool. So was the owner.

He let 'K' have a seat inside and get his picture taken!

Once 'K' was tired of checking out cars, we checked out the Band playing at City Hall. Pretty good cover band. They even had a few dancers up on the floor.

We had an early night, - it was actually a late night for 'K' 

We were home and in bed at 9:30.

The rest of the family stayed later and enjoyed all the cars. 

If you missed Crusin On King. Don't worry next weekend is the Motorcycle show! 

That sounds like fun!

Kitchen (AFTER)

It's green!!

The first thing my husband said when he saw it...

"It's very green."

It was a lot of work. I don't think I will ever want to paint a kitchen again.
I also managed to organize and clean out the cupboards. I hated all the stuff sitting on top of the cabinets. Now all the stuff that was seen is nicely tucked away.  I'm very happy with how the kitchen turned out. I love the green. Glad I didn't listen to someone else... who suggested red.

Kitchen (BEFORE)

Since we have moved in to our home the entire place has been this beige colour. 

I'm getting really tired of it. 

So I decided to paint! 

Here are the before pictures of my dinning room and kitchen. 

Can you take a guess what colour I chose?? 

If you want something done...

Do it yourself!

This post could be very negative and dwell on all the stuff my husband has said he'd do but still has yet to follow through on ...

Instead I'm very impressed with my handy work! And I hope that it will inspire someone out there to tackle any job needing to be done.

You can do it!

Our door has been busted for a while. We were pretty sure it shifted as the lock never matched up anymore. We constantly had to keep lifting up on the door to align the lock and again lift on it to unlock the door.
It was a pain. I always had trouble with it and most days used the side door instead.
We were pretty sure the door just needed better screws.
The screws in the door were only an inch long. Replacing them with longer screws with stabilize the door back upright and the lock would be aligned.

So 3 months ago I swung by the hardware store and picked up the longer screws.

Then they sat...
Until today.
Today I replaced all the screws by hand. Yes, it would have been easier with a drill or electric screwdriver but I only had my trusty Phillips screwdriver.
Half hour later all the screws were replaced.


The door still did not line up and now because of the new screws the door would not budge if you lifted up on it.

Oh no!
I thought to myself I can't leave it like this now because it doesn't lock at all.

So I took a peak at the lock.
Realized the problem.
The hole that the lock goes into was covered. The hole lined up but the metal cover was covering part of the hole preventing the lock going in.
Easy fix. Took off the cover and moved it to the right spot.

Voila. Our door now locks with ease!
And who fixed it?

ME!

From Couch to 5K

I love reading this Mama's blog.

Carrie is always going on about the latest run she's done. She's pretty impressive.

And inspiring.

Unfortunately, I will not be doing any marathons in the near future but I am looking forward to doing the Laurier Loop.

It's in September. So I have a few weeks to start running.

I've downloaded an App on my Iphone to help me get into the groove of things. Luckily the race is a 10K, 5K and 2.5K.

My goal is the 5K but it is nice to know that the 2.5 is there... just in case.

Anyone want to run it with me? I've heard there is strength in numbers. Plus it's always more fun with others.

Twin Valley Zoo

We also took a trip to the zoo.

Brantford has a little zoo with all the animals you'd want to see. 

It's close, small and great for little kids.

Gobble, Gobble.
Turkeys are such ugly creatures.

We watched the creature show. They had turtles, a wolf, snakes, lizards, a few other animals 

and this guy: 

These guys liked to eat the leaves off the trees. The kids had no problems helping him get the leaves off the tree for him.

\

And of course they had lions and tigers and bears... OH MY!

Of course we can't forget about these guys:

Monkeys!

We had a great time at the Brantford Zoo. Definitely worth the trip! Have you been? What did you think?

Children's Museum

Our Children Museum had more than Dinosaurs to check out!

As we walked up to the front of the building we were greeted with a police officer on horse. 

'K' was super excited about the horse. 

They also have this little play area. I'm not sure what they call it but we have one at work called the "Snoozelen Room".
It's filled with lights, and all kinds of touchy feely stuff. It's super cool.

Some of the lights are interactive by pushing buttons or squares. Then there are holes you can place your hand in to feel

Up stairs they have a play area with a water table, this pin wall and all kinds of blocks and other stuff to build with.

My favourite item was the star dome. I don't think its a regular thing at the Museum but if it's there when you go be sure to check it out.

You go inside this black blowup tent and inside there is a light show of all the planets and stars. Totally worth squeezing through the weird front door you have to squeeze through to get in.

A day in the life of Dinosaurs

I am on vacation this week (my birthday week) which means I'm off for my birthday.

We spent it at the Children's Museum and the Dinosaurs.

All the dinosaurs were pretty cool. They moved their heads and mouths. They also roared at us!

'K' was scared of the T-Rex at first. Took some coaxing that he wouldn't bite but once 'K' realized they were not real he ran around from dinosaur to dinosaur.

And T-Rex became his favourite!

A Day at the Park

A day off, and gorgeous weather? Of course you'll find us at the park! 

This is a local park in our area. It has a splash pad and a playground.

And of course lots of shade!! 

My Son (K) had a lot of fun with his friend, 

and I had a lot of fun with my coworker! 

W is in the red hat and K in the yellow hat.

Hard to believe 'K' used to hate getting wet and running through the water.

'W" seems to have no problems what-so-ever!

Best way to drive off? Playing in the park of course!!

The boys sure did enjoy themselves! I know this will be a regular this summer! 

Free and Fun? Yes please!

Diners, Dine-ins and Drives

My husband and I enjoy watching Diner, Dine ins and Drives

This restaurant (The Clarkston Union) was on the episode with Kid Rock

Since we were in the area we had to try it out! Chris got a burger and I had a turkey melt. 

And of course we had to get a side order of their famous mac and cheese.

Here our a few other pictures from the restaurant. 

If you are in the area its definitely worth checking out.

It was all delicious.

We sat at the bar. It was packed and only two seats left in the whole place. 

Finally around 1:30 it started to empty out.

I forgot my camera in the car so these pictures are from my Iphone.

Not the best quality. 

Sorry about that!