NEW PRODUCT - Valentine Countdown Blocks

Today I am excited to release a new product in my shop - countdown blocks.   So far these are a huge hit with my kids and me!!  My kids love switching the blocks every morning, which means I have yet to have a turn - they always beat me to it.  This morning my kids realized that my daughter always switches to the even days and my son to the odd days.  For some reason, that made this interactive calendar even cooler. 

What makes these blocks even more fun to have out for the holiday is that after the holiday is over, they can serve as a fun calendar for the rest of the month simply by during the base block around. 

Once again, all the material needed to make these fun blocks can be found at your local hardware store and craft store.  A full set of instructions comes with your purchase that will give you more specific information. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE! 

BONUS:  This file is now available in INSTANT DOWNLOAD - no waiting for me to e-mail the files to you! 

Be sure to check out my Etsy Shop HERE for my Holiday Word Blocks!!!

I linked up at the following:  Tatertots and Jello, Six Sisters Stuff,  

Valentine Word Blocks - NEW RELEASE

Oh BOY . . . it has been awhile, but I am back and crafting again.  It feels so good. 

My daughter and I were SO ready to get out the Valentine's decorations.  I was done with my winter decorations and wanted a splash of color to brighten my days and my daughter was ready to decorate with pink - her favorite color.  When ever you are ready to start decorating for Valentines Day be sure to add these cute Valentine Word Blocks to your decor. 



They add a fun element to any tablescape or mantel.   As for the rest of my decorations, I picked up a few things from the dollar store and found some cute Valentine candies to finish things off.  Not a lot of money needs to be spent to make a cute and fun holiday tablescape. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!  An instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file. 
BONUS:  This file is now available in INSTANT DOWNLOAD - no waiting for me to e-mail the files to you! 

Be sure to check out my Etsy Shop HERE for my Holiday Word Blocks!!!

I linked up at the following:  Tatertots and Jello, Six Sisters Stuff,  

Halloween Word Blocks - New Release

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays to decorate for.  I love that for one holiday a year I can put away all the "cutest feel good decorations" and get out the spider webs, haunted houses, ghosts, ghouls, witches and goblins.   Even though these blocks do belong in the "cute" category, they do not have your standard Halloween words or phrases which makes them an acceptable Halloween decoration in my house. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

I linked up at the the following sites: 

Children's Payday Punch Card - New Release

I have been in major need of a chore card system that worked for both me and my kids for a long time now.  I have tried and tried new ideas, but they all seem to fizzle out. 

One day when I was at one of my favorite sandwich shops for lunch, as I was pulling out my customer loyalty card  (you know the kind:  1 sandwich = 1 punch . . .10 punches = 1 FREE sandwich)  I got the idea for my current chore system.   My kids and I have been testing it out for months and it works like a charm. 

One reason it works so well, is that it is a self managed system.  When I come upon a job the kids can do, I write the chore on their "Chore To Do" card.  I give them a little shout out that they have a new chore to complete.  After they are done with their chore, they give themselves a punch on their "Payday Punch Card."  I try to average 2 chores a day so they can be paid weekly.  Once the kids have complete 12 chores, they get paid.  They hand me their completed card, I give them their money and then they start all over again.  Currently my kids earn $1 a card, but I love that I can increase their pay without changing one thing about the system. 

Another great aspect of this system is your kids decide when they get paid.  My son has opted out of his chore card a few time, but he has learned the hard way that if he does, he does get paid as fast as his sister.

This kit includes 6 "Payday Punch Card" designs (3 boy and 3 girls) with a cordinatng "Chore To Do" card and a cordinating blank card.  I love to use the blank card to leave little "love notes" for my kids. 

Once you purchase your file, all you have to do it print, trim and laminate (just the chore/blank cards) and you are ready to go. 

Visit my shop {HERE} to get your Payday Punch Card System!

I have linked up at the following: 

Another Back To School Printable

Don't forget about my A&W Root Beer printable, you can get HERE, if you need a quick and easy gift idea for your new teachers, neighbors, friends or family. 

Back To School Word Blocks - New Release

I don't know about you, but I am ready for school to start.  My kids are bored and it seems like we have run out of things to do at my house.  Since I live in Vegas, it is too hot to send my kids outside to play, go to the park or even take an evening bike ride - we would just melt.  So I always look forward to the new school year as it gets my kids active and doing something. 

To help get my kids ready and a bit more excited about the new school year, I decided to make some of my stackable word blocks.  They love them for all the other holidays, why not for a new school year?   Of course my daughter loved them.  The reading block is her favorite.  I am sure they will come in  handy for my annual back to school dinner.  They will look great as part of my tablescape.

They would also make a great gift to your new teacher this year.  What a fun display to have on their desk all year round. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

I linked up at the following: 

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken

My sister in law was the first to PIN this recipe and treated my family to it at a barbeque a month or so ago.  I have since made it for my family a handful of times and even made it for family I was visiting a few weeks ago.  It has quickly become my hubby's favorite chicken recipe.  His mouth waters for it once I tell him it is on the dinner menu and my daughter LOVES it because it is wrapped in bacon. She believes that anything is better with bacon and she is only 7. 

Be sure to give this recipe a try - I am sure you will not be disappointed. 

 INGREDIENTS

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (12 pieces)

Bacon slices

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder

chili powder

brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

Cut each breast into 3 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a bacon slice around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place into a deep sided dish if grilling or a greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy.  Or Grill on a medium high heat until chicken is cook through.  ENJOY!