How to Relax and Enjoy that Road Trip (Plus a Travel Center Tutorial & 25+ Game/Activity Ideas!)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone.

#RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias

What do you think of when you hear the word "road trip"? Do you groan and remember being stuck in a car for what felt like forever? OR do you get excited and start planning right away? I have to say that I have felt some of BOTH of these emotions. BUT...over the years, as we have traveled literally from the South to the North on both sides of the country, I have come to feel excitement all of the time now. Most of this is due to figuring out how to make road trips successful and making everyone in the car happy. And today I'm going to share all of my great tips with you to do just that!

Plus I have over 25 game and activity ideas for many different ages that you can play in the car...including a tutorial to make this fun and easy DIY Travel Activity Center.  

It's magnetic and keeps everything in one place and from falling all over the floor. So keep reading to see How to Make Your Road Trip a Happy One For Everyone.

The key is to prepare!

100th Day of School; Dress up like you are a 100 years old day

This week my daughter's class celebrated the 100th day of school. They were all told that they could dress up the way they think they will look when they are 100 years. I gotta say...I had a ton of fun with this and can't stop cracking up at all of my daughter's facial expressions in these pics! haha My younger daughter said, "I didn't know it was Old Lady's Day!" Bwahaha!

We decided to look together to see how we could easily make her look 100 without going out and buying much. This is what we came up with and we loved it!

We picked out a loose fitting dress and sweater for her to wear.

  

A Wall of Christmas {Decor}

I don't know about you, but I am so ready for the end of this week. If you have kiddos in school, you know how crazy these last two weeks have been...especially this one! I've been up since 5:30 this am working on last minute Christmas gifts my kids told me about last night! UGH! (My son told me last night he had a white elephant gift exchange in one class today and can he also take gifts to his teachers?) I think I have made about 20 teacher gifts now this week. Ha! Plus little gifts for my kids' friends and for classmates, and a teacher's bday, and and and...then you get all the class parties and more! I'm exhausted and so ready to sleep in! haha

One thing I did finish recently though was my "Wall of Christmas"! It's so fun with fun Christmas quotes. I love how it turned out and wanted to share.

It really was pretty easy and I love how it transforms our living room even more into the spirit of Christmas! I pretty much took boards and frames I already had and just gave them all an update! I also took a bunch of my fav pics of my kids in the snow and put them all in a frame. So fun!

Seasons of Life and My New Announcement!

Well, if you follow me on Facebook or on Instagram, these pictures will look familiar to you. AND it will explain why my posts have been a bit fewer and further in between lately. haha

As we took the picture above, the kids were wondering why there was an extra pumpkin, but my oldest daughter caught on really quick. haha

Creating More Memories, and Less Regrets #TreatYourFamily

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc and Walmart Family Mobile.

All opinions are mine alone.

#TreatYourFamily #CollectiveBias

I can't believe that the holidays are already right around the corner. Once we hit the end of October, it seems the rest of they year kicks into fast forward warp speed! One of my goals this year is to not let the enjoyment of being with family and friends get away from me during this time. It's so easy to get caught up in everyday life and your "have-to-do-this-today" lists, that sometimes we forget to focus on what matters most and where our real blessings are found.

Reduce Water Bottles

A couple of years ago, I found these great water bottles at a great price and picked up a set of them. I was thinking about how great they were the other day, except we had lost most of the lids. I decided to check out their website and was happily amazed to find that they sold replacement lids at a great price with LOW shipping too! That brings me to today. If I love them so much and now love them even more for not making me buy brand new water bottles when I was just missing the lids...I just had to share!

I actually picked them up from Woot. (Great website that I love, but don't get me started! lol) But they are sold on Reduce Everyday. And like I said, they are great!

My Top 10+ Fall Posts

Happy Thursday! Are you as ready for Friday as I am?! My son that got injured this past weekend, and now has a concussion, has consumed my week and now he has the doctor's orders to stay home from school. A good thing (for his brain) and a bad thing as far as stressing about how much he is missing and getting behind on in school.

So...to cheer me up AND to celebrate the beginning of fall, today I've got a round up of my past and best 10+ fall projects! I don't know what it is about fall, but just knowing that it's here, has me smiling!

So many fun things to do in the fall!

From baking these yummy cookies...

Fun Finds at Magnolia Market

Happy Middle of the Week! So far no more injuries at our house. haha Thank goodness!

So, one of my favorite shows IF I ever get a chance to actually sit down and watch it is Fixer Upper. I have watched it since about the beginning. I love so many things about it...JoJo's style, the fun relationship between her and Chip, seeing how they include their whole family into they daily lives, even at work...I could go on and on,

So...this past summer when we were traveling, I talked my husband into stopping by Magnolia Market, as we were driving through Waco, TX. I had looked up info on the shop already and it was pretty much what I expected. Lots of fun items to use in your home decor collections. Some more than I would pay, but oh so cute and so much inspiration. 

I wanted to just pick up a couple little things to add to the kitchen I am trying to create for my future house. And this is what I decided on:

Simple, but so fun!

I love the pop of color between the light blue and the strawberries....

Walmart Neighborhood Market Grand Opening in MY area! {Rogers, AR}

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. 

#GameTimeClean #CollectiveBias 

Happy Monday everyone! I'm not sure about you, but I after my son got injured this past weekend in soccer, I was ready for the weekend to come to an end, and a new week to begin! Ha! I don't usually feel that way. I always think I need an extra day between Saturday and Sunday, but this time, this mama is ready for a new week, one withOUT any injuries and concussions. (Kids, take note! haha)

One thing I do at the beginning of every week is to make a weekly menu and list of items that we need. If we start the week off more organized, the week always goes smoother. (Unless of course you collide with someone else during a soccer game and land on your head. Ugh.)

So, here I am making a list of everything I need to pick up at the store for the week, and I wanted to share with you how excited I am about all the Walmart Neighborhood Markets that have been popping up.

 In fact, there's another one near me in Rogers, AR that is opening this week, and having a Grand Opening on September 23rd, in just TWO days! My kids LOVE going to the Grand Openings with me.

Cinnamon Apple...in a pot! {Teacher Gift or Fall Candy Bowl}

#teachergift #apple #fall #backtoschool #teacherappreciation #endofschool #firstdayofschool #cinnamonapples #gifts #diygifts #gluedots

I'm ready to say Happy Fall Ya'll! But we're not quite there yet. haha

We started back to school last week here and I wanted to share with you a super duper simple easy peasy! teacher gift that you can use right now OR anytime of year. Seriously! It can't get any easier than this! AND it's multifunctional for the teacher!

It's a Cinnamon Apple...in a pot! So so easy and yet, they can use it later to take home and plant something in or put their pens and pencils in...whatever they want! I even thought of dolling it up a bit more by putting the teacher's name on the front or a big A+. BUT decided that I liked the simplicity of it being just a big red apple this time. :)

So, here is your list of supplies needed to make this gem:

Summer Fun with Cousin Swaps! {DIY Water Bottles}

We've been having fun with ALL girls in our house the last couple weeks. We have cousins visiting and our boys are gone visiting other cousins elsewhere. We've had craft days and outtings, and swimming, and lots and lots of karoke, and basically lots of girl fun.Such a different dynamic in our house and my poor hubby has been so outnumbered. Ha!

But, I wanted to share with you one little thing we did as a DIY craft one afternoon. We picked up some water bottles and decided to personalize them so that they could each have a little something to remember this summer together. PLUS, they have worked great here at home and on outtings to help keep everyone hydrated in the summer heat! (And it has eliminated the number of cups used in our house too! WIN! haha)

We decided to just put Cousin Swap on the bottles, and the year mainly, but had to add some names and a fun sun for the summer fun we are having. We kept the design simple, and love the way it came out! They each helped to apply the vinyl to the bottles too. 

Princesses for the Day

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to go and meet some Princesses at the Park. I love love loved this idea! I love that some local teens were happy to put this on for the kids. So much fun and such a treat for my girls!

My girls were a little shy at first, but loved meeting Jasmine, Belle, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, Anna, and Rapunzel.  Not to mention that Eric, Prince Charming, and Eugene (or Flynn Rider) made an appearance too! 

DIY Car or Home Air Freshener

Hellllloooo Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! They always go by too fast, don't they?

Well today, I'm excited to share with you one of the simplest DIY projects that I love! It's my own DIY Car freshener or home air freshener.

It's really simple, so I'm going to get right to the specifics for you!

I start with a little chipboard. Any shape will work. I just picked this little flower that I had one hand to show you today. It's about 3 inches in diameter.

Checkered Nerkerchief Tablecloth, Table Runner, Picnic Blanket, AND Bedcover

Happy Fourth of July!

Today I have a quick little DIY project for you that you could even make this morning if you wanted!

I love multi-purpose items and today's post definitely fits into that category. This works as:

a Tablecloth, 

a Table Runner, 

a Picnic Blanket, 

AND a Bedcover! 

I love how versatile it is! And all you need is a few neckerchiefs to make this DIY project!

United States of AMERICA Free Printable

Here's one more last minute free printable for you today. 

I know that there has been lots of controversy lately in our Land of the Free. I have to say that I love this land with all of my heart. At times I have been disappointed with the people of this land and the direction that it has been going, but I truly do still love it here. I love what America stands for. I love seeing the red, white, and blue and knowing the meaning behind each color. I love our flag, the way it is and has been for years. I love that it stands for the freedoms we have, the protection we receive from those in the uniform, and I love the respect it shows to those who server this country and who founded this country years ago. It is truly an inspired nation that was built under God's direction and hand and is a blessing to us.

So there you have it, no matter your religious affiliation, ethnicity, gender, gender preference, etc. the Red, white, and blue is what brings us all together. It's what enables us to use our free agency and to choose for ourselves our beliefs and to stand up for them. There is beauty in the red, white, and blue because of that.

Happy Fourth of July!

Top Ten Suggestions to Get Ready for a Teen Driver

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. 

#FueltheLove #CollectiveBias #teendriver #parenting #driverspermit #driverslicense 

Earlier this year, I posted about things that my dad taught me that I still use today...like how to change the oil in my car. Well, I have been thinking about things like that even more lately with my oldest son about to turn 16. He recently got his drivers learning permit, and my husband and I have been trying to prepare for our son (who seems like he was just learning how to walk!) being on the road as a driver. I'm not sure if it is harder to prepare for this mentally and emotionally, or physically. Haha

So, I've come up with a list of my Top Ten Suggestions to Get Ready for a Teen Driver. Eek! That idea still scares me! But here goes (for me and for him, AND for my suggestions. haha)

Top Ten Suggestions to Get Ready for a Teen Driver

Creative Way to give Money as a Gift {DIY Money French Fries}

Are you still looking for a fun and quick gift? Want something different? Well, I have the perfect little idea for you! And it's so fun and simple to put together!

 Just run to your local McDonald's,or any other place you want where you can pick up a fry box. (I bought a thing of fries and also asked for an extra box.) You can also pick up a gift card to go along with it if you want. I also asked for an extra bag to use as I gave the gift away in.

Then, go grab some cash. You want lots of bills, so if you are going to give $20, you may want to get 20 $1 bills. OR if you are giving $50 or $100, you may want to split it up into something like 10 $1 bills, a few fives and a couple of tens or twenties...or something like that.

Then all you need to do is to fold your dollar bills to look the same size and shape as french fries.

I figure out how tall I want my fries to be according to the fry box.

1. I fold the top of the dollar bill over first to that height. (And I vary the height I fold them all too, so it looks more realistic...well, it's not going to ever look realistic. haha)

3D Wire Star Craft Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I have been BUSY BUSY this week and I still have so many more things to do still before the week is over! I did have a little fun with a small craft that I can add to my Fourth of July decorations though. AND I can even use it at Christmas time as well! (I love using the same decorations for more than one holiday when I can! Less to store!) 

Well, if you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook you may have seen a sneak peak of today's post already. It's a great one for From this to That Friday. From a spool of wire, to a hanging star! It's a really fun, fast and simple tutorial on how to make wire stars. 

They're so simple and still 3D and pretty. You can leave them as the plain silver wire stars like I did, OR you can spray paint them and make them red, white, and blue or whatever color you want!

So today I am sharing a little tutorial on how to make these little gems.

Ultimate Baby Shower Party Plan for a Boy OR a Girl!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 
All opinions are mine alone. 
#MagicBabyMoments #CollectiveBias @Walmart #party #disneybaby #babyshower #babyshowergames #babyshowerdecor #partyplan

Happy Wednesday! We're halfway to Friday already! Some weeks seem to fly by and others seem to drag by! This week is flying by for me though, and I'm thinking it's because of all the fun stuff I have been playing with. haha I don't know about you, but I love baby showers! I love the excitement and happiness that always accompanies them. They're full of happy smiles and everyone sharing stories. Some stories are hilarious and some are embarrassing, but they're always fun to listen to.

Well, today I'm going to share with you how I created the perfect little baby shower, whether it be for a baby boy OR a baby girl! I always think it's fun when you don't know if the baby is a boy or girl until the baby is born. But either way, this party plan works for both! 

Our Family's Summer Bucket List 2015 {Over 70 PLUS Summer Activities}

What do you have planned for your summer? We made a HUGE Summer Bucket List and have already done several things on our list, and wanted to share it with you today. Some of the things are so simple, and others take a bit of prep, but we hope it gives you a bit of inspiration as well to spruce your own summer up.

Summer Bucket List 2015

1. Go swimming at the pool

2. Go camping (or camp in your backyard...we're doing both!)

3. Make a craft with water bottles

4. Make homemade jam

5. Grill outside weekly

6. Visit a lighthouse (This one is a wish and might not make it this year for us.)

7. Watch fireworks on the Fourth of July.

8. Do a puzzle

9. Play board games every week (or every day!)

10. Read aloud as a family.

11. Read independently daily

12. Join the Library Reading Book Club

13. Go to the library weekly.

14. Look for constellations. Learn some new ones.

15. Get ice cream on a hot summer day.