Pinterest Party

During conference weekend, I try to have a girls-night-in (since we have to drag along our kids) when the men go to their priesthood session. This year, I decided to get my craft on...and invite some friends to do the same. Basically, I invited a few friends (there were five of us total). We each had to pick something from pinterest and make it five times. Then we all exchanged our craft goods, visited and grubbed on some pinterest inspired goodies. It was fun, so much in fact, that I feel a tradition in the making :)

For my pinterest pick, I decided to make an earring holder, inspired by this:

Found here: http://blog.bitsofeverything.com/2012/03/framed-jewelry-holder.html

The measurements that she used were for a frame size 12x24. That's a little big for me...so I tweaked her idea and added some of my own. I liked this (below pic) radiator grate better (I did find it at Lowe's - although I asked three men, and they said they didn't carry anything like it in the store. Finally an employee that just transferred to the store overheard me asking the third time - and she, yes a woman, knew exactly where to find it - go figure). The grate is a decent size, and will make 8 frames (8x10 size) and it was priced at about $25. I also added fabric flowers (great way to use those scraps). While the grate holds hook-type earrings well, it isn't really designed for post-back earrings. The fabric flowers are purposed to hold the post-back earrings. I got the frames at DI for about $0.75 a piece and painted them with left-over paint I had from other projects. Total cost is about $5 per finished framed jewelry holder.

The red one is mine. I love anything red and turquoise...

And here's what I got in exchange...

I love it all! And I am already planning on what I want to make for the next time :)

General Conference...

So we play general conference bingo every year to help keep the kids calm and attentive. We eat good food and listen to good words. I just have to say, that I am proud of Aleana. This year, I didn't have time to get everything gathered and ready for conference. Aleana took it upon herself to make sure everything was all set. She printed up the bingo cards and even made paper boxes to hold the bingo candy. Then, during conference, she helped Luke and Hannah. She did all of this without me asking. I really appreciate all of her help and her kind sweet spirit. What a great kid!

Swimmin' with the Fish

March was my month to do the preschool field trip. I decided it was a good excuse to go to the new aquarium in Boise. I wasn't sure what to expect, as the aquarium is located in an old strip mall, right next to a bail/bonds place. But my neighbor did a lot of volunteer work painting the beautiful murals on the walls - and she told me it was worth the drive and money. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. There were so many hands on things for the kids to do. They got to feed fish and rays. They also got to pet the rays, baby sharks, clams, and I-couldn't-tell-you-the-names-of-if-I-tried fish. I think we could have stayed for hours longer, if it were up to the kids. I plan on taking the family back in the next few months.

Loved how the baby sea horses curled around the dad.

The rays ate right out of your hand...so cool.

baby sharks

Hannah finally got to pet a ray

That's a clam...a big one.

Beth and her kidlets

Hannah loved the clams

Natalie and Elias

Starfish, amazingly, feel almost the same when they are alive as when they are dead.

There were also birds to feed. The kids loved it. But I for one, thought those birds were mean little suckers. They were fighting and pecking each other just to get some sugar water. Mean, I tell ya, mean.

It's all fun and games until someone falls in. Poor Elias - guess he really did want to swim with the fishies :)

Cuddle Fish - my favorite of the whole aquarium

After the field trip, we needed to make a quick stop at the mall to get Elias some dry clothes. Hannah and Jesse were done shopping. :)

Pumpkin Patch - Preschool Trip

(Oct 2011) - For the first preschool field trip of the year, we went to the Quey Pumpkin Patch. The kids loved it. There were bins of grain to dig in, bales of hay to climb, pumpkins to pick out and a corn maze to conquer. It was a kid's paradise...not so good on the allergies though :)

Group pic - Mtn Home Mama Preschool

Luke still has his texture issues...he did NOT enjoy the grain bins. He would get as close to the edge as possible and cry...poor kid.

He did, however, like playing with toys on solid ground. :)

Pumpkin Patch Mug Shot.