September 12, 2018 by Krista

The Most Delicious 20 Minute Prep Apple Crisp

There is nothing I love more than a yummy, warm dessert on these cold wintery nights. The scent of cinnamon and warm apples is almost as tantalizing as the sweet treat melting across your taste buds. This apple crisp is easy to make, it’s delicious, it’s packed with fiber and has 100% of your day’s whole grains! When was the last time your dessert had all that?!

20 MINUTE PREP APPLE CRISP

Apple Crisp is one of our family traditions. That’s my favorite thing about the last half of the year: all the traditions. Because, to me, THAT is what is important in life. The traditions, the memories, the friends and family. And good food.

20 MINUTE PREP APPLE CRISP

My favorite thing about this recipe is that it is so very simple to make, which is just what I need as things get busy around this time of year, and it only gets crazier until the end of the year.

My second favorite thing is that you can make it ahead of time. Just put it in the freezer and save it until you need it. Take it out, let it thaw, add the Grape Nuts topping and then bake. So easy! And you’ll be lucky if there are leftovers.

Let’s get bakin’!

Yield: 8-10 Servings

The Most Delicious 20 Minute Prep Apple Crisp

This yummy, warm dessert will hit just the spot on these cold wintery nights. This apple crisp is sweet and savory and easy to make with only 20 minutes of prep time!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup Grape Nuts Original
1/2 cup butter
6 Tbsp milk
6 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 apples
1/2 cup Grape Nuts, for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Peel and slice the apples. Lay the apple slices in the bottom of a 7x11" pan. You can also use an 8x8" pan.
In a medium saucepan pan, melt the butter on medium low heat.
Add 1/2 cup Grape Nuts and milk. Stir until evenly combined. Allow to simmer 3-5 minutes, until the Grape Nuts have softened a little. Don't scald the milk!
Add brown sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and cinnamon. Combine well.
Continue mixing over heat until sugar is dissolved and the consistency thickens into a thick sauce.
Pour the sauce over the apples in the pan. Use a spatula to smooth and evenly distribute across the entire pan.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup Grape Nuts on top of the sauce.
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until apples are tender.
Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

3/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 219Total Fat: 12.1gSaturated Fat: 7.4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 26.7gFiber: 3.3gSugar: 14.3gProtein: 2.4g

Simple, hearty, and warm is just what these frosty nights need. Warm up from the inside with this tasty treat the whole family will enjoy. Relax with your favorite people and make some memories this fall and holiday season. And all memories are better when good food is involved!

Ready to make your own? Let’s do it! And it’s okay to make a couple at a time! Freeze the second for a no-prep (or make-ahead!) dessert that will simplify your busy holidays without sacrificing the good stuff.

June 8, 2018 by Krista

168 Kids Activities that will Rock Your Summer

I love summer. Usually. Some times, it gets a little crazy, but that’s why I put together a fun Summer Boredom Buster Jar full of kids activities for my boys (and me!) to use when things were just a little too relaxed.

Or we’re a little too tired and it’s not quite nap or bed time yet. Or when things get a little too wrestle-y. Because… boys.

It saved my bacon more than once last summer.

I have plans this summer and our kids activities jar has a starring role in my attack on unruly boys. I divided the activities into seven categories.

If you’re looking for some fun things to do this summer, take a look at this huge list and then make your own Summer Boredom Buster Jar with the ideas.

168 KIDS ACTIVITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER

Name: The Most Delicious 20 Minute Prep Apple Crisp
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Grape Nuts Original; 1/2 cup butter; 6 Tbsp milk; 6 Tbsp brown sugar; 2 tsp vanilla; 2 tsp lemon juice; 1 tsp cinnamon; 2 apples; 1/2 cup Grape Nuts, for topping

FUN WITH FOOD KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Make popsicles. Get as creative as you little heart desires.
– Banana Boats in the fire pit. Don’t know what banana boats are, check out the link.
– Make ice cream in a bag
– Fruit Loop necklaces
– Make peanut butter play dough
– Make S’mores

– Decorate cupcakes
– Make colorful cookies
– Create a new smoothie flavor
– Make Jell-O
– Build with marshmallows
– Make popcorn necklaces
– Create the ultimate ice cream sundae!
– Edible finger painting

– Make slushies
– Make Jell-O play dough
– Roast hot dogs over a fire
– Make candy bars
– Make a banana split

QUIET TIME KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Story stones or tiles
– Write letters
– Felt fishing game math practice
– Googly eye drawings
– Write in your story journal
– Movie Marathon!
– Illustrate a picture book
– Get a new ebook or learning app – Our favorite ABC apps, preschool apps

– Play with blocks. Creation Blocks, Tinkertoys, Cardboard Blocks and our Wooden Blocks are time-tested favorites.

– Do a practice worksheet.
– Play with Water Beads
– Do puzzles
– M&M math practice. Add and subtract with the candies. You can also practice colors. Of course, you’re finished when you’ve eaten all the candies.
– Draw with the Window Markers
– Play learning games on the tablet
– Make a straw bead necklace
– Build with sponge building blocks – cut several sponges into strips and stack them
– Read stories with Mom
– ABC match game
– Practice with the lacing cards

OUTSIDE KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Make a fun obstacle course with PVC pipe sprinklers
– Water gun tin can target practice
– Water balloon towel toss
– Garden for letters: dig & spell
– Target sponge toss
– Have a picnic on the swing
– Go on a walk
– Have a bike wash. A car wash… for bikes.
– Make mud pies
– Create a water wall with plastic bottles
– Water balloon pinata
– Create a tin foil river. Float paper boats in them.
– Water balloon fight!
– Blow bubbles
– Go on a nature scavenger hunt
– Ride bikes

– Sand box treasure hunt
– Create a chalk maze
– Ice boat races
– Sponge water fight
– Play in the pool
– Ice block toy rescue
– Play in the sprinklers
– Draw with chalk on the sidewalk

ENERGY BURNING KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Glow balloon ping pong
– Paper plate ring toss

– Masking tape bean bag toss (or paper plate toss)
– Sing songs!
– Dinosaur fossil hunt
– Super chore race!
– Masking tape maze
– Paper plate frisbee

– Make a mini golf course
– Dance Party!
– Duck, duck, goose
– Go on a treasure hunt
– Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
– Build an obstacle course
– Put on a circus
– Nerf gun wars
– Glow in the dark bowling

THINGS TO MAKE KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Make a wind chime
– Construct a city for your cars from cardboard boxes
– Paper Airplane Races
– Make Olliblocks

– Make a rain stick
– Make DIY paint with water pages
– Tin can telephones
– Make a musical instrument
– Make a lemonade stand
– Bow & Arrow practice. Not a real bow an arrow. There’s lots of fun ideas for DIY toys.
– Make sugar cube castles
– Q-tip painting.
– Make an I Love You chain
– Make a shoe box shape sorter for a baby
– Draw a treasure map!
– Make a marble maze
– Make pet rocks
– Masking tape city and roads
– Trace around your body and make a “Flat Me”
– Make toilet paper tube race cars

– Use old crayons and make sun catchers
– Make straw rockets
– Masking tape maze
– Macaroni noodle necklace
– Make constellation cans
– Make slime!
– Use popsicle sticks to make puppets. Have a puppet show.
– Make shadow box piggy banks
– Make Gak

– Cardboard box cars
– Paint rocks for the garden
– Salt painting
– Make paper
– Build something with a box
– Corn syrup paintings
– Make paper dolls

THINGS TO DO KIDS ACTIVITIES:

– Go on a monster hunt
– Learn some words in a new language
– Mess-free finger painting
– Make “potions”
– Play with letter magnets (these are my favorite, though kinda pricey)
– Build a fort!
– Clean something

– Play with the felt fishing game
– Have a science day
– Dress Up!
– Bathtub fishing
– Balloon Rocket Races
– Shaving cream bath tub painting
– String maze
– Photo booth
– ABC scavenger hunt
– Play with the Gizmos
– Play with the Pattern Blocks
– Make a life-size board game.
– Pajama Day!
– Take photos for an ABC book

– Do a science experiment
– Ivory soap clouds
– Write invisible letters and mail them
– Stay/day-cation
– Play with Legos
– Make and play with a sensory bin
– Camp out in the family room
– Act out a story
– Play on the Wii
– Make shadow puppets
– Play a board game. Junior Suspend is one of our favorites!

FAMILY ACTIVITIES (this is great for weekends!):

– Make pretzels
– Movie night on the big screen
– Go bowling!
– Launch rockets
– Have a fire and star gaze
– Go to the drive-in
– Go to the marina or river park.
– See a movie at the theater
– Go to the Discovery Museum

– Have a popcorn bar!
– Play in the fountains
– Fly a kite
– Star gazing
– Go to the library
– Camping
– Go to the beach
– Go to Sonic!
– Get ice cream
– Go to the splash pad

You can check out some of our favorite summer products on Amazon. These are all things we own and love and can’t live without when the days are long, the air is hot and the sky is sunny!

What’s your favorite summer time kids activities? I’m always looking to add to our collection. Leave a comment and let me know!

January 24, 2018 by Krista

27 Spring Printables You NEED!

Hey there friend! If you’re trying to be more organized, make more memories with your family and just be a better you this year then you are in the right place! Once again, I’ve teamed up with some fabulous digital designers to bring you some amazing digital products – all for one incredible price. Yes, the All Things Spring Printables Bundle really IS that fabulous, amazing and incredible!

We’ve put the very best Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Spring printables all in one place!

If you’re new to these bundles, trust me when I say- you DO NOT want to miss out on this!

But, that lovely little timer below? It’s counting down FAST! When it hits zero, this deal DISAPPEARS FOREVER!!

I’ve teamed up with 25+ extremely talented bloggers and designers to create this ULTIMATE Spring Printables bundle!

This bundle is so full of fun, I don’t even know where to begin. You’ll find things from some of your favorite bloggers and online shops and maybe even discover some new favorites too!

What you’re looking at is OVER 540 PAGES of Spring printables for you, all in one handy dandy place.

Not only have we all come together to offer these great products to you in one convenient place, you can SCORE THEM ALL for 90% OFF! No, that’s not a typo. TONS of crazy, cute printables—ONE crazy, low price!

You’ll get $242 of ADORABLE items for only $18!

Here’s the catch—this deal only lasts for THREE DAYS!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This is a 3-Day sale!

Buy on January 24th, 25th or 26th for ONLY $18
You’ll get 540+ pages of high quality Spring printables you can reuse and refer back to again and again
These products are worth over $240 on their own from 25+ online shops
After Jan 26, 2018, this deal is GONE FOREVER!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

This baby seriously has EVERYTHING you could ever want or need for Spring including…

Classroom Valentines
Valentine’s Day Activity Book
Romantic Valentine’s Day Gift
Easter Basket Gifts
Christ-Centered Easter Countdown
Easter Egg Hunt
Spring Wall Art
Spring Cleaning Kit
Printable To-Do Lists
Favorite Freezer-Friendly Meals
AND SO MUCH MORE! {See all the goods below!}

My contribution to this bundle sells in my Etsy shop for $10, that’s more than half the cost for this insane bundle! And you get 25+ MORE products for just $8 more?! This is a no-brainer!

WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Thought so! Just wait until you see all of the printable goodness…

VALENTINE’S DAY

1. Kids Printable Valentine Bundle by Paper & Taigh – Love is in the air! Your kiddos will be the hit of their class with these darling printable Valentines! There are even two options to choose from: superhero suckers or mini Valentine s’mores kits. Both equally darling and fun.
2. Valentine’s Jumpstart Pack by Love Hope Adventure– Need a done for you Valentine’s gift for your sweetie? Print of this romantic Valentine’s card, Week of Love gift tags with ideas for each day, and a sexy game to play as the grand finale’ to the holiday.
3. Valentine’s Day Printable Cards by Whispers In Design – This Valentine’s Day Printable Card set includes 6 beautiful hand lettered designs. These original cards will be perfect to gift on Valentine’s Day, but can also be used for many other occasions like Anniversaries, Birthdays, or just to tell someone how special they are! The cards measure 5”x7” and can easily be framed and used to brighten any room as well.
4. Heart Attack Printable Kit by Our Kerrazy Adventure – These printables will make it so easy to spread sunshine and love. Simply print and trim and heart attack your neighbor, friends, and loved ones.
5. Valentine’s Day Kids Activity Book by Kids Activities – Kids are most likely to learn when they are being creative and having FUN! So we grabbed our crayons and gave our inner child some chocolate in order to create this 15-page, Valentine’s Day Activity Pack for your kids. Grab it now for Valentines’s Bingo, Color-by-Number, Word Searches and more!
6. Emoji Valentine’s Breakfast Pack by Paging Supermom – Show your emotions this Valentine’s Day with this super-cute Emoji Breakfast Pack. It’s 25 pages of ideas and printable templates including decorative banners, placecards, party flags, toppers, tray liners and table confetti. There’s even a printable template for making those adorable Emoji Pancakes! The pack has everything you need to create your Valentine’s breakfast, including Paging Supermom’s best-selling Emoji templates, which aren’t just for Valentines — use them for birthday parties, baby shower and really anytime.
7. Printable Classroom Valentines by Skip to my Lou – Your kids will have the cutest Valentines this year! 50- YES, we said 50- printable Valentines! Just print and attach a small gift! There are so many cute ideas to choose from- you can use these printables for years and years to come.

VALENTINE’S DAY & EASTER COLLECTIONS

8. 3 Printable Collections by Piggy Bank Parties – No, not just one- you’re getting THREE different collections: 1. Sugar Cookie Valentines Collection, 2. Springin’ Gingham Easter Collection, and 3.Noah’s Ark Collection! Throw a sweet Valentine’s Day party with our Sugar Cookie Valentines Collection! These sugar cookie inspired print at home party decorations and valentines are perfect for school parties, bridal showers, Valentine’s Day events or an anniversary party. Celebrate Easter with our Springin’ Gingham Easter Collection! These sweet print at home pastel gingham party decorations are perfect for an Easter egg hunt or your family’s Easter celebration. Celebrate the mother of twins, a twin birthday or your favorite two-year-old with the Noah’s Ark Collection! These two-of-a-kind print at home party decorations are perfect for your next baby shower and birthday party.
9. Valentine’s & Easter Set by Papers&Plenty – This printable set includes Valentine’s Day Cards, Easter Basket Gift Tags, AND an Easter Basket Checklist. These sweet treats Valentine’s Day cards are so fun, everyone is sure to love them! Set includes 7 cards, each with a doughnut or cupcake and matching saying. Just fill-in the names and add them to your treat, perfect for kids and adults! You’ll also receive adorable Valentine’s Day vehicle cards! Set includes 8 cards, each with a different mode of transportation and matching saying. Just fill-in the names, great for kids, teachers & more! The perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day party! Finally, we’re also including cute Easter tags to attach to all your Easter goodies! Two sets of tags, “From the Easter Bunny” or blank cards to write your own message! PLUS a bonus checklist full of ideas to fill those Easter baskets for all ages!
10. Spring Planner Sticker Printable Set by Mod Podge Rocks – You’ll love these THREE sheets of printable planner stickers for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter!! These stickers are perfect for spring and fits a variety of planner types like Happy Planner, Erin Condren, Day Designer, bullet journal and more.

EASTER

11. Christ Centered Easter Countdown by The Dating Divas – Behind all of the giant chocolate bunnies and treat-filled baskets lie the real reason for this incredible season – Christ. With our Christ-Centered Easter Countdown, you will be able to celebrate, for 14 truly amazing days, all that He is and what He teaches us!
12. Kids’ Easter Basket Activity Coupons by While He Was Napping – Looking for something to put in your kids’ Easter baskets besides candy? Stop looking, because you’ve found the perfect alternative to fill those eggs with! Give your kids memories this Easter rather than a basket of cavities! Kids can trade in their coupons for fun activities and rewards with these 45 printable coupons that will keep on giving long after that bunny has come and gone!
13. Mini Easter Kiddie Table Printables by The CreativiDee Workshop – Create a cheerful Easter table for the kids with this mini printable collection! You’ll find place mats to color, napkin wraps, cupcake toppers, treat bag toppers, mini place cards or food tents, favor hanging tags and a centerpiece for the final touch. Just add jelly beans and have a Happy Easter!
14. A Walk With Jesus–Journaling Through Holy Week by 4The Love ofMy Heart – Have a closer walk with Jesus during Holy Week by taking a step further into what was happening at that time. For eight days, you’ll study the events from a different view. Then follow the journal prompts as you study this most precious time of year.
15. Easter Planner & Easter Egg Bingo Bundle by Sunny Day Family – Everything you need to plan your Easter celebration! From activities & crafts to egg hunts to the Easter meal, you’ll find planning tools, invitations, and thank you cards for the perfect family holiday. Plus a super fun Easter Egg Bingo game to bring your egg hunt to the next level!
16. Easter Party Printable Set by Everyday Party Magazine – This Easter Printable Party Package comes with everything you need for a sweet party! Including: Food Tents, Party Circles, and Mini Easter Basket Bunting!
17. Printable Easter Coupon Book & Egg Hunt by Edventures with Kids – In this fun printable pack you’ll receive 24 printable coupons, including a few blank ones you can customize, along with your choice of 2 Easter Coupon Book covers! We’ve included activities for kids ages 3 – 16 years old too. Choose the activities that fit your child and personalize EACH coupon book for EACH of your kids! You’ll also receive a set of pre-printed Egg Hunt Clues and a detailed list of where to hide them for an Easter Egg Hunt that works in any home!
18. Easter Planner by Peoples Life on Paper – Spring into action and get organized for your family’s Easter celebration with this 28-page printable planner! With everything you need to prepare your holiday dinner, fill the Easter Baskets, plan the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and squeeze in a craft or two, this Easter Planner is your must-have guide to stay organized and enjoy the holiday with your family and friends.

SPRING

19. Hello Spring Bundle by A Lively Hope – This Hello Spring Bundle features a beautifully hand-painted watercolor flower wreath in happy pinks and greens. It includes: one 8.5×11″ Hello Spring art print, one 4.5×6.25″ (folded) greeting card and seven journal cards in various sizes. I love to add journal cards like this to my journal and memory keeping pages! And sending this beautiful card to a friend will make their day, guaranteed.
20. Spring Cleaning Organized Package by Homemaking Organized – Maximize your Spring Cleaning Efforts with our Organized Spring Cleaning Package! Informative ebook, blank Spring Cleaning Planner, and Gorgeous Room Cleaning templates make cleaning your home a breeze!
21. Speed Clean the Deep Clean: A Collection of Time-Saving Cleaning Tutorials and Tips for Busy Moms by What’s up Fagans? – Speed Clean the Deep Clean is the perfect cleaning handbook for moms who want a clean house but aren’t really sure how to clean the various stains and messes in their homes. With more than 50 proven cleaning tutorials and tips, complete with step-by-step instructions, written by a former cleaning professional, you will finally know how to clean the various home and kid-related stains with ease.
22. Printable To Do Lists by Jessica Marie Design – Keep track of your spring holiday to do items with this printable To Do Lists set! The To Do Lists set includes four different page layouts to fit your needs. Simply download the PDF file, open it with Adobe Reader, add text to the fillable sections, and print. Use the files over and over every year!
23. 100 Printable Encouragement Cards by Life is Sweeter by Design – Encouragement cards are the perfect way to stay on track with positive thinking and goal setting. This set of 100 Printable Encouragement Cards make a great gift for a friend or coworker. Pull out a new card each day for and uplifting thought!
24. Garden Shop Printable Pretend Play Kit by The Littles & Me – Get ready for Spring and Summer with some fresh flowers from your very own garden shop. Your kiddo will love setting up shop with this bright and colorful kit that’s sure to provide hours & hours of creative play. It’s no secret that children learn best by learning and doing, which is why pretend play is so important. This kit will help your child learn about themselves and the world around them in a creative, fun, and imaginative way. It’s the perfect addition to your playroom!
25. 30 Favorite Freezer-Friendly Meals e-book by Fun Cheap Or Free – Save not only time, but also save money with the 30 Favorite Freezer- Friendly Meals e-book. 30 tried and tested freezer recipes that can be eaten right away, or frozen for later. Recipes include how to best freeze, then prepare you meals for quick and delicious home-cooked dinner when time gets in the way.
26. Carrie Elle Spend Well Budgeting System Digital Files by Carrie Elle – Are you tired of struggling with your finances each month? The Spend Well Budgeting System digital files give you all the tools you need to succeed at budgeting. You’ll receive an editable spreadsheet, several financial worksheets, labels to create your own cash envelope system, and access to the 60 Day Budgeting Challenge.
27. Turn Chaos Into Peace, 5 Trainings To Change Your Home From Surviving To Thriving by The Mom Conference – 5 interviews with different experts to give you tools that are practical and actually work for those part of motherhood that are hard. We cover how to budget effectively-even if you hate budgeting, dealing with screens in a way that won’t make your kids hate you, raising kids to be successful teens, how to create a life that you love, and my favorite an interview on sibling rivalry you won’t want to miss!

BUT WAIT…

I’ve got a BONUS just for you!

If you purchase the bundle through any of the links on this page, I’ll send you this set of 12 Kids’ Valentine Coupons just because you are awesome – with no watermarks, of course.

You can click the photo to see the listing and everything you’ll be getting in your bonus, plus it includes a blank template, in case you want to make your own coupons. This would be super fun to pair with the Kid’s Valentine Activity Book (see #5 on the list above).

This coupon set also sells in my Etsy shop for $10 – which means between my Easter egg stuffer activity coupons and the Kid’s Valentine’s Day coupons, you’re already saving a couple bucks when you buy this bundle! And you’ll be making some awesome memories with your kiddos! Win-win!

WHEW! So there you have it. Pretty much everything you could ever want for the Spring holidays. I am dying from all that goodness and I just CAN’T WAIT to use all those goodies.

And for only 18 buckaroos {for OVER $240 worth of goodies?!} SHEESH!

Sign. Me. Up.

Two super, duper important things to remember:

#1- It’s only available for THREE DAYS!
#2- Midnight MST on the 26th, this deal is gone FOREVER!

What are you waiting for?!

HAPPY SPRING!

PLEASE NOTE: The Dating Divas are hosting this fun bundle. If you purchase, you will receive a receipt and delivery email from The Dating Divas. If you have any troubles or questions at all you can always contact me and I will reach out to them for you or go straight to our fabulous hosts and shoot an email to divas@thedatingdivas.com

January 3, 2018 by Krista

Calendar Journal

This post was originally posted in 2014. It was last updated Jan 2018 to maintain accuracy and pertinence. Full 2018 calendar journal templates are available in my Etsy shop.

Do you keep a journal? I am the worst journal-keeper ever.

I used to be pretty good at it when I was younger – okay, I used to do it when I was younger. Being good at it might be a little too generous. But, then… Life. Marriage. Motherhood.

I was so busy living (sometimes surviving) day-to-day that I was sure I wouldn’t forget the important stuff and the daily stuff was monotonous. Did I really need another journal entry about dishes and laundry and baby snot on my clothes?

WHY WE NEED TO JOURNAL THE LITTLE THINGS

But, I realized that I WAS forgetting the important stuff. Wait, what day was it when my beautiful little niece was born again?! And how much did the doctor say my youngest weighed at his well-baby check up last week? If only I’d written it down!

And, you know what, the dishes, laundry and baby snot DOES matter. It might seem like small, inconsequential chores and a boring daily grind – but it’s my life! It’s not always glamorous and fancy, but it’s mine.

When I’m feeling unaccomplished and like I spent my day just spinning my wheels, some times I need to account for the little things like laundry and dishes. Because keeping my family fed and clothed IS important. Having a physical list of my accomplishments helps me have the motivation to do it all again the next day.

EVEN YOU HAVE TIME TO JOURNAL WITH A CALENDAR JOURNAL

Part of my struggle was time. I felt like I didn’t have time to sit down and write for 20 minutes! And filling only three lines in my journal was kind of depressing.

However, I seemed to have stumbled on something that works! A Calendar Journal. I first saw a similar idea on a Flickr feed. The one I originally saw, I can’t seem to locate, but the link is quite similar. I totally fell in love with the idea. THIS I can do! AND I DID!

Eleven months down and I only missed a week plus a couple days. It looks so neat and only takes a couple minutes a day (usually right before I go to bed). The good news: I think I’m hooked!

WHY THE CALENDAR JOURNAL WORKS SO WELL

The limited space is just what I need. It’s small enough that I don’t feel like I need to spend large chunks of time on writing. I just jot down a few quick notes and I’m done. Some times, I write in it while I brush my teeth at night. Super quick, super easy.

It’s also a creative outlet for me and that’s just what I need to wind down and relax at the end of my day.

And, if I do miss a couple days, I can go back pretty easily and fill it in. (Confession: I may or may not have spent some time filling in about a month and a half in November and December… whoops. But I was able to get it all filled in before I forgot everything and my calendar still looks awesome.)

February 2013 Calendar

A couple of close-ups of my Calendar Journal. Nothing super detailed or incredibly personal… unless you want it to be. Sometimes, my entries were just a check list of things I’d done that day – dishes, laundry, wiping up baby snot – and sometimes they were more personal – like we’re having another baby!

As you can see, I am no artist and the little sketches are just simple little drawings.

Click the image to view a larger version of my Calendar Journal.

WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN CALENDAR JOURNAL?

I have the 2018 calendars available for purchase in my Etsy shop. It is a one-time, single instant download with all 12 months. The PDF file has all 24 calendar pages and is ready for printing right at home. Another nice thing about the PDF packet is that you will be able to print the pages back-to-back all at one time. Each month also has extra space to write down additional notes. I used it for things my kids said, anything exciting that didn’t fit in the box for that day and little extras (like when my husband surprised me with a new cell phone upgrade).

I never got around to binding my pages, they are all still just loose papers, as you can see in the photos above. Some binding ideas are: You could put them in a three-ring binder, bind them with tape and glue or sew them together.

UPDATE 2018: I now do my calendar journal in my planner. I used the Mom on the Go Planner from leafytreetops.com last year. I love the weekly spread where each day is split into three columns. I use the bottom box to do my calendar journal and the top boxes are my appointments and to-dos. Any blank calendar or planner would work though. I also really like the Erin Condren Life Planner – it has the three column layout as well.

Enjoy and happy journaling!

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.

November 28, 2017 by Krista

The Easy Christmas Countdown You Need This Year

Hi there! Happy holiday wishes coming at ya! I’m so glad you stopped by to check out this easy Christmas countdown.

I’m a sucker for a good, and easy, Christmas countdown; but, December is a busy month! Can you relate? So, when the calendar gets around December 8th, I find myself struggling to keep up with the fun we started just a week before.

I need simple. Do you need simple too?

A countdown where, if you miss a day or two (or five), it doesn’t ruin the whole thing. I totally get that! I also wanted a visual representation, because my kids ask “how many days until Christmas?” every single day. For 25 days. This year I plan to just point my kids to this countdown.

EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

WHY SHOULD YOU USE THE EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN?

Of course, we have some Christmas traditions that I look forward to every year. But, not having an activity assigned to every single day means I can relax more. I can enjoy the traditions without worrying about tomorrow’s activity. This countdown was designed with busy families in mind. This easy Christmas Countdown Chain will help you because:

It’s super simple. 20 minutes and it’ll be ready to go. Or just print it and give it to the kids to put together.
If you miss a day or two, just remove the extra links to catch up. No stress or drama when life gets crazy.
And the kids can see just how close Christmas really is. You won’t feel like you’re stuck on a month long car ride with the kids asking, “are we there yet?” on repeat.

KEEPING TRADITIONS PART OF YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

But, what about the traditions you DO want to keep? Don’t worry, I thought of that. There are THREE ways to put together the Easy Christmas Countdown Chain so that it works for your family:

One of them has nothing but numbers and is simply just a countdown.
The other one, though, has some fun Christmas activities to do. There’s even blank chain links so you can add your family’s special traditions.
A combination of the two, with activities interspersed through out the month on days you think you’ll be able to accommodate.

So, now you get to customize your chain in whatever way best fits YOUR family. Use whichever Easy Christmas Countdown fits into your schedule better – or – combine the two!

Want an example? My kids will be in school until 3 days before Christmas, so we will have to keep up our school routine during the week. We will also have a brand new baby (we’re talking less than a month old). We won’t have a lot of time this year to throw in extra activities. Weekends will be our best bet, so those days will get an activity link and we can make sure our favorite traditions make it into our schedule.

MAKING YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

When I said this is simple, I really meant it will take you about 20 minutes to put together. Maybe 30 if you let the kids “help”. Simple, yeah?

There’s one more thing you need to know before we get started. You already know there are two versions of the chain (the one with the daily countdown and the other one with the activities), but each version of the Easy Christmas Countdown Chain is also available in color and in monochrome.

This is meant to help you save ink by printing on colored paper instead of on white paper. Or in case you only have a monochrome printer (I dream of upgrading to a color laser printer someday). So, just be aware of that when we download your chosen files.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN:

Easy Christmas Countdown Chain Printable Files (preview the different files below under step 1)
- Countdown Only: Color | Monochrome
- Countdown with Activities: Color | Monochrome
Printer and paper
Scissors or paper cutter
Tape, glue or stapler and staples

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

1. Print the Easy Christmas Countdown Chain links. If you’re using the countdown only monochrome file to print on colored paper, make sure the pages alternate colors. For two colors, page 1 and page 3 should be the same.

2. Cut the chain links apart with the scissors or paper cutter.

3. Take the first chain link and bend it until the ends overlap and the strip forms and circle.
Secure with glue, tape or a staple.

4. Slip the next chain link through the first link and bend until the ends overlap. Secure.

5. Repeat the process with each chain link, slipping the new link through the previous one and
creating a chain.

6. Hang your Easy Christmas Countdown Chain where you can remove a link each day.

That’s it, super easy, right?

I hope this makes counting down to Christmas with your family simpler. And I hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your family, making memories and having fun together.

Happy Holidays!

20 MINUTE PREP APPLE CRISP

20 MINUTE PREP APPLE CRISP

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

168 KIDS ACTIVITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER

FUN WITH FOOD KIDS ACTIVITIES:

QUIET TIME KIDS ACTIVITIES:

OUTSIDE KIDS ACTIVITIES:

ENERGY BURNING KIDS ACTIVITIES:

THINGS TO MAKE KIDS ACTIVITIES:

THINGS TO DO KIDS ACTIVITIES:

FAMILY ACTIVITIES (this is great for weekends!):

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT’S INCLUDED?

WHY WE NEED TO JOURNAL THE LITTLE THINGS

EVEN YOU HAVE TIME TO JOURNAL WITH A CALENDAR JOURNAL

WHY THE CALENDAR JOURNAL WORKS SO WELL

WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN CALENDAR JOURNAL?

EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

WHY SHOULD YOU USE THE EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN?

KEEPING TRADITIONS PART OF YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

MAKING YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN:

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR EASY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHAIN

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