I love chalkboard spray paint!!!

Today, I decided that Emma and I would have some craft time because Mac was at a friend's house. I had seen on several blogs that chalkboards were very "in" right now, so I decided to make some. Emma and I headed to Hancock's Fabric just to look, and we lucked upon a rack of scrapbook stickers for $1 each. We also looked at ribbon to hang 2 of the chalkboards (the ones for Emma and Mac's bedroom doors), and the ribbon was 50% off. We spent a total of a little over $8 at Hancocks, then ran to WalMart to find chalkboard spray paint. It was $3. We headed over to the Dollar Tree to look for cheap picture frames and bought 2. My total spending today was $13, and this...

is what I bought!!

I started out only going to make 2 chalkboards, one for Mac's door and one for Emma's door. I decided to leave Mac's frame (which was actually a mirror) the brown color it was because his room is decorated in camo. I took the mirror out and gave it 2 coats of the chalkboard paint, put it back together, and decorated it with a few of the stickers. I also added brown ribbon to it to hang it with. The finished project for Mac's room...



I also worked on Emma's board. Her picture frame was black, and she wanted it white. I spray painted it white (with paint I already had at home) and sprayed the glass from the frame with the chalkboard paint. Once it was all dry, we put it back together and added zebra ribbon to hang it with. I let her decorate with the stickers. Her finished project...

I remembered that I had a few extra frames in my closet that we weren't using, and I decided that they would look cute as chalkboards, too. I only took a picture of one of those. I am planning on using it as a menu board in my kitchen...

Overall, I had a great time doing this project, and I play on doing more!! 

Emma's haircut

Emma has been begging for several months to get her hair cut like we did when she was in kindergarten (stacked in the back and angled in the front). I told her that we really needed to wait until softball season was over so we could pull it up while it was so hot. Granted, she really needed a haircut. She has stringy hair when it gets long, so I think that short hair suits her better. Well, today was the big day. We had an appointment with Mrs. Sherrie at 9:00. Emma was so excited she could hardly wait.

Before the haircut...long, stringy hair!

After the haircut...much better!!

The back...beautiful!!

My Craft List

Ok, it's a Sunday night and Randall, Mac, and Emma are all asleep. I am trying to come up with different ways to decorate around the house without spending much money, or by redoing what we already have. Check out a few of the things I want to do:

1. Our drab filing cabinet in the office: Tip Junkie
2. Wall Art: Tip Junkie
3. Redecorating containers: Modge Podge Rocks
4. Traveling with kids: Tip Junkie

Slurpies

I love finding quick, cool treats for the kids for summertime. This morning Emma and I made slurpies, which I found over at My World Made by Hand. The kids and Randall really liked them, and you can change the flavor to make it your own.

Ingredients

1 packet of Kool-aid (we used blue raspberry lemonade)

2 cups club soda

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups ice

Directions

1. Blend Kool-aid, sugar, and 1 cup of club soda on high until sugar is dissolved.

2. Add the ice and blend until the mixture is smooth.

3. Add remaining club soda and blend.

4. Pour mixture into glasses and place in freezer for 30 minutes.

5. Enjoy!!

 



Nutella Popovers

I got this great recipe for the blog Shaken Together. Although I made 8 large popovers instead of 24 small ones, they turned out great. Randall turned his nose up at them at first, but once he tried them, he thought they were really good!!

• 1 can Pillsbury honey butter Grands refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)
• Mini chocolate chips
• Nutella

Roll out each biscuit until it is about 1/4 inch thick and spread with nutella to the very edge. Then sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Roll up each biscuit like a burrito and cut into three pieces. Place each piece (with the spiral cut side facing up) into a compartment in a mini cupcake pan. (To make 8 larger popovers, place all 3 cut pieces in one compartment of a regular sized cupcake pan.)

Bake according to the package directions. While the popovers were hot, I stirred together a little powdered sugar, milk and a smidge of vanilla to make a glaze to drizzle on these sweet little mouthfuls!

Free Fun today!!

Today the kids and I headed to the skating rink with Jennifer, Keaton, and Kamryn, Robyn and Mallory. I had 4 free skate passes for the kids (Mac doesn't skate). They got the money I would've paid for admission to play video games (Mac's favorite!!)

Our Free passes!!

Keaton, Kamryn, and Emma playing SkeeBall.

Mallory, Keaton, Emma, and Mac doing the Cha Cha Slide.

Art Class

Yesterday Emma and Mac attended an art class at AJ's Art Studio. Emma has always shown an interest in art, and I thought that maybe this would be a good way for her to channel some energy. Mac decided he would go, too. They had a great time (they already know the owner's children from going to the nursery at the gym), and they came out with a couple of great pieces of art. I can't wait to find a place to hang these!!

Emma's painting from AJ's Art Studio

Mac's artwork from AJ's Art Studio.

Wordless Wednesday

Gifts in a Jar

If you are like me, you are always looking for quick, easy gifts to give. I love gifts in a jar, but I don't always like giving the same old thing. While blog-hopping today, I found a great post on Tip Junkie that has some great gifts...hop on over to see them!!

If you give a mom a muffin

This was on the blog of a friend. Go over and read about her at Crazy Working Mom.

End of the Year Awana Awards

Mac was the only Cubbie who had perfect attendance for the two years!!

 Emma finished her 3rd book AND the extra book at the end!!

I love these kids!! I am on proud momma!!

Basketball Camp for Mac

Mac got the chance to attend the Searcy Lions Basketball camp the week school got out for the summer. It was a 3 day camp, and he absolutely loved it. He learned to dribble a lot better (his shots weren't great because he is still so little). He is already looking forward to going back next year!!

 Mac and his Hustle Award. He won for the kindergarten and 1st grade. The coach's comments were that he showed up every single day with a smile on his face, did whatever was asked of him, and never complained!!

Coach Madison Wright and Mac. Madison made the week especially fun for Mac!!

Emma's 8th birthday party

Yes, I am a little behind in posting this. To be honest, I tried to post it right after her party, but the pictures wouldn't load. Emma turned 8 on April 26, and she has begged for a few years to have her party at the skating rink. This year we gave it and allowed her to have it there. She had a great time with all her friends!!

 Daddy helping lace up Emma's skates.

 Sibling love!!

 Yes, he tries to skates (but playing video games is his favorite thing to do!!)

 Kamryn, Emma, Ainslee, and Alex

 Emma blowing out the candles on her peace sign tie-dyed cupcakes.

Me and my baby boy!!

Summer Ball

Well, since I haven't updated lately, I thought I might do that tonight. Both our ball games (Emma and Mac both played at 5:30) were cancelled due to rain, it is kinda fitting that I blog about ball. This is Emma's last year in the 8U league. She'll move up next year. She is hitting off the pitching machine and playing pitcher. She is loving it. Randall is her coach along with one of my besties, Jennifer Bates. 

 Emma batting.

This is Mac's first year to EVER play. I love to watch him and his team. During the very first game, the very first ball was hit and the entire team dog piled on the pitcher's mound. It was very comical. He has come a long way and is enjoying baseball.

 Mac ready to catch the ball.

Mac and his best friend, Jackson. So glad they are on the same team!!