First Day of School

Ok, obviously we have been back in school mode...as you can tell from my lack of posting in a month and a half. Thought I would share pics of the kids' first day of school.

 My big 3rd grader. Only one more year at the elementary school!

 

My kindergartener! He is so excited because he and his best friend will be in class together!

Lettered Mason Jars



One of my favorite blogs to follow is Tip Junkie. While looking there this morning, I saw these letter mason jars...a wonderful idea that I think I will start working on! I could easily use these around the house!! I love the idea!! Hop on over here to see how she did these.

Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day

Today was Chick-fil-a Appreciation Day. In light of what has been going on in the news lately, this was HUGE!! I wasn't sure what to say about this because I have friends who are homosexuals. Although I don't agree with their lifestyle, I still like them as people. It's not that I am judging them. I just simply don't agree with them. We can agree to disagree, right? I had a sorority sister who posted on facebook, and her status said it better than I ever could...

DeAnne Walters

4 hours ago

Yes, I went and ate at Chick-Fil-A today! Not because I hate anyone who is gay, not because I am judging people, not because I think I am better than anyone, not because I am mean or disrespectful to your beliefs! Because......I am a CHRISTIAN and an AMERICAN and I can!!!! If that offends you I am sorry.

I am a Christian who believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that is the way I am teaching my children. By being an American in a country that was founded on God's truths, I have the right to say this and shouldn't be subjected to anyone else's hate...and I actually ate at Chick-fil-a twice today!!

A Few More Pictures...

These are just a few more pictures from our family photo shoot with Natalie Ragsdale...these are a few of my favorites!! 

 My Miss Attitude!! Love this girlie!!

 Our "kissing" picture!!

 My sweet Mr. Blue Eyes (no editting done on this pic!!)

 My parents!! (They've been married for 37 years!!)

My brother, Randy, his wife, Irene, and daughters Mikayla (6) and Miya (2)

Family Pictures

My brother and his family are here to visit this week, so Momma decided she wanted family pictures taken. She hired a friend of mine, Natalie Ragsdale, to take the pictures. We've only seen one that she posted to facebook, but it's great!! I am positive the rest will be just as good...here's the one we've seen!!





I'm a little behind...

...but I will catch up soon! Last week our family was on vacation in St. Louis (we had a blast!!) and this week my brother, sister-in-law, and 2 nieces are here from North Carolina...will update with pics later!!

Happy Birthday, America!!

Well, our family has already been doing things around the house this morning. I finished my inventory of the freezers for the pantry challenge and started on the cupboards. I also made Mississippi Mud bars, chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies, and jello (Randall's favorite snack). Randall moved the tv in the living room for me, so now I have a little cleaning to do. We are going to head to Momma and Daddy's later. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ronnie will be coming up from Stuttgart, so we are going to have hot dogs and chips and dip. There will be no fireworks because we have had no rain in a while and are currently under a burn ban. Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Walgreens shopping trip

I am attempting to look closely at sales papers and get some good deals without spending lots of money. I would LOVE to become an extreme couponer, but I just don't have the time to give to that, so I am doing the best I can. I went to Walgreens yesterday, and look at what I bought...

My total should've been $55.41. I paid $19.71. That is a 63% savings!! I was very proud of myself. I even got the Ivory soap for FREE...yep, Free!! It was $0.99, and I had a coupon for $1! I had $10 worth of coupons, as well as $10 Register Rewards. The Gillette soap was buy one get on 1/2 off, as was the sunscreen. I was very excited! Hopefully I can do more of this in the future!!

The Pantry Challenge: Inventory

Ok, I officially started the inventory today. I finished the freezer in the top of the fridge, but didn't finish the deep freezer or the cabinets. However, I realized that we have PLENTY of meat in the freezers to get buy without buying meat for a month (there is a TON of deer meat that we can use!!) The picture below is the start I have on my inventory. I plan on finishing up tomorrow, then hopefully making a better list and organizing everything a little better so I can work on menu planning!!

The main reason for doing this pantry challenge is to use what is already in the fridge, freezer, and cupcoards as well as making a concentrated effort for stretching dollars as far as they will go!!

The Pantry Challenge

Okay, it's July, and I am going to try the pantry challenge that I found over at Good Cheap Eats. I know we have a ton of deer meat, fish, etc. in our deep freezer, so I plan on doing an inventory tomorrow while Emma and Mac are at church for Day Camp (after I go to the gym, of course!!). I want to try to start using more and wasting less. I have cut down on wasted food over the last year and a half or so by only buying groceries once a month, but I want to see how this works. I want to see if I can skip a month of buying groceries by only eating what I can find in our freezers, fridge, and cupboards. I won't have to plan for the next 2 weeks because we will be having supper next week at VBS, then we have something up our sleeves for the next week. (check back for pics, updates, etc.)

Check back later for updates on my pantry challenge, as well as my shopping trip to Walgreens today!!

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!!

Coffee Sugar Scrub

For the last few weeks, I've been trying to blog-hop to find things to do with the kids while we are at home during the summer. This morning, Emma and I made coffee sugar scrub to give to a few of my friends. I got the idea from Seven Clown Circus. Emma had a great time helping me. We didn't decorate up the jars, but we can do that next time. All in all, Emma and I had a great time with the quick activity this morning. My picture won't load correctly on here, but you can go here to see it.

Summer Time

Ok, since summer time is offically here in the Martin household, I am once again going to try to get in the swing of blogging...yes, again!! I am going to try to post some of the DIY things I am going to try and some of the activities that I am doing with the kids...hope it all works out like I want!!

Spring Break, 2012

Ok, to be honest, I have been horrible at taking pictures this week!! The ones I have taken are on my phone and I haven't transferred them over yet! However, with spring break winding down, I decided I would update what our week has been like!

Monday: We did very little. I did work on cleaning house. I also had physical therapy.

Tuesday: More cleaning. We went through the kids' closets, toys, clothes, etc. and got rid of things they didn't need anymore. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to list some of the things on FB on a local sale site, or if I want to have a garage sale. The kids also spent the night at the Kirker's house. Randall worked until 8:00 that night, so I got some Momma time.

Wednesday:The kids played at the Kirker's until after I had physical therapy. Randall and I went to Wal-Mart to get what he needed for his fishing trip.

Thursday: We didn't do much at all. I did rent movies (Footloose for me and Smurfs for the kids).

Friday: We headed to Augusta around lunch time to go fishing with Daddy.

Physical Therapy

I am officially "weaning" from the boot, and I started PT last week...my orders say 3 times a week for 6 weeks. All I can say after today is this is going to be a LONG 6 weeks. Last week,I went once, and it wasn't too bad. Today, however, I am pretty sore. I rode a stationary bike for 10 minutes and did lots of range of motion exercises today. My favorite exercise (the one I even catch myself doing at home while I am sitting down) is writing abc's and other words with my foot. It actually feels good!! Hopefully the next 6 weeks will pass quickly.

On another note, it's spring break at the Martin house! I am so glad for downtime. Today, the kids and I slept until 8:30. We then got up and got around because I had an appointment for the van at 10:00 for a recall part. After that, we ran by McDonald's to pick up lunch then came home until time to pick Grandma up from work at 2:30. I am hoping tomorrow is a lot of sitting around the house!!

DIY bulletin board

I have had a bulletin board that I had previously used in my classroom. I had brought it home several years ago, and it's been in my closet since then. Last week I decided I would give it a make-over so it would match Emma's room. While looking in my closet for supplies, I came across a scarf I bought at JCPenney's after Christmas for $2.47. I also found remnants of a ribbon with beads that I had used to jazz up the lamp in her room. I decided that I would take my supplies that I found and recover the board.

Materials I used

The finished product

Hanging on the wall

Latest Ankle Update

Well, obviously I have gone back to work. I can tell because it's been a little over 2 weeks since I blogged last! I went back to the doctor last week. I am not longer on crutches (yay!!). I still have to wear my boot. I can start weaning from it in 2 weeks. Next week I have to start physical therapy twice a week for 4 weeks. I go back to see the doctor in April. I am so glad this ordeal is winding down!!

Tomorrow, my parents, Randall, and I are heading to Little Rock for the Zac Brown Band concert!! I can't wait. Momma and I both bought the guys tickets for Christmas! I know we will have a great time! I will post pics later!!

One of My Favorite...

new blogs is Tip Junkie. I am always trying to find new things I can make at home, and I want to remember this post so I can make sugar scrubs.

Daddy/Daughter Banquet

Tonight Mac and I are hanging out at home with Bella while Randall and Emma are at church. They are attending the first Daddy/Daughter banquet. Emma has been so excited because Miss Arkansas is going to be there. As a matter of fact, she has already called me and told me she had her picture made! We also ordered her a cute little wrist coursage to match her dress. She loved dressing up (in her flower girl dress from last week) and have a date night with her Daddy! I know they will have a great time!