Potty Labels

I want to start getting Connor used to his potty, sitting on it, etc. I bought a seat from Target, and wanted to personalize it a little bit. So using my silhouette machine I made him some 'stickers' and we went to town! We both LOVE how it turned out! :D

If you would like some of your own-- check out my etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissAmysHouse

Ruler Growth Chart

--> Check out my etsy shop if you would like to purchase vinyl decals to make your own ruler! http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissAmysHouse I have been looking at different growth charts for a while online. I wanted one that could be moved around in case we move. I saw something similar on pintrest, and I was inspired. However, I used my silhouette machine to cut the lines and numbers out of black vinyl. This seemed easier to me then painting lines. Which that is an option as well.

Here's a mini step by step..

1) I went and bought a board and stain from home depot. It's 6 feet tall.
2) I stained it, then immediately wiped it off with a rag. I then let it dry. Then repeated this process to give it an antique look.
3) When it was really dry I took out a yard stick. I wanted it to be 6 inches from the ground, so I marked 6 inches on the bottom with a pencil, then marked the one foot line. I did this all the way up. All the little lines are an inch apart.

((this picture was taken before I hung it, but you can see how I started it with only 6 inches on the bottom. Then when I hung it, I made sure it was another 6 inches from the ground so that the one foot was accurate))

4) I decided to do every 2 lines a little longer, similar to a real ruler.
5) This was pretty tedious, and I made all the marks in pencil. I also double checked it a couple of times, because I found that I screwed it up.
6) Once I was certain of my measurements I counted how many small and medium lines I needed. Then got cutting.
7) I stuck them all on!
8) Then sprayed it with some clear finish!

I LOVE how it turned out!! I am so glad I went this route, instead of buying one!

My new toy!!!

For my birthday my husband bought me something I have been really wanting for a while... A SILHOUETTE MACHINE!! AHh! If you don't know what one is, you can read about it here!

It seems a lot of crafters own one, and I couldn't be left out! I currently own a sizzix dicut machine, but in my mind this is the ultimate dicut machine! I can't wait to make so many new things with it! My mind is overwhelmed with ideas!! Stay tuned for all I create-- and many great ways to use it to benefit children!

Happy Birthday to me!!

I have been eying these number/ shape beanbags on amazon for a while. I loved the idea of all the games I could play with my boys to incorporate some important math concepts, while having some good fun physical play!!

Every time the budget would allow for me to squeeze in some fun toys for the boys I would find something else to buy, and always skipped the beanbags. So, I whipped some up myself! They arent perfect, but you know my motto-- its the process not the product!

We have already been having so much fun with them! We take turns throwing them at each other. I will give directions such as, "Throw me the square." Then Connor will ask the same, "Mommy, throw me the circle." We also practice the numbers on them, and count them! I figured I'd make more as his skills advance some, but for now 5 works for us! :D

Kid Friendly Fall Decorating

Connor and I have been doing some fall decorating around our home!

First he helped me create this wreath. By help I mean hand me the colors when I asked for them... hehe! All you need to do is make felt roses, and then hot glue them to a Styrofoam wreath!

We also took some leftover white fabric I had laying around, and made some ghosts to hang in our tree outside! To do this we crunched newspaper into balls, and wrapped the balls into grocery bags (incase it rains). After that we tied some ribbon, and made glitter eyes!

Connor thought it was so cool that we were hanging them in the trees! Now that they are there he loves to look at them through the window!

Then to decorate the front door I mixed white tempra paint with a little dish soap, and then dipped both Connor & Logans feet in it! I held them up and put their little feet upside down all over the door to make ghosts!! I love how they look, and we've gotten so many compliments on how they look!

What are some ways you include the kids in decorating for fall/ Halloween? I love to hear some more ideas!!!


I linked up with...

New Playhouse

I have been going back and forth with what kind of play equipment I want in the backyard. We have been considering getting something for Connor's big brother gift/ his birthday that is coming up. I want something that will last a while, and provide the boys with something to do when I send them outdoors to play.

We looked at big playgrounds. They have a wide price range from affordable to a bit much. However, we don't have THAT much room in our backyard for a huge over the top thing anyways. However, most of the basic ones were kind of boring. A couple swings, a slide, and maybe a few extras. I kept thinking back to my childhood. My dad built us an awesome playhouse set complete with a sandbox, monkey bars, slide, swings, and a fire pole! It was awesome. However, what I remembered most was the playhouse. We had sleepovers in there. We would pretend to be so many different things. I even remember bringing my baby dolls up there to play.

Then I made up my mind. I wanted something to foster imaginary play. I wanted a place the boys can pretend and use their imagination. A place to call "theirs." Plus.. we have two playgrounds within very very close walking distance to us that has swings, slides, the basics. So, we have plenty of opportunity to work on all those gross motor skills. So my playhouse search began.

After hours of browsing the web, looking at plans to build our own, ones at the market, etc. My husband found this one that was sitting in an old playground stores lot.

We went to go see it and check it out. It was a bit weathered looking, but in great shape! I got really excited about it, and if the price was right then thats what I wanted! I called them up, and negotiated a bit with the salesperson. I ended up getting it for a great price with delivery and all!

When it came I had them put it in the garage. I wanted to repaint and decorate it. Plus I didnt want Connor to see it yet! Here are some pictures after I got done with it!

Connor has a bunch of plastic tools in our backyard. I created this "work bench" to store his tools, and he can pretend to build things. I have some great ideas of things I want to add next summer when he's a little older. I figured I could also get some small chairs, and this can work as a table too!

It has a working doorbell, and everything! Todd put big cylinder blocks down on the ground, and a piece of plywood under it to keep it off the ground so it wont whether as badly. The paint I used on it will apparently help keep it waterproof as well! He loves it! Like I said, I have a few more things I want to do to it, but will wait until next year! I am very happy with this choice, and I can see lots of memories being made here!

Easter Decorating

So I have been on bed rest for premature labor. It just ended, and I decided last minute to host Easter for about 13 people knowing I could go into labor at any point. I came up with some last minute decorating ideas, and wanted to share :D

Bunny Napkins

Peeps Center piece for adult table

Kids table all ready to go

It was fun! :D

Baby Nursery

We decided to do our son's nursery in an airplane theme. Here are a couple things I made for wall decor!