Merry Christmas from my family to yours!! :)

random things

As I drove past Once Upon A Child (second hand kids clothing store) today, I decided that it would be a great place to look for doll clothes! I found some reeeally cute preemie outfits that work awesome for baby dolls! Including this Christmas dress for Clara's doll! I spent only $20 on about 8 items! :)

Here's an easy homemade ornament that I'm making with Kyla's class on Thursday!! All you need is a cd, punched out shapes on fun paper, glue, gemstones, garland and ribbon...and a photo of course! :)

Lastly, we needed to go through shoes again, so I thought I'd share the ONLY way we can keep the shoes from getting out of control!! Each kid has a basket (bought at target months ago, but I think they still have them!) with their initial, and it has worked great!!

Like I said, this is a totally random assortment today, but I guess that's just how our day has been!! :)

gumball pomander

I had OODLES of gumballs leftover from the kids' birthday party in September, so even though they still tasted good, I decided to decorate with them because I love the colors so so much!
What you need:
*hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks (I think I used 6 with these 3)
*styrofoam balls of various sizes! (cheap at Walmart!)
* stick pins
* ribbon (cut to desired length)
* GUMBALLS galore!

1. Cut ribbon to desired length, find middle by folding in half. push the stick pin through the middle.
2. Put dime sized dab of glue on the styrofoam ball, then push the pin and ribbon right through the hot glue (you have to work quickly with this project!)
3.start at the top (by the ribbon) glue gumballs onto ball in small sections. Cover the whole ball with gumballs.
4. hang where it'll look cute :)

Or you can make one out of gumdrops! (couldn't find small ones at the stores I checked...so that'll be next!)

BEST gingerbread cookies

Our house smells so yummy today! This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas cookies, so I have to share the recipe! (and the dough doesn't need to be chilled before you roll them out!)

5 cups of flour
1 T ginger
1 T baking soda
1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 c. molasses
2 T vinegar
1 T cinnamon
1 t. cloves

1. combine 1st three ingredients in a bowl
2. cream butter, add sugar and then eggs one at a time
3. now add the molasses and vinegar
4. Mix in the flour
5. roll out on floured surface, use cookie cutters
6. bake 10-12 min (I like to underbake them a little) 350 degrees
7. decorate when cooled
8. Eat those tasty lil guys! :)

and making cookies always means making memories! :)

crafty website!

I LOOOOVE this site, and you have to check it out if you haven't already! It's got some really fun crafts for kids, and also great recipes!! Check out the cute, easy reindeer ornaments featured today!
http://familyfun.go.com/
Happy crafty time! :)

Norwex! I'm obsessed! :)

If you haven't already heard of Norwex, or been to a home show for Norwex....you HAVE to try these products! I'm so passionate about them because there is no cleaning with harsh chemicals, just water! (I know, I was skeptical at first too) But, they are so great, and so effective! AND, my kids all love to clean with the kid cloths they have! I love not having to worry about what they might be breathing in, or what's touching their skin! It can be a bit pricey up front, but they last FOREVER and it truly is so worth it! Check it out: http://www.norwex.com/ ( If you want to, You can host a show and get the products free!)

There's even a little kids' set with a dusting mitt (which my kids fight over!)

my logo! :)

My logo is done, and my website it live! Check it out and let me know if you'd like some photos taken by yours truly ;o) I'm so excited to follow this passion of mine!! laurabehnkenphotography.com