Keeping Busy . . . Indoors

Being cooped up *indoors* requires a little more creativity.

But ~ fear not ~ if you're dealing with less than stellar weather, there are still 

plenty of things to keep the kids occupied!

1. Cupcake Wars

One of our favorite places to be is the kitchen.

The girls love to bake, and create new recipes.

Everybody wins with Cupcake Wars:

Kids get to create.

There is healthy competition.

You get to eat cupcakes.

What more could you want, really?

2. BINGO or Board Games With Prizes {or without}

I try to pick up little prizes throughout the year,  

and put them away just for Game Nights.  

Play-Doh, glow sticks, bracelets, notebooks, etc. for the little girls;

and beauty items, stationery, cozy socks, etc. for the older ones.

BUT ~ Game Day is just as fun without prizes!

Some of our favorites are:

Yahtzee

Sorry

Apples to Apples

{And ANY Gamewright Games!}

3. Crafts

We do a LOT of crafting 'round here.

Sometimes I'll stock up on craft kits at Michaels or JoAnns.

But if you don't have anything like that at home, no worries.

If you have printer paper Q-tips, glue, and a pen, you're set with this springtime craft:

My younger girls have 326 million tiny stuffed animals.

If you're in the same boat, try making a "pet bed" for one of them.

Any small plastic container will work.

Cut out a slot in the front, and start decorating with Duck Tape

{or wrapping paper, printed scrapbook paper, etc.}

Sew a little, fluffy pillow, and voila!

4.  Puzzles

These things can take days to complete y'all.

If you have the patience for it, you've just taken care of the better half of your week!

5. Movie Night {or Day!}

Who remembers going to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video to pick out a movie rental?

Wasn't that the best thing ever??

I kind of miss those days, but I'm not gonna lie,

the ease of renting a movie now is pretty wonderful.

Gather up your favorite people, candy bars, and snuggly blankets,

pop some popcorn, and you're set.

Keeping Busy

I'm *kind of* an introvert, 

so staying home is definitely more of a reward than a punishment,

as far as I'm concerned. But not everyone in my house agrees, so I've been

compiling a list of things to do when cabin fever sets in.

Maybe you need some ideas too.

Share what you've been up to, so we can all add to our lists!

1. Take a Hike {or Bike!}

If the weather is nice {and it has been the last few days here in Oregon!},

one of our favorite things to do is take a nature walk.

We are blessed to live on 20 acres, and "right next door" to my parents ~

who also have 20 acres.  There is a lot to explore!

But whether you have acres of land, or live in a neighborhood, get outdoors 

and get some fresh air.  

Make a scavenger hunt list, and check off items as you see them.

2. Tie Dye or Paint on Clothing

This is a perfect sunny-day activity.

I purchased a fantastic Tie Dye Kit on Amazon

3. Take up a New Hobby . . .  or practice one you already love.

Tay got a new bow a few months ago, and has already improved so much!

4. Go For A Drive!

Stay close to home, or hit the road; and explore country you haven't before.

5. Whip Up Some Yummy Treats

Food makes me happy.  It brightens my day.

If you're the same, whip up a new drink or treat recipe to share with the fam.

A few to try:

Orange Creamsicle

{click for recipe}

Jello Treats

{click for recipe}

CandyBar Milkshakes

{Blend vanilla ice cream ~ or any kind ya like, 

with Oreo cookies, candy bars, and chocolate syrup.

Coat inside of a mug with chocolate and caramel syrups, add milkshake,

and top with whipped cream, cookies, and candy bars}

Your family will love you forever.  Pinky promise.

I'll be back with some indoor activities in case your weather is less than gorgeous.

Stay healthy, y'all ♥

Happy 15th Birthday, Makenna Nicole!!

Happy 15th Birthday, to my Kenners.

I remember the second I found out I was having another girl ~

I was so excited for Sis.

So excited to have two little girls.

Dance classes, and cookie baking, and girls movie nights ~

I could not wait.

And here we are, fifteen years later, you two are the best of friends.

And you are an awesome big sister to the two littles.

Fifteen years has flown right by.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

You are beautiful, kind, and compassionate.

You are creative and intuitive.

I am learning {slowly, but surely} that no matter how hard I beg, plead, or nag, 

you are just not inclined to keep things tidy. Or to value organization.

But that's okay. 

Because you make us laugh every day and you help us

to see everything through a new lens.

Hope this year is the best yet!

Happy Birthday, Kameryn Faith!

I spent Saturday morning telling {re-telling?} Kam alllll the stories about her birth.

About how I had been in the hospital for two weeks.

How she was born, six weeks early, perfectly perfect . . . but perhaps a little tiny.

I told her how we had to have daily weigh-ins at the doctor for the first few weeks.

How she struggled at first, but then started growing like a champ.

 I told her all about the first time I left the house with her, and her sissies, all.by.myself.

How her sisters had conned me into using the "car cart", and I couldn't steer the thing to save my life.

 And about how I had her in the Ergo, and she must've sensed my fear because

she was screaming bloody murder . . . and I wanted to cry in the corner.

But ~ we persevered, and after that life was happily ever after. Sigh.

Ahhhh my Kameryn Faith . . . how has it been ELEVEN years since this:

 Kam, you are my little optimist.

You love life, and are up for any adventure.

You love to travel, and you capture every moment through your camera lens.

You love to be in front of the camera too, and are a beautiful model.

You are such a blessing to us.

I cannot wait to see what this year brings your way!