Homemade Lacing Cards

I wanted to get Mustang lacing cards for Christmas, but with a small budget and not knowing for sure if she would like them, I didnt want to spend much on them. I did a google search for ideas on how to make my own, but nothing quite stuck out as a great idea. So, off to the dollar store I went. And this is what I came up with:

I found these great 'wallies.' You can stick them on your wall for non permanent decoration.



I stuck them to bright colored pieces of thin foam:



And then cut them out. I used a hole punch to make the sewing holes.



I added a package of mens shoe laces (last package in the dollar store-score!), and stuck them in Mustang's stocking. They were a hit!!

Unschool Lesson

We have been taking a loong break from Tot School and Preschool lessons. First with Fall break, which ran into our move, which ran into the holiday/December break. But that doesnt mean we arent learning.

This morning at breakfast, we ate Cheerios. The box was out on the table while we ate, so I turned it into a learning opportunity. I asked Mustang the letters in Cheerios, then had Charger tell me the letters, too. We discussed the sound that each letter or group of letters make and then sounded out the word.

Mustang and Charger both loved 'reading' the word. The kids have been bringing me our foam letters and trying to make words ever since. Just because you cant have formal 'school' doesnt mean you can not teach your kids at home.

The Case of the Missing Christmas Gift...

A couple months ago I came across a wonderful deal on a gift for my niece. I wont go into all the details, as my SIL and other family might read this. It felt nice to have at least one of the many gifts purchased ahead of time. You see, normally by October I am half done with my shopping. But, with a new baby and a move in process, I had only 3 gifts purchased prior to December 15th.

But, now that I would like to wrap the present for my adorable niece, it has gone MISSING! Where might it be? Well, its not in my closet because I dont have one! And I double checked the van because that's easy.

So, the only places it could still be are 1)packed in a box somewhere in the school room, 2) hidden somewhere in the family closet 3)packed somewhere in a box in the Master bedroom, 4) packed somewhere in a box in the shed 5)hidden somewhere in the old house, 6)with Dora in the Lost City of Toys.

I am pretty sure it may end up being easier to brave the stores on Christmas Eve to find a replacement gift. It may come down to that. Ug.

Ladybug Land

Once upon a time, not too long ago, I loved ladybugs. I mean who wouldnt like a harmless little insect? They let you feel part of nature by being one of the few animals you can catch without fear. Some are red, some are orange, some are a rust color, but all are sprinkled with tiny little black dots that are fun to count.

Well, if you love ladybugs, I have the perfect house for you!! At said house you can wake up to a ladybug on your pillow. You can find one waiting on the kitchen table to join you for breakfast. You can have a few join you in the restroom, in case you were lonely. When you sweep the floor, there will always be 2 or 3 in the pile of dust. When you open a window about 20 will come raining down on you-some living some dead. Unfortunatly, you will also squish at least one a day when you accidentally step on them while walking on the white carpet.

In case you hadnt already guessed, said house is our house. Good gracious, there are TONS of them, and this is winter. I hear they are 10x worse in the Spring. Charger and Mustang each come up about 3 times a day to show me the ladybug they just caught. They love it, so at least someone is happy to live in ladybug land :).

What I bought the Kids for Christmas

I dont know about you, but I dont much care for the 'hustle and bustle' of going shopping for Christmas gifts. Sure, at one time it was fun. When I had a little extra pocket change and the only person at home was my hubby. I would call a friend or my mom or sister and spend time looking at the various items for sale in the stores until I found the perfect item. Then, I would come home, turn on Christmas music and spend hours wrapping and decorating the packages.

Fast forward 4 years and I now have 3 children... Christmas shopping is NOT that peaceful time of year when the only frustration was trying to find a parking spot. I dont even take all 3 kids grocery shopping if I can avoid it, so I know I wont even begin to tackle store shopping with all three. Plus, Mustang is very observant and Charger has the memory of a hawk. No one would receive a Christmas surprise if I purchased their gift with my kids along.

We also moved to a much smaller area, with limited shopping possibilities. No Target, no Toys R Us, and no gasp, sigh, sob...Gymboree. So, I have done nearly all my shopping online this year :). I just started and nearly finished my shopping today, on just 2 websites.

So, for those of you still trying to finish up your Christmas shopping and need some ideas...here is what I purchased my kids. I will keep what I bought family a secret incase you are on my list ;).

We do gifts from Mommy and Daddy and gifts from Santa at our house, and this year we were blessed from the best Santa ever. A friend of mine from high school who I reconnected with on Facebook was giving away a Little Tikes 8 in 1 Climber. We were beyond blessed to receive this awesome toy, and it will be the Santa gift for all three kids this Christmas.



In their stockings, in addition to some Dollar Tree trinkets yet to be purchased, they will each receive one small toy.

Mustang will receive some Lacing Cards that I am going to be making. I hope they come out well. If they do, I will do a post on those after Christmas.

Charger will be getting a blue wooden car I found on Etsy from this seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrysidegiftsllc





Mini Cooper will be getting a wooden rattle from Sassy I found on Amazon. Its called the Sassy Earth Brights Wooden Spring Bouquet. Cute!!



From Mom and Dad, Mustang will be receiving a toy I have been eyeing for a long time. They show it often on the Tot School website. It is the Melissa and Doug See and Spell. It's supposed to promote the recognition of words and the letters used in it. I just went and looked on Amazon and from when I ordered it until now (less then 12 hours) it has gone up in price by 5.00!



Every time I ask her what she wants for Christmas, she asks for a 'dolly changing table' from American Girl for her Bitty Babies. Well, that isnt in the budget this year, so hopefully this fun diaper bag set will be good enough. I thought it was super cute. The Etsy store is here http://www.etsy.com/shop/discoknits



Charger will be receiving some really fun gifts too! We purchased 2 Playhut Tunnel type things from Anna (AKA Ms. Claus) that I know he is going to love. We also purchased a couple of cute puzzles from her and from my neighbor earlier this summer.

One of the puzzles he will be getting is the Melissa and Doug Chunky Wooden Safari Animals.



Mini Cooper was a lot of fun to shop for. There are such beautiful baby things right now! Being baby #3, she has all the things she needs, but it is fun to get a few special things just for her. Etsy certainly came through for us!

She will be receiving this beautiful blanket that I can not wait to receive!! The Etsy store is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MinkyBabyBlanket

and these adorable blocks from a really nice seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoreCookiesPlease

and I also found this cool ornament for her first Christmas ornament from another Etsy seller. Her store is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkhoff11


I placed the orders today, so now all I have to do is hold my breath that it all gets here in time-one thing you DONT have to worry about at the stores. But, there will be less time that I have to keep it hidden :) Now, I am off tomorrow to finish my in person shopping, which is just stocking stuffers and some gifts for family. Wish me luck!!

I wanted to add, that if you click on the picture it should take you to where the item is for sale. Sorry they didnt work. I added different links that should now.

We are here!!

I can hardly believe it, but after nearly a year of planning, and many more of hoping and dreaming, our country road finally has a beginning!

I am so completely in love with our new home and surroundings. Yes, I realize that 2 weeks is hardly long enough to know if I am in love or just smitten, but the beginning of our journey has been wonderful.

I have so many things that I want to write about and cant wait to share with you. There are some really awesome things about living out in the middle of nowhere and some very different, potentially annoying things about living on a gravel road 1/2 mile from your neighbors and nearly 20 minutes from the closest Walmart.

The grand total of boxes came to 236! There is still another small truck load at our old home awaiting transfer. Anyone need a couple love seats?

I may not be quite as consistant with my blogging as in the past, but I cant wait to share our journey.

Moving Day!

Oh my! The day is HERE!! Over 220 boxes packed and I still have a few to pack. Why am I sitting here then? Well, my baby had to eat so I got a break ;). We had some fun yesterday with a U-Haul truck and mud and our front yard, which resulted in the need for a large tow truck and a winch. Oops! I have pictures and promise them soon.

I am looking forward to the result of an unsaid amount of time before we can get our internet reconnected. How productive might I be?

Well, farm life, here we come. And if I dont get a chance before, Happy Thanksgiving!!