The holidays have come and gone, and I’m staring at a playroom that has subsequently turned into toy-aftermath.  Legos are strung from closet to window, books are scattered amongst the stuffed animals, and there’s a part of a light saber staring at me from under the hide-a-bed we have in there.  I thought I had done a good job (pat on the back) of sifting through toys before the holidays to make room for new ones, but I could not predict the onslaught of plastic and battery-operated perephenalia that would engulf the southwest corner of our home. Read more…

This is a great treat for Christmas morning - or any other morning for that matter!  It is easy and fun (and messy), so be sure everyone gets involved in creating it! Read more…

Our church is offering up a wonderful ministry this holiday that literally anyone can do on their own.  Try out a few of the recipes posted on here and you’re on your way to a new holiday tradition. Read more…

This is a great little, light cookie that is perfect for dessert, snacks, and even breakfast!  It is very easy for kids to make, yet tastes like it came from a commercial bakery.  It is sure to be a favorite with everyone! Read more…

This is a terrific recipe for children to help with!  It requires no baking, yet it is yummy-sweet and delicious all the same!  We love to make these each December and hand them out to our neighbors. Read more…

A few years ago, we got our son involved in the gift process of our family.  Each year he (and now his younger brother) creates gifts for family and close friends.  They involve little, if any, money.  However, they are some of the most treasured gifts that have been given and received in our circle.  Here are a few of our favorite (homemade) things that will hopefully spur a few activities of your own to try. Read more…

Here’s a great idea for cute, inexpensive yet personal gifts for relatives, friends, teachers and even yourself.  Your kids will have a BLAST making them and giving them away.  They make beautiful tie-ons for gifts, ornaments for trees, or even a hanging air freshener for your car. Read more…

I went to the birthday party of one of my dearest friends’ daughter this past weekend - her first birthday.  It is a monumental occasion, those first birthdays.  It is a reflection of the past twelve months, of the accomplishments and milestones that have been crossed, of remembering that amazing moment when parent and child first lay eyes on each other.  And, in Addy’s case, it was extra-sweet: she had been born nine weeks early, spent six weeks and NICU and overcame some pretty big obstacles along the way.  Here she was, a year later, diving into a applesauce-sweetened spice cake and smearing pale pink icing from ear to ear (and not necessarily just her own ears!).  Those first birthdays are definitely a major milestone.

It was time to turn on a bit of the think-tank to come up with a present for Addy; after all, there were over forty other people in attendance (don’t freak out - they were all mostly relatives) and all bearing gifts.  Your typical tub toy or outfit wouldn’t hold a candle to this crowd.  So, I sat down and created a list of some ideas for gift-giving to be a little bit “different”.  Read more…