Goodbye 2014 & Word for the Year

2014.

Another fantabulous year of living, laughing, learning and loving at our nest. My word for 2014 was RESTORE. I can say with confidence by reflecting over the past 365 days that I achieved a full focus and emphasis on just that word- RESTORE. Did I get to restore everything I planned, no. But that is why there is a one word focus. 

With this blog post, our family blog wrote 101 posts this year. More than 10,601 people saw Pins from The 4-Crow's Blog on Pinterest in 2014.WOW!  Our year end link up's also received more activity than ever before. I cannot wait to see what is in store for next year. I also have guest posted at several other places including Oklahoma Women Bloggers and Happy First- this is where you can find why I chose my 2014 word..

We now have an 8th grader and a 2nd Grader! I just received the notification this month that I must enroll the 8th grader into high school in January- YIKES! Our lives are still full of sight words, reading, writing and arithmetic. Activities still include basketball, ballet, PTA, and church.

We have had a few uh oh's in our physical health, B has had a few sprains, and Jason a few broken ribs. I probably shouldn't tell everyone about his fight one morning with the shower curtain, tub and toilet. Evidently you don't heal well in your 40's. 

Speaking of 40's, that was a HUGE highlight of 2014. I turned 40 and Fabulous!

There are many words to choose from for 2015. I do have ONE word that stands out, but I am NOT sharing just yet.

As some of you may or may not know I am Happy First's assistant. For five years now Debbie Vinyard, the owner, has asked her readers/followers to come up with a word for the year. We have a group Pinterest board that we have invited people to pin those words/blog posts. In 2015, we would like to do that again, but would also like to feature more of those posts on the Happy First Blog. I would like to personally invite the you to send your Word Posts to us with links back to your own blogs & pages. You can email to: info@happyfirst.com. Here is last year's initial post which included Debbie's 2014 word- ZEN, be watching the Happy First blog tomorrow for her 2015 word.


What is your Word For 2015? Happy New Year from Our Nest to Yours!

Elf on a Shelf 2014 Link-Up with The 4-Crow's Blog: Week 4 & Goodbye

It is so hard to believe another year of elf fun is over! Malia, Charley & Frost were very busy at our nest this last week before returning to the North Pole! Miss K loved the activities they had her take part in. Be sure to check out the videos on the last two days. 

The Elf Yourself Video was a hilarious hit! 

Yes, she is crying! 

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? Won't you please grab the button below, link up, and play along once a week until December 26th? You can share seven pictures, a few, or just one of your favorite Elf moments/memories of the week. All you have to do is grab the button and put your blog link in the linkup form that I will provide each week. I look forward to seeing all of the Elf games and fun you are having!


Elf on a Shelf with The 4-Crow's 2014 was posted the following Friday's this year. We will be back next year with more elf adventures, hope you join in! Happy New Year!


November 29
December 5
December 12
December 19
December 26

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P.S. The Elf on the Shelf Birthday Countdown goes up on January 1, 2015! Miss K is turning 8 on the 31st! Will there be a return?

A Very Pinteresting Christmas Linkup 2014, Last Day: Our Christmas Card

By now everyone on my list should have received their annual Christmas card from The 4-Crows. This is one of my favorite traditions. A tradition that seems to have gone by the wayside. Probably due to social media, maybe even the costs of stamps. Last year I found a design that I loved from a company, but I can't afford $150+ to have them printed. Thanks to PicMonkey though I can design my own, send it to Walgreens and have them printed. I opted to just have them printed this year as 4x6 prints. Most cards probably just end up in a box or maybe even in the trash by the receiver anyway- another reason not to spend $150+. 

How do you design a card in PicMonkey? 

First off I chose my pictures and created a collage in PicMonkey. I saved this to my computer. 

They now have a blank canvas to work with. Go to Design, then choose your shape/size. I chose the 4x6. Then rotated it. Depends on the size and layout of how you want your card.

I chose the Board Texture as my background. It's no secret. I like chalkboards. 

Then I inserted my collage. Overlay, your own. Position it where you want. 

Then you begin adding your other overlays like speech bubbles, ribbons, etc. My red is actually a HUGE banner sent to the back behind my picture. For some reason the ribbons and banners don't stay thin. Or at least I can't make them. 

Then you add your text. Once you have everything on there you can reposition until perfect. Save to your computer and upload to your favorite site/store for printing. 

Today is the last day that I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Link-up and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the button below and link-up your ideas!

I do have a few rules:

• You can link up pretty much anything as long as you "created" it. (A Pinterest inspired/worthy food, craft or DIY project)
• Keep it family friendly, I reserve the rights to delete any links that are not appropriate.
• By linking up you are giving me permission to feature or show off your project! Of course I am going to link it back to you.
• I would love if you linked back to my site and mentioned on your blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, G+, Instagram or any other social media site about the link-up. Help me spread the word please.
• Comment. Comment love means so much to others and builds those blogging relationships. Visit 2-3 other links and leave them a nice, meaningful comment. Thanks!

Thank you all so much for joining in on "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" this year. We had 15 days of  wonderful Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of link-ups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. I hope you will join in on the fun this last day and be watching for next year. Be sure you are following my boards on Pinterest for all my ideas and fun!

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*This post contains affiliate links.

Elf on a Shelf 2014 Link-Up with The 4-Crow's Blog: Week 3

Our Elves were busy again this week....

Malia donned her birthday outfit and celebrated Braden's 14th in style!!

Since we took B to the movie for his birthday, the elves thought it would be a good idea to pull out their favorites.

Peace and Pez for  all!

Warning: Elves should not try to trick their kids into thinking its a SNOW DAY in Oklahoma. Bad, bad thing. Not well thought out...

Reading The First Christmas Night to all their friends.

Oh my. That Charley. He is a charmer. Malia couldn't look. 

WoooHooo............Weeeeee.....Yahooooo.....

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? Won't you please grab the button below, link up, and play along once a week until December 26th? You can share seven pictures, a few, or just one of your favorite Elf moments/memories of the week. All you have to do is grab the button and put your blog link in the linkup form that I will provide each week. I look forward to seeing all of the Elf games and fun you are having!


Elf on a Shelf with The 4-Crow's 2014 will be posted the following Friday's, hope you join in!


November 29
December 5
December 12
December 19
December 26

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A Very Pinteresting Christmas Linkup 2014, Day 14: Foam Rudolph Suckers

Miss K's Winter Party is tomorrow. We always try to take a special treat for each of her classmates. This year's treat is inspired by this pin, and wouldn't you know it, there was not a pattern anywhere to be found on that site. I was determined to make it work. Here is my version. 

Items I used: 

Water bottle lid

tape

Tootsie Roll Pops

Foam Reindeer Shapes- I found mine at Michael's, 35pc for $4.49

Red foil wrapping paper. It makes the nose shine so bright!

The steps I took are below....

If you are lucky, between steps 3 and 6 you can enlist some help with facial details. Be sure they write who it is from on the back!

Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Link-up and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the button below and link-up your ideas!

I do have a few rules:

• You can link up pretty much anything as long as you "created" it. (A Pinterest inspired/worthy food, craft or DIY project)
• Keep it family friendly, I reserve the rights to delete any links that are not appropriate.
• By linking up you are giving me permission to feature or show off your project! Of course I am going to link it back to you.
• I would love if you linked back to my site and mentioned on your blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, G+, Instagram or any other social media site about the link-up. Help me spread the word please.
• Comment. Comment love means so much to others and builds those blogging relationships. Visit 2-3 other links and leave them a nice, meaningful comment. Thanks!

"A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired/Pinterest worthy food, fun, crafty days of link-ups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 1-19 here at The 4-Crow's Blog. I hope you will join in on the fun, and be sure you are following my boards on Pinterest for all my ideas and fun!

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<a href="http://the4crows.com" title="The4CrowsBlog"><img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/e5780129-7636-4411-8b32-902f1e20ecb9_zpsef69cd7c.jpg" alt="The4CrowsBlog" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

A Very Pinteresting Christmas Linkup 2014, Day 13: Crow Bar Recipe & Bag Topper Tutorial

It's time to send the hourly subject teachers and the bus drivers their Christmas Gifts!

This year I am making my famous Crow Bars. So famous that Santa requests these. 

Print Recipe Card Here

I also made a fun bag topper. 

YES. I MADE IT. I love all the ones you see on Pinterest, but sometimes I find they are so hard to download, and sometimes you just want your own, right? Once again, I used PicMonkey. 

1. Choose the Design function. 4x6 canvas option. 

2. Rotate it. I left mine blank. I knew I was printing on green and red card stock since I was out of white and low on ink. 'Tis the season to run out of ink, right? 

3. Themes. I chose SantaLand. Santa's Buddies. Penguins are just so cute. 

 4. Time for the text. A simple Merry Christmas. Don't forget the back. Use the flip and flop buttons to turn the text upside down and around. I have no clue what those are really called. 

5. Then I added a fun candy cane border. And saved it to my computer.

6. To get it to print. You just open your word program. Add the picture 2x and then print, cut, fold and staple over a ziplock. Two bag toppers per page. Perfect. And getting that extra wave from the bus driver. Priceless. 

It's the season of generosity my friends. Making someone's day by giving something away.

"Be rick in good deeds...be generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:18, NIV

Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Link-up and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the button below and link-up your ideas!

I do have a few rules:

• You can link up pretty much anything as long as you "created" it. (A Pinterest inspired/worthy food, craft or DIY project)
• Keep it family friendly, I reserve the rights to delete any links that are not appropriate.
• By linking up you are giving me permission to feature or show off your project! Of course I am going to link it back to you.
• I would love if you linked back to my site and mentioned on your blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, G+, Instagram or any other social media site about the link-up. Help me spread the word please.
• Comment. Comment love means so much to others and builds those blogging relationships. Visit 2-3 other links and leave them a nice, meaningful comment. Thanks!

"A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of link-ups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 1-19 here at The 4-Crow's Blog. I hope you will join in on the fun, and be sure you are following my boards on Pinterest for all my ideas and fun!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://the4crows.com" title="The4CrowsBlog"><img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/e5780129-7636-4411-8b32-902f1e20ecb9_zpsef69cd7c.jpg" alt="The4CrowsBlog" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

*This post contains affiliate links