Teaching the Lost Art of a Thank You Note

Do you still write Thank You notes? There are a few occasions when I believe a handwritten Thank You is a must. Graduations, weddings, baby gifts, and funerals. Believe me, I am not the only one who thinks this way. If someone takes the time to to think of you and goes out to buy/make you a gift for one of those occasions, an appreciation is a must. Write it, stamp it, seal it and send it. It is etiquette people.

ETIQUETTE.

As I have gotten older, birthday gifts have kind of fallen to the side, so I personally don't send many thanks out for those myself, but....my children do still have parties. They do still need to be taught to not only say thank you but to send a thank you. And since they won't be graduating, marrying, or having babies anytime soon I must begin by teaching them by writing Thank You's for their birthday gifts. (my 13 year old son, may be a lost cause)

If you have read my blog for any length of time or know me personally, you know that my daughter just celebrated her 7th birthday. We had an American Girl Party. So much fun. One of the activities we did was a life size American Girl box. Each of the girls got in it and I took their picture. So cute. I then took these, developed them, and put notebook paper on the back of each to make them into a photo postcard. Miss K then wrote each one of them a note.

Not only did she get a lesson in etiquette, but also handwriting practice. And I cannot think of any little girl friend of hers that doesn't like to receive an old fashioned piece of snail mail, especially one with them as the doll. 

From One Parent to Another...iParent.tv, a Must Have! #Giveaway- Closed

Are you raising kids? Do they have access to electronics? I want you to watch this video. Seriously.

I have a teen and a seven year old. I am constantly and tirelessly monitoring their electronics.
YES, I AM THAT PARENT.
I need tools to help me, what about you? One of my readers is going to get a one year subscription to iParent.tv. For those of you who don't want to wait, visit http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/iparent-tv  now and get a reduced fee of $29.

What is iParent.TV? If your kids are awake, they’re probably on a smartphone, in front of a smart tv, downloading apps, or posting to social networks. And most likely you have no idea what they’re doing. iParent.TV will be a yearly, subscription-based website for teaching and informing parents on all things tech, mobile, devices, websites, and apps for kids so that you WILL know.

The Problem. Most parents don't have an inside track to tech or social media dangers, let alone how to safeguard their kids against them.

58% of 10-12 year old kids believe they know how to hide their online activities from their parents.

46% of them said they would change their online behavior if they knew their parents were paying attention.

Introducing iParent.TV - keeping parents ahead of the tech curve. We believe we have the opportunity to help parents understand, get involved and safeguard their children in the ever-evolving tech World. iParent.TV educates parents with all the latest trends via Websites - Social Media - Apps - Devices

The idea. It started with a group of dads who felt like their 9-year-olds knew more about tech than they did. They were right. But their idea will help change that forever for all parents. Once launched, iParent.TV will have 100s of videos and product reviews that are very current, cutting edge and trending, keeping parents who subscribe ahead of the tech curve.

How it will work? The iParent.TV website will be a subscription-based site costing $49 per year for parents to access all the videos, reviews, how-tos, and live chat support. It will be the largest site on the net helping parents understand what's safe and what’s not in the world of tech. - And we are offering it for only $29 on Indiegogo.

What you get? Articles, videos, reviews, tips, tools and expert advice on EVERYTHING like…
- Popular Apps
- Social Network Sites
- Major Websites
- Top Devices

To get started visit http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/iparent-tv



Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to iparent.tv and PartnersHub for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I will receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Subscription to iparent.tv via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chasing God by Angie Smith: Review & Giveaway #chasingGod Closed

Stop Chasing Him. Stop Chasing God and Follow HIM. Those three simple words- Stop Chasing Him changed everything for Angie Smith, and she believes they can do the same for us. 

"Let's be honest: we've all questioned whether or not we're doing this "Christianity thing" the right way. Am I really a Christian? If I'm doing everything right, why do I feel so far from God? What am I missing?" 

Best-selling author and highly sought-after speaker Angie Smith struggled with these same questions, and the answers she discovered inspired her new book, Chasing God (B&H Publishing, January 2014). In Chasing God, Smith unpacks how our earthly, unrealistic expectations of God result in us chasing Him, keeping us from following Him.

Take a look at the following video.



So I have started this book, and I admit, there are more times than not that I do look good on paper. I do what I am "supposed" to according to the religious aspects of Christianity. I go to church, read my Bible, I pray, I even teach. But do I have that relationship that is required of me? Christianity isn't about living? It's about letting the desires of life die off so I can truly seek, follow and have a relationship with Him.

I do have a copy of Chasing to give away to one very blessed reader. For some this book is a very personal subject, and I respect that, so I am not going to ask any mandatory question other than "Who wants to add this book to your library?" Bonus entries are available.




Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Icon Media Group for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine's Day Teachers Gift with Printable #GiftsOnABudget

They say the way to every teachers HEART is food, right? 

Okay, it may also be in the form of a gift card, but I can probably count on one hand the times I have purchased a gift card for anyone, for any occasion. 

Miss K is in 1st Grade this year. We adore her teacher.  Actually, I can't think of a single teacher in my eight years of having public education teachers that we haven't adored.

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.- Brad Henry

Here is this year's Valentine's Gift for Mrs. J, hopefully she won't see this post before she gets the gift! 

I picked up a cute jar at Wal-Mart and etched on all four sides- A,B,C & a ♥, used a little bakers twine, attached the following printable that I made using PicMonkey, and filled it with homemade chocolate cake balls!

I have enclosed blank printable at this link that you can save to your computer then edit. Then just open your Word, insert a picture and size it according to your jar. 

Hope you all have a BALL this Valentine's Day!!! Especially you teachers!

The Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman: Book Review & Giveaway- Closed

Happy Valentine's Week!!! Yes, week. Don't you just love when Valentine's Day lands on a Friday? I do. It means I get four days to look forward to the love day, then a weekend to relish in how much I AM LOVED! I also just found out that my Valentine doesn't have to work this weekend. So excited. What do I have planned? Nothing out of the ordinary for our nest. School party, basketball practice/game and church. But what makes it special to me is just being with my Valentine and little Valentines. I am so blessed. And if there is a little extra smooching in front of my littles, good for them! GREAT for ME/HIM! Yes, I did just type that. 

So, since it is the LOVE week, I wanted to share about a book I am reading and even GIVE one away to one of my readers. 

"Marriages either get better or worse. They never stand still." - Dr. Gary Chapman

Happiness in marriage is not automatic. Marriage takes work. A ONENESS of both spouses.

In the latest book by Dr. Chapman, THE MARRIAGE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED , you can picture the perfect marriage in your mind, but re-creating it in reality doesn’t come easy. Trusted counselor and relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman reasons that the most sought-after ingredient in any marriage is true oneness. In The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted, he presents expert wisdom and common sense methods to establishing that true unity on emotional and practical levels. Discover the wit and insight that makes his worldwide presentations and marriage conferences so popular. Are you trying to change your spouse? Do you know what it means to really love someone? Do you feel ignored or even alone in your effort to improve your marriage? Dr. Chapman has answers and action steps on topics from expressing your emotions to managing your money, all in a format that will have you and your spouse talking and learning with every page.

Are you engaged, married 9 or even 50 years? It doesn't matter how good or broken your marriage is, you always want more. Are you ready to take the first steps toward the marriage you have always wanted?  One of my readers is going to be blessed with their very own copy of The Marriage You've Always Wanted. Who wants it? Enter on Rafflecopter form below. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DR. GARY CHAPMAN
As anyone who has attended one of his marriage conferences knows, Dr. Gary Chapman’s expertise in marriage begins with the success and failures he and his wife Karolyn have experienced in their marriage for more than 45 years. He is just the man to turn to for help on improving or healing our most important relationships. His own life experiences, plus over thirty-five years of pastoring and marriage counseling, led him to publish his first book in the Love Language series, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Many of the millions of readers credit this continual New York Times bestseller with saving their marriages by showing them simple and practical ways to communicate love.

Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded his Five Love Languages series with special editions that reach out specifically to singles, men, and parents of teens and young children.
He is the author of numerous other books published by Moody Publishers/Northfield Publishing, including Anger, The Family You’ve Always Wanted, The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted, Desperate Marriages, God Speaks Your Love Language, How to Really Love Your Adult Child, and Hope for the Separated. With Dr. Jennifer Thomas, he co-authored The Five Languages of Apology.

Dr. Chapman speaks to thousands of couples nationwide through his weekend marriage conferences. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, A Love Language Minute, and a Saturday morning program, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, both airing on more than 400 stations. Dr. Chapman and his wife have two grown children and currently live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he serves as senior associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church.

Dr. Chapman holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively, MRE and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has completed postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University.


Visit the official website: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resource/the-marriage-youve-always-wanted/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5LoveLanguages
twitter: https://twitter.com/drgarychapman

They even have small group curriculum available: http://experience.5lovelanguages.com

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First G+ Hangout!

My first G+ Hangout with Offers.com! ‪#‎STSMChat‬ ‪#‎BirthdaysOnABudget‬

Come watch me! To read the entire chat, go to the Offer.com blog! I promise you, it is worth the read!

Class Birthday Treats- Kaybrie is O-Fish-ally 7, with a Blank Printable!

I never imagined when I took a picture of Miss K's class birthday treat and posted on FB and Instagram that I would receive so many comments and likes. It seems that there is a lack of non-sugary ideas for classroom birthday treats out there. Especially on Pinterest. I cannot take credit for this idea. I found it on Pinterest, but I had to make my own printable. So, I will share my printable here, and a blank one for you to save to your computer and edit. Then just copy and paste it into word and print off! Easy peasy!!

By the way. I love these Goldfish Grahams. So fun!

An American Girl Birthday Party for my Littlest Star & A Giveaway- Closed

My Littlest Star is Seven!!!

I blinked. It happened. And I think she grew another inch over night. 

She wanted an American Girl Birthday Party for her big day. 

Even more she wanted the new American Girl Doll of the Year, Isabelle. 

The dolls are so expensive, parties are even more expensive. I mentioned in an earlier post my strategies for making this happen on a budget.  I am happy to say, I pulled the party off with about $40, a lot of hard work, and finally the help of great friends and family! 

THANK YOU!!!

Life size doll box for the girls to pose in. So much fun!

Paper plate name banner. 

Party hats, drinks and  tea light cakes for the dolls!

Goody bags. There were lots of things to take home. 

Doll & Girl Craft Station. Red & White doll tutu's and...

felt top hats for the dolls and girls from Punch Place Plus. 

A doll hair station. Because every doll must have great hair.

The Bistro & Goodies table. 

Yum! Cake balls, PB&J, Bologna, wavy potato chips, gum balls, candy cane heart suckers, bottled water, and homemade cherry limeade!

I love these little sandwiches. But seriously, the waste. Needless to say, we saved the outer edges and fed them to my husband and son!

The water bottles. Love these. I made them in Word. They even had a bar code on them with her birthday. You can download my printable here. 

10 giggly girls. Actually we had 11, my niece is in the high chair. 

Miss K showing her friends how to make the tutu's. 

11 beautiful STARS with their dolls. Donned in their hats and tutus. Adorable.

It appears that all of Miss K's birthday wishes were blessed upon her. She had a wonderful birthday and I pray that I can continue to instill upon her that birthdays are about sharing your joy with others. I also pray for my daughter that her light and inner star shines for Jesus wherever she goes. 

Would you like more of my tips on saving money on parties? On February 4, 2014, I will be chatting it up on Twitter at 1pm with Offers.com during their #STSMchat (save time save money). We will be discussing party planning on a budget further. I cannot wait to hear more ideas to help me save time and money. Be sure to go read more about it on their blog!

Now, who is ready for a GIVEAWAY??? Did you see the cute top hats the girls made? My friends at Punch Place Plus sent them to me for the girls to create.

And one of my readers is getting a....

The mandatory entry is to visit their site and tell me in a disqus comment what craft supplies you would want with your $25!!! Entries will be collected on the easy Rafflecopter form below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway