Ideas to Get Rid of your Elf on the Shelf... and Why We Won't Even be Using Them

When I set to start writing this post, I was determined that my boys' Elf on the Shelf, Jolly, would not be returning this year. Stephen and I had to "lie" to them more than I was comfortable with in order to give them as much detail as they wanted about Jolly last year. And there were those couple of occasions we forgot to move him and had to try and do it on the fly when it was already too late. I don't like the focus of our Christmas season feeling so negative. Jolly would NOT be coming back this year... I even got to work on a post about it...

Simple Fleece Face Guards: Gifts Under $20

Today I'm happily in the company of #myfavoritebloggers again! This time we've set out to each share a gift under $20. The one I chose had been on my list for a long time.... and is WELL under that $20 price point. Maybe more like under $5 even...

 

SAVE on stocking stuffers with MONEY!

I really love being cozy at home during the holidays. But, truth: I also love holiday shopping. Totally enjoy the hustle and bustle, so long as it's not too much hustle and bustle, ya know? Which is why I'm sharing this stocking stuffer idea now- because, I'm surely not the only one who's already Christmas shopping so I can be done well before the day of December 24th!

Some of my very favorite things to buy for Christmas are stocking stuffers! But, confession: for me, it's way too easy to get carried away without even thinking twice!

Fall Fun at Grandpa and Grandma's

What an awesome way to start our November- a trip home to Grandma and Grandpas! Their lawn was loaded with leaves and it ended up being a beautiful afternoon, so we had a ball raking and jumping (for the boys at least). It's actually been a really beautiful Fall in general I'd say. I love these fun pictures :)

My Mom is the coolest Grandma ever.

Really. She is. :)

LOVE this shot of Ryder- bliss!

Stephen was hosting the Idaho Falconer's Association field meet around Arco again this year and we made some nice soups to meet him at the park to serve everyone lunch. It made for a fun time for the boys again. They are so blessed! Hope they really realize it someday. :)

As always, life is good and boys rule :)

Random Acts of Kindness Treasure Hunt

I recently shared this post as a contributor over at Ginger Snap Crafts and wanted to share it with you here also :)

 

Is your family in thankful mode yet?

I'm not sure my boys are honestly. Have to coax them into it kinda... someone tell me most kids are kinda that way? :) I love the Thanksgiving season that get them by my side, thinking of other people instead of just themselves.

Have you ever done a random act of kindness? I'm sure you have, even if you didn't realize it. They make me feel so good inside! I love the feeling of pulling away from the drive-through having just paid for the guy behind me, or having taped a quarter to a gumball machine. It brings tears to me eyes- such a cool feeling!

I thought I could maybe take one of Coop and Ry's favorite boredom busters- a treasure hunt- and add random acts of kindness to the mix. I did give them a small treasure at the end, but it wasn't what stole the show of this activity- they enjoyed doing the selfless tasks that were part of each clue far more. I really hope the kit that I made using the fun Falling for Fall digi elements at Summertime Designs will be something your kiddos can enjoy too! The boys loved doing this- certainly more fun than the normal hunts we've done!

The Big Blue Test and the Month of November

Any chance you remember this post, where I talked a bit about being diagnosed with Type One Diabetes when I was just six years old? I know, I know- this has nothing to do with crafts or being a boy Mom or the normal things I post about, but I really wanted to share a little somethin' about November being Diabetes Awareness Month and even what anyone can do to make a difference in the next week :)

Ya know what question I get asked more than any other whenever being diabetic gets brought up with anyone besides family? "What do mean 'Type One'?" I'll never just say, "I have diabetes," because thats just too vague anymore. Did you know there is more than one kind of diabetes? And that they are different in some really big ways?

I'm not diabetic because I sat on the couch all day long or ate too much sugar.

I don't get to just take a pill and be done for the day.

It was out of my control to prevent.

Type One diabetes means my pancreas-

the organ inside us that deals with turning food into energy correctly-

just stopped working. It wasn't overworked.

I had chicken pox and not too long later, I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes.

Rustic Thanksgiving Centerpiece

  

Time again for another dose of pretty projects from this pretty pair ;) This last month Emily from The Benson Street and I went to Michaels. We decided this time around to buy the same sorts of things rather than the exact same items, but still create the same thing- a Thanksgiving centerpiece. We both brought home a charger plate and some fall floral stems to create with- well under our $10 limit, with the intention to make up the difference with stuff we had at home.

Wood Creations of Idaho Falls Thanksgiving Giveaway

Happy November All! Halloween sure comes and goes in a hurry, eh? November is here! I'm so excited to be working with Wood Creations of Idaho Falls again to giveaway once of their popular Thanksgiving wood kits! They have so many great kits for this month...