Teaching Together: Thankful Hearts {November 2016}

Welcome back for another round of Teaching Together.

We are so glad that you could join us

Work It Mommy, Tickled Pink,

Sweet Turtle Soup, A + Life & Our Pretty Little Girls

Last month was a small link up but we still had some really great posts. 

Here is one of my favorites.

Whitney from Polka Dotty Place shared a super simple playtime idea using a 15 bean mix.
It doesn't get much easier or cheaper than that.
Thanks for linking up Whitney.

This month I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart, thankfulness.

I believe a thankful heart is something that is taught.

Sure some kids may learn easier than others or naturally be more thoughtful. But I believe the act of being thankful is something that needs to be taught through our words and actions. 

We like to take full advantage of the month of November to talk about having a thankful heart. Today I want to share a few simple ways we teach thankfulness in our home.

Our Thankful Tree

We started our thankful tree tradition about 2 years ago. The first year it only ended with a few leaves, last year we made a major improvement and didn't miss too many days. This year Marissa won't let me forget, she loves filling out and hanging the leaves. 

Instead of traditional leaf shapes I cut out hearts this year.

Every day when we write on our leaf we talk about why we are thankful for what we chose. Our tree may be pretty empty right now, but I have a feeling that won't last long.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Painting

One of my favorite, super simple art projects to do with the girls is a secret painting. When they were younger I would write or draw something in white crayon on a paper, then they would use the water colors to reveal the message. Now that they are a bit older they like to do some of the drawing or writing on their own. 

Walk & Talk

The other day the girls and I played hookie for a bit and went out to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. It was awesome to watch the joy in their eyes. We live in a part of town where there are very few large trees, so to be immersed in the beautiful fall colors was amazing. It gave me the perfect opportunity to talk to them about the beauty of nature, our creator and how blessed we are. 
All reasons to be thankful.

Simple ways to plant seeds, water them and trust that in time they will grow. 

How are you teaching thankfulness in your home?

A Thankful Heart Is A Happy Heart. Click here to download this free printable
Now it's your turn to join the fun. Grab the button from my sidebar and link up what you've been teaching lately!

An InLinkz Link-up

Messes Just Happen

As a mom of 7+ years now I feel like I am finally starting to get more comfortable. Some parts of motherhood were just rough for me at first... like the first 5+ years. But the more I embrace life, our life, really living our life to the fullest with no worries, the more fun it is for everyone. 

 When you're on the go a lot there are a few things that are just going to happen. Someone is going to need to use the bathroom at the most inconvenient moment and there will be messes. Hopefully those two won't be intertwined, but you just never know.

Dirty hands from playing in the leaves and digging in the dirt.

Or a little girls who REALLY wanted an ice cream cone, in the car.

 

Messes are just going to happen, frequently.

Part of my letting go is knowing it is okay to let go.

When life gets messy as it often does I love being able to reach for Huggies Natural Care wipes.

I know I am not the only mom without a baby, who still keeps baby wipes on hand. Right?!

They are hypo-allergenic, 99% water based and at my local Sams Club I can buy them in bulk with 864 wipes per box (that's a whole lot of messes), a tub and the exclusive members-voted clutch. 

Speaking of Sams Club, I am happy to report back that I loved my trial membership so much that I officially joined the club this weekend. Time after time again I was impressed with the savings and quality I found there.

Plus our grocery budget is already reflecting the savings of buying in bulk, wahoo!

Back to that exclusive clutch, oh this clutch. I just love this clutch.

If there was ever a super awesome mommy clutch it would look like this.

 

#clutchstyle

It's waterproof, refillable, the perfect size and how cute is it? I can grab it and go whether that's to the park or on sticky ice cream date. I feel ready and stylish, which is not something I am used to feeling while carrying around a package of baby wipes. 

Check out more on this amazing clutch and find out what your #clutchstyle is. 

At the home, in the car, at the park, play date, grocery store. Wherever we go we are ready to handle any mess.

One wipe at a time. 

Want more info?

You can go here to learn more about Huggies Natural Care Wipes

Learn more about the benefits of being a Sams Club member

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies {Recipe)

Last week when I was faced with a challenge, I manned up and took one for the team. 

I have the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. They're soft but not to soft, they look beautiful on a cookie tray and they taste like little round pieces of heaven. There was just one problem. They were just chocolate chip cookies. What's a girl to do when one dose of chocolate just isn't enough?! 

Because hello, it happens. 

There just had to be an answer to the problem and I was going to figure it out. I spent Friday afternoon in my kitchen attempting to transform the beloved cookie recipe into a more chocolatey treat. It may have taken me two batches and right around 2,000+ calories but the results were SO worth it.

Plus I get to share my favorite new cookie recipe with you today.

Yup, totally worth it.

Ingredients: 1 3/4 C. unsalted butter (14 Tablespoons) 1/3 C. white sugar 1 C. brown sugar 2 Eggs 2 tsp vanilla 2 tsp corn starch 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 C. flour 1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder 1 C. semi-sweet choc chips
Directions: 1) Cream the butter and sugars together.
2) Mix in the egg and vanilla until well combined.
3) Stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed, add the chocolate chips and mix in.
4) Refrigerate for 1 hour or over night in a covered container.
5) Using a standard size cookie scoop cookies will bake at 350 degrees for approx 10 minutes. For other sizes your baking time may need to be adjusted.

I have teamed up with 12 of the Tuesday Talk hosts for cookie swap hop. 

Below are links to their posts where they share some of their favorite cookie recipes from round ups to family favorites you will find a little bit of everything. 

Michelle - Grammie Time // Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls // Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things // Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me // Christina - Waltzing In Beauty // Becky - BYBMG //  Lauren - Simply Free // Sarah - Abiding In Grace // Keri - Living In This Season // Laura - Life Is Beautiful // Jess & Katie - Sweet Little Ones // Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
What is your favorite holiday cookie?
Now it's time to link up your posts. Grab the button in  my sidebar and join the fun.

An InLinkz Link-up

Halloween 2015

We went into Halloween 2015 with a few questions.   Would we freeze? Would it be raining? And most importantly, would Emily be dressed like Minnie Mouse?

I am happy to report the answers: No, no and of course she would!

This year we escorted around a Cowgirl Princess and Minnierella!

Marissa had decided MONTHS ago that she wanted to dress up as a cowgirl but Emily's Minnerella combination was pretty spur of the moment. She had planned on a different costume (still Minnie inspired) but after a trip to Walmart with me she changed her mind. Thankfully I had the perfect Cinderella dress already on hand so I was easily able to amuse her. 

We snapped some photos and headed over to Russ' parents house to meet up with our friends.

This crazy crew is so much fun. Some of the coolest kids I know for sure!

We even had this gorgeous sunset as we started out.

I snapped this photo of the sunset and the kids. I can't help but laugh seeing Emily's Minnie ears stand out so clearly.

House after house my heart was beaming when I would hear them loudly shout "TRICK OR TREAT" in unison. They had so much fun and were given SO much candy. I'd say our loot was 80% candy bars, the good kind too! This is NOT going to make the candy easy to resist.

Once we were back the kids all dove head first into their candy buckets.... the moms might have snuck a few (dozen) pieces too. 

Group photo. So happy I actually remembered. I might just turn into a real blogger after all ;).

Thanks Grandma & Papa for letting us come over and bring our friends along too!

Linking up with Stephanie

& Courtney

What was the most memorable part of your Halloween?!

Monthly Goals {November 2015}

November?!

So I know there is something about kids that makes everything go into warp speed.

But seriously, November?!

I had a heart palpitation while typing that, not even kidding. 

As shocking as it may be November is here and with it is the arrival of my favorite time of the year, the holiday season.

Goals might have to slow down this time of the year to keep things realistic. Or I might change them to things I know I can do like decorate trees and eat cookies. Before we set new goals let's take a look at how we did in October.

Blog-

*Continue blogging 4-5 days a week. *Participate in the Count Down to Halloween Link-up weekly *Launch a new blog design by the end of the month *Participate in a new link-up
Things have been pretty busy around here so posts have not been an issue. I managed to join the Count Down to Halloween link up 3 out of the past 4 times, so I'll call that good. My new blog design launched mid October, a couple weeks earlier than I expected, I LOVE it. As for new link-ups I began co-hosting a monthly educational blog hop/link up, Teaching Together. Our first month was a blast and we would love to have you join us for round two on November 5th!

Family-

*Family Bonfire

*Family trip to the Frisco Trails

*Attend a fall festival

*Attend a car show or cruise night

*Almost complete our fall bucket list

I guess the trail will just have to wait until spring at this point.

We did have a few fires and went to the Maple Leaf Festival where they also had a huge car show, two birds one stone! Our bucket list is super close to done, but you will find out more about that tomorrow.

Fitness- *Exercise at least 5 days a week *Begin and complete Stage 5 of the new rules program  *Try again to keep a written food journal *Complete The Pumpkin Run
I have officially resigned the idea of food journaling. At this season in my life, it just isn't for me. I'll talk more about why when I finally update on some fitness stuff later this month.

I think most weeks I hit the 5 workouts per week goal. As for the 'New Rules" program I am half way done with stage 6 and expect to finish the last stage in early December. The Pumpkin Run was so much fun. It was great to run a race again, it had been way to long. 
Spiritual-  *Continue reading Women of the Word *Try to make connections at a church we have decided to attend weekly *Keep up weekly meetings with Sarah
I read a chapter or two and met with Sarah a couple times. We need to meet again soon though. I think we have decided that meeting every other week is more realistic for us right now.

Making real connections isn't really my thing. I always feel so awkward around people I don't know well so I end up talking a lot, which I am sure can make me appear annoying. I did attend a womens event so I am putting forth effort. UGH! It will all work out. These things just take time. I know, I know.
Home School- *Stay on track with lesson plans *Plan one field trip *Plan a fun picnic lunch

Not only are we on track, we are one week ahead in math! But don't tell a certain 7 year old that. A field trip that involves a picnic lunch is planned I am just hoping the weather cooperates!
Random- *Fun photo shoot with Anna *Decorate for Halloween *Make Halloween costumes *Stay on top of keeping the budget done, weekly!
Weekly budget balancing, ugh. I think in order to stay on track with that someone would have to use drastic measures and force me to do it every week. I thought making it a goal would help, no luck.

My photos with Anna were a blast. Decorations were made and put up and Halloween costumes will be shared tomorrow!

I'd say October was a success!

Blog-

*Continue blogging 4-5 days a week. *Plan some fun holiday posts *Reach 1,000 Instagram followers *Participate in a giveaway

Family-

*Family movie night

*Family game night

*Put leaves on our thankful tree each day

*Donut date

Fitness- *Workout 4-5 Days a week *Complete Level 6 of the new rules program *Miraculously do one chin-up *Share about my journey the past 6 months
Spiritual-  *Continue reading Women of the Word *Keep trying to connect at church *Bi-weekly meetings with Sarah.
*Begin to focus hearts young and old on being thankful and the reason we celebrate the holidays.
Home School- *Stay on track with lesson plans *Go on a field trip *Have a blast on Thanksgiving break
Random- *Deck the halls *Begin Christmas Shopping *Get scripture and book advents ready *Make a Christmas Bucket List *Bake a coconut cream pie
You see that last one, that might just be the one that I am the most excited about and if you're lucky I'll make a blog post about it. Because nothing says November like coconut cream pie?!
What are you most excited about this November?