It's been just about a month since most college kids have headed off. And its just about the time for them to start missing home, if they haven't already. I'm finding while the first month is hardest on the family left at home, the second is hardest on the one who left. What can you do to support your kid away from home? Here are some strategies my friends and I are finding successful. How To Help Your Kid Transition in College 1. Send them an amazing memory. This summer my son got into hiking and had several gorgeous photos he took of 14'ers. I teamed up with Picture It On Canvas to turn one of those photos of Grey's Peak into an amazing canvas art piece for his dorm room, earning me a "Mom, it's AMAZING. Thank you so much" text. Any mom of an 18 year old knows, that is huge! Not sure what to have put on canvas for your kiddo? Spend some time looking through his or her Instagram account. I love that they can import a picture directly from Instagram! I chose to have this mounted thin-bar on a 16*24 canvas. It is the perfect size for over most dorm style desks. The thin bar makes it light enough to hang with Command poster hanging strips which I left there on move in day. ...
DIY Black and White Decorating Ideas
My mother in law is really creative. There is just no competing with her. I mean, we all remember the burger bite cookies right? Her real talent is in decorating though. She can take things she finds in the alley and whip them into a treasure in minutes. I am always talking to my friends about her great ideas so this past month I had the chance to snap some pictures of her super creative, mostly inexpensive ways to dress things up. Now, I have NO idea how she does most of this stuff but she is getting into social media so the good news is that if you have any questions at all about the how-to's below you can leave a comment and she can try to help you out. You can, also, follow her on Pinterest. Today's theme is all black and white decorating ideas but you will love future posts and pictures on bathrooms and chandeliers so stay tuned. Black and White Decorating Ideas Black and white diamond wallpaper makes a big impact in the front entry. Painted black and white dresser adds storage and a place to set things in the front entry. Black and white photo collage make this wall a perfect place to show off family. Faux antique frames painted white and mounted on a black ...
Wildtree Freezer Meal Workshop Tips & Tricks
I was recently invited to a Wildtree Freezer Meal Workshop night by a friend of mine. It's sort of like the old time Tupperware parties but instead of coming home with a bunch of plastic containers your kids will use as sandbox toys, you come home with 10 family meals ready to go in the freezer. Since I am always looking to figure out how to keep us from dialing up taking out, I thought "sure, why not?". I called up the Wildtree rep and paid my $60 which was $10 off because I signed up with a friend. The rep, Laura, said more information would be on the way. A few days later I get a bright and sunny email with pre-party instructions and it was at that point I realized why I should have probably said "no way, Jose" instead of "sure, why not". But at this point I am $60 in and I figure it can't be all that bad. So, I printed my list and went off to Target of all places. I was tired and wasn't thinking. I spent $150 on meats and vegetables and ziplock bags and then came home to prep this stuff. I spent the afternoon cussing and cutting my chicken, pork, beef, shrimp and sausage. I diced 7 onions. I packed ziplocks with all the right meats and vegetables in numbered bags and then I ...
4th of July Party Idea’s
It's been a while since I've thrown a party and I am thinking that I may get one together this year for 4th of July. I love the red, white and blue themes and any chance to drink adult beverages with friends sounds like a good idea to me. I've been cruising through my Red, White and Blue Pinterest board for 4th of July party ideas and I think I found some! I also came across these awesomely cute ideas in my inbox this morning from Family Fun. Sweet & Salty Sparklers - 4th of July Snack Idea Layered with white chocolate and studded with sprinkles and M&M’s, our pretzel treats add flare to any party spread. Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in a medium, heat-safe bowl according to the package directions. Use a spoon to drizzle 1pretzel rod at a time with chocolate (you’ll have enough chocolate to make a dozen), then lay the rod on the prepared sheet and scatter it with red and blue sprinkles and M&M’s. Chill the pretzels in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets, about 15 minutes. Red, White and Blue Saber Pops Feel the force of ice-cold refreshment—and keep hands unfrozen—with these felt cozies. For each, ...
May Came. I Survived.
Wow....did May just happen? REALLY? It was a BLUR! Quite frankly it was the month I have been dreading for years. The month I never thought I could get through. Yet, somehow, miraculously I survived. Barely. But I did. I am dragging around the battle scars of my oldest's 18th birthday, high school graduation, a house full of family staying with us, and a great trip with long weather delays to San Francisco. All wonderful things. All a lot on me physically and/or emotionally. All so many things I have gotten through but haven't processed. And I am not ready to quite yet. Not ready to put those feelings out there. Suffice it to say that I have always been dangerously close to my kids. Losing one, even if just for 9 months to Omaha, won't be easy for me and each day that passes this summer just brings that closer. This summer I plan to treasure a healthy Carter (who is in a Lego Robotics class as I type this) and Connor who is getting ready to leave my nest, while working at least 3 jobs this summer and trying to cram every last second with his friends at the gym. I am immersing myself in travel and life and getting out there. I am also starting to concentrate more on ...