DIY Party Banner

My baby is two. Two years old. I know many of you think that is so young and little, and it is, I just can't believe it. He's my baby. Maybe not so much anymore. Oh well, he'll be my baby forever.

I've been blessed with a boy that does not watch a lot of TV. Even though I will admit sometimes I wish I could get him to sit still for a few minutes so I could use the bathroom without him rearranging our cats food and water around the house. That being said, this boy loves Yo Gabba Gabba. He loves to dance and thinks all the characters are funny. He doesn't sit well during it, but with Gabba, as we affectionately call it, that's kind of the point. It encourages dancing and playing games instead of just sitting on the couch, I guess a lot of kids shows do that nowadays though. Okay rant over. 

The point is, when it came time to decide on his cake, I knew I wanted to do a Gabba one. When I told my mom, the party quickly escalated, you know how Grandma's are. Next thing I knew she had bought hats, napkins, streamers, and a special birthday boy cup, all Gabba themed. She bought generic table cloth, cups, plates and party blowers in the Gabba colors. With her doing all of this, there wasn't a whole lot for me to do beyond dinner, cake and ice cream. So I decided to do a couple projects I found on Pinterest. One was a banner. Truth be told, I have been wanting to do one of these for years. I have just never had the time for. So thanks mom for doing so much so I had time!

The first thing I did was go to Target and pick out scrapbook paper. You don't need to use scrapbook paper, but I do recommend it. I got a pack of 12x12 cardstock paper for about 7.50 on sale (normally 10.59). It came with about 82 pieces of paper, needless to say, I didn't need all of them.

The next thing you do is make a templet. You have to decide how big you want your pennants on the banner to be. I wanted mine to be 7 inches wide at the top and 10 inches long. I got a blank piece of paper and a ruler to measure. Okay so I probably should've used a classical ruler, the kind you use in school, but believe it or not, I couldn't find one. So if you can find one, yours will look that much better. 

Okay measure out how ever many inches wide you want your banner to be at the top of a blank piece of paper. In my case I chose 7 so that's what I measured out. Mark at 0 and then at 7 (or whatever you chose for the width). Okay, ready for your math for the day?? You're going to divide that in half. So in my case, (7/2=3.5). Mark out that half way point, for me it was 3.5 inches.

From that halfway point measure down how long you want the pennant to go. I measured 10 inches. If you don't have a paper cutter like mine, you may want to draw a line connecting the tip at the bottom to either side of the top of the pennant. 

Now we get to cutting. Line up one of the edges of the top of the pennant with the bottom point on the cutter. Cut!

Do the same with the other side.

TA-DA! You have a templet!

Now you are going to trace it on your piece of paper. Put the top corner in one of the corners of the paper to get the most out of the paper. You can use the scraps to make cards, embellish scrapbook pages, etc.

If you used 12x12 paper, flip the templet around and trace it again like pictured below. This is going to fit 2 pennants on one piece of paper so that you aren't wasting a whole lot.

Cut the flat edge first so the paper will fit better in your cutter. (If you don't have a cutter, it doesn't really matter.)

Cut the line between the pennants that connects the two. **TIP** Just worry about measuring up both the ends. Unless you're super great, your line probably isn't straight. Don't stress yourself out over it. It's just a guide.

Trim the other side in the same way.

Now you have TWO pennants! You can either layer them for a thicker look (that's what I did. I wanted mine to hang in his room long term, so I wanted it to be as durable as possible). Or you can use them individually.

*Finishing up* I don't have pictures of this because I couldn't find my tool. BUT it's really simple. All you do now it use a hole punch and punch one hole in each upper corner of the paper. I even used a three hole punch and just angled it so it was only one going in. If you want to buy a single one, it's under two dollars at my local Wal Mart.

After you punch the hole, tie a ribbon or string to connect them and knot it. I made the bow on the back since I have a boy, but it'd be super cute on the front for a girl.

And there you go! Super cute and easy project for any event, especially birthdays!

7 Day Check In

It's been 7 days since I started the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and so far, I haven't lost any weight. I'm not too frustrated though because I've been reading about a lot of other peoples experience with this and it seems that it's normal to not lose a ton of weight. It seems like most people only lose a few pounds, but that you can see the difference in inches and tone, which is exactly what I want. Not that I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds while I'm at it. ;) 

I can say that one week into it, I definitely feel stronger. I am more able to do push ups and weights. I am able to jump higher and the video doesn't seem so long anymore. It really flies by. My husband says that he can tell in my legs and bum that I am toning up more. So I think it is going to work good. 

The ab workouts she does haven't been very difficult for me and they haven't been leaving me sore. I'm considering working in the 300 ab challenge to it. I kind of don't want to though because I want to see what kind of results you can do with only the video. The only thing diet wise that I've done differently is trying to stay away from the soda. I haven't been 100% good but I have definitely cut back a lot. 

So far:

Weight: 0 change

Waist: -.5 inches

Around belly button: -.5 inches

Hips: 0 change

Arms: 0 change

Thighs: -.25 inches

These aren't amazing results or anything so far, but it's only been a week and I can feel the difference already. I'm hoping the 30 day results will be a lot more drastic. :)

Stay tuned to see the final results!!

March 2013 week 1 sharing time: Jesus Christ taught the gospel and set an example for us.

I am so excited for this week!! I really love the outline the church has made for us to use, so I'm going to tweak it some, but stick to the main points. It uses lots of scriptures, focuses on Christ, I love it! 

Okay for the beginning I love the idea of starting with the "Do As I Am Doing." The biggest thing I would stick to is not letting the kids pick anything. If your kids are anything like mine, they'll choose jump and spin and hop on one foot, and good luck getting their attention back after that. So what I'm going to do is make some flash cards ideas from them to choose from. They'll be fun, just not so fun that I'll never be able to get their attention again. 

After this I'm going to tell them that just like that child set the example for us on what action to do during the song, Christ set the example for us on earth. At this point I'm going to introduce our activity. You break the kids into four groups. Each group is going to get an envelope with puzzle pieces inside. I've attached the puzzle printables below. If you have young kids that can't read in a group, have the teacher help. 

On each puzzle is a scripture to look up and an activity or task to go along with the scripture. For prayer (3 Nephi 18:19) they are going to think of a time when prayer has helped them. If they can't remember a time, it could be a story that was told in primary or they read. If you don't have a lot of kids you could have them share multiple stories. For baptism (3 Nephi 11:37) they will find a story in the scriptures where they followed Christ's example and got baptized. For the picture of Christ with the children (John 13:34-35) I will have them perform a skit showing a time we can follow Christ's example by loving one another. For the picture of Christ teaching (Mark 16:15) they will find Give each group enough time to complete their own activity. When their all done have them present to the rest of the primary children. As each group presents hold up the picture that corresponds to that scripture. After they are done emphasize that just like many of the stories they shared today, Christ set the example for us in all of these things. If you have time you can even share a couple stories from Christ's life that would really drive this story home. To me, the Garden of Gethsemane is the one that stands out the most for an example of prayer.

Close with your testimony of Christ and his example he set for us.

These links are for the puzzles I've created. I made the lines you cut along yellow.

Here is the puzzle for John 13 

Here is the puzzle for 3 Nephi 18:19

Here is the puzzle for 3 Nephi 11:37

Here is the puzzle for Mark 16:15

Jillian Michaels, We're No Longer Friends...

...but we will be if you can kick my butt into good shape. ;) I started the 30 Day Shred yesterday for the bazillionth time. I'm hoping to keep with it and post my before and after pics on March 22. So stay tuned. Oh and all the motivation and encouragement possible would be appreciated. She's a tough one ;)

Modest is Hottest: Dressy Outfit

I have decided it would be fun to start posting some good finds for both modesty and our wallets. My sister is the perfect model because she's, well, gorgeous. So what I'm hoping to do is post outfits that are fashionable, affordable, annnnd modest.

 

Skirt- Kohls - $15 clearance
Shirt- Forever 21 - $10
Cardigan- Forever 21 - $15
Tights- Wet seal - gift
Shoes- Gift

Perfect Sugar Cookies

I'm not a huge fan of sugar cookies in general, but this recipe I'm about to unleash, is amazing. It bakes soft, moist cookies that pair perfectly with vanilla icing. These are so good that when I see another recipe on Pinterest, I'm not even tempted to look at it, let alone try it. I make these cookies every Christmas Eve for Santa (and he leaves us some pretty awesome presents, because of the cookies I'm sure ;)), and every Valentines Day. Growing up, my mom would bake each of her seven children and my dad a giant sugar cookie using this recipe. She would decorate them each individually with our names on it. It's kind of a big deal in my family. So naturally, when I got married I wanted to pass on this to my husband and children. My husband doesn't like Vanilla frosting, or food dye (he's kind of weird, he swears he can taste it), so I haven't been able to really get creative with these until recently. So here is what I did this year. Here is how you make them. 

Perfect Sugar Cookies
3 egg yolks 
1 cup shortening 
1 cup sour cream 
2 cups sugar 
1 tsp nutmeg 
1 tsp baking powder 
1 tsp baking soda 
a pinch salt 
4 cups flour 

Cream the egg yolks, sour cream, and shortening together. Add sugar to the creamed mixture. In a separate bowl wisk the remaining ingredients together. Slowly add to the creamed mixture.Place in the refrigerator to chill before rolling out. Bake at 350 degrees about 10 minutes but check frequently as my oven cooks things oddly. 

If you want to do the giant cookie like we do I recommend rolling the dough out on your cookie sheet and cutting it out on the cookie sheet. Because of this I also recommend using a cookie sheet without edges. If you don't have one I saw one at Walmart today for $4.96. Seriously, its worth it. Buy a few things generic to compensate if you have to but it will make your life so much easier. I just use a butter knife and lightly trace before actually cutting.

 

 {For the record, this is not the giant cookie. My husband wanted a smaller one because he's trying to eat less sweets. I figure since it was his request I would do it. My son and I's cookies are larger then our heads. They take up the whole cookie sheet :)}

  

February 2013 Week 3 Sharing Time: I have been sent to earth to gain a body

I am so happy to be back posting again. This has been such a great outlet for me these past few months. I have a lot of ideas of different things to start up on the blog in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Now for this weeks Sharing Time. This week is about coming to Earth to gain a body and to be tested. This is a great opportunity to build a strong foundation for our youth, to help them understand the purpose of being sent here.
I have a couple different ideas for activities to mix it up a bit.
To begin have an older child look up and read Abraham 3:25. After they finish ask them to explain what it means to everyone. If they need help, see if another child can help, if not, either you or a teacher can pitch in. There shouldn't be too much issue though, its pretty self explanatory. Abraham 3:25 tells us that we came to Earth to be tested. We also came to Earth to get a body. 

Have another child read D&C 29:39. This scripture tells us that the devil tempts us so we can know the bitter from the sweet. We talked about this last week with the joy & pain, happiness and sadness, health & sickness, etc. These week we want to focus on our bodies and how we can make good decisions with them. This leads us to our activity.

One idea I had was to play "Pin the CTR Shield on the Child!" Get a poster board and draw a person on it and make sure to bring a piece of fabric or a bandana to cover eyes with. If a child puts the CTR shield on a body part, (i.e. feet, ears, hands, etc) they have to tell everyone how that body part can help us make good choices. For example, our hands can serve others, hold our scriptures so we can read them, stop a fight, give hugs, etc. If they get an area that is not a body part or a body part listed, (the blank poster area or you could even do the stomach or other areas that would be hard to answer those questions for) they get to pick a body part that hasn't been done. I really love this idea because its different and will keep their attention. 

The second idea I had was to divide the children in four or five different groups. Print out my guy linked below and cut him out. Assign each group a different body part. Get some manila folders and label it a top secret mission. Inside put a different body part to the guy along with the message of what to do. Each groups mission is to identify what choices each body part helps us make.Have them color the body part they were given so that when it's assembled it will create a fun looking guy. They can be as crazy or not crazy with this as they want. Let each group complete their mission in front of everyone else by sharing what they can do with that body part to choose the right. Have them attach the body part to the torso after they've presented. Close with your testimony. This is a fun activity that will hopefully have them thinking outside the box. 

Here is a link  to my person assembly coloring page.


CTR Shields can be found here with a few different options to print. 

Have fun with it everyone and don't forget to follow the blog for (hopefully) weekly primary updates along with recipes, crafts and more!

I'm Baaaacck!

Between Christmas, New Years, my sons birthday, his birthday party, strep throat and bronchitis, the past two months have been crazy. I have been so embarrassed I haven't written on here in so long. I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Look for a new Sharing Time post for week 3 of February in the next few days. Also, I have a lot of fun things coming craft wise that I did for my sons birthday party, along with an amazing cake recipe. 

So stay tuned! Don't give up on me yet! ;)