Homemade Christmas gifts 101

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

I wanted to share with everyone some of the Christmas gifts that I made for friends and family! I LOVE making gifts. Not only is it usually cheaper for me then something bought in the store, but it's personalized, and means alot more to the recipient :) This year I made soy candles with different essential oil aromas, whipped coconut body butter, wine cork drink trays, cookies, fudge, and ornaments w Max's picture inside! They were all pretty easy to make, and super fun and creative! Everyone really loved these gifts this year and it filled me with HOLIDAY JOY! :D 

-Heres the breakdown of what you need, around how much it cost, and how easy it really is! 

Soy Wax Candle: relatively easy, cost around $8 to make each. What you need: bag of soy flakes (found @Hobby Lobby-used 40% coupon on website), Glass jars (HL during 50% off glass sale), wicks (HL) and essential oil of your choice- I chose lemongrass and cinnamon/apple. The candles I made took about 3 1/2 C soy flakes to make each and an entire bottle of essential oil (or half and half if you're mixing two scents) each. Once you have your jar, attach your wick with hot glue or all purpose craft glue and let dry. Using a microwave safe bowl cook your soy flakes for 3 minutes, stopping a few times to stir. Once completed liquified add essential oil and pour into jar slowly. I put a spoon on the side of the wick to make sure it stayed straight while drying. Once dried, trim wick and cover! Easy! And AWESOME!

cooling/hardening

                                                                                                                           

all finished! EASY!

Whipped organic coconut oil body butter: ridiculously easy! I purchased a large container of coconut oil at Super Supplements (around $20), flip lid jars at Hobby Lobby (during 50%off glass sale). You can add essential oil if you'd like, I didn't because the coconut oil smells great alone. All you have to do is put all of your coconut oil in your KitchenAid mixer for 15ish minutes and VOILA! You have body butter! Coconut oil is very stable (so it lasts at room temperature for a long time) or you could keep it in the fridge if you'd like. Anyone could use this gift! It's sooo moisturizing! Love this one! And its "organic" for those crunchy friends! ;)

brand i used

whip it up for 15 minutes and VOILA!

Cork tray: Easy/time consuming/could be FREE! So drink up! And save your corks from your wine bottles! Or ask around to friends, families, bars etc to start saving them for you. I made two trays-one custom, one vintage. Dustin built the tray for my custom sized one I needed for my mom, and I found the second tray at a thrift store (vintage yay!) Lay out your corks in whatever pattern you LOVE, and hot glue down. This is great for a coffee table, ottoman, ANYWHERE! Downsize and make coasters instead for a spin on my idea! My mom and sister loved theirs!! Ho! Ho! Ho!

custom tray built by my man and whitewashed

finished product! Gorgeous!

So now EVERYONE has some ideas for gifts throughout this year or can get started early on Christmas gifts for 2013!!! All of these were super fun and pretty EASY! And Max was able to help with all of them!

Happy Crafting!
XOXO LOVE,
Super Crafty Mumma





Seattle children's museum

So max and I hit up Seattle Children's Museum today and had. BLAST! There is SO much to do there you could seriously spend the entire day! I can't believe we haven't gone sooner! But with this dreary weather upon us, now is the perfect time!

We spent about 2-3 hours there and I already know what we could do differently next time to make it easier for Mumma and more fun for Max! Here is what we did this first time around and I'll list below what I will do next time!

There is parking everywhere around the Seattle Center, but it's pricey. As far as I know there isn't really another option. Alot of the pay lots are cheaper if you arrive before 10am. I paid 15$ for 3 hours, but it would've been 10$ if I had gotten there before 10am. I parked right next to the EMP (5th and Harrison). This was the perfect distance to the museum. I will park there again. :). I brought our stroller, not knowing how far Id end up walking and here's where it got tricky. You do need something to get from car to museum, but then once inside they prefer you to "park" your stroller at the entrance. I had brought my huge purse, my peacoat, a blanket for max all along w my big jogging stroller. I didn't feel comfortable leaving all of that at the entrance (that you can't see) so I pushed it all around the museum (pain in my a**). So I would suggest baby wearing (ergo,moby,or carry them) to get into the museum, or bringing an umbrella stroller that is easier and cheaper (if someone had the balls to snag it). I also wouldn't bring my purse, just money and phone/camera.

Another aspect to think of is food/snacks. You are able to come and go with a hand stamp, and there is a great food court upstairs. I decided to check it out w Max today. Great stuff but PRICEY. There was a kids friendly restaurant which was great. I got Max PB&J w/ grapes and chocolate milk. And he wouldn't eat the sandwich (they made it with really chunky wheat/grain bread, sunflower butter and jelly. And it cost 9$. Shoot. So next time I will bing his lunch and maybe go eat upstairs and get something special for myself :).

So all in all we had a super fun day, and now we know what to do next time! The entrance fee is totally worth it (7.50$ each, 6.50$ for grandparents). I plan to go often now :) I can't wait to go with Daddy, girlfriends, and auntie! And maybe for Maxs bday we will get a year pass :)

So don't forget:
-park close and cheap
-baby wear
-bring lunch unless you don't mind spending 20$ for you and bb
-remember you can go in and out as much as wanted

Hope to see you there soon!
XOXOX LOVE,
Museum-smart Mumma

Back to work Mumma

I write this post with a little sadness and a little excitement too! I am officially starting work as of Wednesday. I absolutely cannot wait to be making money and having the freedom to do whatever I want with Max, not worrying about how much I'm dipping into my unemployment check. Max will head back to daycare two days a week, and spending one full weekend day with Daddy. I know he will have fun with his little friends at daycare, and he will DEFINITELY have a blast with Daddy on Saturdays. So in reality, Max will be happy. But me on the other hand will be a little bit sad. I will deal with him crying as I leave daycare, him possibly being asleep when I get home at night, sore full boobs throughout the day, and missing my little booboo more than anything. I have had almost 4 months off of work with him and its been the best 4 months we have spent together. I have made sure to do something really fun at least every other day (playground, play date, lunch date, crafting, shopping). It has been a really special bonding time for us. I would give anything to be a SAHM, but working 3 days a week is close enough for me I suppose.

In the past 4 months Max has changed right before my eyes. He is now running not walking, he is (most of the time) sleeping through the night. He is talking SO MUCH. I just love that I have been able to see every little change right up close.

There are a few things I would like him to know in this transition of Mumma going back to work:

-when I leave you,I will always come back
-if you go to sleep before I tuck you in, I promise to whisper I love you while you're sleeping and I check on you
-I promise to make our 4 full days together just as good as these past four months
-I love you to the moon and am only working to make our life that much better

This "mommy guilt" is something only moms can relate to. And don't we all know the feeling so well??? The last thing we want to do is leave our babies crying with someone else, or have them put to sleep without our hugs and kisses. BUT I just keep reminding myself of that paycheck! And all the great things I can do with that!

This transition will be difficult for sure, for both of us, but it'll also be GREAT for both of us.

Cheers to 2013 and the new beginnings for me an my family this year :)

What new things are happening for your family this year???
Xoxoxox,
Employed Mumma

A little late...but still THANKFUL!!

Ok...I know I'm a little late on the "what I'm thankful for" bandwagon, but I told myself I would do this so here goes. Thanksgiving just passed and my family and I got to enjoy TWO amazing dinners with two different kinds of family for me. Our first thanksgiving was with what I like to call my "West Coast Family" which is a wonderful group of friends that welcomed me into their group over 4 years ago when Dustin and I met. I don't think, since I lived 3,000 miles away at the time, that they thought I'd become a REAL member of this family but sure enough 4 years + baby max later we all got to sit down and enjoy a special meal together. That I am so thankful for. It's holidays when I miss my family the most. I called my dad before I went over to our Friendsgiving and got all teary and choked up hearing about the fun times being had at my aunts house. So another thing I'm thankful for = unlimited calling nationwide (thanks AT&T /$115 mo later), to be able to call my dad, all choked up, and tell him I miss him so much on a holiday.
So we had a great meal with great people (and dogs),lots of laughs, and my awesome (if I do say so myself) chocolate trifle. Mmmmm....#3 of what I'm thankful for= an amazing Mumma who is the best person I know, who taught me how to make this dessert to share with my west coast fam. My mom rocks. Seriously. We have this insane connection where when I was a teenager and would walk in the house, she would know from the other side of the house that something was wrong. And even now 3,000 miles apart, she answers my call astonished because she was just dialing my number. I love you Mumma. I hope I am JUST like you for max. So thankful you're mine.

So my west coast family Friendsgiving was perfect. Everyone brought a few dishes to add to all of the work our host and hostess had already cooking. Talk about great hosts #4 thing I'm thankful for= friends in our life in beautiful, loving,googley relationships. Everyone knows what I mean. You see those couples who have been together forever but still are smiling, laughing at each others every joke, making eyes across the table, helping each other do dishes, just straight up IN LOVE. We all get in robot mode sometimes and forget to put in a little extra effort and love in our relationships and I think it's amazing to be reminded of how much you love your significant other. Seeing two people in love reminds me how in love I am too. So thankful for that. #5 thankful thing= my love. My soulmate. My best friend. My baby daddy. I love you and am thankful for you. You know me better than anyone. You  work your ass off. You pay those bills, and even though I complain about not getting flowers often enough, you're still my #1. And always will be. I'm SO thankful you're mine :) you gave me what I dreamed about my entire life, our little Maxi poo. #6 obviously. My sweet sweet boy. I'm so thankful the universe chose me to be your Mumma. I love everything about you from head to toe. You. Are. Perfection. I will be thankful for you until the day I die. My first baby (you'll always be my favorite, just don't tell the others when they get here!).

So on to our second Thanksgiving, my in-laws not by law (yet). We headed out to the peninsula to Dustin's parents where we had an amazing meal and lots of laughs. #7- my almost in-laws. They welcomed me in to the family from the very beginning. They fell out of their chairs ecstatic when we announced we were pregnant. They spoil max with so much love it's insanely wonderful. They are just wonderful people that I am extremely thankful for. While we were there Max really developed some strong feelings for their dog, Dude. And to this day talks about him multiple times a day. We had a dog when I was younger and it was my little brothers best friend. They had secret talks about things, a really special connection, and I think as years go by, Max and Dude just might have this serious love for each other. I hope. It's really sweet :) #8 and #9 thankful things- Dude-to make Max sooo happy, to this day. And my little brother MJ. My bro, the coolest uncle, rad skateboarder, super sweet guy. I love you to death and hate how far apart we live. I'm so proud of you, with the things you have accomplished so far in your twenty years. You rock. I know Max will always look up to you.

This year having 2 Thanksgivings was super fun. It's one of my favorite holidays. It's kind of sad to think it takes a day of stuffing our faces to remind us to be thankful for things. There are so many things to be thankful for all year and we should all be making a bigger effort to make them known. So here's a few more from me:
#10- my sissy- I'm so glad you are on this side of the states with me. I love you to the moon and you are such a good sister. Such a good aunt. And good friend. Love you. Thankful for our laughing moments together.
#11- friends near and far- I'm not the kinda girl with 7,000 contacts in my iPhone of everyone I've ever met. I'm the kind of girl with a small group that I seriously consider my family members. And I tell them that. I'm thankful for all of you. I love you.
#12-family (not so near) mostly far- I miss you, and think of each of you ALOT. Maybe one day flights will be affordable again (which I would totally be thankful for) and we can see each other more. I'd like that so much :)

our amazing feast at the "Friendsgiving"

Max, Grandpa and DUDE! @Thanksgiving #2

So I sum this post up with this....I am so thankful for everything in my life. It would take days to write it all down. The universe has given me a pretty awesome life to live in a pretty healthy body to do so and I totally love my life. And everything/everyone in it. :)

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! Can't wait to Christmas BLOG! Whoohooo!!!!!!

Coming soon.....Xmas crafting, Homemade Xmas gifts, and Xmas baking! Betcha cant wait!

XOX, The Thankful Mumma

Happy 2nd Halloween BooBoo!

As I posted before in a prior blog I wanted to do a comparison of Max's past two pumpkin patch photo shoots. I know once I have this put together I will probably cry, but here goes.



Max- 3 months old, fitting right in the nook of my arm.



We had so much fun this year, just Max and I, at Carleton Farms pumpkin patch in Lake Stevens, WA. There was acres and acres of pumpkins, a perfect area set up with hay bails for photos, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and a cute little gift shop filled with yummy goodies (including fresh corn on the cob....YUM!) It was a great afternoon with my little man and I took PLENTY of photos to show you all!





I remember propping you up against these pumpkins!





15 months old-walking himself through the patch! And proud of it!



sick of the monster outfit....



sick of the puppy outfit...

Maxi- I hope you are enjoying all of our little adventures that we have been going on. I have absolutely loved every second that I have been able to stay at home with you and plan fun things for us to do and see!!! The pumpkin patch this year is definitely high up on my list of AWESOME things we got to do! I will keep planning fun surprises through the holidays for me and you! I'm so glad I have this special time with you. I love you to the moon! Happy Halloween Booboo! You were the best puppy EVER!







Fall Crafting!

While being the "unemployed mama" that I am, Max and I have had plenty of time to do some Fall Crafting! I found some great ideas via Pinterest (obviously) that I wanted to share with everyone!

My obvious favorite crafts to do with my little man are ones that involve hand or foot prints! I never want to forget how tiny his little piggys or fingers once were! So I went down to the good old Dollar Tree store the other day to stock up on everything we needed to get a little crafty! Found lots of different construction paper books, googley eyes, and finger paints.

Max's scary spider!

we also made turkey handprints, and I had him "color in" a pumpkin

I wanted to make a space in his bedroom where we could hang up all of his beautiful artwork! All I could find in my office was holiday ribbon, but it doesn't really matter because you cant see it anyway! At the Dollar Tree I picked up some clothespins and hung them right up above his changing table! :)

@ Carleton Farms pumpkin patch

Will be doing another post about our pumpkin patch adventure once I load all of the pix off my camera! They came out INCREDIBLE and I cant wait to compare our new ones to last years! :)) Stay tuned folks...

LOVE, Max's Mumma  XOX

October-National Remembrance Month

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day for all babies who have gone too soon, from early pregnancy through infant death. I think that this day is an important one to share even though it may seem uncomfortable or "taboo" for certain people. From personal experience, and having a lot of friends/family that have had to deal with losing a baby too soon, I think it helps everyone to talk about their loss and feelings.

Facts:
-1 in every 3 pregnancies ends in a loss
-An estimated 500,000 miscarriages happen each year
-1 in every 148 babies are stillborn
-3 in every 1,000 babies die shortly after birth

These numbers amaze me. I remember feeling like I had no one in my world that knew what I was going through or feeling. And these numbers show that it happens all the time, all around us. That is why I think its so important to have just 1 day out of the year where we squeeze our babies we have REALLY tight, and give a hug to the friends and family who you know that have lost one or more.

While doing some reading on this subject I found something that seemed really amazing! Its called the International Wave of Light:
"The International Wave of Light invites participants from around the world to light a candle in honor of Pregnancy And Infant Loss Remembrance Day, starting at 1900 hours on October 15 in their respective time zones, and to leave the candle burning for at least an hour. The result is a continuous chain of light spanning the globe for a 24 hour period in honor and remembrance of the children who die during pregnancy or shortly after birth"
I read about this too late in the night to actually do it, but thought it was really special and could maybe do it next year. 

There are a lot of resources that I have found like: support groups, organized walks, releasing of ballons, butterflies and doves in certain areas, and blogs. I think that the more that we talk about this, the more comfortable everyone will become with it. And with those shocking numbers above I would think that a lot of women are dealing or have dealt with this. Us Mamas are STRONG and can get through anything with the support of each other in my opinion! :)))

***I didn't write this blog to be sad or depressing, I wrote it because this day touches me and my little family and I wanted to share that, so maybe one other mommy reading this can feel like she has a friend that knows what shes going or has gone through. :) ***

Below I have listed some great websites for support and info on infant/pregnancy loss:
http://www.stillbirthday.com/
www.october15th.com