More Snow Day Fun!

Here are some more ideas for Snow Days! Braydon and I water colored some paper that I turned into snowflakes. I think I am going to string them up and hang them on our fireplace. It was an easy project. Braydon loves to watercolor and it is relatively clean project then I just fold and cut them out myself.
http://www.highhopes.com/snowflakes.html this link will take you to a site that has great instructions. I just free handed it but if you want more professional looking snowflakes I suggest you check out the link :)

Another fun thing we did today was I let him have a massive bubble bath. I just poured some baby shampoo under the water to create bubbles. He loved it! Bubble Baths are treat in our house so Braydon was totally into it. Just remember it WILL be messy and go with and it makes it more fun for everyone.

We also listened to our Wiggles CD this morning while we were painting and bathing. Here is their official site to order videos, Cd's etc. They also have much more for your little ones to do. http://www.thewiggles.com.au/us/home/  Braydon just loves them!

I am realizing it doesn't need to be something huge to be fun, just something out of the ordinary.

Snow Day

We have experienced our first snow days! We are a bunch of restless people when cooped up in a house I have found. The first day is exciting. We laid in bed and watched the snow fall, even Braydon sat by the window and watched the snowflakes float down. We made french toast sticks with "snow" (powdered sugar) on top for breakfast, make art out of glitter glue, blue finger paint, potato buds and a paint brush and we played out in the snow. Day 2 was another story. We were sick of being inside, it was too cold to go outside and play for any long period of time and so we just sat inside watching movies trying not to get on each other's nerves. Day 3 we had had it! We went out and ran errands which seemed like the best outing EVER at the time. We went to the bank then the grocery store.

This mixture is 4 eggs, 1 tbsp of Vanilla Extract, dash of Cinnamon and dash of Nutmeg. Makes 4-5 slices of French Toast.

Coat both sides of the bread with the egg mixture.

Remember to use a medium heat so they don't burn.

Slice cooled French Toast into "sticks" to make them easier for little hands to eat. Put powdered sugar on top or strawberries for an extra yummy treat!

Well I am preparing for the next storm! While others are getting their candles, flashlights and food together I am brainstorming activities,recipes and crafts we can do so we don't go crazy. I'll be posting my ideas the next couple of days. I hope they help you when you are cooped up too!

The first activity is Snow Day Match game.

You can find the template at my Etsy site. LilLabbee.etsy.com for $5. It is printable so you can use it over and over again.

Gymnastics Anyone?

Braydon and I started a gymnastics class about a month ago. Really it is a mommy and me class. I wasn't sure if he would like it at first. He was very timid and didn't want to try anything. By the end of the first class he was all over the obstacle course Miss Jennah set up. So I promised to try it for a month. By the third class Braydon was in love with Miss Jennah. He followed her around and sat on her lap. This class has been a great experience for him and for me. I started meeting other moms and Jennah is pregnant with a little boy due in June and we really hit it off. It is great to be finding more friends in the area. Here are some highlights from one of Braydon's classes. We took Daddy this time to join in the fun!

Valentine's Day on a budget

Part of staying home now means we are on a budget but I was determined to make Valentine's Day special. Here are some of the things I did :)



We made Valentine cards for friends and family. On this project I made a heart shaped stamp out of a potato.


I set up a romantic dinner for my husband on our patio. I bought a bottle of champagne (on sale for $5) and made chocolate covered strawberries. I found the champagne flutes at the $1 store to add some fun to the dinner. I covered chairs in cozy blankets and pillows so we could sit and chat after dinner. 

For the actual dinner I put up lights to create a romantic mood, bought inexpensive flowers (bouquet was $4) and cut them short and put them in a crystal vase I found. I pulled out a red and lace table cloth and cloth napkins to add a sense of elegance. I also used our china and crystal for a special touch.

I made Christian's favorite meal.

I also put together a movie basket to go with a chick flick I selected from Netflix. I found our favorite candy at the $1 store, found the popcorn containers in the dollar section at target to add some uniqueness to the night. It was an extra touch to just watching a movie at home.

I made the centerpiece out of a vase we had, ribbon we had and I made the patterned paper in Word using different page colors and patterns. I found the bags, tissue paper, cards and Braydon's presents at the $1 store. I made Christian's present. It was a coupon book for massages and getting out of baby duties.

 I also bought Braydon a fun Valentine's shirt and decided he looked so cute I had to have a photo shoot with him.

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day too!









Being on a budget really can suck

Handmade Coasters

I really like the book the 5 Love Languages. One of the things I discovered about myself while reading this book was that my love language is gifts.  I love giving gifts and I love receiving gifts. This is how I show and receive love. However, when you have just enough money to meet your family's needs gifts are a luxury. This is usually no big deal until there is a birthday or a wedding or shower to attend. I have had to miss two very important weddings since being on a budget.  A sacrifice I made to make sure my family was taken care but that tore at my heart. Not only did I miss seeing dear friends marry their sweethearts I am not able to give gifts either. I did the next best thing, I made some presents. I know I know it is the thought that counts, but coming from a gal who loves to buy great thoughtful presents for those she loves it was like putting a knife in my heart. A small sacrifice in the long run but a difficult one all the same.

For one of my friends I made cloth embroidered coasters. (The picture is up above) I am making a prayer blanket for the other.  I really hope they enjoy these presents and I look forward to the day where these sacrifices pay off and I can again attend weddings and bring lovely gifts from the registry.

Nathan and Rochelle
January 29, 2011

Lisa and Ann
December 11, 2010

Private Super Bowl Party!!!!!

One of our few family pictures. I am usually on the otherside of the camera.

The Labbee clan had our own private Super Bowl party. It was a lot of fun. I made some simple table decorations and we made munchies to keep us going during the long game. Of course I really watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and half time show but since I am out numbered in my family- guys 2 girls 1 I have a feeling I will be watching a lot more Super Bowls and will actually need to understand and watch the game.

This year we were rooting for the Packers, again I don't really care who wins but I found if I pick a team to root for I can actually enjoy watching, so this year it was the Packers. It was great when the won!! I also enjoyed watching Braydon through his football around like the players and he seemed to really enjoy watching the plays and the half time show. He even cheered when they made touch downs.

Now that my life is filled with males the Super Bowl is one of many changes that are happening in my life. Who knows I might actually follow football next year and care who is playing... well at least I will give it a try. I hope you all had a fun at your Super Bowl parties too!

Pre-Game with Daddy

Helping make snacks

Snack Table

Braydon wiping his mouth after eating Dad's homemade salsa

Chips... Yes Please

Trying to get a picture with Braydon. He is was more interested in the game and his Taquito.

Stole a kiss anyway.

So Happy!

I just realized yesterday that I am truly happy! Of course I have had days of happiness and lots of moments but for the first time in a long time I can say I am truly happy, even blissful.  I can only accredit this to God.

Everything in my life right now should cause stress. For instance, I have a very active and curious 1 1/2 year little boy, my husband isn't working and is going back to school, for the first time since I was 18 I am not employed and we are currently living with my parents.  Everything should point to stress city but I sit in peacefulness. Go figure.

The cherry on top is that we are all feeling better and hopefully will get back into our regular routine this week. We even went to the park today as a family to get out of the house. And, I am ending the day enjoying a mint drumstick ice cream cone and movie on Netflix. Life doesn't get better than this!

Here are some other pictures from our Park Day.