What to do with Christmas Cards

One of my favorite things to receive this time of year is Christmas cards. I look forward to getting the mail to see if I have any new ones for the day. I guess it's because I've always loved old fashioned snail mail . . . I hope this tradition doesn't end anytime soon!

Some years I tape those cards to a closet/pantry door {which is what I'm doing this year}, and sometimes I staple them to a long ribbon hanging on the wall so I can enjoy seeing them throughout the season. But then what about when Christmas is over? I know how much thought and effort is put into those cards and I would feel bad for just throwing them in the recycle bin, so I keep them. 

Last year I finally came up with this idea to keep them together and display them every year.

All the cards on a book ring with a bow.

When the season is over I will write the year on the back of the pictures, hole punch them and slide them onto the ring with a year tag on the top and I'm done!

{My nieces were so young 5 years ago!}

And when one ring is full, I start another!

I love looking through them every year and seeing how people have changed/grown over the years. 

Here are a couple of the oldest cards that I have from 2002. {My sister's and their families.} Isn't that fun?!?!

Oh and I just put them out on display on a table.

What do you do with your cards you receive?

Linking up at: http://www.madefrompinterest.net/2014/12/best-recipes-diy-projects-link-party-75/
http://mandysrecipeboxblog.com/2014/12/best-recipes-diy-projects-link-party-76.html

Bus Driver Appreciation Week {Gift Ideas}

The kids bus driver's name is Mr. T. Awesome right? Obviously it's a nickname but he is a GREAT guy. Last week was bus driver appreciation week and here's what I gave him:

Monday - A cold bottle if water with a Via packet and a note of thanks. 

Tuesday - A homemade banana muffin.

Wednesday - Homemade trail mix.

I packaged it just like the banana muffin.

Thursday - A mug with hot cocoa packets in it.

Friday a thank you card from me and drawings from Dylan & Payton.

Just small tokens of appreciation to let him know how thankful I am for him. Especially on the days when I don't have to wake Rylan from a nap to go and get them from school. Thanks Mr. T!

15 Things to Do with a Sick Kid

We've had our share of {minor, thank you Lord} sickness around here. But man, I am tired of it . . . literally.

At first, I was letting the kids watch movies for most of the day. Then I remembered that growing up, if we stayed home sick from school, my mom had us listen to the Bible on tape . . . Because if we were willing to listen, then we truly must have not been feeling well. Ha!

I kept Payton home today {she had a slight fever} and I wanted to compile a list of activities/ideas to reference next time one of my kiddos gets sick.

1. Watch {a little bit} of tv.

2. Color, draw or paint.

3. Blow bubbles/sidewalk chalk outside.

4. Play in a bubble bath.

5. Make beaded jewelry.

6. Read outloud to them.

7. Have them read outloud to you.

8. Listen to audio books or Bible {hey, it IS a great idea!}

9. Play-doh, clay, kinetic sand.

10. Write/draw letters to mail to family/friends.

11. Play a board game with them.

12. Have them play solitaire or memory by themselves.

13. Teach them a new craft (I taught Payton how to make a friendship bracelet and she worked a LONG time on it).

14. Make cereal necklaces - string Cheerios (or similar) onto a string.

15. Put together a puzzle.

Oh and there are a couple of rules:

Rule #1 - They/you should stay in your jammies ALL day long.

Rule #2 - You should sit down for a few minutes and snuggle with or talk to them.

Rule #3 - They should have a quiet time, lying in bed, with their eyes closed. They ALWAYS end up falling asleep which is the best thing for being sick!

Rule #4 - Pray outloud, asking God to make them well. It shows them (your child); your dependence on Him; that sometimes we have to wait for Him to answer (patience); that we can talk to Him anytime about anything; and when they DO get better - that He answers prayers!

Now I'm off to pray that we stay healthy!