My CRAZY Family: DIY Doodle Pages

 

I saw a doodle book of family members for kids to draw on while traveling, but I didn't need yet another BOOK for each child in the car.  We have plenty of books and drawing pads, etc. in our travel gear.
After creating the DIY Travel Journals with the reference pages, I pulled several doodle images from a quick Google search to use as inspiration for the kids to doodle on two family pictures.  I printed images on both sides of a sheet of cardstock and then laminated the pages. Voila!  (And they don't take up any extra space, because I can slide them into their existing activity folders.)  Just be sure that you have dry-erase markers in your arsenal of travel activities.

DIY Travel Journal for Kids

We have three kids all at varying levels of reading/writing abilities.  In an effort to make journaling this summer a little less scary, I created a couple of laminated pages for reference and they include "naming words," "action words," "describing words," and "connecting words."  My five year olds have an easier time with those titles than they do nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.  
I downloaded a free printable from Activity Village, and I printed out one for each child for each day they would be traveling.  I will be creating some of my own based on some ideas I've had, but those are still to come!  Then, I added a page of ruled notebook paper and a blank sheet of paper for each day so that they can write or draw about anything that they wish for each day.
I printed labels for the front of each journal, and my 5 year old daughter helped me assemble them all!
After seeing these, my step-mom mentioned that she still has something similar from when she was a child, and she treasures it.  I hope our kids do, too! 
(Because I used images that I found on Google for personal use, I cannot share my printable files with the images, but here they are with the words alone for your reference or use!  As always please don't post these on your own site, but feel free to link to this post!)

Elf on the Shelf: Despicable Me Minions

Our family and friends had a Despicable Me 2 themed Halloween last year. We had desserts, treats, and costumes.   This Elf on the Shelf BANANA idea should hit the mark with our littles.

Elf on the Shelf: Tent Camping

Buddy Kringle enjoys the outdoors and went camping last night.  The tent is SUPER EASY!  The fire didn't take long, and could be made ahead and used for marshmallow roasting, too. (I may execute a mid-day move and have him roasting marshmallows tonight, because we intend to do so with the kids tonight.)

I used 1 piece of cardstock folded in half to make the tent.
I used some brown construction paper rolled and taped for logs. I cut a 2 inch strip of yellow tissue paper (from the short side) and cut peaks and valley zig zag down the middle of its length. Take the flat edge and gather it, twisting into a "flower."  Then, you have 2 flames to tuck between the logs.
Alternatively, you could make the logs out of unwrapped Tootsie rolls, and the flames could easily be shaped from red, yellow, and orange Starburst.  (I just don't trust my kids or 4 legged babies not to get into it, and I don't want sick pets or kids at Christmas.)

 

Aaaand...he moved before dinner!  He was signaling a campfire with roasted marshmallows tonight!



By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but link back to this page and not directly to the printable links.

 

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables here!

 

Grinch Themed Party: Part 1

The Kindergarten classes are having Grinch-themed Christmas parties this year, and I have been working on decor and a photobooth.  Our twins are in different classes, so everything is x2. 

 

Today, I started putting some of it up!  The party is officially tomorrow, so more to come.  It's beginning to look like Who-ville!

I made a ton of fun signs using Seuss words, too.  I printed a quote from the movie with a free printable HERE.  I know the kids are going to love it.

 

Elf on the Shelf: Do You Want to Build a Donut Snowman?

Donuts are a rare treat in our home, but the kids have done really well the last few days, and I broke out the package of 6 that I've had stashed away for 2 weeks now.

I used one orange Starburst (cut, and then molded with my fingers) for the noses.  Chocolate chips were used for the rest.  I *thought* I had mini chocolate chips, but alas, they were gone, so I had to make due with the regular ones.  I think the snowmen would have been even more adorable with the small ones.  I used a couple of pretzels for the arms.

Once I had them all laid out on the plate, I felt like it needed something else.   I had printed out some free printables from Frugal Coupon Living which you can find HERE, and I cut out the "What did one snowman say to the other?" card.  I added the card and a few baby carrots around the plate and charger. 

By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this page.

 

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables here!

Elf on the Shelf: Super Hero Cape Template FREE Printable

Whether your Elf wants one cape or 20 (to play Super Hero dress up, of course), this FREE Printable is for you.

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post. 

You can purchase all of my Elf on the Shelf printables in the store to the right for easy and immediate download.

Elf on the Shelf: Apple Jack & Mid-day Move

Buddy Kringle left a message with Apple Jacks this morning.  We don't usually buy Apple Jacks,  so it was a bit of a treat.  I didn't want to leave them open all night and all day only to be stale by tomorrow.   So, he moved during the day to the top of the box with an Apple Jack on his hand.  The kids were super surprised and noticed immediately.   I won't be moving him every day a 2nd time, but today worked!

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and free printables here!

Elf on the Shelf: ON the Shelf & Window Cling

A loose artificial tree branch turned Christmas "tree", cardstock wrapped books, and a $1 Elf on the Shelf window cling are in Buddy Kringle's arsenal today.  (You could also make a copy of the front of your Elf on the Shelf book, cut out the Elf on the Shelf, and tape it to your window or place near the shelf.)

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and free printables here!

Christmas Decor

Christmas is my favorite time of year!   With Thanksgiving falling so late this year, I may not put all of our decor up this year.  I love having the silver bells polished and hung and all of our Christmas trees up, but I also want to spend this little bit of time enjoying activities and experiences with my family. So, I am giving myself permission this year to not put it all out.  May your Christmas season be filled with love and blessings.