San Diego 2012 - Legoland

San Diego 2012 - Cabrillo

San Diego 2012 - Family

Angry Bird Party

This was seriously the funest party! (I know that’s not a proper word, but you get what I’m saying - super duper fun!)  The games were easy - all the bird stuff turned out awesome - and the kids had a blast!  Plus, it didn’t break the bank! I try to plan parties that are fun, creative, but not over the top - because what do kids care if the food table looks like something from a magazine.

Here’s a breakdown of the party - and check the end of this post for free downloads.

ANGRY BIRD GAME

We played our own version of Angry Birds with these Can Pigs and plush Angry Birds. The cans were cleaned out veggie cans spray painted green with some vinyl pigs attached.  I got my vinyl from Simple Saying Vinyl - it’s not in her catalog as I designed the pigs myself, but they should still be available if you ask. My sister made the birds for me but you can also buy them. (I would get the pet toy size - I have seen them at walmart.) The kids absolutely loved throwing the birds to knock down the pigs.

PIG CASTLE BUILDING RACE

I love races so we had a little building race. The kids were split into two teams in a race to build the best Pig Castle. They each placed 3 blocks on and then it was the next kids turn. The first castle to fall stopped the game. Then if the standing castle could hold all 5 pigs they were the winners.  I ordered the pigs on amazon but for a cheaper version I would just paint some rocks (Here’s an example).

The winning castle!

BIRDS vs PIGS

We played Birds vs. Pigs in the Angry Bird version of British Bulldog. It was pretty fun to watch the birds race across the yard to avoid the pigs. If you aren’t familiar with this game - start with one or two kids in the middle with the rest of the kids lined up all on the same side of the yard.  Yell “Fly” and the kids (birds) race across the yard trying not to get touched by those in the middle (the pigs). If they get touched they join the pigs.  You repeat with the remaining kids lined up on the other side until you have one or two kids left, who will become the starting pigs for the next round.

BIRD TOSS

We had a bird toss with angry Bird frisbees. The kids had three tries to get the Angry Birds to land in the circle (hulahoop). Easy enough explained but challenging enough for the kids.

These frisbees were purchased at the dollar store (I just had to remove the stickers that were on them) and the faces are vinyl from Simple Sayings Vinyl. Super easy and I think the faces make them look awesome.

PICK YOUR GAME

After going through each game the kids were free to play any of the games and spent the next 30 minutes just having fun. They really enjoyed building castles for the pigs.

ANGRY BIRD CUPCAKES

We ended the party with Angry Bird cupcakes, ice cream and opening presents.  There are darling Angry Bird cakes out there but I like something simple that the non-fondant people can make and I got the idea HERE. The original design had you put a marshmallow at the bottom for the white underbelly but I didn’t care for it and decided not to put it on the rest of them. I also didn’t like using the mini chocolate chips for the eyes because they wouldn’t stay - I think it would be easier to just color some frosting and pipe a drop on for the dot in the eye.

INVITATIONS

I found a digital scrapbook kit that included an invite - you can check it out HERE.  I made a few changes to it (like the grass) and then had this birthday invite finished in no time.  You can download my version with the “You’re invited” title on it at the end of this post.

TAKE HOME BAGS

I love the way the take home bags turned out (if I do say so myself). They were filled with cups, mini frisbees and treats (pictured below). The cups were from walmart - 6 for $1 and the frisbees from the dollar store, 3 for $1. The take-home bags can be made with different colored bags for the different birds but I bought these bags for cheap after Valentine’s day so I just stuck with red.  You can download this template below.

The plates were just yellow plates that I drew on -  the kids thought I was such a good artist (ha, which I am not - but it was easy enough).  The centerpiece is a larger version of the take home bags but put on a balloon. That template is also included in the download below along with the angry bird font.

Hope this helps you plan a fun and inexpensive Angry Bird party that everyone will love.

Download Here

Halloween QP Freebie

This is definitely not in season - but who of us is so up-to-date on our scrapbooking that we are actually in season. This is another layout from my latest family book.  Click image to download and enjoy!

I like to give credit for kits used - but this came from so many different kits that I’m not going to list them, sorry.

Freebie Retirement Party

*** THANKS. THESE QPs ARE NOW RETIRED***

Ok - it isn’t really a party.  I will, however, be retiring some of my QPs.  These are three of my most popular layouts but it’s just time to move on.  So grab these while you can.  They will be available for another week or so.  Click image to download and happy scrapping!

Mixbook.com

I don’t know about you - but I am ready for a new book printer.  I haven’t been especially thrilled with artscow lately.  So I was really excited when I found out about mixbook.com.  They seem to have great prices and I think their tools for laying out a book are better than any others that I have seen.  You can easily scrapbook right on their site.

Check ‘em out - MIXBOOK.COM

Doing Dollars Update

A few years ago I shared my incentive chore chart program, which I use with my kids. We call it Doing Dollars. You can read the original post HERE. I wanted to tell you a few things that I have done with the program and how I have tried different things to entice my 2nd enlisted trouper (ok, he’s totally not enlisted because I guarantee he would say that he did NOT sign up for this.)  I think all chore charts either get revamped, thrown away completely or forgotten because our kids need new things to keep them going. (I’ve included a quick review of the program at the bottom along with the link to download the Doing Dollar pdf file). Overall the Doing Dollar program has worked fabulous. The amount of nagging I had to do with my daughter before starting Doing Dollars diminished almost over night. The get-ready-for-school drama was easily replaced by responsibilities & rewards. Unfortunately I can’t say the same is true for my son, but I’m confident it works better than any other chore chart would for that boy. One of my biggest successes is that my daughter gets up every school day, gets dressed and makes her bed before she even leaves her room. It’s amazing.

DOING DOLLARS - VERSION 2.0

Here’s a few tips and variations to the program.

1. Double Doing Dollar Day

Once a week or two I will announce “Double Doing Dollar Day.” The kids earn double the dollars per chore.  This is Highly motivating.

2. Bonus Dollars

To motivate my kids to get their jobs done in the morning, they now earn a bonus dollar just for getting done by 8:30.

3. Increase the Value

My son is less then motivated by doing chores. A lot of the changes to this program have happened to help motivate him. He’s not on version 2.0 - it’s probably more like version 8.  The latest includes earning 2 Dollars for each chore.  Of course my daughter thought this was highly unfair - but I also increased the price for his rewards - not quite doubled, but enough to make it fair to her.  He’s more happy to earn about 10 Dollars a day and he’s too young to notice or care about the reward prices. It also makes Double Doing Dollar Day a huge success.

4. Pay for things other than “chores”

I call the list of chores “responsibilities” because sometimes they have to do things that aren’t necessarily chores.  I  pay them for things that they don’t like to do but need to do. My daughter doesn’t like to take a shower, so she earns a dollar if she does it without complaining.  While my son doesn’t like to brush his teeth - so he earns a dollar if he does it without complaining. Also, to motivate an early reader they can earn a dollar for reading a book.

5. Make changes regularly - keep it fresh

Of course my kids get a new list for the summer, but they also get a new list about half way through the school year.  I find that after a few months they are ready for a few changes.  This is when I introduced the bonus dollars, or a new chore. I also make changes to their rewards. They are excited to see a new reward on the chart. Minor charges are usually made to the price of rewards also.

6. New Responsibilities

As mentioned above, I make changes every few months. Some things I have added along the way are: a daily chore such as a specific room to pick up, take out the trash, put the dishes away, etc.  I’ve also added a bathroom chore - something small, but I’m hoping it will train them to keep a clean bathroom.  A really good one to have on the list is “Extra Chore.” If an extra chore or kind deed is approved, they can earn additional dollars each day without limit.

7. Stick to the list - both the chores and rewards

Our kids earn Doing Dollars only for the things on their list. Of course we have left it open with the “Extra Chore” but they do not earn dollars for everything we ask.  And they have not come to expect that either.  On the other side - the rewards, it is also important to always have them pay for any reward on their list. See below.

8. Choose your rewards wisely & be consistent

Pick rewards that are going to motive your child, but don’t put a reward on the list that they will pay for only part of the time.  Be consistent. Example: I do not have TV time on my list because the television is my tool. There are times that I need the TV to distract my kids while I make dinner or something.  It is something I like to use at my discretion. Another example: For a while my husband would let our son play the wii every now and again without paying for it and he started to say he didn’t need to do his chores because dad would still let him play. Instead, now, we offer ideas for extra chores if he needs a few more dollars. So choose your rewards wisely and stick to the program. If you find that you offer a reward for free too often you may want to remove it from the list.

A quick review of the program:

This is a reward based program. My kids earn printed “Doing Dollars” for their chores.  They are able to use those dollars to purchase rewards, such as computer time, late night, a new book, etc. They have a print out on their bedroom doors telling them what each chore is worth and how much each reward costs.  Below is an example.  When my kids were just learning to read I would also include a picture next to each “responsibility” to help remind them.

This is the dollar I designed. At the center is the CTR logo - which stands for Choose the Right. Truly they have to choose to be responsible. Also, they DO NOT earn a Doing Dollar if they whine or complain, they have to do it right.

You can download the Doing Dollars HERE.  I have them 14 to a sheet, so they are fairly small - which is perfect. Then I print them in grey scale on colored cardstock. I use different colors for each kid so there is never any mix ups.

Spring Break Freebie QP

I’ve been a bit distracted with life - husband having surgery, planning class Valentine’s party, and everyday kids stuff.  But alas - another freebie QP. This is from a kit that I haven’t used before and I really like the colors in it.  This is a great - bright - layout with lots of openings for photos and ample space for journaling.  Click to download and as always, enjoy!

Summer Afternoon Kit - PCD

Enjoying Fall QP Freebie

I love this layout, and that’s not to pat myself on the back - it just came together. I took off the turkey so you can use it for other things.  Click image to download and enjoy.

Photo BOOK DEAL!!!
I'm always on the lookout for a deal on photo books - it makes it a great opportunity to try a new printer. Groupon has a new deal for Mixbook -- $15 for $50 credit.  I'm looking forward to trying a new printer.  I thought you might like to know about this deal.

If you want to try a new photobook printer... CLICK HERE!!!

Fun in the Sun QP Freebie

I’m so excited because I just finished my 2011 Family Book.  On to more projects.  I like the basic background in this layout because it really makes the pictures pop - and there are a lot of pictures.  I think a simple layout is great when you don’t want too many pictures getting lots in everything.  Click the image below to get this free QP.

Splash Kit - Scrapping Sisters

Reunion QP Freebie

Not sure why - but I really like this layout.  I think it’s the fun title with it’s color and patterns that pulls it all together for me.   I left a large blank space on the right page of the QP.  You can use it for journaling or add another picture. Enjoy the freebie!

Because I Said So kit - Scrapping Sisters

Museum QP Freebie

I really love how this layout turned out. I like the pop of yellow on it. I lean toward greens and blues (have you noticed) so I tried to pull in some different colors on this one and then still ended up with a blue background. Just can’t get away from it apparently. Anyhow - here’s a wonderful QP freebie for you.  Have fun with it!  (click image to download)

Indian Summer Kit - Stacey’s Scraps

Christmas QP Freebie

Here’s another QP freebie for y’all. I added a few more pictures along the bottom of my own layout - which you can easily do. Otherwise there’s still lots of picture openings. Enjoy!

Holiday Happiness Kit - Growing Pains Scrapped

Spring Break QP Freebie

I’m just loving scrapping again -- here’s the start of spring break AND a free QP for you!  With these colors it can be used for anything. I try to keep a lot of elements off my QPs that would limit you. So enjoy!  Click image to download.

Summer Afternoon Kit - A.Manda Creation

New Year Freebie

Time to start another yearbook.  I’m in the mood to scrapbook … it’s been a while with the busy holiday season.  But here we are - one of my new layouts. This is a little brighter than I usually design with - but it was a party - so bring on the color.  The ribbons down the middle look a little silly in the 2 page spread but printed I just wanted a little ribbon sticking out from the seam.  I think it will print great.  To motivate the rest of you to start scrapping here a 2 page QP freebie for you.  Click image to download.

Cheers to the New Year Kit - Summer Driggs

Calendar Freebie

***THANK YOU - THESE CALENDARS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE***

I know - this blog has been slightly forgotten. That’s just what happens this time a year - but come the new year I will be getting my next family book together so more freebies will be coming. As for now - I am offering my calendars. I tried a giveaway with these, but that didn’t go quite so well and I had difficulties getting in touch with people. Instead I’m going to offer these as a freebie for a couple weeks. So there is still time to grab them and get your 2012 calendar put together. Merry Christmas!!!

Last Chance Freebie

***THANK YOU - THESE QPs ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE***

These are two of my most popular QPs. I wanted to feature them again before they “retire.” Sometimes a good thing is just done and after two years online and more than 4,500 downloads between them - it’s time to say good bye. Grab these babies while you can by clicking the images below. And Happy Scrapping!

Freebie QP–Day 7

This is it – last day in my week of free QPs. I hope you have enjoyed them and find them to be helpful in your scrapping. I dug through from older books to find this layout – originally used with pictures of the kids playing outside.  Happy Scrapping