Print your own birthday invitations! Just pick the background of your choice (click to enlarge – right click to save), add text in a graphic program or Microsoft Word, and then print at home on card stock or take to Office Max for them to print for you!
Enjoy!
Here are the calendar prints for February and March that I made for us!
Enjoy! Just click on image to enlarge then print.
I found this recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe and could not wait to try it. Breakfast is one of the hardest meals for me. I am not a morning person. I barely survive taking the dog out to potty and getting Autumn set up for potty training so we often result to eating dry cereal (the sugary kind) or good ‘ole pop tarts. I know, horrible right. But even instant oatmeal seems too much to handle when there are 3 kids and 1 of me. I was excited about these muffins because she said they were good to freeze. I doubled her recipe and made 24 but the kids loved them so my plan to freeze some is quickly going out the window. Gonna make more soon and keep a freezer stocked for guilt-free, already made breakfasts and snacks!!
Good Afternoon…
Today, in Walmart, I overheard a lady say, “Yeh, they are those home-birth, home-schooling types…” in a very negative tone. I smirked to myself because I was flattered to be disassociated with the woman making the statement. Her ignorance on the subject was intended to make the homeschooling type looked down upon but her sloppy appearance and ranting attitude accomplished the opposite.
Her rant got me thinking about all the times people stereotype the “do-it-yourself” lifestyle because they are offended we didn’t do it their way. Our choices were not our way of saying “you aren’t doing it right,” or “we can do it better.” We just made a different decision.
If everyone learns the same thing, in the same way, then want we all just become the same….
I am often told, “I don’t know how you do it,” when someone discovers that we home-school. The fact that most people do not home school makes it an uncommon lifestyle. No one thinks to pick a path they don’t feel comfortable with. It’s unknown and scary. The few stories of homeschooling that most have heard are always the negative ones. Leaving people to assume that teaching your kids must be super hard and has poor results.
Well, like with everything, it takes practice.
I will say this though… I have often thought, “I don’t know how they do it,” about people with kids in traditional school.
I get to pick when I start and finish. I get to pick my holidays. I get to pick my lessons. I get to teach in whatever method works for us. I get to skip assignments or homework if it seems unnecessary. I get to be with my kids. I get to teach lessons without having someone approve them. I can continue to work if we struggle. If you ask me, it seems natural to home school my kids. It works for us. So, I know you might not see it as being possible but it is. And it can be fun and easy!
Once people see how light-hearted I am with our schooling, I then see their concerns of my children’s education. I do not have to turn in tests or do the standard testing that public schools do but I assure you that I have prepared them for life as I feel is best. My values of education are different than that of our government. I believe a focus on character development and individuality is almost more important than the ability to know math vocabulary terms that they will never hear again. I fully believe in teaching all of the normal subjects but I teach them with a healthy balance for a well rounded child.
Creativity and discovery cannot be taught in a book. Independence and personality cannot be developed without time to do so…
xoxo
Today the littles are in their tutorial so of course I took full advantage of having only 1 child and went grocery shopping. My Autumn Pearl is a hands on type and prefers to help unless she is entertained elsewhere. When shopping with her it could take hours if I have to let her put things in the cart, walk like a big girl, or pick her favorite cookies. I have learned to pack a purse full of gummies but my main distraction is my phone.
I have some amazing toddler apps that keep her preoccupied so mommy can do all the shopping.
1. Talking Hippo – So cute. It’s like Talking Tom but age appropriate for toddlers. They can give the hippo a passy, a balloon, or a carrot.
2. Lunchbox – My 2 year old can do puzzles thanks to this app. She is also learning shapes and colors. The stickers are her favorite part.
3. Yo Gabba Gabba – This app is very colorful, has lots of music, and fun games. They do not have to be a fan of the show to enjoy this app! We have the party in my tummy one. The others look awesome too!
4. Pet Cafe – She loves making the puppy a slushy! It’s so simple but she loves it!
5. Colorbook – Coloring, whats not to love!?
6. Starfall – I used the Starfall curriculum a lot with my older 2 kids when they were learning to read and I still give it such high praise! I love that they have an app I can use to start Autumn early in learning.
7. Toca Monster – I love the Toca Boca apps! She loves to cook so this is her favorite one but all of their apps have been successful with my toddler!
I will work alongside you to design a invitation personalized to fit your event! Here are some samples of my work.
Mama Walker 