Unusual Pottery

Boo attended a white elephant party a few weeks ago, and came home with this unusual pottery set.  I'm trying to find information on it.  If you know, feel free to send me in the right direction. 

Hugs,
Melinda

The Kindness Elves

A few days ago, I mentioned that we were going to be adding a new tradition to our Elf on a Shelf routine.  I mentioned the Kindness Elves.  And then I didn't take the time to explain them very well.

Kindness Elves are similar to EotS in that they will visit every December.  But they are different in that they will be teaching about kindness and giving and the "spirit" of the season, rather than run around and make messes, like a certain little ....

Anyway, I first read about the Kindness Elves over here at The Educator's Spin On It.  I think I was hooked when they mentioned that one of their friends had the Kindness Elves teaching the Elf on the Shelf to be kind. 

Then, because I tend to forget all the really good ideas, we used a printable calendar to write down everything our elves will be doing this month, and we used quite a few of the ideas found at The Imagination Tree.  If I find the calendar, I'll come back and link up to it as well.

Okay, so now I need to add pictures.  Cause a picture is worth a thousand words, and otherwise, I'll talk your ear off.  Pictures!


Like I said, we wrote all of our plans out on the calendar.  I'm actually pretty excited that we're this well organized.  (By we, I mean Boo and myself.  Dale doesn't like to play.)

The Kindness Elves arrived Sunday morning.  Little Bit named them, and did a really good job.  They are named Hope and Joy.  Another difference is that she can pick these elves up.

 

 Today's job is to make a book bag for one of her friends.  You can find the exact "mission" at The Educator's Spin.  But Hope and Joy made Crystal a book to read.  It's called "How to be a Kindness Elf."

 

 On the inside, you can see Rule 1 is Don't make a mess.  Rule 2 is Use Polite Words please.

 

 

I can tell you that the kindness elves seem to be a hit, and I'm really glad we decided to add them in this year.  Oh, another thing I like is that the children have a choice on if they are going to follow the mission or not.  It's not a have to thing.  It's a teachable moment, and it's precious.

 

Hugs,

Melinda

Day 7 and Day 8

Yesterday's challenge was "changes to come." That is a very challenging category, because while there are a lot of changes happening and a lot of changes coming, they are very hard to photograph.

So I present to you, my personal change, the hardest number I have ever seen. A number I hope to change soon.

Also, today's challenge is "routine." I wonder if my current routine is the cause of my needing to change my numbers. I'm going to be adding a different routine soon to help that number go down.

Until then,
Hugs,
Melinda

Photograpy Challenge - Day 6

Today's theme was "Obsession."  I was a little bit worried about this, because I'm not really "obsessed" with anything.  I wasn't sure what I was going to photographer. 

We went out as a family today, and ended up at a bookstore.  So imagine my excitement when I saw this book just waiting for me!

 

That's awesome!  Cause it means I don't have to take any more "obsession" pictures right?

 

Then we stopped at a different store, and I knew it.  I had taken the wrong picture.  This.  This is the picture of obsession that I needed to take.  This is obsession.

 

 



Happy Clicking!
Hugs,
Melinda

Elf on the Shelf

Yes, I caved.  We have an elf on the shelf.  We got it 2 years ago.  Little Bit named her "Crystal."  I have been trying to remember to take pictures, and I actually have quite a few from last year. 

But here are this year's adventures so far.  Boo and I actually sat down and planned out the whole month.  She arrived on December 1, and she's been getting into all kind of trouble.  We are actually going to be incorporating a new tradition this year with "Kindness elves."  They will be arriving Sunday.

Day 1 - Just a simple "I'm back," and she brought Push Pops for the girls.

 Day 2 - Someone had a little too much fun with the stickers.

Day 3 - She decided to go for a little climb. 

 

 Day 4 - It seems like she and the cat got into a little argument.

 

Day 5 - But she cleaned up the mess.  Sort of.

 

And made a new one.

 Day 6 - And right now, she's taking a little ride.

 

 

The good thing about all of these, none of them have taken very long at all.  The swing took the most time, but even that only took 10ish minutes instead of 5. 

 

I'm excited to add the Kindness Elves into our traditions.  I'll be adding the pictures as I get them.  I hope you enjoy the pictures!

 

Hugs,

Melinda

Photography Challenge: Days 1-5

I came across a 30 day photography challenge on Pinterest, and decided that I needed to participate.  I could only find the image, so I printed it off and I'm making my own challenge. 

Day 1 - Self Portrait.
I don't like taking pictures of myself, so I opted for a non-facial picture.

Day 2 - What you wore.
I almost forgot, so I took it first thing in the morning.

Day 3 - Clouds
The sunset was beautiful.  Cold, but beautiful.

Day 4 - Something green
Even though it's the Christmas season, I resisted taking a picture of the Christmas tree.




















Day 5 - After Dark
I like Christmas lights, so I ended up taking a picture of the tree after all. 

 

Tomorrow is "Obsession." I don't know what I'm going to take a picture of.  Turtles maybe?

 

Hugs,

Melinda

This is a test post

I'm trying out a new app to see if I can post from my windows phone. Hopefully this works.

 

And the answer is.... I can do it, but I can't edit photos.  So, it will work, but I'll need to be vigilant on editing my photos.  Good.

 

Hugs,

Melinda