Homemade Character Birthday Cake

My husband and I have always made our children homemade cakes for their birthdays. As they get older, we are finding that it is becoming increasingly challenging. When our middle child turned 2, we surprised her with a Swiper the Fox cake. Needless to say, she was thrilled. She went around saying, "Swiper no Swiping" and "oh, man." She had lots of fun!

Here is how we did it:

My husband drew a sketch of Swiper from one of our Dora books. Then, we cut the cake and added the icing.

Sour Cream Cake

1 c. butter softened

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 pint sour cream

3 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

Pre- heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Then, add sour cream to mixture. In a separate bowl, mix together baking powder, flour, and baking soda. Add the dry mixure to the wet mixture and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into 2 nine inch round pans or one sheet cake pan that have been greased and floured. Bake on 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

Birthday Icing

1 lb confectioners sugar or 3 3/4 cups

3/4 c. crisco

1/4 c. cream or liquid

1/2 tsp flavor (vanilla)

Beat until smooth.

*We usually double the recipe*

Making your child's birthday cake is fun. It doesn't have to look perfect. They will think it is special just because you made it especially for them.

For more great frugal recipes, go to $5 Dinners!

-Robin

Vintage Baby Doll Bed for $5

It has been a long time since we have had time to do some thrifty shopping. So, over the weekend, we stopped in on an estate sale on it's last day.

My husband and I used to frequent auctions and estate sales, before we had kids. We used to have a friendly competition between him and me. We would see who could get the best bargain and make the most money off of it's resale..... just for the record, I was ahead when we quit!

My dad has always been interested in antiques, so I have been around antiques all of my life. Since I have had a house of my own, I've wanted to decorate with aniques and unusual finds. I have a few pieces, but not too much so far. I really like to go look, even though I don't buy alot. At the estate sale over the weekend, this baby doll bed caught my attention. I have no idea how old it is, but it is cute and in pretty good condition. It was marked for $15, but they gave it to me for the $5 that I offered them. I haven't decided what I am going to do with it, but it was fun to buy!

For more interresting finds, go to Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday!

-Robin

Encouraging Independence in Toddlers

Our toddlers love to help out around the house. They are always trying to do what they see mommy and daddy do. We encourage them to help in the kitchen with making dinner and allow them to take their own plate to the sink. They like to help gather the laundry and see if they can throw it high enough to get into the washing machine. Our 19 month old gets her own wipes and diaper and brings them to me when she needs to be changed. Our 3 year old makes her bed and empties the small trash cans when asked.
I encourage the girls to help me do tasks and give them praise when they have done a job. We never make them do anything, but they love the independence and praise we give them for each task. Even though it is easier to do things around the house yourself, if you take the time to teach your children how to do things they will love the independence and be excited that you are incorporating them into your daily routine.

Encouraging my children to become independent Works for Me!

-Robin

Christmas Cookies

One of our favorite things to do around Christmas time is to make cookies and candy. This year, since the girls are old enough to enjoy a cookie making day, I thought it would be fun to make sugar cookies, so that they could decorate them. We bought Christmas cookie cutters and went to work baking cookies. The girls enjoyed making the cookie dough, cutting out the shapes, and then decorating the cookies. We had a fun filled day. I love making Christmas cookies with the kids!

-Robin

Grateful for the Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love all the holiday lights, shopping, and baking cookies. We start our Christmas Season by putting up our Christmas tree with the kids. They love to help out! Soon, Christmas parties will start and we will begin to plan family gatherings. Last year was the first year that we had Christmas at our house since we started our family. I loved all the planning and preparations to host our first Christmas with family at home. Also, it was great to be able to celebrate Christmas at our home church by going to the Christmas Eve service. I hope you enjoy all the joy that comes along with the Christmas Season.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful that the Christmas Season has begun!

-Robin

Do Big Chores Together

I always find it amazing that we end up with so many leaves in our yard each fall. When it is time to remove them, we take the opportunity to work together and have some fun.

It is always fun to see how easy a task seems when you work together and how much fun you can make the thing you have been dreading.

-Julie

Give the Gift of Art Supplies

I think the best gifts you can get for kids are craft and art supplies. Our daughter recently turned three years old. She was thrilled when we bought her painting supplies and construction paper. Kids love to draw, paint, and use their imagination. Many of the supplies you find now are non-toxic and washable, so they are relatively safe for children. Art supplies give hours of entertainment and a chance for you to encourage your child's creativity.

For more Christmas gift ideas click here!

-Robin

Photo Books

My husband had a wonderful idea for a gift for me for Christmas the year we had our first daughter. He made me a photo storybook of our love story and included our new daughter. It is a book to read to her at bedtime. The book includes pictures of family members and dog. Our daughter loves to see and read about all of these familiar faces in our storybook.

Photo books are an excellent gift. You can make them with your digital photos on the Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly, or you could make a scrapbook using the same idea. Your loved ones will be so happy with their personalized gift.

For more homemade Christmas gift ideas click here!

-Robin

Simple Time With The Family

I realize that my favorite times with my family are the simplest ones. We enjoy a vacation together now and then, but an afternoon spent walking around our neighborhood or reading together are just as fun. Those times build the best memories that I hope my children will take with them as well.

In these trying financial times, it is so nice to know that we don't have to do elaborate things to have fun together.

I love to let those great memories just happen by us being ourselves together. The best things in life truly are free.

-Julie

Parent-Child Journal

Something that I have discovered that helps my kids express any anxiety is a Parent-Child journal. I made the one pictured here for my daughter on her first day of second grade. We write messages back and forth to each other and leave it on the other's pillow. Whenever she has something she wants to discuss with me, but feels awkward approaching me about it, she can leave me a note. Sometimes writing feels safer. I use the journal to remind her of things we're working on and to praise her efforts. I think it will also make a wonderful keepsake for us after we fill it up.

I began with a regular composition notebook. I covered it with scrapbook paper and painted the edges to finish it off. I added a little label and we have a great book.

Now that my son is beginning to write on his own, he has requested a book. It is definitely high on my list to create one for him, too.

A Parent-Child journal definitely Works For Me.

-Julie

Game Review - Clue Jr.

I was recently desperate to find some new games to play with my kids. I was definitely tired of Candyland and didn't want to see another Chute or Ladder for a while. I started to look around and found Clue Jr.

From the manufacturer:
Give junior detectives a chance to solve the case with this specially designed game--a classic Whodunit for ages five to eight! Find the clues to find out who stole the cake and ate it, too! It's classic CLUE fun for kids! Put on your detective hat and see if you can solve this delicious Mystery. Play over and over again for a different ending every time.

We did really enjoy this game from the very first time we played it. I like that it is different each time and we have actually made it more cooperative by helping each other find the information we still need to solve the mystery. Give it a try and see if you can discover who stole the cake!

For more great Christmas game ideas click here!

-Julie

Homemade Christmas Gift – Customized T-Shirts

One of my favorite homemade Christmas gift ideas is making a customized t-shirt for your loved ones.

Last year, for my husband’s birthday, I made him a t-shirt with special meaning to us. My daughter, who was just turning two at the time, used to go around saying, “I See You Daddy.” This was funny because my husband actually works in the ICU at the hospital. So, with the girls in tow, I headed off to the craft store to see what I could make for my husband. Since he doesn’t necessarily like “crafty” stuff," it was a bit of a challenge. Then, I came up with making a t-shirt. He wears a lot of t-shirts around the house, so this was going to be something that he might actually use. We bought some iron on letters and a t-shirt and went to work. The finished product was approved by the girls and wrapped. My husband was excited to see that we put thought into his birthday gift! He still wears the t-shirt proudly.
Making a customized t-shirt is a great idea for people of all ages. There are some very cute iron on patches that would make some fun and inexpensive gifts for kids.

For more great homemade Christmas gift ideas click here!

-Robin

The True Meaning of Christmas

Every Christmas season, we spend a lot of time teaching our children about the true meaning of Christmas. They hear the Christmas story at church, but we go over it many times at home as well. On our daughter’s second Christmas, I started searching for board books to read to her to help her start to understand. Since then, we have enjoyed reading these books to her every year.

I feel the best gift that you can give your child is to share with them the true meaning of Christmas.

The board books we read are: Tell Me the Christmas Story and Christmas in the Manger.

As our children get older, we will look for more detailed story books, but as always, we will do our yearly tradition of reading the Christmas Story straight from the Bible.

For more great Christmas gift ideas click here!

-Robin

Turkey Sugar Cookies

This little cookie has become a yearly tradition. They couldn't be simpler and I hope you get a chance to make them. They have made it onto my Menu Plan for the week.

Start with your favorite sugar cookie (homemade or store bought) and bake them as directed. We get a little tube of orange, gel icing from the grocery store. You could also make your own royal icing, tint it and place it in a plastic bag with the corner snipped off to make your own piping bag.

Make a line of icing along the top and add candy corn feathers for the turkey's tail. Use icing to attach two M&M candies and give them little dots on top for eyes. The dot placement can help make a whimsical turkey gazing off into the distance, too! Use some more icing to create a beak and legs for your new little friend.

I hope you like these cute little cookies and that they are a fun addition to you fall baking.

-Julie

Game Review - Double Shutter

I have a confession to make. I bought this game for my children, but I am currently obsessed with it myself. I have spent quite a bit of time attempting to beat it and it is addictive!

The game is called Double Shutter. The manufacturer states: Roll two dice, add the dots and find the best combination of numbers to shut two rows of nine tiles. Don’t touch a tile on the second row unless you have already shut the tile in front of it. Very few can shut all the tiles and close the super box.

I will agree with them. I've played countless games and have only beaten it once. My kids also enjoy the game and tend to play as a team so far. It is fun to watch them celebrate when they get to the second row and the agony of defeat when their last roll brings them the wrong number.

I love when an educational game comes in disguise! I think you and your family will enjoy this game and recommend you give it a try.

-Julie

Retirement Home Trick-or-Treating

The mom’s group that we recently joined had a Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating event at a retirement home. We haven’t been involved with this mom’s group for long, so I did not know what to expect. All the kid’s dressed up and went around the common areas of the retirement/nursing home where the residents were eagerly waiting to give the children candy. Our children were thrilled to see the residents and the residents were just as thrilled to see the children. After trick-or-treating, some of the residents came to a small Halloween party that was held for the kids. The children enjoyed visiting with the residents and each other. This is a great activity to set up with your mom’s group and a local retirement home. The children and the residents will look forward to this event every year. It was a blessing to me to see all the smiles on everyone’s face.

-Robin

Thrifty Thursday - Frugal Toy

We recently acquired one of our most frugal fun finds. We got giant bouncy balls for the kids. They were 50 cents each and it has been one of the best dollars I've spent in a long time. They are mandated as outside toys, but the kids and the dog have been chasing these for hours! We've also used them to create other games using hopscotch squares and some very creative rules.

What are your favorite thrifty games? We would love for you to link that, or any other great thrifty ideas below.

Look here to see how to join Thrifty Thursday.

-Julie

Fall Picnics

Over the weekend, we were lucky enough to have really nice weather. So, we made some hot dogs and headed to the beach for what will probably be our last picnic this year. Our girls love picnics, so we try to go as often as we can. Usually, we go to parks so that they can play on the swings and slides when they are finished eating.

Fall is a great time of year for a picnic. The weather is perfect and the bugs are not biting. Next year, we hope to head north for a fall picnic and enjoy some of the beautiful fall foliage. Fall picnics work for me!

-Robin

Grateful For Time To Play

On this GratiTuesday, I'm reminded of how grateful I am when we have time to play. With back to school and all of the activities involved, we are often so busy. I like when we take time to step away from all of that and just play together. Whether we are working on a craft, playing a board game or just dancing around to music, it helps us reconnect.

I have been pushing myself to remember to take this time for me and for my kids.

-Julie

Family Traditions - Yearly Photos

There are a few places we visit around the same time each year. I make a point to take photos of my children in the same spot each time. It is so fun to compare them and see how much they are growing. Just like those first day of school photos, they mark the passage of time. I think it will be fun to compile them into their own photo album someday.

Make sure to get yourself into those family shots now and then, too. Your kids will be glad you did.

-Julie