{free printable} Compassionate Dinner Note Cards

We all have friends who occasionally fall ill or have a baby.  I, personally, was grateful for the compassionate dinners I received after I gave birth to both of my boys.  It was such a relief to know that for a few days following our return from the hospital that I didn't have to focus on anything, but my family.  So with that said, these compassionate dinner cards are meant to help out with that task.

What's included in this printable set:

• "Made with love by: dinner card w/ baking time/temperature instructions (for those who handmade dinner, but it still needs cooking)
• "Made with love by" dinner card w/ out baking instructions (for those who handmade the dinner, but no baking is needed)
• "Provided with love by" dinner card w/ baking time/temperature instructions (for those who bought a dinner that still needs baking.  ie-- Costco lasagna)
• "Provided with love by" dinner card w/out baking instructions (for those buying take-out such as pizza or chinese for your friends)
• Contact Calling Card
• Allergies Checklist Card
• 6 different printable circles with generic sayings: "get well soon", "congrats", "thinking of you", "we love you", "baby girl", and "baby boy"

All of the cards have space in the lower-left hand corner to attach the circular message that best suits your friend's situation.

Other tips to make things easier on your friends on the receiving end of your service:

• If you've promised dinner, be prompt and reliable.  If I know one thing it's that nursing moms can eat often and are always looking forward to their next meal! :)
• Call ahead to make sure no major allergies are in the family.
• Deliver your dinner in disposable tin pans so your friends don't have to worry about return/washing your dishes.
• If you're sick make arrangements to have someone else cook dinner that night.  No need spreading your cold around to an already sick friend or newborn babies.
• Lastly, don't forget to include cooking instructions with your dinner so they cook it correctly. 

{free printables} Happy Father's Day to All Those No.1 Dads!

Jillian over at Catch My Party asked if I could create some Father's Day printables and these are what I came up with.  Head on over to see Jillian's post or download them below.

Pictures above courteous of Jillian at Catch My Party.
Included in the printable set:
-2 inch cupcake toppers/party circles
-Father's Day Sign/Quote
-Cupcake wrappers
-Straw Flags/Tags
-Bottle Lables
-Folding Food Labels
-5x7 inch Folding Card
-No.1 Daddy Banner

The above picture is obviously from me-- not so professional looking, but we're ready to celebrate our No.1 daddy on this special day!

{free printable} Potty Training Chart & Prize Tag

 I know it's a controversial topic-- do I reward my child with prizes/food/candy for going to the bathroom or not?  Well... this mom is desperate and will try anything!  Plus, this article at babycenter made me feel a bit better about the idea of the reward system.  We've tried potty training numerous times and numerous times have realized we were not ready yet.  Now at 3 years and 4 months I feel as though I can rationalize on some small level with my child about using the potty.  SO... we're in full training mode.  I'm hoping the potty prize bag and chart will motivate and encourage my little one (or little ones-- if my almost 2 year old potty trains at the same time I wouldn't mine).  I'm hoping to use the "3 day lock-down method".  The idea is to hunker down in our house for a few days and drink lots of water/juice. 

Once we've got this thing down I thought a little long term reward might help keep the momentum going.  If my little one is accident free for nine days we plan to reward him with some Coldstone yumminess or miniature golfing or whatever his little heart desires (within reason)!  Plus, he gets to put nifty dinosaur stickers on each day he stays clean in his cool undies.

I have a feeling this momma is going to spend a lot of time in the bathroom.  Wish me luck!

Please do share any cool potty training tricks you've got--I'm willing to give anything a try. :)

{free printable} Room Service for Mom

Being a mom is seriously the hardest job I've ever had, so when Mother's day comes around I use that day to rejuvenate.  Today you'll find my "Room Service for Mom" Mother's Day printables at Whatever Dee Dee Wants.  Head on over for the full post.

Included in this printable set:

• Room Service for Mom Door Knob Hanger (to be filled out by mom and left on the door)
• "I love my mom because..." Questionnaire (to be filled out/colored in by the kids)
• 5x7 inch mother's day note card

 To all those mom's out there... hope you have a relaxing Mother's day-- as you deserve it!

{free printable & tutorial} Parchment Paper Candy Egg Bundles

These pseudo transparent parchment bundles are just what I would have loved as a kid.  I absolutely adore that you can see the candy through the parchment paper and you know what you're about to devour.  Plus, they were such a cinch to make.

First-- download, print, and cut the Easter egg template. (see link to download below).  Another fun thing about parchment paper-- you could cut it to printer paper size and print the actual template onto it if you like, but then you won't be able to see through the paper. That would still be super cute, though!  I also thought about letting the kidlets color the cut out parchment paper eggs before sewing with crayons or markers, but then I realized it was bedtime and I was out of mommy/kid crafting time.

 Next, trace the egg template onto the parchment paper and cut the stencils out, making sure to cut out two eggs per candy  bundle.

Now, pin the parchment eggs together and sew around the edges, leaving a spot in the top to insert the candy.

Drop the candy in and sew the egg up.   I tried a few different eggs and while the one compartment egg was certainly the easiest I really like the look of separating the candies by sewing in between each layer.

Tip-- don't overfill the eggs with candy.  Leave a bit of room for the sewing machine foot.  If the candy is butted right up to the edge the sewing machine foot ripped my paper because it was too tight of a fit.  OR lift your sewing machine foot altogether and eliminate it from even touching the parchment paper.

Now, all that is needed is to hide these fun candy bundles on Easter morning and watch the kids tear into them with wide eyes to see their yummy surprises.

 If you want to use the Easter Egg template click the button below to download.

St. Patty's Day Straw Flags Done 3 Ways!

Holidays (small or large) get more exciting each year as the kids get older.  I'm excited to pull out all of the leprechaun pranks and green foods.  I know I've already shown you these St. Patty's Day printables, but I thought it might be helpful if I show them in use multiple ways.

The straw flags/tags could be used as just that, straw flags...

...or as a shirt tag exclaiming "kiss me"...

...or as a little banner hung next to the leprechaun's treats left in the kiddo's shoes.  Can't wait to stuff their shoes with fun green treats (ideas-- mike & ikes, sprite, limeade drink, green spearmint gum, green canister of pringles...etc. you get the jist of it).

This was a quick shamrock banner made by those sparkly foam cut outs that can be found at any craft store.  I got mine at Michaels 50% off and three packages cost me all of $3.  Love deals like that!

 As I was hanging banners and taking pictures, this little fella snuggled in on the couch to watch me.  Too bad his name isn't "Lucky", that would be so fitting for this post.  Thus, his name is "Gus" and we love him whether he's an Irish dog or not.

{free printable} Lucky You! Happy St. Patty's Day Party Printables

I may not be Irish, but it's still fun to celebrate this fun green holiday!  So lucky for you...I have some FREE St. Patty's party printables to share.  The package includes:  "Lucky" framable sign/print, Invitations, Cupcake Toppers, and "Kiss Me" Straw Flags.

The whole collection!

Enjoy!

{free printable & project share} How Do Dinosaurs?... Book Popsicle Stick Puzzles

I'm pretty sure every mother to young boys has heard of these "How Do Dinosaurs..." book series, but if you haven't click on the book picture below and go check them out.  They are apart of our nightly ritual-- sometimes they are an all day phenomenon.  My kids LOVE them.  So much we've had to purchase this particular book (see below) 3 times because the pages began to fall out.

So... because they are a fave in our house, I thought it appropriate to use these book's pictures on my popsicle stick puzzles.  I googled these books and found a gazillion pictures online to print at home.  I'm not sure if it's illegal or not-- anyone know?    However, you could also use pictures from any old book you have laying around.  After I did this I thought to myself I could have used one of those other books with the pages falling out and that would have worked great too!

The puzzle sticks were a super quick craft and was achieved in one afternoon's nap time.  I used jumbo popsicle sticks and these pictures were cropped and sized just right for them.  I highly encourage the use of your own books, as I've been told as of lately that using pictures from the web and printing them infringes on copyrights.

The number stickers were an after thought, but I think they'll be nice to have when it comes time to teach the little ones their numbers and their order.

 My three year absolutely LOVES them and has asked to play with them for the past few days straight.  It's always great when you can take your child's favorite book and make it come alive for them.  Such a darling book series--recommend checking them out at the library OR buying them for your own library collection.  They are a fave in our family!

{free printable} Dino-Mite Valentines

Have you seen these adorable dinosaur valentines?  I originally pinned it on Pinterest, but have traced it back to this woman's cute site.  She also has adorable girly ideas for heart shaped chocolate valentines.  I absolutely LOVE the idea and made my own version and now you can download and print your own if you choose to do so.  They print at 5" x 7" two/page.

Just print, cut and attach heart shaped chocolates with glue dots.  I bought two bags of Dove heart chocolates and it was just enough to make sixteen valentines, with two left over chocolates to devour. :)  Don't you just love Dove?  I especially enjoy the little sayings on the inside of the wrapper-- I occasionally need the friendly reminders.

{free printable & project share} Felt Valentines Envelopes & Simple Message Cards

These felt Valentines envelopes are all over the internet so it's nothing new here. I made these fun envelopes last year and thought I would share with a free printable.  Inspired by PotteryBarn Kids I made these out of heavy weight felt and followed this tutorial from The Crafting Chicks.

 I followed the tutorial almost completely, but added a little of my own flair with the glittery letters.

 Are these glittered hearts not so stinkin' cute?  I found them at JoAnn's for $2, but after looking at them I think they would be fairly easy to recreate.  All you would need would be two sizes of  wooden hearts, mesh backing, glitter and you're good to go.  If you don't have a drill you could easily attach some ribbon to the back with a staple gun or glue.  In fact, I just might make a sparkly heart bunting to hang above my fireplace.

 What else would complete these envelopes, but some printable Valentines note cards?
Download your note cards HERE.