Friday, September 24, 2010

Family Friday: Perfection

I was trying to decide what to post today, since I've had time, but nothing was striking my fancy. I don't have an event to share, I will be featuring a birthday child next week (after I get pictures of her in her new skirt), and I don't have any projects ready to share. But then, I came across this post about PERFECTION. It brought me to tears. This needs to be shared. Go see what this blogger has to say about the disease of perfection.




I suffer from Perfection. Do you?

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Welcome the Fall Giveaway

Fall is my favorite season, and Violet, over at the Eager Readers is having a Welcome Fall giveaway. Go enter to win one of several fabulous books!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tasty Tuesday: Halloween Bark

The PTA was holding a bake sale at our annual carnival. I had all the ingredients for this chocolate bark, so that was my contribution. It's a fun treat that the kids can help me with, and the candy on top can be changed to reflect the holiday in question. We've done red, white, and blue for patriotic, red and green for Christmas, now fall colors for Halloween.

Step 1: Assemble ingredients.
White chocolate (or any chocolate)
Pretzels
Candy

Step 2: Break pretzels into large pieces
Spread them out on a lined baking sheet

Step 3: Melt chocolate (30 seconds at a time
on half power in the microwave)

Step 4: When chocolate is melted smooth,
spread over pretzels

Step 5: Sprinkle with candy

Step 6: Refrigerate until cooled

Step 7: Break into bite sized pieces




Monday, September 20, 2010

Make-It Monday: Mummy treat box

I (somewhat begrudgingly, but mostly, guiltily) volunteered to be a room mom this year. So, I've been keeping my eyes open for good holiday party ideas. My soon-to-be sis-in-law made some darling little (well, big) treat boxes. You can see her mummy and frankenstein here. Well, I thought a smaller version would be perfect for a class activity. So, scaling back, I present, Mr. Mummy.

Isn't he cute? Now, to get a few treats and toys to fill him up, and I'm set for the Halloween party craft.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

SPEAKing out

Earlier this year, I took a class about Media and the Family. One section was about books. Of course, the topic of banning books came up. I wrote something about this then, but it bears repeating. As I understand it, this week is banned books week. I don't know if this is to promote banned books or draw attention to books that shouldn't be banned. Right now, I don't have the time to investigate. But I've already heard both sides of the argument. I know my position, and why. Now, I know this is a sensitive subject, but we can all respect each other even if we don't agree.

Personally, I believe NO book should ever be banned. If you think a book isn't worth reading, you don't have to read it. If you don't want your kids to read a book, then you have the right to keep it away from them. But no one has a right to tell another person what to believe. That is the heart of the banned books controversy. I think there is a lot of stuff out there that isn't worth reading. I think some of it is wrong and bad. I will teach my children to choose good books, read with them so they learn to appreciate good books, and teach them why not to read the crap. But I don't have the right to impose the same on others, especially other children. That is their parents' job.

There is one particular book that is getting some attention right now. A professor in Missouri wants it banned from high schools. Not only do I think he's wrong, but I think banning this book could do more harm than good.


SPEAK is a book about rape, about survival, about being a victim. It contains a sensitive subject. But it is only sensitive because society doesn't want to talk about it. Rape is a problem in society that won't go away by sticking our heads in the sand. Ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is an invitation for evil play unawares. We need to be willing to talk about it so more victims will feel safe coming forward. We need to talk about it so abusers get the message that what they are doing is wrong. Talking about rape doesn't condone it. Quite the opposite, if society will talk more openly about rape and other forms of abuse, we will have more to fight the problem with.

Laurie Halse Anderson, the author, has spoken up about the issue of her book being banned. I strongly suggest you read her post about it here. SPEAK has encouraged more people to speak up about their abuse, to speak out against abuse.

You can help. Read what other bloggers have said about abuse. Listen to victims speak about their abuse. Spread the word that banning books is wrong, and banning SPEAK is harmful. Here's a few places to start:


SPEAK when you can, but always be willing to LISTEN.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Message Board

Quick 10 minute craft.

Vinyl lettering + plastic clipboard + and a dry erase marker = Ouila! Message boards.

I hung them on each bedroom door, this one is Katie's. Now, we can leave each other messages by writing directly on the board or clipping something on. I'll have them put papers for me to sign on my message board. I'll leave them love notes. If I'm gone, I'll leave them instructions.


EDIT: The colored dry erase markers don't work on the colored boards. They are too close to the same, and the pigment doesn't show up. Then, the messages I wrote wouldn't erase. The black one worked fine, so I figured something must be different about the colored markers. Yep, changed to all black, and it erases just fine. Darn, the cute color coordination didn't work, but I still got my message boards.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

BlogFest Giveaways


This weekend BlogFest, where 200+ blogs are giving away some pretty awesome prizes. Enter Bitten By Books, who is giving away a Kindle! Check it out here.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Family Friday: Pass of All Passes

We found a great deal on a pass for the following attractions that is good until Labor Day 2011. I couldn't pass it up. It comes out costing barely more than a summer pass to the swimming pool, but my kids have outgrown that. They didn't enjoy it as much this summer. So, I've considered getting passes to Seven Peaks (the local water park). Well, when this pass came along for the lowest price ever offered, and included all the rest, I decided to jump on it. We will have plenty to do all year long, and it won't cost anything.


When we had a free day, we went to Trafalga Lehi to see what they offered. The kids raced cars, soaked each other on the bumper boats, rock climbed, and played laser tag. They are excited to play all year long.




And, Dad took Labor Day off and we decided to brave the last day of the season at Seven Peaks. The weather was supposed to be cold, but it turned out to be a nice, beautiful day. The park wasn't very busy, and we had a blast swimming and watersliding. Didn't get any pictures, but I have all next summer . . .

Now, when do the Utah Flash games start?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Wedding Decorations

Friday, my sister-in-law, Wendy, got married. It was a gorgeous day, and everything turned out beautifully. Since they were putting together this event on a tight budget, many of the family pitched in to help. I love planning and throwing parties, and had ideas for table decorations, so I volunteered to take care of that. The white tablecloths were already available, so I planned on adding color on top. The colors were pink and brown, and this is what I decided on: colored square tablecloth, white tulle, mirror, glass candle holders, and white candles. I was going to do more variety of the candles, but we ended up having fewer tables than I planned, so I just went with the most elegant of the groupings. Here's all 3 varieties:









I also made sheer white aprons for the serving girls, a few dresses and skirts for my daughters and a couple cousins, pink hair flowers for all, and the sign-in book. I tried taking pictures of it, but the sun was too bright, so I didn't get a chance for a visible picture before the bride and groom took the book with them (for a 2nd reception the next day). It turned out so cute, if I can get pictures later, I will post them.