SNOWMAN till summer!...

Just make a mini snowman & plop it in your freezer & giggle throughout the seasons. Every time you open your freezer you will get a cheery little reminder of the fun of winter :)

I got this super cute idea from some of Nyla's BFF's (Hey Gabby & Gianna!) It was such a cute, unexpected surprise when I opened their freezer last year, I, umm we just couldn't wait to make one for our home :)  Thanks guys for being our inspiration!!

It seems like were gonna get some more snow, looks like I might have a party in my freezer by the end of the season :)

Nyla also added to the freezer some snow for snowballs & snowy icecream, let the party begin!  

SPY 9 SECRET AGENT KIDS PARTY!...

For Nyla's 9th birthday party she decided she wanted a Spy/Detective party.  YAY! I have to tell you I umm WE had so much fun!!

Invitation:
I had the lunch bags & red tape, so I thought why not make a secret agent invite. So easy! I just typed up some party info and Nyla customized each one. Just cost a regular stamp to mail. This invite was undercover cheap!

Party Favors:

Every Secret Agent needs a spy stash! We used discarded old books and cut out the middle.  Wrapped them in brown paper, added initials to customize and stuck a wallet in there. We also included a mustache, magnifying glass & notebook.

Agent ID's:
We had "Agents" randomly pick a color from a hat and a name from another hat

and came up with some super funny Spy names.
(We used paint samples for the colors and I pre-printed & cut out the names. After they picked them I taped the names to the color and slipped them into the plastic name tags)

Spy Training:
1.  Fingerprinting:  After the spy's in training picked out their spy names then of course they had to be fingerprinted & pick out their trench coats & mustaches.  Spy's had the choice of pink or black ink.  (totally needed wipes after) It was so cute seeing their tiny fingerprints, hopefully, that's the only time huh!!
2. Truth Serum: Of course every spy comes

across some truth serum at some point! (I filled little florist tubes-Thanks Andy!)  with a variety of Nyla's favorites & added straws-  "Spys" got it, loved it,quesion it &/or hated it - which all are perfect "spy" qualities. 
3.  Laser Beam Obstacle course:  We had our little spy's maneuver a "laser beam" obstacle course.  Which they totally loved, this was by far the best part of spy training! Simply tied a bunch of black yarn on our porch.  It was awesome!  
4.  Missing Evidence Game:  Simply filled a suitcase with stuff, let them look then closed it, took stuff out & had guess whats missing.  We did this a couple of times.  
5. Toss the dynamite:
This game happened so fast, my head was spinning! It seems toilet paper rolls filled with candy makes quite a quick blast!

6.  Target practice:  At the last minute, Nyla disguised herself, I snapped a picture, printed it & she cut it out.  I still had some red paper, cut it out in a circle and bamb! Shoot the villian was born.
Mission:
During spy training, I snuck & rang the door bell, leaving an envelope. The mission was simple,  "Dr. Evil Chaos" stole the goodie bags & threatened to blow them up.  The clues were funny, basically we had the kids run all over the place & they LOVED it!

(the bomb was simple; oatmeal container, egg timer, left over wire, tape & loaded it with candy)

I typed a bunch of clues, one of them was on edible decorating paper with a food marker, kids got a big kick out of it, but first they were so excited that it was in a cereal box, they ripped it, then had to put it together and finally "eat the evidence"
We also had 9 balloons; 1 with a clue & they had to pop the balloon bombs to get the clue.  

EVIDENCE:First we had pizza but quickly had to get back to the mission!  & Almost forgot to go back & have the cupcakes!!!

Basically, this was the easiest, funnest party ever!!  Just some typing, printing & a bunch of tape.  The main thing was having Nyla's best buds there to celebrate! She sure does have a great bunch of friends :) Thank you  little "Spy, Secret Agents" we love you all!!! Our "spy dogs", Dodger & Martine were pretty good too! It was a great day!

Super Spy thanks to these amazing blogs, we got so many great ideas from them!!!  I couldn't have done this without you! :)

FRUGAL FAMILY TIMES  passports & other cool stuff! 
BIRTHDAY BLUEPRINT "Dr Evil Chaos"
MYSTERY FACTORY game ideas
THE DECOROLOGIST mystery
GROW CREATIVE (cereal box clue)

little game of Glad Book - easy DIY

I had these little pieces of paper that I cut out of an old, discarded book from the library.  (that's a future blog post crafty) I just couldn't throw them away, they looked so cute.  So, instead I turned them into a new book.

A Glad Book.  It's a little game of Glad - book. It's obvious all the things we should be glad about, every minute of every day.  Sometimes we forget the obvious.  

With this little book, it will help with that.  Just turn the page and circle a word that makes you glad.  
Then on the next white page write why. You can even draw a little picture.

To make this easy peasy Glad Book:
Cut out pages from an old, unused book. (you can make it any size, mines tiny and I used 6 pages)
Cut out white pages the same size (I had 5 pages)
Use a hole punch & make 3 holes (or staple)
Tie with pretty little ribbon


Early readers can be glad too, just customize book to their taste and have them search for fun words from a subject they enjoy. 

Super big time thanks to one of my favorite author's SARK for inspiring me to make my little book. For giddiness & inspiration abundance you gotta check out her books, you will feel the love immediately!

 

I'm so GLAD you stopped by!! My blog door is always open.  I hope you have a silly filled day :)







I'm having fun here, come join me!

Mini Hugs...

I had these little white circle sticker things

and I wrote on them and made these....

now I'm going to mail them.    

 ( I hope you get your hugs today!  :)

CARD MAKIN STATION WAYTION

Nyla came up with this fun idea one day, since she's lovin her new computer (its really our old, old one that is barely hanging on) she thought it would be a great idea to type little messages and make cards for people.  So we did.

She set up our Card Makin Station Waytion and we got busy, my job was to print her messages (she typed them all on 1 piece of paper, every message was a little different and a different color) then she cut them into little strips.  Now Nyla, the speedy card making wiz kid got to work! Since Nyla is the head honcho at this fun making card shop she did all the  personalization (she decided to use stickers left over from the Easter Bunny). Nyla said I could pick out the perfect envelop and get the tape strips ready. 

The Card Makin Station Waytion ended up making 11 fun cards in all. 

I love that Nyla told me it has to be called Card Makin Station Waytion, that she thought of this fun surprise mail idea, surprised that she even knew what a break room was, that it didn't matter that everything was not perfect, each card was individual and simply beautiful, I'm blown away that she's 7 and can type so well and knows to type in Microsoft word and that this whole card shop fit on our counter! 

Yes, I'm a proud, beaming Mommy!
xxxxoooo Michelle
(I hope you get some fun mail today!)

DREAM SUPER HERO STYLE...DREAM BEAM 22

MY POSITIVITY POWER DREAM IGNITOR JUICE

AND SUPER DREAM GIRL CAPE!

Now that I've got my super hero gear I'm ready! For today's dream beam, embrace your dreams like a super hero and blast those dream zappers!

If your cape is in the laundry basket, dry cleaners or you just can't find it...I've got an extra for you :)

I'm giving up negativity for lint xxxxxoooo Michelle
(I have to tell you, its pretty fun being a dreamy super hero! :)

DREAM MAKEOVER...DREAM BEAM 17

Does your dream need a makeover?   
Since I've started, Lovin My Dreams, Dreamy-to-Doing 17 days ago, my dream is really evolving in lots of little ways. It's not complete, not even close but its getting a makeover without me even realizing it!


For Today's Dream Beam lucky 17

Physically do something for your dream even little things scoot your dream along, Mentally visualize your dream in totality. I'm talking a little or a lot of daydreaming - really envision your dream to the complete finale'.  What does it feel like...make it exactly how you want!, Spiritually let your dream fly give it to the universe and be amazed at the clues and gifts that come your way! (Oh geez, I just realized, this is PMS, but the way funner kind!)

Whether you have been following along or just joining me today for the very first time, during February, I have a virtual gift of a Dream Beam waiting just for you!  Enjoy these little presents as encouragement that your dreams are amazing and it's way more fun to live them! (even after February, you can still sneak a Dream Beam anytime)

Let's do a quick Dream Beam review: (refer back to previous post for pictures clues and more info)

Dream Beam 1 - Discover your Dream
Dream Beam 2 - Have a visual tidbit, your practical friends (goals) join you as you are doing your habits
Dream Beam 3 - Find your Fan Club
Dream Beam 4 - You can't fulfill your dream until you start your dream, don't wait for "perfect"
Dream Beam 5 - Write your Dream Intention
Dream Beam 6 - Dreams change - That's Cool!
Dream Beam 7 - Embrace others Dreams as we embrace ours!
Dream Beam 8 - Dream Disclaimer
Dream Beam 9 - Hiccups in the dream
Dream Beam 10 - Perfect 10, yes your dream is a 10
Dream Beam 11 - Dream Research - make it fun!
Dream Beam 12 - Smile!
Dream Beam 13 - Dream Differently
Dream Beam 14 - Dreamy Treat because you've been doing some fun dreamin!
Dream Beam 15 - Hold on Dreams
Dream Beam 16 - If my Dream...Poem

Thank you!  xxxxoooo Michelle

IF MY DREAM...DREAM BEAM 16

If my dream...

If my dream didn't matter, if my dream didn't make a difference, I would not have an existence, If my dream was misplaced, If my dream was erased, I would find it, If my dream was dismissed by you, I would forgive you, If I screamed my dream to the mountain tops I would hear it echo, it would ripple and triple and giggles would fall as my dream became one but not all,  If I live my dream then my life is what it's meant to be, If I share my dream then a new dream will be.     
                by Michelle Wotruba



I think I'll do that.  xxxxoooo Michelle





Poem by Michelle from www.mommyspinkielipgloss.blogspot.com , I would love for you to borrow my poem just let me know. :)

HOLD ON DREAMS...DREAM BEAM 15

     

Sometimes dreams have to hold

on...for mommyiness.


Since my husband was working on Valentine's Day, don't be sad, with his job as a commercial fisherman we have learned to celebrate every day we are together so at 6:30 Valentine's Day morning we had yummy chocolate and a little blingy gift exchange, our daughter just loved the early morning celebration.

Last night, I thought after I put our daughter to bed I would get a head start on today's blog and other misc. to-do's so that I could really concentrate on my to-dreaming all day. Well, that didn't happen.

Our daughter, Nyla was up over and over and over again.

 Before I get into what happened next,

I would like to thank Michael at http://lifetoheryears.com for providing not only a blog that I love but also the gift and opportunity to post a little mommyspinkielipgloss ad on his blog.

I love www.lifetoheryears.com even more after last night because on one of those ups, we perused most of his archives. September 06, and July 19, 2011 are Nyla's favorites.

Finally, after hearing a song on post November 1st, I decided well even if she’s playing me I just love her so much, I stayed with her for a little while and got up. That worked for about 15 minutes.

She slowly climbed on the couch and said she was scared, when I asked her of what she looked at me with big saucer eyes and crocodile tears just poured out, this time I really knew she wasn't playing me. We hugged for a long, long time, I felt her quiver in her little soft pajamas. Finally she let out a big quiver and stumbly said, I'm scared of that big hairy thing on a TV commercial, when I finally figured out what she was talking about I realized it was Bigfoot! Awww! I think that was weeks ago, the TV ads were on for that show. 

She remembered back in pre-k when she couldn’t get scary things out of her mind.  I remember too, that’s when for about a month she had me ask every person I knew and stranger I ran into wherever we were at what they did to get scary things out of their mind. Thanks everyone by the way, we tried them all!
 
What finally worked then was drawing a picture of it, then ripping it up into tiny pieces then throwing it away in the outside garbage can as well as buying a gargoyle and put it outside our front door to keep scary spirits away. We still have the gargoyle (thanks to my Reiki instructors for this idea) I used to think people who had gargoyles were into weird and creepy things, now I know there just trying to get their kids to sleep and keep the weird, creepy, scary things away! :) 

I added a scarf for the photoshoot :)

Drawing is Nyla’s thing, so again she drew pictures of the scary things that were keeping her up tonight.  Not only Bigfoot, but a Vampire, a girl Devil and a Witch but not a Giant because those are just big not scary but nice.



What happened next was really quite special because I got out of my “It’s my alone, adult time mode and really listened and forgot that it was now 10pm!  We talked about why they are scary, each one separately and what made them that way.  And what Nyla came up with was someone was mean to them and then that made them mad and sad and then they were mean to everyone.



Here’s how her scenarios went:



She then drew the person that was mean to Bigfoot.  After Bigfoot and the girl talked, they realized they were different from each other and that made them scary to each other.  After they realized they weren’t scary; then they went to an amusement park and rode the merry-go-round. While they were at the amusement park someone else made fun of Bigfoot and his friend stuck up for him.  Bigfoot started to get mad and angry again, but his new friend reminded him not to and to have fun.



I’ll skip the Vampire and girl Devil scenario but the Witch one was a little different.



The Witch didn’t have any friends except the black cat.  So she didn’t have anyone to go talk to.  Nyla decided the Witch really liked to sing, so she decided to be in the play Alice in Wonderland.  And she got lots of fans because she was so good.  The fans made her happy and became her friends. So now since the Witch was happy she wasn’t mean and scary anymore.



The end!



I would like to thank again, www.lifetoheryears.com, all the people who help us keep scary things away, gargoyles and my amazing Nyla.



I hope one day my blog can help, inspire and make someone happy that is my new dream.  xxxxoooo Michelle

PERFECT 10...DREAM BEAM 10

Your dream IS a perfect 10, you know why?  Because it is YOUR dream! Remember that!

Pursue your dreams...all of them!

Now lets celebrate! It's day 10 of Lovin our Dreams, Dreamy-to-Doing, just keep lovin your dreams and they will keep inspiring and transpiring! 

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner I decided to make some Chocolate lip gloss, cause I love lip gloss over here!  This was so easy, I'm talking 3 ingredients and some time with the microwave!  I added a little left over edible gold glitter to some because what goes better with chocolate than gold!

You can find this Valentine goodie (she even provides cute little labels!) as well as other fun, easy and crafty tutorials on this super creative blog,  http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2012/01/chocolate-lip-gloss-and-free-printable.html

Thanks for stopping by, sign up under inspiration makers when your ready but most important remember that your dream is a perfect 10! xxxxoooo Michelle