Favorite Links This Month (December 2011)

Delicious Links:

Power to Choose
Boring, I know, but we just switched energy companies - so, if you want to find a lower rate, check out this website!

I Heart Fluff: How NOT to Wash Cloth Diapers
I thought this was a great resource from my friend Jessica on how to wash your cloth diapers, especially after our horrible STINK incident this last fall!

JPG Mag: My Advice for Aspiring Photographers
I LOVE this little article. My favorite words of wisdom?

• "Never apologize for your own sense of beauty."
• "Say no. Say it often."
• "Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection."

Pinterest Pins:

Make a photo book of your kids artwork
I LOVE this idea! What a great way to preserve the memories while saving space and making it easier to display.

Amazing Toddler Activities
This mom is super creative and has tons of fun ideas for young toddlers on her blog!

Hanging Organization Baskets in Nursery
I might need to hang a shelf and hooks over the changing table for a little additional organization in the boys' room, and I LOVE these baskets as a starting point!

DIY Kids' Workbench
As soon as the play kitchen is complete and our garage is semi-organized, I think this would be an AWESOME birthday present for Cannon.

Crocheted Flower Hat for Little Girl
I really want to make this - anyone with daughters want to try it out if I do?

Favorite Links This Month (November 2011)

Delicious Bookmarks:

TidyMom: Cleaning Schedule
Need inspiration for creating your own cleaning schedule/checklist? This is just one of many I reference to make sure I wasn't leaving anything out!

Rocks in My Dryer: More About the Jesse Tree
You can find all kinds of blogs about Advent and the Jesse Tree online, but I thought she shared a few good resources.

Josh Harris: Homeschool Blindspots
Having been homeschooled, and as we think forward to possibly homeschooling our children, I found this post from a former homeschool father quiet interesting. It's long but insightful.

Pinterest Pins:

Big Art Projects for Kids
I can't wait to settle into life again (not be pregnant, not be exhausted from a newborn) and do some of these messy, messy art projects with Cannon.

DIY Growth Chart
I think this would be awesome (and easy) to make for the boys room to start tracking their growth. And then we can take it with us if we ever move!

Make Magnets out of an Old Map
This looks so fun and education and easy!

Laundry Basket Photographs
You know me - I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for fun ways to documents my kids' lives weekly/monthly/etc! Might have to try this out with the new baby.

Favorite Links This Month (October 2011)

Delicious Bookmarks:

Magic Cabin
This is not more normal bookmark, but I just had to save this link to these adorable, quality and natural children's toys!

Paint the Mood: Why Your Lab Is So Important
I'm a fan of selling disks of images to photography clients. I know that sometimes you just can't be rushed into decided what prints you want to order, sometimes you can't afford the "best quality" prints, or sometimes you just want control of what you do with your photos. But, this blog post is a great example of how you get what you pay for when it comes to your prints. You might just be shocked at the differences!

Passionate Homemaking: Resources for Family Devotions
Looking for family devotional books that are tried and true and Gospel-centered? Look no further.

Passionate Homemaking: Simple Seasonal Family Traditions
I'm loving this blog this month! This is a great list of things to do with the kids each season of the year. Most of them are simple and cheap.

Pinterest Pins:

Nativity Crafts - These are some awesome activities for the holiday season. Somedays I can't WAIT until Cannon gets older. The boy better watch out. I have have been bottling up fun activities since July 8, 2010!

Photographing Baby in the Same Outfit all Year - I think this is what I'm going to do with Baby Boy #2 each week in addition to the different backdrops so we have some frame of reference for how he's growing!

Quiet Books - I've been pinning quiet book pages like crazy in preparation for our quiet book swap next month. This is one of my favorites!

30 Neighbor Christmas Gifts - Looking for a little something to give out to your neighbors this holiday season?

DIY Learning Tower - I somehow JUST NOW learned about this thing called the Learning Tower. I would LOVE to make this for Cannon. Now that he's walking he's always pulling on the counter and loves when I lift him up to see what I'm doing.

Favorite Links This Month (September 2011)

Delicious Pins:

Passionate Homemaking: Newborn Cloth Diaper Review
She gives a great overview of some of the most popular newborn cloth diapers. This post helped me decided that I'd just rather buy disposable for a few weeks for Baby Boy #2 before putting our one-size cloth diapers on him after he gains a few pounds.

Fimby: My No-Nonsense Strategy for Picky Eaters
I found this post very interesting. And, since I've always been overwhelmed at the thought of having to cut sandwiches into crazy shapes or make animals from three different kinds of vegetables (not that there's anything wrong with that), I found this view refreshing. I would much rather be able to put food out in front of my children and have them eat it!

Mt. Hope Chronicles Life: Classical Conversations
I found this link on Kirby's blog and thought it was a fabulous introduction to Classical Conversations.

Pugly Pixel: Freebie Blog Photo Templates
This is for my photographer and blogging friends - FREE blog templates! What more could your heart want?!

Pinterest Pins:

Wooden Sandbox
I can't decide if Cannon would enjoy a sandbox or a play kitchen more for Christmas!

More Quiet Book Ideas
One of these months I will make Cannon a "quiet book."

Card Catalog Buffet
I'm not even sure where I'd put this - but I think I might just NEED it!

Plate Rack turned Bookshelf
This would be adorable for the boys room.

Favorite Links This Month (August 2011)

A few things I'm reading and saving this month.


Delicious Pins:
Passionate Homemaking: The Blessings of a Small Home
Such a nice reminder for the days when I want more than I need.

Dating Divas: You Are Appreciated
Hopefully Danny's not reading the blog too closely so he won't ruin the surprise of me doing this for him one day.

Not Just Cute: Use These 5 Tips to Boost Your Child's Learning Skills While Shopping
Cannon's not nearly ready for most of these ideas, but what fun ways to engage your child at the grocery story instead of just rushing through.

The Sudan Fam: Hallie's Birth Story
Maybe it's being pregnant, maybe not, but who can tire of reading birth stories? These are friends from church who just welcomed their first baby into the world.


Pinterest Pins:

Magnetic Make-Up Board - can I please make one of these? It's cute and it saves space - WIN WIN!

DIY Bathtub Crayons - I think Cannon NEEDS these!

Painting with Ice Cubes (and other ideas for hot summer days) - Of course I'm always on the hunt for ideas for what to do when it's blazing hot outside

Mama Mia's Maternity Photo Book - one of the cutest pregnancy chronicles EVER.

Favorite Links This Month (July 2011)

I thought I'd split this little monthly post into two sections: my Delicious bookmarks and my Pinterest pins. I have a blog in the works on how/why I use both bookmarking services.

Delicious Bookmarks:

Organizing Your Way:A Great Summer Activity For Your Kids AND Your Home
Need a creative way to organize your house AND entertain your kids this summer? Look no further!

50 Free Prints
I've used this site to find different deals for getting prints for the grandparents - and now my secret is out!


Pioneer Woman:Snap Out of It!
I've posted before about GETTING IN THE PICTURE. This is a beautiful reminder of why you should get in front of the camera today. Forget feeling too fat or too old.
 
SavvyBlogging:Time Boxing
This is simple resource for bringing some organization and structure to your day.
 
Pinterest Pins:
 
Gutter Bookshelves - to make one day for the kids' room (can you believe I'm saying kids' room - as in I have more than one child?!)
 
Dry Erase Freezer - use your freezer as a dry erase board/calendar/menu/etc. INGENIUS!
 
Free Toddler Activities - I'm always looking for free and simple things to do with Cannon and am not creative enough on my own to think of things like painting with water.

Favorite Links This Month (June 2011)

Simple Mom: Have Yourself An Inspired Little Summer

Need an idea of what to do with your kids this summer? This is just one of many blogs floating around the internet with ideas on surviving and thriving the hottest months of the year.

Creativity by Crystal: 2011 Plannner

This gal is hyper organized and while I'm not in a spot to push my pregnant self to quite this level of organization, but I'm saving it for future reference.

Dear Baby: Under a Full Moon. The Birth of Arlo Redding

Okay, aside from LOVING the name Arlo, I love a good birth story. And this one doesn't disappoint.

The Creative Mama: One Frame A Day

Searching for the perfect photo book inspiration? Look no further - I love how this mama captured every day life in a physical book to hold.

And other than that I just pinned a bajillion things on Pinterest, so don't forget to check that out too.

Favorite Links This Month (May 2011)

Under the Sycamore Tree: Mud Run Birthday Party
Um, this might be the COOLEST birthday party for a little boy that I've ever seen!

A Holy Experience: Why Would Anyone Be Crazy Enough to Homeschool
A great look at the pros and cons of homeschooling and a few thoughts to fuel our homeschool discussion.

Seeds Family Worship
My friend Chelsea introduced us to these worship cds and in the little time we've had them playing we love them! Check out the samples under "media."

Becoming Minimalist: Why Fewer Toys Will Actually Benefit Your Kids
A link found via Jenna's blog that reminds me it's okay that Cannon plays with old coffee cans more than the exersaucer.

Chinaberry: Books & Other Treasures for the Whole Family
I found some good recommendations for age-appropriate books here.

As always, you can see everything I'm pinning at Pinterest or bookmarking at Delicious. Pinterest is becoming my place for saving all things visual (house decorating colors, crafts, photography poses, etc.) while Delicious is host to all things written and technical (how to edit html on the blog, the finances of LLCs, etc.) Just wanted you to understand how I was organizing my online mess!

Favorite Links This Month (April 2011)

Okay, I might have to change this up a bit each month as I've finally started using Pinterest. Have you gotten on this bandwagon that's taken the internet by storm yet? You get to "pin/bookmark" pictures/links into various categories. The visual person in me LOVES this. I can see all of the of the links I've bookmarked for decorating in one place! You can follow my Pinterest boards here. I haven't used any of my invites, so if you want to join let me know!

So, we might have to do a monthly Pinterest/Delicious recap from here on out.

Code Name: Mama: How to Create a Learning Cooperative
I've been wanting to create a little play group based on Slow & Steady Get Me Ready (or some other similar developmental book) but just haven't gathered up the friends or resources, so this was a fun blog that might just light a fire under my rear.

Dating Divas: Special Anniversary Milestones
Looking for some fun anniversary ideas based around the traditional anniversary gifts? Then look no further than this blog that I reference regularly for creative date night ideas.

There Are No Ordinary Moments: How to Be the Best Post Pardum Visitor in 15 Minutes or Less
Having had a baby in the last year and having friends birthing babies every few weeks, this blog touched close to home. It's good.

Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) - Download "Slow & Steady Get Me Ready" for FREE
My favorite activities book for FREE? My friend, Judy, told me she found it online for free, so I went hunting. And here it is, for all to share.

Any fun links you discovered this month?

Favorite Links This Month (March 2011)

Make Baby Stuff: How to Dye Play Silks
I think I need to make these for Cannon - now just to find some plain silk scarves!

giverslog: Bubble Wrap Hopscotch
Okay, some of you with toddlers might just be finding this on your doorstep.

Under the Sycamore Tree: She Left Proof
Do I link up to this blog every month or what? Here's to me getting more pictures of myself with Cannon.

My Stock-Up Price Life: Money Saving Mom
Want to know when a good deal is too good to pass up? Here's the price points you should be looking for at the grocery & drug stores.

They'll Want to Try It Again: Teacher Tom
I have a NEW favorite blog! This guy has the BEST ideas. I'm also going to need a second house just for the mess that this teacher's ideas are going to create.

Kara's Party Ideas: Baseball Birthday Party
Yes, I have already started thinking about Cannon's birthday.

Favorite Links This Month (February 2011)

What have I been reading and bookmarking this month?


Why It's Really Okay: The Need to Slow Down - A Holy Experience
"God’s Word never says Hurry Up. God words only whisper: Wake Up."
"Time’s this priceless currency and only the slow spend it wise enough to be rich."
-wow-


The Way A Mother Can Make Peace With Time - A Holy Experience
Ann's words pierce to my heart. She gets me. Letting go. Letting your children grow. Letting time pass. It's hard but necessary. 


Defrosting Animals - Tinker Lab
My friend Kristin told me about freezing toys in a big block of ice and letting the kids watch/feel it melt all day, so we're going to have to try this in the upcoming weeks.


Happiness Has Arrive {My Publisher} - Under the Sycamore Tree
I have been re-inspired to make a book for each year so we can flip through and remember. I love that she lets her kids play with, touch and feel the books as they look at the pictures.


Boys Bunk Room - August Fields
One day, when we have a house full of children (and a bigger house) I'm going to commission Danny to build these bunk beds to hold our little ones. I'm a BIG fan of kids sharing a room!


Say It On the Wall
It's my dream to have a pantry with working shelves. I'm going to get matching glass jars and these labels to hold all of our bulk ingredients!


Montessori Birth - 3 Years
Just doing some more exploring on developmental activities and education for Cannon.


The Coffeeshop Blog
Looking for some fun, free photoshop actions?


You can check out everything I'm bookmarking on Delicious.

Favorite Links This Month (January 2011)

A few things I've been reading and bookmarking this last month.

Spanish Schoolhouse - I found an Mommy and Me Spanish class near us through this website that Cannon and I might just have to try out!

Crocheted Balls by Martha Stewart - my Mom found these adorable balls which I would LOVE to make for Cannon!

Everything You Need to Know to Pick the Right Preschool - Modern Parents Messy Kids - we're far off from needing preschool, but I liked the overviews of the different types of preschools, if even just for ideas if we end up doing preschool at home.

How to Spot a High Quality Play Based Preschool - Not Just Cute - again, not something we need today, but I liked reading about the different "centers" as I think about setting up our home as a friendly place for Cannon to learn, explore and play.

A Lego/Coffeetable for Moms - Ana White - I've commissioned Danny to make one of these for me before Cannon starts scattering his legos everywhere.

diy {the best of my days notepad - 2011} - Under the Sycamore Tree - This is one of my new favorite blogs! I want to make one of these and then be able to look back and be thankful for 2011.

Resolved: Keep Your Computer Safe Clean and Backed up in 2011 - Lifehacker - Considering that I started off 2011 with a crashing hard drive, this is getting moved to the top of my to-do list!

You can check out everything I'm bookmarking on Delicious.