Pinterest Challenge - Day 7 - Grandparents Day Card

Day 7 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from cardstore.com.

My Version - Happy Grandparents Day Card

If you are mine or Mike's Parents or Grandparents....Stop Reading Now!

Grandparent's Day is on Sunday, September 9 (thanks Doodles & Drawings for the reminder)!  I always like to do something for my parents and grandparents from Addison (and my nephew Cody) to say Happy Grandparents Day.

I may be a little biased but aren't they the cutest kids ever :)

One of my other hobbies is dabbling in Photoshop and Graphic Design...I am not an expert by any means but I love doing it.  WARNING - Here comes a shameless plug...I've even started my own company Cuddlebug Cards where I create custom invitations, announcements, cards and labels.  There's also a link on the sidebar to my Etsy Shop.

And as a gift to my blog readers, here is a link where you can download a FREE...yes FREE layered .psd file of this card to create your own.  You can use this in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements but it does require some basic knowledge of clipping masks and layers.  It's easy to print out or you can save it as a .jpeg and email for Grandparents Day.

Download the FREE .psd file here.

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day

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Mommy Daughter Date - Donuts in the Park

Today was our first Mommy Daugther Date!  Addi was so excited this morning when I told her that she got to open one of her envelopes.

Today's date card!

We stopped by our favorite donut shop (where they always add in some extra donut holes) and of course Addi picked a donut with sprinkles! What 2 year old does not love sprinkles?  Then we headed to a fun park to play before going to school.

She also wanted a bite of mommy's donut so she was double fisting it - one cinnamon sugar and one with sprinkles (I feel bad for her teachers).

Yummy!  Please excuse the unkept mommy look...I was running after dropping her at school and didn't want to get ready and then get sweaty and get ready again.

Loving the park and the slide :)  

On another note...I LOVE Fridays that I have off work.  I get to run in the morning when it's cool, get my grocery shopping done before the mad weekend rush and enjoy some extra time with my family.  Oh yeah and it's pizza night (and wine night) so I don't have to cook :)  

And for those of you following my Pinterest Challenge...you get a bonus blog...yep 2 blogs in one day.  I will post my Pinterest Challenge later today :)

stay tuned for next month's date:

Monster Mayhem at the Library and Cici's Pizza lunch

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Pinterest Challenge - Day 6 - Giving Jar

Day 6 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin

 

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from Squido.

My Version - Giving Jar

I love giving at Christmas!  Seriously...I get more excited about seeing everyone else's faces when they open the really cool gift I got them way more than getting gifts.  But more importantly I think it's important to give to those who are truly in need or have fallen on hard times.

I think giving is a very important character trait to pass on to my daughter.  I saw the "Christmas Jar" on Pinterest and knew immediately that we would be doing this in our house this fall.

The entire concept is about giving anonymously - so in other words selfless giving.  You put all your spare change in the jar and once it goes in, it doesn't go out.  Around Christmas time you leave the jar for a neighbor, coworker, friend, etc on their porch, car or desk.  No names on the jar just a special message telling them "Merry Christmas!"

Addison helped me paint the jar (it took us 2 days) but we finished it tonight and put our first coins in there.  We decided to paint the interior of the jar (a) because a toddler was painting it and I didn't want it everywhere (b) it just looks really cool.

Here are the supplies we used: Large Mason Jar, Red Paint, Glitter, Scrapbook Paper, Ribbon

Addison started the painting of the jar...and she got bored so we put a bunch of paint in the bottom and let her swirl it around...and she got bored so she painted the paper plate instead :)

Here is what the inside looked like wet...once all the paint got swirled around, we put it upside down to drain for a few hours then let it dry for 24 hours.

After it was totally dry inside, we cut a circle with scrapbook paper and put a hole in the top.  After we put it all together, Addi and I talked about what we were going to do with the jar and put our first coins in.

And here she is explaining what the jar is all about:

I hope this inspires everyone to give during this holiday season!

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day

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Pinterest Challenge - Day 3 - Vintage Headband

Day 3 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin.   

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from Who Made That Bow Designs.

My Version - Vintage Coral Headband adorned with Pearls

I have to admit I'm pretty darn proud of myself for this one...it is perfect!  My sister (who has a little boy) has been begging me to take some REALLY girly pictures of Addison, so I found one of those cute rompers but couldn't find a matching headband.  So crafty (not really) me, decided to attempt to make one of my own.  I think it turned out super cute!

I apologize that there are no pictures from the creation but it would have been the blind leading the blind.  I tried a million different things and they were all trial and error.  If there are a lot of you that comment that you want a picture DIY tutorial, I will make another one and do a step by step tutorial.

Supplies:

• Stretch Lace
• Needle and Thread
• Pearl Strand
• Felt 
• Pearl String
• Pearl & Rhinestone Embellishments
• Hair Clips
• Tea Bags
• Chiffon
• Cotton
• Hot Glue Gun

I got all my supplies at Joann Fabrics for about $13 and I have enough to make about 3-4 more headbands.

Steps:

Lace Headband

1.  Cut your stretchy lace to fit your kiddo's head.  Put the ends together and sew it until it holds securely.  I could not find off white lace, so I ended up tinting it with tea.  I boiled tea bags then dipped the lace in until I got the color I liked and let it dry.

Pearl Embellishment

1.  Cut a circle out of the felt (I used the bottom of a Nestle Water Bottle).  Cut the same size circle from the chiffon.

2.  Curl the Pearl Strand around the edge of the circle and sew in place (I used the string that the pearls were strung on to secure them to the felt and chiffon).  Continue with the next few strands leaving enough room in the middle for one button.  

3.  Hot Glue a large button in the center.  

4.  Turn over and attach your hair clip using hot glue.  Let it dry completely.

Chiffon Rosette

1.  Cut out a small circle out of felt (I used the outside of a spool of thread).  

2.  Cut a strip of chiffon, approximately 1/2" wide.  

3.  Starting from the outside, run a bead of hot glue.  Using a twisting motion, glue down a little bit of chiffon at a time working your way to the middle.  

4.  Using your thread and needle, sew one stitch in the middle of the rosette.  Your rhinestone will cover.

5.  Hot glue your rhinestone in the center.

Cotton Rosette

1.  Cut a square of felt and a strip of fabric, approximately 1" wide.

2.  Fold the end of your fabric into a small triangle and hot glue in the center of the square.  

3.  Working your way from the center, twist and glue down the fabric in a circular pattern.

4.  Once you are happy with the size, trim the felt down to the same size as your fabric rosette.

5.  Tuck the end of your cotton fabric under the felt and glue it down.  

6.  Glue down the pearls in the center with hot glue.

7.  Glue the chiffon rosette and cotton rosette to a hair clip.

You can use these clips as regular hair clips or you can put them on the headband.  Each of the three pieces can be used separately or all together.  I loved how it turned out and can't wait for the real pics next weekend.

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day.

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Pinterest Challenge - Day 1 - Mommy Daughter Dates

I am so excited about this Pinterest Challenge!

Day 1 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin.   

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from Finding Joy in the Journey.

My Version - Mommy & Addi (Daughter) Dates

For Day 1, I had to do something that involved the most important person (besides my hubby) to me - Ms Addi!  So I created "Date" envelopes for Addi and I to go on once a month.

Each month has a card that explains what we will be doing that month.  These are super special dates for just her and me.  I also didn't want them to be super expensive so they are all $25 or under.  Here is a list of the fun dates Addi and I will be going on this year:  

• September - Donut Breakfast at the Park
• October - Monster Mayhem at the Lewisville Library and Cici's Pizza
• November (Really end of October) - Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch 
• December - Frisco Lights on Ice Outdoor Skating Rink & Hot Cocoa
• January - Tea & Cupcakes Pretend Party at Let's Play Pretend in Grapevine
• February - Bounce House Fun & Purple Cow Lunch
• March - Color Me Mine Ceramic Painting
• April - Fort Worth Zoo 
• May - Addi's Choice
• June - Cupcake Camp
• July - Swimming at the Flower Mound CAC
• August - Studio Movie Grill

I am super excited about this pin and having some fun dates with my little girl!  

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day.

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Morning Mania

Mornings in the Dowdy house have become hectic, stressful and crazy!  Addison is not a morning person at all and waking her up, getting her dressed and off to school without a tantrum or two is nearly impossible.  I dread waking up Addi in the morning and it normally takes her 10 minutes before she will get out of bed.  Then we battle trying to get dressed, going potty and brushing her teeth.  Most mornings I end up sweaty with toothpaste on my shirt and late after trying everything I can think of to get her out the door.  I've tried redirecting her, bribing her, giving her time outs (which I don't have time for), waking her up earlier, setting a timer...you name it.  Plus, Mike is already at work before we even get out of bed, so I don't have an extra set of hands. 

After a horrible morning this morning I decided enough fighting - she works better with positive rewards so we are going to try a new approach.  I looked to my favorite resource...pinterest!  I found a few morning reward charts and modified them to create my own. 

She had a blast taking all the pictures and I told her that in the morning she would get to see her surprise.  After looking through lots of websites for reward ideas, I finally came up with what would work best for us.  Most mornings Addi gets a Nutra Grain bar on her way to school so instead of a "bar" as she calls it, she will get to pick a breakfast treat.  I got mini blueberry muffins (which she thinks are cupcakes), chocolate covered granola bar and a Lucky Charms cereal treat bar.  I wanted to keep it healthier than candy but still give her something to look forward to.  We will limit these treats to only mornings when she gets 4 stickers.  And this girl loves to be able to pick her own stuff (she's very independent) so this is perfect. 

Wish me luck...hopefully things will get easier and I won't start my day off on the wrong foot.  I've also included some blank morning routine charts for anyone else that needs some stress free mornings - hope they work for you.

Printable Morning Routine - Girl

Printable Morning Routine - Boy

UPDATE 7.19:

Addison is doing great with the morning routine chart!  Mornings are no longer a nightmare in my house - which helps get the day started on the right foot.  We have even gotten to the point where she has all her routine done in 10-15 minutes and we get to have some cuddle time and tv time in the mornings.  Thank goodness for positive rewards and for the "special treat" fairy :) Pin It

Old MacDonald Had A Farm!

This weekend was all about animals at the Dowdy house!  We actually had a weekend with absolutely nothing planned...which is a rare occurrence in our world.  Friday I was off work and we went to The Ark play area at First Baptist Church Coppell.  It is an amazing play area that is totally free!  Sorry...no pics of this one, I was too busy climbing and chasing Addison. 

Saturday we took an early nap then headed out to Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch.  It is a really neat wildlife center with lots of unique animals.  It is small but was the perfect size for Addison - we were there about 3 hours and she did not want to leave.  It is free for kids under 3, $8 for kids 3-12 years old and $10 for adults - so it's a pretty cheap day.  Some of the cool features are a 40 minute tractor ride where you visit and pet Clydesdale Horses, Zebras and Camels, Barrel Train Rides and Animal Shows.  Here are some pictures from our day:

Addison petting a Llama.

Addison on the Tractor Ride -with the Clydesdale Horses.

They breed unique animals here - this is a horse/zebra mix named Wild Thing.

Addison was scared to death of the camels.  She couldn't get far enough away.  I have to admit they are pretty ugly looking.

Addison said the bear was her favorite!  They have 2 black bears on the property.

This is the barrel train ride...as you can tell by the look on her face she had LOTS of fun!

We finished our night with a big pallet on the floor with lots of pillows and the movie "Babe."  I love family movie nights and this was the perfect ending to our fun day!

Addison is an outside girl and loves walking around our neighborhood.  We typically take a walk every night after dinner.  This morning we decided to take our dogs...I haven't attempted this before because they are the kind of dogs that really need a Cesar Millan intervention but we decided to try it.  This is her first time actually walking one of our dogs (the little one) and she did great.   Guess we will be taking them along more often.

Weekends never seem long enough especially when we have so much fun!  We are looking forward to Mike's 30th Birthday next weekend and Father's Day!

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Family Fun!

The weather over the last few weeks has been so nice! We have taken full advantage with lots of fun family time.

Mike & Addi - First fishing trip at Fishin' Fun in Farmers Branch

For Mother's Day - Mike, Addi and I spent the afternoon at the Lake Dallas Carnival.  Addison had a BLAST riding all the rides and bouncing in the bounce house.  

Riding in the helicopter!

Flying high in the airplane...she talked about this all week!

Bouncing - Bouncing - Bouncing

Addi and I had a fun playdate at the Fort Worth Zoo with Carrie and Emily.  We enjoyed a fun day looking at all the animals and finished with a lunch overlooking the alligators.  Her favorite...the Alligator even though it scared the crap out of her.  The second picture is her and Emily in their beautiful princess crowns - this was the best picture I could get because the girls kept giggling and looking at each other :)

We spent Sunday afternoon playing in the fountains in Flower Mound.  We took Addison for a surprise ice cream at Rita's Ice and fun in the fountains.

We have had some really fun weekends with many more to come!  I love SPRING!



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Welcome to My Loves!

I am an foodie, drinker of wine, runner and best of all Mommy! This blog is an account of all the wonderful things in my life.

Mike - Meredith - Addison

My passion for food began at a very young age...I loved being in the kitchen with my mom and grandmothers as they cooked.  I took cooking classes when I was in elementary school, went to cooking camp in Junior High and even did my own cookbook of family recipes when I was a pre-teen.  I am by no means a sophisticated cook but I LOVE cooking and especially EATING!!!

Wine is a newer passion of mine and one that I enjoy experimenting with...again I mention I do not have a sophisticated palette but love trying out new wines.  My newest favorite wine is Moscato - I think I'm in love :)  My favorite time of day is when everyone is in bed and I get to have a glass of wine and relax!

Running...to keep off all the pounds from food and wine:)  I haven't always enjoyed this sport but just recently fell into it.  Now I really love getting out and clearing my mind with a good run.  I completed my first 5K in November of 2011 and really want to try out a half marathon by the end of the year.  My hubby Mike and I run together 3-4 times a week so it's time we get to spend together too!

Dorothy's Dash - First 5K

Being a Mom!  This if my absolute FAVORITE thing in the entire world (besides being a wife).  Mike and I got married in April of 2006 and started our family in December 2009 with the birth of Addison!  We are so in love with our little girl and she is the light of both of our lives.  She is spunky, funny, sweet and very loving!  

Addison - December 11, 2009



Enjoy the blog!





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