Sunday Fun Links - Week 6

I apologize for my "missing in action" status lately, but LIFE is just getting in the way!  I find myself very busy with the kids.  Over the last several weeks, we've been working on Nathan's science fair project!  Thankfully, that has been turned in and we are patiently waiting for his grade!  We signed Amelia up for Girls on the Run!  This is an excellent program for girls that help them to gain self esteem and confidence as well as getting some great exercise!  Olivia is busy working to make her reading goal at school!  She loves to read and almost every morning...I find at least 4 or 5 books in her bed!  Apparently, when I think she is in bed sleeping....she is actually in bed reading!  That would explain why it's so hard to get her up in the morning! 

Anyway, without further ado, here are my Sunday Fun Links for this week:

18 Valentine's Day Craft Ideas:  Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite Feast Days.  I'm not sure why, but I dread it.  Our kids are required encouraged to bring a valentine for each child in their class.  We usually all sit down at the dining room table and we begin to address and sign the Scooby Doo or Star Wars valentines that we bought from the grocery store.  The kids get about 3 done each before the complaining begins..."my hand hurts", "can you finish these for me mom?", "I'm tired of doing this"!  So, I end up finishing them.  Ugh.  There are 20 kids in Amelia's class, 30 in Nathan's homeroom, and  19 in Olivia's class.  That's a total of almost 75 if you include the teachers!  I'm ready for something different!  If you are on Pinterest...there are TONS of ideas for you to peruse.  Here are just a few to get your creative juices going.

Free Valentine's Day Fonts:  These are really cerute if you want to use the computer to make your own valentines.  I've thought about doing this.  I'm tempted to buy a whole box of Hershey bars, take the brown label off and printing my own labels on pink or red paper using one of these fonts. I could even make an assembly line with the kids helping me!  I may just do this...stay tuned!

Toilet Paper Roll Valentine Bags:  Now isn't this a great idea.  Seems easy enough!

Gorgeous Hair Clips:  First of all, let me say that the sale that is mentioned in this blog post that I've linked to is no longer available.  This was from a post on 1/18/13.  I fully intended to put this on a Sunday Fun Link before now...but alas, I didn't.  Anyway, my hair is very, very short so I could never wear one of these...but aren't they the cutest things you've ever seen?  I LOVE THEM!!

300 Things to do when your kids say "I'M BORED":  Well, my kids tell me this ALL the time!  It strange because I don't ever remember saying those words to my parents...EVER!  It seems the culture we live in today is helping to produce children that must be entertained and stimulated constantly!  As a parent, the buck stops with me so I blame myself for this quirk in my kids, but I'm not sure how to change the pattern.  Dan and I both have to work.  In order for our household to function, I must have time to do the basics...laundry, cooking and cleaning.  Sometimes, it requires my kids to have "artificial" entertainment....like the t.v. or computer.  Most days, I just tell them to "go outside".  Living in Florida, you would think this would be a perfect place to be outside all the time!  Well, you would be wrong.  Summers here are brutal.  Hot (and I mean...HOT like the face of the sun HOT!), sticky, humid and....did I say hot?
Anyway...with 300 ideas in this link...I should be able to find something!



Enjoy the links for this week!

Sunday Fun Links - Week 5

 

Happy Feast of the Solemnity of Christ the King!!  Today is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time!  Next week we begin Advent!  Today, the Sunday Links are all about this Feast Day!  Enjoy!

Catholic Culture

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

From Catholic Cuisine:     Food Fit for a King, Cookie Crown Cake, Simple Cupcake Crowns

Crafts:  Christ the King Crown, Christ the King Coloring Page, Christ the King Word search, Christ the King Pinterest Board

This is only a sampling of all the information, foods, crafts, fun and games that is out there!  Do a Google search and you'll find tons more!  Visit all your favorite Catholic Websites!  Whatever you do, saturate yourself with the culture of Catholicism!  Be holy!  Fill yourselves and your family with the holiness of our faith.  Be a sponge and soak up the very essence of who we are!  Be ready to defend your faith!  Know why the Church teaches what she does!  Put on your FULL ARMOUR OF GOD!

Sunday Fun Links - Week 4

Sorry that I'm late with my links post today....we had a ton of errands to run after mass today!  The link list is short this week...I didn't have as much time to peruse as I usually do.  Here you go:

1.  137 inexpensive, handmade holiday gift ideas!!!  These are awesome! I LOVE the idea of "tea cup" candles!!

2.  Catholic Inspired Homeschool!  Wonderful homeschooling website!

3.  10 Ways to use and decorate with Saint medals!  There are some great ideas here!

4.  Say the Rosary online, anytime of the day or night.  You are NEVER alone!


Have a great week!

Sunday Fun Links - Week 3

I'm trying to get back on a regular posting schedule.  Strangely enough, blogging is cathartic for me.  It gives me an outlet to express myself, even if my expressions are not popular.

Since the holidays are approaching...I thought I would share some of my favorite places to visit at this time of year.  Some are new and some I've shared before.  Either way, enjoy your holiday preparations!


Stocking Stuffer ideas....by age group!  Great ideas!

Art Journaling for Kids....what a cool way to begin journaling!  This is something I will begin on January 1st!!  More on this later!

You've Been Jingled!!!  Start a new holiday tradition in your neighborhood!  This is such a great idea!  I think, hands down, this is my favorite!

Paper Christmas Tree craft!  I think these are awesome!  Wouldn't these look lovely on a mantel with varying sizes!  Oh, the things I could do if I had MORE TIME!!!

Children's Advent Wreath!  When your kids are too little for real candles....this is awesome!!

Rustic Snowflake ornament!  I think this is a great craft!  It's so beautiful and would make a wonderful gift!

I'm challenging you to start a new tradition this holiday season!  It may be that it's time to take a step out of your comfort zone and try something different.  Whatever you choose to do, make sure you are making special memories for your kids!  Remember, these are the things that they will pass on to their own children!

Enjoy!

Sunday Fun Links, Week 2

Happy Sunday to you!

This morning, we are experiencing our Assumption Fall Festival hangover!  We had a great time and in my opinion, it was a great success!  This is the one place where I feel comfortable just "letting the kids go"!  I hand them their tickets, tell them to check in with me at least once, and then...their off!

When we got home, they showed us all the prizes they had won at the bean bag toss and other fun booths and then.....promptly fell asleep!  They were tuckered out!  Amelia fell asleep on the living room floor...still in her clothes...with her face painted like a butterfly!

We now have to pick ourselves up, take showers and get ready for mass!  Everyone is moving veeery sloooowly this morning.

Today, the links I've selected are a hodgepodge of sites I've visited over the last seven days. Here are my Fun Links for this week:

1.  Homeschoolers out there....have you ever been to CurrClick?  This is one of the best places to find fun activities and learning opportunities for your kids!  Even if you don't homeschool, you can still do these activities!  The prices are very low and you will not be disappointed!

2.  Trattoria da Martina is an Italian cooking blog.  I know it's all in Italian and so converting the recipes are a pain..but you can't beat the pictures and the authenticity of the recipes.  If you are Italian, or are obsessed with Italian cooking like I am....you will enjoy this!

3.  Have you been feeling the need to change up the look of your blog or website?  Check out LeeLou Blogs!  Lot's of free stuff there too!

4.  I'm probably going to catch a lot of grief for posting this, but here is the 2012 Catholic Voting Guide from the USCCB.  Many Catholics don't want to read it or don't want to know what's in it.  I think this is because if they actually see in writing what they've been bashing conservative Catholics for saying...then it's harder for them to rationalize their thinking.  Anyway, it's important that all Catholics understand the seriousness of this situation.  It's serious for the future of our nation...and it's extremely serious for our eternal soul.

5.  Here's one most of need:  5 Rosary Resources for Busy Moms!!

Well, I think that's enough to keep you busy!  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!  Enjoy your family!  Enjoy your day of rest!

Check out last week's post:  Sunday Fun Links, Week 1

Sunday Fun Links

 

Guess what?  I'm starting yet another weekly feature here on my blog!  It seems every time I try to do this, I let it fizzle out.  It's mostly due to my laziness, but, I'm feeling especially energetic this week and I'm excited to start something new!

Now, I know that Sunday is a special day.  It should be reserved for worship, for family and for rest.  The way I figure it, you can click on these fun links while you are resting and spending time with your family AFTER you've been to church!

I will do my best to remember to post these EVERY Sunday!  If I forget...feel free to remind me!


10 Halloween Seasonal Treats

Free Halloween and Fall Printables

Cheap, fun and easy Halloween Stuff

Great Halloween Crafts (make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom to see all the crafts and activities!)

11 Halloween Games from Martha Stewart

31 Days of October Crafts for Kids


I hope these links help to get you into the spirit/mood of the season!  If you happen to be on Pinterest....there are a ton more ideas!  If you're not on Pinterest.......why not?