Friday, January 29, 2016

Weekend Happenings, Blog Linkage, Pinterest Stuff (Toddler Fun - Play Doh Collage, Cardboard Box Coloring AND Valentine Sensory Bin) AND Crockpot Hot Vanilla

Good Friday evening!

RANDOMNESS - As I may or may not have mentioned last Friday, Mikie and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary last weekend.

On our anniversary weekend, it has always been our tradition to pick a nice local hotel, have a great dinner and get up the next morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to tackle all things "family."

Out of 28 celebrations, we have only stayed home one time.

It was anniversary number three, and I was "great with child."

Austin.

I did put on a little makeup and I remember trying to wedge my swollen feet into some kind of footwear, but at the end of the evening, I wanted to be at my house, in my bedroom with my hospital suitcase sitting at the foot of my bed.

This year, Mike and I chose Aloft Hotel in Homewood. We have stayed there once before, and we both like the convenience to downtown, SoHo AND Hoover.

We usually try a new restaurant on this special occasion, but we both wanted to go to the Downtown Fish Market for dinner and Original Pancake House for breakfast the next morning...

And one week later, we are still satisfied with those two choices.

Aloft is a really funky, hip, happening, 30-and-under-crowd kind of place, but Mike and I are of the age we don't care anymore, and we played billiards in the lobby before we left.

We didn't care who saw us!












See what I mean?

We didn't really "fit in."

No one else was taking selfies of themselves sitting on the "cool couch."

I was starting to regret not trying anything "new" on this particular anniversary, so I asked Mike to drive us to a local juice bar before heading home on Sunday.

What can I say...

I panicked.

Thankfully, the juice bar was closed, but Edgewood Creamery was open.


Not the most comfortable seating, but still pretty neat.


I had Mexican Hot Chocolate.

The word "hot" did NOT mean Southern hot chocolate like you drink in the winter.

The word "hot" in this particular instance meant cayenne pepper.

Yeah.

Tasted great, but there was a little burning sensation in the tongue and gum areas.

We also went to three different estate sales which is kind of becoming something we like to do together.

All in all, we were both pleased with Anniversary 28, and we've extended our marital contract for at least one more year.

As soon as we get the document notarized, it will be official.

We're going for 29!

Blog Linkage - I know y'all have heard of juice bars... and grits bars... and pancake bars...

But have you heard of a Toast Bar?

Have you?

Go to www.pagingsupermom.com and check out her Toast Bar. Very cute!

Crockpot Hot Vanilla

Roxie is not a chocolate person, but I found this recipe, and I cannot wait for her to try it...

With a cinnamon stick...

And a lot of whipped cream.

You will need the following:

5 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup hot water
6 to 7 teaspoons French vanilla syrup

1. Combine sugar and hot water in large pan. Stir, and bring to gentle boil.

2. Transfer mixture to crockpot. Add milk and vanilla syrup.

3. Stir, then cook on high for 2 hours (or low for 4 hours).

Pinterest Stuff

Toddler Fun

Play Doh Collage

Using natural items collected on a Nature Walk (leaves, rocks, berries, sticks, bark, etc.), press them one at a time into a fairly large piece of Play Doh. Let the child pick the color, and you help roll the dough out with a rolling pin.

The child can rearrange and get it JUST RIGHT!

NOTE - I would put the dough on a paper plate or a piece of wax paper. You'll be able to put it on top of the refrigerator or some other high surface, and let your child look at it or play with it over several days when they ask to see it.

Cardboard Box Coloring

This activity requires two simple things...

A big cardboard box and crayons. Stick your toddler in the box and watch him/her create!

Valentine Sensory Bin

Choose a theme and colors. All you need to do now is hit up the nearest Dollar Store and/or Target Dollar Bin and buy trinkets in your theme color!

Next, grab a deep container or bucket, and add some small filler for the base (beans, pasta, rice or glass beads, etc.).

You will need the following:

Plastic bin/tub, preferably deep with handles
Rice
Small Valentine-themed trinkets (red plastic jewels, plastic hearts, heart shaped erasers, Eiffel tower figurine, etc.)
Tools (scoopers)
Small heart containers
Silicone cupcake liners
Funnels

Don't forget to put a mat under the bin for easy clean-up.

Weekend Happenings

It is going to be a wedding kind of weekend.

I don't have to number anything because it is ALL related.

We are having a little family get-together in honor of Courtney and Josh Sunday afternoon.

The whole weekend will center around this one event.

That...

And The Chick is coming home because she desperately needs to see me.

Or Tucker.


Either way, I get to see her!

Have a fantastic weekend. I'll be back next Friday with pics from this weekend and more!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

P.S. Here are a few Roxie pics from last weekend. I didn't take them, but I realize this week's post is very "Mikie and Belinda" heavy, so I wanted to leave you with The Chick.




She went hiking in the snow in Georgia with some friends.

Without me.

Which is normal...

And healthy...

But just a little sad.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Weekend Happenings, Pinterest Stuff (The Best $10 Date AND Fun Group Dates) AND Blog Linkage

Good Friday evening!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Judith spent the day with us last Saturday, and we had a grand time.


Judith exploring.

I love the little birdie on her backside.

One of those items of clothing a one year-old can get away with wearing...

As opposed to your average 54 year-old.


Reading in the corner.

She likes her quiet time.


Judith naps with such style.

I call this particular style of napping The Diva Nap.


Whenever Courtney walks into the room, this little girl lights up...

Big time!






She loves to walk on her knees in between bursts of speed crawling.



And last, but not least...

Best hat EVER!

Again, one of those items of clothing a one year-old can get away with wearing...

As opposed to your average 54 year-old.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Tucker is growing very, very fast.


When The Chick comes home NEXT weekend, I don't know if she'll recognize him.


Or if I'll recognize The Chick.

It will have been a long three weeks.

RANDOMNESS #3 - Fun fact for you...

The Chick loves to hike.

This is a place in Auburn Mikie showed her after they attended Camp War Eagle, and she has gone there several times since.


I love everything about this picture.

The hair.

The colors. (Lots of brown and gray.)

The smile.

The big camera she's holding (just like her Mama before her).

Ahhh.

It makes me happy.

Blog Linkage - Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read today's post entitled, "Me and Paige, Paige and Me." It's all about dealing with the emptying of the nest.

Ree really gets me.

It's like we share thoughts even though we've only met the one time...

And I was rendered speechless in her presence.

That's right.

I was without speech.

It was one of the longest 42 seconds of my entire life.

Pinterest Stuff

The Best $10 Date

This is a perfect date if you are on a budget or just looking for something fun to do that’s out of the ordinary. Here are the rules and how it started:

It was nearing the end of the month and we still had $10 in our spending envelope! So we hopped in the car with our $10 and started brainstorming. We decided to drive to the closest grocery store and divide the money equally and see who could be more creative with their $5 to find something fun for the night.

We call it The Choose Anything Game, and the only rule is you can’t overspend. Corey chose a dinner item and I, of course, chose desserts.

The flexibility of this game is endless. It doesn’t have to be a grocery store. Here are some other ideas:

1. Target is actually my favorite place because of the possibility of buying something other than food.

2. I’m not a huge fan of Walmart, but they do have a $5 movie bin.

3. At a dollar store you can afford several items.

4. A craft store adds a whole new dimension to the game.

5. You can also pool your money and work as a team to buy one “larger” item at your favorite store.

The goal is to have fun, be goofy and be creative.

Fun Group Dates

1. Iron Chef - Pick an ingredient (like bacon, yogurt, pretzels, cinnamon, etc.) and split your group up to two different houses. Each group has to make an entrĂ©e and a dessert starring that ingredient. Make enough for everyone to share and one nice dish for a set of judges. Pick a couple of judges to come to one of the houses at the same time the other group arrives with their dishes. Have the judges taste and judge the dishes. You can make a judging card with elements like “taste,” “creativity,” “appearance," etc. and write the winners on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope. Everyone can eat together and then open the envelope to find out who won. The losers have to do the winner’s dishes.

2. Favorites - As the guys plan this date, have each one choose a “favorite thing” (favorite appetizer, dinner dish, dessert, game, etc.), and then plan the night around those items. For example, you could have someone’s favorite chips and dip at one house. Go to Mugshots for the favorite hamburger. Go to someone else’s house for the favorite dessert and then play the favorite game.

3. Sponsored by the letter "__" - Pick a letter and plan a date around that letter. If you chose “T” you could have turkey sandwiches in tents and play Taboo.

4. Groundhog Day - Pick up your date at a specified time and give her a single flower. Take her to a house where everyone is meeting. Everyone will be served a single piece of pizza. Play a game like Pictionary, and then take her home. Five minutes later, pick her up again and give her another flower. Go to the same house, have another slice of pizza and play the same game. Take her home. Repeat and finish with watching “Groundhog Day.”

5. Teach Your Date To... - Instruct your date that everyone in the group will have a set amount of time to teach everyone else something. Each person should come prepared with whatever they need. The group size should determine how much time each person will be given. People can teach serious or silly things (a magic trick, how to do a French braid, playing a musical instrument, how to check the oil in your car, etc.).

6. Date by Number - Sit down and decide everything you would like to do on your date as a group. (1. Have an appetizer. 2. Eat Subway sandwiches. 3. Eat chips. 4. Eat a side salad. 5. Have pie. 6. Watch a funny comedian. 7. Play a card game.) Then put all of those things on separate strips of paper and put them into a jar or hat. One at a time, draw them out doing those things in the order they are drawn. You just may have pie first!

Weekend Happenings

1. On this cold and not-so-snowy Friday night, Mike and I will be sharing a barbecue potato from Full Moon AND watching The Intern. I have already seen this movie, but I loved it...

Thus, I assume Mikie will love it, too.

2. Mike and I will be celebrating 28 years of wedded bliss (more or less) tomorrow. I will be sharing anniversary celebration data with you next week. I will also be getting my nails done AND checking out a couple of local estate sales (one of my newer favorite things to do) before Mike and I prepare to mark this ginormous milestone.

In honor of our 28 years, I am going to re-post the Top 25 Favorite Moments in 25 Years of Marriage post I wrote three years ago.

Nothing has changed on the list!

1. Mike became very ill the day we returned from our honeymoon. His illness lasted exactly ten days. No more, no less. Mike and I both discovered I was a horrible, horrible nurse at exactly the same time.

(It bothered him a little more than it bothered me.)

2. During our first year of marriage, Mike and I moved three times. Mike and I both discovered I was a horrible, horrible mover.

3. We moved for the fourth time on our 13-MONTH anniversary.

Yeah. That's right. Four moves in 13 months.

4. Because we lived so close to Mike's work the first five years of our marriage, Mike was able to come home for lunch almost every single day, and that was great. It was especially fun when we added Austin to our little family three years after we married.

Austin doesn't remember our daily lunches, but his Mom and Daddy do.

5. Because Austin's pediatrician's office was directly across the street from Mike's work office, he never missed a check-up and would proudly take The Boy to his office after each and every one so "the girls in the office" could play with him for a few minutes.

In our minds, everyone wanted to play with The Boy for a few minutes. Absolutely everyone.

6. Mike was determined to pass his CPA exam even after Austin came along. His determination and hard work paid off, and The Boy and I were very proud of his accomplishment.

7. Mike and I welcomed Josh and Roxie into our family with as much enthusiasm as we welcomed The Boy. We were thrilled, thankful and excited to have boys AND a girl. We were going to get to experience EVERYTHING!

8. Several of our family vacations could fall into the Top 25 List of Favorite Moments all by themselves, but I'll lump my favorites together for the sake of space.

Our first Disney trip as a family.
Our first Universal trip as a family.
Our Tampa Bay trip.
Our houseboat vacation in Georgia.

We've enjoyed other vacations, but these were the all-time favorites of The Faulkner Five.

9. Fifteen consecutive years of camping as a family definitely gets a mention in the Top 25. It wasn't always easy. It wasn't always fun. But it was ALWAYS, ALWAYS memorable.

10. Our annual Anniversary Celebrations made the list, too. Even though some of the "celebrations" didn't quite work out as planned, since we've been married 25 years, I can honestly say we've had more good than bad.

11. My cooking has much improved over the last 25 years. (I remember once in our first five years of marriage when I made a cheese and cracker tray for dinner. Needless to say, that did not go over very well.) Looking back, we definitely have favorite meals we like to share on special occasions. Food and traditions go hand-in-hand.

12. We made dating each other and the kids individually a priority early, early on in our 25 years, and we are still dating everyone today. Brother Steve Gaines was so right when he said make the dates with your spouse and your kids and WRITE IT IN INK. It's that important.

13. In 25 years, we've been members of three exceptional churches. We've felt God's presence in each and every one, and each church has filled specific needs for us as a couple and later as a family.

I want to give a shout-out to Shades Mountain Baptist (where we met and married), First Baptist Cullman and First Baptist Gardendale.

We've been members at Gardendale 19 years this month, but we still feel like we are "home" when we visit Shades.

We have been blessed.

14. Mike and I have suffered great loss together, and as much as I wish this was not part of life, I am thankful he was my partner through the grief.

15. Mike and I have dealt with (and are continuing to deal with) chronic illness in our immediate family, and I have no one else to thank but God that the stress and pressure associated with illness didn't tear us apart, but brought us closer together.

16. Mike and I have kept our warped sense of humor in tact over the last 25 years. I honestly don't know if anyone else would think the things we laugh about are funny, but you have to make a decision early on to laugh or cry, and we both chose to laugh as much as possible.

17. Even though I have some very annoying and aggravating quirks (I never turn library books and/or movies in on time, I eat any and all "pieces" in Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream... but I leave the ice cream part, I would rather whine about being sick than take actual medicine to heal the sickness, etc., etc., etc.), Mikie still loves me and intends to remain married to me for the next 25 or so years... or so he says... under oath.

18. Even though Mikie has some very annoying and aggravating quirks (he will not go to bed before 11:00 p.m., but instead falls asleep in other rooms and we have to get him up and move him, he insists there's a difference between being "tired" and being "sleepy," he's noisy when he eats soup, etc., etc., etc.), I still love him and intend to remain married to him for the next 25 or so years... or so I say... under oath.

19. I'll always remember buying our boat a few years ago. I don't think either one of us realized how much fun our family would have in that boat.

20. Any and all of my little out-patient procedures I've had done over the past 25 years have been memorable. Little out-patient procedures are a big deal to me, and although Mike takes care of me with a condescending smile on his face, he does indeed take care of me... and it is greatly appreciated.

21. I'll always remember Mike rescuing our neighbors after a tornado went down our street. Miss Mary referred to him as "her hero" from that day forward... and he was.

22. I'll always remember no matter how tired Mike might be after working all day, if one of the kids needed help with homework, time spent talking or walking or advice given over the phone to a college kid in a different town, he never complained, but took care of the situation... because that's what Dads are supposed to do.

23. I'll always remember when Austin won the 8th grade Math Award for his class... and I had to stop Mike from escorting him down the aisle to receive "their" award... which they had both worked so hard to earn.

24. I'll always remember that Mike never missed an opportunity to tell one of us he was proud of us... or he loved us... or he was glad to be home.

25. And I'll always remember that Mike has been a faithful follower of Christ during our past 25 years together, and he has been a living, breathing example of a real Christian husband and dad.

I hope you and yours have a warm and wonderful weekend. I'll be back next Friday with a couple of new recipes (I hope) and many interesting things to share (I hope... again).

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Friday, January 15, 2016

Weekend Happenings, THE EMPTY NEST, Blog Linkage AND Pinterest Stuff (Toddler Fun)

Good Friday night!

RANDOMNESS #1 - I downloaded puppy pics from Roxie's camera before she left for Auburn.

As you can see, she is much better at "capturing" Tucker, but it can still be challenging.













He's sweet to me and Mike, but it is kind of obvious he misses The Chick.

He will just have to take a number.

RANDOMNESS #2 - THE EMPTY NEST - Mike and I have officially been Empty Nesters since August 6, 2015.

Five months now.

Well...

Four if you take into account Roxie was home for an entire month during her Christmas break.

So, four months.

I wish I could tell you Mike and I have adapted beautifully...

The transition was easy, breezy...

EVERYTHING fell right into place after the last of our children "flew the coop."

But, I would not be telling the absolute truth.

Guess what?

I've made a list!

PROS FOR BEING A TOTAL AND COMPLETE EMPTY NESTER

1. The laundry pile is virtually non-existent. Who knew Mike and I produced SO LITTLE LAUNDRY? This is a huge pro. HUGE! That is why it is listed first.

2. When I straighten a room, it stays straightened.

3. The kitchen is much easier to clean.

4. I can bring in all of our groceries in just one trip from The Big Gold Van.

5. Mike and I can do anything and go anywhere we please without checking anyone else's schedule.

6. Toilet paper lasts SO much longer.

7. And milk! Don't get me started on how long a gallon of milk lasts now.

8. It is really, really quiet now. I mean, "the-house-has-been-abandoned" kind of quiet.

CONS FOR BEING A TOTAL AND COMPLETE EMPTY NESTER

1. I find I miss doing laundry. Who knew it was my favorite chore? Certainly not me!

2. Mike and I definitely live in the "back of the house," which is kinda sad because we have discovered the "front of the house" is where all the action was when the kids lived at home.

3. While the kitchen is easier to clean, I'm having to learn to cook for a much smaller group, so that's been a little harder...

But I'm getting there.

4. If The Big Gold Van was becoming obsolete during the last two years of Roxie's high school career, you can imagine how useful it is now.

5. I had thought with the house so quiet, my mind (which has been scattered all over the place the last 24 years or so) would become more focused and sharp.

Yeah.

That hasn't happened yet.

6. Mike and I have both come to realize we weren't the main people talking during meals. (I have threatened him with a Conversation Jar if things don't start to improve!)

7. Becoming an actual Empty Nester made me finally realize Mike and I are really, really old.

Mike more so than me, but still.


See?

While I know it's difficult for me and Mike, it is especially hard for Roxie right now. She hasn't been able to cope as well as her Dad and I to this "leaving the nest" thing.

What can I say? We're pretty hard to leave.


I know what you're thinking.

She looks pretty "well-adjusted" in this picture.

Well, that's where you would be WRONG!

She is crying...

Nay...

Sobbing on the inside.

I just know it!

NOTE - When all is said and done, I know this "season of life" is going to be something we really enjoy.

It is just going to take a little longer than four months to get there!

Blog Linkage - Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read today's post about MORNINGS! I'm not a "morning person," but this post makes me wish...

Hmmm.

Nope. I am going to continue to embrace being a "mid-afternoon (2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.) person." It works for me.

Pinterest Stuff

Toddler Fun

Since I have started the Nana-for-Hire business AND become a Nana to Judith in real life, I have been researching fun and affordable toddler activities. As usual, Pinterest has been a lifesaver.

Rip It and Stick It Pictures

1. Buy a roll of clear contact paper at The Dollar Tree. Use tissue paper OR if you are/were a scrapbooker, use some of the scraps you've collected over the years.

2. Tape the contact paper "sticky side up" on the floor OR on a window frame.

3. Demonstrate how to rip the paper. If the toddler has trouble making it tear, you can make it easier by putting several small "rips" in different areas of the paper.

4. Let them rip and stick as much as they like...

And then start a new picture.

Sticky Snowmen/Sticky Sheep

1. Using the same concept as above, use a Sharpie to draw the outline of a snowman on one piece of contact paper (sticky side up) and next draw the outline of a big fluffy sheep on another piece of contact paper.

2. Let the toddler use cotton balls to fill in the snowman and sheep.

3. You can also break white cotton swabs in half and show the child how to make snowflakes using the half sticks.

Wrap Treasures in Aluminum Foil

1. I went to The Dollar Tree and purchased a stuffed Love Bug, a princess mirror and comb, a princess figurine and a bag of animal crackers.

2. I loosely wrapped each individual item in foil making sure I went around the toy two times.

3. I put all five items in a gallon-sized Ziplock bag and gave it to an almost three year-old.

HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS!

Bow Hunt

1. Keep around 20 bows from your Christmas packages in a small bag to use later.

2. Place toddler in baby bed and hide the bows (in plain sight) around one room.

3. Bring the child into the room, show them what they are looking for and turn them loose.

I played this nine times with a toddler, and she still wanted to play ONE MORE TIME!

Weekend Happenings

1. Today was a good day. I planned and finalized Josh and Courtney's Rehearsal Dinner. I had a nice, long lunch with Josh, and we talked about all sorts of things.

He, Mike and Austin had planned a Boys' Night earlier in the week, so as I type this post, they are enjoying dinner and a movie...

And I am Tucker-sitting.

2. Tomorrow, Judith is going to come visit for a little while and more wedding stuff will be taken care of during the afternoon hours. (I predict I will have an abundance of Judith pics to post next Friday. My camera battery is charging as we speak!)

3. Sunday is all about worship, and perhaps a little Sunday afternoon snooze.

Just between you and me, I am really looking forward to Sunday!

I hope you have a magnificent weekend. I'll be back next Friday with MORE!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Friday, January 8, 2016

Weekend Happenings, Quotable Quotes, Blog Linkage AND Pinterest Stuff (Best Games for Kids)

Good Friday afternoon!

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS #1 - Altar'd States at Brookwood is having a very large 50 percent off sale. The whole front of the store is on sale!

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS #2 - My new favorite Bath and Body Works "flavor" is French Lavender and Honey. It doesn't make Mikie sneeze.

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS #3 - We went to see The Martian at The Dollar Movie, and loved it.

It isn't for little kids (read Focus on the Family "Plugged In" for the word-for-word review), but Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though it is 2 hours and 22 minutes long, it doesn't feel that way.

Also, Matt Damon is wonderful. I wouldn't mind having him over for dinner one day.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I am going to finish Christmas pics today. Since I didn't get to go to the Oxford Christmas, I had to rely on Austin and Melia's new camera...

Which was wonderful.

Here are four more photos from that day!


Austin and Roxie.


Courtney in red.

Isn't she pretty?


Grandma, Grandpa and Matthew opening gifts.


Roxie and Sleeping Micah.

Now we can officially move on to JANUARY!

RANDOMNESS #2 - Judith turned one last week, but her party was held Sunday afternoon.

She doesn't look a day over 11 months, does she?



She was an expert icing eater.


With one year-olds, forks are not necessary.


We didn't let her have a smash cake AND one of the colored cupcakes.

That would have been a disaster, I think.


She handled the removal of the smash cake pretty well.

NOT.


Aunt Melia, Uncle Austin and Aunt Roxie.


Courtney, Pouty Judith and Josh.


Pop and Judith.


Nana B and Judith.

Quotable Quotes

"Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." C. S. Lewis

Another good one, Mr. Lewis!

Blog Linkage

Feeling bad about your dirty car? Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under my Blog List and read today's post.

I promise...

You will feel better very, very soon.

Pinterest Stuff

Best Games EVER

The best games for toddlers

Goodnight Moon Game - A matching game based on our favorite Margaret Wise Brown book.

Hello Sunshine Game - A fun toddler game by Think Fun; hide and seek with the sunshine plush.

First Orchard - Toddlers cooperate to collect wooden fruits in a basket before the raven eats them.

The best games for preschoolers

Bingo - We especially love the picture bingo games made by eeBoo.

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game - All the young children we know love playing this game!

Memory - I think eeBoo’s I Never Forget a Face matching game is the best one of it’s kind out there.

Richard Scary’s Busytown Eye Found It Game - Such a fun one!

The Fairy Tale Spinner Game - Encourages their imagination and storytelling with a game of make-your-own fairytales.

Spot It and Spot It, Junior Animals - My preschooler LOVES Spot It and actually prefers the regular version.

Hoot Owl Hoot - Kids cooperate to get the baby owls back to their nest in the center of the board.

Gobblet Gobblers - Like tic-tac-toe, but more fun. The pieces can gobble up other pieces!

The best games for school-age children

Suspend - Such a fun balancing game!

Ticket to Ride - Build train routes and travel around the country in what is one of the most popular board games ever.

Qwirkle - Match colors and shapes in this visually attractive strategy game. A new favorite in our family!

Sleeping Queens - This card game was an instant hit with both my kids and remains a favorite.

Uno - A classic and still a winner!

Skip Bo - A sequencing card game by the makers of Uno.

Spot It - A fast-paced matching game the kids love!

Okay. I've only heard of a handful of these, BUT I am going to Amazon as soon as I finish this post, and I am ordering First Orchard and Goodnight Moon Game...

And maybe Ticket to Ride.

I've heard a lot of good things about Ticket to Ride, and I might just add that to my Nana B Bag for the older kids.

Weekend Happenings

1. I am cooking a scrumptious dinner tonight. I don't know exactly what the menu will be, but I am in the mood to make something edible.

2. Tomorrow, everyone is going in different directions. I will be heading to Oxford for my great-nephew's 8th birthday party. Eight is such a huge number, isn't it?

3. We have church on Sunday and hopefully, some scrumptious leftovers from Friday night's awesome feast!

Or hot dogs.

Hot dogs sound really good, too.

Also, The Chick and her Dad will be going to a Mission Meeting at our church Sunday afternoon. She wants information on a couple of trips coming up in 2016. I am nervous AND excited...

But also very nervous.

Did I mention nervous?

Have a fun January weekend. I'll be back next Friday with some ideas for this wonderful, yet gray, season!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda
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