Category Archives: Random Fun
Pro Kadima Invasion
Well, the game that was meant to be played while shuffling through powdery sand slathered in Panama Jack sunscreen has hit our living room. Pro Kadima is a ping-pongy game played with large wooden paddles and a hard foam ball. … Continue reading
Posted in Contest, CRAZY kids, Family Activities, Home, Kids, Play, Random Fun
Tagged beach games, games, Panama Jack, ping pong, Pro Kadima, World Series
1 Comment
5 Easy Ways To Use Notes With Your Kids
I’ve told you before that I love paper in all forms. In fact, next month I’m looking forward to a blog makeover, and my name will change to Girl Meets Paper to reflect my love of writing–and because I use … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Family Activities, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged communication with kids, gift, greeting cards, Hallmark, Holiday, Mail, notecards, notes, Paper, Staples, United States, United States Postal Service, Valentine's Day
4 Comments
Anatomy 101 with Zac Brown
It’s been interesting to watch my oldest child grow up. He’s slowly interjected his fashion sensibilities, voiced desires for new hair styles, and independently changed the radio station away from my channels to those he enjoys. Seeing a unique personality … Continue reading
Family Friday: Crayons and a CONTEST!
In the spirit of loving competition, my husband started “Super Fun Dad Nights” when our kids were little. On evenings I was out he’d plan something spectacular to do together, usually involving candy, balloons, and duct tape. It won the … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, Book Lists, Contest, crafts, Discoveries, Education, Family Activities, Family Friday, FREE BOOK, Giveaway!, Home, Kids, Kids in School, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged Arts, audio books, books on tape, Crayon, Duct tape, Eggo, Fine motor skill, Michigan, Paper, shopping
9 Comments
Michigan Maple Syrup!
The dormant, hibernating teacher in me is creeping to the surface once again. I may not be clawing to get back into the classroom, but I do love to turn our living room, kitchen, and the nearby woods into places where … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Education, Family, Family Activities, God, gratitude, Kids, Kids in School, Living Green, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged Business, Food, homeschooing, Maple, Maple syrup, michigan maple syrup association, shopping, Sugar house, Sugar Shack, Sweeteners, VandeBunte Maple
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Easy Recycling and Repurposing Craft
This past weekend my son was given a homework assignment to find an object that could be recycled or repurposed into something new and useful. [DISCLAIMER: by useful, we don’t mean turning a regular piece of paper into a paper … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, crafts, Discoveries, Education, Family, Home, Kids, Kids in School, Living Green, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun
Tagged 2 Liter, Bird, Bird feeder, Business, craft, homemade bird feeder, Jimmy John's, Paper, paper airplanes, Recycling, repurposing, Waste management, X-Acto
2 Comments
ICD Revisted
In August 2009 I posted a humorous take on my own made-up disorder: ICD–”Inter-Connectivity Disorder.” I purported that this disorder subconsciously connects faces into a criss-crossing web that leads me to exclaim, “You know who he LOOKS like?!” at least … Continue reading
Posted in Random Fun, Silly Lists, Social Justice, Uncategorized
Tagged disorders, facial recognition, gadhafi, ICD, ICD disease, interconnectivity disorder, libya, moammar gahafi
1 Comment
Valentine’s Day Part 2: Hunting for Treasure
It’s probably the hibernating teacher within that brings me round to setting up riddles and scavenger hunts for my kids. Yes, after all these years of standing in slippers wiping butts and noses, there are moments when that alter-ego is … Continue reading
Posted in Contest, CRAZY kids, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Gifts, God, Holidays, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Silly Lists, Things I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged alter-ego, Bible, Bible verses, bingo, Classroom, Genesis, gift, Holiday, Home, John 3:16, Kids, look up 3:16, Opinions, Religion and Spirituality, Riddle, scavenger hunt, Spiritual Development, spiritual formation, teacher, the story of St. Valentine, valentine day
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Valentine’s Day Part 1: Spread Some Love
Don’t we all wish there was a fool-proof recipe or some sort of silicon mold that promised to shape our children into the caring, generous, love-filled humans we want them to be? Or perhaps some magic powder we could sprinkle … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, CRAZY kids, Decor/Organizing, Discipline Issues, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, God, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!
Tagged Awana, character education, compassion, cookies, Family Fun, Family Time, generosity, Home, kindness, Love Wins, sharing love, Spreading Love, teaching your kids, Valentine's Day
2 Comments
Family Friday: Compassion Project
I don’t know about where you live, but the past few weeks have blasted West Michigan with painfully icy wind and record-breaking snowfall. I wish I could say that I’m loving it, but in truth, I’m counting the days until … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, CRAZY kids, Education, Faith, Family, Family Friday, Following Jesus, Gifts, gratitude, Home, Kids, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Social Justice, Things I Love!
Tagged blankets, donations, faith training, Florida, God, Homeless, homeless shelter, Homelessness, Jesus, Love, Mel Trotter, Michigan, projects, quilts, sharing love, Spiritual Development, spiritual formation, United States, West Michigan
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Peanuts in the Morning
Do you remember the sound of Charlie Brown‘s teacher on The Peanuts? She had that muffled “whaa-whaa-whaa” of an expertly muted trumpet combined with some sort of nasally resonance never before heard on earth–much less in a classroom. How Linus ever … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discipline Issues, Family, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Rants, Seasons of Life, Silly Lists, Uncategorized
Tagged Arts, Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown, Christmas, crazy mornings, Kids, miss the bus, Peanuts, Peppermint Patty, school, shopping, Snoopy
4 Comments
Family Friday: Indoor Skeet Shooting
I have to give major props to my husband for this one–it’s totally his brain and creativity that adds so much color and life to our home. What can I say–he has a PhD. I guess you have to be … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Family, Family Friday, Holidays, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged Balloon, chew, Christmas, Claire-Modern Family, cowboy, Family Fun, games, Guns, Kentucky, Luke-Modern Family, Modern Family, Nerf, Nerf Guns, Recreation, skeet shoot, Skeet shooting, Toy
7 Comments
What a Great Idea!
I love to share great ideas. If it’s something that can encourage or edify–I’m your blogger. [keep that in mind and send my your besties!] Recently my dear friend Lyndsey sent me a link to her friend’s design blog–you know–the … Continue reading
Tangled Up In Applause!
For those of you look beyond the paltry three-sentence reviews in the newspaper to determine whether the latest Disney or Pixar flick is a good fit for your clan, I’m using this post as an opportunity to share my thoughts … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Movies/Movie Reviews, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged Alan Menken, Animation, Brother's Grim, Disney, Disney Princess, Donna Murphy, Fairy tale, Film, Flynn Ryder, Gothel, King and Queen, Rapunzel, Tangled, The Walt Disney Company
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The Good, The Bad, and The [very] Ugly
Standard. Bad and [very] ugly wrapped in bread crumbs. And absolutely obliterated. Reaching for the Raisin Bran now… In better news, THE GOOD: What I lack in front of the stove I’m hoping to make up for behind wrapping … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, crafts, Decor/Organizing, Family, Gifts, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged birthday gifts, canvas art, elliptical machine, exercise, Food Network, Giada DeLaurentiis, kitchen disasters, penance, The Cooking Channel, torture
5 Comments
For Your Olfactorial Pleasure
Ok, I’m not really sure that’s a word, but I’m guessing you know what I mean. Smells! Good ones! I discovered a wonderful new candle that I just have to rave about—and adding frosting and sprinkles to the news is … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, Discoveries, Holidays, Home, Random Fun, Things I Love!
Tagged Buy Local, candles, Holland, Home & Company, Lakeshore Candle Company, MI
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“What’s Included” In Mexico
Next month my husband and I are leaving the mess in the kitchen, turning on our heels, locking the doors, and escaping into the wild blue yonder together. Along with some of our best friends and our new friend, the … Continue reading
Posted in Friends, Nature/Outdoors, Play, Random Fun, Rants, Vacation
Tagged Cancún, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cozumel, Florida, Mexico, Punta Sur, Riviera Maya, vacation
1 Comment
The Lure of Summer
My blogging aspirations for the summer have, quite obviously, fallen flat, dying the pathetic death that comes with goals left unattended. The weight of summer presses in on my heart and I am drawn, again and again, away from this … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Family, Food, Friends, God, gratitude, Home, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Silly Lists, Summer
1 Comment
Things I Don’t Understand Thursday: TMI at the Salon
Allow me to set the stage: I decided to indulge yesterday — enjoy a little piece of the relaxation pie on my last “free” afternoon before the kids explode into the neighborhood, fleeing big yellow buses and running loose on … Continue reading
Posted in Random Fun, Rants, Things I Don't Understand Thursday
Tagged boom box, nail salon, Nail Technicians, nightmares, Richard Marx, toenail fungus, toenails
2 Comments
Egg Cartons, Baby Chicks, and FREE Fun
My husband calls me a recycling maniac. I prefer to consider myself a “wise recycler” or “earth-conscious mother.” I’ll leave the title “maniac” to the kids, little angels though they are At any rate, I’ve been in the habit of … Continue reading
Posted in crafts, Discoveries, Family, Holidays, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Thngs I Love!
Tagged Chicks, crafts, creativity, Easter, Egg-carton chicks, eggs, farms, Kids, Organic, re-using egg cartons, Spring
7 Comments
Hallmark Sends Its Very Best
I’ve already told you bits and pieces of my now-exposed [obsessive] affair with Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. It’s thorny territory for me to write about something so intimate and special, but at last I’m able to admit that sneaking away … Continue reading
Posted in crafts, Discoveries, Family, Gifts, Holidays, Home, Kids, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Thngs I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged "What I Love About You", affection, cards, fill-in-book, Gold Crown Store, Hallmark, Kids, love letters, notes, pride, The Biggest Loser
10 Comments
Yoga With Kids is Soooo [NOT] Relaxing…
Yoga. The word, even to non-practicers, seems to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. It conjures up images of super-fit Californians poured into black yoga pants, lean muscles taught and glistening on some Pacific cliff overlooking the gorgeous, sparkling … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Education, Family, Fitness, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged Bob Harper, by Poppy, California, calm, focus, football, Plank Position, serenity, The Biggest Loser, Triangle Pose, Weight Loss Yoga DVD, yoga, Yoga is Yummy
4 Comments
Ice Tunnels and Secret Caves
As the snow continues to threaten and temps stay frosty, cabin fever can set in and cause temporary insanity. To combat mental decline, we planned an adventure to Lake Michigan this weekend [free fun!] and the kids are already asking … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Family, Kids, Nature/Outdoors, Play, Random Fun, Thngs I Love!, Travel
Tagged beach, caves, Frozen water, ice tunnels, Lake Michigan, Little House on the Prairie, snow
2 Comments
Keeping Christmas Alive
In truth, I can’t completely remember if I read about this craft or adapted it from several other ideas, but this year we actually got out the scissors and did it. We purposely saved our Christmas photo cards so that … Continue reading
Posted in crafts, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged Christmas, craft, photo cards
5 Comments
Crazy for Brains
I lay there with one eye open, watching the TV move in blurry sequence. By now two kids warmed the sheets next to me so I could “rest my eyes.” Whatever cartoon Nick Jr. was peddling at that hour of … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Music, Play, Random Fun
Tagged gnomes, I Feel Crazy, Laurie Berkner, Nick Jr., So I Jump in the Soup, TV
3 Comments
Update your iPod
Sometimes I find myself dreamily swaying back and forth, occupying a snatch of time that feels special, different. I look to my right and see smiles, to my left, hear laughter, and know that God has given this moment for … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, God, gratitude, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Summer
Tagged Brandi Carlile, concerts, Grand Rapids, guitar, Happy Birthday, Interlochen, iPod, Jingle Bells, John Mayer, Music, poety, song
1 Comment
WIN THIS BOOK!
Zondervan was gracious enough to provide me with a second copy of this book to pass along to my masses of spellbound and excited readers [cough]; to that end I am happy to launch a spiderweb contest to determine the … Continue reading
Posted in Contest, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, Gifts, Giveaway!, God, gratitude, Home, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Random Fun
Tagged Blog Giveaway, Contest, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, Prize, rules, win, Zondervan Publishers
12 Comments
All Hail Hallmark!
When the “rewards” coupon comes in the mail, I’m the sucker who can’t wait to race out the door to Betty’s–Hallmark, that is. I love walking into the dreamy ambiance full of pretty bags and holiday decorations, and hearing the … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Family, Finances, Friends, Gifts, gratitude, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Random Fun, Thngs I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged "itty bitty greetings", cards, encouragement, Hallmark, lunch box, school, spiritual formation
6 Comments
Hello, My Name is Jane, and I Have ICD: Part 2
Welcome to my crazy brain, part two. Come on in, have a look around, grab a cookie and put your feet up. Ignore the wild ponies and flashbacks of college. I first revealed to you in August that I have … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Gifts, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged football mom, ICD, Jim Miklaszewski, Jon Voight, Lee Ann Womack, Mission Impossible, NBC, Sean Roach, Sprout, Sunny Side Up Show
2 Comments
After-Hours Shopping = JOY
Friends, I have to say: If you’ve never ventured to the mall during the week of Christmas to enjoy Macy’s “open ’till 10″ schedule, or Kohl’s “open ’till midnight” promise, take advantage of it! Sunday night I managed to peel … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discoveries, Food, Friends, Gifts, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Random Fun
Tagged busy, Christmas Shopping, groceries, Kohl's, Macy's, Meijer, peace, phone, Rivertown Mall
1 Comment
No School!
Ah, the childlike joy of having school canceled–what thrill can compare in the mind of a 6 or 7 year old? Yesterday our kids had an unexpected day off due to a power-outage in their elementary building, followed up [with … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Gifts, Holidays, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Uncategorized
Tagged Blizzard, Breakfast, Christmas, cinnamon rolls, Montana, oven, raisins, recipe, Rhodes Bread Dough, Snow Day, yoga
2 Comments
Quote, Unquote…Again
Yesterday my youngest had a couple of cute moments–have to record them since I’ve done a pathetic job with his baby book share them with you! 1. Our little guy has an adorable lisp [s's] and can’t quite seem to … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Family, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun
Tagged candy, chiropractor, Dr. Kik, medieval, skeleton
1 Comment
Quote, Unquote
A couple of funny comments from my sweet daughter today: “Mom, I bet Jesus is shrinking down again getting ready to be a baby at Christmas.” And, during our search for “Euro Shams” at the mall today, she loudly conveyed … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Family, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun
Tagged Christmas, Euro Sham, Jesus, mall, urine
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Things I Don’t Understand Thursday: Ambiguous Deodorant Names
My girlfriend first raised this topic with me ages ago and I thought it was so true–and humorous–that I’m recycling it for today’s topic. Thank you, LEJS. What I don’t understand today are ambiguous deodorant names. I went to my … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Random Fun, Rants, Things I Don't Understand Thursday, Things that are STUPID
Tagged ACL, Adidas, Adidas Deodorant, ambiguity, candles, chicken wings, Da Bears, fragrance, Meijer, Old Spice, SNL, Toughskins
3 Comments
Crack-Up Chicken
It must be said: I have the best husband ever. I know, you’re ready to fight and give me 10 reasons why your significant other is better, but no. Tonight my daughter was in “a mood.” Are you picking up … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Family, Food, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged craziness, dinner, laughing, parenting, smiles
9 Comments
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
BOO! I know, these pictures are scary, but I wanted to share in the festivities tonight by going 80′s punk: my own tribute to Cyndi Lauper. ‘Cause, haven’t you heard? Moms in the ‘burbs just wanna have fun! fishnets + … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Holidays, Kids, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged 1980's music, Boo, cozy, Cyndi Lauper, Halloween, harvest, pumpkins, punk, Reformation Day
4 Comments
Things I Don’t Understand Thursday: Driving with Clowns
Seriously. We live in Michigan. We don’t even have carpool lanes for you to have to add a clown?! to cheat the cops. Judging by the 4×4 pick-up, I’m guessing this is a man’s doing. Sir, are you so lonely? … Continue reading
Posted in Random Fun
Tagged 4x4 pick-ups, carpool lanes, clowns, cops, Michigan, seatbelts
4 Comments
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Yesterday I got to go along with my nearly-4-year-old on his preschool field trip to a local farm. We visit this farm nearly every year, and I have to say, God’s lovely autumn creativity is rivaled only by the delicious … Continue reading
Vacation from my Vacation
If you’ve read any of my previous posts from this week [thank you, dear faithful 7: your checks are in the mail], you already know that I was blessed with a few days away with my husband. I tagged along … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Family, Food, Growing Pains, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Random Fun, Rants, Seasons of Life, Vacation
Tagged Aldi, Apollo 13, cavity, charades, chiropractic, Christmas, Dark side of the moon, Great White, Pacific Ocean, Shauna Niequist, Swanson's broth, Sweet Baby Ray's, Tom Colicchio
3 Comments
Sugar Two Ways
One of the great things about being gone with my husband, aside from getting a brief vacation from Mommyland, is getting to do stuff together that we don’t do at home. Such as ordering pizza and eating it in bed … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Random Fun, Uncategorized, Vacation
Tagged culinary theories, margaritas, Monday Night Football, pizza, salt, salty & sweet, sugar
4 Comments
Casino Life 101
This is one of those signs that you just can’t walk past without stopping. And staring. Perhaps briefly taking a picture with a camera phone [hypothetically speaking]. Scratching your head and letting a “Hmm” escape, slow and ponderous. Really? We … Continue reading
Posted in Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Rants, Uncategorized, Vehicles
Tagged AquaNet, Camel Unfiltered, casino, childcare, Payless Shoes, slot machines, Torino, Wet-n-Wild
1 Comment
Lessons from the Orchard, Part 1
Sometimes I feel like I’m overly emotional. I mean, yes, I am a woman enduring cyclical hormones, but still, I don’t know how many people tear up at the sight of a lovely old tree or because painfully beautiful harmonies … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, gratitude, Kids, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged Apples, Autumn, brothels, Crane's Apple Orchard, Creation, Fall, gift, gout, Grace, gratitude, Hormones, Indian Summer, Monkeys, Orchard, Pies, slums, starfish, tears, Thankfulness, tides
4 Comments
FREE RICE!
If you’ve ever stared into the eyes of a child who is malnourished or starving–whether in real life or in a magazine or on TV–you’ll find satisfaction in knowing that playing a game can simultaneously deliver food to those same … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Heartbreak, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged Free Rice, starving, UN Food Bank, world hunger
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Casino Life 102: Simple & Sharp
I’d like to think I’m pretty easy to please. Granted, I have my moments and my private rants, but in general, I’m happy with little things: A glass of Coke with lots of ice and a straw. Receiving a funny … Continue reading →