Favorite Gifts from 2022

I had to laugh because I found this post in my ‘DRAFTS’ and I don’t think I ever published it or if I did I guess it didn’t go through… these have been some of our favorites throughout the year and may give you some gift ideas for this year.

It’s been a few weeks since Christmas and I thought I’d ask everyone about what their favorite gifts from Christmas were… this can help give me a better idea for future gifts and also let me know which things they may not have cared for at all. This past Christmas we were able to scale back quite a bit… the increased prices on everything helped with that as well!

We found that by putting together a Wish List on Amazon we were able to help get the items they have been asking for and it helped others buy what the kiddos really wanted… this truly made the gift buying a little easier. We have decided that all of our family members should create a wish list of some sort so we can access it for birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays, Christmas, or ‘just because’ gifts… the lists help to narrow down what everyone really wants or needs so that we aren’t just throwing money away on something they can’t or won’t use.

Here are a few of the answers I received:

  • Life ** The kids had been relentless in asking for this game
  • Lego Klutz sets ** What is there not to love about Legos? — maybe stepping on them but other than that they are always a hit with everyone
  • Clue Jr and the Clue Disney Villains ** We got the Clue Jr for our home and big sister got the Villains but we played while she was here
  • Battleship ** The older kids loved this game and they bought it for their younger siblings who now love it just as much!
  • Cash Flow Game ** One of the older kids bought this and it has been a bit tricky to learn but everyone loves it — the junior version may be easier to start with and there is an online version as well
  • Ticket to Ride ** We have seen this on several different videos and the kids really wanted to try it out, it was one that was a little tricky to learn but it does have expansion packs but we haven’t quite figured out how they work yet

Can you tell that they really love board games? Some of these were games that we had never heard of so the learning curve has been a bit hectic but they love playing them all!

Everyone also loved their new blanket throws that they got from Granny!

Continue reading “Favorite Gifts from 2022”

Large Family Planning Calendar For The New Year

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

I know most of us are probably not ready to think about the New Year as we are in the midst of holiday choas right now but with as many kiddos as I have I am always looking ahead. There are doctor appointments, dentist appointments, birthdays, and so many other events that I need to keep organized.

Our calendars keep our day to day activities running smoothly and help to keep us prepared for upcoming events. They are vital to keeping this Momma sane!

What features do you look for in a calendar? I know I like it to have enough room to write things in the blocks. I also like to have the moon phases and holidays on the calendar.

Do you like the stickers or not? I kinda like the idea of stickers and it helps me to tell at a glance what we have coming up if there are stickers on it.

While I absolutely love my Cozi mobile app and I always have it pulled up on my laptop. I keep everything from appointments to recipes on my Cozi calendar and my family members all have access to it as well. I still like to have a wall calendar as well so that I can refer to it quickly if I’m on the phone or if Mr. Awesome needs to double check something he can refer to it as well.

This led me to check out Amazon for some new planning calendars today. There is such a selection to choose from I’m really not sure which one I want to get yet but here are a few of the ones I’ve found:

Continue reading “Large Family Planning Calendar For The New Year”

Frankenstein Day

*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

Frankenstein Day in honor of author Mary Wollenstone Shelley who wrote the book Frankenstein. It is celebrated on August 30th. Click here to learn more about this holiday.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Frankenstein for kids on YouTube

Frankenstein Emoji T-Shirt Funny Faces 2 Halloween Gift TeeCarter's Baby 2 Piece Frankenstein Top and Pants SetFrankenstein Makes a Sandwich

Aviation Day

*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

Aviation Day is celebrated on the August 19th in honor of Orville Wright’s birthday. Click here to learn more about this holiday. This would be a great day to plan a trip to a local aviation museum.

Do you have an aviation enthusiast in your house? Here are some great ideas for them.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Aviation for kids on YouTube

 

Airplane Table Clock CR Retro Vintage Plane Airplane Model Clock with Lindbergh Aviation Aircraft Clocks Home Decoration Toy gift for children kidsTouch the Earth (A Julian Lennon White Feather Flier Adventure)Kids' Paper Airplane Book (Paper Airplanes)

National Lighthouse Day

*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

National Lighthouse Day honors those beacons of light that represent safety and security. Click here to learn more about this holiday. It is celebrated on August 7th. This would be a great day to take a tour of any local lighthouses.

Do you know a lighthouse collector? Here are some gift ideas for them.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Lighthouses for kids on YouTube

 

Collectors Gift Set of 4 Assorted Lighthouse Figurines 4 Inch Resin Home Boat DecorEbros Five World Famous Light Houses In Metal Rings Wind Chime Decor Resonant Relaxing Patio Aluminum And Resin ConstructionJeremiah 29:11 Outer Banks Lighthouse Hardcover Wirebound Journal