Indexing

Sunday at church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I learned how to index records so that it will help those that are working on their family history learn more about their Ancestors. It is so addicting and very easy to do. There is A LOT of work that needs to be done so they are asking for anybody that is willing and able to help. Go HERE to get started! Try it out. I am able to index 20 plus name a day during my kiddos "rest time". It is great for me to make use of some well needed "down time"

How is your Family History coming along? What have you done to help your children to know more about your Heritage?

Organize: AM/PM Boxes

The idea for this came from here . I love these for my kids, getting 4 kids ready to go in the morning is chaos. Each kid in our family has a family color (My OCD in high gear) This is the color of their towels and anything that we have to have 4 of. That way I know who's stuff belongs to who, & who left their towel on the bathroom floor. (I'm sneaky like that). Any way I just put the things the need to get ready in the morning & evening into school pencil boxes. Yes that is a deodorant and body spray the younger 3 don't wear it they just pretend to put it on so they get into the habit of putting it on (for those smelly teenage years). It all fits nicely into the pencil box

I found this awesome shelf at a yard sale so they can be easily accessed


This has nothing to do with today's post but I thought this little find was way to cute not to share.

How do you keep your mornings running smoothly?

Guess What I had for breakfast..

Did you know that there are over 13 flavors of Cheerios? Crazy huh? But AWESOME!

My kids LOVED the yogurt blends when they were teething. My daughter would pick them out and eat those and give me the non yogurt ones.

I haven't tried the Peanut Butter ones yet, But they are in my pantry for tomorrow morning.

This is the one I had this morning. It was like sitting in Heaven. YUMMY! I wonder how it would taste if I mixed the Chocolate ones with them!

These are Divine as well. I think I will get a box soon and try them out with the peanut butter ones as well!

But this is the families all time favorite. We LOVE them. My kiddos aren't into all the sugary cereals that they have on the market believe me I have tried them out. So I finally just gave up on them and we are SATISFIED with our Cheerios! Go HERE for some yummy recipes! Great way for your stock that you may have in your food storage!

What is your favorite Cheerios flavor?

Working at the Car Wash...

Who knew that getting your car washed could be such a Pretty Cool Experience? The kids love to go through the touch free car wash because of the colored foam that covers the car.

Happy Leap Day! What are you doing on your "Extra" Day?

Getting Ready for Conference

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Every 6 months we have General Conference (the first weekend of April and Oct) This is where we all gather together and have the opportunity to hear our Living Prophet Thomas S Monson (and other general leaders) speak to us.
You can go here to learn more.
We have 3 toddlers and we have the opportunity to watch General Conference on TV. Maybe when they are a lot older we can try to attend at the Conference Center .

Last Oct I made "Conference Baskets" for each of the kids. I went to the Dollar store and found each a different colored baskets and then filled them up with crayons, pictures of Christ, Families, Prophets, and other related pictures that they could color. Also had some snacks for each of them like Apple slices, fruit snack, crackers, cookies, and a Bottle of water. Since conference is for the weekend I kept some for The Sat sessions (we have a morning and afternoon) and then had a stash for the Sun Sessions (again Morn/Afternoon).

My kids were so excited for their baskets. I don't expect them to sit for all of it. Like I said they are toddlers. In the pic below they are 2, 3, &4. (Since then my oldest turned 5). BUT they did AMAZING and I was able to listen to all of the very first sessions on Sat and Sun! Even my oldest was able to pick up little things here and there that was said and gave Hubby and I time to share our Testimonies with her.

The reason for the EARLY post of Conference (because I know its not until Mar 31-April 1) is because My now 5 year old asked if we were going to have the special baskets soon. And it got me thinking.... I have Amble of time to start getting things together.

Share some of your Conference Traditions

The Kids are making Dinner!

Its crazy I know especially since my kids are still in the toddler years (5, 3 1/2, 2). Its also true that your kids will eat better when they help you in the kitchen. My oldest is getting so independent now and she loves to help with everything. (I have been waiting for this day!!!) She now sweeps the floor, washes the table off, and helps daddy make sure the garbage is ready to be taken out. I love having her help!
I am a person who LOVES to try out a new recipe. But as of lately... give me something that is care free and take only seconds to prepare. I don't know how our Mom had dinner on the table at 5 while taking care of 6 plus kids that ranged in the ages from 1 to 10. Mom would always make everything for scratch and it would take all day for dinner. Me, I like to find a fast easy way out.
For instance.... We made Pizzas for Dinner the other night. The kids loved them!! Why? Because they made them. I thawed some Rhodes Rolls and the kids made their pizza rounds then we simply added our toppings. Then put in the oven until the crust was golden! Even my 2 year old could do this. They each ate 2 of them! They loved using their "Chef" skills. And now ask me if they can make Dinner tonight. (I dont know if I am ready for Pizza everynight, but maybe once a month we can have a special Pizza night!)

What are you making for Dinner tonight? Do your Kids help you in the kitchen?

Where Have I been?

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week, with one of us down sick & my schedule crazy busy this week. Things have been a little slow going in the craft department.

This is a sneak peek at what we have been up to at the Hansen House

PINEWOOD DERBY

With Shane's ever changing military schedule, he is on nights this week. Unfortunately this means he gets to see the older kids for only about 15min each day, and that helping Mr. Zander with Pinewood Derby car goes on my to do list. I was nervous at first, I have no idea how to make a block of wood into a car. My son was more nervous than me he said "Mom, are you sure about this, I think we're going to ruin it." I think between me & Mr. Zander working on it while dad was at work, & dad help when he was home, we did a pretty good job.

Meet "The Boomerang" Mr. Zander & dad still need to work on the tires, but it is almost done.

Calling in "Sick" Today

Growing up our Mom had a way to make our "Sick" days BETTER days. Almost to the point that we would forget that we were sick. She would make the couch up to be the most perfect and comfortable spot in the house (talking loads of blankets and pillows). Have a tray next to it with books, Hot water with lemon and honey in it, and a bowl of soup and crackers, and A tall glass of ice cold sprite, She would also make me my most favorite get well snack Tapioca. Then after she made sure I was comfy she would put in the Get Well Soon Movies...

For some reason Pete's Dragon and Pollyanna made us feel better.

So its my turn to follow Mom's wonderful example. My 3 kiddos are sick today. I have the baby napping upstairs and the girls each have a couch. They are nicely snuggled with their Blankets and pillows. And Pete's Dragon is playing!

What makes you feel Better?

It a BiRtHdAy!

I have always been the un-tradional on in the family. I refuse to cook the Big Sunday Dinners (its a day of rest people!) I try to find the easiest way to do anything. (Like did you know that instead of cutting all the veggies like carrots, celery, onions you need for a soup base that you can find it pre done in the freezer section of the grocery store! GENIUS!!)

OK lets get back on track! I love Birthdays. I am 38 and I still count down to my day. I even make sure that no one forgets by leaving hints here and there. BUT I am not a fan of having the BIG 1 Birthday party. I know I am weird but here is why.... They don't really now what is going on and they end up getting really fussy and they don't really get to enjoy it! SO what we decided what we would do is have just a nice quiet 1st Birthday party with just us. We have a cake and we do let them go to town with it. But then here is the fun part for them, we give them a box of Tissue and just let them have the best time ever! It ends up being a great time for all!

AND we did however decide that we would have a party for the 5th Birthday! Its just as important for them at 5. They are a "BIG KID" now! They are going to start school soon and they are way more independent (as most of you already know!)

Here is my 5 year old! Happy Birthday Kiddo!!! She decided that she wanted a Tinkerbell Party. SO everything was done kinda woodsie and fairly like. (just so you know I like to make up words too!)

I have been pretty obsessed with making Banners lately (and I have some cute ones that I will post some other time!)

Love the twinkling lights. I even made the tulle and the leaf garland. I was in a very crafty mood for this day. For the tulle one I just cut pieces of tulle and bunched them together to make pom pom like balls and glued them to some Jute twine. Then for the leaf one I bought a container of leaves and also glued them to Jute. Looks pretty cool huh? I also went to the dollar store and got wings, tutus, and fairy wands for the girls. (we had 5 girls!) I know I have a pic of them just could locate a good one to share. All in All they had a blast!

Now for the fairy food. I found everything on a small scale. Anything that said Mini, I bought it and the girls LOVED it! As the "Fairies" were munching on their snacks they watched the New Tinkerbell movie that came out last fall. (Pixie Hollow Games)

She still talks about her BIG day! It was something that she will always remember

What do you do for Birthdays? What are some fun Traditions?

Kids Closet Oganization

Today's post is on organizing the kids closet, I found these AWESOME printables here. On the right you will see a list of folders the Printable daily clothes tag is in the 3rd folder just scroll down to Daily Clothes Bag Tags PDF Or just click the link below

I don't know about you, but I dislike Monday morning chaos.

When I found these I was so happy not only do they have so many colors including the ones I use for our kids (we call the Family Colors). But they also have a space for you to write things for them to remember, like library book, jackets, homework, or just to remind them that you love them. It may seem like a lot of work to do this, but come Monday morning you will be glad you took the extra time.

My other kids Colors

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3gne68v45ywe9oc

How do you organize your kids closet?

Pillowcase Dress

As today is the 2 year Anniversary of the passing of our mother, I felt like I could be a little crafty today. Not only did I take the kids on a walk in the rain but I came home and made 2 dresses from pillowcases. LOVE them!! I am thinking of making a ton of them for the summer.

This is something that I DON'T do.. so mom would be very proud!

Shopping Cart Cover

For Brooke's b-day I made her a shopping cart cover. I also made a second one for a very dear friend! (Simplicity pattern #4225). I made one for my daughters a couple of years ago and love it I use it all the time. This is a very EASY pattern. I was able to make it during nap time the other day! (kinda funny that I had the same fabric that she used for her diaper bag a couple of post back)