5 Ways To Make It A Great Summer

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by Contributing Writer, Tonya Ferguson So the Kids Are Home From School, Now What? I looooooove when my kids are home and we are all under one roof. Except the first 2 weeks they are home...... Yeah, it takes us all a bit of time to get used to each other again! 5 Ways to Make It a Great Summer 1. Have A Schedule and Routine My 4 children operate best within boundaries and … [Read more...]

Our Suburban Backyard Garden

Suburban Backyard Garden | TheMarathonMom.com

It's been almost three years since we had a (big for us) vegetable garden in our backyard.  The spring and summer that I was pregnant with Landen, we planted cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and several other things and enjoyed the fruits of our labor for months! Since we moved into our current house, whose backyard is approximately the same size as one U.S. postage stamp, I'd thought I had to … [Read more...]

Christmas Crafts for Kids

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We stay pretty festive the whole month of December, crafting paper countdown chains from construction paper, painting ornaments, and baking. Here are a few more Christmas crafts for young and old, alike.  The boys especially love all the different homemade playdough recipes. And the cookies. And....the candy. Peppermint Playdough Salt Dough Handprint Keepsakes or … [Read more...]

Truth in the Tinsel: Teaching Your Children About the Real Meaning of Christmas {and a Giveaway!}

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I just love this e-book by Amanda White of Impress Your Kids and Oh Amanda. If you've ever wanted a fun, easy, practical way to teach your little ones about the true meaning of Christmas, then Truth in the Tinsel is the perfect little package for you. A children's-minister-turned-mom, Amanda has put it all together for us, giving us the craft idea with complete how-to's and supply lists, … [Read more...]

Springfree Trampoline Giveaway!!!

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Our boys LOVE trampolines!   Since we had gotten rid our old one when we moved, they had been asking and asking for us to get them a new one, but we kept giving them all the same old excuses like: not having a big enough backyard we didn't want them to get hurt we were tired of replacing the nets and spring covers Then we discovered Springfree Trampolines!  They make the old … [Read more...]

Valentine’s Verse Advent Frame

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By Guest Writer Rhonda from Abide at Home Hi, I’m Rhonda, and I am so excited to get to guest post for Brandy while she prepares for her new little blessing! What a woman – a husband, soon to be eight children AND an active blogger! Wow!! Valentine’s Day is upon us – (or at least upon the store shelves!) and it conjures up images of red and pink hearts, candy and romantic movies! I … [Read more...]

Sparkly Snow Playdough

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This is the easiest playdough recipe I've ever made! It's the basic recipe below, with no food coloring (obviously), and a small container of iridescent sparkly glitter. I just love the word sparkly.  And the word glitter. And I love making playdough for the boys who spend hours and hours at our kitchen table with it. … [Read more...]

Salt Dough Handprints {Or Ornaments}

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These saltdough handprints are an easy way to capture memories of our little ones. The recipe is three ingredients and takes about five minutes to prep. You can also use the same recipe to make cookie cutter ornaments. This recipe makes barely enough for seven boys' handprints, so if you have more kids than that, be sure you double it. … [Read more...]

12 Days of Christmas With 8 Boys

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I'm singing today.  Feel free to sing along.   On the first day of Christmas, my life with 8 boys, I have one ginormous belly!   On the second day of Christmas, my life with 8 boys, Two leaning trees and one ginormous belly! On the third day of Christmas, my life with 8 boys, Three busted ornaments, two leaning trees, and I have one ginormous … [Read more...]

Christmas Gift Ideas: Vistaprint Special Offers

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Vistaprint is offering a lot of cool stuff for free and very discounted prices right now! Check out these offers that you still have time to order and receive by Christmas! $9 Each for Stockings Shipped in 3 Business Days! Fill your home with Christmas cheer by hanging embroidered stockings on your mantle. Personalize these soft and fuzzy decorations with your name or the name of a … [Read more...]