Maestro Manager

My friend Jessica Pattison created a truly useful, wonderful LIFE PLANNER called the Maestro Manager  that is perfect for anyone, but especially busy moms! Of course, I could be biased about this because I am a busy mom! But seriously, this thing is incredibly useful at orchestrating all 6 areas of life - mind, body, soul, community, work and home. This thing has EVERYTHING - a plan to incorporate housework and cleaning (on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis!), a place every month for a budget, goals, books you want to read, prayer and journaling areas. Did I already mention this thing is amazing?

I didn't think it would be this nice! The cover is sturdy and comes in 3 colors - orange, gray and green. My friend Jessica was kind enough to send me one. I got the green cover and I simply love it! Even unboxing it was an "apple-esque" experience. It is obvious even care and thought went into packaging it! It was beautiful - perfectly boxed, with tissue paper that you pull back to reveal a Maestro Manager pen and sticker. Then you see this gorgeous hardback cover that encases a spiral bound Maestro Manager life planner. The pages also ooze (useful) luxury. (okay, I'll admit that I am a bit nerdy when it comes to paper, pens, books, and stuff like that). The pages have a slick feel to them and a nice weight. The pages don't bleed ink through, even with my favorite pens and highlighters. (yay!).

It is such a gorgeous planner that you will want to keep it in easy reach and won't mind leaving it (displayed?) on a table or armchair, or even with your Bible and journal. (though there is space in the planner for some journaling and even prompts,  if you're like me you'll also want a moleskine if you write too much!)

I can't even address all the stuff this thing has! Shopping list area, To-do lists,  this thing has it all and beautifully and thoughtfully put together. It truly is an everything you need life planner!  You can check it out at http://www.themaestromanager.com

Our 2 Elves

Gabriel and Noel having quite a bit of fun this year!

Christmas Wish Lists

It's so interesting; nearly every year Katie becomes enamored with her American Girl dolls right before Christmas. All of the sudden, she totally wants a doll for Christmas - even though she hadn't played with her dolls for 9 months prior.

I'm loving this and embracing this! I fear it won't last too long before she feels she's too old for dolls. She is planning a party for her dolls, and she asked me to take a few pics of some of her friends.

Elf on the Shelf Returns

My kids are too old for Elf on the Shelf but my youngest (11) LOVES the tradition of the Elf. She looks forward to awaking to see what crazy antics the elves were up to the night before. Oh, she knows I move him. It doesn't matter. She loves them. (we have 2, a boy and a girl elf). Last year I tried to do less crazy antics and more sweet, cute ones but she prefers it when the elves are naughty.  So far, our elves have been pretty nice. In fact, they've brought things and encouraged us to have game nights (with a new board game they brought), movie nights, complete with red vines and popcorn tin they provided, and even a gingerbread house to decorate.

That's a Wrap!

It's only November but my mind is on Christmas.... not hard to do since  ALL the stores have their Christmas decorations and signage out in full force! Plus my little elementary kids are practicing all their Christmas songs on recorder, flute and saxophone. (yes, there's a lot of noise in our house!)

One thing I enjoy is getting a good deal, which is why I love Target Clearance, which at times will eventually reach 70% and even 90% for certain seasonal products. After Halloween I purchased a bunch of stuff for 70 and 90% off, keeping in mind stuff that didn't necessarily scream "halloween". I picked up lots of stuff for lunch box snacks, like goldfish crackers in small portion packs, and pretzels. I did buy a few bags of candy, thinking it would still be quite fine to consume at Christmastime for the kids' to put in treat bags for their classmates.

In the dollar /three dollar spot I saw a few large glitter pails. There were 2 colors left - glitter white and glitter green. I thought they could also be Christmas colors and so I picked up four of each color. Regular price was 3 dollars a pail but since it was after halloween they rang up 90 cents each. I picked up some cellophane at Michaels with a 50% off coupon and thought I'd perhaps decorate the pail in some way. But then I went to the dollar store and picked up a little red plush Santa hat, hoping I could use it in some way.

Surprise! It fit perfectly on the pail (with a little tugging!). Once I put the handle up on the pail, it perfectly held the hat in a cute position. I am still trying to figure out if I want to leave it like it is or use embellishments to make a frosty the snowman face or other similar feature. The hat also fit on the green glitter pails.... looks like the Grinch!

Here's a photo of the pail with the dollar store hat on it. I think it looks adorable and would make a fun alternative to wrapping paper or gift bag!

Little bit of "Audrey" Costume

It's the middle of summer and I find out that my little girl needs a costume for "Hollywood Week". Hollywood? No clue what type of costume they want for that! I thought I'd drag out a sparkly/glittery dress from her closet and add a cheap feather boa, beads, and maybe a pair of sunglasses. Then, while eating breakfast with the family at a kitschy breakfast joint,  I kept staring at a LARGE poster of Audrey Hepbrun in her Breakfast at Tiffany's getup. Hmmm... what an easy twist on Hollywood.... dress as Audrey.

- Black Dress (I chose a more girlish one than the form fitting one Audrey features)  Found on Ebay      but it is the same one as on Amazon. 
- Strand of pearls. Initially I used one that was in KT's jewelry box but when I spotted a multi-strand version at Target, I grabbed 'em.  (similar ones HERE).
- Satin Elbow gloves. 
- Sunglasses like these from Target. 
- Tiara. Because every girl needs one! Not the same as the tiny hair-pin style one Audrey wore but I think my little girl prefers a 'real' tiara more anyways. I bought a cheap metal one on Amazon. Not the greatest of quality but it is for a costume. Looks really cute.
- Shoes. I chose black glittery flats because she already had a pair but nearly any type of black flat or mary jane would do. High heels too but I don't let my daughter wear those yet.

BONUS: I also thought it would be fun to pass out 'autographed' pictures at the costume party event. Not sure yet if I'll print off Audrey Hepburn's photos for her to sign or her own photos dressed up as Audrey.

SUMMER!

Summer is here and we are enjoying every minute of it! There are so many free and inexpensive stuff to do around here in the summer. It is wonderful! Some stuff isn't 'cheap' but if you buy a season pass to things and use it a lot, it actually does translate to pretty cheap. Here's some suggestions for stuff to do this summer.

1. Amusement Park Passes.  Definitely NOT cheap but if you go often, it is a great deal! My kids are all into roller coasters now (my one reluctant one finally decided they were fun) and they've been having a blast. Another fun thing is the variety. Not only Great America but also their water park, Boomerang Bay. It is not  a huge water area but my kids are loving it and a great way to cool off on a hot day. Though much lower key, Gilroy Gardens is pretty and seldom crowded so it is fun to go for a few hours on their favorite rides. All in all, we're quite happy we decided to purchase season passes this year.

2. Movie Theaters. Many, like Cinelux Almaden, have a special program for kids, be it a cheaper day during midweek, or even 'older' shows for only 1.50 and "jr. popcorn pack' for 2.50. I haven't yet taken advantaged of this yet but some of the shows I know my kids would love to see on a (semi) big screen again!  At the same theater, (almaden Cinelux) their movies are only about 5.50 or so, and even 4.50 on Tuesdays.  Check out your local cinemas for their unique specials for kids. There's also a Discount Day on Tuesdays at another local theatre. 6.50 admission.

3. Bowling. I think most bowling centers have a "Kids Bowl Free" program.  I know Cambrian Bowl does. Sign up for their program HERE. Typically you purchase the shoes and they get a free game. Per day, I believe. It is more fun when you go with their friends. Us moms typically let the kids play while we chat. It is air conditioned and fun way to let the kids expend some energy. Sign up!

4. Miniature Golf. Some mini golf places have a discounted day or night for families. The nearest to me is Golfland Emerald Hills and has Family Night on Mondays after 5, 4.99 a person for a round of mini golf. Plus, check out groupon or other sites for deals.

5. Minor League Baseball.  - San Jose Giants. What fun! I can usually get free tickets at various merchants, making this a pretty inexpensive outing, or allowing us to purchase food while there since we 'saved' money by not buying a ticket. The General Admission tickets are only 7-11 dollars so even if I have to pay it isn't so bad . My kids LOVE watching baseball in this quaint, throw-back venue . Last time my middle child even caught a baseball. Go early and the players will sign autographs. Tons of family-friendly fun.

6. Museums, cultural events, gardens.

7. Air Museum - Hiller Aviation Museum because airplanes are so much fun. Plus they have some special events this summer, such as Happy Birds, Raptor Wings and Starlab. Hmm... might be worth getting a family membership!

8. Parks!

9. Drive-In. A dying breed, the venerable old drive-in! Most have closed but lucky me, I have one nearby. These are so much fun to attend with friends - tailgate style. Just bring a chair, blanket, and some type of radio and tons of friends and food and you're set! I've heard it is technically a 'double feature' but I've never been able to stay awake for both movies, especially since (in summer) they seem to begin at 8:55. Tuesday night is family night and each person is $5, with kids under 11 only $1.  You can also sign up for the coupons and newsletters to be in the know of upcoming promotions and events.

10. Krispy Kreme - Oh yes, I know it is a donut shop but my kids are loving this one! First because they love donuts and hardly ever get to eat them, and second because they enjoy watching the donuts go through the little glaze waterfall on its little conveyer belt. The folks at Krispy Kreme know it too so the last (and first time) we went they freshly made the kids their donuts so they could watch. (even though they had plenty in their display cases). One of my kids tried a fancy cake batter one but decided that the original glazed, freshly made, warm and gooey, was the hands down winner. At only 1.29 each donut, it is a fun and inexpensive little treat. If you sign up for their email club they will send you information about promotions and even a free donut.

11. The Beach - My kids love the beach. Surfing, skim boarding, playing in the sand, boogie boarding - they love it all. Any beach. Any time. Fun. Fun. Fun!

12. Church VBS