Day 215... Tile Lock Scrabble

Tonight we had our first ever Family Scrabble Match. Maddie got this tile lock set for Christmas from Mary Jayne and has been dying to try it out.

I have always avoided Scrabble with the kids because I thought the tiles would be EVERYWHERE. This version is so great. Love that you can pass the board around and that the tiles stay in place really nice. I wish it was for 6 players but we made it work and formed teams of two.

Team SCRABBLE BUSTERS!!

THE WORD WIZARDS!

THE SCRABBLE SCRAMBLERS!!

The Word Wizards went first with this word. We started off strong and ended up bringing home the win. Thanks Big Daddy for the tip or two to help us pull it out. I think this game is going to get LOTS of use at our house. FUN!!

Day 214.. Menchies Madness

Our fun blog sponsor today is my good friend Jennifer Peloquin. She handed me Menchies coupons at a party and said "Here is a day of fun for the 365". Thanks Jennifer P.

I had never been to a Menchies before so had no idea what to expect. FUN, FUN, & Oh So YUM!! I see why all my Roswell friends rave about it!! The concept reminds me of my days in Aruba at Fat Tuesday's only this is with frozen yogurt and toppings instead of frozen drinks. Good concept any way you slice it!!

The kids were so excited to go, and were thrilled at the size of the cups when they went in. I should have known we were in for trouble. The Greeneteam let lose, in a yogurt shop, with giant cups, yogurt machines, and tons of sugary toppings!! Watch out!!

We only had one error and that was poor Maddie who thought the sign said caramel when in fact it said coffee. She was not happy with her choice. Luckily daddy helped her out and ate hers and gave her the delicious creation he had made for me.

The yogurt and toppings were delicious. The kids loved it and can't wait to go back. If I had to give Menchies a critique it would be to offer a small and a large cup size. It would be much easier to control my kids portion size/cost if the cup was smaller. Thank goodness we had coupons and it didn't matter this time, but in calculating the cost for each of them it could get pricey. It was a really fun family outing and a place I am sure we will go back to. Thanks again Jennifer P.

Look at the giant cups mom!!

And they're off!! Sorry for the madness Menchies!!

Do you see all these toppings mom??

Chocolate and Heath make a good combo right??

Peace out mama!

A small taste of Heaven.. Chocolate, hot fudge, and Reeses!! YUM!

Menchies a fun family outing~

Day 213... A new Piano for Kenna and the family!!

Today for fun we got a NEW PIANO.. YAY.. New for us anyway!! Someone else's trash is anothers treasure right?? John found a smoking deal at the thrift store on this piano. $125!! I took Makenna over to see it and she instantly loved it. It was in tune and looked like it had been taken care of even though it is a much older piano.

I told her we could get it but it would be all of her Birthday money at the end of the month and no party. I don't think she even had to think about it for a minute. She is thrilled and so our the other 2 budding musicians in the family. Watch out musical world!!

Day 212... New Years Paper Chain

Every year on New Years Day we make a paper chain of items we would love to do. A bucket list so to speak. It is a New Year and anything is possible. I always tell the kids that the sky is the limit and let them put anything they want on it. This year since we were out of town we did it today.

On each paper chain loop we write an idea for 2012..Something we would like to happen. A tropical vacation, skating, new carpet, a new job. Anything you want can go on the chain.

We keep making them until we run out of ideas!! This year we had 125!!

Next we pull out the old list which is sealed each year in a trash bag and hidden away in the garage. We tear it apart and read all the bucket list items.

We count up the things we did. In 2011 we accomplished 37 items including a shoe shopping spree, getting an Ipad, seeing our new niece, visiting grandparents in Colorado, riding a plane alone, riding the Goliath, reading more, a new couch, and riding a 4 wheeler.

There were also 90 that did not happen.. New wood floors, a Tropical vacation, buying a Gibson guitar, visiting Boston, joining a swim team, winning the lottery, obedience school for the dog, a Cruise for me, new bikes for Kenna and Carson, and swimming in the ocean.

You win some and you lose some. I guess you just have to keep trying, hoping, believing, and dreaming!!

Here is to 2012 and 125 new ideas.

Day 211 .... Tic Tac Toe

Today was day three on the road home from Colorado. We used the games my friend Andrea gave us for the car trip (Tic Tac Toe and Elimination). They were cute little car games that I think came from the Dollar Spot at Target. Perfect for Road trip fun!! The kids loved playing with them in the car and it was something new to do!! On day three it was needed!! Thanks Andrea!!

Day 210....Road trip Survival Kits!!

Two weeks ago my friend Andrea gave me a goody bag filled with treats for our Colorado road trip. I turned them into a Survival Kit from an idea I had seen on Pinterest. Little did I know how much we would need them today.

Our wake up call at the hotel started with Jack getting sick at 2:30am. We woke everyone up and got on the road. I ended up also being sick with a bad back spell. Three hours after getting into the car we pulled into another hotel for me to sleep. I have now gotten 5 hours of sleep, the kids have destroyed a mattress cover with spilled hot chocolate,and all are in a bit of a mood.

These survival kits are desperately needed and will hopefully be fun for the trip home!! Thanks Andrea for the goody bag and thank you Pinterest for the inspiration and idea to make them. They may save us on the road today!!

Out of desperation for good behavior I plan to use the trip clips from earlier in conjunction with these bags filled with 12 fun treats. The kids will get one of their treats an hour unless their clip is moved. If it is Daddy will get to eat the treat instead of them and it will be his choice as to which treat he eats. The kids are very excited about the bags and amazingly their behavior has suddenly improved. Let's hope it can stay that way until we make it home to Georgia. Here is to survival kits!!

Each gallon size bag is filled with snack size baggies filled with little treats. Gummi bears, nuts, dry cereal, gum, candy bars, sunflower seeds, licorice, peanuts, Bugles, Sour worms, skittles and M@M's. Thanks again Andrea!!

Day 209... Feeding Horses

The kids really wanted to ride the 4 wheelers again before leaving Colorado. They rode them up to feed horses at a neighbor's house. The view of Pikes Peak was gorgeous, and the horses loved the carrots and apples. Fun!! What a wonderful two days with friends!!