I had a lot of old furniture sitting around my house, and I didn’t know what to do with it. I hate throwing things away because I just feel like it is a waste of money (like a lot of people I’m sure). I love the idea of keeping things to be able to use them in DIY projects, even though I don’t do a lot of them. However, when I found this one I was really excited to do it!

I had an old entertainment set sitting in my basement for years from one of my first houses. The thing was hideous, but I just couldn’t throw it away! I knew if I threw it away, I would regret it. Well, one day my daughter and I were walking through Target and of course we had to make a stop at the toy isle. She saw this actually adorable kitchen set that she supposedly had to have! I looked at it for a while and realized I have seen DIY projects for kitchen play sets. After talking her out of it, and letting her know I would make her something better we were out of the store and I was looking at different DIYs for this sort of thing.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to turn this old tv stand into her own little kitchen play set.

Of course I had the help of my husband to cut some of the wood and put it back onto the play set, but other than that it was pretty easy! I got some really cheap kitchen utensils from Walmart to hang up for her, and of course I found an old kitchen faucets we were able to use. When my daughter saw this she absolutely freaked out. She said it was better than the store’s play set because it looked more like a real kitchen. Getting your child’s approval is one thing, but getting them to be so excited and thankful for something is an amazing feeling. It really makes you want to do all you can for you little one.

What do you think? Have you ever made something like this? Let’s swap DIY ideas!

Are you hosting a sleepover for your little ones? When you think of a sleep over, you think of all the fun activities the kids do at night before they go to bed. Well for even more fun and surprises, don’t let the fun stop once they go to bed.

In the morning try making pancake pops. All they are are small, bite size pancakes with sticks inside of them. These are totally fun for kids. They don’t have to use any silverware, less work for them and less cleaning for us! You can either use small sticks of some sort, or maybe straws? The other great part of these pancake pops are that there won’t be any wasted pancakes. Pancakes are so filling sometimes, so it is hard to predict how much the kids will eat. Put out small dishes of syrup for the kids to dunk them! This is also a good chance for there to be different kids of pancakes like blueberry, strawberry, chocolate chip, anything you can think of. They are so little they will cook in a breeze too.

I just realized this would totally be a great breakfast for camping! No one wants to use dishes and silverware when they are out camping. These are a no silverware, almost no dishes mean needed!

I am definitely trying these for my kids’ next sleep over!

I am looking forward to 5:00 so I can leave the children in my husbands very capable hands and escape for massages in Huntington Beach. This is a treat from him to me I get to do once a month and boy do I look forward to it. I try to schedule them towards the middle of the month because the beginning of the month is so very hectic and that way if it has to get pushed back or rearranged I have a couple weeks before the end of the month to reschedule.

I am quite blessed to be able to receive this treat monthly I know, I would not trade my husband, well most days anyways, I also return the favor to him and he has his treat night away once a month as well. It is important to take time to do something for yourself and to spend some time by yourself or with friends away from the family.

When I arrive back home it is movie night with the kids. Tonight is Rio 2. I loved the first one so I think this one will be great as well.

Should be a fun evening of relaxing and bonding with my family after a little pampering. Life is Good!

It is time for our summer camping trip. I am planning, prepping, packing and panicking, (just a little), about getting organized and having what we need. I hate to forget things. On the other hand if I do forget anything and it is an essential I am sure there will be a store nearby and I can pick it up. It is difficult to get four kids to pack their things and get them into the camper, they always seem to wander away when I tell them what to do. I have found it can be more efficient to deal with one at a time and hover over them to make sure they do what I tell them. In the end it seems as though I could do it all faster myself but that really is not the point. I suppose if they forget something they really want it might be a good lesson for them in the long run.

We are going to a State Park to camp and fish for a full week, it should be a great time. There is a beach on the river with fine white sand where we can relax and swim. Last year the kids made a huge sand castle and filled the moat with tad poles. Great memories are made on our annual camping trips. I am very excited to go.

My oldest son turns 16 pretty soon. It is hard to believe, the years just fly by and all of a sudden he is practically a young man and will have his driver’s license. He has really shown an interest in hunting the last few years and fishing as well. He likes to be outside fixing things, (or breaking them), he just likes to be busy tinkering. He joined a high school league trap team this year and qualified for state. This got my husband and I thinking he should do more different kinds of target shooting as well.

We are buying him an AR-15 rifle for his birthday with accessories. The ar-15 tactical  accessories really dress it up, while it is a great rifle it looks a little boring with out custom shooting accessories. I think he will be pretty pleased with his birthday gift this year. A present like that is something he will have his whole life.

I think on his birthday we will plan a trip to the shooting range so he can try out his new gift. The whole family enjoys target shooting together. It is fun to be competitive with each other in shooting. It levels the playing field because you do not need strength or height to beat your older brother.