~ Too Much Screen Time ~

I know I am to blame here. I allowed her to use the iPad a lot during pregnancy because I was always so ill. Hannah now, obviously, loves her iPad, and constantly wants to use it. I believe her behavior is getting worse because of it. I want her iPad to be a privilege not a way of life. I want her to play, use her imagination, run outside, or draw a picture. I decided she needed to earn her iPad time. So here is my solution -

Hannah can earn 4 minutes of iPad time as she completes her daily assignments (like making her bed and brushing her teeth) and her chores (like putting her clothes away and helping set the table.) She can also earn iPad time if she makes good choices such as sharing with her sister. Hopefully, she will begin to see her iPad as a luxury, and we will see an improvement in her behavior.

wish me luck

here are her coupons

I also made some coupons for my sister

and made some 30 minute ones as well

I also made a poster of some of the things we could do during the day that doesn't involve the iPad

you may print the posters by simply clicking on the picture - right click - and save to your computer

~ Hannah's Five Favorite Books ~

Hannah's Top Five Favorite Books

#1. The Pigeon Needs a Bath! By Mo Willems

Hannah loves reading this book.

Without fail, she laughs every time we read it.

She loves this book so much; she has it memorized!

#2. Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann

Lately, Hannah has wanted to read this book every night. She loves reading about Pinkalicious eating too many cupcakes and then turning PINK! 

#3. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Hannah loves singing Pete's song about his groovy buttons. We both love how fun this book is. 

#4. Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton

Hannah loves reading this book before bed. Russell is a sheep that can't fall asleep! Hannah loves the illustrations in this book, and the   funny thing Russell does to fall asleep.

#5. Ten Little Princesses by Mike Brownlow                                                                                                                                       Hannah loves counting down as we read this book. The illustrations are bright and fun. I love reading this book so much that I can't decide who loves this book more.                      

~ Bear on the Mountain Cookies - minus the bears ~

Lots of help to make Bear on the Mountain Cookies!

One of our favorite cookies has to be these bear on the mountain. We have tried them with the bear in the past, but prefer them without. 

Delicious!

you may print the recipe by simply clicking on the it to enlarge - right click - and save to your computer

I wish I could give credit for this recipe but I have no idea where we found it. We have been eating these cookies for years

~ Motivational Monday #10. ~

With a start of a new year, I though this was a good quote. 

~ 5 Ways to Become a Teacher from God ~

I made this poster for my Mum who is presenting a teacher development class, for our stake.

for the original text click here

you may print the posters by simply clicking on the picture - right click - and save to your computer

~ Come Follow Me : Sunday School : January : The Godhead ~

Come Follow Me : Sunday School

January : The Godhead

How can I learn to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?

click here to see the lesson material on lds.org 

Today, we had a wonderful Sunday School lesson. The youth were reverent and had such wonderful comments to share. There was such a sweet spirit present.

We started the lesson by talking about Psalms 145:9 and 1 Nephi 1:20

I shared an experience about a tender mercy I had received, and then one of the girls shared her experience. We then watched the Mormon Message- The Tender Mercies of the Lord. The youth were asked to finish these three sentences while we watch. Then we discussed their answers.

Next, we read the lyrics to the hymn : How Great Thou Art. The youth then took turns writing or drawing any words or phrases that stood out to them, on the blackboard. Each youth then explained what he or she picked. 

Lastly, we watched the Mormon Message : O Remember Remember. We then talked about how to recognize the Lord's hand in our lives, and why it is important to write these impressions down. 

I finished with my testimony and my love for the youth. 

you may print the posters by simply clicking on the picture - right click - and save to your computer

~ Flashback Friday : Ella, Libby, and Grace ~

Whenever I came back from a trip to England, my friends would be eager to know what I did and where I went. I wouldn't know how to answer because I never went to England for the sights but to be with my family. If I wasn't at my Aunt's house, I was in Scotland with Richard or at Melissa's house. 

 This picture was taken when Kelly, Ella, Libby, Grace, and myself took a trip to Windsor, and went for a ride on Windsor's version of The London Eye. It is hard to believe the girls are all eight years older, and that I am eight years older as well. . . EEK!

I can't begin to describe how much I love and miss these girls. I can't wait to see them again. 

~ Obsessed with Braids ~

FINALLY! 

Hannah's hair is finally long (and semi thick) enough for some braids. 

I have been practicing and practicing (poor Hannah and Brynn) and finally I am confident enough to share some of my favourites. 

TWO BRAIDS INTO TWO MESSY BUNS

WRAP AROUND DUTCH BRAID INTO SIDE PONYTAIL

DUTCH BRAID WRAPPED AROUND A PONYTAIL

DUTCH BRAID HAIRBAND

DOUBLE DUTCH BRAIDS

FRENCH BRAID INTO MESSY BUN

DUTCH BRAID HAIRBAND INTO HIGH PONYTAIL

~ Bookish Resolutions for 2016 ~

These are my bookish resolutions for 2016

1. READ TWENTY FIVE BOOKS
- for the past couple years I always thought I could read around fifty books. Both times I failed miserably. This year I picked a more realistic goal. It allows me to read two books a month and then one extra. I am confident I can achieve this goal

2. READ MORE CLASSICS
- I would really like to read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

3, WRITE MORE BOOK REVIEWS
- and maybe join the booktube community

4. COME OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE
- I read a lot of young adult contemporary. This year I would love to read more biographies and adult fiction

5. READ WITH MY GIRLS EVERY DAY
- I want my children to have a love for book and the only way that is going to happen is if we read together

~ Tasty Tuesday : Egg and Soldiers ~

Egg and Soldiers has to be one of my favourite things to eat for breakfast. 

They is just something about toast being dipped into runny eggs. 

Plus, you know it is good when Hannah (my picky eater) will eat it!

I cover the eggs with water (in a pot) and bring them to a running boil. I then put three minutes on the oven timer. The second that timer goes off, I put the eggs into egg cups and slice the tops off with a knife. You are victorious when the yoke runs down your egg cup. 

(Believe me there is a high level of satisfaction watching that yoke drip.)

~ Motivational Monday #9 ~

I love this quote because too often I think I have to wait for something specific to start the next chapter of my life. This quote reminds me that today is the start. I can make today amazing. The beginning of a new chapter is now and not only when a major life even takes place. Today, I needed reminding of that simple truth. 

find the printable quote here

~ Elf on the Shelf 2015 ~