tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868Sun, 17 Sep 2017 18:36:34 +0000RecommendationReviewGive-AwayGive-Away WinnersNewsFamilyBaby CareCloth DiaperingMemesHomeSchoolWordless WednesdayRecipeHolidaysCraftsHomemakingHealthy LivingFluff FestChildrenEventsPreschoolPregnancyOh Baby ExtravaganzaGreenParentingFamily FunFluff Talk ThursdaysFamily updateProject 365Saving MoneyTipsSmart ShoppingBirthdaysMeal PlanningFrugal LivingModestyContestFrom The HeartKitchenFunnyCouponsSewingVideoToddler PlayWeekly MenuHealthCookingSummer Survival GuideFunshine ExpressTutorialKindergartenModestly AdornedArtBible VerseMotherhoodchildbirthMother Goose TimeParty IdeaDealsMonthly Art PackWhat's for Dinner?ButtercupsLife in GeneralBaby #5BreastfeedingEncouragementFreeFreezer CookingOrganicVBACCurriculumExtra Entries OpportunityOrganizationOutdoorsSalepoemGratituesdayMy Father's WorldReminderSteal of a DealTravelCampingFood PreservationPhoto ContestsTraditionsBreakfastChristmasFamily TraditionsGardeningPortraitsPotty TrainingSponsorshome-birthCharitiesNeeding AdvicePhotographyRainy Day PlaySilent AuctionAutumnAwardsBaby ShowerBack to School DinnerBooksChinese New YearFirefliesGamesInstructions for entering giveawaysMarriageMusicPatternsPlaydatesRecyclingSensory PlaySlideshowWhat Dad Has To SayBeautyBlog HelpsBook ItCakesDate NightDiaper DealsDinner Time SeriesDisclosure PolicyFamily PortraitsFirst PostFluff Talk InstructionsFrog and ToadGiftsKid SnacksKindnessPrayer RequestRecipe IndexSkin CareSproutingStrangeSummertimeSuper HeroesUpcylingValentine's Dayfitnesshttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)Blogger1163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-2463274155856491174Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:47:00 +00002017-07-01T09:50:28.381-06:00BirthdaysCakesFamily FunGamesParty Idea This was E's friend party year and the whole family has been working hard to pull off a super cool G.I. Joe/ Army party for him.  He has really been into G.I Joe's since this past fall so picking a party theme was easy.  It was a lot of work (esp for mama) but everything turned out great, fun was had by all, and E was totally blessed!  This made it all worthwhile!   The night before the http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/04/gi-joe-army-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-3702478146612545756Sat, 01 Apr 2017 17:43:00 +00002017-04-14T11:44:07.159-06:00From The HeartMotherhoodpoemPreschool My youngest loves to bring me dandelions.  I'm often greeted at the back door by this sweet face and a handful of flowers.  I dedicate this post to my little guy.... Dandelions Author Unknown Mommy,Guessing your favorite flowerShouldn't be all that hard.I'll bet they're green and yellowAnd grow all over the yard. I only pick the special onesBecause they're just for you.They're myhttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/04/flowers-for-mama.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-4759950267086057594Sat, 25 Feb 2017 18:46:00 +00002017-04-14T11:47:27.071-06:00Family FunFrog and ToadHomeSchool Yesterday I took my 3 youngest boys and daughter to a local highschool's Frog and Toad all Year musical. E and J have the Frog and Toad books as part of their reading this school year and really enjoy the books.  The characters are quite comical, E especially is always cracking up over them! When I saw the local highschool was putting this on, I knew I had to take the kids!  How often do you seehttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-year-with-frog-and-toad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-2263100279981649989Tue, 14 Feb 2017 22:58:00 +00002017-04-14T15:59:19.229-06:00Family FunFamily TraditionsHolidaysValentine's Day I don't usually do much of anything for the kids for valentine's day so this year I thought I would do something extra special!  I had an idea to do a Lady and the Tramp dinner complete with checked table cloth, candles and spaghetti dinner!  With just a little effort the whole dinner came together and turned out so nice. The boys really enjoyed eating out in the living room at their ownhttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/02/lady-and-tramp-valentines-dinner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-427401291646524944Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:12:00 +00002017-04-14T16:18:03.851-06:00Chinese New YearFamily FunHolidaysHomeSchool On January 16th the little boys, my daughter and I went to our friend house for dumpling making in celebration of the chinese new year!  I brought chicken fried rice, fortune cookies, my friend provided a nice spread of fruit, chinese cookies, tea, and of course the beef dumplings which were all made from scratch and absolutely amazing!  The children were especially excited to visit and N http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/01/chinese-new-year-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-3581538399696187867Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:07:00 +00002017-04-14T16:11:49.197-06:00ArtChinese New YearCraftsFamily FunHolidaysHomeSchoolVideo This past fall when I taught at our homeshool COOP, I had a little girl in my class who's mom is from Beijing, China.  Over the past few months we have gotten to become friends with them. They invited us over to make dumplings for chinese new year. Since the boys and I didn't know much about chinese new years we decided to learn about it in school before we go to their house.  After doing a http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2017/01/chinese-new-year-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-4736627238417848315Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:18:00 +00002017-04-14T16:24:47.428-06:00ChristmasCraftsFamily FunHolidaysHomeSchoolPlaydatesToddler Play I have been trying to be good about hosting playdates for the boys so they get enough interaction with friends.  As you know, I love throwing themed parties so this time around I decided on a gingerbread themed playdate!  We made gingerbread crafts, decorated gingerbread men, ate lunch and played with gingerbread playdough.  It turned out so cute and I think everyone had a good time.  This was http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2016/12/gingerbread-playdate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-2867338038550521142Thu, 27 Oct 2016 22:30:00 +00002017-04-14T16:32:06.165-06:00Book ItHomeSchoolRemember the Book It program from Pizza Hut? It is still around and the program is even extended to homeschoolers! My boys cashed in their first pizza prize slips today followed by a viewing of "Pete's a Pizza" (a very cute Scholastic book made into video). http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-7001556001938841966Tue, 15 Mar 2016 03:34:00 +00002016-03-14T21:35:36.655-06:00BooksChildrenFamilyFamily updateKindnessEvery once in awhile someone does something that blesses your socks off!  That was this past week. Out of the blue we got 2 packages in the mail from the kids Great Uncle Dave who lives in Washington State.  He is my husband's mom's only brother and a retired elementary school teacher. He has only met our kids on a couple of occasions, which makes this all the more surprising.  He sent 2 boxes http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2016/03/random-acts-of-kindness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-4015767425239406225Tue, 01 Mar 2016 02:33:00 +00002016-02-29T20:55:29.667-07:00ContestCurriculumHomeSchoolMother Goose TimePreschoolVideoAfter 2 weeks of filming at our homeschool co-op and 8 hours of work editing, my video is finally ready to submit. A big thanks goes out to my son Mr.C for putting the this together for me. I couldn't have done it without him! This film was a joint effort made by everyone in our family. My 13 year old daughter came up with the idea, Mr.C and I filmed, directed and put the video together, my 3 http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2016/02/mother-goose-time-2016-film-win-video.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-3087815317704058549Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:36:00 +00002015-02-23T19:37:43.032-07:00CraftsFamily FunFunshine ExpressHolidaysHomeSchoolMonthly Art PackNow that my little boys are older they are starting to really get into holidays.  This year I decided to host a Valentine party for them.  We invited a few friends from the boy's preschool/kindergarten class at our homeschool coop and met at an indoor play gym.  Before we left for the party the boys made some super cute, owl valentine bags. These came in the February Art Pack from Funshine http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-valentines-day-homeschool-party-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-6018541764223673926Fri, 06 Feb 2015 03:15:00 +00002015-02-05T20:15:03.473-07:00ArtCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschool Finishing up January's Art Pack from Funshine Express, this week my boys made faux snow cones and stop signs. For the snow cones they made colorful water color paintings onto coffee filters.   Yes, there was lots of color mixing!   We then rolled up a paper towel, wrapped it with the painted filter and then stapled the "snow" onto the cone cup.  The end result was pretty darn cute andhttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2015/02/in-art-pack-faux-snow-cones-and-traffic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-2110689097407546293Thu, 29 Jan 2015 05:21:00 +00002015-01-28T22:22:23.092-07:00ArtCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschool As you know my children have been enjoying the Monthly Art Pack from Funshine Express.  Each month we receive a box of 8 different art projects and the best part it is delivered right to our door! Geared towards the 3-6 age range, these projects are simple to complete for little hands.  We try and fit them in whenever the boys are whining that their bored.  They have been a blessing!  Teddyhttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2015/01/this-weeks-art-pack-projects-teddy-bear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-7639382573159171578Wed, 21 Jan 2015 19:55:00 +00002015-01-21T12:55:33.256-07:00ArtCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschool This past week the boys had fun learning about winter in school.  We talked about the different seasons and the fun things you can enjoy during each one.  We read the book "The Mitten" and followed it up with this fun craft from January's Art Pack. The Art Pack comes with 8 crafts for 4 kids each month. Here are the supplies for the Marvelous Mittens .  Everything you need, including http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2015/01/mittens-and-snowmore-winter-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-1984788553892521776Mon, 12 Jan 2015 04:10:00 +00002015-01-11T21:12:15.220-07:00ArtCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschoolIt's been a long time since I have updated my blog.  This past month has been one of the most stressful times we have experienced in a long time.  On top of the holidays, we closed on a new home (we purchased a foreclosed home which was quite the long, grueling process), moved in the snow, and battled the stomach bug in our family.  I am thankful for this new year for many reasons, but at the tophttp://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2015/01/have-sparkling-new-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-7909680953714018959Mon, 08 Dec 2014 04:52:00 +00002014-12-07T22:20:33.097-07:00ArtButtercupsChristmasCraftsFunshine ExpressHolidaysHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschool This month Funshine Express has some super fun activities in their Buttercups kit as well as their Monthly Art Pack. This past week we explored jumping.  We learned what is means to jump, how to sign "Jump" and of course....we jumped! Here is this weeks ASL card and vocabulary card. So cute! Signing "Jump" (we are getting ready to move that is why our walls are so bare now) http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/12/jump-for-joy-its-christmas-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-1306260733391046636Wed, 03 Dec 2014 02:35:00 +00002014-12-05T08:57:02.092-07:00ChristmasCraftsHolidaysHomeSchoolKindergartenPreschool  My kids started asking me in October how many more days there were until Christmas! I decided on the first of December that it would be time to make a Christmas countdown chain. Doing a Christmas countdown chain is a great idea to help kids independently to keep track of how many days there are until Christmas. It also helps them to develop their number sense as well as they are counting http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-countdown-chain-with-twist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-6388861000609460934Thu, 27 Nov 2014 04:41:00 +00002014-11-26T21:43:00.862-07:00ButtercupsCraftsFamily FunFunshine ExpressHolidaysHomeSchoolKindergartenMonthly Art PackPreschoolRecommendation Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! Today was all about the turkey!  We made turkey crafts galore, watched a turkey puppet show, read turkey/thanksgiving books....now we are all set for Turkey Day! The Gobbler headband from Funshine Express was a BIG hit.  This was one of the crafts in the November Monthly Art Pack.  First the boys colored all the main headband pieces as well as decorated their http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/turkey-day-celebrations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-7394869696067380800Wed, 26 Nov 2014 05:15:00 +00002014-11-25T22:22:51.587-07:00Baby CareButtercupsCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolMonthly Art PackPreschoolRecommendation With Thanksgiving right around the corner, November is a great time to teach children to be thankful. This week we are on the "Thank You Time" theme in the Buttercups November/December curriculum kit.  We discussed what it means to share and sang a cute little song about sharing to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus". I feel so happy when I share, When I share, when I share. I feel so happy http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/thank-you-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-5440497280264605896Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:40:00 +00002014-11-25T19:57:29.317-07:00CraftsHolidaysHomeSchoolKindergarten If you’re like me, you find it hard to do well in all areas of life. I try to balance my relationship with God, working full time as a first grade teacher, working out, cleaning the house, being a wife, and taking care of my most precious gifts, my children. I found that it is essential to find ways to do well without letting other areas suffer. I found that instead of segregating the areas http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/making-time-for-special-memories_25.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-6168496649252033649Mon, 24 Nov 2014 21:35:00 +00002014-11-24T14:39:14.365-07:00ArtChristmasCouponsCraftsDealsFunshine ExpressHolidaysHomeSchoolMonthly Art PackPreschoolSmart Shopping CHRISTMAS Baby, it's cold outside! So what's a mom to do with her home bound children? Make crafts of course! There is something so special about this time of year.  I love the cozy days at home, snow falling outside the window, cups of hot cocoa, Christmas music playing in the background.  Perfect opportunity to sit down and make some memories with the kids.  The December Art Pack from http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-1123664818248935660Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:37:00 +00002014-11-25T09:39:05.154-07:00EncouragementFamilyFrom The HeartHomemakingMotherhoodParentingRecommendation "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers MOMS from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Do you ever feel like the historically famous Pony Express motto was actually written for us? I do. Rain or shine, happy or sad, sick or well we mom up. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I'm not the only one who sometimes feels like it's all http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/when-my-cup-is-empty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Brittney Thompson)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-6595532826355247899Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:53:00 +00002014-11-20T00:02:07.119-07:00ArtBaby CareButtercupsCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolPreschoolRecommendationReviewVideo This was our last day learning with the "Night, Night" theme.  Tomorrow we start the 2nd half of the November Buttercups lessons which will be on giving thanks.  Baby N has really enjoyed this theme as blankets, books, stars and the moon are some of his favorite things! Today we started our lesson out with the Mother Goose prop.  This contains a poem and pictures on both sides.  Baby N http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/star-light-star-bright.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-5558473883117769932Fri, 14 Nov 2014 23:53:00 +00002014-11-14T17:08:58.276-07:00Baby CareButtercupsCraftsFunshine ExpressHomeSchoolPreschoolRecommendationReviewVideo Goodnight Moon is one of my all time favorite bedtime books.  I was so excited to see this book incorporated into this weeks lesson plan.  For Buttercups we talked more about bedtime and I introduced the bed vocabulary card and bed signing card.   Here are the cards displayed on the side of our schoolroom bookshelf. I love seeing little ones use sign language. It is absolutely http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/goodnight-moontime-for-bed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608334432968764868.post-2030901309058374363Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:37:00 +00002014-11-12T10:25:50.890-07:00ButtercupsCurriculumFirefliesFunshine ExpressGive-AwayHomeSchoolPreschoolRecommendationReviewSaleToddler Play It's time for our Funshine Express giveaway!  You've read my reviews and now it's time to try this wonderful curriculum out for yourself!  Winner will receive either a Buttercups or Fireflies curriculum kit for up to 12 children, you choose! Buttercups curriculum kits are for babies and toddlers ages 6 to 36 months and offer 8 weeks of interactive fun!  Each kit covers 4 themes and http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2014/11/funshine-express-curriculum-kit-giveaway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (B.A. Hunter)17