A Little Tipsy

Creative Tips & Ideas

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Make a Memory {Curse of the Summer Birthday Pancake Breakfast}

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Here we are, week 3 of the Make a Memory series. Each Monday now through the end of August I will feature a special family tradition from one of my favorite bloggers. It is so important to create lasting memories with our families and this will be a fun way to get ideas for fun traditions we can start with our own families. So let’s dive right in and see how Holly from 504 Main and her family make a memory!


“The Curse of The Summer Birthday” Pancake Breakfast

I am just lovin’ all the fabulous ideas on Make a Memory (and looking forward to the great ones to coming)! Thanks Michelle for inviting me to participate!

I remember so many things from my childhood with such fondness, and I just hope my children do too.

I am trying…

here’s how we are making a memory and celebrating birthdays in our house this summer!

I have cursed not just one, but both of my children!

See no playing favorites here! Both of my kiddos have summer birthdays.

Growing up, I remember the excitement of going to school on my birthday and my mom bringing in donuts and getting to be “the birthday girl.”

But, guess what…my kids will never experience that. They won’t get that birthday excitement at school…I know that’s life…much more tragic events could happen. But…

Being the top notch mom I am, I had to come up with something to make up for this lameness that will haunt them throughout their school years.

And so was born

“The Curse of the Summer Birthday” Pancake Breakfast

A few years ago, I decided that a couple of days a year (i.e. 2 birthdays) I could be a morning person, (No really, come to my house at 2 am, and it is all good. Come at 8 am and watch out!) so my kiddos could start their birthday days off with a BANG or better yet, a pancake.

Yes, some friends are still on vacation, yes, it is not the whole class, but load a kid up with pancakes – chocolate chip ones no less – cocoa and possibly some bacon and then keep the fun coming all day…and you have a happy kid.
Here’s what I did:
1. The night before I set up my 6′ long tables. I used them low so the kids could sit on the floor. So, do not stand them up on their legs, just perch each table on 2 crates/sturdy boxes. Of course cover them in a fun tablecloth (I have a stash or Twin XL sheets from Target that I use for this purpose – go buy them in August/September after the big kids head off to college…when they are on clearance).

2. Decorate if you want – I am a lame mom who does not “do it up” for parties (anymore) – my wedding planner days ruined me. Sometimes a pretty flower or two and a balloon – the point is not the decor, the point is all their friends eating pancakes together to celebrate a birthday!

3. Invite all the kids over in their PJ’s…and tell them to come hungry!

4. Here’s the bad part – mom has to get up early and start making those pancakes. I usually make pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes, traditional pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes (really, can you have enough pancakes?). Sometimes I add in blueberries and raspberries as options.

5. And then eat, and eat, and play, and have fun and enjoy being the birthday kid.

(I usually plan an activity or two – a couple of crafts and maybe an outdoor activity.)

It is really an easy celebration to pull off and gives the kids a little extra something on their birthdays.

We’ve made it a tradition…

Because their birthdays aren’t changing, now are they?

Signature

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Thanks Michelle for having me! What a wonderful idea for a series!

Come on by and say hi at Main Street – 504 Main that is…There’s all kinds of crafting and DIYing over there. I also cook, bake, and chat about other fun stuff…

like my crazy busy life and my 2 kiddos!

504 Main

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And all this time I thought I had cursed my kiddos with the winter birthdays so they never get to have the fun parties outside. I guess once they are in school they will get to be spotlighted. I had a summer birthday and I do remember it was a bummer to not get cupcakes at school. Especially since mine was always right after we got out for summer break. A big thanks to Holly for such a fun idea for making a Memory!

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DIY Under $5 Features

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Another great week of ideas for under $5! Keep the creativity coming! I can’t wait to share this week’s features! So without further adieu…

Link with the highest clicks:

July 4th Wreath from Love Sweet Love



My faves:

Waterproof Porch Pillow from Pink Calaveras


Patriotic Wreath from 1st Lady of the House

Remember to pick up your A Little Tipsy featured button or Point of View featured button HERE if you were spotlighted today!

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June Visiting Teaching Message: Strengthening Families through Temporal Self-Reliance

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This month’s visiting teaching message is about self-reliance. I have been thinking about this a lot lately while reviewing my food storage and planting a garden. I love how this months lesson gives a large list of talents we can develop to become self-reliant. There is also a great story from Julie B. Beck about the great example her Mother-in-law was in the area of self-reliance.

June Visiting Teaching Message Handout


{I created the VT handout with Picnik}

We have been so lucky to have not been largely effected by the recession, but I have watched as close family and friends have struggled. It has me really motivated to be prepared for the unexpected.

For instance, we decided that instead of doing something fun with our tax return (which trust me I would have liked to do), we would put it toward paying advance months on our mortgage. That way, if something did happen we would not have to worry about that payment for a couple of months and our house would be safe.

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I have had a lot of people asking how to print the visiting teaching handouts. It is really easy to right click the image and copy. Then, you can paste it in to word and re-size and copy as necessary for how many you want on a page. You can also right click and save, then open with Windows Photo Gallery which allows you to print choosing your paper size. I choose 4×6 and do them on photo cards.

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Oh, and it’s my birthday today.
So, HaPpy BirThdAy to ME
and Donald Duck and Johnny Depp!

I am the youngest. 😉

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DIY Under $5 {Smores Recipe}

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I am excited to share a recipe with you today! The best part about it is that in true tipsy fashion you only need 3 ingredients and about 3 minutes to make these delectable delights! (I shared this a few weeks ago on My Junk Drawer so if it looks familiar, that’s why.)

I have been pining for warm weather (it is finally starting to be nice after weeks and weeks of rain) and the chance to get outside so I decided to bring the outdoors in with a summertime favorite of ours, S’mores!

Or as Buzz Lightyear would call them, “delicious hot schmoes.”

Smores Recipe

Supplies Needed:

  • Graham Crackers
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Almond Bark aka dipping chocolate

1. Lay out 8 graham squares on a cookie sheet. (I know I only have 6, but I had leftover chocolate so you can do 8.)

2. Chop up about 2 oz. of almond bark. Microwave for one minute and stir until smooth. Add more time in 15 second increments if needed.

3. Spoon a good amount on to each cracker.

4. Add about 10 mini marshmallows to each cracker.

5. Use remaining chocolate to drizzle on with a spoon.
6. Heat oven to broil and allow almond bark to dry so it is not shiny. Pop them in to the fridge for a minute if you are impatient like me.

7. Put them in the oven for about 1 minute 15 seconds or until golden brown. Watch them closely!!

Wow your unsuspecting kiddo with a totally awesome treat!

Good to the last ooey gooey drop!

They are also great for a little Thank you or thinking of you gift!
Just skip the broiling step so they can do it on their own and have a nice warm treat.
Cover some cardboard in tin foil, pop it into a treat bag and tie with a ribbon.

My tag is a laminate sample from the hardware store dressed up with a sticker and some paper on the back with directions.

Total cost: $3 to buy the almond bark, I had the rest on hand

Now it’s time to link up your $5 projects!

Please remember:

  • Only link to your own projects that cost you $5 or less (price does not have to include items you had on hand)
  • You can link past projects that fit the dollar limit, but please only link each project once
  • No giveaways or items for sale
  • Please link back so others can join the party and so you have the opportunity to be featured on Saturday!

DIY under $5


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