Booklet of Love

{Booklet of Love}

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all about romance!  If fact, a mirad (is that how you spell it?!) of us have been without a valentine longer than we have with one!

Teaching the kids to see the good in and learn to love others is a great goal all year, but it can be especially fun in February!  So goes this little booklet...

If you're not into football, corral the kids on Sunday and make a few of these!  I'm sure someone will "LOVE" them.:)

Note: I didn't mandate Ethan to make this one, it was totally his choice.;)

A peak...

wondering what Ethan loves about me?  Well, here you go.

I'm a good cuddler...



and sword fighter.  Its great to be appreciated.;)

{The Skinny}
Here's the download! Sweet and simple. Just like we love it.

And off you go.  Hope you LOVE it.;)

Toad

THANKS Printables for the Kiddos

{Download Me}

After all of the festivities have come and gone we are left with a pineless smell in the front room, no jingling of the bells, and many people to thank.

So get the kids on it!:)

Here's my 2012 "Thanks" printable, just click on it to download:

 

of if you'd rather...(just be sure to cut off the 2010!;))

{V-day}
Or if your out of the "jolly" market and into "love" than here's few from past years you might like to get a head start on. You know me well enough by now to know that my 2012 editions will come only days/hours before the big day.

{Self-less}

And if you feel like sharing the printables or anything else...go for it.

Love, Toad

From Santa Tags

{Under Cover Elf}

If you have little readers around you may want to have them leave the room for a moment.  You see, your secret about Santa is safe with me...unless you have kids you can read this. 

Two Elf tips:

#1 Use different wrapping paper for "Santa" or some littles my just suspicous.

#2 Use Santa tags that AREN'T in your hand writing.

You can thank me later.;)

I dedicate these tags to my friend Heather...who requested them.;)

Click here or on the tags to download:

{Years Past}
And a little flash back to last year's "neighbor" gift:

And if you need headwear for your shepherds...

{This Year}

Not sure where the last few weeks have gone. I love how the days in December went so slow as a kid. Boy do I miss that!

At least I know what I've been doing on Tuesdays...meeting Heather for lunch at IKEA.  Kids eat free on Tuesday here. (Nice, I know! Just make sure you don't go around 12!) And it was on Tuesday in November that where I heard about IKEA's gingerbread decorating evening.

You sign up, pay $5 bucks, and show up to this...

a mother's dream...the houses where already put together and were all ready to decorate!

Not sure what Ethan is going to bite that house with!:)

I wonder if that's what I look like when I'm intensely working on a creative endeavor...:)

{Grandma Peggy}

We love her. Visiting us for a few days isn't enough.

{And on a sad note, we lost my aunt Carol a few days ago...we loved her.  Its times like these when we realize how truly blessed we really are to have such great people in our lives.  We are also so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan that allows us to see her again. Our thoughts and prayers are with Uncle Jerry and the cousins and their families during this difficult time.}

Not sure what to do about these monkeys!  No, no, the ones on the right people!;) hee,hee

{Winter Waterland}

I decided that swimming is a perfect winter activity.  Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be outside catching some rays, but I can't thank Brandon (our swim instructor) enough for burning a large deal of energy with the boys!  Bedtime is so much easier on swimming lesson days...

And if you missed last year's Christmas Party, well you can see it now. :)  This year has been a little too crazy for that sort of merriment in our home.  More about that later though.

Don't forget to make yourself a nice cup of cocoa, cuddle those loved ones, and watch a fun Christmas show on TV together!

Love,
Your Secret Elfy Emily aka "Toad"

+Emily Ashby

Free Holiday Tags & A Little Plug: Camera Coats

{Camera Coats}

Are you in the full swing of the Holidays? If not, you'd better get on some merry measures...we're talking 2 weeks until Christmas Eve people!  Need some tags?  Hang on until the end of the post and you'll have cute tags a plenty!

I also have a little help for you if you know someone with a standard size SLR.  You know, the "big fancy" cameras that people carry around their necks?

My latest wild venture: Camera Coats! 

And HowDoesShe is having a giveaway for them right now!  You can also get 25% off by using the code: HowDoesShe (Exp Dec 14)

For the somewhat exciting story behind them you can click here.

{Tag-O-Mania!}

The 12 days countdown is right around the corner! Here's some holiday tags that are sure to pep up your gift wrapping! (Click on the tags for the post with the download link. They're free!)

I posted these last year, but who would ever know if you used them this year! I like these gems:

And NEW this year!

These mod ornament tags! I mixed it up a bit with these ones and added some "Made with love by" and "do not open until dec 25" you might like!

Click Here to dowload these darlings!

(Happy Days!)

And what do you say we enjoy every minute of this great season! 

It is after all the most wonderful time of the year!  (Well, beside summer!:)

Love, Toad

Thanksgiving Tags

{Thanks time}

Regardless of what time of year it is we should always try to show appreciation to those around us.  But if you want to step it up this year and make someone's day here's a few simple ideas and cute little printables to aid you on your way!

{The List}

1st, make a list of the people around you that make your life better.  So many people have thank-less jobs and a little acknowledgement goes a long way.  Here let me help you...

Great people: School secretary, the crossing guard, the nurse you always talk to at the pediatrician's office, garbage man, teacher's aid, bus driver, sunday school teacher, car pool mom's, your favorite babysitter, the piano teacher, hair dresser, etc, etc the list goes on and on...you get the picture! 

One of our favorite people is Aidan's bus driver Kim. Love her. I'm so thankful for her and how great she is with my 3 year old. 

Isn't she cute?

{Get Personal}
Once you have your list, its time to get personal.  The best gifts are the ones that actually mean something to someone. They don't have to be big and elaborate to touch someone's heart.

If you're going to make cookies for the school secretary, find out what her favorite one's are.  See your 1st graders teacher drinking Diet Coke, get her a 12 pack. (Hope Ms. Snow doesn't read that or her there will be no surprise next week!:)

Oh, and photos rock. You can do so much with them!

This is my aunt Diane.  As you can tell, she loves her dog.

So, how's this for a fun little gift!



Super simple.  Or if you have family and friends who live out of town you can always stick a picture in the mail or just attach it to an email!

{Tag & Give}
Now all you have to do is tag 'em and give 'em. Here are a few fun printables that might help!

Just click on the picture to download the tag.

There you go!



Just remember, the most important thing is to just say Thanks. 

So, THANKS for being so great! Yes, YOU!:)

Love,
Your Toady