Using Time Wisely

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2012 CardStore.com: $.99 Grandparents’ Day Card

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CardStore.com: $.99 Grandparents' Day Card

Photograph Credit: CardStore.com

Time got away from me last weekend. I created one Grandparent’s Day card, but I needed more time to capture the pictures from my files for the other card.

With a little more time this weekend, I found them. Thankfully, CardStore.com came to my rescue with another promotional code good for a $.99 Grandparent’s Day Card. Whew!

I hope you got the free card last week, but if not, then you can use promotional code CCK2099 to get one Grandparent’s Day card for $.99 with free shipping.

With Grandparent’s Day fast approaching on Sunday, September 9, I chose to have the card mailed directly to Paul’s parents. My total came to $.99 exactly.

You have until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, September 2 to order your card. In using time wisely, place your order this weekend because time is running out. 😉 Happy creating!

Question: Are you ready for Grandparents’ Day?

Family Fun: Thanksgiving Activities

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Thanksgiving Activities

Photograph Credit: NVT OfficeClips

As my children get a week-long fall break at Thanksgiving, I have been looking for fun activities to provide at home. With so many talented and giving bloggers, I am thrilled to highlight my favorite Thanksgiving activities from around the Internet. Enjoy!

Decorations

Recipes

  • Turkey Rice Krispy Treats at Amy’s Finer Things 

Free Thanksgiving Printable Packs

  • Thanksgiving pack by All Our Days  
  • Dot marker sheets by 3 Dinosaurs 
  • Thanksgiving pack by 3 Dinosaurs 
  • Pre-K pack by This Reading Mama 
  • Lots of Thanksgiving worksheets posted by Blessed Beyond a Doubt 

Crafts

  • The Gratitude Jar by Paper Coterie 
  • Turkey Finger Puppets by Tip Junkie 

For more planning ideas, visit this list of 70 free Thanksgiving resources by The Better Mom or the list of Thanksgiving Planners from Amy’s Wandering.

As this fall season is very busy for lots of families, these resources are highlighted for your information. If your plate is full, then bypass these activities. In using time wisely, I only present this list to help those looking for Thanksgiving resources this fall season.

My plate is quite full, but I am printing lots of these Thanksgiving packs for my daughter. She loves the games and puzzles. By reinforcing her desire to learn and decorate, these printables bring lots of fun to my family. Enjoy your family activities around your table, your house, and your community. Happy planning!

Question: What Thanksgiving activities is your family planning?

Christmas Traditions: Santa’s Reindeer and Personalized Call

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Christmas Traditions

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With Thanksgiving festivities coming to a close, I am ready to focus from the fall season to our Christmas traditions. In our home, Santa Claus is fun. My children understand who the real Santa and Mrs. Claus are, but we still have fun pretending.

One of our Christmas Eve traditions is putting out the reindeer food because the reindeer need energy while Santa is stopping by. 😉 With baggies of oatmeal and glitter (so Santa can find our house from a distance), we scatter the contents in our front yard.

If your family enjoys the Santa traditions, then you may like the reindeer cam where one can watch Santa’s reindeer while daily feedings occur at 11:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. (EST).

For another fun opportunity, schedule a personalized phone call from Santa to your child for free. You get to choose the message and the time to call.

In kicking off the holiday season, enjoy these fun activities while using time wisely. Happy planning!

Family Activity: Christmas Around the World

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Christmas Around the World

Photograph Credit: Living Life Intentionally

Beginning today, Living Live Intentionally kicks off Christmas Around the World!

From November 23 – December 24, follow Beth to a new country to experience holiday traditions, try a recipe, make a craft, and learn some geography along the way.

Beth has included a free e-book filled with links, worksheets, and coloring pages for your children ages 2 to 12. This book is your companion guide for each day’s destination.

Enjoy your travels as you follow Beth for the next 32 days on her tour –  Christmas Around the World. Happy discovering!

Planning for Success: Reserve Time for your Priorities – Day 18

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Planning for success - Day 18

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 18: Reserve Time for Your Priorities

As the days go by and my calendar continues to change from blank white space to a sea of blue ink, I return to consider my priorities. Though all these other tasks on the schedule are good, I need to value my time. To accomplish my family time priority, I review my calendar focusing on very busy weeks.

In looking over those weeks, I find two or three unscheduled sections and reserve family time. Keeping my priorities in check, I need the reminder during busy seasons to hang out with my family. It may sound silly that I would need to schedule time for my family. In a way, it is silly. However, just because I am with my 2-year-old 24-hours a day, I am not always tuned into her needs and wants.

Setting aside a block of time to just be with my family keeps my schedule balanced. The family activity is not the focus, but rather the act of listening, interacting, and connecting. As I add more items to my schedule that are good and necessary, I protect those blocks of time reserved for my family.

In planning for success, reserve time for your priorities. From pillow fights to family vacations, I block time on my calendar for developing our family bond.

As you block time for your priorities, make the time slot reasonable and attainable or else the time will slip away. In using time wisely, keep scheduling while securing time for your priorities. Happy reserving!

Question: How often do you reserve time for your priorities?