Kaake Family Blog

I wanted to do one of these for Jon when he was little but never got to it.  Now, several years later I've finally started AND completed one of these little books.  I'd love to add more pages in the future, but for now I call this good.   Knowing Joshie, he'll love this!  I can't wait to see him get it on Christmas Day!                                                        A Big Letter "J" for Joshua! A black fuzzy buckle to play with; fringed felt to run his sweet baby fingers through and a red wagon; every little boys dream. Cut out shapes with velcro for matching and a Kangaroo mama and with a baby roo that peeks in and out of her pouch.                       A dolphin leaping out of the waves (that make noise) and a cow with a jingling bell. Last bu...

Thanks again to Mandi from amomshideout.com I went to Aldi and purchased the laminator she recommended. We came home right away, printed out a couple word world pictures for Jon and let him color them. Next, I laminated them both. After they had cooled a bit, I used a hole punch to punch holes all around it. We then got the package of shoelaces we got nip from Goodwill at 19 cents and put a knot on one end of each one. Now we have fun and educational lacing activities for our kids :)

Thanks to my friend Mandi on amomshideout.com, I've started tons of felt board fun with my son. My church had this felt board they were getting rid of and I started making everything to put on it. So far his favorite thing to put on the board is the coconut tree tailored after Chicka, Chickan, Boom, Boom. As I'm typing he's saying, "mom, you have to come here and see my coconut tree". So off I go.

We have about 1 1/2 months till Christmas. How crazy is that? To be easier on our budget, I try to purchase gifts year round as I see them on sale or for a good price. That also keeps us from spending $100's at one time when we wouldn't have it. I also like to save money where I can. This year one of the $$ saving tips I'm passing along is paper shredding. I got out a huge stack of Christmas scrapbooking paper, folding them in accordion style and shredded them in my paper shredder. I'm using this instead of tissue paper. While it probably wouldn't be cheaper if you went out and bought the paper, it sure was for me because it was just sitting around. You could do the same with any kind of newspaper, or other papers you may have lying around. My two wonderful children and beautiful nieces 2 years ago for Christmas. How time flies! I thought I'd give you a peak into what my family does yearly. Here goes.... 1. Have a birthday cake for Jesus as w...

Here are the ones I've found lately that I like the most. They are easy for someone like me;) I have tried Rita's Rump, and the Sweater Pants and love them both. I also added a bib pattern. It works much better than other store bought bibs because it covers more. We even take extra long tea towels and just tie a loose knot around the back of their neck. It works great. Enjoy the links! Sweater pants/longies and soakers: http://www.borntolove.com/frugal -column2.html http://www.cafepress.com/thatski ndacool/864331 sewing all kinds of dipes: http://fernandfaerie.com/frugald iapering.html fleece soaker pattern: http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/ 2007/10/free-soaker-pattern.ht ml http://www.geocities.com/Heartla nd/Oaks/1126/sewfleece.html Bib: here is a bib pattern - http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingf orbabychildren/ss/towelbib.htm Rita's Rump pocket pattern - http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com /2007/10/classic-rrp-ritas-rum p-pocket-pattern.html ...

So while this is by no means perfect, this is my first felted creation. I made it in about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes for my little Lyshie. For the children's together gift (for Christmas), I plan to make them a felted nativity. Just the cave, Mary, Joseph and Jesus this year - then more things to add each year. I supposed when I'm done with that I'll have to make an ark. I know that's a bit more ambitious. lol. Anyway, it's such a fun thing to do - although if you plan on taking up this hobby, make sure not to prick your finger. The needles for this are barbed and will not come out so easily. Eek!