4 FREE Concerts at the Landmark Center

There will be 4 FREE Courtroom Concerts presented by the Shubert Club in April. All of thee concerts are at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, MN and are at noon on Thursdays. For more information and to see the full concert lineup, check out the Courtroom Concerts.

FREE Kids Class to Build a Birdhouse

Get signed up now before spaces are filled so your child(ren) can build a Birdhouse at this FREE CLASS at Home Depot next weekend!

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Devil's Tower in Wyoming

At the end of our road trip this fall we did individual surveys to see what two places each one of us like the best. Devil's Tower in Wyoming was the number one place for all four of us which wasn't too much of a surprise because we had a lot of fun hiking around and exploring there.

The top picture is of Devil's Tower before we reached it. I thought that this image I was seen from the side of the road look like a postcard.

This next picture is of a picture of the legend, or one of many different Legends, of how Devil's Tower was formed.

Next we have a couple of pictures closer, when we were at the National Monument site. Devils Tower is a national monument and your national parks pass Works to get you in here as well.

We had the most incredible looking Sky while we were there to take pictures. I felt lucky that we had such blue skies with wisps of clouds. It really helped add to the contrast between the rocks and the sky.

Trying to take our own family photo at Devil's Tower. Again we had asked someone to take a picture and they took two, one of had all of us in it but didn't have all of Devils Tower which defeated the purpose and the other picture was out of focus.

A zoomed-in picture to see what the crevices look like in Devils Tower.

A couple of pictures of the kids hiking among the rocks and between the rocks at Devil's Tower. At one point we had to hurry them along because we needed to get going before it got too dark so that we could see some other things on the way home in Spearfish Canyon. If I would have known they would wanted to spend so much time hiking on the Rocks I would have budgeted even more time there.

There were so many places to climb and rocks to go underneath to explore.

We were mesmerised by the prairie dogs that lived in their own village outside of Devil's Tower National Monument. They are quite fascinating to watch. We got our fill of watching them here and then when we made our way to Custer State Park we spend more time looking for other animals rather than the prairie dogs that were everywhere there too.

DIY "I FLY! What's Your Super Power?" Sweatshirt

 My daughter used to have a t-shirt with the same saying that has now been relegated to her cabin clothes. When she got that one I had purchased it as I didn't have the silhouette machine previously to make one.

But now I found a need to make it again for her. At school they are having a superhero day and at her age in elementary in elementary school, being the oldest grade, actually dressing up like a superhero is a little silly. This will be her take on the day.

Plus, she does swim butterfly stroke rather well and looks so strong when she swims Fly.

For the font I used a font called tinsel from the silhouette design store. I find that I would much rather spend money buying new fonts from there then trying to find clipart that I have to edit around the font. Font can be really tricky to work with and be very time-consuming if you don't have a pre-loaded font. Pictures are a different story and I will find clipart that I can download for free or purchase to use and sometimes buy them from the silhouette design store.

FREE Class on Installing Tile Backsplash

This Weekend, Home Depot is going to teach you how to install a Tile Backsplash with this FREE class. Get registered today!

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Mount Rushmore

From our house to Mount Rushmore it is probably about A 7 hour drive straight through. Although we didn't drive straight through, we stayed over in Sioux Falls South Dakota on the first night and then made our way to Rapid City South Dakota.

Being one state over you would think we may have visited this prior to this but there is a lot of nothing to look at during that 7 hour drive the really interesting part of South Dakota doesn't happen until you are in the 60 miles on the western side of the state.

It seems that thanks to Facebook a lot of people are visiting Mount Rushmore. I am not sure if there is that many more visitors or I am just made more aware of it because people are posting their vacations on that social media outlet.

My kids had 3 days off from school before the weekend for a fall vacation and we were going to take advantage of five days in a row when it was pretty nice weather to make this road trip.

Usually the one complaint I have heard from people who make this road trip in the summer is that it is really hot and really busy, I guess that's two complaints. My Hope Was That by going in the fall we would be past the hot weather and it would not be very busy. Both of my assumptions were correct and we were very happy that we went during the fall. Although going during the fall there are some things that are not open that are only open during the summer but everything we wanted to see including Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Devil's Tower, and Custer State Park were all open. Plus there were several other things we saw as well.

Trying our best to get a family picture at Mount Rushmore. Someone did offer to take our picture but it seems every time someone does they can't seem to figure to get all of us in the picture and keep it in focus.

Below are some pictures that I zoomed in so that we could see greater detail on each of the president's faces.

Quick Microwave Low Carb Bread

I saw this on IG and had to try it out for myself, and when you are really craving bread or something you would want that needs bread this will do the trick. It's not the same, but it's a good quick substitute. It does have a bit of a spongy texture though.

Quick Microwave Low Carb Bread
1 1/2 T melted butter
1 egg
3 T almond flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions: Melt butter. Combine egg, almond flour and baking powder with melted butter. Cook in a microwave safe dish (I used an egg cooker, but a ramekin could work as well) and cook for 90 seconds. Remove from dish and allow to cool for a minute. Slice in half to make 2 slices. Serve as bread or toast, if desired.

DIY Silhouette "Swim Mom" Shirts

The two biggest reasons that I do my own personalization and designs on my Silhouette machine to iron on clothing is 1) cost savings and 2) the ability to personalize everything.

The thing I like to personalize the most is what type of fabric I am going to wear. In the past I have bought items that a company made for the team and find that the cotton is too heavy and uncomfortable or the arms just aren't long enough in a long sleeve top. When I buy the Garment I want to wear I can try it on First and make sure I like how it fits in feels and then personalize it the way I want to and I'm excited to show my support through my outfit.

Learn How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Always wanted to changed out that ceiling fan, but didn't want to pay for an electrician. Check out this FREE class at Home Depot to learn how to install a ceiling fan this weekend!

FREE Admission to MN History Centers for 6th Graders

I almost forgot about telling you about this, as I went ahead and purchased a family membership to the Minnesota Historical Society. All 6th graders in MN can get a FREE Pass to get FREE Admission in to all of the historical sites in MN. Of course, the rest of the family still has to pay, but you at least get one person in free. 

This might be a fun idea to have with you when you are planning your upcoming summer vacations because it is good through the end of August.

And if you have a 5th grader, remember this for September!

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Death Valley, California

This was our unexpected find on our trip 2 Nevada, California, and Arizona. We knew we were going there but our expectations were a little low. Going to the known hottest place on Earth doesn't give you too high of expectations. But because we were so close I wasn't going to miss this opportunity to check it out and see what see what Death Valley look like.

Upon first driving into this National Park my husband commented that it looked like scenes from Star Wars where we were. Once we got to the ranger station we learned that in fact there were several scenes from Star Wars actually filmed in this National Park.

The top picture of me in it was one of the first places we stopped and we're just amazed. It was hard to take it all in. The immense beauty of it all was enormous. The picture right below it is of badwater basin where the lowest recorded temperature on Earth is.

Here is our attempt at getting some family photos at Death Valley. We went as early in the morning as we could get up and drive there from Las Vegas. The temperature hadn't risen too hot and we happen to be going on a day that was actually lower than normal. As we were leaving at lunch time it was just reaching 100 degrees which is not typical normally it has already reached that temperature much earlier in the day.

In the pictures above one is called artist palette and that is one location that Star Wars was filmed at. The other spot is called Devil's Golf Course. One look at that location we knew that if anyone fell trying to walk out there they would be ripped up a lot.

Upon entering the ranger station there is a sign that warns you of extreme heat Danger after 10am. The rental car had a hard time keeping up the AC and we made sure to have our CamelBaks full as well as a lot bottles of water in the car. Two of the pictures are of badwater Basin, including the one of my husband sitting on the ground looking like he is dehydrated. The other one is of the kids at one of our first stops upon entering Death Valley.

Using Yaktraks for Outdoor Running/Walking in the Winter

Not sure what to do about the ice or snow outside but the weather is finally getting warmer to where you actually want to get outside to walk or run? Then consider getting a pair of YakTrax. I haven't used them for running, but have used them for walking and they work well. They just pull over your boots or shoes and you are ready to go! I bought these for myself and thought other people might be wondering just what they might need to run or walk in Minnesota in the warmer winter months.

DIY SWIMMING Flannel Pajama Pants

In the upcoming weeks, I will be sharing a lot more of the DIY silhouette heat transfer vinyl Creations I have done. It seems like there is always some new, fun personalised item the kids need or want.
And if you can do that personalization yourself, you can save a lot of money.
These "swimming" flannel pajama pants are just one example. Similar pants were for sale at the last two championship swim meets I took my daughter to and they we're selling them for $27. It doesn't seem like a bad price when you compare it to how much everything else you have to pay for when when it comes to swim team but I I kn I knew I could pick up a pair of pajama pants like these at Walmart for around $10 and for a a couple of dollars in heat transfer vinyl I was able to make her a pair for less than half the cost.

Register for British Soccer Camp & Get a FREE Ball, FREE T-Shirt, FREE Jersey & FREE Skills App

Below you can read all the text they gave me to share about this British Soccer Camp, but I first want to tell you why I am sharing the information for a 2nd year. It is because MY SON LOVED IT! When I asked him what things he wanted to do this summer, going to this soccer camp was at the top of his list. There are camps all over the U.S. The closest one for us is 20 miles away, but it was worth driving to that. Before that one was added again, I had considered registering him for one that is 30 miles away. This year, I am planning to sign him up for the for the add-on program of "Golden Goal" which is an additional 2 hours of camp on the first 4 days of camp. My son loves soccer, but was feeling a little self conscious about his playing abilities after a local summer soccer program and this camp pushed him to learn to play all the positions with more confidence and he ended camp feeling like he was successful, more confident, and gain a ton of new skills. You can read my entire review of British Soccer Camp and see all my own personal pictures there!

British Soccer Camps are the most popular soccer camp in the US. With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, The British Soccer Camp provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of their own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love!

REGISTER FOR CAMP and GET A JERSEY, BALL, T SHIRT and NEW SKILLS APP AND 20 FREE VIDEOS! Enroll in the most popular soccer camp in North America! British Soccer Camps have programs for all ages and abilities and feature an innovative curriculum full of skills, drills, and thrills! Register now and you will not only get your free British Soccer game jersey (value $34.95) shipped to you for free immediately, but you will also get our brand new skill development App and 20 videos to help your child practice at home. Your soccer ball, T-shirt and poster will be given out at camp. USE CODE BSC18 at check out to get free shipping.

To Enroll: https://www.challengersports.com/british-soccer/

State Swim Silhouette Creations

I made these head coverings for my daughter and the rest of the members of her relay for the Short Course Swim Meet last March. It was her first time swimming on a relay at state and she was very excited and I was excited for her and made these head bands and hats for her and her team mates. My daughter wears these all the time.

4th Graders Ski Free with the Minnesota Ski Areas Passport

There isn't too much of winter left, but we probably have still all of March, so some readers may be able to take advantage of this offer that I just learned about. My kids aren't in this grade, but I will try to remember when my son is.

4th Graders Ski Free with the Minnesota Ski Areas Passport

Accelerated Reader Books about Easter for 3rd and 4th graders

These are from a couple of posts I did in years past that I wanted to share again!

50 3rd Grade AR Books

10 4th Grade AR Books