Family Fun
Colortime Crafts and Markers – Promo Code for 15% Off All Orders
Are you looking for a great gift for a budding artist? Do you have a little one who loves to color? Colortime offers a large assortment of items to color from shirts, pillowcases, tote bags, backpacks, bandanas, headwraps, and more!
If you are looking for a neat gift for a kid or want to do a fun craft for a group of kids (Girl Scouts, Birthday Parties, Sunday School, VBS, etc…) Colortime has the perfect product for you. The kids can use their markers to color a variety of fun items.
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Since 1990, over 5 million children and adults have loved creating t-shirts, pillowcases, backpacks, tote bags, bandannas, and more for parties, slumber parties, and scout meetings with our permanent fabric markers. We have provided our customers the opportunity to entertain their guests with a creative activity that becomes a permanent keepsake. Also, we are a licensed vendor of the Girl Scouts of America. Check out our wholesale program, great for your organizations.
More fun stuff from Colortime
- FREE Downloadable Coloring Pages from Colortime
- Join Colortime’s Birthday Club to get special incentives
Below is a great Christmas craft you can do with the kids!
Make sure you get 15% off your order by using Promo Code: 15USFG when you check out at Colortime!
A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Colortime for sponsoring this post. Any specific product information was provided by Colortime and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own. Blessings Multiplied will be receiving a free craft for this post.
Fall Scavenger Hunt
We recently held a camp out for our Community Group from church at our house. It was great spending some extra time with friends. The kids all had a blast riding their scooters, bikes, drawing with chalk, blowing bubbles, crafts, going on a scavenger hunt and more.
I am thankful for an opportunity to spend extra time with family and friends. It was a wonderful experience for our girls. I am grateful for a big yard where we can host events and pitch seven tents!
The kids did really well hunting down the items on the list. I gave each kid a grocery bag, the list printed on bright orange paper and set the time for 20 minutes. They were off and running in no time. I was quite amazed at the items they were able to come up with in that short amount of time. Some kids worked independently while others stuck more in groups.
If you are looking for a fun, entertaining, and educational activity to do this weekend here’s a great place to start. There is a one page (with two columns) printable link at the bottom of the post so you can print it out as well.
Fall Scavenger Hunt
- Large Red Leaf
- Smallest Yellow Leaf
- Dry Brown Leaf
- Evergreen Leaf
- Jagged Edged Orange Leaf
- Bird Feather
- Rough Bark
- Smooth Bark
- 2 Different Types of Grass
- Smooth Pebble
- 4 Acorns
- Flower
- Most Beautiful Item
- Stick Shaped like a Letter
- Piece of Litter
- Ladybug
- Tiny bit of Moss
- Pine Cone
- Wood Shavings
- Caterpillar
- Coins
- Wiggly Worm
- 3 Leaf Clover
- Seed
- Dog Toy
- Piece of a Thorny Bush
- Animal Fur
- Aluminum Can
- Piece of Plastic
- Bug (any type)
- A Circular Item
- A Square Item
- A Triangular Item
- An Oval Item
- A Heart Shaped Item
- An Octagon Item
- A Soft Item
- A Fluffy Item
- A Fuzzy Item
- A Furry Item
- A Hard Item
- Something Blue
- Something Purple
- Something Black
- Something Gray
- Something Pink
- Something White
- Kids Toy
I have been asked by a number of people for a printable version of the Fall Scavenger Hunt so here it is for your family to enjoy as well:
- Fall Scavenger Hunt – I printed ours out on bright orange paper and let the kids have a blast searching for the various items on the list! 🙂
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Chalkboard notes to my sweet girls!
The girls lunches are all packed up and ready to be taken to school. Today Brina’s says “Have a super day!” and Karlie’s “Have a great day!” Even though it takes an extra minute or two of my time to write a note or draw a picture it is so worth it.
Lunch box goodies!
Lunch Box Meal:
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Fresh Broccoli
- Fresh Carrots
- Fresh Snow Peas
- Fresh Plum Slices
- Fruit & Grain Mixed Berry
- Madagascar Fruit Snacks
- Ritz Snack Mix or Animal Crackers
- Strawberry Yogurt
- Mini Oreo’s or Chocolate Cream Cookies
- Water Bottle with 3/4 Water and 1/4 Fruit Juice
Fresh veggies, Chicken Salad Sandwich, and more!
Love hearing the girls comments to the various notes and drawings. Sometimes after an exhausting day it is hard to come up with a creative message but it’s the thought that counts more than anything else, right. What creative notes, drawings, or messages do you put in your kids lunch?
November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 28)
As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough. The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).
It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day. For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge. It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days. Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.
Day 28
Who: Jazz Instructor
A few months ago I got a Living Social deal for the girls to take Jazz lessons. We were within a couple miles of the studio several times a week already so we decided to try it out. They LOVED jazz and look forward to it every week. It is great exercise and has taught them some neat skills. In the spirit of the Holidays (Thanksgiving) the girls wrote their instructor a note of thanks and I picked up some sweet treats for them to give to her. She makes it a lot of fun and both of our girls really enjoy going to her class!
Day 27
Who: Clients
I am thankful for so many things in my life. One of the fun activities I get to do throughout the month is work for various clients on projects. Some of the people I do work for on a regular basis while others are more on a project by project basis at various times throughout the year. While I do get compensated for the work I do, there is a lot more to it, I really enjoy the people that I have had the privilege to work alongside. It has been neat getting know them and their families better while helping them tackle business projects. I am thankful for my clients and their willingness to let me be an active part of their lives and businesses. Today, I wrote a “I’m Thankful for you….” note as well as delivered a special treat for the ones I help regularly.
Day 26
Who: Waitress
Our family doesn’t go out to eat very often (we typically eat meals at home or take a lunch to work / school) so it is a real treat when we can go out or meet a friend for lunch. I had the opportunity to meet a friend for lunch today, it was wonderful having a chance to catch up for a little bit. One of the jobs I had in High School and College was waitresses. I loved doing it because it was great exercise, I got to meet a lot of neat people, and it helped pay the bills, but it was lower paying and at times exhausting. After working at a couple different places over the years I have learned to appreciate those in the restaurant industry. As a way of showing my appreciation and thanks to the person serving us today I gave a generous tip at the restaurant, hopefully it will be a blessing to the person waiting on us.
Way to GO!
So proud of my man! XO
My husband has to travel occasionally for work since he has teams he manages in various areas. Sometimes the traveling is due to speaking engagements as well. Earlier this year he had to travel for a Technology Summit speaking engagement where he was a keynote speaker.
I am so proud of him and thankful for all his hard work! He is a great provider for our family. God has truly blessed us with many great opportunities.
When he came home from this speaking engagement I had a case of Orange Crush waiting for him in the fridge. On the carton was a note from me “Jake, Way to Go on your presentation! I love you! XOXO – Bridgette”
Taking the time to pick up a special item, write a note, or some other activity to show appreciation for someone only takes a few minutes of your time, but the positive impact of your action is usually much greater. Spend a few minutes coming up with a way to show someone you love how much you appreciate them today! You and the one on the receiving end will be blessed by this thoughtful action.
November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 27)
As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough. The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).
It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day. For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge. It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days. Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.
Day 27
Who: Clients
I am thankful for so many things in my life. One of the fun activities I get to do throughout the month is work for various clients on projects. Some of the people are work for I do work for on a regular basis while others are more on a project by project basis at various times throughout the year. While I do get compensated for the work I do, there is a lot more to it, I really enjoy the people that I have had the privilege to work alongside. It has been neat getting know them and their families better while helping them tackle business projects. I am thankful for my clients and their willingness to let me be an active part of their lives and businesses. Today, I wrote a “I’m Thankful for you….” note as well as delivered a special treat for the ones I help regularly.
Day 26
Who: Waitress
Our family doesn’t go out to eat very often (we typically eat meals at home or take a lunch to work / school) so it is a real treat when we can go out or meet a friend for lunch. I had the opportunity to meet a friend for lunch today, it was wonderful having a chance to catch up for a little bit. One of the jobs I had in High School and College was waitresses. I loved doing it because it was great exercise, I got to meet a lot of neat people, and it helped pay the bills, but it was lower paying and at times exhausting. After working at a couple different places over the years I have learned to appreciate those in the restaurant industry. As a way of showing my appreciation and thanks to the person serving us today I gave a generous tip at the restaurant, hopefully it will be a blessing to the person waiting on us.
Day 25
Who: Ministry Team Leaders
There are some people within the church and community who spend a lot of their time and energy helping others. They are involved in several ministries and their dedication to the body as well as outreach shines. I am part of a ministry at church called Alms & Legs, we do multiple activities within our church and community from providing a food pantry for people in need, clothing, helping with bills, repairs, free GED tutoring, Operation Christmas Child, Heart of Christmas, Shoes for kids in need, and many more activities. The person who leads this group has a real passion for others and it shows. I feel like it is important to say thanks to those in ministry leadership positions because they volunteer to do the work and often go above and beyond in their service to others. Today I wrote a note of thanks to the person (and her family) who leads this great ministry. She does a lot to make this ministry a success so we can make a positive impact on the lives of many within our body and community.
Squeezing in a Little Fun
Sometimes we need to get out for a little bit and have fun! Our family loves our time at home and on road trips but every once in awhile it is nice going out for a special treat. On this particular day the girls were being troopers while we were on a short road trip so we decided to stop for a few minutes for a quit treat at McDonald’s.
While Jake ordered the girls and I headed to the play area. The girls burned off some extra energy for a few minutes. They were all smiles when we returned to the van. Thankfully the girls travel well and were content spending only a few moments playing. Even though the difference between going through the drive through and walking into the restaurant probably only was a few minutes (if that) it was worth it to allow our girls some time to run around.
November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Days 25 – 26)
As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough. The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).
It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day. For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge. It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days. Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.
Day 26
Who: Waitress
Our family doesn’t go out to eat very often (we typically eat meals at home or take a lunch to work / school) so it is a real treat when we can go out or meet a friend for lunch. I had the opportunity to meet a friend for lunch today, it was wonderful having a chance to catch up for a little bit. One of the jobs I had in High School and College was waitresses. I loved doing it because it was great exercise, I got to meet a lot of neat people, and it helped pay the bills, but it was lower paying and at times exhausting. After working at a couple different places over the years I have learned to appreciate those in the restaurant industry. As a way of showing my appreciation and thanks to the person serving us today I gave a generous tip at the restaurant, hopefully it will be a blessing to the person waiting on us.
Day 25
Who: Ministry Team Leaders
There are some people within the church and community who spend a lot of their time and energy helping others. They are involved in several ministries and their dedication to the body as well as outreach shines. I am part of a ministry at church called Alms & Legs, we do multiple activities within our church and community from providing a food pantry for people in need, clothing, helping with bills, repairs, free GED tutoring, Operation Christmas Child, Heart of Christmas, Shoes for kids in need, and many more activities. The person who leads this group has a real passion for others and it shows. I feel like it is important to say thanks to those in ministry leadership positions because they volunteer to do the work and often go above and beyond in their service to others. Today I wrote a note of thanks to the person (and her family) who leads this great ministry. She does a lot to make this ministry a success so we can make a positive impact on the lives of many within our body and community.
Day 24
Who: Mailman
We have lived in our house now for ten years and during those ten years we have had the same mailman. His name is Sam, he has two black labs, and he only lives a few streets away from us. How do we know all this information about our mailman you ask? Well, first we try to make a point to talk with him whenever we see him and leave random gifts / notes of appreciation for him during special Holidays. We figured out where he lived, quite by accident, when we were out going to garage sales one Saturday morning and happened to go to one at his house! He stays busy delivering mail so the best way to show our thanks for all the mail he has delivered to our house is to stick a note of thanks and goodies directly in our mailbox for him to pick up when he drops off the mail that day. We try to do something little around the Christmas Holidays for him as well. It only takes a few moments to write a note of thanks and/or put something nice in the mail yet it brightens the day of the person who comes to our house almost every day to deliver our mail.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Thankful for a much better week now that I am feeling better and had some down time with my family. We had a blast celebrating Thanksgiving, my birthday, starting to decorate for Christmas and more. Hoping to have a really productive week (maybe I will get caught up on some tasks).
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily – we read together, but I really didn’t keep track if we did it everyday last week
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework Completed– it was a short week of school with the Thanksgiving HolidayAttend After School Activities– we did the activities on Monday and Tuesday, but took off the rest of the week for the HolidayPlan one special Activity with the FamilyCelebrate ThanksgivingStart Decorating for ChristmasFamily & Friends Game Night to kick off the Holiday Season– we had a blastWork on Christmas List– got started
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this week– didn’t get it done with the HolidaysDrink 8 glasses of water each day- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith – working on it
- Reading / listening through my Bible – doing the 90 day plan through YouVersion – I got a little behind on the reading when I was sick but almost caught up
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekThanksgiving Meal – Menu, Prep, and EnjoyTackle Fall Cleaning & Organization Projects (Focus – Cleaning for Thanksgiving Celebration)Pay all upcoming billsWinterize the Garden- Put any new printed pictures that we receive this week in the photo album – got some of them put in albums but need more photo albums
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group EmailSend out the Alms & Legs Food Team Meeting Notes
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – getting there slowly
- Stay within Christmas Budget – staying on target at them moment
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Finish Decorating for Christmas
- Work on Christmas List
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
- Reading / listening through my Bible – doing the 90 day plan through YouVersion
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Tackle Fall Cleaning & Organization Projects
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)
- Stay within Christmas Budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Days 22 – 24)
As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough. The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).
It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day. For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge. It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days. Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.
Note: Thanksgiving week I had to group a couple items together into one day since we had a full schedule and we were seeing some of the people we want to thank on the same day. Although in the list they will be separate. Thanks!
Day 24
Who: Mailman
We have lived in our house now for ten years and during those ten years we have had the same mailman. His name is Sam, he has two black labs, and he only lives a few streets away from us. How do we know all this information about our mailman you ask? Well, first we try to make a point to talk with him whenever we see him and leave random gifts / notes of appreciation for him during special Holidays. We figured out where he lived, quite by accident, when we were out going to garage sales one Saturday morning and happened to go to one at his house! He stays busy delivering mail so the best way to show our thanks for all the mail he has delivered to our house is to stick a note of thanks and goodies directly in our mailbox for him to pick up when he drops off the mail that day. We try to do something little around the Christmas Holidays for him as well. It only takes a few moments to write a note of thanks and/or put something nice in the mail yet it brightens the day of the person who comes to our house almost every day to deliver our mail.
Day 23
Who: Mommy’s Helpers / Store Clerk
I didn’t really have anything that I had to have on Black Friday so I didn’t even venture out of the house until almost 11 am and even then I only went to a couple stores (mostly to the pharmacies to pick up health & beauty deals to re-stock our family with toothpaste and such). One of the girls decided to go with me to one of the stores to help. She pushed the cart through the store, helped me pick out the items, and was a good sport. Now that it is the colder weather our lips tend to get more chapped and one of the items that we picked up for free was chapstick (which my litter helper was really interested in what I was going to do with it). After checking out and saying thank you to the store clerk (and asking her about her family) I gave my helper the free tube of chapstick. She was soooo thrilled with that tube of chapstick it totally made her day! Later at another store I had two helpers. That store was offering a free candy bar so I had my two helpers pick out 1 candy bar that they could split, they picked out mint M&M’s to share. Even the little stuff can mean a lot to people when we take the time to say thanks and show appreciation.
Day 22
Who: Family
I have so much to be thankful for in my life. Not only was it Thanksgiving it was also my birthday. It was a perfect day of celebration and relaxation, just what I needed. I spent the day having fun with my family. The food was great, we played games, read books together, and had a blast. Sometimes the best thing you can do to show appreciation to people is to spend quality time together which was my primary focus for today. I did call, text, email, etc…..several other family and friends to wish them Happy Thanksgiving but otherwise the day was spent focusing on having fun with my family.
