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Joy's Fun Stuff

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How to Decorate an Awesome Party on the Cheap: DIY Ideas, Tips, and Examples

10 Fun & Easy New Year's Party Activities to make all your wildest dreams come true

Top 6 Easy Ideas to Rock Your New Year's Party with Kids (why is it only a WEEK after xmas?!!)

The Funniest, Grossest, Yummiest, Spookiest, Best-Ever Halloween Food

Halloween Gingerbread Houses are Awesome Fun (even when you cut the crackers wrong)

Halloween Gingerbread Houses are Awesome Fun (even when you cut the crackers wrong)

My oldest 2 boys may not have a single patch sewed on their scout uniforms, but I do Halloween Gingerbread Houses with my kids. As a mom, I cannot do it all and I'm happy to fail at the scout patch thing as to make more room in my life for sugar glued to sugar using sugar. Because, well, priorities. This is one of those fun traditions that the kids get REALLY excited for. But can you blame them? They get to create/gorge themselves with treats and make a spooky project that th

Decorate a Killer Harry Potter Party on a Tiny Budget

Decorate a Killer Harry Potter Party on a Tiny Budget

Decorating for a party doesn't have to be expensive. It does take some planning ahead and a little elbow grease, but this Harry Potter party for my 3rd kiddo turned out pretty fun and hardly cost a thing. I know it might seem like I'm a bit obsessed with the Dollar Tree (see here, here, here, and here) and that they must sponsor my life (I wish), but it's just that they have so many great things for so dang cheap. And for the record I actually purchased some of this party stu

Birthday for Husband: Ways to NOT Mess It Up

Birthday for Husband: Ways to NOT Mess It Up

Kid's birthdays are easy, but I have struggled with the old birthday for my husband, poor guy. It's silly because he's an amazing man who loves me and our kids. But I have struggled. While marriages are complicated and all different, these are some truths I've (slowly) discovered through the years for me with my husband, mostly through trial and error. The emphasis here is on the error. *Disclaimers: 1. Not everyone fits into these generalities but maybe this will give you so

Creative Halloween Costumes

Creative Halloween Costumes

One year we had some friends with the last name Baire and they had the greatest family costumes for Halloween- the baby was dressed in the most snuggly, adorable bear costume and the hubby and wife had teddy bears tied to their heads like hats. They were the best 3 Bears ever and it was hilarious. I knew right then that we had future Halloween plans. So every year we hash around trying to come up with a creative costume theme that is acceptable to all involved. This is gettin

Baptism Ideas

Baptism Ideas

Our second was baptized this last Saturday, and man, was this kid excited. The next day he tried to convince us it was really Saturday so that he could get baptized again. He is a character for sure. I've learned a few things on the whole deal and thought I'd pass it on. Purpose First off, as fun (or stressful, depending on your personality type) as it is to do all the extras, baptisms are about being baptized. Wow. So insightful, I know, but it's so easy to forget that. The

Olympics Kick Off

Olympics Kick Off

I'm not sure if you knew, but with the Olympics Opening Ceremonies happening on Friday I thought it was time for me to share that I've been in serious training for about a decade now. Before then, it was just kind of hit and miss, but almost 10 years ago I went into hard core, full time training and haven't looked back. Stating fact here, but I'm pretty sure if I went into competition I would take the Gold. Unfortunately the Olympics Federation still refuses to recognize Diap

Valentine's Dinner: Make All of Your Wildest Dreams Come True

Valentine's Dinner: Make All of Your Wildest Dreams Come True

I pretty much hate waiting. It's the worst. And waiting to EAT?!! No thanks. When I'm hungry I want food. So when I show up at a restaurant and am told that I have to wait like 45 minutes to be seated, it's not good. My blood sugar is low right then, people! That's why I'm there. Going out to eat on Valentine's Day is not the best. It takes a truly enjoyable experience no cooking + eating + great company + no kids + no dishes and makes me angry. I feel like I've just finished

Flashlight Tag: The Game of Champions

Flashlight Tag: The Game of Champions

Have you played Flashlight Tag? It's not complicated and it's a hit with just about any group of people you get together: family night, date night, crazy teenagers, family reunion. I first played this game as a teenager on a double date with a married couple and their son, a potentially awkward situation turned completely awesome with this free game. Since Flashlight Tag is mostly in the dark, it brings out the wild side of people so be prepared. Grandma might throw an elbow

Party Cheap with the Dollar Tree

Party Cheap with the Dollar Tree

I used to live right by the nicest Dollar Tree. It was so clean and organized and since Target was far away, it became my hangout. They have some great stuff there. They also have a bunch of junk, but we don't buy that. Mostly. And FYI: I'm not embarrassed to say that I am posting my love of the Dollar Tree solely based on my love of the Dollar Tree. They are not sponsoring this post. They do not know I exist. My favorite stuff to get at the Dollar Tree is party supplies and

Birthday Cake Fail

Birthday Cake Fail

My little now-3 year old requested a pink cake for her birthday. No sweat. I can do that. Sunday night I went to pump it out, as I wanted to get ‘er done quickly while the kids were in bed. Cake mix: check. Powdered sugar for frosting: nope. Since I wanted it done then, while the cake baked I pulled out the blender and powdered my sugar. (cue "Little House on the Prairie" music) Clock ticking After whipping the butter I added the sugar and... watched as my butter totally melt

Twins Baby Shower: Thing 1 & Thing 2 Themed

Twins Baby Shower: Thing 1 & Thing 2 Themed

My sister-in-law is pregnant with twins. Twins. Two babies at once. I cannot imagine. They will be the most darling little friends I’m sure and I can’t wait to meet them. I'm so excited! They were visiting last week and we were able to throw them a family surprise shower. I chose a Dr. Seuss theme: Thing 1 and Thing 2 from the Cat in the Hat book, because that is awesome. When planning decorations, I move forward with the main colors. That not only makes it easier to find stu

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Halloween Gingerbread Houses

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Gratitude Turley

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Veteran's Art Surprise

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Turkey Stick Puppet

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Tape Masks

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