Pins of the Week

Something has been going on with Pinterest lately...every time I try pin something, it brings up some junk/spam crap! It's really irritating. Especially when I love my Pinterest so much! But despite my frustration, I did manage to pin some really great things this week...check them out!

Source: Uploaded by user via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: kidsactivitiesblog.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: titlenine.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: realsimple.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: sweetsugarbelle.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: felissimo.co.jp via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: shetakesflight.tumblr.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: blog.teacollection.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Did you find anything great on Pinterest this week?

Tiny Prints Deal of the Day

 

Tiny Prints is having an awesome Deal of the Day today. You can get 35% off their best-selling, custom self-inking stamps. 

This is for one day only, ending tomorrow at 8:59am PT. 

These stamps are top of the line and were designed by Three Designing Women for Tiny Prints. Your personalized self-inking stamp will be custom made just for you in the exact fonts and type styles that you choose. 

Check out some of the reviews: 

"It works wonderfully! It was delivered ahead of schedule, which was great! It is easy & quick to use! The design is great and looks a lot like the example! Love it and I'm thinking about getting a holiday one later in the year!" 

"I purchased this in leu of address labels for my Christmas cards. The simple design is classic and will allow for use all year long" 

So head on over to Tiny Prints today. There has never been a better time to grab one of these awesome stamps.  

Fall with Tea Collection

Fall is in the air and Tea Collection has the most adorable new clothes to get you ready! For girls, I love the Skola Stripe Empire Dress! This comfortable dress has loose, graceful sleeves that are perfect for play or raising her hand with the right answer. The bold stripes were inspired by mid-century modern design. For babies, the Nordic Blooms Romper is a must-have item for the fall. A big shape that makes a statement in the boldest colors. A sensational staple for fall. Be sure to shop the super stylish Fall Collection.

Enjoy! 

Artful Wordless Wednesday

The other day I went over to a friends house where she was having a trunk show...for clothes. But this is what I came home with...

A painting that she did during a wine and painting night...you know, one of those parties where you drink wine while trying to paint a beautiful picture? This is the picture she painted. She sold it to me and it has a new home in my kitchen.

Have you ever tried anything like that?

Blurb Deal Alert!

Deal alert - perfect for back to school! Blurb is offering 15% off any book you create with promo code CREATEABOOK. Blurb books are perfect for capturing those special moments throughout the school year from the first day of school, to sporting events, school plays and everything in between! You could even scan your child's favorite artwork and create a keepsake portfolio! The options are endless!

Plus, with Blurb, you can now create a photo book by uploading your Instagram and Facebook images. Don't let your pictures sit around. Capture those special school moments today and create a photo book that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Layla Grace Sale

Fabulous sale alert!

 Layla Grayce is offering an additional 15% off sale items with promo codesaleonsale valid through 9/30/12! While I certainly love all things Layla Grayce, below are a few of my absolute favorite sale items: Host your next gathering in style with the Naiya Hostess Apron. This charming apron combines steel grey, punch pink, and yellow eclectic print combinations that makes this a colorful must-have for your next party.

Naiya Hostess Apron - Final Sale - $29.00
Retail Price: $39.00
You Save: $10.00
The Petunia Pickle Bottom Organic Sashay Satchel moves effortlessly from a satchel to backpack, and from diaper bag to handbag and defines modern style. The modern iris design will be sure to turn heads and steal hearts

Petunia Pickle Bottom Organic Sashay Satchel Indelible Iris - Final Sale - $90.00
Retail Price: $100.00
You Save: $10.00
Need to fill that empty space on your wall? The Timeworks Arc de Triomphe Champs Elysees Wall Panels Set revives the elegant and sophisticated expression of sending a postcard. The vintage photograph of the iconic Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Pars is accented by classic postcard elements including stamps, postmarks and a message.

Timeworks Arc de Triomphe Champs Elysees Wall Panels Set of 3 - Final Sale - $78.00
Retail Price: $88.00
You Save: $10.00
10% off blabla kids 
During the month of September, Layla Grayce is featuring the popular brand blabla kids by offering 10% off with promo code bla10! 




Happy Shopping!

Weekly Meal Plan

We're getting back into the school routine and part of it is getting into good meal plans. I've been trying to shop for groceries 2 weeks at a time, by planning my menus in 2 week increments....of course, changing meals as needed. I still have to make the occasional run for a gallon of milk or something, but for the most part, it works the best for us. My biggest change has been that I now have to pack not only lunch, but also breakfast for my youngest to take to school. The school is providing lunch for all the students in the classroom, which is a great thing, unless you have food allergies! There are no substitutions that Jonah can safely have, so I have always just packed his food for lunch and now breakfast. So I made a trip over to Whole Foods yesterday, and tried to stock up on enough to supplement his regular foods for breakfasts and lunches...if I can just keep him out of it this weekend!

On to the meal plan:

Sunday: Steak with Bearnaise Sauce, Steamed brown rice, Steamed Broccoli...Chocolate Mousse for Dessert
Monday: Beer Batter Fish and Shrimp with Remoulade Sauce, French Fries...Apple Pie for Dessert
Tuesday: Homemade Mac N'Cheese with Hamburger, Sliced Tomatoes, Rolls...Chocolate Ice Cream Cones for Dessert
Wednesday: Hot Dogs with Buns, Assorted Condiments, Baked Beans...Apple Pie for Dessert
Thursday: Chicken Tacos, with Lettuce, Tomatoes, Rice, Beans and Cheese...Chocolate Ice Cream for Dessert
Friday: Breakfast for Dinner - Eggs, Sausage, Potatoes...Cake for Dessert
Saturday: Homemade Pizza - meat, cheese and veggies...Cookies for Dessert

In between all of those meals, I'll also have to make lots of lunches and packs plenty of things of the kids! Having an allergy-free household is not easy, especially when you have to pack everything for school! But we do what we have to do for our kids, right?

Source: Uploaded by user via Meredith on Pinterest

Back to School Pinterest Favorites

Here are some of my favorite pins of the week from Pinterest for back to school...

Source: parentingspecialneeds.org via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: familyfreshcooking.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: familyfreshcooking.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: anythingbutperfect.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Do you have any favorites you want to share?

Back to School Wordless Wednesday

 So this week is the first week of school. Of course, I neglected to be organized enough to print out beautiful signs...so here's the lazy mom's way, on the white board!

These were also done AFTER school, because I was in such a rush in the morning to get the kids to school, I forgot to take pictures.

1st week of school halfway done! WOOHOO!!

Top 5 Back to School Tips

Back to school can be a difficult time for many kids, especially for kids with special needs. Some kids are nervous about new teachers, new students, old students, changes in schedules, different classrooms, a different routine. But for MY special need kiddo, going back to school is the best! It represents a return to his friends, and return to his schedule, the stability of routine, the familiarity of school and classrooms, the school personnel (especially the specialists that work with him), and the opportunity to learn new things. He has been looking forward to this for weeks!

So, maybe your kiddo isn't quite as psyched about going back to school.  Well, you're not the only one! My other two aren't excited at all! But to help all of us out that do have those kids that are struggling, here is my list of Top 5 Back to School Tips:

1. Let your kids pick out their own school supplies. Although it took much more time, I took each of my 3 kids separately to buy their school supplies. We also went to separate stores so they really did get not only their own things, but their own style. They couldn't wait until the first day of school to show all of their classmates the cool new things they got.
2. We slowly started waking up 30 minutes earlier all the way back at the beginning of August, each week moving the alarm up. I have kept the bedtime the same all summer long, although not quite as strict about actually going to sleep...just the staying upstairs. But during the summer, some of us were sleeping until noon! I didn't want to have to fight that battle on the first day of school. 
3. Write a letter to your child's teacher introducing your student, especially if your child has special needs. Open House night can be very chaotic and the teacher will be trying to digest so much that it makes it much easier to have everything written down for them to refer to later on.
4. For those special needs kiddos, make sure you have your comfort items lined up. Get together the weighted lap pads, the cushy seats, the squeeze balls, the pencil toppers, and whatever other comfort items your child uses. Make sure it is included in your child's IEP that he/she needs these items and that the teacher understand this.
5. Set up a nice place for your child to do their homework. Let your child be included in deciding where it will be. My boys cannot do homework in the same room and I obviously cannot be in two rooms at the same time. One does not want to hear anything when he does his work...the other needs to have music or tv in the background or he can't concentrate. 

Hopefully, some of these will help you and your kiddos have a great start to the school year and everyone will look forward to school, rather than dread the first day! If you have any more tips, I'd love to hear them!!