Water Gun Target Practice!

Save your empty pop cans and get out the water guns for a little target practice while the warm weather lasts!



The girls were hilarious doing this!


So serious ;)


So fun, so easy, so cheap! :)


Hope you're enjoying the warm weather! :)

Got any fun outdoor summer activities that you've been up to?
Share them in the comments, I'd love to hear them!

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It's almost time for back to school around here- we're about ready to count down the days! You can help the little scholars in your life stay organized this school year with Mabel's Labels. Identify clothes, footwear, books, backpacks and more. Best of all, spend $100 and receive a free package of Write Away labels now through 8/31. Enjoy!

Summer Sharing Time

Hope You're having a GREAT summer!
We've got some great ideas in our Summertime Link-Up-
I can't wait to see what fun things you'll add this week!

Don't Forget to enter this week's Giveaways!

Let It Go Book Giveaway	Sparkly Rainbow Banner/Bunting Giveaway
Free Ad Space Giveaway	Arise & Shine Forth EFY CD Giveaway

After Hello (A Book Review)

I recently received a book published by Shadow Mountain, to share with you called After Hello by Lisa Mangum.



Here's what I thought:

It was a cute story about 2 teenagers meeting and learning about themselves and each other as their relationship develops. I thought it was a neat concept (what if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?). It made me think about how I see different people, and how everyone has a story hidden inside. Taking the time to get to know someone's story is so worth it!

As a parent (if I had a child old enough to read the book), I would take issue with the fact that 17 year old Sara ended up staying the night at a stranger's home with a boy she just met (regardless of the fact that they didn't "do" anything). Otherwise, it was a pretty "harmless" romance.

Here's what my friend Amber (probably more of the target audience age- young adult- for the book) thought:

It was kind of a fantasy.. I mean who would ever meet a guy, fall in love, see all of New York City, meet a celebrity, and say goodbye, all in one day?

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If you read this book, I'd love to hear what you think of it! I love to discuss books bookclub-style, and hear others' thoughts on books and what came to their minds that can open mine. :)

After Hello comes out next month, so be watching for it! :)

Let It Go (Giveaway)

A few months ago, I wrote about an amazing story and a memoir called Let It Go by Chris Williams.



There is a new book trailer out, that you can watch below:



Thanks to Deseret Book, today I get to give one of you a copy of it!

Just enter the giveaway by filling out the rafflecopter form below,
and I'll announce the winner when it's over.
Good Luck! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Moments (A Sneaky Pretend Fox)

Katrina: "Mom there's a sneaky pretend fox and his name is swiper and he's hiding behind that picture of backpack" (she has a Dora toddler bed with backpack on the footboard)

Me: "Did you say Swiper no swiping?"

Katrina: "No, but I need you to come up and say it and then he will go out the window."

Me: "Okay, Swiper, no Swiping!" ... "Oh, MAN!"

Katrina: *huge smile*

Feature Friday (Plain Vanilla Mom)

1. I have a natural gray streak in my hair that has been there since kindergarten
2. I played the flute in high school (and won several solo competitions at that!)
3. I was born and raised in the good old state of Maine :)
4. I know this is going to sound shallow, but I quit Brownies in third grade because I didn't like the uniform.
5. If it's not Starbucks coffee, I won't drink it.






Plain Vanilla Mom is about the goings on of a Mom of four, ages ranging from 12 to 9 months. I blog a lot about what we are doing with the babes because, well lets face it, he's my captive audience while everyone else in the family is off at school or work. So you will find loads of activities for the babes. There's plenty for the older ones too, as well as things that are special to our family. My personal hobbies fall into two categories…baking & photography and you will find a bit of both on the blog as well. My goal is to make every "plain vanilla" day a special one for myself, my kids, and my family. The blog helps keep me focused on that and share it all with you.




Sensory Bags for Baby : This has been my most popular post of all time to-date.
It was a quick activity I threw together to entertain the babes one day.


Flip Flops : This was one of the firsts posts I ever wrote but I still love it!
It's about a memory I share of my two step-kids


Coloured Water Bottles : This was another very simple activity I did with the babes that was a big hit.
You will find lots of ideas like this on the blog.


Practicing Fractions : An activity for my seven year old using one my favorite mediums…colored rice!


Berry Crisp : I would be remiss not to include a recipe post from our Sweet Sundays series.
This one is my favorite!


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How/Why did you start blogging?

Haha, funny question. I started blogging to keep my sanity (or maybe to spare hubby's). When I made the decision to stay home I had a lot of creative energy that needed direction. I was taking pictures like crazy, baking up a storm, talking hubby's ear off, and shopping too much. Starting the blog gave me a way to channel all that energy, make new friends, and connect with other Moms.

Has your reason for blogging changed? If so, why??

The core reason no, but there are reasons I didn't expect that have pushed me to continue and constantly strive to make the blog bigger and better…..Not only does the blog give me a creative outlet and a repository for all of our family memories and activities. It has become a way for me to make new friends, connect with other moms, and share ideas. It brings with it a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that I didn't expect. I am glad it has. It's helping me become a better Mom
and grow as a person.

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Would you like to see your blog featured here? I'll be doing a "Feature Friday" post, featuring one blogger & their blog on Fridays throughout 2012. If you have a blog that you'd like to see featured, please send me an email to raisingmemories at gmail dot com to submit your blog.