Show and Tell.....Father's Day ideas, flashbacks and Summer of the Bucket List

Well, G is feeling better.  Too bad R came down with the same thing he had.  It doesn't seem to be as bad, though.  With a kid being sick you have a little bit of leverage when one kid is in a "picking" mood.  "Leave her alone, she doesn't feel good" seems to work a lot better than "Quit fighting or I will tape your hands together for the day!" 

So, Father's Day is coming up and like always I tend to be a procrastinator.  I can not say what I created for my dad because he reads the blog (Hi, Dad!) but I will give YOU a super cool gift idea.  And, no, I'm not being paid or given any discounts for this, I just really like it.

Shutterfly has their photo books on sale for 50% off plus you can use the free shipping code for items over $30...just use code SHIP30.  Let me tell you my love/hate relationship with Shutterfly.....I love the end product.  They produce beautiful books that we really do cherish.  (Love) They also take FOREVER to create. (Hate) They offer excellent deals when you sign up for their email list and even if you don't. (Love)  Sometimes, when you use that amazing sale code the very next day you get an email advertising for an even better deal.  (Hate) 
Story of my life, I knew they were having a 40% off sale on their photo books, which let's face it, are pretty dang expensive and I won't buy them without some sort of a sale.  I also noticed in the nice reminder email they sent me that the 40% off sale ended last night.  So, I was busting my behind to get my project finished before the cutoff of midnight.  I completed it.  And then I stood up in all of my Rocky-esque glory after tackling a huge project and high fived my husband.
I woke up this morning and checked my email as usual and guess what....Shutterfly sent me a friendly email letting me know about a 50% off SALE. Seriously?  Grrrrr.

Oh well.  Maybe this is a sign that I need to make another one. 

With Shutterfly, I have noticed that if I try to upload using the massive Shutterfly photo uploader they like you to download is joke and always shuts down.  Just use the simple uploader and load about 10 max at a time, more if you're brave.  Another easy peasy thing to do is use your Facebook pictures, they give you an option to connect the accounts and it works super easy.  I also scanned a bunch of old pics and used PicMonkey (my not so secret obsession) to edit rotate and crop my pics.  Here's a few of the gems I found.....

I am loving just how awkward we all look here.

I'm guessing this was about 1983

Another great idea for Father's Day or any day really is this deal I saw on Coupons and Freebies Mom's newsletter.  I have to be honest with you, her newsletters are in my mails every morning and I usually just delete them because I don't ever feel I have the time for coupons.  Well, my mistake because this is not just for coupons.  Once again, this chick has no idea I stumbled across her newsletter today and found something I like, I just wanted to share it with you.  At Canvas People you can get a FREE 8x10 canvas and you only pay the shipping.  It's about a $44 value.  (which seems a bit steep to me anyway....)
I am Mrs. Skeptical so I wanted to try it out because who doesn't like free pictures?  I did try it and did work.  I paid $14.95 shipping to my house in the great state of Tejas.  I used the picture of G I took the other day with the one tear streaming down his face.  You can find that link here....at Coupons and Freebies Mom. Tip: don't add on any extras at Canvas People. No frames, no effects.  I went to PicMonkey (shocker) ahead of time and did anything I wanted to the picture and uploaded that.  Here's the discount page at Canvas People.

In that same newsletter I noticed another freebie that caught my eye, this coupon for free pair of prescription glasses from Coastal.com.
I am obviously a horribly unorganized person because I couldn't find my prescription therefore...I can not take advantage of this deal.  You have to pay shipping of course.  This seems like a great deal and they have some super cute frames.  I was really digging this clear pair that I noticed....oh well.  Next time. Find the link to the deal here. 


It's been almost a week now of keeping these kiddos busy and I gotta tell you....it's not easy.  Usually with the age ranges I have in my house we can find SOMEthing to do for SOMEone.  But during the summer it can get a little rough until we go on vacation.  Somebody is bored at some point.  What to do but go to Pinterest for inspiration.  I found quite a few pins that I will definitely be going back to for some motivation. 

Source: djpeach.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: missbananapants.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: blog.landofnod.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: birthdaypartyideas4kids.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Hope everyone is having a germ free week in their house and a fantastic summer so far!


What do you have planned to do with your kids this summer to keep everyone from catching the Boredom Blues?

Just in Time for Valentine's Day.....a Shutterfly Surprise!

Shutterfly wants to know what Valentine's Day means to me....and you!  So, when I found out I was going to do this blog post I started thinking about memorable Valentine's.  My husband and I have been married for almost 13 years and to be honest.....we've never made Valentine's Day to big of a deal.   About the most memorable Valentine's present from my hubby would be a Valentine's card that you open and it sings "Wild Thing".  Which by the way is a kick butt classic, take a listen and click the link.  You'll be happy you did.  My 2nd most memorable thing about Valentine's Day was the one where I threw our oldest son, who I had taken out of his pre-school days before his class Valentine's party, a Valentine's Day party at our house.  I worked my butt off to make construction paper hearts and hang them from the ceiling.  I made cookies and made it a huge deal so he would feel special.  He loved it!  Valentine's Day has taken on a whole new meaning since we've had children.  Instead of thinking of it as just a made up holiday that you want to ignore...take this one day of the year to go out of your way, over the top, goofy, and gaudy with your kids and spouse.  Make those heart shaped pancakes, hang up heart garland, take the Christmas wreath off the door (c'mon, it's February, it's time) and hang up some LOVE signs.  Smother your kiddos with kisses and hugs before school, no matter how many times they slither away from you or how many eye rolls you get.  Sneak notes in lunchboxes, briefcases or mailboxes.  If you are single....have a lonely hearts dinner, places set for all of your single friends and have a blast.  I will be enjoying my singing cards from B, my homemade cards from the kids and if I'm smart about dropping hints....maybe I will get a photo mug (HINT:I like the one that says I heart My Family) from them too!
Since we have had a kiddo around since our 2nd Valentine's Day, we've really made Valentine's about the kids.  The best part of Valentine's Day as a kid would definitely be the Valentine's you get to give to everyone in the class!  Plus, the super cool Valentine's shoe box with all the glitter and foam hearts you can heap on there.  The hardest part about finding Valentine's  cards is finding one for each of my kids.  With the age gaps; I've got one pre-teen, one tween and a 4 year old, you really can't just pick out the kind you think they'll like.  They have to be involved and it can't be too babyish for the big kids or too grown up for the munchkin.  Shutterfly has a great idea of Valentine's Photo Cards.  This would be a great thing for grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friends and other family.  If you're feeling super ambitious go ahead and snag a whole 24 for the class!  This would make a great teacher's gift as well.  They have so many ideas and designs; from funky to sweet you will find one that is perfect for your children or for your whole family.  If you were like me and didn't send out Christmas cards this year.....try sending out Valentine's Day cards instead! 
I love this one because it looks fresh and not too typical of Valentine's Day.

There so much more than cards and stationary though.  Shutterfly has a great selection of photo mugs, notebooks, mouse pads, magnets and so much more.  The photo mug would work for pretty much any adult you know....and even a hot chocolate lovin' kiddo.  Another teacher gift idea, you could get the class picture or a picture you took of your child and their teacher, pop it onto the mug and have it shipped before Valentine's Day!  There is even a package where you can have the mug filled with chocolate......yes, please!  And what grandparent doesn't want something with their grandchild's face plastered to it? Every grandparent wants that.  The magnets are my favorite for an easy, small gift.  My fridge is covered with cool magnets and pictures.  Think of it as a Valentine's stocking stuffer.


Now for the next holiday on your list....Shutterfly has you set! What is that next holiday? Just all of the Birthday parties that will fill the rest of your year!  Shutterfly has the cutest designs for photo invites and thank you notes. 



Whether you are having a large or small get together, these personalized invites and thank yous would really be perfect. 

Now for the FUN part!  GIVEAWAY TIME!
One lucky winner will receive a *top secret* code for 25 FREE VALENTINE'S CARDS!
Here's what you will need to do try to win this bad boy:
1. Be a public follower of Staying Home and Staying Sane MANDATORY
2. Tell me what Valentine's means to you! MANDATORY
3. Leave a way for me to contact you in case you're the winner! Without this, you will never know and I would have to pick another winner. MANDATORY

Extra entries:
Please leave an extra comment per entry.
1. "LIKE" Staying Home and Staying Sane on Facebook (1 extra entry)
2.  Share this awesome giveaway on your blog and let me know about it! (2 extra entries)
3.  Tell me something else you would like from Shutterfly (1 extra entry)


This giveaway will end in  just a few days, February 6th at MIDNIGHT (Texas time) :)
So get to commenting! And Happy Valentine's Day!