TreasuresInTerraCotta

Do your kids have too many things? Too much stuff? Too many toys? Too much to clean up? Mine too! Back in September Calvin received some birthday money. We were trying to be a little more creative with this gift money, so instead of heading to the store we asked him what he wanted to DO. This is what he came up with. What kind of miniature golf course would it be without a windmill. My Utah-raised husband and my Wyoming-born friend call it put-put golf. Andrew at Queen Anne's Doll House. He liked chasing the balls. Especially the ones that go through a slot on a higher green only to pop out on the lower green. Two balls, but no children ended up in the water hazards. It was a good day (back on October 15). Lots of fun! No new "stuff" except pictures and memories. What about you? Do you have a favorite way to spend (save?) gift money? Do you call it miniature golf, put-put golf, goofy golf, something else?

When my friend Kimberly first called a small bud vase a Mommy Vase I was smitten. How often had I been gifted with a flower or a handful of petals or a leaf or even a rock! Most often those treasures ended up in a small bowl or a ramekin or a much-too-large vase. But a Mommy Vase! The very thought of it stired my heart and made me smile. I found these at Target last year for just a few dollars. I gave one to my sister and the two grandmas and I kept one for myself. Grandma's was filled with lantana recently. And Grandpa was kind enough to share a picture. The same week, mine was filled with blossoms from the chives. Here's another Mommy Vase option. A tall shot glass. I love the thick glass and the dark blue edging...especially against the bright green and pink bougainvillea. This vase also came from Target. I usually leave my filled vase by the sink. It seems to be the place I spend the most time and it's the perfect place for a little color. Do you get many ...