Blossom Bunkhouse

Teacher Appreciation Gift {Free Printable}

Danielle — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:01:44 +0000

I have a beautiful Snowball bush in my backyard that provides beautiful blooms just in time for Staff Appreciation Week {most years} as long as Mother Nature cooperates. Giving flowers isn’t anything new but dressing up the flower presentation is really simple and thoughtful with the ap-pre-ci-ate definition label I created. Essentially, a gift that [...]

Teacher Appreciation Gift ~ Paper Clips Dressed Up

Danielle — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:10:58 +0000

My children’s elementary school PTO supports our teachers with Teacher Appreciation Week. I love to recognize our teachers but believe me, they don’t always receive something during Teacher Appreciation Week because life gets away from me sometimes. I choose not to feel any guilt. Instead, I just make sure they know that they are appreciated [...]

Kindergarten Teacher Gift from the Class

Danielle — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:38:15 +0000

Volunteering in my son’s kindergarten classroom last year allowed me a little insight into a kindergarten teacher’s world even if it is only for 50 minutes a week. Thank God it was only 50 minutes a week! Those little people are sweetly exhausting! The time it takes a teacher to manage 25 coats, hats, gloves, [...]

Re-Purposed Italian Glass Water Bottles

Danielle — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:37:05 +0000

I tagged along with my husband on a business trip {without kiddos} to Italy last summer. It was extraordinary and beyond words plus it happened over my 40th birthday. Let’s face it the hubs felt extremely guilty that that he wouldn’t be with me to celebrate my milestone day and felt this was the only [...]

Lemonade Day Detroit Kick-Off Event

Danielle — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:45:59 +0000

Our family was honored to be invited to the Lemonade Day Detroit Kick-Off event earlier this month. This is our third year of participation since the event started three years ago in Detroit. Lemonade Day teaches children how to run and operate a business through setting up their own Lemonade Stand and ultimately to empower [...]

Mini S’more Grill Candle

Danielle — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:51:52 +0000

For my son’s Boy Scout Blue & Gold Banquet, our committee wanted the boys to have a practical favor that they could use as well as keep on display to remember their Cub Scout days. We came across this Mini S’more Grill. It has a super coolness factor for the young boy crowd; however, for [...]

DIY Chalkboard Paint Lamp Refashion

Danielle — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:32:09 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. I’ve looked for the perfect lamp for my son’s room but everything I found was either too mature, too sporty or too young for him. Then I found the perfect solution by transforming a girly lamp into the perfect combination of tween guy fun [...]

Fried Ice Cream Bites

Danielle — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:39:07 +0000

Ingredients: Vanilla Ice Cream Corn Flakes Cinnamon Sugar Crush about 4 cups of Corn Flakes in a Ziploc Bag using a rolling pin. Create a cinnamon/sugar mixture. I never measure, but 1/4 cup sugar to a tablespoon of cinnamon or to your liking. Combine the cinnamon/sugar mixture with crushed Corn Flakes in a bowl. Using [...]

Elf on the Shelf| “Elf Rising” Flour

Danielle — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 17:37:41 +0000

This is one of my favorite Elf ideas because he is so clever! He just crossed off the S in “Self Rising” flour to make a funny play on words. The kids thought it was humorful but it didn’t get as many laughs from them as it did from me as it started out as [...]

Elf on the Shelf | Sock Monster Strikes Again

Danielle — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:42:02 +0000

He must of thought our feet needed a little air! You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf | Sock Monster Strikes Again! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf| Sock Monster

Danielle — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:29:25 +0000

Now we know where all the socks have gone… You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf| Sock Monster! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf | Mini Syrup Drink

Danielle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Buddy drinking out of the mini syrup container, of course, with a funky straw! You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf | Mini Syrup Drink! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf| Potty Humor

Danielle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:34:09 +0000

Buddy having some potty humor. My kids thought this was hysterical! You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf| Potty Humor! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf| Boogie Board Drawing

Danielle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:33:06 +0000

Buddy doing a little Boogie Board drawing – three kids plus himself. You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf| Boogie Board Drawing ! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf | Wimpy Kid Fever

Danielle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:32:03 +0000

My kids have Wimpy Kid Fever so they thought it was funny finding Buddy reading a mini Wimpy Kid book that he made. You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf | Wimpy Kid Fever! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf on the Shelf| Hiding Under the Tree Skirt

Danielle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:31:17 +0000

With a little help of a papertowel roll, Buddy is hiding under the tree skirt with a snack. You just finished reading Elf on the Shelf| Hiding Under the Tree Skirt! Consider leaving a comment!

Bunkhouse Happenings Plus a Little Behind the Scenes

Danielle — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:53:03 +0000

It has been an exceptionally exciting and busy couple of weeks in our house and on my blog. Take a moment to catch up on everything that has been going on. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Giveaway – You still have time to enter my giveaway for one Diary of a Wimpy Kid book [...]

I Want to be an Elf When I Grow Up

Danielle — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:57:17 +0000

Today we were sitting at the kitchen table discussing school, the school bus bully, and the process for a heroism award that my middle son has been recommended for. Out of the blue my youngest declares, “when I grow up I want to be: a hockey player, veterinarian, or an Elf!” Hockey player was the [...]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel {Giveaway}

Danielle — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:44:02 +0000

We are, among millions of other families, huge fans of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books written and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeff Kinney. Meeting him during his book tour was an incredible experience that has peaked my kid’s interest in writing and has left them begging for more Wimpy [...]

Elf on the Shelf Shrinky Dinks

Danielle — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:41:31 +0000

I have a special affinity for the classic Shrinky Dink toy that I remember so much from my childhood. In fact, it was one of my most remembered Christmas presents next to Baby Alive and Barbie. Today, Creativity for Kids has brilliantly merged the classic Shrinky Dink with the ever popular Elf on the Shelf. [...]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Book Tour

Danielle — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:12:13 +0000

Married Single Mom – Husband travels. Kids run amuck. House rules out of order. Breakfast for dinner. Unmade beds. That was the definition of me last week. It was getting grueling as I had to accomplish the kids after school schedules, exclusively. Three of them; one of me. You get the picture. It was Sunday [...]

3 Custom Handwritten Letters from Santa Claus {Giveaway}

Danielle — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:07:59 +0000

Emerging school rumors about whether or not Santa exists can cause skepticism among grade schoolers. Is your child on the threshold of losing the magic of Christmas? Whether this may be your situation or you just want to enhance your child’s or grandchild’s magic of Santa, you will love this giveaway! Meg from Branded Eclipse [...]

Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat| Book Review

Danielle — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:56:31 +0000

If you’ve been one of my long-time followers you know all about Jen from People I Want to Punch in the Throat who created a viral sensation out of my 101 Elf on the Shelf Ideas post last year with her Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies rant. If you are just finding out [...]

3 Holiday ePlanners from ListPlanIt {Giveaway}

Danielle — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:08:08 +0000

ListPlanIt is offering a Holiday ePlanner for you to use as a solution to keep on task! Holiday ePlanner is an instant PDF download-able planner that includes worksheets and lists to plan everything you need from Thanksgiving to Christmas. With 53 pages of organization bliss, it contains important tools, such as; card lists, gift lists, [...]

Embellished DIY Medical Journal {Free Printable}

Danielle — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:00:34 +0000

Here are some basic instructions to create your own DIY Medical Journal which also makes a perfect baby gift. The fun part is customizing the look of the journal. Materials needed: 1 1/2 inch binder with see through front, back and side sleeves Tab Dividers (I used a set of monthly tab dividers ~31 tabs) [...]

Elf on the Shelf Link Party

Danielle — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 03:55:52 +0000

It’s Elf on the Shelf season! Let’s create some fun and stir in some blog love by linking up your Elf on the Shelf blog post to share! Link Party Rules: 1. Link ups must be of YOUR original Elf on the Shelf post. 2. You can link up more than one of YOUR posts. [...]

Simply Suzanne’s Apple Rosemary Pecan Mixed Greens Salad

Danielle — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:33:12 +0000

Our family enjoys granola as a breakfast cereal or as a garnish in our yogurt but because all granolas taste pretty much the same to me, I’ve never been brand loyal. Until I was introduced to Simply Suzanne Granola, a Michigan based company, that I read about on Positive Detroit. I was really inspired by [...]

Simply Suzanne’s Original Chicken Tenders

Danielle — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:24:47 +0000

I really love all of the flavors of granola offered from Simply Suzanne, a Michigan based company, priding itself on using all-natural ingredients. Read my previous review of this yummy Simply Suzanne Apple Rosemary Pecan Mixed Greens Salad. I was hooked on Simply Suzanne after trying this mouth-watering Simply Suzanne’s Original Chicken Tenders recipe. I [...]

Simply Suzanne’s Lotsa Chocolate Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

Danielle — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:00:30 +0000

I never thought that granola could be included in a cookie recipe. I’m not sure why that never quite occurred to me, after all, we add oatmeal to cookies, right. But I also didn’t know that granola could be used as a breading for chicken or on top of salad. Not any granola ~ Simply [...]

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Danielle — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:38:37 +0000

My husband is a political guru, amateur historian and my go to man to summarize most of the world’s current events, especially, back in the summer of 1999. What mother deep in feeding, changing diapers, and figuring out this mother thing has time to keep up with current events? I couldn’t even find time to [...]

Back To School Tradition

Danielle — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:35:30 +0000

School Spirit Milk, blue is our school’s color, has become a tradition in our home on the first day of school. Just a drop or two of food coloring added to milk can be a morning mood changer, help calm their butterflies or make them look forward to their day. It’s all good! Do you [...]

Our Nightmarish Road Trip

Danielle — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 05:55:36 +0000

A few days ago, I shared how I topped off the cooler with my homemade Applesauce Freezee Pops and my Thirty One bag filled with my travel snack cups for our Detroit to Duluth road trip. We were going there for my son’s hockey tournament but we were determined do as much sightseeing as we [...]

Road Tripping From The Minivan

Danielle — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 04:08:38 +0000

Yesterday, I shared my DIY Applesauce Freezee Pops with you which are a big hit with the kids. Today, I’m sharing another fun way we eat on the road from our minivan. I prepare our own travel snack cups for road tripping without the mess. Using clear plastic cups I filled them with Marshmallow Popcorn, [...]

DIY Applesauce Freezee Pops

Danielle — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:19:07 +0000

We traveled twelve hundred hours by car from Detroit, MI to Duluth, MN and I was really concerned that there wouldn’t be many places to stop to eat driving through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The way my kids feast non-stop I topped off our cooler with as much food and snacks to eliminate the, “I’m hungry” [...]

Road Trip Photo Challenge

Danielle — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:57:29 +0000

We take road trips to grandma and grandpa’s cottage, frequently. Pinch me, I can’t wait to endure the four hour car ride, screaming, fighting and whining over electronics, starvation and potty breaks. I have them pack their own car bags to keep busy so I can pleasantly sleep most of the way in peace. Dad [...]

Brown Paper Bag Pistachio Cupcakes

Danielle — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:25:47 +0000

The day has come. My oldest crossed the invisible bridge from child to teen. Thirteen. I rarely say that word. I ELIMINATED it in my mom vocab. Until today. What this means? Our relationship changes. Different and new. I prefer the word revolution. We are in the beginning of a relationship revolution. I have to [...]

Lenten Observation

Danielle — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:21:02 +0000

My kids dreaded choosing what to give up for Lent this year. I encouraged them to really think about it. I shot down a few of their preposterous ideas like giving up homework, their brother, and showers that they would love to be gone with. Giving up candy and lying at four years old was [...]

Hockey Pucks on a Stick

Danielle — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:02:34 +0000

Need a cute treat for the end of the season hockey party or tournament? Here is a super easy idea to make edible hockey pucks on a stick with Ding Dongs. Each child has their jersey number included with a personalized photo tag attached. To see how to create them, visit my previous post Ding [...]

Leprechaun Spoof

Danielle — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:00:45 +0000

Since my 101 Elf on the Shelf Ideas post is still going strong, I thought it would be hilarious to create a Leprechaun Spoof to incorporate three holidays into one, Christmas (Elf on the Shelf), Valentine’s Day (lollipop photo cards) and St. Patrick’s Day (leprechaun tricks), via the most loved and despised elf! If anyone [...]

Review — The Trap Wrap (Portable Heating Device)

Danielle — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:03:17 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. Being a DVT (blood clot) and double Pulmonary Embolism survivor, baby aspirin is my daily friend to ensure my blood stays thin to avoid future blood clots or “chunky blood” as I joke. However, the thin blood running through my veins causes me to [...]

Minny’s Chocolate Pie (Our Version)

Danielle — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:45:51 +0000

My son and I had so much fun whipping up our version of Minny’s Famous Chocolate Pie in honor of the movie

DIY Duck Brand Duct Tape Gift Bow

Danielle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:13:26 +0000

Great for the top of a boy’s birthday gift. It’s a fun way to dress up a gift card or package. Here’s how to create the fun… Duck BrandÂ® Duct Tape is easy to apply to paper and it actually plays well if it needs to be repositioned a little. Mark off 3/4 inch for [...]

Never Miss A Dose Again

Danielle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:31:38 +0000

I saw this idea on Pinterest earlier this month and I’m so glad I remembered it because my children, literally, have been sick all month – different child, different week, different illness. Many trips to the doctors and a couple of prescriptions later and this is how we managed to never miss a dose. Simply [...]

For The Bebe

Danielle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:24:54 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. Seems like only yesterday my children were eating out of baby bowls. Isn’t this the cutest ‘Hello Bebe’ feeding set with Little Red Riding Hood Story captured on the front for little ones to enjoy? This feeding set has a double body construction meaning [...]

Ham Fried Rice

Danielle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:23:03 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. This is a wonderful versatile meal full of leftovers but it requires a little planning for a quick throw together! Ingredients: 2 cups ham, cut into cubes (store bought cubed ham works in a pinch) 5-8 scrambled eggs, seasoned w/ salt & pepper 2 [...]

Leg Lamp Cupcakes

Danielle — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:34:09 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. When I saw these fun Leg Lamp Cupcakes from The Party Animal, I knew these would be the perfect substitution to our holiday baking plan. A Christmas Story is a favorite in our house! I usually spend an entire day with the kids baking [...]

Elf On The Shelf Series | Slumber Party Games: Sock Tug-O-War

Danielle — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:42:04 +0000

View my original post, 101 Elf On The Shelf Ideas, for more great ideas! You just finished reading Elf On The Shelf Series | Slumber Party Games: Sock Tug-O-War! Consider leaving a comment!

Elf On The Shelf Series | Buddy Tails

Danielle — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:34:04 +0000

Last night the boys camped out in the family room for a fun Friday night sleeping under the Chrismas lights. Little did they know that Buddy had more fun! View my original post, 101 Elf On The Shelf Ideas, for more great ideas! You just finished reading Elf On The Shelf Series | Buddy Tails! [...]

Giveaway: I Caught Santa Image. 5 Winners! {Closed}

Danielle — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:21:56 +0000

I’m excited to spread Holiday cheer! I Caught Santa is a unique website that helps parents create proof that Santa is real. I hope you join me in my excitement to â€œcatchâ€ Santa in your house! For those who would like to keep the belief alive and well or at least stretched out a little [...]

Elf On The Shelf Series | Buddy Goes Blonde

Danielle — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:17:30 +0000

Buddy arriving in a blonde wig, by far, has created the MOST laughs and giggles. The kids have no idea where this wig came from and that is creating some really fun conversation! With a house full of boys, there is little room for pink and pretty so I guess Buddy is on my side [...]