Dinner-time Conversations

Dinner time is supposed to be a great time to get the whole family together.  You sit around the table as a family, the children use their best table manners, you each take turns talking about your day and what's going on in the world and you come together as a family.  

ha ha ha ha ha!  Not in my house.  Don't get me wrong - I try!  I really try.  I have taught my boys manners.  They just refuse to use them.  And meaningful conversation?  That just doesn't happen often enough around here - it's more like trying not to raise my voice when I tell them for the 10th time to stop making gross noises and whining about broccoli.  

So here is where my good friend, Anna comes in.  She is one of those women that you just KNOW has a SuperMom cape hanging up in the closet.  I'm sure she has her off days like the rest of us, but I've never seen one!  She has GREAT, well behaved kids.  She does the most fun activities with them - and sneaks in Bible verses or other educational information.  I bet they don't even know they are learning; they just think they have a super fun mom.  

Well, she passed along this great idea to me and I want to share it.  It's called Dinner Talk or Family Preserves.  I think she said she originally saw it at Quirky Mama.  The idea is that at dinner time, when the whole family is around the table, you take out a question for everyone to answer.  It gets the conversations started and you get a chance to really get to know everyone even better.  I'll also share a great list of scripture verses - I'm making a jar of these, too so we can have some fun with memorization!  These are on my list of gifts to give this year - they are easy, fast and can be done low cost.  I'm getting my jars at the dollar store!

Dinner Talk Jar

What you'll need: 

Scrapbook paper - 4 sheets per jar

Printed conversation starters (links below)

Scissors

A jar

Ribbon

The first thing you want to do is print out your list of conversation starters onto your scrapbook paper (on the white side).  Choose a paper that matches your personality or the personality of the family you are giving it to.  If you don't change the size of the questions in the link, then you'll need 4 sheets of paper.  Print them all at the same time so you don't forget which ones you've done!

Cut the strips of paper out and curl.  You can curl with scissors or wrap them tightly around a pencil.  Make them look fun!

Use a scrap of coordinating paper to make the tag.  Attach with your ribbon and the jar is ready to give or use for your own family.

Want to make your own jars?  Here are the links!

Conversation Starters

Scripture Strips

Dinner Talk Tags

I can already see how some of you could personalize these - vinyl lettering on the side, spelling out your last name maybe?  Favorite sports team paper to print on?  Or maybe your child's favorite character?  Have fun with this!


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My Go To Store for Entertaining

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

My “go to” for holiday entertaining

Pier 1 Imports has always been a “go to” place for me for home decor, gifts and entertaining!  Whether I'm going into the store or shopping online at Pier 1, I know I can find exactly what I need.  I love the variety of items and styles both in store and online.  I am planning a few get togethers this season, so I thought I’d show you some of the items I LOVE, some great deals they have right now, and even some unexpected things on their site!

My Must Haves For Holiday Entertaining:

This year, I’m really drawn to simple designs.  I am mostly decorating in white with splashes of red and some silver and gold here and there.   These are some of the items I have, or will be purchasing to use in the next few weeks.

This sampler set is a really fun way to make sure all my guests get to try a bite of everything!

  This Cocktail Shaker Set will be perfect for after the kiddos go to bed!  It even comes in a gift box - that would be perfect for giving to your hostess if you aren’t hosting your own event!

  This Red Etched Dot Stemware is so pretty, and is actually on sale now!  That will sure brighten up the table!

I’m also LOVING Pier 1’s Tasting Party idea!   Go here for different tasting party themes AND great recipes!!!

For my dinner party, my absolute #1 must have is probably the white divided serving dish. 

  I love it!  I have two - one will be used for veggies and dip; the other will be used for fudge, brownie bites and other small sweets.  You could also use it for nuts, chips and dip, or candies!

Pier 1 for holiday gifts - 

The last time I was in Pier 1, I saw several items that I knew would be just perfect for my girlfriends!  I don’t want to say too much, because I want surprises this year, but here are a few of my favorite items that may or may not be given as gifts this year. ;)

 These Rose Clutches are adorable!!!

  The Shopper Tote Key Rings are reusable shopping bags that roll up into the matching key ring!

Honestly, the website has so many gift ideas that I could spend all day deciding.  Want to know what’s on my wishlist?   I want one of these business card holders!   I want the zebra one!

holiday gifts

My decorating style - 

Many readers know we just recently moved to Texas and have a bit more room to furnish and decorate.  Because of this, I’ve had to finally come to terms with what my decorating style is.  I’d say we are mostly traditional, but I like to throw a bit of something different in for fun.  Right now our furniture is all chocolate brown.  But you know what I think would be a PERFECT?  This  brown & white zebra print chair:

  I love it!  Of course, that would be MY chair - no boys allowed!  

Great Bargains Right Now:

Right now, Pier 1 is doing a Daily Deal - it’s a different bargain item each day.  It’s only valid in Pier 1 stores for one day only and you need to check back each day to find the new deal!

They’ve also got some special discounts here on all kinds of items - I see TONS of pillows I’d like to buy.

Want an even better deal?  Go the their clearance section to get BIG markdowns.  Hurry - I’m sure some of these items will sell out quickly.

During November and December, Pier 1 has been working hard to support Toys For Tots.  You can do your part by dropping off an unwrapped toy or make cash donation at register.  We all know the importance of Toys for Tots and the great joy they bring to so many children and families this time of year.  In fact, you can help spread the holiday cheer by liking Pier 1 Imports on Facebook.  For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots!  How easy is that?!

Oh Christmas Tree, Sad Christmas Tree

You can see a new post on my other, more girly blog here: Fabulously Domestic

I've linked up to a Christmas Tree party and talk about my sad, humble Christmas tree, my tree envy, and my argument for a bigger, better version!

Our humble little tree.  

Christmas Countdown Craft

I've  been looking for an easy, cute countdown to Christmas for a while now.  I've seen a lot that I love on different blogs and websites, but none that I could make right away with what I have on hand.  This time of year I'm SUPER busy making gifts and crafts with the boys, shopping, decorating, and baking.  So I needed something simple and fast that wouldn't make me head out to the store for more supplies.  

Enter Random Thoughts Of A Supermom!

She always has great ideas that I want to try.  Today she posted a gorgeous Christmas Countdown tutorial.  

No need to post my own instructions - she did a great job showing all the steps here.  

Here are my final products - one is for me, and one is for a friend.

I did go ahead and put mine back in the frame - but only because BOTH pieces of glass had big chips in the corners.  :(  Apparently Kelli will have some ideas for what to do with the empty frames, so I'd say it would be ideal to follow her tutorial as much as possible.  I also put some shabby rolled flowers on one frame.

Wow, we are growing!

I know my little blog is a baby compared to most that I frequent.  I'm just starting out, and honestly things have moved so quickly for me I'm amazed.  I love seeing new faces pop up in my sidebar as followers, and I melt when I read all the sweet comments.  

In the past week I've noticed that For The Luv Of Boys has gotten over 90 followers.  Super close to 100, which I never thought I'd reach.  Never.  Ever.  Wow.  

So to celebrate, I'm thinking a couple of giveaways are in order!  

As soon as we hit 100 followers, I'll start a super fast giveaway - it will only last 2 days.

  

The prize will be a cute set of holiday coasters - you choose from four designs.  There will be a few more small goodies tucked in, too.  I'll ship right away so you'll get them in time to use them yourself or give them as a gift.  

To keep the ball rolling, and the blog growing I'll have a 2nd giveaway when we hit the 200 mark!  This one will be a little bigger and better.  Stay tuned for more details, but I promise you won't be disappointed!

So start spreading the word, lets share the LUV!

Christmas Magic

You want to know something I love about Christmas?  

The innocence of my children!  

They get so excited about a few snowflakes falling.  They love the sound of the bells ringing at the stores, and they get very excited to drop money into the bucket.  I get to cuddle up and read all of our Christmas books with them and share the story of baby Jesus, and they never tire of it.  

I especially love that they all still believe in Santa.  But, sadly, I know that time will be gone quickly.  The Chief has already started telling me that some kids at school don't believe in Santa.  Which probably means they have older siblings.  But my son clings to the believe in Santa, and shares it with anyone who will listen.  In all honesty, I think he's afraid that he won't get any Christmas presents if he doesn't believe.

We attended a Christmas party at the school this week.  Yes, that's right, a Christmas party - not a holiday party.  And yes, it was school sponsored.  Man, it's nice to be back in Texas.  A big part of the party was getting a picture taken with Santa.  Now this was a great Santa.  My kids said they knew he wasn't THE Santa, just a helper, but still - he was gooood.  He asked each child what they wanted.  Now, of course my kids get the deer-in-the-headlights-look and clam up, reminiscent of poor Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

And because he was a good Santa, he kept talking to the boys until they spoke up about their wish lists - he acted like he had all the time in the world!  The Chief wants a DSi and a cell phone (dream on, kid).  Con-man wants a DSi and a tv.  And Monkey-Man wants Buzz Lightyear.  When they were done, Santa told them they need to listen to me, then he told Con-man to stop picking on his little brother and told The Chief to clean his room.  How did he know????

This was the best picture I got, and even though Con-man isn't looking at me, they all look happy!

Oliver's Labels

I’ve got boys - three to be exact.  That’s pretty well known around here.  What isn’t known is how on earth they manage to lose basically everything.  We once went to a McDonald’s playground and left with The Chief’s left shoe and someone else’s right shoe.  They looked similar, but where different sizes.  UGH  They have been known to leave sippy cups and snack containers everywhere.  Spend the night at a friend’s house?  Oh, I can promise a shirt will be left behind.  I may have found a solution, though!

I’ve been given the opportunity to review Oliver’s Labels.  They make labels that are tough and versatile.  You can label anything from cups and bottles to books, clothing, shoes, school supplies - anything you think your child could leave behind.  

Oliver’s Labels also has this amazing Found-It tracking system!!!  They print your label with a 9-digit code.  If someone finds your item, they can visit the Oliver’s Labels website and enter the code.  Then you will receive an email from the Found-It system that will let you know someone found your stuff - and you don’t have to worry about strangers getting your personal information!  AND, this is a FREE service!  

I received several types of labels to try out.  

The Originals - I placed these on Monkey-Man’s sippy cups, snack containers, and a few toys he likes to take everywhere we go.  These labels are completely dishwasher safe, guys!  How many times have you put something in the dishwasher and had a wet, sticky, papery mess to clean up later?  Yuck!  These labels look as good coming out as they did going in.  Just wait 4 hours after application to wash.

Mini Labels - mini labels are great for smaller items, like toothbrushes, pencils, scissors, and small toys.  I love that I can put these on the craft supplies we keep here at the house and the boys will know which ones belong to them (for the things we don't have color-coded!).

Shoe Labels - these are foot-shaped labels you can place in the shoe.  Right foot goes in the right shoe, left foot in the left.  The adhesive is super strong - once it’s in, it’s not going to easily come out.  These sure would have been handy on that trip to McDonald’s!!!  They’ll also help Monkey-Man remember which foot goes in which shoe.  That’s tough sometimes for a 2-yr old.  

Stick-eez Clothing Labels - These are the labels you can place on the care-tag of any clothing.  You don’t have to iron or sew these in, like with other brands.  I love that!  Press firmly to ensure a strong contact and these are good to go in the washer and dryer.  So when Con-man’s favorite shirt comes up missing after a sleep-over, I know that his buddy’s mom will call and let me know she found it.  

I absolutely can recommend Oliver’s Labels!  These products are such high quality and I think they really stand out from other labels we’ve tried.  I will definitely be ordering from them for all my boys - since responsibility is apparently a slow lesson to learn.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.