Do you ever think of something you need or want, but after lots of searching, you just can't find the right thing? Lately, I've had this feeling and it all started around the need for grab-and-go organized tote bags. As a mom of two young children in sports and activities, multiple committees and commitments, I needed a quick and easy way to organize the things we use on the go, and it all started with this library bag.

I'm sure it's just my creative nature, but I've always been one to make the things I need or want. Every Monday afternoon I tote my two children and a range of books to and from the public library. I needed a library bag specifically designated to make sure all the books we'd borrowed made it back to the library. Our new bag hangs by the front door to collect books that have been read, and it's easy to grab on Monday afternoons... and as an added bonus, it's pink and beautifully designed! (Don't worry, more colors available!)

After trying out this bag, I realized all the other reasons I needed a cute, dedicated tote bag. My second need: an adventure bag to house our National Parks Passports for when we visit parks and monuments. We collect park stamps and Junior Ranger badges. It's a special time for our family to be together and explore new places. I decided with a dedicated tote, I could collect park patches to sew to the outside to make a really special keepsake for myself and my boys. Each item in this new collection is made to order, so you get to choose from a range of colors, and even phrasing as shown in the new Proud Mom series tote. Karate Mom, Soccer Mom, Band Mom? You got it! 

I'm still brimming with ideas for totes, mugs, and mousepads, so I'll be adding to the collection over the coming weeks. Make sure you check out the whole collection of new items and don't forget about a few of our all-time favorites. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear it in the comments, or via email! If you have an idea for a tote or item you've just been trying to find, maybe we can create it together! 

Ever since my son's first Christmas, we've decorated a gingerbread house together. It's always fun and the results are never as fantastic as what I had in my head, but I love it just the same. Last weekend we hosted our second gingerbread house decorating party. There are some things (like pumpkin carving and gingerbead decorating) that are just so much more fun when you do them with other people. 

The months of November and December are so crazy and filled with shopping and holiday parties that it's hard to find the right time to have people come together. We open our home for a "come and go" gingerbread party and it works out just perfectly. I make a bunch of yummy soups, we have festive drinks, and a table FULL of yummy treats for decorating a gingerbread creation. Guests are invited to bring a pre-made gingerbread house, or choose to build out of a supply of graham crackers and icecream cones. Some of these photos are from both years. The setup was similar, but unfortunately my decoration's bar photos from last weekend did not turn out! 

This year it was cold and rainy, which actually helps make it at least feel more like Christmas than the 80 degrees we're use to, and it made the hot chocolate very popular this year! In addition to the houses, I baked a bunch of gingerbread cookies for decorating and eating. There's nothing quite like trying to eat one of those pre-baked houses, so fresh cookies are a must! 

It's fun to peruse the aisles of the grocery store looking for unique treats for decorating gingerbead houses. Here's a few ideas and some of the things we used!

If you're looking for a fun way to bring family and friends together for the holidays, you might consider a gingerbead decorating party! I've found that many friends with young kids would make these creations anyway, and making them with friends just makes it that much more special! What are your favorite things to decorate a gingerbead house with? I'd love to know! 

Fun holidays and national days to add to your December celebrations!

Posting mid-November, but hey... there's still plenty of time to celebrate and much to be thankful for!

Get out and vote for our future! November celebrate calendar coming soon!