Elf Pictures

This was the first year we actually had the Elf come visit us (although we "met" him 2 years ago). Each night our elf would fly back to the North Pole and then return again by morning. The kids had fun trying to figure out where Elmo Elf would be each day. Many days he brought something back with him. Just little trinkets and toys or things to make or eat, even toys for the pets.

He brought the Elf on the Shelf movie and watched it before we got up.

One morning he left tiny pretend cameras and had used my camera to take pictures of himself. I think our Elf got a lot of ideas from Pinterest.

EMM: Use Online Bill Pay

Although I don't usually pay the bills for our family, I know Paul is using online bill pay. I know this because other the past year he has asked me for stamps less and less. Also, I've noticed that the checks I write (for things I can't do online for) are sometimes the only ones in the book for weeks. Sometimes I know because I'll hear his frustration when a website is down and he has to either wait or pay with an actual check.

By using online bill pay we've also seen less mail because statements and bills are coming through email. Of course the kids aren't too happy about this since they like to help me carry in the mail!

Pinterest 28: Hanging Pictures

I hung this photo using the tip I got from here. I tried to get a picture of the toothpaste but it wouldn't show up. But it did work fairly well.

Pinterest 27: Homemade Crayons

The kids and I made these one day. Then we decided to let Logan's class make them for show and tell letter C. This website is in Spanish (I assume) but I think it's easy enough to figure out.

Pinterest 26: Christmas Bedtime Stories

So, honestly I have avoided Pinterest lately, it can really suck your time. But keeping with my attitude of putting my pins into action, here's my latest accomplishment. I got the idea for this Christmas countdown from a photography blog.

I wrapped 24 Christmas books that we already had and placed them under one of our trees. I am going to let one child choose a present each night in December and that will be the bedtime story I read.

EMM: Donate Clothes

I started purging when I was pregnant and on some level I have continued doing that. I keep a container in the garage (just outside the door) that I throw donation items in. Once it gets full I take it to the donation truck (or set up for a pick up). With kids, I have taken some of their outgrown clothes to consignment sales or given to friends. But lately, I've just been donating the clothes.

I learned a long time ago that I have no desire to sew on buttons, so if I have a shirt that has a button come off, I'll just safety pin it back and then donate it. I've also been trying to get Paul to get rid of clothes he knows he'll never wear again.

Typically in December the church collects cold-weather items. I don't anticipate that we will have anything, but I'll probably purchase some gloves and hats to donate.

One of the tips in the book, suggest labeling the items. I'm not sure I will do this since I collect as I go, but I could certainly try.

EMM: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I was never really too concerned with recycling until we moved into this house several years ago. They didn't have separate recycling pick-up at our last home, but this area does and it has made it so convenient. Also, from what I understand at least a portion of the recycling proceeds goes to help the animal shelter. At home we separate out the paper to take to one of the local schools to help them out.

I think the hardest part about recycling at home is getting guests to do it as well. I'm not hard-core about it but would love to make it easier for guests to recycle when they are here. But at this point I don't have space for a multi-container trashcan.

I do think it is time to get another recycle container. We've been doing such a good job of separating that the one we have is overflowing most weeks by the time they come to collect.