Train Up Tuesday: Document Their Childhood

Most likely, you have a digital camera. If you're like me, you love that you have 20 frames of the same shot (and are hesitant to delete ANY of them, because it's like deleting a child!!!). And probably, you've only actually printed a couple dozen of the 1.5 billion photos you have on your computer.

Or, maybe you are a scrapbooker. I love the thought in those, but I would NEVER have nor make time to actually make them myself...buying the right papers, stickers, punches, ribbons...too many decisions for this 'ole gal! However, I do think it's worth your while to have those photos out of the computer and in a book so your kiddos can actually enjoy looking through their (or your) past. I love going through my childhood photos with my boys, figuring out which of them they think I resemble as a baby, sharing memories of my growing up years. I also love going through their pictures with them as they say, "HEY! I remember that!" or "I was SO cute then!".

In the last few years, I've opted to make photobooks. The first one I made was through Apple to document our first family trip with our firstborn. It was nice, but pricey and I never came across discounts (I'm all about a "special"!). I've also used Walgreens (recently) to make a book for our middle's second year. That one was pretty simple, but I wasn't very impressed with the final product (too many small black print smears throughout the book). Shutterfly, however is the one I have been most impressed with. I had made a small photobook with them in the past for my husband on Father's Day. He keeps it in his office to "show and tell" ;-)

The latest book I made was to capture our first year of homeschool. I figured, we don't have a "year book", but this would be better! Instead of just a couple of photos of my kids, they get a WHOLE book to themselves! Shutterfly offers a "simple path" and a "custom path". I think you would be impressed with either. We opted to customize our book and it was a real winner! The custom path was really quite simple...even though it was custom. I like being able to make one of my own photos the background for displaying other pics. I was thoroughly impressed with the finished product.

Shutterfly often has deals and specials (you currently save 20% on their cards AND get free shipping on orders over $30, making now a great time to work on Christmas cards or maybe birthday invites). Perhaps the BEST deal you can try for is a FREE photobook from Shutterfly. Do you have a blog? Go here to sign up for a chance for a free photo book from Shutterfly. (Promotion ends soon as blogs must be posted by August 5th!)

Yes, I'm hoping for a free book, as well. Like I said, I have WAY too many pics on my computer and am working to backtrack on some pics that I want to be able to look at with my boys in my lap :)

Have fun capturing AND actually printing your moments with the little ones!

-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy! Some Thrifty Fun for Boys!

Okay, so not just for boys ;-) (I would have been all about these ideas during my tom-boy years....oh wait, I'm STILL a tom-boy!).

I know you've probably seen posts about the free Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics for kids, but you REALLY should take your kiddos to these! They are totally free (we've been to 3 and no money so far)! My two big boys have so far made a windmill putt-putt toy, a 4th of July waving flag stand, and a tow-truck (reminds them of "Mater"). The next class is scheduled for this Saturday (July 23rd, 10am in our area).


I think they are making binoculars, which sounds pretty interesting. When you sign up your kiddo for the first time, get them there early so they can get a free apron and goggles. They also receive a certificate and a badge (for the apron) each time they complete a project. What fun! They do actually sell the Build & Grow kits in the store, which is still good for doing things together, but it's hard to pass up on FREE. So, sign up for a class soon!

The boys are having some great Daddy time, and Daddy is having some great boy time! I'm hoping to coax the boys into using some of their handmade items as gifts for their cousins for birthdays or Christmas. I'm sure we'll be running out of room to put 2 of each of these items.

Image by ParentingPress.com

This next idea I'm so excited to share with you. What kid doesn't love a good fort...rainy day or not?! A great gal-pal of mine thought of me (don't you love when someone "thinks of you" and actually gets it right?!) when she saw this post by Emily at Salt Water Kids on a fort building kit. Basically, it is everything you need to build a sheet fort bundled nicely for gift-giving. Wouldn't that be a most awesome gift to give or receive?! Be sure to check the sidebar on the sight for more fort ideas and some other cool homemade gift-giving ideas. I'm becoming her follower ASAP!

So, with 3 boys, I'm always looking for good, wholesome, thrifty fun. If you have a favorite blog or idea, PLEASE post in the comments!

Train Up Tuesday: A Rainbow of Fun!

Do any of you use Snapfish? I'm FINALLY making some photobooks of pics I've had stored for a couple of years! I've used Walgreens and Shutterfly and have been pleased. I don't think I've used Snapfish, but I'm on their emailing list. They have a neato promo going this summer. You can enter photos based on a color of the week theme for 7 weeks. If you participate, you get a FREE 5x7 photobook! What a fun project! There are more details and more prizes to win!


Wouldn't this be a fun way to make a "color book" for your kiddos or a young friend? It could be a book to introduce colors to your child. Or maybe in talking about colors, you could also use this as an entry to talk about the gospel. (Remember those witness bead bracelets using the cord and 5 different color beads?...think along those lines)

Also, does anyone other than me remember "The Crayon Box Song"? I LOVED this song as a kid!



I love simple things, like rainbow books, bracelets, or songs that give me an image to remember basic biblical concepts. What are some favorite songs or crafts that you use around your house to instill and remember the basics?

-Ashlie

Marvelous Monday: Deals for Dad

Hey gals! Father's day is less than 2 weeks away. Have you already found something for your guy (or Dad, Step-dad, Grandfather, etc.)?

I think men can be tough to buy for in general. My husband groans when he sees so many "suggestions" for gifts for men. More often than not, they are dust catchers and silly desk-top knick-knacks that have no real meaning or value.

One thing that I have seen make the men in my life light up are things made with photos of my boys or our family. We did calendars with photos on each month for a couple Christmases and the year we didn't do one, my father-in-law did not do a good job concealing his disappointment. I often wrack my brain trying to come up with something. Most of the men in my life don't wear ties or other accessories. They don't have hobbies for which I can buy. What to do, what to do?!

Then, a few weeks ago (Memorial Day weekend), I received an email from Vista Print about a GREAT deal on their items AND 3 day shipping for orders over $50. Now, we already know that our own Hannah here on the roof is a fan ;-). So, I thought I'd see what I could do. Well, I am MORE than happy with what I received! (*WARNING! IF YOU ARE A MAN IN MY FAMILY< STOP READING!!!! ;-) ) For $50, I got 3 personalized t-shirts, (here is one of them)

a keychain of me and my love,

A HUGE magnet,


A reusable outdoor banner (I have 3 boys, so this one will get used LOTS)

I also bought a small stamp with my oldest son's name (he loves stamping, so this will be a gift for him later) and some hanger things for the birthday banner. Not a bad deal, eh? I could have spent less if I had not uploaded photos for the gifts. Some items are even free! There are other designs you can personalize with text and no personal graphic. Check out Vista Print often, get on their mailing list for great deals. Once you try it, you'll probably be hooked! ;-)

Also, if you need a great Father's Day card, Tiny Prints has a deal that ends tomorrow - cards for 99 cents and FREE shipping if you have it sent to your home. You can personalize them with your own photos! A great deal for a card, for sure! The code is "fday99" to get his deal.

Hope you score some fun gifts!
Ashlie

Marvelous Monday: FREE Subscription to Thriving Family!

First off, let me say that bloggers are greatly encouraged by comments. Some days comments can be slim pickins here on the Roof but THAT'S OK! We don't need affirmation to still have a heart for you~women just like us (cough. cough...unless perhaps the Spirit moves you to turn over a new leaf...cough...cough). Yesterday, however, I was blessed by a sweet email from a sweet friend saying that she got a lot out of yesterday's article from Thriving Family because it was something she has really been working on. So, Praise the Lord!

Did you get a lot out of the article? Are you interested in Thriving Family for your own home?

What's Marvelous about this Monday is it can be yours~for FREE! That's right. You heard me. Focus on the Family is partnering with Christianbook.com and offering you a free one year subscription (6 issues) to Thriving Family magazine.

Go straight here to get yours! They also have a gift option so you can also send a friend a surprise gift while you're at it! They'll love it and not to share TMI but it's GREAT bathroom reading material. :)



Couple items of business that we've mentioned on the RWAV Facebook page but want you to know about:

• In a few minutes @ 11:00 am, Glenda of Wednesday with The Word is going to have a live online interview on Grace Cafe. Click here to listen.
• Marvelous Monday's Angela ( also of Clipsy Chicks) is currently teaching several Save-inars in the Atlanta area. If you are interested in attending or hosting one, visit the Clipsy Chicks blog for the new Save-inar request form and the current Save-inar schedule.

If you want to stay updated on "more fun with women of Roof with a View", be sure to "like" us on Facebook while you're there and we'll keep you posted!

Thrifty Thurday: Free, free, freeeeeeee!

It doesn't get much thriftier than FREE . You ladies better get on these deals while they're HOT.

• Free nursing cover-If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or need a nice gift for someone that is expecting or breastfeeding, go to this website, pick your favorite "udder cover", add it to your cart and enter the code: FAMILY 2011. Your Udder Cover will be completely free. That's a $32 savings! Since it's free, you could spice things up by getting that puppy monogrammed! :)

Think it's too good to be true? This deal game up a while ago and our smart Donna took advantage. The paparazzi spotted her out on the town in HIGH fashion. BTW, this girl has birthday today so join me in giving her a BIG RWAW HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

Doesn't she make that udder cover look good? You can too...for FREE!

• Free Fries-This FREEdom only pertains to those living in the land of Chik-fil-As. If you don't, perhaps you should pray about becoming a Chik-fil-A missionary in your neck of the woods and open a franchise. If you do, hightail it to your fav CFA on Friday for Free Fry Day. It's in conjunction with Heinz's launch of their new "dip n squeeze" ketchup packet. You may want to check your location here because some franchises are doing it in certain time windows on Friday.

• Free Organic Apples-Since we're on a healthy note, you can score a whole bag of free organic Honey Crisp Apples w/ a $5 purchase if you live near an EarthFare. Click here for the coupon.

Go get 'em, tigers! Ya'll also don't forget to enter our Giveaway here to be one of three winners for a FREE book by our very own Glenda. :)

Happy Thrifty Thursday (and Happy Birthday, Donna)!

Love ya'll,

Hannah