Date Day in Old Towne Orange

City of Orange, California {photos via Simply Happenstance} 11

:: Date Day in Old Towne Orange ::

Last week, this super cute guy and I had a daytime date. We dropped the kids off at his mom’s house… and spent some time meandering around Old Towne Orange. It’s not a place we normally go to, when we have time away from the kids {maybe because it’s so familiar}, but for some reason… I had wanted to walk around our old stomping grounds. Perhaps it was the thought of Valentine’s Day being in the near future that had me hoping to revisit where we started… the place where our relationship began, and our love bloomed… more than sixteen years ago. 

City of Orange, California {photos via Simply Happenstance} 1

We spent the afternoon wandering around the circle, taking our time sifting through the old antique stores, and dawdling in the quaint boutiques.  [Read more…]

Printable Minecraft Valentines

printable mind craft valentines simply happenstance

:: Printable Minecraft Valentines ::

Do you know a Minecraft fan? Has Valentine’s Day “creeped” up on you? Well look no further; these simple Printable Minecraft Valentines are sure to be a hit with the biggest and littlest Mindcraft sweethearts.

Mindcraft Valentines [Read more…]

Beauty… My Word for 2014

Images Via: Simply Happenstance Blog

 :: Beauty… My Word for 2014 ::

With the beginning of 2014, I’ve noticed that several of my favorite blogs have posted their “best of 2013,” a look back in photographs, or a roundup of their top-rated recipes. A few have even chosen a single word to represent the New Year… a simple reminder of their personal goals for 2014. I loved this idea, so I decided to do the same.

Images via: Simply Happenstance BlogLooking back at 2013, I’d have to say that my word was TRUST. It was a big year for my family. Exactly a year ago marked our trip to Mammoth Lakes in California… which changed everything. It got us thinking… and talking… about our lives, our goals for our family, what we valued, and what our hopes were for our sweet four. [Read more…]

Winter Break Fun

Winter Break Activity Ideas {via Simply Happenstance Blog}

Winter Break is upon us! This is the first year that we are homeschooling… but we still have a two-week break from school. Just like many of you… it has me already thinking of how I am going to structure my childrens’ time and keep them busy so they don’t bicker incessantly, and beg for screen time {wink, wink}.

Part of the great joy of Winter Break, is knowing that you have some much needed down time where you don’t have to contend with packing lunches, getting the kids out the door on time, and rigid schedules. Although it always sounds good in your head to wake up to lazy pajama days every morning… I can almost guarantee that a few days in, you’ll be wanting a bit more structure {and a plan}, to keep their little minds learning, exploring, and creating. Here are a few easy tips to help your Winter Break go smoothly with a few additional links for great ideas and activities!  [Read more…]

DIY Snowflakes

 

DIY Snowflake Tutorial from Simply Happenstance Blog! Perfect for a holiday craft, decor, andor gift wrap!

 :: DIY Snowflakes ::

I have a super easy, and fun, three-dimensional snowflake tutorial to share with you today! My oldest son, Ryan, came home with one of these pretties last year. I immediately made him show me how to make them! The supplies are undoubtedly things you have around the house, and the steps are simple… especially once you’ve made the first section. This would be a lovely craft to do with the kids over winter break! They make darling seasonal decorations around your home… and can be made on a smaller scale to embellish gifts! So let’s get to it…

Supplies you will need:

  • 6 sheets of paper {plain white, colored, patterned… whatever you prefer} 
  • scissors
  • tape
  • stapler

[Read more…]

In Everything Give Thanks

 

In everything give thanks {via simply happenstance}

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so instead of writing out a list of all the blessings in my life that I am so grateful for…. I thought I’d share our life in photos from the past two months. We’ve been fortunate to have had lots of family time lately…  hiking, meandering around the lake, visiting a pumpkin patch, sipping hot cocoa at our favorite coffee shop, homeschooling, skipping rocks, collecting treasures, experiencing the leaves changing, and even playing in our first snowfall of the season! {As usual, I had a tough time narrowing down the photos… yikes!} My heart is truly full… 

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[Read more…]