Easy Advent Activities When I was a kid, my mom hung a homemade advent calendar on the wall. It had these big pockets which my mom would fill with chocolate or little gifts or slips of paper with Bible verses or scavenger hunt clues on them. We marked each day leading up to Christmas in a simple, meaningful way. It was nothing fancy, but I have the best memories of that tradition. Two Decembers ago, my husband and I wanted to start the same tradition with our then 8-month old daughter. It's funny how kids bring out the desire for starting traditions. We kept the activities simple, spent very little money, and made some priceless memories. Last Keep Reading
Portland Family Fun Guide: Fanno Creek Greenway Trail
Fanno Creek Greenway Trail (Beaverton/Tigard) The Fanno Creek Greenway Trail was one of the buying points my home; I kid you not. I am fortunate enough to live by this great trail system, and the kids (after almost eight years) aren’t tired of it yet! This trail system is a collaboration between multiple cities, counties, and Oregon Metro (just to name a few of the partners). Its goal is to connect the Willamette River to the Tualatin River through parks. So far, so good; it’s not completely connected river-to-river but still provides numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. Signs between parks tell newbies where to cross and Keep Reading
Masks for PDX: Can you sew masks for local nurses? (cloth mask patterns and instructions)
Cloth Mask Patterns and Instructions I have a contacts at two local hospitals in Portland, Oregon where nurses need cloth masks right away. This is an unofficial request as the hospitals cannot take the liability for giving out homemade masks, but the nurses have been instructed to bring bandannas to protect themselves. If you have any sewing abilities, we need your help! Here are the general guidelines you need to follow as you make your masks: The masks do not need to be fancy or complicated. They do need to have at least two layers of 100% cotton fabric (look through the options at Joann). No flannel, fleece, etc. They do not need the Keep Reading
Portland Family Fun Guide: Volunteer at The Children’s Book Bank
Volunteering at The Children's Book Bank (Portland) Searching for an outing that keeps the kiddos entertained and encourages compassion at the same time? Plan an afternoon as a family or with friends volunteering at The Children’s Book Bank in Portland. Look around your house. Look in the kids’ rooms and under their beds. How many books do your children own? The average middle class household owns 13 children’s books. Are you well above average? For those living in poverty, the ratio of books to children is 1 book per 300 kids. The Children’s Book Bank’s mission attempts to raise that ratio. By collecting donated new and gently loved Keep Reading
17 Practical Ways YOU Can Support Foster Parents
Foster Parent Support My husband and I spent a few years as foster parents in the state of Oregon and we'd learned a whole lot along the way. The most important lesson for us? How critical it is for us to be surrounded by people willing to help us carry the burden of fostering. There isn't any shortage of people and organizations who want to help foster kids. Seriously, if I took advantage of all the groups that offer free stuff to my foster children, the area under our Christmas tree would have been filled and our dresser drawers would have been packed. But support for foster families? The ones on the front lines, parenting and advocating Keep Reading
Pacific Northwest Christmas Family Fun Guide (Updated for 2019)
Pacific Northwest Christmas Family Fun Guide Ready for some fun this Christmas season? Jen from Thrifty NW Mom and I have teamed up to bring you the most comprehensive list of Christmas Family Fun in the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I have listed Christmas events, kid-friendly outings, bazaars & craft fairs, and concerts in Western Oregon and SW Washington. Head to Thrifty NW Mom for a list of Puget Sound events. PORTLAND METRO Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square, November 29, Downtown Portland The Magic of Wintertime, Pittock Mansion’s annual holiday exhibit, November 25-January 5, Portland Winter Wonderland Keep Reading
Portland Family Fun Guide: A Day in Stevenson, Washington
Ready to discover (or re-discover) Portland? From the coast to the Gorge, from Clark County to Salem, The Ultimate Guide to Portland Family Fun will allow you to experience the awesomeness this area has to offer, all from Frugal Living NW readers! Go here for links to all posts! A Day in Stevenson, Washington Stevenson, Washington is a charming little town 45 minutes east of Portland and provides a quick getaway when our family needs a break from the daily routine. The Columbia River to the north and the Gorge waterfalls to the south are in constant view on the drive from Portland into Stevenson on I-84. Arriving in Cascade Locks (Exit Keep Reading
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