Printables Archives - Small Things Are Big Things

June 12, 2016 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Mr. Nobody – Plus a {FREE} Chocolate Chip Cookie Printable

Thanks for following along with all our hands-on activities for First Language Lessons Level 1! I hope you had as much fun as we did, and your kids are displaying their art with pride. Our very last enrichment activity is for the poem “Mr. Nobody.” (And I have a Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Printable at the end of this post!) It’s a LONG poem, and I’m so proud of my kids for memorizing the whole thing.

I have to be honest… I didn’t think they would be able to memorize “Mr. Nobody.” When we started FLL, I flipped through the book and saw the lengthily poem and thought, “Yeah right! This language is old-fashioned the whole thing is outdated!” And did I mention it’s looooooong?

But the FLL method works. It works well. Our kids are capable of so much more than we think! The big kids memorized the whole thing within a week and Cy only needs prompting on one section… I’ve even heard Tess rattling off stanzas while playing.

You can watch Cora Jane recite the whole poem below, and I announce our final First Language Lessons activity in this video too!

Lesson 81: Mr. Nobody activity
(materials – kids, cookie recipe, time.)

Tell your kids to pick up all the things Mr. Nobody left out in your house!
Bake cookies. Because doing homeschool means we are the fun moms!

Check out all the activities in the series below… I promise the rest are educational.
(Not that cleaning and baking aren’t their own kind of educational…)

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 1 Hands-On Activities:

Hands-On Activity for “The Caterpillar” poem (FLL Lesson 2)
Hands-On Activity for “Work” poem (FLL Lesson 15)
Hands-On Activity for “Hearts Are Like Doors” poem (FLL Lesson 27)
Hands-On Activity for “Days of the Week” poem (FLL Lesson 35)
Hands-On Activity for “The Months” poem (FLL Lesson 43)
Hands-On Activity for “Mr. Nobody” poem (FLL Lesson 81) You are looking at this activity!

If you want to make the most perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER, here is the recipe:

How cute would this be printed and framed in your kitchen? Or as a gift to a friend?
(Along with a batch of cookies, of course!)
If you like this printable, you will LOVE the rest of Kindyl’s work in her shop.
Click here for the 8.5 x 11 size Chocolate Chip Cookie printable.
Click here for 2 5×7 Chocolate Chip Cookie printables on one sheet.
Keep in mind we never do anything small in the Lawson House. This is a big batch of cookies, perfect for big families! They come out “just right” every time!

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December 31, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Free Winter Coloring Sheets – Inspired by the Cube

We had so much fun at the Discovery Cube this winter! I made these fun FREE winter coloring sheets in honor of the Science of Gingerbread exhibit and the Winter Wonderfest exhibit.

Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Download these free coloring sheets here, here and here! Or click on the pictures above.

November 26, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Giving Thanks Always {Printable for YOU!}

I have so much to be thankful for…

When my mom died she left this note on her kitchen chalkboard:

“Dear God,
Thank you for this beautiful life, and forgive me if I don’t love it enough.”

Sometimes gratitude seems to slip between our fingertips.

But today I’m giving thanks.
Always.
And for everything.

{Download and print the PDF here.}

I hope this “Giving Thanks Always Printable” fills you up like it fills me up.

October 30, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Minimalist Halloween Printables – Spooky Quotes

Happy Halloween!

I made these adorable Minimalist Halloween Printables for you with some of m favorite spooky quotes. Two different printables per 8×10 page. They will fit in a 5×7 frame or used for Halloween goodie tags!

Get some hot apple cider.
Print out the minimalist Halloween printables.

Read a excerpts from Harry Potter. (I want this set for Christmas!)
Enjoy Emily Dickinson poetry. (Poetry for kids book!)
Finish the evening with spooky Shakespeare.

And if you want to read about why we think its important for Christians to celebrate Halloween read all about it here!

Minimalist Halloween Printables

Each set of two minimalist Halloween printables on 8×10 pieces of paper, and will fit in 5×7 frames.
Click here or on the image above to print!

Happy Hallows Eve!

October 14, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

HomeFront Magazine has my Heart {Free Printable}

Sometimes I forget I have a job.
But I do.
And my hours just went up and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
I know it sounds crazy that I forget about my job, but mothering really takes up so much of my time so when someone asks what I do for a living I say I’m a mom.
I’m a mom 168 hours a week and I’m only an employee for for 10 of those hours.
Maybe it’s because my job is fun so it doesn’t feel like work.

HomeFront Magazine has had my heart since the day I was asked to write my first article almost two years ago.

For the next 48 hours they are offering a free download of the fantastic printable below!

Print that baby and put it up on your wall!
I will be doing the same!

Click here to download and print.
And think about subscribing to the magazine!

September 2, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Sherlock Holmes Exhibit at The Cube After Dark {free lunch note printables!}

The rumors are true.

I love going on unique dates with my sweetie.
I mean, we do enjoy a good movie from time to time, but more often we like going to live events… you know, so you can interact with each other.

The Discovery Cube had the first (of many, we hope) “after dark” events for their Sherlock Holmes exhibit. It was awesome.

Like so awesome!!!

The Sherlock Holmes exhibit runs till September 7th. Try to go if you can!

I would say this exhibit is for older kids (Middle School – adult), or your budding CSI investigator.
Guests start with a passport-like booklet in the exhibit entry. As you learn basic crime solving skills you get to punch strategic holes in your passport and it reveals a secret message!
(I love this kind of stuff!!)
Then you are sent to Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes’ apartment. At Cube After Dark, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson were actually there.
Epic.
The Cube had a bunch of Sherlockians (it’s a thing) there all dressed up in Sherlock era clothing and completely in character.
Also epic.

Then you get to observe a Sherlock-esque crime scene.
(Maybe it’s actually from one of the books… not sure on that one… it was all new to me.)
The rest of the exhibit you test different theories and make your guess about different aspects of the the crime and record them in your passport book.
You can walk back to the crime scene anytime to compare the data you learn in the experiments.

I never solved the crime because I ended up chatting with my friends more… but I can now recognize whether a bust statue was broken by a gunshot or by falling off a pedestal. I’m not saying that information is useful… but I am saying I can do it.
Like a boss.

Since this was a Cube After Dark they did the science of making cocktails – Mixology.
Yes folks, there is some science when you are mixing cocktails… you are making a solution!
And just to be clear, I don’t mean cocktails are a solution to your problems… strictly talking chemistry.
The Mixologists made two signature cocktails.
One was sweet and one was strong. That’s all I remember.

After ~~hanging with your honey~~ ~~talking with your friends~~ solving the crime, you get to see all sorts of Sherlock Holmes stuff – from the movies and the show.

Sherlock Holmes at The Cube

Brad and I had the best time! Even though you don’t get to go to The Cube After Dark (it sold out!), the Sherlock Holmes exhibit is worth a trip.
If you can get there before the 7th, tickets are only $5! (On top of the general admission price. Details here.) And just for funnies The Cube is giving away an Apple iPad Mini every 14 days through 9/7/2015. Find more about that here.

Be on the lookout for more After Dark events! We really do love The Cube, so it was awesome to try all the regular exhibits without my kids. I mean, I love my kids but sometimes Mommy and Daddy want have a turn making smokestacks and going in the wind tunnel.
It was so cool to walk around The Cube and watch adults experience all the hands-on exhibits!

And in case you are wondering… Yes, Brad and I did make out in the giant cube. (wink)

Do you have a Sherlockian in your life??
How about some amazing Sherlock Holmes quotes you can slip in their lunch bag? These are great to let your older child know you care without embarrassing them… I mean, what high schooler wouldn’t love a little Sherlock Holmes quote tucked in their lunch sack. Ha ha ha ha!
Well, I would have thought it was cool. #NerdAlert
Click here or on the image below to download the pdf.
It was tough to pick my favorite Sherlock Holmes quotes because he has quite a few zingers.
But it was easy to pick my favorite! (It’s the last quote in the yellow box.)
I wholeheartedly agree with you Mr Holmes!

P.S.
Can you believe I finally figured out how to blog on my mac!?!? Yay! One thing though: If you are reading this on your phone some of the pictures are sideways. This is very flustering and I’m looking for a solution that isn’t super time consuming. Hang tight!

August 31, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Forest Home Family Camp {why & free printable camping banner}

“The days are long. The years are short.”

A woman told me that years ago as we were waiting in line at Costco. I was doing my best to keep my 4 little ones entertained, and I’m sure I looked frazzled… perhaps there was even the smell of a ripe diaper in the air.

When I go out with my brood we can be quite the spectacle and we hear lots of phrases like:

“You have your hands full!” Yes, I do, but my heart is full too.

“Are they all yours.” Yep… we’re fertile.

“You know how that happens, right?” Yep, and we like doing that thing… a lot. (wink)

“Are you done yet?” None of your business!!!

But most of all… and usually from a kind face with greying hair… we hear, “Enjoy this time. It goes so fast!”

Does it?
(I would think.)
Because I was up 4 times last night to nurse my sick newborn, and then had to get up at 6am to feed the older three and now I’m on my 3rd drop-off of the day and if I don’t get naps for the two littles before afternoon pick-ups, our evening family plans will be shot and it’s only 11am!

Now, my oldest is almost 9-years-old. He’s a man-child and I can barely recognize him next to pictures of his pudgy baby face.

My heart aches, I want time to stand still, and for my sweet kids to be just the way they are today, forever.

But do I really?

Nope. I love the people they are becoming. Strong, independent, funny, inquisitive, unique, and so much more.

I don’t want time to stand still. But I do want to savor every small moment we spend together.
Even the difficult ones.
Even the ones that stretch me as a human being.
I want to watch them grow into the plans God has laid for them since the beginning of time.

Just two weeks ago, it felt like time stood still.
We spent 6 days at Forest Home Family Camp.
It was magical.
We created small moments, my family will remember forever.

(Seriously though, Tess in that picture!?!?!!!)

I had been to Forest Home as a student and I remember it being rad (it was the 80s), but I never knew there was a Family Camp. I say “camp,” loosely. There should really be the word “resort” in there somewhere.

I mean, look at this pool? Is that what you think of when you hear the word camp??
P.S.
There is a huge splash pad just out of view on the left. And it’s sectioned off from the pool.
Read: You can read your vacation books and not worry about your child drowning.

I’m going to share our experience in separate posts from each family member’s perspective because the experience was so different for each of us!
Sneak peek…

But for more information now you can find Forest Home on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

To get your camping vibes flowing here is a free printable of a camping banner.. just because.
Click on the images below or here to download for free!

Use a hole punch on the top ends, lace twine through and hang. Easy peasy. Maybe we’ll do a camping theme back to school feast this year! (See 2011 and 2012… I never blogged 2013 or 2014… I must fix that!)

August 24, 2015 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Bulletproof Coffee {Feeling Weak & Tired}

Do you ever feel like your tank is half full?
I do.
I’m tired.
I used to chalk it up to having kids in diapers and sleepless nights, but we are out of that phase.
(Try not to cry, self).
Coffee helps, but I was adding so much cream I was feeling like the diary was bringing me down.
Then I discovered the bulletproof coffee craze.
The original recipe is to replace your breakfast with 2 cups of coffee, at least 2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter, and 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. I tried that and liked it OK but I felt like it was sooooo much butter and the coffee was replacing a normally nutritious meal with a less nutritious meal.
So I have a modified version and I love it!
Now, when I put cream in my coffee it tastes gross and heavy.

Kara Noel’s not-so-unhealthy-Bulletproof-Coffee-recipe:

2 cups of coffee
1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
Blend the hell out of it in a Ninja (magic bullet or vitamex)
Enjoy a dairy free frothy creamy coffee without the typical coffee jitters

You’re welcome.

And if you are still feeling half-full, weak, or tired, hang this free printable I made just for you.
Click on the image below or here to download.

P.S.
Things that make me laugh… when I pull back from a close cropped photo I shot for my blog.
Kids wild in the background and a half eaten breakfast sausage pancake dog on the counter.
Yay for real life!

See that delish coffee below? No dairy at all!! And you can blend it longer to get more of that wonderful froth. I drink out of my blender cup because I can’t stand getting another dish dirty.

(I’m a crazy person… but I already have sooooo many dishes to wash.)
It would look way more pinnable in a cute mug, but then I wouldn’t be real.
And I’m all about being real… except for my fake lashes… and the botox.
But that’s a story for another post!

September 19, 2014 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Sam’s Club Football Tailgating Party Essentials {free printable}

Many thanks to Sam’s Club for sponsoring today’s story and getting me ready for tailgating.

I don’t know anything about football.
True story.
But I have been known to put on a good football tailgating party.
Also true.
I’ve created some awesome free football tailgating party printables for you, (a pennant and these inspiring flags) and compiled a list of the essentials from Sam’s Club so you can put together a great party!

Head on over to Sam’s Club Tailgating Essentials page for everything you need to make this year’s tailgate fantastic!

1. The Samsung 65” TV. Oh how my husband wants this!!
2. Paper plates. I’m not usually for paper plates, but no one wants to do dishes after a party. And these are compostable!
3. Our free printable football pennant banner and free printable flags.
4. Wolfgang Puck 10-cup Digital Multicooker and…
5. …KC Masterpiece. You’ll need both of these for the recipe below!
6. Hidden Valley Ranch for that one person. You know the one. The one who only snacks on veggies, but is constantly dipping into the…
7. …Skittles candy bowl. Oh wait. That person is me!

For the Potato BBQ Chicken Sliders, you’ll need: (you can buy everything at Sam’s Club!)

6 chicken breasts
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, diced
5 potatoes, sliced in1/8th inch pieces, then cut in half (you’ll have thin half circles, a spiral peeler is the best!)
one bottle of KC Masterpiece
small slider buns

Pop everything into the Wolfgang Puck Multicooker for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Mix everything and scoop onto the slider buns! You will love the way the potatoes and chicken mix together to give more down-home flavor to every bite! You will be so thankful you prepped ahead with this recipe. It’s easy and sure to tame the appetites of all your football loving guests!
Leftovers (if you have any), can be served over rice or as a side dish on it’s own!

You are going to love the printables! Use paper in YOUR team colors or print on white and color your own!

The inspiration flags can be folded around a skewer (double stick tape between) and placed in a center piece… or even to decorate that croc pot off BBQ chicken!

Print our football pennant banner on cardstock to let everyone know it’s football season in your house. You can customize the colors for your team with coordinating ribbon or yarn! Now I intentionally did NOT add any colors to this banner… and I’ll admit it looks a little bland. But I know for a fact, if I had done… um… let’s see… red and blue. Someone would have looked at the colors and clicked away thinking, “Sorry Kara-Noel, I bleed green and yellow and I can never read your blog again!” And there is nothing wrong with that… you keep your clicks here and hang those colors with pride! But just imagine how cute this banner would be with colored yarn pom poms… Squee! I may just have to whip a few up and take some more pictures. No matter the consequences!
If you print this on thick cardstock it will be durable enough to pull out every football season!

Enjoy, my friends!