Each Monday I’ll update my blog with the fun links I’ve found around the web.  Hopefully that will help keep all of you in the loop  (and give me something to look forward to other than my standard mountain of Monday laundry).

By the way, you should really take some time time to check out these sites and dig through their archives.  They are loaded with clever solutions and their ideas/recipes/crafts/tips are fantastic.

Remember, if you’d like instant access to the links I love and a few other tips and tricks, you can sign up to be a follower on Facebook by clicking the Facebook icon at the top of the page or by following this link.  Here are the links from last week…

• SilverboxCreative.typepad.com
  Check out this adorable birthday party invitation I happened upon over at Silverbox. My girls love making these fortune teller things – if only I were clever enough to figure out how to create one this cool.

• IdeaPaint.com
  I hate chalkboards with a passion – way too much dust and crumbly mess – so when I saw this idea for dry-erase paint I was totally impressed. I can think of tons of uses for this stuff in my house. Check it out…

• ThePioneerWoman.com
  There’s nothing like being diagnosed with gestational diabetes to make you crave carbs…don’t these Rosemary Rolls look divine? Since I can’t have them, you definitely should! Find the recipe here…

• TwigandThistle.com
  Don’t you just love free printables? Check out this great site I stumbled upon. It’s loaded with crafty tutorials and fun freebies.

• VintageSongbird.blogspot.com
  I’m a sucker for a great DIY makeover, especially when it comes to making cool stuff for kids – check out this clever ‘old nightstand to play kitchen’ transformation.

• An Eye for An Eye: Often the most successful discipline takes the least amount of effort.  When my 9 year-old daughter left the lids off the markers and ditched them on the carpet (for the third time), I grabbed one of the washable markers and wrote “I love my MOM!” in big letters on her arms and forehead – then sent her out to play with her friends.  She was mortified, of course, but I’m pretty sure the message sunk in.
• Stairs to Nowhere: When I was little, my Dad would make us run laps around the house (one lap for each year of age).  I adapted this technique for my own house by making my kids run up and down our 15-step flight of stairs.  I love this one because it can be used for almost anything.  If they take 45 minutes to finish a 10 minute chore, 5 sets of stairs.  If they completely ignore me when I ask them to turn off the wii, 10 sets of stairs.  If they get out of a math test by telling their teacher I’m in the hospital having a baby, …well you get the idea.
• A Different Kind of Pillow Fight: There are few things I hate more than shouting – especially whiny shouting.  When they were little, I used to force the offenders to sit across from each other and sing the BYU fight song until they could be friendly again.  Now that they’re older I don’t have as much time to be the mediator so I’ve instituted a new rule – the kids are welcome to shout at each other as loud as they can as long as they cover their faces with a pillow and shout through it.  Generally I’ve found that the muffled result causes a lot of laughter and cools down any heated tempers.

Ok, you know the drill, I shared a few of mine now it’s time for you to share yours.  Good news!  This month I have a great little commenting incentive for you.  Mariah from the Etsy shop ‘look what Mariah Made with love‘ has generously offered to give away one of her incredibly popular Onsie Cuddle Sacs to a very lucky commenter.  These adorable little newborn garments are a perfect example of form meeting function – they’re made of gorgeous materials (don’t you just love that chunky grosgrain ribbon at the bottom?) and the clever design makes those frequent newborn diaper changes a cinch.  Whether you’ve got a little of your own or just want to have a fabulous baby shower gift on hand – you’ll definitely want to give this giveaway a try.

The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday (June 21) at midnight CST.  The winner will be chosen at random, contacted by email and announced here.  There’s no catch…you can choose any fabric you like from her collection and the shipping is included.

As always, to those of you who participate, thanks in advance for passing it on.

*This giveaway is now closed.

And the winner (chosen by the iPhone app iChoose) is #16 Rachal.  Congratulations on your big win, Rachal.  I’ll be contacting you via email tonight.  Thanks to all of you for sharing your parenting wisdom.