Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thrity Thursday....Smile keeper

A couple of years ago we started a little routine of writing down our “smiles” of the day. It could be anything. Big or small, anything that made us smile that day would be added to the box. Some days we added a few & others just one. It didn’t matter. The point of it was just to make you stop and remember a happy thought. Its just too easy to focus on all the little annoying things. This became a great way to not forget all the positive ones as well.

Save an old container for this. I used a large plastic yogurt container. Then pick out some paper & measure how much you need to cover it. After cutting, apply it with some kind of double stick tape.
Cut a circle for the lid. I used my circle cutter on 4 inch & it fit perfect (or you can just trace the lid & cut).
Apply double stick tape to lid paper. Then figure where you’d like to have the opening for you paper smile notes to fit. Cut the rectangle using an xacto knife. Stick paper on top of lid & using the xacto knife again cut lid to match the opening. Place on top of container.

Now use some extra scrap paper and cut it in to small pieces. This is a great way to use up all those odds and ends of left over paper. I had some leaves left over from a wishing tree project & threw those in the mix too.
Just place it where everyone will see it each day & them run to add their smiles! To keep everyone excited about it, pick a day each week to sit down & read them all. We chose Sunday dinners. We pass the container around & pick one out to read. The rule is no one is allowed to read their own ( it’s more fun!) Its pretty funny what some of us have put. Other times it's very sweet. Then toss the comments & start a whole new week of “smiles. Its kind of like opening the mail each week. You never know what will be in there!

Some times its nice to keep a few of your favorites each week. Especially with the girls being so young yet. I can’t seem to toss some of them. In a few weeks I share a fun way to display the ones you love : )


Now go write down your ‘smile”!!!!

18 comments:

Teresa said...

great idea! kind of like a happy bank!

LBB said...

Teresa- A "HAPPY" bank!! I love that!!! :)

TexWisGirl said...

SO sweet - I love the "happy bank!"

Nancy said...

I would think you could have a scrapbook to save all of the smile moments. What a great thing to do for you kiddos! :)

Lisa Fliehman said...

Now that seriously makes me SMILE:)!!!

colenic said...

love it!!

Michelle {Jarrah Jungle} said...

Just proves the best things in life are free ;)

Allison said...

Wonderful and insightful idea! Meaggie took your owl bag to school today... trotting off with a flash of spring green holding her books and calling out behind her..."It's so cute!"

LocalFunForKids said...

I love this idea. Gratitude is so important no matter what age you are. You should come link up with www.localfunforkids.com. We have lots of Fun ideas for Kids on Friday!

Out on the prairie said...

I try and write 5 things each week.It is fun to go back through and see what you have.

Inger-M said...

What a lovely and creative idea!

Heather said...

What a cute idea!!! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and saying hello! I'm your newest follower! Have a great weekend!!!

Heather from http://belleofthedesert.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Love it! I'll be featuring this on Fun For Kids Finds this week.

Jo @ SmileMonsters

Unknown said...

Cute idea! Thanks for finding me, following you back. Happy Sunday!
Jen

Clytie said...

What a wonderful way to focus on the smiles of the day. I LOVE the heart smile!

p.s. my word verification is ... "joyrapse"! Perfect!

Amy said...

This is such a beautiful and happy idea!!! Thank you for sharing it! Thanks, too, for checking out my Bunnies & becoming a follower...I'll be following you, too!

Amy
sittingatourkitchentable.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a fun idea! I've had similar ideas, and have never actually put any into action. This is simple enough, how could you not! I love it!! A great lesson to teach your children.

Thanks so much for linking up with For the Kids Fridays at Sun Scholars. I can't wait to see what you have to share this week! I'll be posting the next party later tonight. Hope to have you stop by!

:)rachel @ SunScholars.blogspot.com

Lisa @ Organized Chaos said...

How awesome is this?!? We definitely need a little something around here to help us remember all the things that make us "SMILE" instead of focusing on the unhappy things in a day! Love it! Will definitely be making one of these~!