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Simply Sweet Days

Simple discoveries that make every day count.

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Nikki

Colorful Couscous and Sausage Recipe

This colorful couscous and sausage dish is the perfect light meal on a warm summer afternoon. Couscous always gives me a satisfying, comfort-food happy tummy. When I found myself with some extra time recently, I knew I wanted to do some recipe testing with couscous. 

Why cook with couscous?

Two words, sister: BUSY.MOM. Couscous is awesome to serve for dinner on busy weeknights or nights when you just don’t feel like cooking because it’s easy to cook, it’s low-maintenance, and it’s ready in 10 minutes. 

The preparation for each brand of couscous may vary. Some cook with a 1:1 water (or broth) to couscous ratio, and others call for more liquid. Before you head to the store for ingredients, make a note on your shopping list to grab the couscous first. Then you can check to see how much broth that brand of couscous needs in order to cook to its full, puffed-up goodness. We used this kind. It called for 1 Tbsp. oil and 2 cups water or broth. I used broth.

Prep the veggies first

Since couscous cooks so quickly, and plus you’ll be tossing the carrot in with it, it’s a good idea to do all the chopping, grating and dicing beforehand. Grate 1 carrot, mince 1 garlic clove, chop up ½ cup diced onion and1 smallish red bell pepper. Quickly cut ½ cup loosely packed cilantro too. Keep everything separate because it doesn’t all go into the same pot or at the same time.  

Cook the sausage and couscous

Add the oil to a large fry pan and add the ground sausage. It wants to clump back together, so break it up with a spatula frequently. When the meat is browned, add in the onions and garlic. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. The first time I cooked this couscous and sausage recipe, I used a brand of Italian sausage that had just the faintest hint of crushed red pepper in it. Unfortunately, it was enough that my kids noticed. It was way too “spicy” for them. The next time we made this I was careful to choose an Italian sausage that was marked “mild”, and it the kids were much happier. In fact, Johnny (5) said, “Mommy I thought this was going to be yucky but it’s not!” Thanks for the compliment, kiddo… I think.  

Meanwhile, cook the couscous according to package directions, adding in the carrot when you put the couscous in the water.  

Mix everything together  

When the couscous is cooked, add it to the fry pan with the sausage mixture. Add in the diced red bell pepper and toss everything together. Serve it alongside a simple baby arugula salad and dinner is done!

colorful couscous

Colorful Couscous and Sausage

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil, or more depending on couscous preparation instructions
  • 1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
  • 1 minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 (10 oz.) pkg couscous
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (optional and depending on couscous preparation instructions)
  • 1 shredded carrot
  • 1 diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 package baby arugula lettuce, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large fry pan. Saute the sausage in oil until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
  2. Add garlic and onions to the sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes. Drain the sausage and return to the pan.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the couscous according to package directions. Put the shredded carrots into the boiling water or broth when you add the couscous.
  4. When couscous and sausage are finished cooking, mix them together in a large dish, or in the fry pan if there is enough room.
  5. Stir the red bell pepper and cilantro into the couscous and sausage mixture.
  6. Serve warm and garnished with arugula lettuce, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 461Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 717mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 28g
Category: Quick and Easy Dinners

Moving Forward when Life Feels Disrupted

When your life feels disrupted, how do you keep moving forward? 

looking out the window

What we’re going through right now is so uncomfortable, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s also very temporary. It’s like the shock of cold water when you first jump into the pool. 

Growing up, my grandma had a pool. Even though she lived in temperate San Diego, it still baffled me that she would swim nearly every day of the year. Her late morning swim was as much a part of her routine as reading the Bible and watering her many potted ferns and flowers. But Grandma Dee hated getting her hair wet. Refused to, actually. And if we’re being honest I’m not too sure she really liked the water either.

Yet every morning she would don a black and white swimsuit for her water exercise. At the edge of the pool Grandma would tuck a round pool float under her chin to help keep her head out of the water, and with a huge yell she’d race down the steps and into the water (up to her neck, of course, so as not to wet her hair).  

People would joke about her loud hollering every time she got into the water. But apparently that was the best way she knew to adapt to the uncomfortableness of warm skin against cold water: Let out a big yell. AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! But once she was all the way in and had given a few graceful butterfly strokes, her beautiful smile would wrinkle up her cheeks. Away she would go, swimming laps and announcing each one as if we were all waiting to applaud her achievement. “31!… 32!…33!…”

As I sit here in my house for day kajillion of Safer at Home, I have to remind myself daily that this is temporary. This is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it is something we have to do so that we can stay healthy. 

Do I yell sometimes? Yes, inwardly. I yell because I’m grieving the good things we used to have and took for granted, like playgrounds and beaches and classrooms and churches filled with people. I yell because I’m not working and I don’t know when I’ll be able to go back to a job that I love. I yell because I feel trapped and I wish I could be out with people. I yell because I’m tired of the fear that is so heavy you can feel its weight when you pass by people. 

But each day I get into my groove. With grace I find my rhythm. The beautiful blue sky outside my window is not afraid, not trapped, and gives me hope that I will be out adventuring in the world again. I just have to go through the motions a few more times. Keep moving forward. A few more days. They go by so quickly, if you don’t celebrate them quick it will be too late. 31, thank you essential workers! 32, I appreciate you first responders! 33, we love you, teachers and school employees! Persisting. Day by day, breath by breath. Thankful and grateful for another day, and knowing that the discomfort is only temporary. 

Be well my friends, and find me on Instagram. 

Onward Printable Coloring Pages and Activities

You guys, the first animated Disney movie of the year is finally out and the theaters in our area are CLOSED due to the current virus outbreak. While I totally approve of all the social distancing, it’s still a bummer to have to put off seeing movies in the theaters. Thankfully, Disney swooped in to save the day. They have expedited the digital release of this month’s Disney · Pixar movie Onward so you can purchase the digital title on Movies Anywhere starting today. Then, starting April 3rd, you will be able to stream Onward on Disney +. How awesome is that?

Your kids will love these free Onward printable coloring pages and activities!

When you see a printable that you want to keep, just right-click the picture and save it, or click the link below the image to go straight to the pdf file. You can save them to your computer and reprint them whenever you want! 

Grab some crayons or colored pencils and bring these pages to life!

We hope you enjoy these coloring pages of the Onward characters. Let us know, who is your favorite?

Click here for the pdf of Barley, Ian and Guinevere.

Click here for the pdf of Barley Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of Blazey.

Click here for the pdf of Ian Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of Laurel Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of The Manticore.

Get everyone together for some Onward fun activities!

This memory card game is really 4 pages, so you can download the complete file by clicking here. 

Help Barney and Ian get to Guinevere in this fun printable Onward maze!

Click here for the pdf of the maze activity.

Check out these other popular Disney Printable activity Pages:

Frozen 2 Printable Coloring Pages

Toy Story 4 Printable Coloring Pages

Coco Printable Coloring Pages

Incredibles 2 Printable Coloring Pages

18 Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Wouldn’t it be great if you could slash your grocery bill? We’ve been living on a pretty tight budget for almost 2 years now and I can assure you I am excellent at getting the most nutrition for my money. The stores in our area don’t offer a double coupons and rarely have sales, so we really have to work at it to find ways to save money on groceries. These 18 tips are the key to stretching your dollar and maximizing your food budget.  

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate.

18 ways to save on groceries each week

Get the Most Nutrition for your Dollar | 18 Ways to Save Money on Groceries

  1. Plan ahead. Make a meal plan and stick to it, otherwise you’ll find yourself throwing out food throwing out uneaten food. Throwing out food is like throwing out your money! 
  2. Make a list before heading to the grocery store. And again, the key is to stick to it! A list keeps you from making impulse buys and extra trips to the store for forgotten items. Not sure what to put on the list? They actually make pre-printed lists so you can just check the items you’ll need!
  3. Check unit prices. This helps you compare brands and find the one that gives you the most product for your dollar.  
  4. Consider buying the product in bulk. Some stores sell spices, grains and pastas in bulk bins at a much lower price than they are in the brand packaging.
  5. Buy Generic! People pay much more for the brands they trust, when there’s hardly any difference in quality or taste. You’re just paying for the name on the label!
  6. Save yourself some time and stretch out those groceries by making a double-sized meal once a week and freezing the leftovers or using them another night.
  7. Don’t go to the store hungry. You’re more likely to fall prey to impulse buys when your tummy is growling. The same goes for any children you bring along. We actually bring snacks and drinks on long store trips to keep the littles from getting grouchy.
     
  8. Check supplies before going to the store. Use a pantry or freezer inventory to keep track of what you have on hand.
  9. Avoid the cost of convenience. Single-serving packages for things like baby carrots, yogurt and cracker packs. Buy a large container instead and make your own snack sizes.
  10. When produce is in season in season, buy fresh. When not in season consider canned, dried or frozen.
  11. Buy day-old bread. Use this storefinder, and also check your local Big Lots and Dollar Tree as they are official day-old stores for Bob’s Red Mill and Bimbo. 
  12. Choose whole-grain cereals instead of the sugar-coated ones. The whole-grain are better for your and usually cost less!
  13. Serve popcorn as a snack in place of processed crackers. Popcorn is cheaper per unit ounce than a box of snack crackers, and it’s healthier than the salty processed snacks.
  14. Make your meat dishes go farther by adding in beans, lentils, rice, or pasta.
  15. One night a week serve a vegetarian bean or egg dish for dinner.
  16. Chop up overly-ripe fruits to use in smoothies or add them to yogurt or oatmeal.
  17. Check the bottoms of packages of fruits and vegetables to make sure they’re not damaged or moldy. Also, check the expiration date on bagged salads to make sure you’ll use them before they go bad.
  18. Make small compromises as a family, like buying one less bag of chips, crackers or cookies a week.

I’m a busy working mom of four and I’ve tried every penny-pinching trick in the book. These are real things that I really do because I don’t have time to read every grocery store mailer and visit five different stores to get the best deal. If you’re really wanting to save money on groceries, you can do it! It just takes dedication. If you’re not budgeting, get my free budget plan here and start being accountable for your spending!

Got any great tips for feeding your family on a budget? Tell me what works for you!

Image Map

Troop Zero’s Message of Empowerment on Prime Video

We frequently hold family movie night around here. I love when a family movie can both move me to tears and make me proud to be a girl. Troop Zero does both of those things. The movie comes to Amazon Prime Video starting January 17th, and you won’t want to miss it!

Troop Zero celebrates the quirky, a personality trait that, if we’re honest, we all have demonstrated at one time or another. The characters are far from “average”. The heroine, Christmas Flint, hopes to win the Birdies Scouts jamboree and have her recorded voice projected into space as part of the prize. Viola Davis, who plays Christmas’s father’s secretary/right-hand-woman Rayleen, is challenged with wrangle the ragtag pals into a formal troop. Thankfully, each troop member’s quirkiness makes them specially equipped for earning their own unique patch. 

The Troop Zero Crew 

It was Christmas’s idea to form a troop in the first place, in order to send her welcome message to space for the aliens to hear. She needed at least 4 members, so she enlisted a few other kids from school who, like her, didn’t really fit in. Her BFF Charlie was the obvious first choice, although his addition was highly controversial for the formerly girls-only scouts organization. Next to join were the aggressive Hell-No, her sidekick Smash, and a one-eyed evangelist named Anne-Claire. Together they sell cookies, earn badges, and camp out in the wilderness. They didn’t start out as friends, but through their hardship they learn to cling to each other for strength.

Why Your Family Should See Troop Zero

If you want a good laugh, you will get a kick out of this movie. It’s filled with one-line zingers and funny situations that will absolutely warm your heart. But even more than that, Troop Zero is an empowering movie. The message of resilience is an inspiration for kids, or even adults, to persevere until their big dreams become reality. Christmas wants to send a message into outer space so her mom, who passed away and lives among the stars, can hear her. Charlie would rather choreograph dances than catch a football. Everyone is afraid of Hell-No (and her fists), but in Troop Zero she lets down her guard, shows her empathetic side, and finds real friendship. Troop Zero is a place where kids can be who they are, without fear of judgement. I think we could use a little more of that in the world.

Special note for families with young children: Troop Zero is set in 1970’s Georgia. The culture and dialogue of the movie is true to the time period. That being said, there is some mild language. If your family has conservative values, I am sure you already preview anything that your kids watch. 

Click here to download the entire Troop Zero activity packet and discussion guide, including the activities below and the crossword answers.

Free Printable Valentine’s Day Card – Looking Sharp

When it comes to Valentine’s Day cards, all I really want is something that’s easy to do. This year I created my own printable with a cute pair of sunglasses. It’s a great candy-free Valentine’s Day option. You can make it even more special and “punny” if you add a sharpened pencil to the card!

This easy and FREE printable Valentine's Day card is a great candy free alternative. Add decorative pencils to make it extra special!

The Year of Candy-Free Valentines

This year I wanted my kids to give out candy free Valentine’s Day cards. I was a teacher for a long time, so I know that the last thing any educator wants is a bunch of seven-year-olds all hopped up on sugar. I’ve seen some super cute Valentines on Pinterest with a play on words, so my goal was to create something like that.

These Valentines are about 3″ x 3.5″ in length and come with 4 printed t a page. They work best if you print them out in color on card stock paper, but I’ve also made them using standard copy paper. Here’s how to make your own “Looking Sharp” free printable Valentines Cards:

Looking Sharp Printable Valentine

Get the printable Valentine here. Print it onto heavyweight or card stock paper. On the back of each card, write the name of who your Valentine is to and from.

Tip: If you’re making Valentines with your small child (any age from pre-K to first grade), it’s MUCH easier on the teacher if the cards aren’t addressed to a specific child. If your child can’t read, then he has to have his teacher read every single name to him. From experience, it takes forever to pass them out this way.

Tutorial for the Looking Sharp printable Valentine's Day cards

Cut out each card and, using a standard single hole punch, make a hole at the corner of each sunglasses. The hole punch that I use in all my crafting has notches in the side so you can line up the hole punch with the right place on the paper.

Otherwise, guessing where the holes will be can make your cards look like this:

#nailedit

Bend the card into a rainbow shape and push the pencil through the two holes. The pencil makes the card it keep its rounded shape. At first I planned to make the cards with dollar store pencils but they kept breaking as I was sharpening them, so I ordered some cute Valentine’s Day pencils from Amazon instead. I think they will go pretty well with this card’s color pattern too!

printable Valentines with a pencil and no candy!

And there you have a pretty easy Valentine that you can make yourself!

Easy and Fun Printable Valentine's Day card candy free

Free Printable Weekly Habit Tracker

It’s goal-setting time of year again! Hooray! The first few weeks of January are like the achiever’s starting line. We are totally on fire for what’s ahead. If you saw my resolutions post from last week, it’s probably obvious that keeping track of all those goals and new habits might be a bit of a challenge. Using a habit tracker has already helped me stay on top of my goals, and start making those new habits part of my regular routine. 

After the New Year, I made a list each morning to remind me of the new things I wanted to make sure I accomplished. The lists were good, but they didn’t look very pretty. What I needed was a habit tracker. There are apps for your phone that help you track habits, but I am more of a pencil and paper kind of planner. This printable habit tracker fits 2 weeks worth of joyous goal recording and checking-off-ability (a word I just made up). 

Some Tips for Using a Habit Tracker

My best advice for habit tracking would be this:

Don’t let a failed week (or two) cause you to give up on your goals altogether. If you fall behind, that’s ok! No need to throw in the towel. You can start again. It’s your life, you get to make the rules. 😉 

Find a tracking and reward system that works for you. Some people are motivated by good things, like checking off items on a list or celebrating when a goal is met. Other people are motivated by the impending doom of what could happen if the goal is not met, like how not being prepared for a presentation by the deadline could result in your standing in front of a large audience who are judging you on their insides because you have nothing good to say. Figure out if you’re more likely to meet a goal that rewards you or causes you grief of not met, and plan accordingly.

free printable weekly habit tracker

Print out this weekly habit tracker, clip it into your favorite “Goal Digger” notebook, and press the nitrous button on your path to success. I wish you all the best in meeting your goals, my friends. 

Trusting My Teen Driver to the Open Road

Last week I was thrown into the scary world of “parent of teen driver” before I was mentally prepared for it. Logan has always been pretty independent, and he is super responsible. Even more so than me sometimes, ha! I never dreamed the day would come when I was worried for his safety while he was out on his own.

He went out early in the morning to meet a friend at Starbucks. No big deal, right? Starbucks is low-key, and who gets into mayhem before 10 am anyway? It was winter break and I had 3 kids ripping my house apart, so we headed to the park. I didn’t have a care in the world. Until the drive home.

As we were coming back into town from the park, we watched as a firetruck went from just driving along like everyone else, to lights flashing, siren blaring, and headed in the direction of where we live. 

My first thought was, Oh my gosh my kid is on the road right now. 

My heart rate increasing, I took a peek at my PulsePoint app to reassure myself that the emergency couldn’t possibly be in the same place as Logan (don’t worry, John was driving 😉 That was no help, because there were multiple incidents occurring around town.

All I could think about was the countless times I had gotten myself in a pickle when I had lied to my parents about where I was and who I was with. To be fair, Logan makes waayyyy better choices than I did at his age. Unfortunately, I’ve had far too much experience in getting away with something I wasn’t supposed to do. I have a hard time feeling like I can fully trust my own teen. 

It’s not just my teen driver I worry about. The road is full of knuckleheads texting and driving or maybe even driving while under the influence. I have a teen driver who pays close attention to the road, but who knows what the people in the cars around him are doing. 

I sent him a text and he didn’t respond. We got home and he wasn’t there. This wasn’t necessarily a concern because he was supposed to go back to his dad’s house anyway. 

And still I was worried… 

It felt so helpless but I knew I had to just trust him. Logan knows to wear a seat belt, follow the traffic laws and be a courteous driver. If anything happens to him while he’s driving, I don’t know what I’d be feeling. But I do know that harping on him because I’m feeling paranoid is not the answer. I took deep breaths and tried not to worry for him, and waited until I heard back. 

In the end, everything was fine. But you knew that, right? And I guess in my heart I knew he was ok too. He hadn’t responded to my text because he was driving (good job, son!). When he got to his dad’s house he checked in to let me know he was there. Whew. All the crises I had made up in my head were averted. 

Moving forward, I can’t rely on my “I have a good kid who makes good choices” plan like before because I will lose my sanity. My new strategy includes a parent/teen driving contract that holds us both accountable for being safe, responsible drivers. AAA, Geico, and other insurance agencies have free printable teen/parent driving contracts that are pretty good. I decided to go with this one from Varsity Driving Academy. Even though I know we could both easily choose to break our part of the contract, I still think it’s a good idea. A teen driver contract sets clear expectations for the new driver. It also holds the parent accountable for modeling the same good driving habits. 

I’m sure I’ll have plenty more opportunities to worry about my kids in the years to come. Every time they grow, I have to learn to adapt to their independence. I’ll accept the challenge gladly. Because being Mom to these 4 cuties is the best gift I could have asked for.

Last week I was thrown into the scary world of “parent of teen driver” before I was mentally prepared for it. Now I have a strategy!

100+ New Year’s Resolutions for 2020

Committing to New Year’s Resolutions can be stressful. For me, just the thought of being able to take on any new habit for the next 365 days makes my head spin. This year I started by thinking about some cool stuff that I would be proud to say at the end of 2020, “Yeah. I did that!” Instead of having a high-pressure “resolutions” mindset, I came up with a list of new things to try in 2020.

One of my goals for 2020 is to get better at thinking long. I sure do love to celebrate, so this year I’m going to take on a challenge or two that I can give a real big hooray about in 12 months once they’re completed. 

A friend of mine completed a 52-hike challenge in 2019, going on one hike a week. A cool aspect of this challenge is that you can “bank” hikes if you do more than one in a week. That way if there’s a busy week at work or a week of bad weather you don’t have to give up the challenge over a missed week.

This got me thinking that, if I could use the same tactic and credit myself a few extras for a later date, what personal challenges could I complete in 2020? So I started coming up with ideas and compiled a list of 100+ New Year’s Resolutions, that are more like new things to try in 2020. Obviously I’m not going to do them all. I have a few that I’m particularly leaning towards, but I thought I’d share the whole list to maybe inspire you as well.

100+ New Year’s Resolutions for 2020

Health and Wellness New Year’s Resolutions

Take a yoga class every week in 2020

Cut sugar from your diet

Go for a 20-minute walk every day

Grow your own herbs

Take the 52-hike challenge

Go organic

Drink enough water each day

Make a weekly meal plan

Spend time outside every day

Go to the gym once a week

Make a sleep goal

Get weekly massages

Take a daily vitamin

Go gluten-free

Run in a race a month

Eat an apple a day

Train for and complete a Mud Run 

Personal Growth New Year’s Resolution Ideas

Write in a journal every day for a year

Don’t complain

Use kind words

Repeat daily positive affirmations

Read for 20 minutes a day

Hug and kiss your kids every day (this is harder as they get older!)

Make a personal connection with a different Facebook or Instagram friend each week.

Take the 365-Day Happiness Challenge

Meditate every day for a year

Write down your weekly goals

Stop comparing

Read the morning paper

Begin each day with a to-do list

Finish each day by writing something kind, positive, or cheerful about each of your kids

Send a kind text to someone every day

Donate monthly to an organization that you feel strongly about

Don’t gossip

Write in a gratitude journal every day for a year

Stop trying to be perfect

Be more environmentally conscious

Write a letter to someone every week

Create a box of memories for the year. Kind of like a time capsule!

Write thank-you notes for all gifts 

Resolutions to Improve your Finances in 2020

Take the 52-week money saving challenge

Do a 12-month budget challenge

Eat out no more than once a week

Start a side hustle

Join a couponing Facebook group and start clipping!

Save your coins all year and cash them in in December (hello, Christmas money!)

Check out The Budget Mom’s 12 months of savings. There is a different thing you do each month to save money. Each month is a different challenge!

Save for a trip and pay for it in cash

Bring your lunch to work every day

Use the envelope system

Things to Learn in 2020

Learn a new language

Learn a new word every day

Learn to quilt

Read a book a week in 2020

Take a class

Learn to sew

Learn to code

Learn to play an instrument 

Learn to do hand lettering

Digital things to try in 2020

Take a Photo every day

Start a Facebook group

Use an app like 1SE to document 1 second of every day in video

Make a video or vlog every day

Write a blog post every day for a year – like a digital diary!

Turn off technology (phone, computer, TV) for an hour a day

New Things to Try in 2020 Around the House

Organize your home in 52 weeks

Cook with a new food each week 

Keep your room clean

Alternatively, if you have kids, be ok with the mess

Schedule weekly “me time” 

Hold a weekly family meeting

Try a new Pinterest project each week

Take a decluttering challenge

Cook as a family one night a week

Keep a plant alive for a year (you laugh, but this is impossible for some of us! *cough* *me*) 

Fun Things to Try in 2020

Volunteer an hour a week

Take your dog for a walk in a new place every week

Date your spouse every week in 2020. Check out Friday We’re in Love and Intentional by Grace for inspiration

Watch one award-winning movie a week

Go to a concert a month

Choose a word to live by this year

Each month, have a “Mommy and Me” date with each of your kids

Write weekly notes of encouragement and appreciation to friends and family

Complete 365 random acts of kindness

Take yourself on a date once a week

Make every birthday present you give

Visit a different museum each month

Write a bucket list of weekend adventures, then go do them!

Visit one new place in town each week

Use a different scent in your diffuser each month

Do something creative every day

Read with your kids every night

Host a monthly dinner party or gathering

Set aside one night a week for family fun

Jump in every puddle you see, all year

Make a playlist of songs for each month 

Faith-Based Resolutions for 2020

Pray for 15 minutes a day

Tithe monthly

Read your Bible every day in 2020 (I was *so close* to finishing this! I missed just a few days)

Volunteer in your church

Learn a new Bible verse every day in 2020

Go to church every week

Learn a new worship song every week – bonus if you can play it on an instrument!

Read the whole Bible in one year

Attend a Bible study or home group

Take the 2020 Christian Challenge and get daily scripture, reflection questions, and monthly prayer prompts 

Frozen 2 Printable Coloring Pages and Activities

The long-awaited Frozen sequel is finally almost here! To get in the Arendelle mood, how about some Frozen 2 Printable coloring pages and activities? I don’t know about you, but I have been looking forward to this movie ever since the release of Frozen Fever in 2015. Boy, did that short get my hopes up for more Anna and Elsa!

From the Studio:

Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she’ll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. 

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, I promise not to spoil it for you. We’re heading out to catch the screening in San Diego this week, but I haven’t told the girls yet. They will be over the moon excited! If you follow us on Instagram you are sure to catch some of the behind-the-scenes movie day fun in our stories. Meanwhile, let’s see some cool pics of the royal sisters and their friends! This post has all the Frozen 2 printable coloring pages I could get my hands on, plus some bonus activities.   

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Today is the big day! It’s the Frozen 2 theater release day! Yippee!!! • We were so grateful to experience a #hosted screening of Frozen 2 last week. The girls still don’t really understand how movies work, because they’ve only seen a few in-theater. First, they were super frustrated that they couldn’t go right home and watch the movie on TV. They couldn’t WAIT to see it again! Also, when we first saw the movie, the soundtrack still hadn’t been released to the public so they had to wait a few days to hear all their favorite Frozen 2 songs again. All is well now though, because the soundtrack is available everywhere and we have Into the Unknown playing on repeat. ? • My favorite song was Show Yourself, but Kristoff’s adorable Lost in the Woods is a close second. • Do Disney movies make you cry? I swear I always say I’m not going to cry during a Disney movie but they always get me. This one hit me twice, ?? but the second time was in a good way.?? No spoilers though! When you see the movie you’ll know what I mean ? • I posted a bunch of Frozen 2 printables and activities on the blog. You should check them out! The link is in my bio. And tell me if you saw the movie: what was your favorite song?

A post shared by Nikki | Simply Sweet Days (@simply_sweet_days) on Nov 22, 2019 at 2:15pm PST

Frozen II Printable Activity pages

How cute is this little Frozen 2 printable maze? Take care as you help Kristoff and Sven find Anna in the Enchanted Forest! Click here to download the pdf file.

Bookmarks

Your kids (and even you!) will love saving their place with these fun printable Frozen 2 bookmarks! 

Frozen 2 Memory Card Game

This one takes a little more prep to put together but it’s totally worth it! It would be a fun game to have out at your next Frozen 2 birthday party or playdate. The file is too big to load as a picture so click here to download the memory card game.

Frozen 2 Spot the Difference Game

This printable is for the eagle-eye observer. My kids get a kick out of trying to be the first one to notice the differences. Click here for the pdf version of the game.

Frozen 2 Printable Coloring Pages

This bundle of Frozen 2 coloring pages contains some beautiful and easy-to-color artwork, perfect for kids and adults! Lieutenant Mattias joins the cast in Frozen 2 as an Arendelle military leader who, along with his troop, have been trapped in the Enchanted Forest for 30 years. If that doesn’t pique your curiosity about the movie, I don’t know what will! The movie opens in theaters on November 22 but you should get your tickets NOW because they’ve been on sale for a while already. No pressure 🙂  

Click here for the Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Sven printable

Click here for the Anna and Elsa printable

Click here for the Kristoff and Sven printable

Click here for the Olaf Printable

Click here for the Bruni printable

Click here fir the Nokk printable

Click here for the Lieutenant Mattias printable

These Frozen II pages are totally free. You better believe we’re going to be printing out a bunch of copies to keep the cousins entertained during the holidays! Be sure and save the files to your computer so you can print them out again and again.

Check out these other free Disney printables and activities!

  • Toy Story 4 Printables
  • Dumbo Printables
  • Incredibles 2 Printables
  • Coco Printables
  • Cars 3 Printables
This post has all the Frozen 2 printable coloring pages I could get my hands on, plus some bonus activities.
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Hi, I’m Nikki!

I'm Nikki, a lover of coffee, chef for 6, elementary teacher, and expert in the art of wrangling twins. I'm also a working mom with a passion for having fun and keeping a cozy home. Come along with me on the journey of a joyful mom! Learn More…

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