Origami Light Covers!

I can't seem to get on top of things lately so this new blog is already neglected! The kids and I have mostly been spending our time at the pool or just playing so I haven't gotten to many of the fun projects I am anxious to do on my sidebar. Good intentions...

My childhood friend, Deanne, sent the link below as a fun crafty activity I thought I would post. I think these would be extra cute in red, white, and blue for a 4th of July decoration! I haven't tried them yet, but I think my older nieces and nephews would enjoy this one. It's not often that I come across things for the bigger kids that I pay attention to, so thanks for emailing me this one Deanne!

Clickety here.

Father's Day Ideas

**In case Randy reads this, we are working on something super secrety for you, so this list doesn't reflect your father's day gift (except the tie I suppose).

I borrowed this from sista Wendy. Hand-stitched, personalized handkerchiefs for a man who likes to carry his own hankie. (She made these for our dad, Wayne-o who is a gentleman and a farmer with allergies and who must have one of these on hand at all times.)

A tie.

An easy apron for the guy who likes to cook or bbq.
(Randy with baby Lindsey)

For the dad who likes to garden. (I think these would be cuter sloppily painted by a toddler, no design, but that's probably because that's how my kids currently paint)

These are very cute too.

Or if your dad has a stressful job, maybe something soothing like this to keep on his desk and work out his frustrations. (Luckily that's not Randy's job. He'd probably just use it to play a game of catch. I like his job)

And then, there's always dessert. Come on, isn't that the point of these types of "holidays?"

What are you doing for Father's Day?

Cool Idea

I need to file this beauty of an idea away for future inspiration. What a fun way to compile (yet not have to keep) your kids' best artwork!

Cheap Supplies

On my way to a playgroup today, I stopped at a Michael's (it was kind of on the way) where I found all sorts of crafty supplies for very very cheap.

• Little sponge brushes (easier for my kids to use than actual paint brushes) for 5 cents each
• Acrylic paint for some upcoming projects for $1 each
• The unfinished wood frames in different sizes for $1
• Nice sized watercolor pads and sketch pads for $1
  
• And because we were heading to a park with a big sand box, some buckets and shovels for $1

Can you tell I like things that cost $1? There was so much more, but most of it for things beyond my kids' current skill levels. It was really fun to browse and imagine what we could make with all the fun supplies for very little money!

Homemade Popcicles Recipe

It's really hot here. Seriously hot. And humid. 100% humidity yesterday with temperatures in the 90's made for a hot day. Did I say it is hot? I'm not complaining. Just informing. Whew. Hot.

Next to going to the pool, turning up the A/C, and sitting in front of a fan, nothing helps cool a kid down better than homemade popcicles. My Randy is the king of homemade popcicles. He's the one who makes them around here because I just never think of doing it.

Here's his most recent creation:

1 can limeade concentrate (prepared - he likes it with a little less water)
1 envelope cheery cool aide (prepared)

Mix and pour into ice cube trays or popcicle forms. Freeze.

Eat them outside. Wash shirts after so they don't stain.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Activity Time: 10 minutes or until the paint is all spilled/used


The finished product, after it dried.

I borrowed this from a site, but can't find the link for it. The original poster said she used the sidewalk chalk paint on a wood fence, driveway, bricks, and other hard surfaces and it worked and was still washable.


I made four colors and divided the paint between two muffin tins, thinking it would help the kids keep their colors separate. They managed to mix them all up within seconds, but it was fine. One note: The paint needed stirring after it sat for a bit - the water and corn starch separated when allowed to sit.

We used cheap paint brushes from a $1 water color kit that I had on hand, some sponge brushes, and some sponge stamps.

The paint was a bit thin for the sponge stamps, but they ended up being good easy tools for my toddlers to get the paint on the sidewalk.

Wear aprons and shoes you can wash easily - this was messy, but it all washed out (though Rand's hands were a little green the rest of the day).

Recipe:

-liquid food coloring (like what you find in the spice section at the grocery)
-box o' corn starch
-water
-minimum 8 oz individual containers for each color

Method:
-Measure 1/4 cup cornstarch into each cup.
-Add 1/4 cup water to each.
-Drip in 5-10 drops of food coloring.
-Stir it up. At first it will seem as though the cornstarch just won't mix in, but all at once it comes together. Just don't put the water in first or it's significantly tougher to get it to mix up.
-Add more color for intense colors, less for pastel shades. Our box has recipes on the back for additional shades and we found that the 'egg dying' recipes worked great for this.
-The finished paint may seem thin, but it paints on just great. You can use more cornstarch next time if you'd prefer a thicker paint.

Borrowing

I am always on the look-out for ideas for new recipes, good deals, and especially fun and easy activities to do with my kids. When I find a quick, easy, fun, painless activity to try out, I borrow it, and if we end up loving it, we make it our own.

This is going to be my on-line filing cabinet of ideas. I love coming across activities in other people's blogs, magazines, books, wherever. I keep finding myself making lists of ideas in my email or on random pieces of paper, so I decided to just organize them into one location. I hope no one minds if I link to some of our favorites. This blog is for sharing, borrowing, and even showing off ideas if you would like. Who knows if anyone but my familia will see this? (hi mom!)

If you have any great kid-friendly (or mom-friendly) stuff you want to contribute, send me your ideas. I now have a blog-only email* for this very purpose (see profile). I'll either try them out when we can get to it, and post about it, or I'll just post your instructions, hopefully in a timely manner, but you never know!

*I reserve the right to shut down this email if someone creepy sends something.