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Craft Stick Fun
A simple art project. Simple smiles. Simply fun! As my boys are getting older projects at school have grown more and more complex. In the process I have picked up a few art-project supplies kept tucked away for a rainy day. Popsicle sticks were needed for a diorama of Iceland. Pipe cleaners were needed for a science experiment involving borax. Markers are kept out of reach of a toddler. Glue, scissors and paper all quickly rounded up. All this is the the perfect making for a morning of fun. My friend, *L*, 4 years old, checked out a book from the library last week, “Craft Stick Mania”. Today we set ourselves up at…
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A Very Special Valentine’s Day
Today we are happy to share a guest post from Maya Szydlowski, community manager for Veterans United Home Loans: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and for moms with kiddos that means trying to round up cards and candies for your kids to hand out to their classmates. While grabbing a classroom list is no hard task, trying to get your kids to simply scrawl names on cards can be a little more difficult as the work hardly keeps their attention. To make Valentine’s Day a little more fun and creative for both you and your kiddos this year, consider giving a few of the following craft ideas a…
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Snowmen Hanging In There
Tuesday has to be the best day, my favorite day; it is Esther and Jacob day. For a few hours I have them in the center of my attention. Their voices, bursting energy, spontaneous laughter and curiosity are with me. This is a recipe for a successful day: mirth.Tissue falling everywhere! We cook, create with playdough, design with pastels and paper and we chatter. Songs that I love to sing fill the car on the way down to the house only to be interupted by counting buses, both school and rapid transport. Seseme Street’s Count vonCount would be oh so proud of my charges. Snipping corners for the perfect look.Each week we…
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#79 of 101 Ways to Thank a Veteran: Send a Christmas Card
Have you read 101 Ways to Thank a Veteran? They were written with Veterans Day in mind but many for all year round. 79. Remember Veterans during other holidays, especially those without family. Send a Thanksgiving card, Christmas card or Valentines card, to either a Vet that you know or through a VA Hospital or VFW.– http://www.militaryavenue.com/ways_to_thank_veteran Last night after dinner, we cleared the dishes, did our usual cleanup routine and then I pulled out the craft supplies. Glitter, paint, glue, markers, stock-paper and oh so much more Time to make Christmas Cards for a special Veteran in my life, my Grandfather (and Grandmother). They are far from family, not…
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Popsicle Sled Simple Christmas Tree Ornament Idea
Popsicle Sleds: simple fun for a young one to put together. Ideas for children to use to create a memory that mark each year on the tree are great to catalog. This sheet of paper was tucked in an ornament bin, ready to share or use with some tree trimming youngsters!Kids and Christmas… they just go together! Because the sheet is old, I typed the words for easier viewing. However the design for the popsicle sticks are easy to replicate. Materials needed: Six inches of gold or silver thread like cord, seven popsicle sticks, paint, paint brush and glue.Cut sticks as outlined on right. #1 is placed on the top,…
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Rustic Christmas Tree
I was browsing Pinterest.com last month looking for an idea to use on Thanksgiving day. Each year, after dinner the Moms and tots let the Christmas spirit enter our thoughts with a homemade project. Simplicity is number one priority, as we are tired, full under the influence of a ton of turkey and boat loads of whipped cream. Those who attend, sail to the table with languid interest, yet each expect to come out with a DaVinci masterpiece. But it is fun. It is time to laugh at ourselves, try something new, pick through beads, choose twigs (that have been pre-drilled) and create a masterpiece… or at least something tangible.…
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Joining Forces Christmas Cards from Military Children
As you know I am all about military support! I am the granddaughter of World War II Veterans, the daughter of an Air Force pilot and the wife of an Army Soldier. Anytime I can instill pride in my children for these generations before them I do. So I really love the idea behind Michelle Obama’s latest Joining Forces request. The First Lady is asking military children from around the globe for some personal contributions to the finishing touches on the White House decorations this holiday season. The request is for military children to submit 5×8″ handmade holiday cards with words of appreciation for their military parents, as well…
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A Minute out of the Norm: Painted Candle Holders
There is something about a candle in Autumn. Even a small flame gives off heat as we adjust to new temperatures outside. Something as simple as looking at a warmly-lit candle can heat me up from the inside out. Temperatures have fallen here in NE Ohio and my neighbor friend and I enjoyed a craft that can be enjoyed of all ages, from 4 years old to 37 and older. What you will need: A glass jar. We used two mason jars that I have used for canning garden veggies in previous years. You can also make smaller candle holders with baby-food jars. This is a great job for recycling…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Helping the Birds
I love birds. We have a couple of feeders around our house and a much used bird bath in the front garden. My favorite feeder is viewable from my kitchen window as well as the deck door. I’ll find myself sometimes just staring out the window watching the birds. Other times my boys will give a loud shout-out. “Mom, a Cardinal.” “Mom, a Blue Jay.” ” Mom, oooo come look at this one.” It is just fun to have a simple thing to enjoy with my boys. (After all I can only feign so much ‘interest’ in Pokemon, jokes involving bodily functions and games like Mario Cart). Today in my monthly-newsletter from my local metro-park…
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Staying Healthy: Spend time outdoors
Spring Weather! Today it is supposed to be almost 80 in NE Ohio. Beautiful words to my soul. After a long winter a day like today is a perfect opportunity to break routine and get outdoors! Being outdoors has many health benefits, from breathing fresh air to taking in the sun. A little sunshine feels great, can help lift feelings of depression, and is a great source of Vitamin D, so long as you protect yourself with sunscreen. Being outdoors in good weather also encourages physical activity. Try to spend time outdoors as often as you can. Read a book or newspaper outdoors on your lunch break. Or take a…
