tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44025794119671052302024-03-12T17:56:37.989-07:00ifamilyifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-85565440577920819862012-02-22T21:41:00.000-08:002012-02-22T21:41:18.584-08:00ifamily Fun Food for Kids<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pqa0XY5IiLM" width="560"></iframe></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-47737402916482811922012-01-31T20:24:00.000-08:002012-01-31T21:04:35.508-08:00Super Bowl Appetizers for the KIDS<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fruit Cars:</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5491.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5491.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5495.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5495.jpg" /></a><br />
Simply slice apples and oranges, then use toothpicks or skewers to attach grapes for wheels!<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Hot Dog Hybrids: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5498.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5498.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Skewer sliced hot dogs with uncooked spaghetti, then boil...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5505.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5505.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">and serve!</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Dino-scapes:</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5510.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5510.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Use mashed potatoes as your "dirt," then add dino chicken nuggets, broccoli and cauliflower trees, and even a nice cool wading pool {ranch dip with blue food coloring} for dipping. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Bird's Nest:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=IMG_5515.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/IMG_5515.jpg" /></a></div>Spruce up spaghetti by shaping it into a nest with bird meatballs. To add extra nutrients, put them on beds of spinach to act as the leaves on a tree!ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-60889309662671679022011-08-07T16:24:00.001-07:002011-08-07T16:24:44.517-07:00Garden Fun on Fresh Living<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v6Rv69M04bQ?hl=en&fs=1" width="425"></iframe></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-36814794885491045592011-07-27T08:59:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:59:39.107-07:00Name Garden<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Your kids will love</span> seeing their names grow out of of thin air {or thick dirt} with this fun project. Just follow these simple steps:<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">1.</span> Fill a tray or cookie sheet with a layer of garden soil.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">2.</span> Have your child trace their name in the soil and then fill the letter-shaped trenches with grass seeds.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">3.</span> Cover lightly {careful not to distort the design} and water very often {soil should never ever dry out}.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4.</span></span>Watch your child's excitement peak as they see their very own name growing out of the soil. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700572.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700572.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700575.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700575.jpg" /></a></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-69325479718432329132011-07-27T08:46:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:46:07.249-07:00Pebble Pets<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700558.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700558.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rocks, paints, glue, googly eyes, and some pipe cleaner make for some serious garden-y fun! Let kids make their own pebble pets to decorate the family garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700570.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700570.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700554.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700554.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700553.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700553.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700562.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700562.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to bump up the <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">crafting intensity</span>, try this fun {and more labor-intensive} tutorial to make colorful wax wings for pebble butterflies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">First:</span> Grab a box of old {or new} crayons. Peel the wrappers off, and grate them into colorful piles on a sheet of wax paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700408.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700408.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700405.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700405.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700415.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700415.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700425.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700425.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700410.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700410.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700398.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700398.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Second:</span>dig into those colorful piles and drop shavings into fun designs on a clean sheet of wax paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700426.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700426.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700427.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700427.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700434.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700434.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700435.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700435.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700436.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700436.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Third:</span> cover with a second sheet of wax paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700438.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700438.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700440.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700440.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Fourth:</span>take a warm iron to it. {Set the iron to medium-low heat. Mine was set on really high, and it burned some of the colors, and to be honest... that was kind of devastating ;). }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700455.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700455.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700444.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700444.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700450.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700450.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Fifth:</span> Let your masterpiece cool, and then cut the wax sheet into wing shapes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700457.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700457.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700463.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700463.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700464.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700464.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally: take a slender rock and glue the wings to it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">* I tried this with hot glue first, and it totally didn't work because the hot glue melts the wax. {um, yeah.} So use a cold glue like Elmer's {it takes forever to dry, but it works}.</div><div style="text-align: center;">*Hot glue gems and antennae to the rock body, and voila! You have a beeeautiful pebble butterfly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1700543.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1700543.jpg" /></a></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-29410594976887878812011-07-27T08:04:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:04:02.207-07:00Paper Garden<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690792.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690792.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have some dirt-free garden fun with your kids by making a fun paper garden!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">1.</span> Let each child decorate their own flower pots {paper cups} and then fill their "pots" with beans or rice. <br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">2.</span>Then, simply cut out lots of different colorful shapes and petals with different colors and prints of craft paper and let the kids use glue sticks to create flowers and bugs for their paper gardens.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">3.</span> Finally, attach Popsicle or craft sticks to the bottoms and "plant" them in the bean-filled pots.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690750.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690750.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690760.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690760.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690757.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690757.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690753.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690753.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690747.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690747.jpg" /></a></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-88122101435851841802011-07-13T21:56:00.000-07:002011-07-13T21:56:47.663-07:00Themed Play-Dates: Dinosaur Mania!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Themed play-dates </span>are a great way to add a little structured {and hey, maybe even educational} fun to your summer days! With a few simple items you have right around the house, you can turn your kitchen, dining room, and back yard into a prehistoric wonderland.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dinosaur Eggs:</span></div>This fun and simple project gives you a reason to dye eggs that have nothing to do with a fuzzy white bunny.Trust us, your kids will love this one!<br />
1. Hard boil some eggs.<br />
2. Bang them up and make them crackle-y all over, but DON'T peel them.<br />
3. Mix up egg dye using food coloring and vinegar {Follow the instructions on the back of the food coloring box.}<br />
4. Put the crackled eggs into the dye and let sit for a few minutes.<br />
5. Take them out, peel, and enjoy! They are perfect for your dinosaur theme, and are a healthy snack to boot! <br />
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<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690719.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690719.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690722.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690722.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690727.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690727.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fossils:</span></div>To make your fossils, you're gonna need some Play-dough. It's totally fine to use store bought "Play-Doh" but if you wanna get your cheap on, feel free to mix some up with a few simple ingredients.<br />
We have a fantastic home made <a href="http://housewifeonfirewrites.blogspot.com/2011/01/fantastic-play-dough-recipe.html"><span style="color: cyan;">play-dough recipe here. </span></a><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: black;">Once you've got your play-dough situation figured out, make little balls, smash them down into pancake-y patties, and then let the kiddos mush dollar store dinosaurs into them.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690764.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690764.jpg" /></a><br />
They can also smash larger-sized dino feet into them. <br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690736.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690736.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690739.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690739.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690741.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="239" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690741.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690744.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690744.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690742.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690742.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690743.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690743.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Put the "fossils" on a baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Take them out and let 'em cool. They will look something like this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690768.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690768.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1690775.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1690775.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Now that you've had fun MAKING the dinosaurs, the kids can enjoy playing with them too! Take all of your fossils and bury them in your sand box and let the kids excavate with paintbrushes/toothbrushes/whatever you have handy and see how many fossils they can dig up.<br />
<br />
If you don't have a sand box, one variation is to hide the fossils and/or the dollar store dinos all over your house/yard and let the kids go find them. Let everyone take a bag-ful of dino-goodies home with them.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Other Activities:</span></div>1. Learn all about dinosaurs, or read fun and funny dinosaur themed books together.<br />
2. Have smaller children act like dinosaurs. What do the meat-eaters act like? What about herbivores?<br />
3. Watch a dinosaur movie.<br />
4. Make and decorate a volcano cake together.ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-56930622579946482392011-07-05T18:40:00.001-07:002011-07-05T18:40:31.434-07:00Squishy Fishy Featured on Fresh Living<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/htfIDyS2sI0" width="640"></iframe></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-22093262031940349982011-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:002011-06-30T11:33:39.554-07:00Squishy FishyWant a fun, simple summer project to do with the kids? Well, we have a project that you can make using ONLY items found right in your home!<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Introducing:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Squishy Fishy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">{Translation: a no-sew bean bag... that is much cuter/quirkier than a bean bag.}</div><br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690400.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690400.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
To get started, you'll need:<br />
Socks {new or used}<br />
Rice <br />
OR <br />
Dried beans <br />
OR<br />
Pea sized gravel<br />
...and that's it! <br />
<br />
We'll make a few decoration suggestions as we go, and you can pick and choose projects based on what other supplies you may or may not have.<br />
<br />
The most important thing is to have fun with your kids! At the end of this post, we have a few easy suggestions for games you can play with your squishy fishy bean bags.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690415.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690415.jpg" /></a><br />
Simply fill a sock with your filler of choice, tie the end off into a little tail {cut off the excess if it's a tube sock} and voila! You have yourself a bare-bones squishy fishy. Now, if you want to give it a little flair... read on!<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690440.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690440.jpg" /></a><br />
One step above bare bones, would be to bust out a few sharpie markers and give your squishy fishy a face, or some scales, or any fun design you can dream up.<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690437.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690437.jpg" /></a><br />
Another option is to draw designs with a black sharpie, then use Crayola Washable Watercolors to create a tie-dyed effect. {Simply take a paint brush, dip into the water and then the paint, and then blotch random patches of color into the white sock. The sock readily soaks up the watery-paint.} <br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690427.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690427.jpg" /></a><br />
For this squishy fishy, we used:<br />
A black sock<br />
Acrylic paints<br />
The eraser on the back of a pencil<br />
<br />
Just dip the eraser into the paint and use it to make the polka dots. Be sure and re-dip the eraser for each dot so the paint will show up nice and dark. Then glue on some googly eyes or buttons, and your fish is complete!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690422.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690422.jpg" /></a><br />
This Fishy? {Above}<br />
Old white sweat sock<br />
Acrylic Paint<br />
Paint Brush<br />
Googly Eyes<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690446.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690446.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And this fishy?<br />
Funky sock {Walmart}<br />
Silk flower<br />
Rhinestone<br />
Funky buttons<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/?action=view&current=P1690414.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/P1690414.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Now, to have a little fun with your squishy fishies, try one of the following simple games:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Toss Game</span></div>*Round up laundry baskets, pots, tupperware bowls and anything else you can think of.<br />
*Spread them out over the lawn.<br />
* Write different point values on paper plates and attach them to the "targets". {Higher point values should be assigned to smaller targets that are further away, while smaller point values are assigned to easier/larger targets.}<br />
* give each child a certain number of fish and then see how many points they can earn!<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hot Potato</span></div>*Pass a squishy fishy around in a circle as fast as you can to music.<br />
*When the music stops, the player stuck holding the fishy has to run a penalty lap around the circle.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fish Out Of Water</span></div>*Set a small blue object out in the yard, or at the far end of your living room. This object represents a pond. <br />
* Stand behind an established line on the opposite end of the yard or room.<br />
*Have each child take a turn tossing a squishy fishy across the room in an attempt to land it as close to the "water" as possible.<br />
*The child who lands their fishy closest to the pond wins.<br />
<br />
Any bean bag game your kids like to play will work just as well for your squishy fishies.<br />
So make some fun memories with your little ones today!ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-10295631822532501782011-06-18T20:36:00.001-07:002011-06-18T20:36:10.049-07:00Artsy Summer Fun<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OZ_vHrM6nj0" width="640"></iframe></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-57494460347649909102011-06-18T20:31:00.001-07:002011-06-18T20:31:59.938-07:00VIP Plate Video<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FaWrBRBeLdA" width="640"></iframe>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-2462067076410855692011-06-18T20:16:00.000-07:002011-06-18T20:16:01.988-07:00?<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SSB_GUmy0yM" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
Jenn and Laura hit the streets to get answers to some age old questions that have been plaguing the sexes for decades.ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-2358212202234637772011-06-16T21:03:00.000-07:002011-06-16T21:03:42.518-07:00Summer Bucket List<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="338" id="il_fi" src="http://runawayjuno.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bucket.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="319" /> </div><br />
<div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today we are putting together a </span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer Bucket List. </span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Have you heard of these?<br />
<br />
It's where you make a big old list about all of the awesome things you definitely want to do this summer, cut the list into strips, put the strips into a BUCKET, and draw out an activity a couple of times a week. <br />
<br />
Then you go and do whatever activity you pull! <br />
How genius is that? <br />
Love, love this idea. <br />
<br />
(If you aren't exactly the spontaneous type, and you need some extra time to pull your activity together, you can always pull the activity the night before so that you can plan for it. It's always fun for kids to have something to look forward to.)<br />
<br />
Here is the list of things that our family came up with: <br />
<br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">ALL DAY ACTIVITIES:</span><br />
Go to the Zoo<br />
Go to Discovery Gateway<br />
Go to the Aquarium<br />
Go to Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum<br />
Go to the Bean Museum<br />
Go to Seven Peaks Water Park<br />
Go to Lagoon<br />
<br />
<div style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: large;">HALF DAY ACTIVITIES:</span></div>Go Bowling<br />
Miniature Golf<br />
Go on a picnic<br />
Go to an outdoor movie<br />
Go out for ice cream<br />
Visit a new playground<br />
Visit a new playground<br />
Visit a new playground<br />
Go to the Art City Museum<br />
Go to an activity day at the library<br />
Visit Krispy Kreme<br />
Fire Station Tour<br />
Go to yard sales<br />
Camp<br />
Go berry picking<br />
Have an art party<br />
Roast marshmallows<br />
Have a backyard camp out<br />
Make popsicles<br />
Make s’mores<br />
Make wind chimes<br />
Go to the duck pond<br />
Go to the Reservoir<br />
Go to a fun Swimming Pool<br />
<br />
<div style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: large;">What activities are YOU going to be adding to your summer bucket list?</span></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-44289954336927790482011-06-15T17:30:00.000-07:002011-06-16T14:23:06.355-07:00fun with cookie cutters.Make lunch time interesting this summer with the help of your stash of cookie cutters. Kids love seeing their food take on different shapes and personalities, and hey, with an eater as picky as mine, it's all about doing what works. <br />
<br />
You can use cookie cutters to shape watermelon, jello, toast, and even your kiddo's PB&J. I used mine to make fun turkey and cheese sandwiches today and the kids loved it! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690263.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690263.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This crown cookie cutter is great for making your daughter princess for a day, and also would be fantastic to use when serving little sandwiches as a princess tea party. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690252.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690252.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690255.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690255.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Rooster toast was a hilarious addition to our breakfast table. {Goes great with eggs!} The toast pictured below has cinnamon and sugar and would serve as a great mid-morning snack! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690277.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690277.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Watermelon is fun, but messy, so you may want to "cookie-cut" your watermelon slices outdoors so kids can just have fun and won't have to worry about making a mess. Simply cut watermelon into large, round slices and dole them out to the kids. They can also carve their own designs with a butter knife for one of a kind creations!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/?action=view&current=P1690330.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/P1690330.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/?action=view&current=P1690335.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/P1690335.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/?action=view&current=P1690339.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20food/P1690339.jpg" /></a></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-71916249240608557602011-06-15T13:20:00.000-07:002011-06-15T13:41:59.491-07:00Summer Art<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690223.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690223.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Looking for something unique and creative to do with your kids during these long summer days?<br />
Get<i><b> artsy </b></i>with these fun ideas:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Art picnic in the park:</span></div>1. Go to your local library and check out books about all different kinds of artists.<br />
2. Pack a small picnic with snacks, art supplies, easel, art books, and a blanket.<br />
3. Go through the art books with your kids. Teach them {briefly} about the impressionist and abstract styles using examples from artists like Monet and Picasso. <br />
4. Encourage your kids to try creating a painting using the styles they have just learned about:<br />
<br />
What would this duck pond look like if it was painted by Monet?<br />
Can you make a self portrait in the style of Picasso?<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sidewalk Chalk:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690231.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690231.jpg" /></a></div>Take to the driveway and let your kids' imaginations run wild with a little help from mom and dad. Ask questions like:<br />
<br />
1. What would you look like if you had the hands and feet of a giant?<br />
2. How many different kinds of bugs can you draw?<br />
3. Can you draw the four seasons?<br />
4. If you were a superhero, what would you look like? What would your powers be? Can you draw a picture of you using your powers for good?<br />
5. Can you make up a game we can play on the drive way? What are the rules?<br />
<br />
{Of course, these exercises can be done with markers, crayons, paints etc. Use whatever medium your children prefer, or try all sorts of different ones to find out what they like best!}<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">{Sidewalk chalk art ~ in the style of Monet.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690236.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690236.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/?action=view&current=P1690248.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/kid%20activities/P1690248.jpg" /></a></div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-44946994787645689722011-06-02T11:43:00.000-07:002011-06-18T20:05:52.640-07:00VIP Plate<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Enter to win a FREE marker plate kit!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: cyan;">Update: And the winner is... Rayburn Memories!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: small;">{we will be contacting you via email for mailing information.}</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">{Details at the bottom of this post.}<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tl8rSbk3gQU" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680802.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680802.jpg" /></a></div><br />
As two VERY busy moms ourselves, we know that parents today are swamped. So our goal here at ifamily is to bring you simple, creative projects and ideas that are achievable within small increments of time while also using supplies that are easy to access.<br />
<br />
In keeping with that theme, today we’re going to share a wonderful family tradition in the making, and all you need to get started, is a plate!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680715.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680715.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680700.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680700.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680717.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680717.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680698.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These days, parents are busier than ever. We have jobs, errands, sporting events, dance classes, birthday parties, school projects, and “TO DO” lists that are NOT for the faint of heart. With all of this hustle and bustle, we sometimes struggle to find time to connect with our kids and make sure that they feel special and celebrated when they experience even the smallest victories. </div><br />
That’s where the VIP plate comes in. But how does a simple plate serve to bring your family closer together?<br />
The VIP plate provides a daily opportunity to celebrate your child’s accomplishments, and reminds frazzled, busy parents everywhere to slow down and celebrate the small things.<br />
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The premise is simple. When one of your children accomplishes a goal or makes a good choice, they get to use the VIP plate that night at dinner. From being a good sport at their ball games, to working hard in school, or even showing kindness to a sibling and completing a task the first time mom asks, there are dozens of small things to celebrate every day. And take it from us, this small gesture WON’T go unappreciated.<br />
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We wanted to share this tradition with you because both of us have nostalgic, happy “VIP plate” memories from our childhoods. The VIP plate truly is a tradition that your kids will remember fondly for years to come.<br />
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And the best part is, it’s so simple that many of you can start this tradition by dinner tonight. <br />
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There are no rules when it comes to acquiring your family’s VIP plate. If you’re an avid crafter, you can easily design and create your own!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Glass Etching</span> <br />
<b>You’ll need:</b><br />
a clear glass plate<br />
a paintbrush<br />
contact brand vinyl {but we have a cheat if you want to use a stencil you already own}<br />
a jar of glass etching cream<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680805.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680805.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Cut out the stencil letters and any designs you plan to use, then use Elmer's Glue {our "cheat" item}to secure them onto your plate. {You don't need to let it dry AT ALL! In fact it need to be wet so you can rinse it away after the etching process is complete. We just didn't want to splurge on contact vinyl {because we're cheap}so we used the Elmer's Glue as a sealer to keep the etching cream from bleeding outside the lines of the stencil.<br />
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Once your stencil letters and designs are secure, take your paint brush and stroke a heavy layer of etching cream over the stencil.<br />
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Let it stand for five minutes, and then rinse with regular tap water.<br />
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{Don't touch the cream with your bare hands! It will eat the skin right off of your fingers!} <br />
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As always, follow the specific instructions on whatever bottle of etching cream you purchase.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Marker Plate</span><br />
Another great idea is a marker plate. This one is so simple and safe that your kids can help. {That is, if you're the carefree sort...} You can find kits for these at just about any craft store. Draw, design, and let it dry, and you’ve got a one of a kind celebration plate for your family.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680700.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680700.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Another fun take on this theme is to let each child design their own plate, OR have mom and dad design special plates for each child with hand-drawn images of their interests and favorite things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thrift Store</span><br />
And if you don’t have a crafty bone in your body – don’t sweat it. You can still have a special V.I.P. Plate ready by dinner time tonight. Just visit your local thrift store and pick up the brightest, funkiest plate you can find. That way, it will be different from the rest of the dish sets you have at home, and shouldn’t cost you more than a dollar or two. You can even use something unique out of your own kitchen cupboards. <br />
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<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1680698.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1680698.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Online</span><br />
You can also purchase a "You're the Best" plate<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><b style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/youre-the-best-celebration-plate">here. </a></b><br />
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<div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><a class="rednav lightbox-enabled" href="http://images.cloud.worthpoint.com/wpimages/images/images1/1/0408/21/1_b92cf46ea668edee63bf796769850fb3.jpg" rel="lightbox[39514124] nofollow" title="YOU'RE THE BEST - CELEBRATION PLATE"> <img align="center" alt="eBay Image 1 YOU'RE THE BEST - CELEBRATION PLATE" height="200" src="http://worthopedia.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnails2/1/0408/21/1_b92cf46ea668edee63bf796769850fb3.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(116, 107, 107); padding: 2px;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: cyan;"><br />
Zoom (2) </div><div style="color: cyan;"><br />
</div>So try incorporating the VIP plate into your family traditions today.<br />
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And you don't <b>have</b> to call it a "VIP" plate either.<br />
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“You’re the Best!”<br />
“You are Special.”<br />
“Good for you!”<br />
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or any other encouraging saying will work great!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enter to win a free marker plate kit!</span><br />
*For ONE entry, leave a comment complete with your email address.<br />
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* For THREE entries, share this post on facebook. {It's super simple, the little "f" icon thingy is right below!}<br />
*Leave a separate comment for each entry.<br />
*Don't forget your email address, and good luck!ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-35453882491181841362011-05-12T11:06:00.000-07:002011-06-02T11:07:49.062-07:00Five Things to do with a Sheet.<div style="text-align: center;">It's <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strike>rainy</strike> inversion day activity time, folks!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because rainy? Not so much.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But sunny with a 99% chance of toxic haze? You betcha! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So here are <span style="font-size: x-large;">5 </span>are <span style="font-size: large;">inversion day</span> activities to do with your little ones using </div><div style="text-align: center;">ONE </div><div style="text-align: center;">simple item that every household has:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A sheet. That's right.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A sheet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we go!</div><br />
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<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily2.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#1 Build a fort! </span><br />
This is one of Kortland's all-time favorite things.<br />
At his insistence, his fort was made with his comforter, but you could totally use a sheet.<br />
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<b>Some additional ways to enjoy your sheet fort are:</b><br />
a. Watch a movie in there! Kort loves to build them in the living room and watch cartoons from their openings.<br />
b. Have lunch in your fort.<br />
c. Encourage your child to take stuffed animals and toys in there. They can role play being a little family, OR hold a session of school in the "school house" {a.k.a. fort, *wink, wink*}<br />
d. Have a tea party.<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily3.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#2 Make a sheet hammock.</span><br />
Kort loved this!<br />
The hubs and I nearly threw our backs out trying to satiate his ravenous hammock swinging hunger!<br />
With little ones, make sure you keep it "low and slow" so if there are any tumbles out of the sheet, they only fall a few inches. Also, watch out for furniture - play in an open space!<br />
This is a great activity for when dad gets home.<br />
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15 minutes of your time, and your kiddos will think they have died and gone to heaven!<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily4.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#3 Blow Bubbles!</span><br />
Blowing bubbles has been STRICTLY an outdoor/summer activity at our house... until now! If you cover your carpet and furniture with sheets - you can let loose and blow bubbles all the live long day. Kort was REALLY excited to demonstrate this one for all of you!<br />
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You can also blow them in the bath tub, if you're not looking forward to the soapy sheet laundry...<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily5.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#4 Have a picnic!</span><br />
This doesn't have to be a major production.<br />
Stick a couple of snacks {fruit leather, crackers, gold fishes, cheerios} in IKEA bowls and let 'em have at it. Kort asks to have picnics roughly...EVERY day. So it's a treat, and can make even something small feel special. <br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=ifamily6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/ifamily6.jpg" /></a><br />
Another variation on the "sheet picnic" is to have a popcorn party.<br />
Set an air popper {if you have one} in the center of the sheet, and pop a batch of popcorn WITHOUT the guards on. Popcorn flies everywhere and your little ones will get a huge kick out of it.<br />
They can pretend they are animals {puppies, goats, frogs...?} and crawl {or hop}around eating the popcorn off of the clean sheet.<br />
<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/?action=view&current=P1650117.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/HousewifeonFire/ifamily/P1650117.jpg" /></a><br />
The final idea is {not pictured, but that is my FAVORITE picture of Tennyson CRACKING up!} but it is:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#5 Sheet parachute!</span><br />
You all know this one. They are awesome {and sort of hard to photograph}.<br />
Get a BIG sheet, throw it up in the air, dive under it and pull the sides down around you. Now, sheets don't hold air the way that those awesome REAL parachutes do, but your little ones won't mind. Believe me, if they've got their mom laughing and diving onto the floor with them, they are going to be happy.<br />
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So, there you have it!<br />
5 things to do with a sheet.<br />
Did I miss something?<br />
What cool things do YOU do with sheets?ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402579411967105230.post-87922901890177777052010-12-01T11:11:00.000-08:002011-06-02T11:13:32.631-07:00Christmas Bucket List.<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac30/thelolaletters2/Crafts/?action=view&current=P1630924.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac30/thelolaletters2/Crafts/P1630924.jpg" /></a><br />
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The Christmas Season comes and goes SO QUICKLY and it's easy to lose track of time. It seems like the holidays always end well before we get the chance to do all of the Christmas-y things that we had "good intentions" of doing. Well, NOT THIS YEAR! We've put together a Christmas Bucket List to keep us on track.<br />
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</div>To make the bucket list, we simply typed up all of the activities we wanted to be sure that we do, printed them out, cut them apart, folded each separate piece and put them all in a Christmas-themed Bucket. Now, we draw out a paper every day, or every other day, depending on how many activities we have to do within the time allotted.<br />
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If it is a big activity that needs extra planning, we do it within 3 days of drawing it out. For instance, Kort drew out "Have a cookie decorating party." We needed time to make invitations and get them out to friends, so it is scheduled for this Wednesday. We're going to decorate cookies and make Christmas puppets. I'm really excited! This is exactly the sort of thing I would have put off until it was too late. I LOVE bucket lists!<br />
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<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac30/thelolaletters2/Crafts/?action=view&current=P1630936.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac30/thelolaletters2/Crafts/P1630936.jpg" /></a><br />
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Another fun approach is to slide a slip of paper into the slots in your advent calendar instead of using a bucket. This gives you a two in one. Each day, when kids mark the countdown, they can also get a bucket list assignment. <br />
My good friend, Natasha, came by for a visit last week and was lovely enough to brainstorm with me. Here are some ideas we came up with:<br />
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1. Straw for Baby Jesus (At the very start of the month, set out an empty nativity and challenge your children to fill it with straw for Jesus' bed by Christmas Eve. They earn a piece of straw {raffia or cut up yellow paper} by doing a good deed. The more good deeds that go on in your home, the softer Baby Jesus' bed will be when you lay him in the manger on Christmas Eve.) *I LOVED this one.<br />
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2. Build a snowman, and make a snowman kit.<br />
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3. Wrap up a bunch of your Christmas books and put them under the tree. Have a few of the bucket list days say "Unwrap and read a Christmas book together"<br />
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4. Pop popcorn and watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"<br />
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5. Pop popcorn and watch "A Christmas Story"<br />
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6. Make reindeer food (Granola and magic glitter and anything else you want to put in it) then put it in individual bags for all of your children, {labeled "reindeer food" of course} save it, and then sprinkle it all over the yard on Christmas Eve. {Make sure the kiddos understand that it won't ALL be gone in the morning because reindeer just nibble a little at each house!}That oughtta save you some clean up!<br />
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7. Have a family snowball fight.<br />
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8. Go sledding.<br />
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9. Do a family "secret service santa" day. Draw names in the morning and do good deeds anonymously throughout the day.<br />
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10. Go caroling with friends. Come home and have chili and hot chocolate.<br />
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11. Assemble and deliver neighbor gifts.<br />
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12. Have a Christmas Cookie Party!<br />
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13. Decorate a fun cake (have everyone help) and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Then have everyone in the family give a gift (of service/love to others) to Jesus.<br />
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14. Have an elf treasure hunt. At the end of it, kids can find their new Christmas pajamas.<br />
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15. Drive around and look at Christmas lights, or go to a fun light festival in your area.<br />
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16. Make gingerbread houses.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZSM5F-S3fY/TP1j-Z1o3mI/AAAAAAAAADg/w9FHA_2vxXE/s1600/P1630230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZSM5F-S3fY/TP1j-Z1o3mI/AAAAAAAAADg/w9FHA_2vxXE/s640/P1630230.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZSM5F-S3fY/TP1j_-Rw4TI/AAAAAAAAADk/NMbqKy32q5M/s1600/P1630234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZSM5F-S3fY/TP1j_-Rw4TI/AAAAAAAAADk/NMbqKy32q5M/s640/P1630234.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. How exciting is it that you can make a stinkin' cute Christmas tree card with strips of brown paper, and green polka dot paper cut into simple triangles? I love how these turned out and they only took about an hour from beginning to end. {This includes a LOT of time spent designing the font and layout of the info in Word.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have any awesome Christmas Activities your family loves? I'm all ears. My bucket list could stand to have a few additions! </div>ifamilydoyouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160990562794399514noreply@blogger.com0