We're nearing the end of our romp around Summer, so I'm picking some dandies for the next ten days. I hope you enjoy them!
MONDAY - water play day! The rains have stopped here temporarily, and the boys have been wanting some water time. I'm not quite ready to run the sprinklers on our already saturated yard, so instead we're using squirt bottles. Just take regular squirt bottles, load and go. They're easier to use than water guns and far more effective! Ready, aim, SOAK!
TUESDAY - Time to get busy in the kitchen. My older son LOVES to make jell-o, so we're going to be whipping some up today. Make it more exciting by pouring fresh fruit chunks (or canned, drained fruit cocktail) into the mix about an hour after refrigeration. Another suggestion is to mix it with Cool Whip and a hand mixer after about 90 minutes...we call it fluff!
WEDNESDAY - LIBRARY DAY! We have to turn in our Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows today (sigh). We're still in book 4, so it was just a status thing to check it out anyway. After our library visit, we're heading home and doing matinee morning...a movie and popcorn snack before lunch! Who's up for Toy Story today?
THURSDAY - We definitely need to get out of the house, so we're taking our bikes to the local park today. We love to ride bikes and we love to go to the park so we're combining them today! And if it is raining today where you are, how about sending some lovin' through a little Monk-e-Mail today? My boys LOVE sending this to Daddy at work and the grandparents as well!
FRIDAY - Time for a family game night! We're pulling out Uno, Connect Four, and Monopoly Junior. The TV is off and the games are out! Hope you join us for the same!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
WEEK 8
MONDAY - Sand pictures (from Parenting magazine, July 2007): Draw or doodle on study colored paper with glue. Then flip over the picture and press into the sand, turn back over and shake off the excess. Glue on shells, feathers, or other natural finds to add to the creation! What a great way to use the sand box in an artful way!
TUESDAY - Ice cream sandwiches! I got this little ditty from (again) my July issue of Parenting magazine: "Scoop ice cream onto a chocolate chip cookie. Top with another cookie and press lightly to spread (for extra sweetness, roll the sandwhich on its side in mini-candies or sprinkles). Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for a couple of hours. Remove. Let soften ten minutes and serve. YUM!!!
WEDNESDAY - Library day! Find some great nonfiction books on native plants for your area! Remember those flowers we pressed last week? Time to make them into a scrapbook! You can either make a simple book by stapling paper together or construction paper, or you can buy an inexpensive spiral scrapbook that would make a great nature book, too! Identify your flowers, and either glue them on the pages with their name or mount them with tape. We may even create clear pockets to store them so they can be taken out and looked at in the future!
THURSDAY - MOVIE DAY - we're hitting the theater today, finding a good matinee and settling in with a Sprite and a box of popcorn. No movie in your area you want to see? Rent one at your local video store, or add one to your own collection at home with the purchase of that great family movie you've been wanting to see. Then, pull out the popcorn and the pillows! Enjoy!
FRIDAY - Star gazing - no, we're not going to California! It is going to be a great night, so we're staying up late and doing a little star gazing. We don't have a telescope, so we'll be using binoculars to magnify the sky. Travis has a great little book on constellations, and if you can't find anything like that at your house, try searching the Internet for good information. Check here and here!
TUESDAY - Ice cream sandwiches! I got this little ditty from (again) my July issue of Parenting magazine: "Scoop ice cream onto a chocolate chip cookie. Top with another cookie and press lightly to spread (for extra sweetness, roll the sandwhich on its side in mini-candies or sprinkles). Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for a couple of hours. Remove. Let soften ten minutes and serve. YUM!!!
WEDNESDAY - Library day! Find some great nonfiction books on native plants for your area! Remember those flowers we pressed last week? Time to make them into a scrapbook! You can either make a simple book by stapling paper together or construction paper, or you can buy an inexpensive spiral scrapbook that would make a great nature book, too! Identify your flowers, and either glue them on the pages with their name or mount them with tape. We may even create clear pockets to store them so they can be taken out and looked at in the future!
THURSDAY - MOVIE DAY - we're hitting the theater today, finding a good matinee and settling in with a Sprite and a box of popcorn. No movie in your area you want to see? Rent one at your local video store, or add one to your own collection at home with the purchase of that great family movie you've been wanting to see. Then, pull out the popcorn and the pillows! Enjoy!
FRIDAY - Star gazing - no, we're not going to California! It is going to be a great night, so we're staying up late and doing a little star gazing. We don't have a telescope, so we'll be using binoculars to magnify the sky. Travis has a great little book on constellations, and if you can't find anything like that at your house, try searching the Internet for good information. Check here and here!
Monday, July 16, 2007
WEEK 7
MONDAY - Time to do a bit of baking - pizza style! I'm giving each child a lump of cold pizza dough (thank you Pillsbury for making the tube o dough!). They are going to flatten it (hands or a potato masher or a rolling pin work well), baste with butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Easy and good - FOR DESSERT!
TUESDAY - Let's get buggy! I'm actually letting the kids get on MY computer today (eeks!) and go to www.bartlettparkdistrict.com/activities/activities-build-a-bug.asp to build a BUG! Then we're going to go hunt some of our own!
WEDNESDAY - Library day - don't forget! Time to press some flowers today, too. A lot of my plants are feeling the strain of the summer heat, so we're going to preserve their beauty to enjoy later on. Pick your favorite flowers, then press them in the pages of a heavy book between pieces of wax paper. Leave them for about a week or two, then pull them out and mount them in a cool nature scrapbook you can make with your child! Check back next week for details!
THURSDAY - Lava! One of my favorite simple science demonstrations is the baking soda and vinegar trick. We're making a volcanot out of our old playdough today (if you use playdough, be aware that it will be unusable after this), then we're packing some baking soda into the hole we'll put in the top and adding some vinegar - watch the lava flow! Tint your vinegar red for a more realistic effect.
FRIDAY - YER OUT! We live so close to several minor league teams, we are getting out to see one tonight! Get ready for some hot dogs, popcorn, lots of cheering and a great time. Don't forget your glove!
TUESDAY - Let's get buggy! I'm actually letting the kids get on MY computer today (eeks!) and go to www.bartlettparkdistrict.com/activities/activities-build-a-bug.asp to build a BUG! Then we're going to go hunt some of our own!
WEDNESDAY - Library day - don't forget! Time to press some flowers today, too. A lot of my plants are feeling the strain of the summer heat, so we're going to preserve their beauty to enjoy later on. Pick your favorite flowers, then press them in the pages of a heavy book between pieces of wax paper. Leave them for about a week or two, then pull them out and mount them in a cool nature scrapbook you can make with your child! Check back next week for details!
THURSDAY - Lava! One of my favorite simple science demonstrations is the baking soda and vinegar trick. We're making a volcanot out of our old playdough today (if you use playdough, be aware that it will be unusable after this), then we're packing some baking soda into the hole we'll put in the top and adding some vinegar - watch the lava flow! Tint your vinegar red for a more realistic effect.
FRIDAY - YER OUT! We live so close to several minor league teams, we are getting out to see one tonight! Get ready for some hot dogs, popcorn, lots of cheering and a great time. Don't forget your glove!
Monday, July 9, 2007
WEEK 6
MONDAY - Take a picnic, and after all the rain we've had, we're ready for a day out in the sun! What could be better than spreading out a big blanket on the grass and lazing around with some fruit, a few sandwiches and some potato salad? The food just tastes better outside, and the kids will be thrilled to get to do something "different". And, picnics aren't just for lunch - why not do dinner outside as well? At least the crumbs on the floor are much easier to deal with! You don't have to go far, either...the front or back yard will work just as well as your local park.
TUESDAY - Working on letters - letter-writing that is! Put the names of relatives in a bowl, everyone draws a name, and then write a letter (or draw a picture) for the recipient! Have the kids address the envelopes and stamp them, and if you have the chance to take them to the post office, let them actually put them in the slot to mail!
WEDNESDAY - Make a movie! My kids love the fact that my digital camera can shoot movies, so that's what we're doing today! I'm going to let the 7 year old have at it in whatever genre he chooses...fiction, news, documentary, sports...its time to broadcast! The 2 year old will have a blast, too, but we're not going to even begin to figure out exactly what he's doing! Don't forget the library, too!
THURSDAY - Time to change that answering machine/voice mail recording, and what could be cuter than the kids on the recording? They'll love "practicing" and doing it over and over until they get it "just right"!
FRIDAY - Tired of wearing the same old clothes each day? Let's change them! Pick an old t-shirt and decorate away with paint, markers, iron-ons, fabric, scissors (think muscle shirt! HA). If nothing else, you've killed a few moments in the day, and if you're lucky, you'll come out with something that still might be wearable!
TUESDAY - Working on letters - letter-writing that is! Put the names of relatives in a bowl, everyone draws a name, and then write a letter (or draw a picture) for the recipient! Have the kids address the envelopes and stamp them, and if you have the chance to take them to the post office, let them actually put them in the slot to mail!
WEDNESDAY - Make a movie! My kids love the fact that my digital camera can shoot movies, so that's what we're doing today! I'm going to let the 7 year old have at it in whatever genre he chooses...fiction, news, documentary, sports...its time to broadcast! The 2 year old will have a blast, too, but we're not going to even begin to figure out exactly what he's doing! Don't forget the library, too!
THURSDAY - Time to change that answering machine/voice mail recording, and what could be cuter than the kids on the recording? They'll love "practicing" and doing it over and over until they get it "just right"!
FRIDAY - Tired of wearing the same old clothes each day? Let's change them! Pick an old t-shirt and decorate away with paint, markers, iron-ons, fabric, scissors (think muscle shirt! HA). If nothing else, you've killed a few moments in the day, and if you're lucky, you'll come out with something that still might be wearable!
Monday, July 2, 2007
WEEK 5
MONDAY - Craft day! Yes, my boys LOVE craft day with mom, which is why it is amazing I don't do it more often! This week, the United States celebrates her independence with a huge celebration, so we will be getting ready for it today with a couple of crafts - a pinwheel craft and a windsock. What other crafts can you think of to create?
TUESDAY - What's a celebration without food? Today, my boys will be making hamburger cookies and easy apple pie for us to eat and share tomorrow!
WEDNESDAY - I love a parade day! Let's decorate those scooters and bikes and have a parade down the street! Or, if your town has a fourth of July parade, join in the festivities!
THURSDAY - All that celebrating has left us pooped, but not too pooped to bowl! Bowling is on tap for today, and if you don't live near a bowling alley, why not make one of your own? All you need are a few water bottles and ball! We're heading to the library today, too!
FRIDAY - Strike up the band! We're turning on the radio today, making a few homemade instruments (even a whisk makes a mighty fine guitar!) and having a concert. Bring out the budding artists in your family!
TUESDAY - What's a celebration without food? Today, my boys will be making hamburger cookies and easy apple pie for us to eat and share tomorrow!
WEDNESDAY - I love a parade day! Let's decorate those scooters and bikes and have a parade down the street! Or, if your town has a fourth of July parade, join in the festivities!
THURSDAY - All that celebrating has left us pooped, but not too pooped to bowl! Bowling is on tap for today, and if you don't live near a bowling alley, why not make one of your own? All you need are a few water bottles and ball! We're heading to the library today, too!
FRIDAY - Strike up the band! We're turning on the radio today, making a few homemade instruments (even a whisk makes a mighty fine guitar!) and having a concert. Bring out the budding artists in your family!
Monday, June 25, 2007
WEEK 4
MONDAY - Budding Artist day - remember that fence we "painted" a few weeks ago? Time to fill that blank canvas! Sidewalk chalk is cheap - $1 for a bucket of chalk at our Wal Mart (eek! Not that I go there or anything!), and a dollar is a GREAT investment for a morning's worth of artistic fun! We love to run along the fence with our chalk, making a huge line from one end to the other.
TUESDAY - I love IHOP, but do I really want to GO there with two kids by myself? Um, no. So, we're bringing IHOP here! Prepare to whip it up in the kitchen with homemade pancakes, a can of whipped topping, chocolate chips, sliced and diced fruit and tons of syrup and butter. What could be better?
WEDNESDAY - Scavenger Hunt! Tis time to whip out the creative juices and go foraging for random objects! You can make your own to fit the availability of items in your area - list about 20 random things. I have done indoor (from a particular canned food to a dust bunny) and outdoor (roly polys to hydrangea petals). This is great to do on a playdate. Give each child a sack and a list and send them on their merry way. We set boundaries of our yard and the neighbors' yard (since that's usually who is over here). Keep their bags of goodies for tomorrow's idea (which is why a nature scavenger hunt is usually best)...and don't forget the library!
THURSDAY - Make a collage! Take the items you found yesterday and arrange them on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard to make a design or a picture. Even if you didn't do the scavenger hunt yesterday, you can still gather some interesting items and do this!
FRIDAY - SPRINKLER DAY! Pull out the sprinkler, turn on the slip-n-slide, or blast off the hose - whatever you have, make it a water day in the backyard today! The kids will cool off and have fun, and the yard will get a nice drink as well.
TUESDAY - I love IHOP, but do I really want to GO there with two kids by myself? Um, no. So, we're bringing IHOP here! Prepare to whip it up in the kitchen with homemade pancakes, a can of whipped topping, chocolate chips, sliced and diced fruit and tons of syrup and butter. What could be better?
WEDNESDAY - Scavenger Hunt! Tis time to whip out the creative juices and go foraging for random objects! You can make your own to fit the availability of items in your area - list about 20 random things. I have done indoor (from a particular canned food to a dust bunny) and outdoor (roly polys to hydrangea petals). This is great to do on a playdate. Give each child a sack and a list and send them on their merry way. We set boundaries of our yard and the neighbors' yard (since that's usually who is over here). Keep their bags of goodies for tomorrow's idea (which is why a nature scavenger hunt is usually best)...and don't forget the library!
THURSDAY - Make a collage! Take the items you found yesterday and arrange them on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard to make a design or a picture. Even if you didn't do the scavenger hunt yesterday, you can still gather some interesting items and do this!
FRIDAY - SPRINKLER DAY! Pull out the sprinkler, turn on the slip-n-slide, or blast off the hose - whatever you have, make it a water day in the backyard today! The kids will cool off and have fun, and the yard will get a nice drink as well.
Monday, June 18, 2007
WEEK 3
MONDAY: Bubble day! My kids have gotten bottles of bubbles this past year for just about every birthday party attended and stocking stuffed...we have TONS of bubble solution! And, today it will all come in handy! You can do something as simple as sitting outside and blowing bubbles (I do not recommend inside bubbles as the soap is like a dirt magnet and will make dark, dirty spots on your carpet!) with the prebought kind, or you can make a solution like this on your own and create your own bubble wands with chenille stems. Or, do like I'm going to do and sit in front of a fan with the bubble wand and let the fan do the blowing!
TUESDAY: Decorate a cookie day! Time to whip out that tube of sugar cookie dough (because with two boys underfoot, I don't have time to put together the homemade kind!), a tub of frosting and some sprinkles. Goodness knows I've got sprinkles - from Christmas, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter...time to use them! After we decorate them, we're going to share a few with the older neighbors around us.
WEDNESDAY: Clean a room day! Oh yeah, you know my kids will LOVE this one, but really, we need to clean! So, we're going to tackle their end of the house and clean the bathroom, the playroom and the bedroom. I'm putting the 7 year old in charge of the swiffer and the 2 year old in charge of the feather duster! And, don't forget to stop by the library if you're participating in your reading club!
THURSDAY: Write your own story day - I love this activity, and it works so well now that my kids have their own digital cameras. Disposable cameras work well, too! With my older son, I'm going to have him take about 8 - 10 pictures around the house of things that interest him (I'm guessing his scooter and a Harry Potter movie will be in there somewhere!). Once you have the photos (we print them at home), then you put them into a book - Travis will then write a story for each of them or write about the pictures themselves. When my brother and I were younger (MUCH MUCH YOUNGER), I took pictures of him and a friend posing in different "scenes" from a story I was writing and those were my illustrations...that is going to be a bit too advanced for a 7 year old, though! With Tyler, I'm going to just let him go with a few pictures he takes and color the rest of the pages. Their books are simply stapled together printer paper, or you can get those blank books at your local dollar store. And, if you don't want to do the photo idea, then don't!
FRIDAY: Pajama day - we so need this today! I've done all my errands all week, so we're staying home in our jammies today. Laziness prevails - no cooking! And, while we're in our jammies, I think it is time to do a bit of closet - purging...time to go through clothes and see if there's anything we need to weed out!
TUESDAY: Decorate a cookie day! Time to whip out that tube of sugar cookie dough (because with two boys underfoot, I don't have time to put together the homemade kind!), a tub of frosting and some sprinkles. Goodness knows I've got sprinkles - from Christmas, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter...time to use them! After we decorate them, we're going to share a few with the older neighbors around us.
WEDNESDAY: Clean a room day! Oh yeah, you know my kids will LOVE this one, but really, we need to clean! So, we're going to tackle their end of the house and clean the bathroom, the playroom and the bedroom. I'm putting the 7 year old in charge of the swiffer and the 2 year old in charge of the feather duster! And, don't forget to stop by the library if you're participating in your reading club!
THURSDAY: Write your own story day - I love this activity, and it works so well now that my kids have their own digital cameras. Disposable cameras work well, too! With my older son, I'm going to have him take about 8 - 10 pictures around the house of things that interest him (I'm guessing his scooter and a Harry Potter movie will be in there somewhere!). Once you have the photos (we print them at home), then you put them into a book - Travis will then write a story for each of them or write about the pictures themselves. When my brother and I were younger (MUCH MUCH YOUNGER), I took pictures of him and a friend posing in different "scenes" from a story I was writing and those were my illustrations...that is going to be a bit too advanced for a 7 year old, though! With Tyler, I'm going to just let him go with a few pictures he takes and color the rest of the pages. Their books are simply stapled together printer paper, or you can get those blank books at your local dollar store. And, if you don't want to do the photo idea, then don't!
FRIDAY: Pajama day - we so need this today! I've done all my errands all week, so we're staying home in our jammies today. Laziness prevails - no cooking! And, while we're in our jammies, I think it is time to do a bit of closet - purging...time to go through clothes and see if there's anything we need to weed out!
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