Boredom Busters: Banana Tattoos

21

04.7.12

INSTRUCTIONS:

Trace the banana shape onto paper.
Draw something within that shape.
Cut out the shape and tape it onto the banana.
Use a pin, or thumb tack, to poke the skin of the banana.
Wait. The image will slowly appear, kind of like a Polaroid image.

With the constant rain here on the west coast, I’ve been searching for ideas to keep the kids occupied indoors. This one was great because it kept their attention for at least a half hour, and they would happily do it again with different images!

Thanks to Cindy for the inspiration! I instantly thought, “The kids would LOVE this!” I hope you know someone that might like it too!

And for those of you that want to take it to the next level, check out this video to see some pretty amazing banana tattoos!

Family Time

11

22.6.12

We had a family photo shoot last night with the lovely and talented Rachel of Rachel Ray Photography! I thought I’d share a few! I love how she’s captured us laughing, since we do a lot of that! I feel so incredibly blessed to have these guys in my life. If you’re curious, Rachel has posted a bunch on her blog.

I’m heading to this little guy’s preschool graduation today! (Oh no! Possible change of plans – he just woke up with a fever!!)

I’m going to go play nursemaid now, so I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite posts from around the web lately:

Lisa’s post about this clever jewellery you can design with Meshu.
I laughed hard at Sara’s second confession this week!
I missed the contest, but love this book idea!

Have a great weekend!

A New Fence!

12

20.6.12

This is our fourth summer in this house and I finally feel like we’re making some real headway! I just had to share this progress pic!

Last year Jason (aka husband extraordinaire) took down that big sun-blocking tree, and now everything is flourishing because there is sunshine in our backyard again! So far this year we’ve finished extending the patio and now have a new fence! A huge difference, don’t you think?!

Jason is finishing up building the garden box in that top corner so we can plant veggies this year, and we’re working our way SLOWLY out of that corner to tackle the rest of our landscaping plans. It’s amazing how a simple thing like a fence can make me fall in love with our yard!

Are you tackling any landscaping projects this year? Is your list of things to replace as long as ours?!

California Dreamin’

13

20.4.12

After a great time in Palm Desert with the in laws, we headed to Carlsbad to visit Legoland. We knew the boys were going to have a great time, but what surprised me was how much I enjoyed the trip! We decided to stay near the beach, not near Legoland. It was the right decision!

Downtown Carlsbad is charming. From our condo we were able to walk to shops & restaurants, and the beach was right across the street! The Naked Cafe is a must for breakfast or lunch. And you can eat in their beautiful courtyard! Also, Paradise Pizza is a hidden gem, with amazing pizza. Both of these places have gluten free options, which is part of why we loved them so!

I researched accommodations in Carlsbad for quite a while, and decided on Carlbad Inn Beach Resort Condominiums. If you’re going to head down to Legoland and still want some beach time, pool time and a kitchen so you can make some meals… this is the place!

I’m reminiscing about our holiday because it’s mostly rain in Vancouver lately. It makes me want to jump on a plane again! How about you? Have you been anywhere warm this year? Maybe we’ll all get some sun this weekend! Regardless, have a good one!

You know you love your kids when…

12

09.4.12

My oldest son came home with a Scholastic book order pleading to buy “fish”. Until that moment I had never heard of triops before. Have you?! Well, I said yes, but let me just say that these things are NOT fish. They are truly creepy prehistoric seamonsters. I’m not-so-secretly happy that the life span of these “pets” in 60 – 90 days. If I’ve tempted you to run out and buy some of these, I wouldn’t suggest this specific set. The plastic tank supplied is tall and narrow, and barely stands upright. I fear that the tank will wait until the triops are at their largest and grossest before it decides to fall over… I had better not be home when that happens. 😉

How about you? Do you have any creepy pets hanging around your house?

Happy Easter

10

07.4.12

Jason is such a great husband for me and father to the boys. He sets a good example for the boys with his loving gestures, like the tulips he brought home last week! I filled the base of the vase with rocks that flew home with us from California. I love how they remind me of sun and sand and holidays.

Last year, a couple of days after Easter, I woke to find this little note and eggs on top of my computer, left by my then six year old. So sweet! He has watched his dad leave notes throughout the house before he goes out of town and now he’s following in his footsteps. I’m looking forward to treating the boys to some chocolate of their own on Sunday morning.

I’m so excited to have a four day weekend! In addition to heading to church to celebrate true love, and the various family feasts, we’ll also be touring Home Depot to complete some projects around the house. What are you up to this weekend? Hope it’s a good one!

California

5

25.3.12

Wow, a week since my last post! Time is flying! We were hanging out poolside with the in-laws in sunny Palm Desert, and are now roaming the beaches just outside of San Diego! The grande finale is tomorrow… Legoland! The boys are beyond excited. I’m just hoping that it doesn’t rain, because I neglected to pack much in the way of water proof shoes for our trip!

I hope you all enjoyed your Spring Break! If you missed the Spring Break DIY series I posted last week you can find them here, here, here and here. Bye for now! I’ll see you later this week!

Spring Break DIY: Milk Art

156

17.3.12

Science & Art swirled up into one! This is my favorite project yet, and the last in the series! A huge thank you to Shannon (A Mom’s Year) for suggesting this art project. I was eager to try it, and I’m excited to share it with you!

All you need for this project is the following:

1. A plate 2. Milk (2% or higher) 3. Food Coloring 4. Dish Soap (That’s it!!)

1. Fill the plate with a thin layer of milk. Next, put in drops of food coloring.

2. Then, add a few drops of dish soap into the center of the food coloring, sit back, and watch! (I should mention that I tried this first with eco-friendly dish soap and it didn’t really work, so stick to the hard stuff for this!)

KA-POW! The milk fat instantly reacts to the soap, creating art!

Wow, right?! It will spin for quite a while, and if you add more drops of dish soap into the dark areas of food coloring you can keep the action going for quite a while.

If you want to see milk art in action, you can check out this video that I found:

Looking for more DIY’s to do with kids? Here are some more good ones:

Banana Tattoos / Eyebombing / Make a Volcano / Wire Sculpting

Photo Credits: Rosa Pearson (FlutterFlutter), Video Credit: Evie S

Spring Break DIY: Wire Sculpting

9

15.3.12

At a doctor’s appointment recently, my oldest was entertaining himself with a paperclip, bending it into shapes to pass the time. When we got home I found these images online, and was able to show him examples of amazing things that can be made with wire, skill and some creativity.

Just to give you an idea of age appropriateness, my seven year old was able to make this bone by himself, but my five year old would have needed help if he had been home. Supplies for this DIY project are easy, you just need some thin wire and a pair of pliers! I tried to make a chair and found out that constructing anything three dimensional was harder than I’d imagined. That’s where skill would come in handy! Regardless, it was so much fun to play with a new medium! I’ll definitely try this again!

Here are some of the inspiring pics that got us started – aren’t they amazing!

Artist: Masao Seki Photos copyright FIVE FROM THE GROUND

Spring Break DIY: Make A Volcano

18

13.3.12

I like projects that are simple and easy to prepare. In my opinion, the set up should not take all day if the enjoyment only lasts ten minutes. This is the easiest volcano you can make, believe me! And kids of all ages like to see things explode! All you need are the following:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1. A tray, or dish, that is large enough to catch all the “lava” that will come out! 2. 1 tablespoon baking soda 3. Red food coloring 4. A can, or plastic cup 5. Paper bag 6. Vinegar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut halfway up all four sides of the paper bag.
2. Put the paper bag upside down over top of the can or cup.
3. Tear a hole in the top of the bag, above the opening to the cup.
4. Push back the torn edges and tape to the inside of the opening.
5. Fill the cup 3/4 full of the vinegar.
6. Add in a couple drops of food coloring.
7. Have the kids decorate the tray for full effect.
8. Finally, add in the baking soda and watch it go! You can add more baking soda and vinegar to keep the “lava”, and the fun, flowing.

As you can tell from the smiles this activity was a hit! (My oldest is fishing out the Lego Ninjago skeletons that he’d thrown into the volcano as it was exploding… yes, boys will be boys!) I’d definitely do it again!

I hope the Spring Break DIY’s this week help to make any rainy days a lot more fun! I know I’m having fun making them. And there are more to come…!

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