Color me Clean!

PURPLE!!!

Why not turn bath time into a great color science experiment? It's super easy and teaching color mixing concepts are import in early childhood...not to mention it is always great to have a trick up your sleeve to make those filthy little pumpkins want to hop in the tub and stay there :)

Supplies:
Bathtub
Food Coloring (the box has great ideas for less common colors like fushia, indigo etc)
Kids

Directions:
1.) Pick a color...we picked purple
2.) On one side of the tub drip 5-10 drops of red (remind them to stay still)
3.) On the other side of the tub drip 5-10 drops of blue
4.) If they have the patience have them wait to watch the colors mix...if not have at it and mix them up! We like to write on our mirror with dry erase markers (RED + BLUE = PURPLE)

HAVE FUN!!!

Tutu Easy!

Angie looking tutu cute!

My favorite no sew tutus are great gifts for birthdays and Christmas. In fact they are so easy to whip up you may wonder why the ones online are so expensive. The beautiful little model is my niece, Angelica Connell! I know...I probably didn't have to take credit for that, but what can I say I like the opportunity to brag about my sweet pea! Also a special thank you to my Sis Maya! She took the beautiful pix for me.

Supplies for Tutu:
2 yards tulle (or more if you want a fuller skirt)
-scissors and a ruler for measuring
              OR
2 rolls of 6" tulle
-scissors and a ruler for measuring

non-rolling elastic (the circumference of child's waist minus 1-2 inches)
Thread and needle

Directions:

1. Overlap the ends of the fabric by at least 1/2" and sew together...I like to make and "X" 
2. If using a roll of tulle, use your ruler to cut to desired length (mine was 22") REMEMBER: Double the length of the fabric and add an 2"  ex: If you want a 10" skirt then you would want to cut 22" (2x10=20+2=22")
3. If you are using bolt fabric cut it into 6" strips then again into desired length.
4. Stretch the elastic over your knees and slightly separate them (a 4" gap). 
5. Begin to tie by folding the strip of tulle in half to form a loop.
6. Place the tulle under the elastic and pull the ends through the loop.
7. Pull the tulle taught but not tight...make sure not to bend the elastic by pulling too tight. WARNING: If you do this the elastic won't be very stretchy and it will be over-sized from stretching it out.
8. Rotate the elastic and keep tying until the entire elastic waist band is covered.

Flower Clip

Supplies:
Fake flowers
metal hair clip
hot glue gun
scissors

Directions:

1. Snip as much of  the fake flower stem off as possible
2. Put a 1/4" wide line of hot glue across the hair clip.
3. Quickly lay flower buds on glue and press down firmly. Hold in place for a few seconds.
4. Flip hair clip upside down and lay another 1/4" wide line of glue on the underside of the clip.
5. Press 1 to 2 leaves over the glue and hold in place. IMPORTANT: This will keep hair from snagging on the flowers.

These flowered clips are great to accessorize the skirt or to add to their hair.

Sweet Success with Edible Art

Image from naturenest.wordpress.com

This one won't have a picture because my little guy is sooooo allergic to peanut butter, but it is so fun I need to share. Making edible play-dough is super easy and delicious. I make mine with almond butter, but now Gage is sensitive to that too :(

1 c. peanut butter
1 c. marshmallow whip
snack foods for decorating (stick pretzals, fruit slices, carrots, celery, rasins, chocolate chips etc)

Directions:
Mix the PB with the marshmallow cream until blended. Serve a small ball with other snack foods and let the art begin. We like to review letters, built houses, and what ever other creative things the boys make...Gavin made a volcano with celery lava.

To see or not to see!

Isn't it amazing how cute your kids are in the morning? I'm pretty sure that's God's way of making you forget all the bad things that come with parenthood and to focus on the great things....that or it's that you've had a solid 3 hours alone :) My guys love starting off their mornings with secret message toast and we hope you will too!

Supplies:
Piece of bread
Splash of milk
Q-tip
Toaster

Directions:
1.) Gather supplies and put milk in a tiny container.

2.) Wet the end of the Q-tip in milk and draw a hidden message on the bread. (It may take a few times of dipping it in milk to complete the message...also dotting it works great, but don't dint the bread)

3.) Toast it to golden brown and viola!

Before

4.) Serve with love

Happily Ever After

Wipe Out Wipe-outs

Here is a super easy and fun way to protect your little munchkin from wiping out while running around in socks or tights this winter. Create these non-slip socks with a few drips of puff paint.

Supplies:
Socks/tights
Puff paint
Small shoe or newspaper (for foot form)

Directions:
1.)Stuff newspaper or a small shoe into the sock.

2.)Flip the stuffed sock over so the sole is facing up. 
3.)Add little dots or decorations of puff paint to the sole

4.)Let Dry
5.)Try them out by letting your kids sprint around the hardwoods in their socks

Sparkle Their Creativity

Spark their imagination and creativity with this recipe for
 homemade sparkle puffed paint. The best part about this recipe is easy clean-up. OH and let's not forget the time it frees up for you to enjoy a cup of tea in peace!

Gage's Rainbow Fish

Gavin's Puddle

Recipe:

1/3 c. Flour
1/3 c. Salt
1/3 c. Water
Food Coloring

Directions:
Place everything BUT WATER into a small ziplock bag. Seal the bag and shake until mixed. Add water and reseal the bag. Kneed the bag until paste inside resembles yogurt (add water if needed). Repeat this step for all colors until you have several colored bags of paint. Lastly, snip a small corner off each bag. Option #1: use the bag as is like a pastry bag to sqeeze the paint onto stiff paper (I like to use cut up grocery bags or cereal boxes) and allow to dry. Option #2: Squeeze the bag into empty glue bottles and recap.Use these make-shift bottles to paint. Allow picture to dry.

Serve a Cup of Memories

How we wake up to our favorite people each day!

Okay, so I stole this idea from my amazing sister in law, Maya. She made us the best gift ever! It's a photo travel mug. We liked it so much that our boys wanted one of their own for road trips. Maya came to my rescue again with personalized mugs for both boys. I have made several of these for my friends and family. Some of the occasions have been wedding, baby, father's day, grandparents day, and BFF just to name a few.

Supplies:
Create a photo mug (link below)
a ton of photos (smaller the better :)
adhesive (double sided tape works best)
Pretty paper (optional)
Stickers etc.

Directions: 
1.) Remove the insert from the mug and trace it onto the pretty paper.
2.) Plan your layout but remember that the outside edge will be overlapped by about 1/4"
3.) Glue or tape down photos.
4.) Curl template and delicately slide it back into the mug.
5.) Screw the bottom of the mug on TIGHT!!!! You don't want all of your hard work to go down the drain ;)

**She had to buy the boys tumblers from Micheal's because Starbuck's stopped carrying them in store. Here's the link in case you can't find one at your local coffee shop or craft store**

Starbucks  Tumbler link:
http://www.starbucksstore.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=271241