Emily’s favorite book is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, and we have read it together again and again. One of the poems, Snowman, was the inspiration for today’s activities. The poem is about a snowman who is determined to try to see July. Emily made her snowman out of white Model Magic, and […]
Garden Bag Giveaway
July 12, 2009 by
We are starting to enjoy our garden, and lately there have been lots of pickings. I was bringing reusable shopping totes to collect our veggies, but after getting my hands on some burlap I was inspired to create a “Garden Goodies” bag. I hand-stamped the lettering and made a very basic drawstring bag. Today the […]
Hot Dogs for Sale!
July 11, 2009 by
Emily was convinced that today was “Recipe Day”, and since we had some rain, it seemed like a perfect day to try out some homemade play dough! You can find the recipe we used here. We made ours in pinks, reds, and golden yellow colors so Mark could help Emily make some pretend hot dogs […]
Clover Collage
July 10, 2009 by
Here’s a great nature project that even the littlest crafters can participate in! Emily enjoyed finding different patches of clover, picking them and sticking the leaves and stems to the lint brush. She could easily carry the lint brush with her, and spent a lot of time finding small leaves, blades of grass, and tiny […]
No Sew, Super-Frugal Tutu for Dolly
July 9, 2009 by
This no sew tutu was quick, easy, and practically free! It is perfect for Dolly, and Emily did most of the work on this project. To make your own, you will need some plastic netting (I used two empty bags from lemons), scissors, and ribbon. Cut the bag down one of the long sides and […]
300th Post!
July 8, 2009 by
I can’t believe this is already our 300th post! This morning Emily and I made an appearance on The 10! Show to talk about ways to encourage pretend play with your kids using items you already have at home. As usual, the crew spoiled the bejesus out of Emily. Can you tell she had about […]
Three Little Pigs Playset
July 7, 2009 by
One of Emily’s favorite stories is The Three Little Pigs. When we were done making this playset, she could hardly wait for the glue to dry before she ran off to play with the set! She had lots of fun re-enacting the tale over and over, and then started to perform her own versions of […]
Mega Monster Bubbles!
July 6, 2009 by
Wow! I think I had just as much fun as Emily with this homemade bubble solution and bubble wand. It is quite addictive! These bubbles are HUGE and they last a long time. To make your own mega bubble solution, you will need: 6 cups distilled water, 2 cups Joy dishwashing detergent, and 3/4 cup […]
Summer Gratitude
July 5, 2009 by
If your family is thinking about cutting back on expenses, Summer may be the easiest time to do so. With Summer re-runs on television, it may be the perfect time to consider pulling the plug on the cable and spending more time outdoors. Instead of going out to eat at a restaurant, pack up a […]
Animal Hospital
July 2, 2009 by
Oh, our poor stuffed animals have been feeling quite unwell this afternoon, and several required hours at the hospital. Fortunately, Dr. Emily is an excellent doctor and she made them all feel better! Once I gathered up some supplies from around the house, Emily became immersed in her own imaginary world. We used one of […]
Extreme Makeover Child Stylist Edition
July 1, 2009 by
Emily loves to play hair stylist. Break out the rollers, hair brushes, hair clips, combs, and ribbon. Oh, and magazines (the trashier, the better). Sometimes I wear a ridiculously long blond wig from Halloween for this. NO SCISSORS!!! By the way, does anyone know where I could find one of those vintage 1950’s hairdryers (you […]
Tutorial and Giveaway — Baby Bib from Old Jeans
June 30, 2009 by
Photos for today’s post are courtesy of Emily! Awhile ago, my father called to ask me if I had any use for a bunch of his old jeans. “Sure, pass them along! I’m sure I’ll think of something… Hmmm….” Turns out it was a large box full of several different pairs of jeans, and the […]
Easy Waterproof Windsock
June 29, 2009 by
This windsock craft could not be any easier, or more inexpensive. It is made of recyclables and is waterproof. We’re planning to make a few more to decorate our garden! To make your own waterproof windsock, you will need: scissors, string, plastic bags, and an empty soda bottle. Cut a ring from the soda bottle […]
Shopping with Intention
June 28, 2009 by
Now that Emily has recovered from this incident, I took her to Dollar Tree this afternoon for a special shopping trip to fill some Jared Boxes for our local hospital. If you are not familiar with Jared Boxes, you can read more about them here. Basically, the idea is to fill a shoebox-sized plastic container […]
Happy Birthday, Clara!
June 27, 2009 by
Clara has turned one year old! We invited some family members over for a daisy-themed birthday luncheon this afternoon. It was a great success, and it didn’t break the bank! The key to planning a party on a budget lies in the little details. These tiny touches do not have to cost much, and might […]
Splatter Painted Fireworks
June 26, 2009 by
Oh my, this was SO MUCH FUN! To make your own splatter painted fireworks, you will need sidewalk chalk paint (click here for directions to make your own, it’s very easy and inexpensive!), paint brushes, and a black asphalt driveway (or similar surface). Emily and I painted some firework designs and then I let her […]
$10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card Caption Contest
June 24, 2009 by
I thought this would be a fun contest! Emily woke up on the wrong side of the bed one morning and wasn’t her usual cheerful self. For your chance to win a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble, leave a comment with a caption to the photo above. I am not affiliated with Barnes […]
Favorite Summer Recipe — Banana Boats
June 23, 2009 by
While we were on vacation, one of our favorite ways to end the campfires was with Banana Boats. This technique is also known as “How to make a perfectly healthy banana into a delicious junk food treat”. To make your own Banana Boats, you will need: bananas, marshmallows, chocolate, aluminum foil, and a campfire. Begin […]
