Painting With Straws

This was a fun and easy paint project for my kids. To create our art, we used straws to blow paint around on paper. You will need: paper, straws, and paint (I added a few drops of water to the paint to make it easier to blow around).
Just spoon a little bit of each color onto the paper. Then, blow the paint with the straw. We used fall colors so that we could make them into leaves when they were dry.


After the kids are done or when they pass out:), allow the painting to dry and cut them into leaves or what ever you desire.

Our Trip To The Fair

Although it was quite exhausting, we had a blast at the fair today. We checked out all of the animals(well, everyone but Felicia, she was afraid of them), made a project at the Home Depot workshop, panned for gems, saw a giant pumpkin, ate lots of food, etc. It was a fun filled day that I hope they will remember for a long, long time.

Fun At The Fair

Well, off to the fair we were today. How fun is that? We don't get many opportunities to be up close and personal with livestock, So this is very exciting for the kiddos. Madelyn, of course, loves animals and would bring them all home if she could. Felicia, on the other hand stayed as far away from them as possible, thus, no pictures of her.

She was however, very excited to hear that there was a new calf born on Sunday, so I was sure to get a picture of it for her (though it sort of blends in with the hay).


After checking out the animals we did a Home Depot workshop that was set up at the fair. Felicia and Madelyn made plastic bag holders and Aaron made a bird house (sort of).

I'm not sure why, but every time the girls hammer, their tongues hang out. Very cute:)

Here are the very kind associates from Home Depot trying to get Aaron's bird house together. But, after all the hard work, we discovered that the parts were cut incorrectly so they gave him a new one to make at home. He made it as soon as we got home and it turned out great

Our next activity was panning for gems. This is something that the kids love to do because they love collecting "pretty rocks".

We saw so many other neat things and had a fabulous time. I definitely can't wait for next year:)

We're Going To The Fair

Today, my mom and I are taking some of the kids to the fair. Brandon, unfortunately has school, but he will go Friday. That leaves us with Aaron, Felicia, Madelyn, Rachael, and Eden. Later in the day we hope to meet up with Diane(my sister) and Natasha(my niece). I can't wait to take all of the little ones to the barns to meet the animals. They are so excited. Sunday, when Mike and I were on our date, a calf was born right before we got there. The girls are super excited to see a baby cow. Seeing their little faces light up when they see the animals up close is my favorite part. Well, I guess I should start waking them up, so we can get our big day under way.

Footprint Ghosts

I know it may be a little early to decorate for Halloween, but I love it so much that I just can't wait any longer. Every year since my kids were little, I have made these adorable ghosts with their feet.

1. Paint the bottom of your child's foot. It must be done with a paint brush because that is what causes the most giggles:)

2.Press your child's foot down on black construction.

3.Add some eyes and a mouth. Now, you have the cutest little ghosts ever.

Our First Date(in a longtime).

Yesterday, Mike and I went on a date for the first time since maybe even Mady was born. Of course we went to the fair. We had a great time looking at all the things the kids get bored looking at. We caught the dog show, which we will be taking the kids to see. A lot of the time we just sat on a bench and "people watched". We had a great time and have decided that date night will be happening at least once a month. Now we just have to break the news to Felicia.

Our Busy Week(so far)

We have had quite an exciting week so far. We had a party(kind of).

Alvin climbed a mountain(our back yard).

Eden tried out our rock climbing wall.

Felicia found "squirrel nuts".

And Aaron worked on perfecting his photography skills. Self portraits.

Handprint Trees

When I worked in daycare, we made some really cute trees out of hand prints. I had forgotten all about them until I saw them again on The Ramblings of a Crazy Women. They are really easy and turned out quite nice.





I cut the little kids' out because they got carried away while painting leaves with the bath pouf.

Pine Cone Painting

I am always looking for different things to paint with, so today I decided to use some of the pine cones that the girls have been gathering.

I chose a few fall colors and gave Madelyn and Alvin each a pine cone to roll around in the paint. Alvin is a rookie so he was a little concerned when the paint got on his hands, but after a few minutes he really didn't care any more.

I think they turned out fabulous!

Hanging Out With Alvie

I really do think the girls would love a little brother (Alvie's size of course). They could not be happier this week. Madelyn's first task every morning is to check on her little buddy and make sure he makes it down stairs with all of his gear(sippy cup, night-night, and backpack). They eat breakfast and chat for a while until our late sleeper, Felicia, is up and about. Then they play, play, play the day away until they can't play anymore. They then get baths, brush teeth, and tuck Alvie in before going to bed themselves. The only problem is that just when everyone is getting settled, Madelyn has to go back in Alvie's room to check on him "one more time". She is going to be such a good Mama(many, many, many, years from now).

Our House Guest

Alvin has come to stay with us for the week. The girls were super excited that he was coming and could hardly wait another minute. It took only a few minutes to have the entire toy box completely emptied. That's ok, because they are having a blast.

Jellyfish

I found this project on No Time For Flashcards. Of course, I'm a sucker for a paper plate project, so we had to make these. The kids always have so much fun even with the simplest crafts and that is all that matters.

What I am Thankful For

Because today is September 11, I thought it would be nice to reflect on some of the things that I am thankful for. The first thing that comes to mind is my family (after all, who would I be without them?). I'm thankful for my husband, he really does work very hard so that I can stay home to raise our kids. I'm thankful for my kids, they keep me busy but they also make thrilled to be alive. I'm thankful that we all have good health. I'm thankful for our home. It may not be perfect, but it is ours. Though I am thankful for a lot more, I would also like to remember the men and women in the military who fight for our freedom every day. The world has changed a lot since Sept. 11, 2001, but that day helps me to be more aware of all the good things I have in my life:)
God Bless

9/11 Memorial Wreaths

In remembrance of those who died in the 9/11 attacks, we made memorial wreaths. Although my girls were not born until a few years after that day, I feel that this is a day for us to unite as one and remember those lives lost on that day.

I first traced the girls hands and cut out several from red, white, and blue construction paper.


Then I cut the center from a paper plate to make a base for the wreath.


Next, the girls glued their hands around the outside of the paper plate.


When they were finished, I cut out stars and glued them to the wreath with the words "We Will Never Forget". I then added a piece of ribbon to hang the wreaths.

Leaf Rubbings

This is a project that I remember doing almost every fall when I was a child. You need paper, peeled crayons (we used our homemade crayons because they are flat on the bottom and easier for little hands), and some leaves.

Place a leaf under the paper and rub with the flat side of the crayon.

Felicia always has to smell her crayons before using them.

We used as many fall colors as we could and overlapped the leaves. They turned out great!