it was a crafty kind of day

everyday most days I allow for a free choice session in our homeschool day.  this could be writing to our pen pal, arts & crafts, baking, or science experiments.  I do hope to take pictures and post on this stuff more regularly.


now when I say free choice I don't actually say it out loud, because if I did, Sam would think he has the choice.  in actuality, its my choice.  ok, well, sometimes Sam does get to choose, but only if I choose to let him choose.  if I don't care what we get into, then its his choice.   * hahahaha *  that's just how I do it and it goes much smoother that way!


we hadn't done arts & crafts for awhile.  when we do this, I try to start before Elliott's naptime so he can participate too.  this is why I get to choose.  having Elliott participate is a great learning experience for him, but some days, I'm simply not up for the challenge if you know what I'm sayin' ... and I think you do.


I have been using Abeka's 1st grade curriculum, and so far, I like it.  I wanted to have something that made the schedule for me.  I am better at cutting what needs to be cut & adding what I feel like we ought to add when there is an existing system.  I did my research and was able to get 3/4 of our stuff off of ebay.  in doing that I got a few extras, one being an arts & crafts book.


the project for January was better than most of the others, so I thought I'd share it with you.  your welcome :)


they suggest to make pictures out of toothpicks.  assemble your toothpicks on construction paper (a darker color will get the toothpicks to stand out a bit more), and you can make anything ... things with straight edges are easier of course.  a few ideas they gave - house, tree, toy, car, building, letters, numbers ... on and on you could go.  after you get a layout, glue them on.


there are toothpicks that have a flat edge, which makes this process easier.  I have also seen colored toothpicks ... such a thing as colored AND flat edged??  a crafter can only hope.


and of course when I decided to do this one, I discovered I didn't have any toothpicks whatsoever.  that happens to me a lot.  but I did have spaghetti!  and that worked just as well.  in fact, maybe a bit better for a couple of reasons.
1. you can break them to create various sizes
2. Elliott can eat them!  if it were toothpicks, I'm sure he'd try to eat those too ... so maybe this is more for my peace of mind than anything

and here is Sam's masterpiece.  excuse his psycho look, I think I just snapped the picture at the wrong milisecond :)  but he was awfully happy to do crafts today.  I guess its been awhile since we got into it.


he made a house and then got his name in there at the top.  he loved it.
2 thumbs up from us!

and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

its great how hobbies, recipes, customs, traditions and the like, get passed on through the generations.  I think I was passed a sweet tooth, and that's about it.  my big sister, Amanda, was taught how to crochet ... that sounds like she was forced into it, but no, she actually wanted to learn, and, she's actually pretty good at it.


I remember watching my grandmother do it while watching tv.  all I remember her making were blankets, so we aaaaaaallllll had blankets.  sadly, very sadly, my childhood blanket she made was destroyed by my first baby, Jackson the coonhound.  but to my surprise, I received a beautiful afghan that was made for me and set aside until I got married.  I've had it for 10 years now.  I don't really use it here in Hawaii, but I won't give it up for anything.  thanks grandma.


my sister made these for me last year at Christmas -

everyone that has seen these hanging in my house, has asked me about them.

aren't they cute?!

here's a close up of one.  the top is, for lack of a better word, furry, and has bells attached.  great for breaking out in song ... Jingle Bells is the only Christmas song my son has memorized, so it works.

here's a real close up.  I don't know the correct terminology for crocheting, but I do know that this stitch is tight and strong.  these stockings hold a lot of goodies!

I trying to talk Amanda into making these throughout the year, then selling them for the next Christmas season.  here's what I need to know from you savvy, handmade/crafting, business women -

• do you use etsy?  how do you like it?  what does a beginner need to know?  as in, give me the secret insider tricks & tips.
• how much would you pay for 1 stocking?
• what other colors would you like to see?
• any/all tips, advice, references are welcome

since I just got out our stockings for this Christmas, the idea just came to light, so there are none to purchase as of now.  sorry.  I am hoping I can do a give away - Christmas in July maybe?  for you early holiday shoppers that make the rest of us look bad. :)

if you like what you see, pleeeeeeeeease leave me a comment so I can show my sister that her crafting can be fun AND can make her some money.  help me give her some motivation to take the next step.  thank you blogland!!

no more counting

to me, from me -

ok, so blogging everyday is just not happening, BUT I've gotten better ... so no complaints.

to you, from me -

today is Thanksgiving ... maybe you didn't know?

I hope you are surrounded with great company and delicious food today. let the glass be 1/2 full, today and everyday.

<------ this kid here is amazing. I love him, and am so so thankful for him.

here is Samuel in his homemade Indian costume. homemade crafts are the best, don't you agree?!

we did a lesson on pilgrims, indians, and what thanksgiving is all about ... in translation, while he did crafts, I told him a story. but whatever. it got in his head. he kinda, sorta, not really knows ... and I'm ok with that. he's 6. history is a requirement later on in school, not in 1st grade! I think the jist of some things is enough at this stage.

don'tcha wish you had a teacher like me?! ha!

and then there's this kid. ----->

he too is amazing ... in his own strong-willed child sort of way. but I love love love him none-the-less and wouldn't trade him for anything ... maybe for a day, but certainly not forever. :)

Elliott and craft time simply don't go together. he has recently been officially banned from crayons, markers, and the like. I will literally be sitting next to him, and he STILL is a total rebel.

with crayons he no longer eats them; that's the good news. that would be too easy. instead he will take a bite, chew it up, then spit it out. he apparently likes to see all the colors in chunks on the floor.

with markers, he usually starts off good. but then without fail, he will "accidentally" color off the page, onto the furniture, onto his arms & the rest of his body, or even back in his mouth.

needless to say Elliott did not join us in our Thanksgiving craft time this year. here's hoping for next year though!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!

19 of 30

I think every mom gets to a point and realizes that if she doesn't add herself to the "take care of" list, she will (unconsciously) begin to slowly lose herself and go a little crazy. seriously, it happens.

I have begun a new chapter and started back into the design world ... I think I posted this not too long ago.

but today, I'm adding it to my thankful list!

I'm hoping what appears to be a chapter in my life, is a long-er one; more of a season, and that this class I'm taking turns into something. SOMETHING.

for me, design is fun. and its even more fun when you don't have a picky someone harping in your ear, telling you what to do. haha!

when a room is put together the right way, it creates feelings. feelings of peace and calmness the bedroom, evoking hunger in the kitchen, comfort in the family room ... you get it. I think the most basic rule in the design world, that they don't actually teach you, is that if you're not feeling anything, the design is wrong.

also, fyi, the most simple, cheapest way to create feeling in any room ... paint. color can transform your world! seriously.

what are you thankful for?

find more thank you blogs here.

"Parenting"

I was reading Parenting magazine today and realized, I no longer like to read it.

But what I noticed is that the whole magazine is geared towards mommies with babies, obviously, but the majority of what I read was fear based. It seems to target first time mommies who are paranoid about everything. In my opinion, it would make it worse than relieve worry. Yes it answers questions, but only after bringing up every what-if scenario, every possible diagnosis, along on how to buy super trendy & totally not needed baby items.

Here's one example for you -

a cardboard box selling for $50. check it out here. it is cute and I see where they're going with it, but really, it's a box. you can get a box anywhere. in fact here's a tip, go to your local appliance store and ask for a box. those boxes are huge! make your own.

a couple good things though ... if you shop these stores.

The Children's Place, 15% off, online code: PARENTINGA9

Gymboree, 20% off, online code: 1101TTKNBV82491

Diapers.com, $10 off, online code: PTGMAR2010

also, it was good to see an Avon fragrance featured as a new smell for mommy. They featured Ungaro Fever, check it out here. and I have to mention, a portion of any order from my online store will be donated to Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer. or if you'd like to donate directly, do so here.

where do you get your parenting advice?

excuse the mess

I've just discovered all this custom stuff I can do to my blog ... so I'm experimenting.

any advice?

Mama '09

Happy (belated) Mama's Day!!

this is my first year to get a home-made gift.  he did a little song and dance at school and gave me a spider plant in a beautifully decorated styrofoam cup.

love it!

I love all his little art projects, from home and at school.

I love to see him express his imagination ... even though sometimes I say "wow cool! what is it?"

playdough

I just made playdough for the very first time and I must say it was so so easy!  if your little ones love playing with playdough, try making it yourself before you go buy more.  I think it's much better than the store-bought stuff; it's smooth and doesn't have that smell.

mix the following ingredients in a big 6 quart pot.  cook on low heat.  stir constantly until it thickens and forms a ball, you know, the consistency of playdough!

2C flour

2C water

1C salt

4tsp cream of tartar

4tbsp veggie oil

once done, take it out and knead it.  depending on how many different colors you want, divide it up and add any food coloring.

this is very simple and easy so the kids can help make it too.  try it out and let me know how you like it.  enjoy!

3,2,1, blast off

we made a rocket out of a paper towel roll.

I suppose you could use a toilet paper roll for a different size if you wanted.

here's where I got the directions: http://www.enchantedlearing.com/crafts/astronomy/rocket/

it seems to be more for older kids; ones who can use scissors well.

but Sam was a big helper with the taping and the coloring parts.

my only suggestion if you try this at home, is to add the base last.  do all your decorating first, then add the triangles for the base.  otherwise, since it is just construction paper, it will bend easily when you turn it on it's side for coloring.

 

in this next picture, you can see Sam making rocket sound effects.

I love how boys do that!

introducing King Samuel

we made a crown today, just because.

I don't have any real glitter, but used sprinkles from my baking goodies. once all the glue on the crown was dry, Sam started to pick of the "glitter" and eat it. so does that mean I buy real glitter for next time, I'm sure that won't taste very good, or maybe that should be the point.  or I could stick with the sugar, because no doubt he'll try to eat it again ... oh Sam!

I'm really starting to enjoy these crafts we make. I found the kids craft book section at the library and found a couple of great ones that focus on recycling your junk to make ... cool new junk! so start collecting you toilet paper rolls for binoculars, water bottles for bird feeders, and your egg cartons for all kinds of stuff! it's fun! note to self: just make sure baby is asleep before you start anything!

fun with paint

here's an interesting idea; a new spin to painting.

put some paint in a bowl, add a bit of water and stir.  you don't want it complete liquid, but the consistency of a thin gravy ... if that makes sense.  then you pour a bit onto the paper in blobs and let the kids blow it with a straw.

not so much a pretty picture, but it's more for the interaction, to see the cause and effect.  Sam likes to be in control as much as possible - all 3 1/2 year olds do, right?  so this was entertaining and fun for him to do.

we used construction paper, but the directions had said to use non-absorbent paper.  probably something more like butcher paper ... which I need to go buy some of that stuff, it's good for so many things.

any straw will do - I stole some from the last place we had fast food for dinner.  :)  but you probably could use the crazy, swirly ones too ... although it might take more effort to blow enough air through to move the paint.

experiment and let me know what you come up with.  enjoy!

homemade jewelry

today we used some old magazines and made necklaces with paper beads.  super easy for us non-crafters, really.

all you do is rip out a colorful page, cut loooooong triangles, roll it up from the base, using a glue-stick, glue at the end, and then thread it on a piece of string.

TA -DAAAAA!!

you can make necklaces or bracelets, for yourself or as a gift.  the materials are easy to find, it's easy to do - even Sam did it by himself once he got the hang of it, and it's a fun way to recycle!

here are all my boys wearing these cool necklaces. what a bunch, huh?  what good sports!

rrrrrooooooaaaarrrr

today we made a lion puppet out of a paper plate, construction paper, googely eyes, pipe cleaners, and a stick from outside.  easy!

our creations are cute and fun to make ... but within an hour or so, Sam disassembles, destroys, or hurts it in some way.    it makes me frustrated!  but I guess it is his to destroy, right?  I try hard not to do too much of the work myself, I really want him to create and use that imagination of his.  it can be difficult not to take over.  maybe we should make 2 of everything, 1 for him and 1 for me!

our circus clown

like I said before, I'm trying to be crafty and creative with Sam. I will try to post most of our projects, the good ones anyway.

Sam originally asked ME if he could have stilts, which I think is kind of funny. it started with a book - we were reading stories before bed one night, and we had a book about the circus. inside Sam became fascinated with the really tall man juggling and asked if he could be that tall too. so I explained as best I could the 'magic' behind it, and that just made him want it more. I think he actually figured out that anyone could do it. I'm so glad he didn't want to learn how to juggle!

so instead of huge wooden stilts the circus would use, we used 28oz cans and string. I got the recipe from

familyfun.go.com; just type stilts in the search box.

we painted them this morning and once they were dry, I added the string. the bottom of the can, which is now our top, still has a lip to it so that means he can't do it bare-footed, but I don't think he cares much.

I think the recipe also recommends those plastic coffee cans, so you can screw the top back onto it. he's been walking around with these things for an hour or so, ever since I added the string. *warning: using metal cans on a tile floor is loud and sort of annoying, but it does make him smile! and he's learning balance and coordination; by doing stuff like this, he hopefully will not take after his clumsy mother!

I think it's awesome how a book opened his mind up to this new possibility. I myself am not much of a reader; I'll read my bible and parenting magazines, but that's about it.
we are going to the library every week for story time and to check out books. we also joined the reading program this summer too, so we're reading a lot lately.

even with babies just learning to play and pick stuff up, it's usually the simplest things that entertain them the most. books for Sam's age are not complicated, they're still very simple. not only are kids' minds sponges, but we've reached the age where his imagination begins to come out and shine. that's really neat to watch. I guess it's time to get in touch with mine too!

the life of a crayon

for all those broken bits at the bottom of your crayon box or container, they can have a second chance to live!

put the pieces in a muffin tin, probably 5 or so per cup.  I have a mini-muffin tin that works perfect for this.  preheat to 250 degrees, and they "bake" for maybe 10 minutes.  I put mine in the freezer to harden up again, probably another 10 minutes.  at last you will have new crayons; each one has 5 different colors to it.

I'm not a crafty person so much, I'm trying to be though.  this is where I'm starting from, with crayons!

it was actually my new year's resolution to become crafty and create things with Sam.  better late than never, right?!