Fingerpaint Wall Art

I saw this on Tutus & Turtles and I think it would be so fun and cute. I think I'll try it when I actually have a home to decorate.

Kid journals

I've kept a journal since sixth grade. I got a pink Hello Kitty diary for my 12th birthday from some girl I can't remember and it stuck. I love how therapeutic it is and how interesting it is to go back and read about my life. I'm not good at scrap booking and I'm not great at filling in baby books but I do have practice with keeping a journal. So for this last Christmas I got Kendall and Gage each a journal. They do and say such cute things and while I don't want to forget them, I know that if I don't record things, they'll FOR SURE not remember anything. So when I can I write what's going on or if something special has happened I'll write about it and maybe add a picture. It will be my gift to them when they're grown so they can read their own stories. From my sentimental perspective of course. Just wanted to share the idea in case it's something that would work for someone else.

The pink one's Ken's and the blue one is Gage's.

Evil Dolls for Sale

Hmmm. . . which of these dolls has a little something extra? I'll give you a hint, it is not the Little People Mary, and two wise men from the Nativity play set. 

I think I have given birth to Sid from Toy Story.

While Collin and I were trying to take a Sunday nap, Aidan was up in his room busy at work on what he calls his "evil dolls." This is the first of many. It has a Littlest Pet Shop head, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle arm, one Bic pen cap arm, the body of a Barbie Fairytopia wicked fairy Laverna doll and some bits of cut up Calvin Kline stockings for the hat and skirt. 

He was originally going to sell this to Emma for 8 cents (w/o CK couture). Then he added the skirt and hat and upped the price to 12 cents. Emma was upset about the price change and so I spotted her 4 cents. Aidan saw that I gave her some money and so he raised the price two cents more. So his first evil doll sold for 16 cents (smart kid). He has big plans to sell his creations to girls on the school bus. I think he might be selling himself short because boys would probably be just as interested in his product. He is taking orders now so hurry, Hurry, HURRY and buy your evil dolls while supplies last.

I guess it is never to early to learn about economics or supply and demand.

Snow Day Ideas

So we have had at least 8 snow days in two months. For those of you who don't live where it snows a lot, it means that school is cancelled. I need some tv/wii/computer free ideas of fun or productive things the kids can do on these days. I do let them watch a little TV, etc., but I don't want them to think every snow day is a free for all. 

Today I had the idea of having them do some extra chores to earn money to buy raffle tickets for a charity called the Blue Butterfly Fund. This charity helps support the families of children with cancer. The money helps with travel expenses and living expenses and stuff that is not covered by insurance. 

I don't really have any other ideas besides that. Anyone?

Tutus and Turtles

You have probably come across this blog, but if not, it's worth checking out. Tutus & Turtles features all sorts of stuff to do with kids from crafts to favorite toys, books, etc. I usually check it once or twice week. tutusandturtles.blogspot.com

crayons...markers...colored pencils...I hate them all

Okay- here's a good one. I can't seem to find the perfect medium for my kids to draw and color with. Crayons end up broken in no time with pieces of the paper torn off and all over the place. I tried the twist-up ones. They were twisted up and broken off in no time flat. Markers- on clothes, on skin, on furniture, floors and walls. My kids don't like the color wonder ones because it doesn't show up immediately on the page. I'm not sure why that bugs them, but it does. Not to mention if you lose a lid, you might as well throw the marker out too, because it will just dry out. So on to colored pencils. Apparently they don't color dark enough. And of course there is the problem of the tip breaking too. Are my kids especially picky or what? I personally prefer the colored pencils, but my kids don't like them. Maybe there is a brand with more pigment in them or something, but for now, I hate them all. Any suggestions???