Puffy Paint Project

With the Waldo Fire happening right now the kids haven't been able to play outside much.  They are bouncing off the walls.  The air quality isn't great.  It is a lot better today then it was on Wednesday but you still smell the smoke.  Our hearts go out to all those who have been evacuated and lost their homes.  I will do another post on the Waldo Fire later.

Today we didn't have friends over.  Instead we did a craft.  We made puffy paint and made some pictures. 

 

Check this craft out over at

Meet the Dubiens.

This was so easy to make and cheap.

1/4 cup self-rising flour

1/4 cup salt

4 TBSP water 

food coloring

Mix all ingredients until wet and no clumps.

Put in a bottle like the one by Tyler.

Use poster like paper to paint on.  Cook in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and watch the paint rise.

We discovered the more paint (thickness) the more it will rise.

Tyler really loved this activity.  He is still going.  I will post his art work when he is finished.

Mom Challenge: Week 5

This week's challenge is to find something that your child does that makes you proud - and celebrate.

Here are some examples:

• Learning to tie their own shoes - get a fun colored pair of shoelaces

• Doing their homework - surprise them with their favorite dinner

• Putting away their toys - rent a movie from Red Box

• Waking up on time for school (perfect for those of you with kids who either don't like to get up or high school kids!) - make a cake and write awesome job for waking up!

• Spot your child reading - pick up a few new books

• Paint an awesome picture at preschool - frame it and put it up

Write a note, bake something, take them to a movie, rent a movie, post a picture, pick up a favorite candy bar, let them have a Sprite with dinner (this is a big deal at our house!!) do something!  

(ideas from live a fabuless life)

 

Last week was a tough week.  It was to be positive.

Chores not being done, kids fighting, not going to sleep at night until 10 pm, fighting...did I mention that.  I will continue to work on being positive with the kids.  When they did do good hi-fives were definitely given.  Something for me to think about more.  Kids can always use more praise and a positive atmosphere.

Mom Challenge: Week 4 ~ Stay Positive

Last weeks challenge to have realistic expectations went fairly well.  We have a new chore chart and I expect the kids to do them every day.  Sometimes they need help or need to be shown how to do it.  I can't expect my 4 year old to make her bed as well as my 6 year old.  When I say clean up that is so overwhelming for them as opposed to look at your chore chart, it is explained by a picture such as pick up your clothes. 

This week for week 4:

STAY POSITIVE!

Sometimes this is hard for me.  I get frustrated.  But, I think it is more than that.  When a child fails at something or it isn't their best, it is better to encourage than to tear down.

My 4 year old is really struggling with peeing in her pants.  Not because she isn't potty trained because she is, it is more of a power struggle or because she just doesn't want to.  This is going to be a very interesting week to see if I can

STAY POSITIVE.

I need to continue to encourage her to go potty.

Here is a list of 101 ways to praise a child.  Enjoy it!  Use them often!  Continue to build up your child.

 

 

Join The Mom Challenge

Lava Lamps

 I am really loving pinterest this summer. 

Today for an activity, we made lava lamps.

I got this idea from Come Together Kids.

Theirs looked way cooler than ours and turned out better but we still had fun doing it.

  

Add about 2/3 full with oil and then add water.  Wait for the bubbles to go away.

Katie's didn't work so well because we choose the wrong color.  You need a definite contrasting color.

very excited kids waiting to drop their alka-seltzer

Smile on his face=SUCCESS!
We had a great time doing this.
Each day of the week has a theme to it.  

Sunday=Church Day
Monday=Fun Day
Tuesday=Library Day
Wednesday=Park Day.  (It was Friend-day Wednesday but our friends all go to the park on Wednesday.)
Thursday=Food Day
Friday=Friend Day
Saturday=Family Day

BTW, we did go to the library today and Tyler got his own library card.  He was so excited.  We even bought him a lanyard to put his card on so he doesn't lose it.  (I need a picture of him with it)

We are really excited about our schedule.  I think it will be a lot of fun to be able to hang out with the kids this summer and enjoy every day we possibly can.


 

Mom Challenge Week 3: Set Realistic Expectations

Week 2: SLOW DOWN, went great! We had a fantastic vacation and it was nice to be able to spend time with Tyler and Katie. We went swimming, rode the 4 wheeler, ate snow cones, played games, slept, visited family. It was really nice to be in the hot, hot sun! It was fun to just relax and not have to be here or there.

Week 3 challenge is: set realistic expectations.
I wonder how often I truly set realistic expectations for my children.  ie, clean the basement.  That is a fairly overwhelming task for a child.  But, if it is pick up the dinosaurs and put them in the toy box is much simpler task and more realistic.  I am really going to work on this this week with T & K,

Mom Challenge: Week 2, SLOW DOWN

Week 1, Eat together as a family went great!  We almost always sit together and have dinner.  It is the only time we are all together and I love it.

Week 2 is SLOW DOWN!  We live in a very rushed society.  Everyone, including myself is always in a hurry to be here or there.  I always feel like there is something to do.  

This week, I have slowed down.  Granted we are on vacation at my parents house, we don't have anything pressing to do.  I have very much enjoyed this time with my kids.  We have been able to go swimming, play games together, sleep in :), and enjoy each other.  The kids even helped me make a cake for Ethan's 19th birthday.  Hopefully we will be able to spend more time with our cousins and maybe go 4 wheelin'.  Hopefully there will be pictures too.  I have not done good at documenting this trip to AZ.