Day Four

Today's craft theme was food. We made cookie dough last night and left it in the fridge to chill over night so it would be ready. But when it came time to make the cookies today, I was on my own. All Will wanted to do today was watch TV or play computer games or whine about not getting to watch TV or play computer games. So I made the cookies myself.

And so far, I've eaten them all by myself because Will didn't want an animal "cracker." Dear, they are COOKIES. And Joseph didn't like them though the Williams-Sonoma recipe that came with the circus cookie cutters is quite good. But I still got to play around with something new. These cookies would be really cute for a party or to send to school. Though, it takes much patience ... never could get the lion to work right. The tiger's my favorite.

Since Will was not into the cookies, my next to-do item was peanut butter play-doh. Play and eat! Will likes play-doh and he loves peanut butter (lives on it in fact). I thought this would be a winner. Forget it! I got so much resistance from Will just mentioning the idea that I didn't even get the ingredients out. Forcing him to craft I think defeats the purpose.

So that's our craft week. Overall, I think it was a success. We tried new things; Will worked on skills like tracing and cutting. I think I will have to continue to schedule craft time, and not just for the boys. I see so many wonderful things on the Web to make. Like this ... and this ... heck, I'll just have to print some to-do lists.

P.S. It's under 90 here so I was inspired to make these too ... come on fall!

Day Three

Maybe we just had too much fun yesterday. Neither boy slept well last night and you could really tell during today's daylight hours. But I enjoyed today's activity. Not sure how I missed making potato prints as a kid. At least, I don't remember slicing a potato open, putting it in paint and decorating with it. (You ever wonder how ideas come about? Like who was the first person to think "I'll eat this dirt-covered root I found in the ground?" And then who thought, "Hey, I can put paint on this and make a stamp." Seriously?)

Will lasted about 10 minutes on this. Called it boring. Wasn't too patient with the set-up time (don't forget to put cardboard between fabric layers) and probably didn't like the fact that I kept telling him to put down the paint because we're not ready for it yet. I said PUT DOWN THE PAINT.

Will did the yellow and I did the blue stars. Looks like lemons to me. Very summery.

This one was all me. Where it an art print, I would call it "Gumballs." Inspired by the Poketo Dots tote recently on sale at Target and a music fest shirt at least 8 years old that had gumballs on it. I found the tote bags at a local T-shirt design shop for $2.50. Michael's also sells them for just a little more.

I didn't want the day to be a waste so after dinner I brought outside supplies for making snake bubbles. I live on a wonderful street where the neighbors socialize while the kids play ... almost nightly!* The street has gone from having three kids when we moved in to eight, ages ranging from preteen to babies. We look after each other, our kids and pets, have block parties and cookouts and game nights ... jealous yet? Really you should be. If we ever move, we're taking our neighbors with us!

*Except when it's a million degrees outside. Then we just keep to our A/C comfort.

Supplies are easy — water bottles, rags, rubber bands and dishwashing soap. Didn't make long snakes but they did make a lot of foam.

Here's our neighbor Sophie getting in on the action. Actual amount of time having fun with these things: 5 minutes tops. Would like to know what kind of bubbles they were blowing over at Family Fun. They used towels, I used old flannel. We'll have to try a towel next time.

Tomorrow's theme is food. We're going to make peanut butter play-doh and animal crackers using circus animal cookie cutters found on sale at Williams-Sonoma. Knowing how Will doesn't like much waiting, we made the dough tonight so it could chill overnight. Good thinking mom! 

Day Two

Today we finished the marble run. After a trip to the zoo. Thankfully, the weather has cooled off a bit (heat index only 90? That's nothing!) When we got home Joseph was exhausted so nap time for him, craft time for us. I finished the marble run as Will ate lunch. Lucky grapes got to have a fun ride before being devoured. 

Next, we went outside to make yo-yo balloons. The directions are easy but the rubber bands I bought were not long enough and I had a tough time making loops to go around tiny fingers. Maybe next time. 

Things I learned:

1. You will get wet filling the water balloons. 

2. It is pretty darn impossible to blow up a water balloon unless you have filled it with some water. 

3. Can't make yo-yo balloons, have a water balloon fight instead.

4. It's hard to run in flip-flops when being chased by boy with water balloon.

We still managed to have fun and enjoyed some sunshine running all over the yard. 

After Joseph woke up from nap, we ventured not too far away from home to play with our good friend Jacques at his grandmother's house. To say her backyard is 

kid-friendly is an understatement. I wanted to share a few pictures because grandmother is certainly creative in keeping with our theme this week. 

Check out this castle! 

I loved this tiny red door. The clear stones add a nice touch of bling.

Let's explore!

In another corner of the backyard is a large play area with a sand box and pirate fort made out of bamboo. And I didn't get a picture of the tree house. Add in a few popsicles and I don't think it gets much better when you're a kid. 

P.S. I forgot to mention that after we came inside from the water balloon fight, Will wanted to make a list for daddy. Like a to-do list I wondered? Yes, that is exactly what Will had in mind. I drew out the letters in pencil and Will nicely traced them. There is only one thing on the list, "play castle." And actually it's "play play castle." Will said there were two "plays" so daddy knew he had to do it. (Really there are two plays because Will is already a perfectionist and wanted to write "play" again) It's no wonder where he got the idea for a to-do list. I make a least one a day! Little eyes are always watching us! (And yes, he got the perfectionism part from me too. Dear, you are only suppose to pick up mommy and daddy's good habits!)