Disclaimer- this is NOT a product review post and we're not endorsing Tide Pods, this is simply an example. Also we'd like to take a second to remind you to keep all cleaning products out of reach of children. This very product has been mistaken for candy by some children, please be careful, we love your kids and so do you. I personally love my laundry soap choice, it's quick and easy. The one thing that I do not like is the massive bottle of plastic I toss afterwards. I feel guilty and bad that I just added to the landfill. I love the way I re-use these containers for toy storage! Check it out.... First things first, wash and thouroughly dry the container out. Print out a photo of the object you are going to store in the container and add the word to it as well. By doing both you are teaching your child a few things---first, they are learning that things have a place and it makes things easier if they know where they go. Second they learn to match the way the word looks with … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2012
Christmas in July- Santa Trail Mix
Santa Trail Mix- You know you NEED to make some!! Here's what you will need: 2 cups of red and green M&Ms 1 cup of dry roasted peanuts 1/2 cup of Craisins or other dried fruit 2 cups of Chex cereal (I used the rice version) Pretzels (holiday shaped ones are best) Bugles mini marshmallows coarse sugar 1 package of red melting discs (candy aisle) 1 package of green melting discs (same aisle) 1 package of white chocolate chips (or almond bark) Shortening Assembling the Santa hats, melt your red discs in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval (I added about 2tsp of shortening after the first round to help thin it out a bit). Or you can melt them in a double boiler if you wish too! Dip your Bugles in the red stuff (tee hee hee) and set aside on a piece of wax paper to dry and harden. Dip the larger end of the red Bugles in left over red discs or melted white chocolate and then dip immediately in coarse sugar. Snip the mini … [Read more...]
Christmas in July- Make your own play make-up
Want a super fun Christmas gift for your little girl? Try play make-up! My daughter LOVES to be "grown-up!" I just am not ready for her to be really grown up. Cue the play make-up! It's kind of ridiculously expensive and to be honest it's just junk. I feel like the stuff is REALLY hard to wash off too! I made my daughter her own set of make-up the other day and I thought I'd share it with you. You will need the following items: empty make-up containers nail polish Wash out the empty make-up containers and dry them well. (If you don't have any empty ones you are willing to share then you can always go to the dollar store and buy some there and empty them out.) Choose the colors of nail polish you wish to use. I chose a cream for the "foundation," a rose color for the "blush," and some vivid greens for "eye shadow." Shake your nail polish really well and let set for a minute to allow the air bubbles to rise. Then, carefully pour the selected color into the container of … [Read more...]
AstroBrights for Back to School Crafts #goastrobrights
This post brought to you by Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper. All opinions are 100% mine. It's back to school time! Ok, so it's only the third week in July but there's already tons of back to school ads on TV, online, and in stores. Where did the summer go? Don't we still have a little over a month to go? AstroBrights papers would like to help you support your local elementary school with the "Give a Brighter Year" sweepstakes. You can win a cash prize and school supplies valued at $30,000 for the school of your choice! Just click on the link! AstroBrights papers come in 23 bright colors, so your ideas always get attention. And they’re perfect for projects at home, school or the office. Stand out from the crowd — choose a lively AstroBrights papers for your next brochure, invitation, flyer, announcement or craft project. AstroBrights papers are about creativity and getting noticed. They provide a bold color canvas because they believe that ideas are … [Read more...]
Christmas in July- Make your own Snow
Do you ever want to play with snow inside and not have it melt all over the place? Make your own fake snow! Perfect for these HOT July days! It's great for decorating , letting your kids drive their toy cars through or just plain playing in! All you will need is: A few unused disposable diapers (It would be super gross to use dirty diapers.) Water A container to mix in silver glitter (optional) Ok, now this is so easy you are going to think you missed something! 1) Cut open the diaper and pull out the inside absorbent layer. 2) Put it in the container and slowly add water 3) Mix until it becomes snow consistency! For powdery snow use less water, for slushy snow use more water. 4) Add a bit of glitter for some sparkle. (optional) My girls had a TON of fun playing with the snow! We attempted to add more water and make a snowman but it wasn't really successful. My girls did however, enjoy adding more and more water to see how slushy they … [Read more...]
Christmas in July- Make your own I Spy Bottle
Are you looking for a great gift? Perfect for all ages? Customized for each age, interest, gender and preferences. Make an "I Spy" bottle! It's super simple to make, and is good for kids of all ages (my husband loves it as much as my 2 and 5 year old!) Use the "I Spy" bottle for long car rides, laying low when your kids are sick, or keeping your little monsters busy when you need to clean. Here's what you'll need: A bunch of objects that are small enough to fit into a water bottle. An empty, completely dry water bottle without the label. Paper and pen Funnel (or a piece of paper to roll into a funnel) White rice Glue String, yarn, or ribbon Clear contact paper or laminating paper (optional) Now how to make it: Step 1) Have your kids help you hunt all over the house, garage, and outside for things to put in your bottle. Make sure to write on your paper everything you collect. Coins, nails/screws, Barbie or Polly Pocket accessories, Legos, hair stuff, … [Read more...]
