I came home from work the other day to discover these displayed in our living room: I guess my Mother-In-Law made them with the girls while I was gone and they were so cute I had to share them. Who knew my Mother-In-Law was crafty? I didn't! If you want to make these with your kids, here's what you'll need: A bunch of dried leaves with long stems (maple leaves work well) Markers, crayons, or colored pencils Cardstock, cardboard, or thicker paper (my Mother-In-Law used the back of clothes gift boxes so the project stood on it's own when done) Tape 1) Have your kids draw the trunk of the tree on the cardstock/cardboard. Let them add what ever other decorations they want to the base of the tree. Step 2) Bunch the leaves together like a bouquet of flowers lining the stems up together. Step 3) Tape the stem bunch to the cardstock/cardboard over the top of the drawn tree trunk. Step 4) Display and enjoy! … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2011
Left-over Halloween Candy Treats
Halloween is over and your kids collected TONS of candy. What do you do with it all (besides simply eat it)? Here are some fun (though still not healthy) ideas for left-over Halloween candy: Cut up chewy or nuggety candy bars into bite sized pieces and bake them into the middle of a cupcake. Frost the cupcake then crumble more of the candy bar on top. Mix crumbled candy bars or smaller candies into ice cream, add a little milk, and blend it to make your own candy milkshake. Mix crumbled candy bars, Reeces Pieces, M&Ms or similar candies into cookie dough and bake for an extra special cookie treat. Break up chocolatey or caramely candies into small pieces and stir them into brownie dough. Bake for a deliciously gooey brownie treat. Make a candy pizza. Just search "candy pizza" in your internet browser for a ton of different recipes. Make this really awesome Halloween Candy Advent Calender or other cool things that I found at Alpha Mom. (This is … [Read more...]
Fall Leaves Print
The other day my kids and I were thinking to ourselves how sad we were that the pretty fall colors were almost gone (well, at least where we live) and how old man winter will be soon knocking on our door. I thought it would be fun to paint a photo of the pretty fall colors to "remember" them when we are staring out the window at the bitter cold white snow. It's really easy and relatively not messy! Here is what you need: Red, Brown, Yellow, and Orange finger paint A paint brush or sponge Paper A willing child Have your child paint their hand and lower arm brown (or if they are unable to do this you certainly can help out). Then place their arm and hand on the paper to look like a tree with the branches. Start with one of the remaining colors (red, yellow or orange) and use their finger tips to dot leaves on the top of the tree. Finish with the remaining colors. Ta-da...you have a pretty fall colored tree (and a keepsake of their hand print, make sure to date it!) … [Read more...]
10 Things we’ve learned as pediatric critical care nurses
If you've been reading our blog you know that Lindsi and I met at a Children's Hospital where we were both nurses. Lindsi worked there for 5 years, 4 of which were in the critical care units. She is now a stay-at-home mom. Jamie continues to work there in the pediatric intensive care unit, and has been in critical care for 11 years. The biggest thing we have learned during our years is that if you don't have a little bit of humor, you will not survive pediatric critical care nursing. It's a difficult job some days, but one that neither of us regret doing! Without further ado, here is our (humorous) take on 10 (serious) things we've learned while working as pediatric critical care nurses. 1) Peanuts, peas, grapes, and popcorn can cause your child to choke. In fact, any food can cause your child to choke. It's probably best just to put a feeding tube in your child's stomach and not give them anything by mouth. 2) Along those same lines as above, young children like to put … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Play-Dough
I don't know about your kids but mine love play-dough! The problem is, it can get expensive because they keep accidentally letting it dry out. Simple solution: make your own for much cheaper. Personally, I like the homemade stuff a little better anyway. Here's what you'll need: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 cup water 4 Tablespoons oil food coloring Step 1) Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in the pot. Step 2) Add the water, oil, and food coloring. Food coloring is to desired color. (At this point in time my camera ran out of batteries and I was not about to leave my 5 and 3 year old alone by a hot stove to find new batteries. Excuse the lack of photo(s) for the next part.) Step 3) Cook on medium heat until the mixture is able to remain a ball in the middle of the pot. The mixture will be liquidy and clumpy at first (and you'll wonder how in the world it is going to turn into play-dough) but it will get firmer as it … [Read more...]
Make a Thankful Tree
Thanksgiving is around the corner (at least it is in the U.S.) and what better way to get your kids in the spirit than to create a Thankful Tree together. I saw something similar at a local craft store and they wanted $100 for it....my entire cost $2.97 Here is what you need: A tree branch (preferably one with lots of twigs) A bucket or pot to put the tree in Sand (or I used a foam ball) to secure the tree in the pot Spanish Moss to cover the base of the tree A marker Hot glue gun Construction paper leaves (or foam leaves, like I used) Step 1: Cut out leaves using construction paper (or cheat and purchase foam ones at a craft store). Ask your kids to list things they are thankful for. Write them (or have them write on it if they are able) on the leaves, using one word. Step 2: Secure tree branch to bucket or pot using your sand or foam ball. Step 3: Cover the base of the tree with Spanish moss. Step 4: Glue leaves on the tree. (Make sure the adult does … [Read more...]
