Christmas Break Fun Time

I like to set an activity for the kiddos on a regular basis because:

1.  They love it. 

2.  It makes life easier on me.

3.  It's fun.

3.  It prevents them from being on TV, which reinforces #2. 

 Mostly, I steal ideas off pinterest, or I just put out what I have in season colors and themes.  Here are some ideas to make your Christmas Break just a little more fun.

Styrofoam balls+toothpicks+buttons+mini marshmallows

 Prebaked Gingerbread House.  I like Wilton's brand better than the other brands out there.

 Tate rolling fondant.  It was like Cake Wars in my house. 

Gel pastels+watercolor+stickers+thick paper.

It is unseasonably warm here, so when Tate asked to go play in the rain, I said yes.  Notice the sled, even though it is 75F.

Easiest Lunch Ever:  Get a cute little stand (this one is from Ikea) and fill it with fruit, veg, carbs & Protein.  They love that is like a big snack.

And a Christmas tradition, we had the kids get ready for bed, and then we surprised them with going to see the Christmas Lights (at Norfolk Botanical Gardens).  

I packed cookies and cocoa and had it waiting in the car. 

Schwartz Summer Camp: Paint Relay

Last year, I had every week of summer planned out.  This year, I am moving, (which means that I don't have summer planned).   And I hate moving.  I am a Cancer Crab who likes to nest and be at home, and when that is disrupted, I freak out.  Like my parents' chihuahua mix Wendy.  Here is Wendy:

With no plan, I still had a few activities that I came up with for the day when I don't want the kids to be in front of the tv, and they are starting to get bored.  

So today....PAINTING RELAY!!! 

Set up four stations, Set the timer for 5 minutes, and rotate through.  (I also recommend starting 2 kids on #1 and #3, instead of #1 and #2 because if the 3 year old wants to linger, no one argues.)

Project 18: Easy Child's Apron

I thought the last apron was pretty do-able.  I was quite surprised at how that all worked, to be honest!  

Soleil wanted an apron as well, and this one was even easier!

Ok, here is the quick overview.  

1.  Trace apron shape from another apron-FABRIC 1.  (Or just draw your own on newspaper)

2.  Trace same shape as the top half of the apron on FABRIC 2

3.  Make small rectangle of fabric for pocket on FABRIC 2

4.  Cut ties from ribbon.  Judge your own length--enough to tie around neck and a set for around body. 

Now how do you sew it together?  It isn't perfect, but this is what I did.

5.  Sew pocket on.  (Fold & iron edges in all the way around and top stitch on.  Easy Peasy.)

6.  Hem the bottom and the 2 lower sides of FABRIC 1 (Pink stripe).  Leave top and top sides (shaped like a trapezoid) unhemmed.

7. Hem botton of FABRIC 2 (Pink damask) top section.  

6. Trim FABRIC 2(Pink Damask) top section to match size of top section of FABRIC 1 (Pink stripe).  

7.  Pin RIGHT SIDES together, with straps sandwiched in, on top section (for neck straps) and sides (for side straps) and sew around sides and top. **Look at finished product to see what I mean**

8. Flip right side out.  

9.  DONE!

And while Soleil was waiting, I gave her some dried out markers, a little bowl of water, and a coffee filter.  When it was dry, I used a pipe cleaner and made it into a flower!  You could also make it into a butterfly.  

And later that day...  we had science experiments.  To start, we had a science kit from my friend, Claudia.

After the "real" science,  I gave the kids each a muffin tin, and they could mix whatever they wanted from food color (that I added), corn starch, salt, baking soda, vinegar, and water.  I used little condiment bottles and spray bottles for the liquid.  This was a hit!!! 

I also saw something on pinterest where you fill cake pan with baking soda, and give them many containers of food color dyed vinegar to add as they please.  I might do this next time :)

Project 12: "It's a Long Winter" Campsite

It is 5F/-15C here in Minneapolis.  It is definitely too cold for me to go outside with the kiddos!  

While Soleil napped (ok, not really, but I left her in her crib for mandatory "quiet time"....) 

I set up 2 tents in our family room.  

I pulled out every book that was camping, outdoor, or bug related.  

I found every compass, flashlight, telescope, lanyard thingy we had. 

I pulled out every squishy creature and all the stuffed animals.  

I pulled out the sleeping bags and all the pillow in the casa.  

The last step?  I took the kids to the library after school and came home with a bag of fresh books for each of them.  

This resulted in hours of play.  Heck, if you come over right now, it is still set up.  Tate begged to keep it up permanently.   This isn't exactly a project that you make to keep, but it was creative and fun!

Where did July go?

We took a spontaneous trip to Michigan, (and by spontaneous, I mean, we decided the night before to leave at noon the next day), and somehow I lost a month.

Our summer camp hasn't progressed as planned, but that is ok--we have had lots of fun activities any way.  The weather has finally cooled, so my current favorite activity, is drinking the coffee outside, while the kids play in their pjs/underwear.  Yes, underwear.

Random Things that we have done, in no particular order:

Play with Moon Dough.

Rediscovered the View Finder.

 

 Jam with the cousins.

Freezer Paper T-shirts (google it for instructions:)

 Dyed Rice for the Sand Table (This was a total hit. Again, google...)

Hang Out with Family,

Check out Real Estate.  In Michigan.

A box and markers.

 Visitors!

A snake cake, constructed entirely by kids.

Cardboard Tubes and Tape.

Tap Light, Paint, Books about the Solar System.  

(stole this from Play at Home Mom.)

The summer is going by wayyyy too fast.

Toddler Fun or What to do with all those Plastic Animals

A tray of dry used coffee grounds (for a project I was going to do), and a small box of all the plastic animals that we have accrued in the past 6.5 years,  and a muffin tin.  This, surprisingly, is fun.  

Then, when you want just one more cup of coffee/moment of quiet, give the toddler a warm, soapy bowl of water on a towel and have them wash off the animals.  This, is even more fun.
The only mishap is when my babe took a spoonful of coffee and tried to eat it when I first put it in front of her.  Yep--I'm the parent of the year!

Need a Moment to Yourself?

I love my kiddos.  But some days, I just need to finish my cup of coffee.  In order to attempt this, I set up a little activity when they wake up from nap or return home from school.  Some days, it is simply setting out clean paper and crayons.

I also pre positioned stickers on the edge of the table for Soleil to stick on the paper.  (They were leftovers from an old CBeebies magazine.)

3 bowls-one filled with rocks, one filled with sticks, one empty.  I got the most return on this one!

This was for Tate.  The colorful little bits are PlayMais, and can be found online in the US and at craft shops Europe.  They are made from corn, so safe, and you put a little water on them from the sponge and they stick together.  You can make all sorts of things with them!  This batch has lasted us years.

Half Term Rainy Day

After Welly WalkPlaying "Puddle Jump"

(Raindrop shaped papers with 1, 2, 3 on them in a box, choose one and it determines how many puddles--the felt squares-- you jump until the end and then how many baskets you make at the basketball hoop at the end.)

Top Ten: London with Kids

1. There are no public restrooms practically anywhere. When you go to eat or to a museum, make everyone "go" no matter what.

2. Bring an umbrella buggy. Preferably a Macleran. If you bring a big buggy and try to ride the tube or bus, you will be very frustrated.

3. Try to avoid tube/bus between 8-9a and 5-6pm. (the am rush hour is a bit later here than in US). Oh, and go to the end of the platform when you have kids. There is usually more space there.

4. Pack snacks.

5. Half term: the week that English and French school kids have off in the middle of the term. This means EVERYTHING is busier. If you have to travel during this time (refer to internet for dates), get to the museums before they open and stay for only a few hours. Or, go for the last few hours of the day. The middle of the day is worse than a mall at Christmas.

6. At about 3pm, head back to the hotel for tea, snacks, a little downtime. If you have a child that naps--DO NOT SKIP NAPS.

7. Bring an umbrella and rain cover for buggy...no matter what the weather looks like when you leave the hotel.

8. If you go during half term and want to see a childrens' show, book tickets ahead of time. THEY WILL BE SOLD OUT.

9. Do not, I repeat, do not wear sweats, white tennis shoes, or wet hair to breakfast. All other cultures attend breakfast in the hotel fully dressed and you will look like a sloppy American if you do otherwise.

10. Carry the ugly backpack, instead of the cute handbag. You will be happy when you are able to carry snacks, a few small toys, babywipes, etc AND have your hands free to hold on to your little one on the busy, busy streets.