Patriotic Crafts

The girlies spent a LONG time with their lacing. They love the colorful wooden blocks, but were happy to make something they could take home. We talked a little bit about patterns, but they couldn't be bothered with planning ahead.

We finally updated the banner wall. With the kids' help we made a patriotic theme bunting. The cricut cut out millions of shapes and sized stars- the children glued, colored and glittered their triangles.

I used a paint by letter system for the wooden craft flag. They each got a set of wooden craft sticks labeled with a w, r or b and took turns with the paints (old applesauce containers) also labeled r, b, or w. They did a great job.

Safety on the 4th

A few good ideas when you are celebrating in large crowds this Independence day:

• It will be dark when the show starts – make sure if your kids are wandering around that they are back with you before dark. 
• Put a piece of reflective tape on the back of their clothes to help keep track of them as you’re leaving and always bring two flashlights with you (in case the batteries run out on one.) 
• Be sure your kids know your cell phone number and address in case they get lost on the way out. 
• If your kids are going to a fireworks show with a friend, give the parents a recent photo of your child and memorize what clothes they were wearing so that you can easily describe it to officials. 


from homesecuritysource.com

Pinkalicious

The girlies LOVE Pinklacious. We pick up any books we can when they are at the library. Normally I don't like to check out books with cds inside- the replacement cost is an arm and a leg (I don't think I am exaggerating here).  But the puppy dog eyes that were all around me I couldn't say no. The girls loved to listen to the stories and follow along too.

We made our own pink drink collage, then made our own strawberry lemonade.

We practiced our Us with Goldie the Unicorn.

We painted a Pinkalicious masterpiece with pink, white, purple and red. 

Father's Day Art

The children used tempra paint on regular paper. Once dried, I cut it out into a tie shape and attached it to a card stock "shirt."

Picture of the Day: Silly Trash

Trash day is one of the children's favorite. On our way to school drop off we take the long, curvy route to maximize our trash can viewing. They laugh and point and love to see the trash cans that are over flowing. "Will the trash man take the trash? Is it toooo full?" They giggle and wonder. This kiddie pool trash was an all time favorite.
(I can't help but LOVE how they can laugh big belly laughs at the little things.)

Spray Park

Our first visit of the warm season, which reverted back to the cold season. I love that we are close enough to walk!

Favorite Pancakes

We eat these once a week. I was using the Best Recipe Book recipe for pancakes, but made a few changes.

(For a double batch, or about 14 4-inch pancakes)

2 C flour (I use half all-purpose, half hand ground wheat)
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 C buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tsp butter, melted
2 Tbs non-fat greek yogurt, vanilla or plain

Stir dry ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk or fork. Add wet ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Using an ice-cream scooper or 1/4 measuring cup, cook on a pre-heated skillet, about 300 degrees.