You know what to do, friends. 🙂
{If you don’t, click here to get filled in…)
Gracious Rain has been Hijacked!
Hi faithful readers of my mom’s blog!
I (April) have hijacked Gracious Rain for a day or so, so that we can do something fun for my mom. Her birthday is tomorrow, and so, naturally, I decided to make her think her blog is broken.
For a good cause.
I’ve blocked her from seeing this, so that we can pull off a super fun plan.
If you have ever read a post here and loved it, or it made you smile, or you’ve made a yummy treat or dinner because of something here—would you please, please, please make a comment on tomorrow’s post wishing my mom a happy birthday? It would really, REALLY, REALLY make her day.
I thought about asking people who want to to email me with stories about my mom, or pictures of her growing up, or whatever, and certainly you still can (april 7 marie at hotmail dot com) and I will post them throughout the day Monday…but if you only have a little time, just make a comment. If you have more time, but no stories or pictures, make comments on other posts you’ve enjoyed, share this blog with your friends, tweet about it, facebook about it, whatever. Those cute buttons at the bottom of the post make it really easy.
My mom works so hard on this blog, and I just want her to know how much we all look forward to hearing from her every morning, and I want her to be successful. To be able to share her blog with anyone who would love it. It takes a crazy amount of dedication to post on a daily blog. A LOT! So, my friends, just a little favor, if you don’t mind. I’d appreciate it.
Here’s to birthday surprises, and many more Gracious Rain-y birthdays for the lovely Launi.
Mwa!
April
Tidies: A Repurposed Gift!
Alright mamas, tell me I’m not the only one. (And, please, ignore the dirty carpet.)
I’ve lost so many wipes this way. So. Many.
There’s just something about the wet wipes, that will bring babies far and wide to just keep pulling them out one by one.
Enter the brilliant Grammy.
Yes, that is a wipe container. With pretend wipes in it.
Brilliant, I tell you.
It keeps them occupied for, well, longer than most things occupy a 20-month-old.
Except maybe a brand new pack of real wipes.
Sometimes, they even cooperate while playing with this new toy.
Which, of course is a great thing in and of itself.
Grammy made these pretend wipeys with an old plastic tablecloth. Which, being plastic means this is a “close supervision” toy.
Of course, you could make little squares out of fabric, and if you’re really in a hurry,you can even buy them pre-cut. Check out the Moda Charm Packs. They’d be perfect. Pre-cut 5.5 inch squares. You could sew around the edges to keep from fraying (though, they’re already pinked), or use some Fray Stop around the edges (it’s washable!)
One of the best innovations we’ve had around here in a long time.
A great way to use some leftover fabric, or plastic (only with supervision!), and keep a plastic wipe container out of the landfill. In fact, you could even stock up on these and make some for all the little ones you know! (Pssst! Christmas is sooner than you think…)
OH! We will return to our regularly scheduled posts on Wednesday, when Launi (Mom, Grammy) gets back from her HypnoBirthing conference in FL. Sorry for hijacking the blog. My mom made me.
At least she showed me how to keep my real wet wipes safe before she left.
Mwa!
~ April
The Season of Thanks
Gracias, danke, merci–whatever language is spoken, “thank you” frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity–even a sincerity–when “thank you” is spoken.
–President Thomas S. Monson
~ April
Crayon Leaf Mobile
Remember those crayons you bought a lot of a few weeks ago, and then broke them up and made Confetti Crayons?
Well, I hope you saved some, or still have some around that need sharpening…
You’ll need:
- Wax paper
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Pencil Sharpener
- Black Permanent Marker
- Iron
- Hole Punch
- String
First, print out this pdf, of a few outlines of leaves.
Get out your black marker, and trace the leaves on a sheet of wax paper.
Lay out your sheet of wax paper with the leaves on it, on your ironing surface. Put a sheet of clean paper underneath to protect your ironing board.
Then, start sharpening! (And please ignore the scorch marks on my ironing board while you’re at it.)
I tried to make my shavings all pretty and in the lines. Don’t bother, it’s a pain, and totally doesn’t make a difference. Just have fun mixing colors, and then just spread them evenly over the leaf shape on the waxed paper. This is a fun way to teach kids about monochromatic colors, complimentary colors, warm colors, cool colors, etc. Oh, and if you mix too many colors, well, you’ll end up with brown. Just a warning.
Place the 2nd sheet of wax paper over the top of your crayon shavings. Set your iron on low. Put another piece of clean white paper on top of your wax paper (to protect your iron). Then, press the iron slowly down on each of the leaves. Don’t move the iron around like you’re ironing something, just press it down, pick it up, move it, place it down again. If you move it, it will smear your crayon wax everywhere, and you’ll have a mess. Trust me on this.
Please note the lovely brown patch. I told you. Too many colors=brown.
Now, cut out your leaves! If you do this part while they’re still warm, they will be easier to cut, but they cool quickly. Don’t worry if your wax paper starts to lift a little on the edges, just put your cut out piece back between the clean paper, give it a little press with the iron, and voila! Sealed up again!
Poke some holes in your leaves, tie some string…
 and hang up somewhere pretty!
~ April