but I’ve been away.
I can hardly wait to tell you about it…
and I will…
just as soon as I
(yawn)
wake up.
Chocolate Tsunami
One day, a package arrived on our porch for Jillian. A mysterious package from a faraway land…
sent to her by a dear, sweet friend in England. Not an ordinary package–oh no.
It was obviously a most wicked, dreadful, dangerous package. Needless to say…we were terrified. Shaking even.
We…
got…
over…
it…
pretty…
dang…
fast.
We spread it all out to look at it.
We thought about inviting people over to share.
There was, after all—so much fabulous stuff!
But then a really strange thing happened.
One by one, all the beautiful melty chocolate and sweets started mysteriously disappearing.
Not exactly sure what really happened. It was like a whirlwind or tornado or hurricane sweeping through the place gobbling up all the gooey, sweet, yummy…I mean…it just…we couldn’t….sorta…
rats.
I swear. We did try.
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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