...getting out in nature one last beautiful fall day
before winter hits
If you have lovely weather in your neck of the woods (or plains)
I highly recommend taking advantage of it!
before winter hits
If you have lovely weather in your neck of the woods (or plains)
I highly recommend taking advantage of it!
Nothing to do?
Here's a pile of free and easy ways to turn a lazy day fun...
* Make an obstacle course of couch cushions and stray objects in the living room.
* Play charades.
* Give kids a screwdriver and let them take apart broken phones and other gadgets.
* Alter a book.
* Challenge the kids to fill a laundry basket with something representing every letter of the alphabet. The catch? It has to be out of place already. Afterwards, put it all away and fill it with 10 blue things and so on. (Shhh, don't mention this is eerily similar to cleaning.)
* Mix tempera paint with a little liquid dish soap and let the kids paint a fall decoration on a window.
* Teach them a new card game.
* Paint rocks, sticks or pine cones outside.
* Turn a large box into a post office, rocket ship, puppet theater, boat....
(Add your own!)
Happy Friday!
Here's a pile of free and easy ways to turn a lazy day fun...
* Make an obstacle course of couch cushions and stray objects in the living room.
* Play charades.
* Give kids a screwdriver and let them take apart broken phones and other gadgets.
* Alter a book.
* Challenge the kids to fill a laundry basket with something representing every letter of the alphabet. The catch? It has to be out of place already. Afterwards, put it all away and fill it with 10 blue things and so on. (Shhh, don't mention this is eerily similar to cleaning.)
* Mix tempera paint with a little liquid dish soap and let the kids paint a fall decoration on a window.
* Teach them a new card game.
* Paint rocks, sticks or pine cones outside.
* Turn a large box into a post office, rocket ship, puppet theater, boat....
(Add your own!)
Happy Friday!
Here's some fun printables to keep your favorite little people
busy this Thanksgiving!
Click here for the fun.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a small boy
who napped too late and woke at entirely the wrong time
who's planning on hanging out with me
till the wee, wee hours
so I guess I'd better find some munchies!
Happy Thursday!
busy this Thanksgiving!
Click here for the fun.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a small boy
who napped too late and woke at entirely the wrong time
who's planning on hanging out with me
till the wee, wee hours
so I guess I'd better find some munchies!
Happy Thursday!
Here's a few of the crafts and goodies I've been drooling over lately...
1. This lantern is so gorgeous!
The tutorial is very light on instructions
but I'm going to go for it anyway!
2. Did you all know about frame tape?
Oh my goodness, I want a hundred rolls.
I'm in love with the idea.
I'm going to cover walls with artwork.
3. Magical Mama Lucy shared the link
to make these fabulous looking Starbucks Pumpkin Scones.
I have a freezer full of pumpkin.
I think a double batch is in our near future.
4. I love the idea behind this project
minus the sewing and taking a really long time bits.
I'm all about sentimental
but also really about easy. :)
So I'm working on a lazy mama version of this one...
5. How cute are these?!
I love the painted toenails
and know four kids who'd love to make a set each.
What's on your fun list lately?
Have any crafts or nifty sites to share?
1. This lantern is so gorgeous!
The tutorial is very light on instructions
but I'm going to go for it anyway!
2. Did you all know about frame tape?
Oh my goodness, I want a hundred rolls.
I'm in love with the idea.
I'm going to cover walls with artwork.
3. Magical Mama Lucy shared the link
to make these fabulous looking Starbucks Pumpkin Scones.
I have a freezer full of pumpkin.
I think a double batch is in our near future.
4. I love the idea behind this project
minus the sewing and taking a really long time bits.
I'm all about sentimental
but also really about easy. :)
So I'm working on a lazy mama version of this one...
5. How cute are these?!
I love the painted toenails
and know four kids who'd love to make a set each.
What's on your fun list lately?
Have any crafts or nifty sites to share?
"Peace does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise,
trouble, or hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things
and still be calm in your heart."
~Marcel Morin
(I love this quote and try to remember it
during especially noisy, crazy-making times!)
(Are there any times any more that aren't
noisy and crazy-making?!)
:)
Happy Tuesday!
Treat yourself to something neat today.
I insist!
where there is no noise,
trouble, or hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things
and still be calm in your heart."
~Marcel Morin
(I love this quote and try to remember it
during especially noisy, crazy-making times!)
(Are there any times any more that aren't
noisy and crazy-making?!)
:)
Happy Tuesday!
Treat yourself to something neat today.
I insist!
1. Fill the bathtub half full of water balloons and let your child take a bath with them.
2. Grab some leftover Halloween face paints (or makeup!)
and do face painting with the kids.
3. Make banana bread in a bag together.
4. Gather up some handfuls of smooth rocks, acorns or other natural materials and paint them together to make some creative (free!) homemade toys.
5. Go ice skating, roller skating or inline skating together.
6. Look at the moon through binoculars.
7. Make art dolls.
8. Make a back yard obstacle course.
9. Climb a tree together and do something up there
(homework, read a book, sit and talk, have a snack...).
10. Make a fun portable hammock with a sheet and two grown ups
holding the corners.
Swing your favorite little person in the middle of it.
Have a magical week!
2. Grab some leftover Halloween face paints (or makeup!)
and do face painting with the kids.
3. Make banana bread in a bag together.
4. Gather up some handfuls of smooth rocks, acorns or other natural materials and paint them together to make some creative (free!) homemade toys.
5. Go ice skating, roller skating or inline skating together.
6. Look at the moon through binoculars.
7. Make art dolls.
8. Make a back yard obstacle course.
9. Climb a tree together and do something up there
(homework, read a book, sit and talk, have a snack...).
10. Make a fun portable hammock with a sheet and two grown ups
holding the corners.
Swing your favorite little person in the middle of it.
Have a magical week!
Don't forget, every single day, to take the time to make the day mean something.
We only have so many days to enjoy this magical planet and these beautiful kids.
For goodness sakes, don't waste them.
Look at the stars.
Dance with your sweetie in the driveway.
Smell everything.
Feel everything.
Savor life or you'll miss it accidentally.
Happy Sunday!
We only have so many days to enjoy this magical planet and these beautiful kids.
For goodness sakes, don't waste them.
Look at the stars.
Dance with your sweetie in the driveway.
Smell everything.
Feel everything.
Savor life or you'll miss it accidentally.
Happy Sunday!
Have a child who's 3, 5 or 7? Take part in this fun Japanese tradition!
In Japan, children who are three, five, or seven years old are thought to be especially lucky. On November 15, families who have children of these ages take part in a very old festival called Shichi-Go-San, or "Seven-Five-Three."
Technically, the holiday is for 3 and 7 year-old girls and 5 year-old boys. Many parents celebrate when any of their children are these odd (and therefore lucky) ages, though.
On this day, the children dress in their finest clothes. Some wear Western-style clothes while others follow the old customs and wear traditional kimonos. Every child gets a long, narrow paper bag colorfully decorated with pictures-- usually of a pine tree, a tortoise, and a crane, symbols of youth and long life.
When everyone is ready, the families go to a shrine or place of worship. There, they give thanks for the good health of the children and typically leave a contribution. They also ask for a blessing for the future health and happiness of the children.
Outside the shrine, there are stalls where the parents buy candy and toys to fill the children's paper bags. After the families return home, the children give some of their candy to visiting friends and relatives. In return, the children are often given gifts. Finally, the day may end with a party.
You can read one mother's account of taking part with her daughter for the first time in Japan here.
If you have a child whose age fits the bill, this could be a sweet element to work into the day tomorrow -- even if it's just to dress up, take pictures, give thanks and have some candy!
Mine are 2, 6, 9 and 11, so I don't have a single child who qualifies. Maybe we'll celebrate unlucky years. ;)
In Japan, children who are three, five, or seven years old are thought to be especially lucky. On November 15, families who have children of these ages take part in a very old festival called Shichi-Go-San, or "Seven-Five-Three."
Technically, the holiday is for 3 and 7 year-old girls and 5 year-old boys. Many parents celebrate when any of their children are these odd (and therefore lucky) ages, though.
On this day, the children dress in their finest clothes. Some wear Western-style clothes while others follow the old customs and wear traditional kimonos. Every child gets a long, narrow paper bag colorfully decorated with pictures-- usually of a pine tree, a tortoise, and a crane, symbols of youth and long life.
When everyone is ready, the families go to a shrine or place of worship. There, they give thanks for the good health of the children and typically leave a contribution. They also ask for a blessing for the future health and happiness of the children.
Outside the shrine, there are stalls where the parents buy candy and toys to fill the children's paper bags. After the families return home, the children give some of their candy to visiting friends and relatives. In return, the children are often given gifts. Finally, the day may end with a party.
You can read one mother's account of taking part with her daughter for the first time in Japan here.
If you have a child whose age fits the bill, this could be a sweet element to work into the day tomorrow -- even if it's just to dress up, take pictures, give thanks and have some candy!
Mine are 2, 6, 9 and 11, so I don't have a single child who qualifies. Maybe we'll celebrate unlucky years. ;)
Happy Friday the 13th!
In honor of the day we're doing a little fun thing every hour.
First hour -- cake for breakfast!
:)
Have a magical day!
In honor of the day we're doing a little fun thing every hour.
First hour -- cake for breakfast!
:)
Have a magical day!
Victoria baked her first cake tonight.
She decorated it, too
with one of our favorite sayings
that will make no sense to most people
but makes us grin like fools.
Tee hee hee.
Anybody know the reference????
Alex approves.
(We are completely out of the running for "normal" at this point, aren't we?)
(Like we were ever in the running.)
:)
Happy Friday!
She decorated it, too
with one of our favorite sayings
that will make no sense to most people
but makes us grin like fools.
Tee hee hee.
Anybody know the reference????
Alex approves.
(We are completely out of the running for "normal" at this point, aren't we?)
(Like we were ever in the running.)
:)
Happy Friday!
Ever hear of Art Jumping?
Magical Mama Lucy recommended this blog
where people send in pictures of themselves
jumping for joy
in front of art.
The pictures make me smile
and I know four little kids who would love
to go jumping.
Anybody else UP for it? ;)
Happy Thursday!
1. Homemade pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
2. Watching my kids delight at getting to blow out candles on cupcakes
again and again
while we sing "Happy Tuesday to you!"
as much as they want
(even the big kids)
3. Doing color changing pH experiments with purple cabbage water
4. Doing the toddler version and watching the water magically turn blue to pink to blue
5. Getting a pedicure from my favorite six year-old boy
6. Chore sticks
7. Toddlers that are finally asleep
7. Bedtime!
Happy Veterans Day for those in the states
to the veterans and their families.
Go find a veteran and do something nice for him or her today
~ and the rest of the days too!
2. Watching my kids delight at getting to blow out candles on cupcakes
again and again
while we sing "Happy Tuesday to you!"
as much as they want
(even the big kids)
3. Doing color changing pH experiments with purple cabbage water
4. Doing the toddler version and watching the water magically turn blue to pink to blue
5. Getting a pedicure from my favorite six year-old boy
6. Chore sticks
7. Toddlers that are finally asleep
7. Bedtime!
Happy Veterans Day for those in the states
to the veterans and their families.
Go find a veteran and do something nice for him or her today
~ and the rest of the days too!
2. Adopt a person. As a family, decide on somebody who needs some magic. Find an anonymous way to do a good thing for her or him.
3. Find a fallen tree branch in a manageable size. Bring it home, pot it, and string it with white Christmas tree lights for a whimsical decoration in any room.
4. Bake a ring or other heat-resistant trinket into a cupcake. Make up a tradition or superstition like whoever gets the cupcake will have good luck for a week. For goodness sakes, make sure it doesn't have lead in it, though. :)
5. Gather up some dried flowers, petals or potpourri and take the kids outside at sunset. Tell them you're going to do flower magic and show them how to toss the petals up into the wind. Say prayers or wishes for loved ones as you toss.
6. Pass on a tradition. Teach your children something unique to your family or something that was handed down from your parents or grandparents. Share your memories as you do so. Even baking bread can be a cherished memory if the first time you learn is treated like a special occasion.
7. Call or write your child's loved ones and ask them all to either send a card on the same day or call on the same day. Make it an "I love ___ day" and see if you can fill your child's evening with calls or cards from folks who will take the time to say how much they love him.
8. Let your child choose an alter ego for the day and play along with it. Let her borrow some clothes and a hat that make her look totally different. Encourage her to make up a name and an identity, and go along as her Aunt Lucy for the day.
9. Gather up some rocks and take them home. Help the kids use permanent markers to decorate them and even leave tiny words or sayings on them, then return them to outside. Have fun leaving your tiny treasures to be discovered by someone else.
10. Make up secret signals as a family. Put your heads together to come up with codes for everything from 'I love you' to 'Mom, quit talking and come on already!'. <G> Use them!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a magical week! Make sure it includes chocolate and at least one nap.
And bubbles -- in any form you like (bubble baths, blowing bubbles, champagne, root beer, bubblegum....). How bad can a week get with naps, chocolate and bubbles? ;)
I'm terribly sorry for my unplanned absence!
A certain two year-old pushed some buttons on Saturday
and the internet was no longer.
His powers are good.
No amount of tech support all weekend could help
and they had to fix things this morning on their end.
The good news is I finally have the internet again.
The better news is that we're heading out of town to the zoo
so I'll have to post 10 ways to make the day magical later.
Suggestion #1: Go to the zoo. :)
Have a magical day!
A certain two year-old pushed some buttons on Saturday
and the internet was no longer.
His powers are good.
No amount of tech support all weekend could help
and they had to fix things this morning on their end.
The good news is I finally have the internet again.
The better news is that we're heading out of town to the zoo
so I'll have to post 10 ways to make the day magical later.
Suggestion #1: Go to the zoo. :)
Have a magical day!
Kids got any leftover Halloween candy yet?
Want to use Pixy Stix to test for acids?
Do M&M and Skittles chromatography?
Make sparks with wintergreen Lifesavers?
Head over to this wonderful site for lots of fun experiments!
Check out this beautiful twig loom
all all of the other wonderful fall projects
at Avalon-Arts.
Gorgeous!
I'm inspired for our next project,
though I bet it will be more colorful.
I have color-crazy kids. :)
Tonight I was taking a bath with Alex
when Anna came in with a notebook and pencil.
She introduced herself as Allison Somebody
and wanted to interview me.
I said sure.
She asked how many kids I had,
so I answered 17.
She wanted to know their names.
Sure, I told her,
There's Twinkletoes Roundbottom here
(Junior really, he's named after his daddy)
and Eggbeater,
oh yes, and Lizardlump Roundbottom...
Victoria heard from the other room
and had to come join us.
For some reason my girls were laughing so hard
they kept nearly falling over.
It might have had something to do with the funny accent too.
Just then my 6 year old, Higglebott, came in.
He really prefers to be called Jack.
But Swarky Daffodill Strangebottom
(also known as Victoria)
didn't mind her name at all
as long as I'd answer her questions too.
Those girls wanted to know about discipline
(throwing spoons, I told 'em)
and sleeping arrangements
(the kids sleep on the roof
and it's sloped, ya know --
all night long I hear tumble tumble tumble BONK).
Higglebott ended up climbing into the bath too
while Swarky and Chickenlips Eugenia interviewed me.
I told a lot of stories about our family adventures.
Boy have I done some dumb things.
Boy do my children laugh a lot.
We made so much noise Daddy went downstairs to watch his show.
I have such a small bathroom
and I never get a bath to myself.
Rotten children.
Just wait till I find my spoons.
:)
when Anna came in with a notebook and pencil.
She introduced herself as Allison Somebody
and wanted to interview me.
I said sure.
She asked how many kids I had,
so I answered 17.
She wanted to know their names.
Sure, I told her,
There's Twinkletoes Roundbottom here
(Junior really, he's named after his daddy)
and Eggbeater,
oh yes, and Lizardlump Roundbottom...
Victoria heard from the other room
and had to come join us.
For some reason my girls were laughing so hard
they kept nearly falling over.
It might have had something to do with the funny accent too.
Just then my 6 year old, Higglebott, came in.
He really prefers to be called Jack.
But Swarky Daffodill Strangebottom
(also known as Victoria)
didn't mind her name at all
as long as I'd answer her questions too.
Those girls wanted to know about discipline
(throwing spoons, I told 'em)
and sleeping arrangements
(the kids sleep on the roof
and it's sloped, ya know --
all night long I hear tumble tumble tumble BONK).
Higglebott ended up climbing into the bath too
while Swarky and Chickenlips Eugenia interviewed me.
I told a lot of stories about our family adventures.
Boy have I done some dumb things.
Boy do my children laugh a lot.
We made so much noise Daddy went downstairs to watch his show.
I have such a small bathroom
and I never get a bath to myself.
Rotten children.
Just wait till I find my spoons.
:)
Here's a fun rainy day project.
Make a paper castle
complete with towers, a drawbridge, horsemen, Merlin and Morgana!
The author recommends printing on cardstock (especially colored)
to make them nicer and sturdier.
Elsewhere on the site you can download dragons, griffins, mermaids and more!
Make a paper castle
complete with towers, a drawbridge, horsemen, Merlin and Morgana!
The author recommends printing on cardstock (especially colored)
to make them nicer and sturdier.
Elsewhere on the site you can download dragons, griffins, mermaids and more!
Thought for the day:
If you're having a lot of power struggles with your toddler lately
you might want to ask yourself
"Why am I having power struggles with a toddler?"
Just a thought.
:)
1. Find some hidden part of the house (or part of your belongings if you rent) and help your kids scribble messages about who they are now. Years from now you'll be able to take out that dresser drawer and see your little boy's words underneath or crawl in the closet and see who your daughter was in second grade.
2. Have a giving contest. Tell the whole family that you're having a challenge to see who can do the nicest thing for someone else (outside of the family). If you like, you can have a new contest every day of the week, with the winner each day getting a small reward like wearing a silly crown during supper. Whoever wins the most during the week gets to pick a neat thing to do on the weekend. Make sure the real reward is seeing how happy you make people.
3. Totally doll up the dining room table for supper tonight. Gather leaves to scatter on the tablecloth, make an arrangement of cut twigs, flowers or grasses. Use pine cones, candles, acorns or treasures from around the house to make it a work of art.
4. After dark, sneak outside with the kids and howl at the moon. Never mind the neighbors. They're no fun anyway. ;)
5. Go cruising with the radio turned up too loud. Take turns choosing the music. Sing along and hand jive.
6. Play hide-and-go-seek in the house.
7. Leave a thank you card under his pillow, telling him how much he means to you and how much you appreciate what a fantastic kid he is.
8. Brag about your child on the phone when you know she can hear. Tell how proud you are of her and how great she is. It'll mean more to her than you'd guess.
9. Burn up a whole roll of film being as silly, goofy and funny looking as you can be. Frame some of the pictures and leave them out as a reminder to be silly more often.
10. Poke, pound, pester and pulverize your leftover pumpkins! Have you tried this yet? I've been telling you to do it for years and it's such outrageous fun. Make designs, spell out words, nail pretty leaves in patterns, try pounding different objects in, pull the pegs out and leave cool hole patterns and just pound them...
(Note traces of vampire makeup remaining!)
2. Have a giving contest. Tell the whole family that you're having a challenge to see who can do the nicest thing for someone else (outside of the family). If you like, you can have a new contest every day of the week, with the winner each day getting a small reward like wearing a silly crown during supper. Whoever wins the most during the week gets to pick a neat thing to do on the weekend. Make sure the real reward is seeing how happy you make people.
3. Totally doll up the dining room table for supper tonight. Gather leaves to scatter on the tablecloth, make an arrangement of cut twigs, flowers or grasses. Use pine cones, candles, acorns or treasures from around the house to make it a work of art.
4. After dark, sneak outside with the kids and howl at the moon. Never mind the neighbors. They're no fun anyway. ;)
5. Go cruising with the radio turned up too loud. Take turns choosing the music. Sing along and hand jive.
6. Play hide-and-go-seek in the house.
7. Leave a thank you card under his pillow, telling him how much he means to you and how much you appreciate what a fantastic kid he is.
8. Brag about your child on the phone when you know she can hear. Tell how proud you are of her and how great she is. It'll mean more to her than you'd guess.
9. Burn up a whole roll of film being as silly, goofy and funny looking as you can be. Frame some of the pictures and leave them out as a reminder to be silly more often.
10. Poke, pound, pester and pulverize your leftover pumpkins! Have you tried this yet? I've been telling you to do it for years and it's such outrageous fun. Make designs, spell out words, nail pretty leaves in patterns, try pounding different objects in, pull the pegs out and leave cool hole patterns and just pound them...
(Note traces of vampire makeup remaining!)
(Also note the lack of a toddler in these pictures.
Alex was napping but when he hammers his pumpkin he will use a rubber mallet!)
RIP jack-o-lanterns.
Thanks for a fun month.
Alex was napping but when he hammers his pumpkin he will use a rubber mallet!)
RIP jack-o-lanterns.
Thanks for a fun month.
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magical_mama- Alicia Bayer
- A Magical Childhood
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