tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157219806303766192024-03-05T06:31:07.476-08:00Glitter, Mud, & Duct TapeExploring the most important things in life - Play, Art, Science, and Giggles.Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-85757333766374348922013-01-16T13:02:00.000-08:002013-01-16T13:02:03.371-08:00Valentine's Day Round Up!<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's some of our favorite projects from past Valentine's Days </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3log4LsbAuXanqFGVlcG8U9GtA_kRC5NPUBUs5E6h0RA1uIOIcOhjHLxqcU-IMyTSZOO4eONcQELl80_DlYFd92skztsbrefU8fS0g2fqJU7SgAuVAfd5rcFZMrxznPyWP_fuLQiyw/s1600/Feb+2012+077-narrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3log4LsbAuXanqFGVlcG8U9GtA_kRC5NPUBUs5E6h0RA1uIOIcOhjHLxqcU-IMyTSZOO4eONcQELl80_DlYFd92skztsbrefU8fS0g2fqJU7SgAuVAfd5rcFZMrxznPyWP_fuLQiyw/s400/Feb+2012+077-narrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found the instructions for making these Love Apples on <a href="http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/2012/02/love-apples.html">The Magic Onions</a> blog. The girls loved them and felt very special without all the sugar. I slipped Miss A's Love Apple into her lunch box so she would be surprised at school. She was thrilled that even her lunch was special. <br />
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Here is the Valentine we made for A's preschool class - the idea came from the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-cards/ginormous-lollipop-1033785/">Disney Family Fun Magazine</a> - we just substituted a pencil for the lollipop as her school discourages candy. Miss A wrote all the words for the Valentine, and I added them to the image with Photoshop. Miss A wanted fancy letters so she added cute curlicues all other the place. Once they image was done we had enough for the classed printed at Target. Super easy.<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj7TAARbhW6obkB4bFEWcozNemF87ziYoql_AqceHbx58IvcrjiLbt1_UYtsSo1eEjE9SqhvvXHWKASOQrVbQF28s2IIcXHSm7BjQUXTog5tPgOFwTUzua4DnH5qMrX1zW_Rz5-sAYw/s320/Feb.+2012+021.JPG" width="320" /></div>
Miss A saw a Ladybug Tic Tac Toe game for sale in a magazine and wanted to order one. I suggested she make one instead. I often recreate things from images I've seen in magazines, but this is the first time A has tried. It was fun to watch how she figured out how the project went together and added her own special touches - everything she makes has to have a big smile on it's face :)<br />
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The girls and I made these yummy Valentine's Treats last year and will definitely be making them again. You can click <a href="http://glittermudandducttape.blogspot.com/2012/02/simplest-carmel-turtle-recipe-ever.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read the super easy instructions. <br />
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Happy Valentine's Day Crafting!!Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-2328288845851312742012-10-24T08:00:00.000-07:002012-10-24T08:00:09.481-07:00Bath Mosaic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSUe5fg44WNEiSIcpL-UB2bxKFCD-GuZQSpIAGlXGIWs1h6wf-w68SsPiX8x03-86BiRw_sWbatB8sjDAb3u8H4N_bgT2G8xf9EZeMLF6sGPqFzySAV4A_XhBfJCoceDGVBzuJxZL8w/s1600/2012+July+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSUe5fg44WNEiSIcpL-UB2bxKFCD-GuZQSpIAGlXGIWs1h6wf-w68SsPiX8x03-86BiRw_sWbatB8sjDAb3u8H4N_bgT2G8xf9EZeMLF6sGPqFzySAV4A_XhBfJCoceDGVBzuJxZL8w/s1600/2012+July+252.JPG" /></a></div>
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Bath Mosaic</div>
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Super fast and simple - cut pieces of craft foam into basic shapes - they stick to most smooth surfaces when wet. If you really want to get fancy cut out the parts and pieces to build monsters or make a game of Tic Tac Toe - <a href="http://spoonful.com/crafts/tic-tac-tub">http://spoonful.com/crafts/tic-tac-tub</a></div>
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<br />Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-26410495951658988372012-10-20T21:46:00.002-07:002012-10-20T21:47:51.779-07:00Magic Site WordsIt's been a while since I last posted, it's not that we haven't been doing projects, but that we now have a kindergartner in the house. I think the transition into school is harder on the parents than the kids. All the meetings, site words, and field trips. I figure the only way I can post is if I keep it fast and simple. <br />
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Magically appearing site words!</div>
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I don't want site words to be a chore, and there is only so much site word bingo one little girl can play before she figures out it's really home work. Since A enjoys art so much, lately I've been trying to use more art inspired activities. White crayon and some water colors make identifying site words a lot more fun. So easy and fast!<br />
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How do you keep site words from being a chore? Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-56012421752854959842012-04-28T22:39:00.000-07:002012-04-28T22:40:55.376-07:00Rainbow Bug Art Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't posted in a while - a combination of beautiful spring weekends too nice to spend at the computer and preparing for A's 5th birthday. For the last 4 years Miss A has celebrated her birthday with a bug party, but there are only so many variations you can do on a theme, so this year I chose the theme - Rainbow Art Party, Miss A managed to convince me to add the bug in at the last minute. Hey what can you do - the girl really likes bugs. <br />
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Rainbow Ribbon Garland</div>
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Rainbow Birthday Banner</div>
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It's hard to capture this one in a picture since is stretch at least 10', but trust me it's cute. </div>
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I'll put up instructions later this week.</div>
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Rainbow Tutus</div>
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More on these later.</div>
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Rainbow Punch Box</div>
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(You can get the instructions from <a href="http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/cardboard-box-punch-out-party-surprise.html" target="_blank">Pink and Green Mama</a>)</div>
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Rainbow Fruit Kabobs</div>
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Rainbow Cereal Necklaces. </div>
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I also found this idea on <a href="http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2010/03/rainbow-birthday-party-highlights.html" target="_blank">Pink and Green Mama</a> - they were so cute I had add them to the party table even though it was last minute. The kids absolutely loved them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjSnQAM2zjm6itA10I5iVw9Wvt9aLZ_kwK_W5KUOPx05FaB78ZzEO-W863VnFt3XSDo7YCE5tQz1Fg08rpCTy3_aBaTVO5LeGs1oiBhmnGHAgzl9NfbRtqsPt6_p4JtIghT_jMHEYCw/s1600/April+2012+-+Alaura's+Birthday+Party+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjSnQAM2zjm6itA10I5iVw9Wvt9aLZ_kwK_W5KUOPx05FaB78ZzEO-W863VnFt3XSDo7YCE5tQz1Fg08rpCTy3_aBaTVO5LeGs1oiBhmnGHAgzl9NfbRtqsPt6_p4JtIghT_jMHEYCw/s320/April+2012+-+Alaura's+Birthday+Party+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rainbow Cupcakes<br />
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Whew, that's enough for now and we haven't even gotten to the art yet - I'll put our Rainbow Bug Art in a separate post. <br />
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<br />Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-63607882229014195732012-03-14T08:30:00.003-07:002012-03-16T12:41:40.243-07:00Rocket Cups - 3, 2, 1, Blast Off!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI0hwperm30Wk7wNV6UEDoAD2KEOYC10t9lM_ozVM_N6p2bs_HqsQePGmI_yjpS-ei0bH0enmX0TWniJqkL_4Lw-gsiKFxAwN3RetBGyTBmccsG-GG8pFFXCnEzPkglQHt-eFdiP2Sg/s1600/Feb.+2012+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI0hwperm30Wk7wNV6UEDoAD2KEOYC10t9lM_ozVM_N6p2bs_HqsQePGmI_yjpS-ei0bH0enmX0TWniJqkL_4Lw-gsiKFxAwN3RetBGyTBmccsG-GG8pFFXCnEzPkglQHt-eFdiP2Sg/s320/Feb.+2012+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Miss A has been watching a lot of documentaries on space lately and Miss G loves all things that go (especially if they are loud), so when I saw the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/jumping-cups-1027090/" target="_blank">rocket cups</a> in the recent <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/" target="_blank">Family Fun Magazine</a> I know they would be a hit with both the girls. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mLMjC41paxjiAAFcKoSr5KsK9LKCrokhP5KVRSSsFRaYSqmf9ICIwq61cCVFxMlbDBuuw1ZuOAkSpKruvrqVx2yqYZcoXasXCp3Ol0BECq7_bkuJ0qO5fiiRQHRQkwY-T3PvvY5Uxg/s1600/Feb.+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mLMjC41paxjiAAFcKoSr5KsK9LKCrokhP5KVRSSsFRaYSqmf9ICIwq61cCVFxMlbDBuuw1ZuOAkSpKruvrqVx2yqYZcoXasXCp3Ol0BECq7_bkuJ0qO5fiiRQHRQkwY-T3PvvY5Uxg/s320/Feb.+2012+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You need 2 cups for each rocket and a rubber band. The rubber band, cut and attached to the cup, acts as the propulsion system. I poked holes in the edge of the cup using a skewer then poked the rubber band through and tied a knot. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDM3vKZ8j53T1dNwYfCHVHINqnquWuYOn6KmBBpaC2AbMjX31lAioF-WEuGn-4Aa4U116x7rtsQahueOI5sh3-GcUAEUQQnywCg2LHqubejLZd0UcHavooH6ar8kigZIJemoAIZOqCg/s1600/Feb.+2012+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDM3vKZ8j53T1dNwYfCHVHINqnquWuYOn6KmBBpaC2AbMjX31lAioF-WEuGn-4Aa4U116x7rtsQahueOI5sh3-GcUAEUQQnywCg2LHqubejLZd0UcHavooH6ar8kigZIJemoAIZOqCg/s320/Feb.+2012+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The girls of course had to decorate their rockets before the inaugural flights.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YKVWJk7PK8FSViFqJeg6UgslzBZYOjWQPkn75pJ1UP5iawoSkYIBV0n-2JPjTJ2lmkjZUIF126KZmkkim2xq7p1_Hcr1AASBWiVcLiaWgRe49e7Wrp7ZzhRiAdnWXSpu77Mx1jVwqA/s1600/Feb.+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YKVWJk7PK8FSViFqJeg6UgslzBZYOjWQPkn75pJ1UP5iawoSkYIBV0n-2JPjTJ2lmkjZUIF126KZmkkim2xq7p1_Hcr1AASBWiVcLiaWgRe49e7Wrp7ZzhRiAdnWXSpu77Mx1jVwqA/s320/Feb.+2012+010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>To blast off set the rubber band rocket cup over an unaltered cup and push down stretching the rubber bands. It took A a few tries to get the hang of it, but soon she was showing off her rocketeer skills to her dad. G never quite could get the rocket to actually blast off, she just would push it over the other cup then count down and throw her rocket cup into the air (she was still very impressed with the activity). <br />
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After mastering the basic blast off we played around with our elastic toys and found that one of the rockets consistently went higher than the other. We fiddled a bit and decided that the tighter the rubber band the higher the rockets went. Not satisfied with that as the final answer A continued experimenting and discovered that the rockets went higher when they were pushed all the way down over the other cup and that if she didn't push the rockets down very far they didn't go very high. To the delight of my kids our rocket with the tightest rubber band almost hit the ceiling when pressed down fully and launched from the dining room table. <br />
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What is your favorite way to play with rubber bands?<br />
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<a border="0" href="http://rubsomedirtblog.com/happiness-is-blog-hop/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff65/bdp4life/BlogHopButton.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-15098927386293086792012-03-09T22:02:00.003-08:002012-03-12T13:16:54.004-07:003 Tips for Cooking with a Toddler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiyA7ugCofBfIgfosvvfrb16yFYwrlSZaM46KxSweG5sYQ35cZXs98jGhyphenhyphenRsHRexadMktiXFAI2W1FTsTRU4GPAjcj9VvuLgnOB3kVGztnMoaMu7hilmC8tvZOV03YO-w7wgpHIqVYg/s1600/Feb+cake+-+red+eye+fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiyA7ugCofBfIgfosvvfrb16yFYwrlSZaM46KxSweG5sYQ35cZXs98jGhyphenhyphenRsHRexadMktiXFAI2W1FTsTRU4GPAjcj9VvuLgnOB3kVGztnMoaMu7hilmC8tvZOV03YO-w7wgpHIqVYg/s320/Feb+cake+-+red+eye+fix.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My kids love to help me cook. G in particular loves helping in the kitchen, actually crying if I tell her it's a dish she can't help with. Having such an enthusiactic toddler helper is great and I'm glad we can share special time together, but the help definitley increases the stress in the kitchen. I've found the 3 tips below increase our fun and help me cope with my little kitchen helper. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEfixXDzrENPZxTYCgpCi-IsmjJCfAAVuAq9j0k-RTZtM5R2-JiaiWm5oJVz5xkxpxU5PDBum4OEGej4oPnJhttCSf1kriAD_cpDB5ijMd-Cw8dtjzYsZZnPCPSUS5rJU7fl65AZQXg/s1600/Feb.+2012+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEfixXDzrENPZxTYCgpCi-IsmjJCfAAVuAq9j0k-RTZtM5R2-JiaiWm5oJVz5xkxpxU5PDBum4OEGej4oPnJhttCSf1kriAD_cpDB5ijMd-Cw8dtjzYsZZnPCPSUS5rJU7fl65AZQXg/s320/Feb.+2012+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>1- Accept the mess</b><br />
The truth is, cooking with a toddler is messy; that is just the nature of a toddler. Toddlers are explorers; and learning about their world is there job. They need to smear and dribble and splash. For me the best way to deal with the mess is to adjust my expectations. I make sure that G is not in a special outfit, that all items that could be ruined are off the counter, and that I'm not rushed; then I just roll with it. This stage is so fleeting; soon G's motor skills will develope, she will pour accuratly, follow directions, and I will remember fondly how she used to draw pictures in the flour. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZhWzEIjQJzlOeH6mAgYrnlkpiL0kO-AdA9GhnFg4E8eyVekQ-85rMlHLMqeeV6iglfmfv6YrHc3Q7GENdv-flGnk-J6jNLMemVjU756TQP7mUsyBUOuRn5BrmzYBjFlN_Bc2ckfIWQ/s1600/Feb.+2012+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZhWzEIjQJzlOeH6mAgYrnlkpiL0kO-AdA9GhnFg4E8eyVekQ-85rMlHLMqeeV6iglfmfv6YrHc3Q7GENdv-flGnk-J6jNLMemVjU756TQP7mUsyBUOuRn5BrmzYBjFlN_Bc2ckfIWQ/s320/Feb.+2012+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>2- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare</b><br />
The more I prepare the more I enjoy cooking with a toddler. If possible I gather my ingredients and do any chopping or peeling while G is distracted elsewhere. Cooking is a lot more fun with a toddler if I don't have to worry about sharp knives or digging through the cupboards for an item. If I turn my back while cooking G will get creative and start adding anything she can get her hands on to the dish (dogfood pie is not so good).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4_sxct_nnrQsXDtoQyMzdus_9c-Wsm9hTEEnbY79rJq4hsvWOQNbjxRpseMUBPB1Kl6Rkc47JqWbBm5IJsO00k0lYZZx60aMc5aRqhj_aBo89D4bhdNE5Smlbn4bi-nf5oKGOQm0Eg/s1600/Feb.+2012+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4_sxct_nnrQsXDtoQyMzdus_9c-Wsm9hTEEnbY79rJq4hsvWOQNbjxRpseMUBPB1Kl6Rkc47JqWbBm5IJsO00k0lYZZx60aMc5aRqhj_aBo89D4bhdNE5Smlbn4bi-nf5oKGOQm0Eg/s320/Feb.+2012+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>3- Select your recipe carefully</b><br />
In terms of eating G is a typical picky toddler, until we start cooking. She has to sample almost every ingredient as we cook; a blessing or a curse depending. Tasting raw chicken - very bad! But tasting brocolii she would never touch if it was on her dinner plate - good, good, good. If there is particular food item I really want G to try I will incoporate it into cooking with her. Without the pressure of sitting at the dinner table she is more likely to explore the food, pick it up, play with it, and ultimately taste it. (sneaky -<i> </i>I know). But since I can never be sure what my toddler will put in her mouth while cooking I also make sure that all the incredients in the recipe can be eaten without causing major harm. Below is one of my family's favorite tasteable recipes - Almost Healthy Chocolate Cake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiNQJMC0IBNKcias9uqFiRq6P8dqoxiW2zbE4yHa4ZDGf8PuoBCTn2GB2knBr6dUJSbyAmFsKCoSHGN_0Zf1OUo7sHCBWdU3BJarGTzXem3pfpuckXz3UhbynORoZCm8WbTtuL29RCQ/s1600/Feb.+2012+087+-+cropped" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiNQJMC0IBNKcias9uqFiRq6P8dqoxiW2zbE4yHa4ZDGf8PuoBCTn2GB2knBr6dUJSbyAmFsKCoSHGN_0Zf1OUo7sHCBWdU3BJarGTzXem3pfpuckXz3UhbynORoZCm8WbTtuL29RCQ/s320/Feb.+2012+087+-+cropped" width="320" /></a></div><u><b>Almost Healthy Chocolate Cake</b></u> (adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fat-free-Baking-Sandra-Woodruff/dp/0895296306#_" target="_blank">Secrets of Fat Free Baking</a>)<br />
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour<br />
1 1/4 cups sugar<br />
1/3 cup cocoa powder<br />
2 teaspoons baking soda<br />
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce<br />
3/4 cup skim milk <br />
2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />
1/4 to 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate<br />
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*Preheat the oven to 325 degrees<br />
*Oil a 9x13 baking pan <br />
*Mix all the ingredient except the chocolate chips in a large bowl - the kids can mix them up in any order and the cake still turns out wonderful. The batter will be a little lumpier than a traditional cake due to the applesauce. <br />
*Pour the batter in the pan then sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips. <br />
*Bake for 50 minutes<br />
*Cool and eat. The cake is quite a bit moister than a traditional cake, more like a cake brownie. I hate to admit that the cake is devoured within about 3 days when we bake it, but if you will be keeping longer it's best to put the cake in the fridge. The cakes moister texture will cause it to spoil quicker if not refrigerated. <br />
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What are your tips for baking with kids?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1949925779"></span></div>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-69375241022412059552012-02-22T08:30:00.005-08:002012-02-24T08:13:22.561-08:00Pretty Polyhedrons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEYEhFersc47ktvsvXYCIx7CRRA-C4mCf4_In8Clt1cNQhclaJjk8OLHuhpoKnJkgHZ2qyYk6-hZtDB_PEkxClLyIQ5CsNkObhuVTddeSi6vqw-JGarLWNfvPT4eIGGKMbJIcRJ5Irw/s1600/Feb+2012+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEYEhFersc47ktvsvXYCIx7CRRA-C4mCf4_In8Clt1cNQhclaJjk8OLHuhpoKnJkgHZ2qyYk6-hZtDB_PEkxClLyIQ5CsNkObhuVTddeSi6vqw-JGarLWNfvPT4eIGGKMbJIcRJ5Irw/s320/Feb+2012+231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have been playing a lot with shapes lately at our house. My Mother sent us a great 3 dimensional thinking game called <a href="http://www.smartgames.eu/en/node/750" target="_blank">Trucky 3</a> by Smart Games. You load different combinations of blocks into the trucks starting out simple and getting more challenging as you progress through the accompanying book. I was surprised by how well A worked thorugh some of the puzzles, so I thought we would give the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/paper-plate-polyhedron-933447/" target="_blank">Paper Plate Polyhedrons</a> from Disney Family Fun a try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rpX_OQCRpQPVIP7L_vG26qeVVgMm7rL6qbttlMqdxuZtjnmpFRo3oUwd_O6qWx9VuXL7dZrur35qXQHjDu6srXUjUa_eNELsfM-uRJrJ73xDDx_3dNuGkMm38C4Dl3Fp-6hNzCJAHg/s1600/Feb+2012+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rpX_OQCRpQPVIP7L_vG26qeVVgMm7rL6qbttlMqdxuZtjnmpFRo3oUwd_O6qWx9VuXL7dZrur35qXQHjDu6srXUjUa_eNELsfM-uRJrJ73xDDx_3dNuGkMm38C4Dl3Fp-6hNzCJAHg/s320/Feb+2012+150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>First we painted the 20 paper plates needed for an Icosahedron - beautiful math is a lot more fun. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYYKkQAJqUMyTNOPxPTPg3BXwX4iXsN9YymdrgYFSkZSMoP2PjN2WIy8QoPJZGD6gdcmHcPe_1H-BHotYCDf-4TD262TkwK9ZYbtAWDU31iP_54nQkVZAi1TY5WwONukPVnlGhgxAuw/s1600/Feb+2012+200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYYKkQAJqUMyTNOPxPTPg3BXwX4iXsN9YymdrgYFSkZSMoP2PjN2WIy8QoPJZGD6gdcmHcPe_1H-BHotYCDf-4TD262TkwK9ZYbtAWDU31iP_54nQkVZAi1TY5WwONukPVnlGhgxAuw/s320/Feb+2012+200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next day I created a template of an equal lateral triangle to fold along. Technically the angle in each corner of the triangle should be 60 degrees, but I just eyeballed it. It only took about 15 minutes to fold all the plates, probalby a lot faster than if I had been able to coax the girls into helping. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZWwJQyCUfYCNFYFi-LapLbJiQk_rXVhy_ioJcF2DtvNEfzaE4OD53nl2LGUerS5ZNPjXRn8MwhOR3RF20dMn1o169IvR9OygBQ7wMm8ukGmw2oX8p4LPFGuOK8TvM9w1RzKWEaWV2Q/s1600/Feb+2012+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZWwJQyCUfYCNFYFi-LapLbJiQk_rXVhy_ioJcF2DtvNEfzaE4OD53nl2LGUerS5ZNPjXRn8MwhOR3RF20dMn1o169IvR9OygBQ7wMm8ukGmw2oX8p4LPFGuOK8TvM9w1RzKWEaWV2Q/s320/Feb+2012+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Since the day was unseasonably warm I took the project outside. I thought for sure the stapler would have gotten the girls interested in the project, but they ran around while I assembled the first portion of the polyhedron - a pentagon of 5 plates stapled together. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE-6HcDKEQWMZMor1xtax7XSmF-0Rj4hdLWw0OSO797FEstTXPjQU8oJ0DUBvKSdzbBDiJtrqZFLDpzrYAoxnAoIJA9YoXJagYJ-RIGu5OIl8Zy9M0FkYkPKsUVVmknB-MgPMqxoS7g/s1600/Feb+2012+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE-6HcDKEQWMZMor1xtax7XSmF-0Rj4hdLWw0OSO797FEstTXPjQU8oJ0DUBvKSdzbBDiJtrqZFLDpzrYAoxnAoIJA9YoXJagYJ-RIGu5OIl8Zy9M0FkYkPKsUVVmknB-MgPMqxoS7g/s320/Feb+2012+207.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>At this point G stopped by and thought the pentagon made a nice hat. I snapped a picture then tried to lure A over to join in, but she was not woed by the mathmatical hat. G wondered off and it was just me and the plates again. Such a cool project and so little interest from the kids so far. But I try not to push, so they enjoyed the warm day and slugs while I stapled. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FgH1Gl1N5ecdVp0ojJE5tH1cjgAwqdy-Lf-W6hSHn5M1-RK9yhyphenhyphenPJvM_VXtcgw7JOT-ZcOIkEHwu9gjY4vEtFm_QwsN8rrqS3aJhHVkBa6YTBdQSbs2Qbnrw-Pf8lnELeC7wsDzdUg/s1600/Feb+2012+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FgH1Gl1N5ecdVp0ojJE5tH1cjgAwqdy-Lf-W6hSHn5M1-RK9yhyphenhyphenPJvM_VXtcgw7JOT-ZcOIkEHwu9gjY4vEtFm_QwsN8rrqS3aJhHVkBa6YTBdQSbs2Qbnrw-Pf8lnELeC7wsDzdUg/s320/Feb+2012+211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To create the icosahedron I assembled 2 pentagons for the top and bottom and a row of the remaining plates which would connect the pentagons. To make the ball you should have 20 plates total. Make sure you count <u>before</u> you start to assemble. Note there are only 19 plates in this photo, causing a bit of a problem. I got to the end and the polyhedron just wouldn't close. I suspected I was short a plate or 2 , but it's really hard to cound the sides on a round object. My husband was smirking at me as I turned my shape around and a round to trying to get a good count. After removing a couple of staples and adding a plate it all worked out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQBklG6c-DTIVv0PakvIIZ6SYyK1VsCngN8FN6lhO9_q3QsQJaTMVz3xT_IA8wf1rb1fFJ5FGSHTwWO387Md9nDok67GRe5oNWRvpxi5Bb3A4gVx9KoPl5U_Q0TAQ_chWIuND22jLGw/s1600/Feb+2012+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQBklG6c-DTIVv0PakvIIZ6SYyK1VsCngN8FN6lhO9_q3QsQJaTMVz3xT_IA8wf1rb1fFJ5FGSHTwWO387Md9nDok67GRe5oNWRvpxi5Bb3A4gVx9KoPl5U_Q0TAQ_chWIuND22jLGw/s320/Feb+2012+219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Once the polyhedron was complete I suddenly had the girls full attention. G wanted to bounce it (which by the way I don't recomend) and A wanted to make one of her own. Finally this is what I had been hoping for. I got out another stack of plates and folded some for the girls to play with. They used markers to decorate the plates and then tried holding them together in different ways. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr1UhIbBU_ASsHdG0MiasUYcOOgQ7NnTvDBuy1HD0fEkVTiEeuU_-r9Tx6nJc2G3X0_pSIzx1OmQLRrFoV4fXHxji8vqoMohvOk0vx112BKuzGFgcyq7zeleNffsvwwILzXfNFD2jbA/s1600/Feb+2012+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr1UhIbBU_ASsHdG0MiasUYcOOgQ7NnTvDBuy1HD0fEkVTiEeuU_-r9Tx6nJc2G3X0_pSIzx1OmQLRrFoV4fXHxji8vqoMohvOk0vx112BKuzGFgcyq7zeleNffsvwwILzXfNFD2jbA/s320/Feb+2012+223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A decided she wanted to make a diamond shape. She thought we should staple 3 plates together, so I held while she stapeled. This created a little pyramid. She made another just the same then we stapled the two together. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85LvwogvEwN5Ay-Ld2U5X2CNXssstGCbdsnyYrvVU81XEL_4AzzFTSzG_jXmsR9siuHv_I9HMrIjqF9v-eie2D9yoSN9duGoMc4t8p8Wnw6zKrS80Wm-q4_88IpfLM67fWccUB90ZJA/s1600/Feb+2012+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85LvwogvEwN5Ay-Ld2U5X2CNXssstGCbdsnyYrvVU81XEL_4AzzFTSzG_jXmsR9siuHv_I9HMrIjqF9v-eie2D9yoSN9duGoMc4t8p8Wnw6zKrS80Wm-q4_88IpfLM67fWccUB90ZJA/s320/Feb+2012+226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Not exactly a diamond, but she was satisfied and I was happy that A was thinking about shapes in all 3 dimensions. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Sn2W5dPDUet2v24_EKp_iYRJ_VB_2zqcMQLHkcMxMqU2Bnz_h5gOFlOkcWwPi12DaMXNSfNX0WnG45252NhzYF03aSVoVcuDjuiSMQR7QI2PsEZWRTgQkAWUQt2f2GiCqy11gdve1A/s1600/Feb+2012+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Sn2W5dPDUet2v24_EKp_iYRJ_VB_2zqcMQLHkcMxMqU2Bnz_h5gOFlOkcWwPi12DaMXNSfNX0WnG45252NhzYF03aSVoVcuDjuiSMQR7QI2PsEZWRTgQkAWUQt2f2GiCqy11gdve1A/s320/Feb+2012+233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The polyhedrons turned out so lovely we hung them in the corner of the living room, I think we just need to make 2 or 3 more. A bit of an addictive project... what other polyhedrons can we create and what would they look like smaller out of pretty scrap book paper or out of transparent velum. Addictive math is probably a good thing. <br />
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How do you play with math?<br />
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<a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/search/label/It%27s%20Playtime" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de7AY1gAWHc/TaNHHR3P_oI/AAAAAAAAEX8/3j3ykThmpY8/s320/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a border="0" href="http://rubsomedirtblog.com/happiness-is-blog-hop/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff65/bdp4life/BlogHopButton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p><p><br />
<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" border="0" alt="Fun Stuff Fridays"/></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-32216843522577442152012-02-19T22:55:00.001-08:002012-02-24T08:17:13.431-08:00Tape Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirPA8JqoR8JOuTOv6Ud5hbRENJsLU6OM0iLjm4OGyKqcMRO7dnJX-T_iPVPoRXdCXVJR3woShOvuvub4X2bQVc1gjCEFJPiyiHbJW7ec_cOxwLHR6x6o68ehTBeH8Ox8W-x52eZqD1w/s1600/Alaura-2012-Tape+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirPA8JqoR8JOuTOv6Ud5hbRENJsLU6OM0iLjm4OGyKqcMRO7dnJX-T_iPVPoRXdCXVJR3woShOvuvub4X2bQVc1gjCEFJPiyiHbJW7ec_cOxwLHR6x6o68ehTBeH8Ox8W-x52eZqD1w/s320/Alaura-2012-Tape+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think all kids love tape; I know I did when I was a child. A is no exception. She has a special art drawer with supplies she can use herself anytime, her favorite item being several rolls of colored electrical tape. The other day during nap time / quiet time while daddy dozed and G slept A make the tape art picture above on some scrap cardboard. I love that she came up with this project completely independently. She used her wavy scissors to cut the tape giving the edges a neat texture and tried to combine layers of tape to create green grass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I got home from work and saw her latest creation I did a little searching on the Internet and found some other fun tape art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://tapeart.com/new/23yearstapeart/1989-tape-art-begins/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Adults making tape art</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.puddlesandgumboots.com/2011/09/08/easy-kids-art-fun-with-tape/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Kids making tape art</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://childhood101.com/2011/01/kids-art-101-using-tape-to-create/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Kids combining tape and paint</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How do your kids like to create with tape?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://graham-and-parker.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab23/GPTwinsMom08/LearnThroughPlay.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 150px" src="http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x343/livinglifeintentionally/TGIFLinkyParty-1.jpg" /></a></center>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-390125907426262702012-02-09T21:45:00.000-08:002012-02-09T21:45:32.097-08:00Simplest Carmel Turtle Recipe Ever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7fkNuWzbcXfdy1_gtpQPzRPUlI04UzBuMl2nvWuwqkLoM7GMcEg0xpd71u6XkWZU-hcN9A-vtfWBv17ahAgXXzt4u32FOANLNTofTnneGP74cwDWvtiFdr_JSwGk1533rJ22i5MEBg/s320/Jan+2012+079.JPG" width="320" /></div> I first saw this on <a href="http://tinkerlab.com/" target="_blank">Tinkerlab</a> and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pretzel-turtles/detail.aspx">allrecipies.com</a> a while back and have been dying to try them. A small craft party at my house was the perfect excuse. All you need are mini pretzels, Rollos, and pecan halves - any recipe with only has 3 ingredients is all good in my book. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq4ANARrrclPtjY6i3bYzpG7gf8y00TTpqelB0-1BKakxtLSKwYGkV0rtoTovBA6ujOPK9KIXPVGwC7CUFbIoOMASRl5_fK1LpNTDZTXMDhDVlRMZRqetEiMNcIl6Yz36KhthNeumZw/s1600/Jan+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq4ANARrrclPtjY6i3bYzpG7gf8y00TTpqelB0-1BKakxtLSKwYGkV0rtoTovBA6ujOPK9KIXPVGwC7CUFbIoOMASRl5_fK1LpNTDZTXMDhDVlRMZRqetEiMNcIl6Yz36KhthNeumZw/s320/Jan+2012+070.JPG" width="272" /></a></div>The girls set to work unwrapping the Rollo's while I laid the mini pretzels out on a cookie sheet and preheated the oven to 350 degrees. You can see all the great fine motor practice G is getting unwrapping the candies. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOJ7vu51hPSCdHu0B-KfYtY-bk_4ZTKbSA1k5UbxgJvYeEp9nP9JpMtSC6ZKHgkzqBLaKLzz_TNDR0fZC0O6EKvioDR9b9TJKIrnbU5XZhwF1r-acg5AdsSivd7cbBDXKsLAPaFkxlw/s1600/Jan+2012+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOJ7vu51hPSCdHu0B-KfYtY-bk_4ZTKbSA1k5UbxgJvYeEp9nP9JpMtSC6ZKHgkzqBLaKLzz_TNDR0fZC0O6EKvioDR9b9TJKIrnbU5XZhwF1r-acg5AdsSivd7cbBDXKsLAPaFkxlw/s320/Jan+2012+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We placed 1 Rollo on each pretzel. Then baked in the oven for exactly 4 minutes, just enough time to soften the Rollos. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSFZRPGrZ0CbvrSUEHr3QBiPnfzPb__J1pFgcB8TUxRWYKLci7jH4lsCapUWWeYGs0s43xDNi7frcKJnZ7UGD4chLhmUgmwQcSavvKB8sWrCoqhz1bn6MmBbLyMfgLvD33i3YfMtWxw/s1600/Jan+2012+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSFZRPGrZ0CbvrSUEHr3QBiPnfzPb__J1pFgcB8TUxRWYKLci7jH4lsCapUWWeYGs0s43xDNi7frcKJnZ7UGD4chLhmUgmwQcSavvKB8sWrCoqhz1bn6MmBbLyMfgLvD33i3YfMtWxw/s320/Jan+2012+073.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since they were in the oven such a short time the cookie sheet was only warm, so the girls could press the pecan halves into each Rollo without fear of burns. (A is wearing her <a href="http://glittermudandducttape.blogspot.com/2012/02/paper-bag-fairy-dresses.html">Fairy dress</a> we made several days before) Once everything was assembled 5 minutes in the refrigerator hardened the treats and they were ready to eat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPGpCvhhq_jk95N92qIOHPm4vAiLiPlQTi70GN63csAs-hhWbSnqFxc9F9LcS-1lF8ZZX9BEdTzha9exWHzIF67KW7Uef705T3Xw86LSnxTmPLYUuTjI3Ch2_8IwenPgaNTQKSHlfSg/s1600/Jan+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPGpCvhhq_jk95N92qIOHPm4vAiLiPlQTi70GN63csAs-hhWbSnqFxc9F9LcS-1lF8ZZX9BEdTzha9exWHzIF67KW7Uef705T3Xw86LSnxTmPLYUuTjI3Ch2_8IwenPgaNTQKSHlfSg/s320/Jan+2012+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>YUM! YUM! Chocolaty, carmeley, salty, nutty treats in less than 30 minutes. I think this will be our new Valentine's Day tradition. <br />
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Does your family have any traditions for Valentine's Day?Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-51685096210997235972012-02-05T21:43:00.002-08:002012-03-04T08:26:30.877-08:00Paper Bag Fairy Dresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfsmjiGc_9QINAScgSMESBXly401KJRdaM2zK2Gfo-0XdEnsvGWRWCaAFJHe3EMdhAxk4VTX4OkIXIcupILtbbhiCr3XbQMHjBg8h8VqEyPTaKNsUKQnAd77_b9u7m9Naa-DhfaS9YA/s1600/Jan+2012+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfsmjiGc_9QINAScgSMESBXly401KJRdaM2zK2Gfo-0XdEnsvGWRWCaAFJHe3EMdhAxk4VTX4OkIXIcupILtbbhiCr3XbQMHjBg8h8VqEyPTaKNsUKQnAd77_b9u7m9Naa-DhfaS9YA/s320/Jan+2012+060.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
When I saw the paper bag creative challenge on <a href="http://tinkerlab.com/2012/01/join-the-next-creative-challenge/" target="_blank">Tinkerlab</a> I thought of the cute paper bag picture below taken by my friend Stephanie of her son D. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wf20ySjI-GafBmPplgaiAwu-779Yu79DnSJoA9HWbJRNKpRYdSQZG5MBWKTxGGsu6Q2lqkTVlXS_tTiMIofZv6M3MArjseep3_yeAX0PaDfd8OVeviGkz6h_0OJ3L8PG16nGTEk7DA/s1600/Drago+Paper+Bag+Outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wf20ySjI-GafBmPplgaiAwu-779Yu79DnSJoA9HWbJRNKpRYdSQZG5MBWKTxGGsu6Q2lqkTVlXS_tTiMIofZv6M3MArjseep3_yeAX0PaDfd8OVeviGkz6h_0OJ3L8PG16nGTEk7DA/s320/Drago+Paper+Bag+Outfit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Inspired by D's Trader Joe's attire we set to work on our own paper bag outfits. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumCNkD-y7F7X0nL34y5XI35FNNyfS2YzOct9HL2PqF6XzAvJghLzfZaJ8_VqknO5f55HpFaNAwx7jxOz2oFKXVTInXuC4JymAElMGN1fk7n8_JCuf9GvY9Oc3jW_xnsFwSJnMWPR7yA/s1600/Jan+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumCNkD-y7F7X0nL34y5XI35FNNyfS2YzOct9HL2PqF6XzAvJghLzfZaJ8_VqknO5f55HpFaNAwx7jxOz2oFKXVTInXuC4JymAElMGN1fk7n8_JCuf9GvY9Oc3jW_xnsFwSJnMWPR7yA/s320/Jan+2012+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brown is a nice color and all, but the girls and I decided to add some color to our bags. We cut the bags so that they would lay flat and covered them with paint. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOQGqXchBX4yW0QdG0CN8PyS-r5d-AbAuhXnZlUqpdg8ooXSvhn9CnHhrJIqKiWoCXwklIARqGdEUyXOuLDJYgacsCNi79KCSgbQzheHvJavhZahI3mHWUqezVBrPeZTumW9Z13VF6Q/s1600/Jan+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOQGqXchBX4yW0QdG0CN8PyS-r5d-AbAuhXnZlUqpdg8ooXSvhn9CnHhrJIqKiWoCXwklIARqGdEUyXOuLDJYgacsCNi79KCSgbQzheHvJavhZahI3mHWUqezVBrPeZTumW9Z13VF6Q/s320/Jan+2012+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI42-R80riDX-d8jbyFkcNUQKNa1HAVeSPep5xpIf6ZGWLDMyonlaenOJwIHm05_pPJKuSEv2or3iKdvkT4ypLA1KxlZeBzjGUKEnkblAjUUlYKFCi8hqVov11ZoAr9D58rL-cPaS1_g/s1600/Jan+2012+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI42-R80riDX-d8jbyFkcNUQKNa1HAVeSPep5xpIf6ZGWLDMyonlaenOJwIHm05_pPJKuSEv2or3iKdvkT4ypLA1KxlZeBzjGUKEnkblAjUUlYKFCi8hqVov11ZoAr9D58rL-cPaS1_g/s320/Jan+2012+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The girls covered themselves with paint as well. (These pictures were so cute I had to include them even though you can see our cluttered floor)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbANqwyG0SG-fAsnsJdxpUk6x_EFnwGIb-0cOfLLjGqBl62Vhq-5jvPFiCCJkao71G5ciYJvnlAcuYe1tGYhgcjIvm2wukAJ1gsVrvS4h7zFMKof4SvUQR1LMA92H8Ct0-CtiOVyQzg/s1600/Jan+2012+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbANqwyG0SG-fAsnsJdxpUk6x_EFnwGIb-0cOfLLjGqBl62Vhq-5jvPFiCCJkao71G5ciYJvnlAcuYe1tGYhgcjIvm2wukAJ1gsVrvS4h7zFMKof4SvUQR1LMA92H8Ct0-CtiOVyQzg/s320/Jan+2012+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next day armed with staplers and tape we set to work on creating our dresses. We used the painted paper bags as the bodices of the dresses. A couple of brads and small rubber bands created a simple fastening system.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zsZuL0CBITMcY7wyV44YRO_urRCqgAc2t9anJeEVbqjn2yGj6et2klc10vZIF8RyxVaSknDTAqQhgzFMplUcVd4TQqlc8lOJpogscwla047gGxIjq0w3ki_ZzXyletvJTpKMU-avEw/s1600/Jan+2012+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zsZuL0CBITMcY7wyV44YRO_urRCqgAc2t9anJeEVbqjn2yGj6et2klc10vZIF8RyxVaSknDTAqQhgzFMplUcVd4TQqlc8lOJpogscwla047gGxIjq0w3ki_ZzXyletvJTpKMU-avEw/s320/Jan+2012+030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I used a stapler to attach pieces of tissue paper to the bottoms of the dresses. For A's the tissue paper was attached full length to create a long skirt, for G's I ripped along the length of the tissue paper and attached so that she had a short ruffled skirt. While I stapled, the girls crumpled the tissue paper to make it bunched and fluffy. After attaching the tissue paper A tried hers on and discovered that she couldn't sit down, I had shorten the paper bag bodice by about 6 inches then reattach the tissue paper. I guess I should measure before charging ahead on a project. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoqU2d7dbRrNpfHhmc44Nm2f6uofggls65pkTchQDLmgAKyLBZxdB6WFhz8nUPHRfNmv95zIv_ToSLiJREq9FbHg-nkmXGcn1A8iaUt_Ptx-8Dk_YXxYoe7e5k4vQ7voMz6Aa5YZW0A/s1600/Jan+2012+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoqU2d7dbRrNpfHhmc44Nm2f6uofggls65pkTchQDLmgAKyLBZxdB6WFhz8nUPHRfNmv95zIv_ToSLiJREq9FbHg-nkmXGcn1A8iaUt_Ptx-8Dk_YXxYoe7e5k4vQ7voMz6Aa5YZW0A/s320/Jan+2012+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A made flowers out of tissue paper she ripped and twisted together. Apparently smashing the tissue paper is important in making the flowers - when mine didn't look right A squashed it around a bit and it looked much better.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckLCreH5TaNst8NR32vFFhF59oj4trIGCF11DbIQGJoB6UueFWWYLaEmivlIgODILzJkzvof5G41z4eOMPvzpFgb8KAB9tdm4jaNSLFRA-pV0Xwv1STtRiCDwo7EXMSjOrLy76vzcLQ/s1600/Jan+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckLCreH5TaNst8NR32vFFhF59oj4trIGCF11DbIQGJoB6UueFWWYLaEmivlIgODILzJkzvof5G41z4eOMPvzpFgb8KAB9tdm4jaNSLFRA-pV0Xwv1STtRiCDwo7EXMSjOrLy76vzcLQ/s320/Jan+2012+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While constructing the outfits the girls decided they were fairy dresses, so A cut some wing shapes out of another paper bag then helped her little sister scribble on some pretty colors. After some difficulty attaching the wings with staples I finally used some clear packing tape which worked quite well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE7gvHFGL2CTHw-f3vKqnZRl5evPwBGHUNXIVH-ByeTSiG58_mU453HlDvsALdLvjja_7T54QgpYs2JtRPpilvJJu46H9T9_mvGesqxujqoUHAtBur_I7smvpDZE1uPHUeifgkQCtYw/s1600/Jan+2012+046+-+redeye+fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE7gvHFGL2CTHw-f3vKqnZRl5evPwBGHUNXIVH-ByeTSiG58_mU453HlDvsALdLvjja_7T54QgpYs2JtRPpilvJJu46H9T9_mvGesqxujqoUHAtBur_I7smvpDZE1uPHUeifgkQCtYw/s320/Jan+2012+046+-+redeye+fix.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The dresses turned out great and the girls loved them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1ldqTvuHENOJYwFFklyKVyy786vHXaZmQlUTV-9ofuIVS6jASBCFEpnxRPHlGU338MWfC_uSa8ubI9AKnkCQ951uZkzLzPA_R6Og_VSAvRhO-LzWl-mEzK7j3oDKFkczPwj-L6jtFg/s1600/Jan+2012+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1ldqTvuHENOJYwFFklyKVyy786vHXaZmQlUTV-9ofuIVS6jASBCFEpnxRPHlGU338MWfC_uSa8ubI9AKnkCQ951uZkzLzPA_R6Og_VSAvRhO-LzWl-mEzK7j3oDKFkczPwj-L6jtFg/s320/Jan+2012+048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The dresses inspired a lot of spinning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4tDBPkKMwLCizZCB9eHNxxqOy0hdNmv-mHpYrCWyPLzSVYs0lJ3V1Dlotub3NNOQW7IE-K0zBx2JfzrtlW4NQJjgQh5lJJigfnXuYZNGeCFKXpf2J49tkg5x6Ocb2OlBcL3sDGFUfg/s1600/Jan+2012+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4tDBPkKMwLCizZCB9eHNxxqOy0hdNmv-mHpYrCWyPLzSVYs0lJ3V1Dlotub3NNOQW7IE-K0zBx2JfzrtlW4NQJjgQh5lJJigfnXuYZNGeCFKXpf2J49tkg5x6Ocb2OlBcL3sDGFUfg/s320/Jan+2012+073.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Cooking in the dresses was fun too. (I'll post this yummy and super easy candy recipe later this week)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_1qTBo-fKXWZsVO2vZHQgWRnIigE5Bq2duksWc-Kgnh5YXf9VVlyLW3R1ciPiBzv6K8SN_y85ptIpLt3oJjcUfwn31O-adweSjVy5rKKbT8Fm_GGqgIG4dZN3SG_04XZE_O_VEMzwQ/s1600/Jan+2012+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_1qTBo-fKXWZsVO2vZHQgWRnIigE5Bq2duksWc-Kgnh5YXf9VVlyLW3R1ciPiBzv6K8SN_y85ptIpLt3oJjcUfwn31O-adweSjVy5rKKbT8Fm_GGqgIG4dZN3SG_04XZE_O_VEMzwQ/s320/Jan+2012+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The dresses where even good for doing chores like putting away silverware. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQwbj90xlxe8fNq9_7FaHYqiso5vnn8NPHrcTr-nxwfqsuQneR9KzVE30DNDojPpERAwG_EUUnfKHj3Eh48Y4qhmEX_GvQj-_dwz5WIUNbLDgELYufjEqb3BjYOmjELF0wQ6XrEKOjA/s1600/Jan+2012+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQwbj90xlxe8fNq9_7FaHYqiso5vnn8NPHrcTr-nxwfqsuQneR9KzVE30DNDojPpERAwG_EUUnfKHj3Eh48Y4qhmEX_GvQj-_dwz5WIUNbLDgELYufjEqb3BjYOmjELF0wQ6XrEKOjA/s320/Jan+2012+059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Who knew paper was so much fun. What is your favorite thing to make with paper?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tinkerlab.com/2012/02/creative-challenge-8-paper-bags/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWLxaSE7qELY7BkGWQA2U_FjnEPmdgAQ832MqSHS5H3vszbC7988UjNVsIjblL9vpKix8GSAO9Ugs_vu94-3BPdkXCOv5bqiaSI4ZfWjod3PePnBZRZrPBZ3UChdbWx3mRc9uCr886A/s1600/creative-challenge-button.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3ZAXbKKNl_pF5zXp1GhSUyfCopFJ272D_ZhkOHzfXE_7dfBubd1KmOaB8-0XNu05mNk_nyzb9AxsCM4qk0XRelwSLw04lk_ecZtX9CULzbo0QBCJ-HhIZzc13pm8pCubt6W18JaCYw/s1600/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/search/label/It%27s%20Playtime" imageanchor="1" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de7AY1gAWHc/TaNHHR3P_oI/AAAAAAAAEX8/3j3ykThmpY8/s320/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-42877555319495518752012-01-29T21:53:00.000-08:002012-02-03T07:54:46.787-08:00It's GREEN and they are eating it!<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fglittermudandducttape.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F01%2Fits-green-and-they-are-eating-it.html&description=Kale%20Chips">Pin It</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgJnpzrT4uNW1CFG2qRSFwKcomyNugNzzGAJM2tmyoDMfgosgFVG8gpqkxnbrKwqpESWqlBPeCPf0MSYgBndLI7oZ893pD4NpRosz9VIu5z3NwNXTylVdWkafQWapUAQqJ3PZRsP1A/s1600/Jan+2012+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgJnpzrT4uNW1CFG2qRSFwKcomyNugNzzGAJM2tmyoDMfgosgFVG8gpqkxnbrKwqpESWqlBPeCPf0MSYgBndLI7oZ893pD4NpRosz9VIu5z3NwNXTylVdWkafQWapUAQqJ3PZRsP1A/s320/Jan+2012+223.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Do your kids eat their green veggies? Mine don't. Miss A will try one bite of everything on her plate which is the house rule, but that's about it. With miss G we are lucky if she will bring a green veggie near her mouth let alone actually eat a bite. Miss G may pick up the green vegetable, eye is suspiciously, smell it, and I even recall her once licking a piece of broccoli, but she won't take a bite (except for artichokes - those she scarfs down). So, you can understand when my coworker was telling be about how yummy kale chips were I was intrigued, but a bit skeptical. I figured there was no way my kids would eat baked green leafy vegetables even if they were crispy and called chips. But a couple weeks later my husband had some left over kale from a dish he was making, so we tried it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jemf3vI-2mIVnJTkwIZ5vzzhGsT14qulqzBAPZwtFiZJG2lIyMEfa50YWjPxEyOzGIkgqDZeCyUTO7SFMMs8PItZXMBTnyd1ygyq3KP3E8hrx8YwKfS87UfOLhGcWpnjAoqIPckQHA/s1600/Jan+2012+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jemf3vI-2mIVnJTkwIZ5vzzhGsT14qulqzBAPZwtFiZJG2lIyMEfa50YWjPxEyOzGIkgqDZeCyUTO7SFMMs8PItZXMBTnyd1ygyq3KP3E8hrx8YwKfS87UfOLhGcWpnjAoqIPckQHA/s320/Jan+2012+208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It's a super simple recipe. First rip the kale into bite sized pieces - the girls were a big help with this. <br />
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Then wash the kale and dry thoroughly - we used a salad spinner. For the kale to get crisp in the oven it needs to be completely dry) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOMArepBkaNLuf-cB0dtdub3RqSJQyJOfP4D3m88f2U-8Zj05iwI4TasS6oLq5L1UNSqhhY0i3310frzvBkRsXc9lgAq3m9fCILdHqZrW2T9h1l0_gODfrgdcEFwuW1n6ml2P0Oi1ow/s1600/Jan+2012+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOMArepBkaNLuf-cB0dtdub3RqSJQyJOfP4D3m88f2U-8Zj05iwI4TasS6oLq5L1UNSqhhY0i3310frzvBkRsXc9lgAq3m9fCILdHqZrW2T9h1l0_gODfrgdcEFwuW1n6ml2P0Oi1ow/s320/Jan+2012+210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet then lightly spray with olive oil (you could also shake the kale with oil in a large Ziploc if you don't have a mister) sprinkle with salt and any other flavorings you like - garlic salt and onion salt is what my kids liked. <br />
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Then bake at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes - watch them really closely at the end and take them out when they crisp but before they start to turn brown. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbCgWPhq7P7MWACsBav_d7v9CKanYi6fkPW9l316_EAwGpl6PUy2iwsN4FrxZMcgxrPtGLy3Kpl_MrxAke-owm96wymWZZxJOxtVvDh32DMhYqzNXIq57lxzcDcriqeKnJvfYzdL0Hw/s1600/Jan+2012+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbCgWPhq7P7MWACsBav_d7v9CKanYi6fkPW9l316_EAwGpl6PUy2iwsN4FrxZMcgxrPtGLy3Kpl_MrxAke-owm96wymWZZxJOxtVvDh32DMhYqzNXIq57lxzcDcriqeKnJvfYzdL0Hw/s320/Jan+2012+217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I used our chips as a side dish for pasta and was amazed as both kids ate their vegetables. Miss A liked them so much she wanted my kale chips. I gladly gave them - who can refuse a kid asking for veggies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmdot393V4N9oRmPaEnkvG7UauNbwoqiJy6WtuBEl-a7-NZ93zLxW0YvSjDywwAYZSA9OTIQeOmEujQZRUNTxDnCXBEnYSITjxpBlTIwU9eulgc0hm_5hCCE1ZrWLC8qhRdZMAxjjdg/s1600/Jan+2012+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmdot393V4N9oRmPaEnkvG7UauNbwoqiJy6WtuBEl-a7-NZ93zLxW0YvSjDywwAYZSA9OTIQeOmEujQZRUNTxDnCXBEnYSITjxpBlTIwU9eulgc0hm_5hCCE1ZrWLC8qhRdZMAxjjdg/s320/Jan+2012+219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>How do you get your kids to eat their veggies?<br />
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<center><a href="http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 150px" src="http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x343/livinglifeintentionally/TGIFLinkyParty-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/search/label/It%27s%20Playtime" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de7AY1gAWHc/TaNHHR3P_oI/AAAAAAAAEX8/3j3ykThmpY8/s320/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-64388043196092115452012-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:002012-01-24T08:30:00.671-08:00I-Spy Jar<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fglittermudandducttape.blogspot.com%2F">Pin It</a><br />
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On a recent trip to the library my oldest daughter discovered their collection of homemade I-Spy jars and happily shook and rolled away a morning. She had so much fun I knew I needed to make one for us. The materials are simple and abundant in a house with young kids - an empty clear plastic container, rice, and some small items. I was happy to put to use the numerous small items my daughter A keeps in in a bucket and calls her collections - rocks, shells, buttons, washers, coins, small plastic animals, jewels, paper clips, marbles, scraps of paper... well the list is pretty much endless. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXz9gl3p7EHKSTs15lPGlwr9UXbkGv4hFRa6V2mU0EIKMmvlf5aUeyOtmlmdy0S8DxtNQlFu0OW1L_6iNMgdiV07d3fvrZtkmxgTP1XyBHlBLMdT4Vd-PfBpvqA0f_BkG-eS8CkYXCQ/s1600/Jan+2012+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXz9gl3p7EHKSTs15lPGlwr9UXbkGv4hFRa6V2mU0EIKMmvlf5aUeyOtmlmdy0S8DxtNQlFu0OW1L_6iNMgdiV07d3fvrZtkmxgTP1XyBHlBLMdT4Vd-PfBpvqA0f_BkG-eS8CkYXCQ/s320/Jan+2012+034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Make sure the jar is clean and dry and remove any labels, take a picture of your small items and then place in the jar and partially fill with rice.The more rice in the jar the harder it is to find the items, conversely the less rice the easier they are to find. We liked slightly over 3/4 full. I used some colored rice I had from a sensory box. If you would like to color your rice simply place in a large zip lock and put in a few drops of food coloring, close the bag and shake around. My girls love the shaking part. Keep adding food coloring until you get the shade you want then set the coloring by pouring a small splash (1/2 teaspoon) of rubbing alcohol in the bag.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdz0K2qZMAOoaoAPxYAtueeS21UvyuMg9vq5zaLXiRxC0n72aPYlUsIKfmj8SCxT96f81_07pRcTjayAn5mSLsnW63Ln61cwYCNISXgSCosItJakQMmy886nh9A16dhMfJfWXI9WV9A/s1600/Jan+2012+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdz0K2qZMAOoaoAPxYAtueeS21UvyuMg9vq5zaLXiRxC0n72aPYlUsIKfmj8SCxT96f81_07pRcTjayAn5mSLsnW63Ln61cwYCNISXgSCosItJakQMmy886nh9A16dhMfJfWXI9WV9A/s320/Jan+2012+042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The jar itself is a great quiet activity for a waiting room or long car ride. Print out the picture you took of all the items and the kids can try to find them. G is a little young for matching to the printed image, but she enjoys shaking the jar and telling me what she finds. For an older child you could ask them to tell you the color of the item, the first letter of the item or have them rhyme a word with the item. After I made our jar my husband told me he had seen a fun game at the store with an I-Spy jar - there were cards with an image of each item hidden in the jar and a timer - you would draw a card then see if you could find the item before the timer ran out. Once my girls tire of this jar we may try that. <br />
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Do you know any other games or learning activities to play with an I-Spy jar?Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-66850075844264664792012-01-21T14:05:00.000-08:002012-01-26T08:29:42.616-08:00Craft Stick Bracelets<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fglittermudandducttape.blogspot.com%2F&description=Craft%20Stick%20Bracelets">Pin It</a><br />
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</div>They are gorgeous aren't they? Who know that the humble craft stick could be transformed into something so lovely. I came across this on <a href="http://amomwithalessonplan.com/2012/01/19/a-little-science-with-breakfast/">A Mom With a Lesson Plan</a> and as soon as I got home from work we had to try it. We emulated Jill's idea of adding some science to the craft. First the girls and I observed the craft sticks with almost all our senses, we skipped tasting. Before boiling the sticks the girls found the sticks were hard, smooth, smell like wood, and make a sound when tapped on the table. A observed that different sized sticks made a different sound. After we observed we talked about what boiling does to foods - eggs get harder when cooked and spaghetti gets softer. A's hypothesis was that the sticks would get softer. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgFfhXRAUpcg8EAawyyU_L6PlNZYgh09NiQOuJ9DT8ovJbC0yLT6JFfVliULGcN0aA5j4WcO8PS8l-XHf_u7T9Wy9oHGSfw-NLEEMBokwypyM0GB0rKJ_odmxhbSf5KuTPEcSsnm7Aw/s1600/Jan+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgFfhXRAUpcg8EAawyyU_L6PlNZYgh09NiQOuJ9DT8ovJbC0yLT6JFfVliULGcN0aA5j4WcO8PS8l-XHf_u7T9Wy9oHGSfw-NLEEMBokwypyM0GB0rKJ_odmxhbSf5KuTPEcSsnm7Aw/s320/Jan+2012+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We boiled our sticks for 20 minutes as directed then pulled one out to test. We used our senses again to observe the craft sticks. After boiling 20 minutes the sticks were warm, wet, a little rough, still make a similar sound when tapped on a table, and were kind of bendy. The girls helped me with a little destructive testing on our stick - they bent it and although it was softer there was no getting it into a cup to shape it. They happily destroyed the stick while I continued boiling. They enjoyed how now the wood split apart at the grain instead of just breaking in half. After another 25 minutes we checked the sticks again - the craft sticks were much softer. The girls again worked on some destructive testing while I coaxed the sticks into our glasses forming the bracelet shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LEzjgH1jrVONp_hsGPXYNCsJEcSOfBqiILW746Qefh4VTTAADCrH29ypd6t3IUT1A16I-9jYCzoCoIerb21duBFy3wZLiISUJMQ8Vsu854in7FSuHDFGO8Uhyphenhyphen1nES2jykchWo5-wZA/s1600/Jan+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LEzjgH1jrVONp_hsGPXYNCsJEcSOfBqiILW746Qefh4VTTAADCrH29ypd6t3IUT1A16I-9jYCzoCoIerb21duBFy3wZLiISUJMQ8Vsu854in7FSuHDFGO8Uhyphenhyphen1nES2jykchWo5-wZA/s320/Jan+2012+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The next evening we worked on the more crafty part of the project. We tried a couple different ways of decorating the bracelets - watercolors, tempera paint, and paper. Watercolors were A's first choice as we have been using them on wood lately for a more stained effect. We broke them out and she went to work really enjoying herself and applying layer upon layer of WHITE!! Just so you know, white doesn't show up on wood. I suggested other colors, but she was determined and happy so she painted away. After about 15 minutes I took a look at her bracelet and it was almost uncurled. I called a halt to the water colors and placed the stick back in a cup to reform. After some discussion we decided that G would paint her bracelet with Tempera and that A and I would put pretty scrap book paper on ours. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYIsPCHjeq8ClEYVQ4rCBteHbgO7OHYxZMz2yOaoYAzl_eyT9uzqT_z_-zKFWFTfI1h6EKjbxgTwfke9UUXusUjd4XNUVoRukBukhIqDTXrT1mcQ6ErpCgD3rwflDZbypt76tKbmuuA/s1600/Jan+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYIsPCHjeq8ClEYVQ4rCBteHbgO7OHYxZMz2yOaoYAzl_eyT9uzqT_z_-zKFWFTfI1h6EKjbxgTwfke9UUXusUjd4XNUVoRukBukhIqDTXrT1mcQ6ErpCgD3rwflDZbypt76tKbmuuA/s320/Jan+2012+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We traced a flat craft stick onto our paper, cut it out, then adhered it with the Modge Podge. <br />
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After that dried for a few minutes we covered the entire bracelet with more Modge Podge thinking it would make it a little more resistant to water. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyS_BB204CZMRCjITAQMse0S5sKsylDsHjBmac2OhZDEU-_OanivgkSrTiSFjKuI2lxwq5MIsgLq7FmtdVftDFiYkkeu3QQbxpBxpbW1NC11KSCRQi_1h4c_hfFCwF9gnHRRVRSLvmA/s1600/Jan+2012+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyS_BB204CZMRCjITAQMse0S5sKsylDsHjBmac2OhZDEU-_OanivgkSrTiSFjKuI2lxwq5MIsgLq7FmtdVftDFiYkkeu3QQbxpBxpbW1NC11KSCRQi_1h4c_hfFCwF9gnHRRVRSLvmA/s320/Jan+2012+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They turned out lovely - this is definitely a craft/science experiment we'll do again. <br />
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How do you play with science in your house?<br />
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<a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/search/label/It%27s%20Playtime" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de7AY1gAWHc/TaNHHR3P_oI/AAAAAAAAEX8/3j3ykThmpY8/s320/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://adventuresofmommyness.blogspot.com/search/label/Science%20Sunday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g344/Ticia1/AiMScienceSundaycopy.jpg" alt="Science Sunday" /></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-24002774738147685712012-01-19T08:30:00.001-08:002012-03-04T08:31:05.114-08:00Pop Up Birthday Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0eY7kfjDxHlphjUUb2oHfiAqmx0-Wuv3toD7yrXqBpWBM3dP42nQuvssLsgeruFhQc6fXAUo4Mh1OCx6Rbsij8Btat-EoM6o590TmQsG5uJa4nrvOCWo0RGPYKLiwh0LOThfgWJUTA/s1600/Jan+2012+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0eY7kfjDxHlphjUUb2oHfiAqmx0-Wuv3toD7yrXqBpWBM3dP42nQuvssLsgeruFhQc6fXAUo4Mh1OCx6Rbsij8Btat-EoM6o590TmQsG5uJa4nrvOCWo0RGPYKLiwh0LOThfgWJUTA/s320/Jan+2012+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This is my last minute solution to a birthday card -simple and quick.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUZ-e4Dko-zL7f0tOg6Lv7oMGzPkDPEqnGxSZYaBE854A1ttfXbJISZSTT7whhsm-w4dGFSAM-7cyU6yj7pdtOVCW7v_DY9M5M5Ri2825o9ursfCdVhQJH8G-_InujfhUM_Zq8xSfzA/s1600/Jan+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUZ-e4Dko-zL7f0tOg6Lv7oMGzPkDPEqnGxSZYaBE854A1ttfXbJISZSTT7whhsm-w4dGFSAM-7cyU6yj7pdtOVCW7v_DY9M5M5Ri2825o9ursfCdVhQJH8G-_InujfhUM_Zq8xSfzA/s320/Jan+2012+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Fold a piece of card stock in half and cut two 1" slits approx 1/2" apart in the center of the creased edge. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PFgOSoG7l9qBtitoQjb48F6Tjtc0U7e8L2JiwMn_cufyRTh18WPga0yhM3-TBwwD-29vapaG4krff3CnMkFaXU16ssQJ9QCbA3I1xecu3iojNQRAK1tpZltP8dBKh_LhdTu2_0mhNA/s1600/Jan+2012+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PFgOSoG7l9qBtitoQjb48F6Tjtc0U7e8L2JiwMn_cufyRTh18WPga0yhM3-TBwwD-29vapaG4krff3CnMkFaXU16ssQJ9QCbA3I1xecu3iojNQRAK1tpZltP8dBKh_LhdTu2_0mhNA/s320/Jan+2012+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Fold the tab inward into the card and crease so it lays flat when the card is closed. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-zScExScBRM6Sedi1HytW4lpBr9LEF8DUXlkSqzYZOFIk05cPh0rHn0Io2nmZ__iMbUmv_u0ZY2SpROB67wNMtyyEsUOVFQuJfMmla28z4C2eu7HXE8efSAg90hUozU4RJD-NYdYdA/s1600/Jan+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-zScExScBRM6Sedi1HytW4lpBr9LEF8DUXlkSqzYZOFIk05cPh0rHn0Io2nmZ__iMbUmv_u0ZY2SpROB67wNMtyyEsUOVFQuJfMmla28z4C2eu7HXE8efSAg90hUozU4RJD-NYdYdA/s320/Jan+2012+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Attach a second piece of paper over the outside of the card to cover the area which has been folded into the card. Decorate as desired. <br />
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Attach some original artwork to the tab so it pops up when the card is opened. <br />
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Voila! Birthday card in 15 minutes or less.Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-61734905934851655442012-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:002012-01-20T09:32:47.434-08:00Car Ramps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw5cvsYoK4ZawSkdOWRQ2i5_Zf-6LNT4SaDxbFsv8kfQlTigtskFIJxeSfmTVZsmLxT5NTVY_SqMcpOeYeJpQeKTXjUce6AZtfIeMLoawNFt15tgqLUIEMO1clDvNCUyNc22ZSD8LdQ/s1600/Jan+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw5cvsYoK4ZawSkdOWRQ2i5_Zf-6LNT4SaDxbFsv8kfQlTigtskFIJxeSfmTVZsmLxT5NTVY_SqMcpOeYeJpQeKTXjUce6AZtfIeMLoawNFt15tgqLUIEMO1clDvNCUyNc22ZSD8LdQ/s320/Jan+2012+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We made these super easy car ramps for G's birthday, they were a big hit and we've been playing with them for days. We took a long cardboard tube and sliced it in half them propped it up on a box. The longer the tube the better. I had some long tubes from large rolls of paper at work, but wrapping paper tubes would work as well. We set the ramps on a low table so the cars race down the ramp and fly off the table hopefully landing in a box on the floor. If the ramps are aimed just right you can get the cars to collide in mid air. We found that some cars went a lot faster and farther than others which started a discussion about friction and weight. What fun, the simplest things are the best.<br />
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What simple items do your kids like to play with?Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-6542297692303929792012-01-16T20:30:00.000-08:002012-01-21T05:43:37.932-08:00Craft Stick Puzzle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig5DgXHVGdxPGIUBaCOg9V5WgkMk-hAg0NWmK2FRzoKa4KiiCZGG7qTLjAS-N9B3xPeMeDdjoqVXxaFssARsnK1khfH70N1f7CDARdsNbTwog4XLL0NVwCX9fFj_uJtnzdGhpnUi6wQ/s1600/Jan+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig5DgXHVGdxPGIUBaCOg9V5WgkMk-hAg0NWmK2FRzoKa4KiiCZGG7qTLjAS-N9B3xPeMeDdjoqVXxaFssARsnK1khfH70N1f7CDARdsNbTwog4XLL0NVwCX9fFj_uJtnzdGhpnUi6wQ/s320/Jan+2012+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I saw this easy puzzle activity a while back in the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/puzzle-planks-921179/">Disney Family Fun Magazine</a> - the perfect activity for a Saturday morning at home. <br />
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All you need are craft sticks, wide tape, and some markers. <br />
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Line up 8 or 10 sticks and tape them together. <br />
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After that draw the picture for the puzzle. A picture of one large item works better than a whole scene. <br />
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Once the picture is complete peel the tape off and puzzle away. <br />
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After assembling the puzzle the normal way a few times the kids mixed their sticks together and assembled them randomly creating some nice colorful patterns. The mixed up images where so much more interesting than the original drawings, I'm glad they don't always play with things in the way I think they will. <br />
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How do your kids surprise you?Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-77305218619407218082012-01-12T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-20T09:33:08.861-08:00Randomness and Creativity - Inkblots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81_GkdDzv3UJ2DayBx7D0W4pebdqdkSr6A6D6EbXKXAP5LnMgoEJhRylXME4btSw4vY3CqBYWOtoWHzQeTfnwJfEW7FNVh-LdrvzwAmUqr5_FYjfrEI6996QCJYJr-fqbWE2bMsuOMg/s1600/Jan+2012+%252826%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81_GkdDzv3UJ2DayBx7D0W4pebdqdkSr6A6D6EbXKXAP5LnMgoEJhRylXME4btSw4vY3CqBYWOtoWHzQeTfnwJfEW7FNVh-LdrvzwAmUqr5_FYjfrEI6996QCJYJr-fqbWE2bMsuOMg/s400/Jan+2012+%252826%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When my husband took the girls to the library last week he picked up a new book for me. He does this occasionally and often the books just sit on the shelf waiting to go back to library . This was different - it drew me in - calling out to be read instead of helping with dinner. It's a beguiling little book about randomness and creativity - <a href="http://www.theinkblotbook.com/">"Inkblot - drip, splat, and squish your way to creativity"</a> by Margaret Peot. In between enchanting sketches developed from inkblots, the author outlines the history of inkblots and how famous artists have used the medium as a way to get inspired.<br />
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My girls and I were inspired and luckily I had all the supplies we needed. As soon as "G" was in bed (ink stains a little too much for my 2 year old) "A" and I went to work following the easy instructions.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All that is needed is paper, ink, and a little water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Pre-fold the paper in half then just drip and splatter. The combination of ink and water creates all the shades of gray in the finished inkblot. We tried using just ink, but liked the variation in color and pattern we got when using the ink in combination with the water. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then fold the paper in half and press. Reopen the paper and see what amazing images you have created. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div align="center">My husband says this one looks like Frank Zappa</div><div align="center"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I see mysterious looking eyes in this one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A turtle perhaps?</div><br />
After doing a few inkblots I asked "A" what she thought - she said "they look like art in a museum"<br />
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The book goes on to show how to turn your inkblots into all kinds of fantastical creatures - I think I know what we will be doing this weekend. <br />
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What do you see in the inkblots? Have you ever used something random to get inspired?<br />
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<a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/search/label/It%27s%20Playtime" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-de7AY1gAWHc/TaNHHR3P_oI/AAAAAAAAEX8/3j3ykThmpY8/s320/purple-itsplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15721980630376619.post-10860414492104050812012-01-11T21:21:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:21:02.804-08:00ResolutionsIt's that time of again - New Years. A time for resolutions. I know a lot of people hate making resolutions, but I like them. For me a resolution is just a way to reflect on my live and make a plan for how I would like to grow over the next year. It gives me somehting to strive for and even if I don't always accomplish the resolution just the act of striving and trying can spawn growth. It's time to face the new year and move boldly forward. <br />
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Inspired by the five resolutions for a creative new year from <a href="http://tinkerlab.com/2011/12/five-resolutions-for-a-creative-new-year/">Tinkerlab</a> here are my resolutions<br />
1- Start a Blog. <br />
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I've been toying with the idea after being so inspired by some of the great blogs I've been reading (they are listed under my bloglove tab) and have wondered if I could do the same. I wouldn't have said writing was my strongest skill, but things of beatuy and inspiration need not be perfect. Sometimes passion and effort are what matter. Hopefully I can be an example for my girls to venture from what feels safe and easy. <br />
(Woo hoo I've already accomplished one of my resolutions)<br />
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2- Draw in our sketch books twice a week. <br />
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"A" and I have already started this and she is currently drawing as I type - fish powered machines that have wheels and move when the fish swim she tells me. <br />
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3- Organize my art supplies. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sS1nh6LidY_G0lGYfPHcM_I8Z_ydq354HFGEhzfWPI6ANxworCpUmxR_pCvn8giCrZJmUY9ZFSO448sZ2PXBX1R25hSrseVuwPlAzElH-7umL_pm0foiBjn60P7R5WD9VanmGNC1Aw/s1600/Jan+2012+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sS1nh6LidY_G0lGYfPHcM_I8Z_ydq354HFGEhzfWPI6ANxworCpUmxR_pCvn8giCrZJmUY9ZFSO448sZ2PXBX1R25hSrseVuwPlAzElH-7umL_pm0foiBjn60P7R5WD9VanmGNC1Aw/s200/Jan+2012+015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>When I told my husband this one he laughed at me. Currently my art supplies live in every unoccupied nook and cranny in our house and I can think of at least 7 places I have stashes of supplies. So this year I resolve to consoidate, organize, and actually throw a few things away. <br />
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Here's to hoping we all have a year filled with growth and change!!Karendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840696148149492970noreply@blogger.com2