Planet Activity

Lights ~ Ornaments ~ Planets!

Not quite sure how I stumbled upon this post from Play At Home Mom (http://www.playathomemomllc.com/2014/04/outer-space-orbit/ )

But, I followed her links to Amazon, purchased the globes and the lights, and today dragged it all out along with paints.

Perfect timing, as they finished learning the phases of the moon (because of the blood moon) and planets at school over the last 2 weeks.

We all had fun trying to make our visions come to life.  The 4 year old basically wanted them all blue, I talked him out of it, and we got a silver, red and pink one out of him.

 


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 You'll need Paint - we had a lot on hand in our art cabinet. Some of the tempura (silver) didn't stick well, sort of separated..but it looked cool when it dried.


You'll need these globes (which can be found at JoAnne's or Amazon.com)
ours came in a 12 pack

Then we bought these finger lights (half didn't work, but they were only about $3 so no complaints)

Paint, allow to dry.

Place a turned on light in globe, see planet come to life.

The 7 year old was focused on making his "look like planets" naming each one... Earth, Mars, Tatoine (ok that one is Star Wars related)

We had a great time making these, hope you do too.

Wild Kratts Creature Power Suit.

Have you heard of a show called Wild Kratts?

It is quite my favorite kids show, viewable on PBS, PBSkids.org 

(http://www.pbs.org/parents/wildkratts/)

if you haven't seen it, give it a gander.

                   

My inspiration found on Etsy, alas it was discontinued :(  http://www.etsy.com/listing/103537722/discontinued-set-wild-kratt-inspired

Creature Power Suits!

I made a promise to my boys that I would make them Wild Kratts Creature Power Suits.  I dragged my feet, because I am not a huge sew-er.

   

Today I finally went over to Hobby Lobby and purchased some Polar Fleece (30% off!) ~ 2 yards of Black, 1/2 yard each of Blue, Green.  Probably could've done with just 1 yard of the black.

 Then I grabbed a shirt that I know fits my oldest and my youngest.  I snipped the fleece at the fold at the shoulder marks and at the bottom edges, then cut straight down to match.  After that I laid the red t-shirt under the cut fleece and cut the arms out.  

  

The only place I truly free cut was the neck line, and it worked out fine. As you see the only place you need to sew are the sides. 

After cutting the sides, I snipped out 2 large squares, 2 small squares, 

2 large rectangles and 2 small rectangles

  Then you'll need to cut 1 large and 3 small circles.  Again, I just free cut this, as it is only a costume, play dress up item, perfection was not my goal

  

 The green shown is finished, and the blue was in progress.  I hand sewed the small circles on because I wasn't thinking and waited until the sides were sewn to place them on. 

I'd recommend sewing the circles on with your machine before closing the seems on the vest.  It will make your life tremendously easier.

Also, this is VERY easy to hand stitch, as, I finished the blue one at their karate classes this afternoon.

 Sew on 1 square of velcro in the middle (pictured below) of the circle, and then add the opposing velcro to the back of the creature power discs, then they can change their characters easily!

My 2 very happy boys in their new creature suits.

Supplies = $19

All in all, a 2.5 hour project that put the best smiles on my boys.  Worth it.

Top 10 Favorite Pinterest Finds of 2013

None of the photos are mine.  The credit goes to the link provided.

10. So, I had to make these 3 times in 1 week, as they kept getting gobbled up by my family, and of course, me.  EASY ~ delicious, and fun!

 (link Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies | Plain Chicken )

9.  My mom used this for the entire year, and asked for another one this year.  I made a few modifications, added a notes side bar, so she could write down appointments etc.   We used card stock, glue sticks and printed photos on photo paper.  Any present that gets used for a whole year is a big WIN!  (link An ounce of creativity ~Tutorial: 2011 Star desktop calendar )

8.  Brilliant.  Just needs no explanation.  Do it. a solution for bottles and travel mugs!  obviously this is not the original post - but, again, needs no tutorial.

This is great - no more searching for water bottles, no more avalanche of bottles from the cabinet.  Best $7 I've spent for a shoe rack (not my photo)

7.  Organizing my kids school work (and other "What do I do with this" stuff) Destination Domestication: Boxes  I store them in my walk in closet, and about once a month take a pile up and put in the boxes.  My best guess at the end of 1st grade we will have to start a new box, or I'll have to sift through and see what I can thin out.  I even started one for my husband and I.

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6. This idea, from rainbow themed birthday partyDomestic Goddesque I used this for my oldest birthday party, and the kids thought it was AWESOME that they got to take home balloons.  I loved it because I didn't have to deal with all the leftover balloons floating around my house!

5.  Lego's on the GO! : lego travel box we have used this handy trick so often, I bought another set of boxes last time I was at Ikea.  We have even used it for small super heroes, race cars, man I wish I'd thought of it, but SUPER glad someone pinned it!

4.  Cork circles.  Gorgeous way to display kids art, and when not in use, no ugly cork board to stare at.  -- my post Pinterest Again. | My Life on Standby  ~~> original pin Tablón de notas con salvamanteles de ikea | Muy Ingenioso  For mine, I bought fabric squares at JoAnn's then glued them over Ikea cork circles.  About 10 minutes of work for 1 year of use. 

3. NO more begging your kids to eat "just a few more bights"  We've used this trick quite often.

Dice as Vegetable Counter

Decide how many more bites of dinner your child has to eat before being excused. Let your child roll so he’s the one controlling his fate. You'll end up with a more peas-ful family meal.
Collette Mather
Teaneck, New Jersey

2.  Simply the tastiest Mac and Cheese Ever.  Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe | Savory Sweet Life   I'm not going to lie, this took some effort.  But, hey every now and then a little effort gains big rewards. 

1. Blessing Bags: KWAVs: Blessing Bags How To This simply has changed the way I look at homeless people.  Having a bag ready in both cars at all times, makes it easy to do a good deed.  Giving money to beggars never felt right to me.  It teaches my kids the wrong message; throw money at the problem.  Instead, we all have learned a bigger lesson; be prepared to help others.  Whenever I am at the grocery or target etc., we keep an eye out for travel sized items.. soaps, razors.. for girls or boys, as men aren't the only homeless.  Also, we add a small bottle of water, apple and a pop top soup (obviously you don't want to include something that requires a can opener.)  Anyway... it's been a Blessing to us as well.  HIGHLY recommend this if you have homeless in your town.