Bridal Shower Centerpieces

We are having a wedding in our family soon and I had to brag on 

my Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law

and their creative talents for the table centerpieces.

I call them the "Mini Martha Stewart's!"

Check these out!

 A kitchen theme.

                                       

A bath theme. 

I believe I heard that the toppers of these were of from several family members who had them on their own wedding cakes. 

On the buffet table.

Yes - I have two very creative women in my family and am very thankful for that!!!  

Angry Bird Craft

Is anyone else's kids obsessed with Angry Birds??

At first, I was annoyed by the whole video game

but after playing it several times, I changed my mind.

It does teach a lot about logic, strategy and physics.

Now I don't feel bad when I pass the boys my

phone in a waiting room to keep them busy for a few minutes.

Anyway - over the Christmas break - I saw a cute post

on Pink and Green Mama - MaryLea is awesome !!

So..... the school absent days post celebration and wrapping paper

grew longer and longer -

Here is what occupied us one morning:



We had a blast! 

"Under the Sea" Art project for Kids

This "Under The Sea" art project for kids
is so full of different textures - they'll love it.

It's so simple - and so cute!

You need:

• blue poster board
• several large sheets of sandpaper
• crayons or markers
• glue
• tissue paper (think seaweed colors: blue, green, purple, etc.)
• paper plates
• scissors
• aluminum foil

Step 1

Take the sheets of sandpaper and line them up along

the bottom of the poster board. 

Trace your cutting line.

Keep in mind that the ocean floor is not flat.

It has hills and valleys - keep it interesting!

Cut the pieces of sandpaper and glue them

to the bottom of the poster board. 

Step 2

Take your paper plates and cut a "pie shape" into

one side to make his mouth.

Then glue the pie shape to the back of the paper plate

so that it becomes the tail.



Once you've given them a tail, color and decorate them

with crayons or markers.

Give them eyes, gills, all different colors.

Step 3

Make a jellyfish.

Cut a paper plate in half.

Decorate it again with crayons / markers.

Cut a long strand of tissue paper

and glue it to the top of the plate.

Then add several long strands to the bottom.

Step 4

Take your aluminum foil and trace small fish.

Cut out and paste on the poster board.

Step 5

Add a starfish or two.

Trace a starfish design onto sandpaper and cut out.

Give the edges some color with crayons for definition

and glue on the bottom floor.

Step 6

Finally, cut some long strands of tissue paper

to add seaweed and other plant life.

Glue them onto the poster board.

Make it interesting and glue the fish going in front and behind

the "seaweed."

There you go - how simple is that?

I love all of the wonderful textures that you work with.

Ridged paper plates

Smooth and shiny aluminum foil

Gritty rough sand paper

Crinkly tissue paper

My boys loved it.

Give it a try!

Kid's Sensory Play Boxes

How cool are these???

I made these early last year (2010) and they have been

one of the most played with toys in the house!

Sensory Boxes

One is "Construction":

I bought an underneath the bed storage box -  

low enough for the boys to lean over while sitting on the floor,

but big enough for the BOTH OF THEM to play at one time.

I found brown smooth river rocks at the Dollar Store

for $1.00 a bag - I think I bought eleven or twelve.

With us having two boys and living on the farm,

we had enough trucks / tractors / diggers / etc....

So really it costed me about $12.00 for rocks

and $7.00 for the container.

This box has been the scene of many different "events":

Star Wars guys have invaded

LEGO houses have been moved in

Lincoln Log forts appeared

Multiple plastic animals have been seen grazing....and chasing the vehicles!

Pretty good for less than $20.00 !!!!

 

Here is our "Ocean Box"

Again, I got an underneath bed storage box ( $7.00)

I went to the pet store and got two large bags

of aquarium rocks. 

Think they were $10.00 a piece - I got two bags, probably

could have gotten away with just one - but didn't know at the time.

Also, found several seaweed and coral items on their sale rack ($4.00)

Then went to Michaels (with my 40% off coupon - of course).

Bought a "sea-life" and a "boat" pack of plastic figurines.

I think $11.00.

Then on the way out, my oldest son spotted a bag of vase rocks

that were white, teal and blue on the clearance rack ($0.75)!

Yes, he must be learning from me :)

I added several bath toys we had: sharks, crabs, fish, etc...

Again, this place has seen some action!

Tractors and LEGO men have been seen pirating ships!
The fish get booted over to the carpet and the tractors have a "blue rock quarry".
There have been rulers made into bridges so turtles could escape the scary sharks.

This is one busy box!!

It did cost more than the construction box (about $43.00)
but it has been well worth it - I think it's their favorite.

The boys play for hours!

I love watching them and seeing what they come up with.
Give me something that makes them use their imagination any day
over a video game!!

Can't decide on the next box theme......
any suggestions?????