Go Green for Kids

Need to teach your kids about recycling? Try using the ENDLESS broken and stray crayons as an example. We're never at a loss for those around here. Step one- put the crayons into a container and...

cover with water to soak. If you don't care about ruining your nails trying to get the glue and paper off, don't worry about this step. The cheaper the crayon, the easier to remove the paper. Once crayons are paperless- Put into desire molds. You'll want to use a dedicated mold for crafts- I don't think you'll want to use them again for food. If using a silicone mold, placing it on a cookie tray will prevent very messy spills- no, I don't know from experience- --this time anyway ;). Melt in a warm oven- about 200 degrees for 15 minutes or so. Carefully remove from oven and cool. Voila~ you have new crayons. Try them for a birthday party activity. Whatever you decide- it makes a nice distraction. Let's say you need to be distracted from the back yard mess...

or the dirty children from the back yard mess. The REALLY dirty children...

So dirty their clothes weren't even worth salvaging for another play day.

Until next time- have a great weekend!

Eewww-- cheese anyone?

I'm known as a dairy junkie- I love my ice-cream for sure, but in recent years have tried to cut back tremendously. After much reading about the 'super-food' of our childhood, and learning this main staple of our American diet isn't so great, this article only reinforces the faults of the milky wonder. Check it out:

http://www.satyamag.com/sept05/adams_cheese.html

Life is never dull around here...

and who really needs a back yard anyway??? First my garden, now my yard...

Just a little jealous

Gotta love homeschool-- where else can you find kabota digging 101 in your own back yard? Who needs prepositional phrases anyway? And, uh, honey, maybe little Elisha could help you out?? When it comes to digging dirt, let's just say Elisha definitely caught on a LOT faster than Daddy. You're not jealous are you, Daddy?? :)

Big toys, big mess.

Heard a noise yesterday and found this outside my door~

Within 15 minutes, I lost my back porch. Who knew that big toys would make such a big mess, in no time?!? I wonder if we can put it all back together that quickly... hmm......

Ya know that saying about...

the only difference between boys and men is the size of their toys...

At least it matches the bright orange tent.

Need I say more?? :)

Looking for family movie?

Pure family movies can be tough to find these days. The children loved Miss Potter~

Where have we been?

Let's see... Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Texas, twice to Grandma and Grandpa's, and 2 fairs--- all in under a week and a half. Phew! Lucky for you, I only had my camera handy for the fairs- well, except for the previous Washington, D.C. pictures that is.

Good ole country fairs are a great way to welcome fall... and remind us of simple ways of the past. The kids were pretty impressed that tractors could do wheelies too. Elizabeth could have cared less about tractors-- give her the rides! Small arguments about ice.... There IS a difference between shaved ice and crushed ice. This was the authentic shaved ice and Mom's treat- I didn't share---- :) the kids had their own treat. ;) Cute, furry little creatures- No, Elisha. You can't have a new quad.

Good bye summer....