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Stocking Stuffer Stuff: Take 2...

12/1/2014

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Traveling last Christmas, I was on the prowl for fun stocking stuffers that would keep little-fingers busy on the plane.
Flexipuzzle hit the jackpot.

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The challenges range from 'Beginner' to 'Expert'- thus making the toy a good fit for the whole traveling crew.

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Happy Halloween...

10/29/2014

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It's that time again and this year my boys, once again,
chose two great costume ideas...


William Clark
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This boy loves his history lessons at school. The stories of William & Clark match the outdoorsy adventures of his dreams. As chief map-maker, he has his journal ready to record the magical discoveries of the Pacific Northwest. He's always on the lookout for fun.
Tourist
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This loves to travel and has chosen this holiday to embody everything that makes his mother cringe. Socks with sandals - check. Clashing prints, colors, and styles - check. You can't see it here - but the swipe of white sunscreen across his nose makes the whole outfit. It really does.
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Winter Wonderland Craft...

12/19/2013

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    My 6th grade son recently came home with a craft project from school that is perfect for the winter holiday season.

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       Easy and inexpensive, this quick craft made impressive decorations and can be sized for windows, trees, or door decorations. Proud of his discovery, my son prepped all the materials (paper, scissors, tape, stapler) in our front room, and gave everyone in the family a tutorial.  He was a great teacher!

    Now looking around town, I see we are not the only family who likes this craft. Do you want to join the fun? Here's a Youtube video by
kongo204 with all the details:

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The Sweet Taste of Science...

11/29/2012

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Thank you to future teachers Krista and Joanie
for this sweet science experiment!
Halloween candy has so many marvelous uses.

Step #1: Choose two or three different kinds of chocolate treats. These represent the different kinds of rocks found on earth (sedimentary rock, igneous rock or older metamorphic rock).

Step#2: Unwrap the candy (rocks) and place in a microwave safe container Note how different each candy bar looks although they are made from much the same elements.

Step #3: Heat the chocolates - checking frequently. This represents the heat that comes from magma within the earth.


Step#4: Smash the chocolates. This represents pressure from "tectonic processes such as continental collisions".


Step #5: Pour the chocolate on to wax paper and let the new mixture cool. After just a brief wait, you'll see how the rocks (chocolates) have melded together to create a new form. These new rocks are called metamorphic rock because of the changes they have undergone. 

Step#6: Break open the rocks to see the newly formed layers. And yes... enjoy!
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When I asked my boys to think about how these chocolates were like and not-like metamorphic rocks - this is what they had to say:

And always one with a flair for the dramatic, my 10 year old sums up this science lesson for us all:
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Tis the season...

11/22/2012

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Looking for homemade Christmas gifts for Grandma? 
Dad?
Friends?
Look no further...
Here's a few ideas the neighborhood kids and I cooked up...


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Paper, scissors, and old encyclopedias
=
Handmade one-of-a-kind cards!

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Canvas panels + colors pencils and watercolors
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One-of-a-kind wall art
!

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Model Magic
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Personalized Gift Tags!


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Black letter cut-outs, a camera, and magnetic sheets
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Groovy refrigerator magnets
!

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Tagxedo + Dollar-Store picture frames
=
Word poems for those we love!


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Happy Halloween!

10/31/2012

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Here are my spooky goblins...

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Pizza Delivery Boy
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Stockbroker (with business card)
My oldest dressed as the stockbroker last year, but with the economy as it is.. he had to find more reliable work. Ha! (Are we the only family who creates back stories for our Halloween costumes?)

Happy Halloween - May your imaginative ones be safe!
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Monster Madness...

10/17/2012

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Here's a great craft kit that makes a perfect gift, stocking stuffer, or special treat at Grandma's house.
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The kit is designed so that you can create a few silly monsters for decoration and play. We then used the extra stickers to make home-made cards with silly, creative designs!
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Gingerbread Houses...

12/23/2011

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        Every year after Halloween, I ask my boys to sort through their candy to find the treats they'd most like to save for decorating their Gingerbread Houses. The boys willingly give up some of their stash - knowing the fun that awaits them in December.

      This holiday break, we invited several neighbors over to join the fun. Every child brought their own house and some decorating items to share. I provided the frosting:

3 egg whites
3/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Lb. powdered sugar
Mix and mix and mix (then mix some more).
Place icing in sandwich bags and snip one corner to apply.
_      I'm happy to report a good time was had by all. The crew focused on their holiday home decor for just over an hour. After that, I noticed a distinct shift: the candy began to go in their mouths instead of on their houses.  ("Time to call it quits, my friends!").
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Rediscovered Treasures…

12/17/2011

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_        Many, many moons ago my sweet mother made a Christmas Countdown Calendar for me and my sister. I remember being delighted as a child when it was my turn to place an ornament on the tree. To my great fortune, I rediscovered this treasure a few years ago.
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_             Now continuing the tradition with my sons, we take out the simple burlap and felt wall-hanging and add an ornament a day until Christmas arrives. I had to replace a few of the magnet strips and several of the original ornaments had been lost. So...I fashioned a few new ones. It’s amazing how crafty you can get with a few colors of felt and a bottle of craft glue. No special art-skills needed.
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_How do you count down to the holiday?
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Stocking Stuffer Stuff...

11/21/2011

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          My husband usually teases me for completing my Christmas shopping in July, but this year: It didn't happen. In fact, it won't even start until after Thanksgiving and may include a final countdown starting Dec. 18th. Oh, for easy stocking stuffers that can be ordered online and delivered before the holiday rush!!!  Have mercy on me readers: Please post your ideas in the comment area now.


Looking through pictures of past holidays,
I was reminded of this gem:
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       This simple beauty came with monster arms, twisty legs, googly-eyes, and enough colorful brads to make a family of five legged beasts. Low tech - it's fun in the morning, fun in the car, and fun after Christmas dinner at Grandma's house.Overall, that's enough to qualify for a 5 star rating on my Christmas list.
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