A Flag for July 4th that ROCKS!

July 4th is right around the corner. In our house it almost feels like Christmas. We celebrate the 4th - BIG! My parents live on a lake in upstate NY during the summer and July 4th means boat parades, decorating docks and the huge BBQ as well. Two years ago, while decorating our dock we found a picture of this flag in a magazine. We immediately knew we had to recreate it for our dock! We like to call it "USA ROCKS"



I hope you have a wonderful July 4th - filled with friends, family and FOOD!!!

Washing Sea Creatures?

Ok - not really, but doesn't it look like I'm whipping up some mysterious octopus pie? They are really shirts for the "Global Race for the Cure" I am walking in this Saturday June 6th, 2009!



This is my third year to walk in this wonderful race. The first year all my girlfriends (plus some lovely hubby's) walked for me, last year we walked for our daughters and Mothers, and this year we are dedicating our walk to a sweet little teacher at my daughter's school - Ms. Chanel! Each year I throw a "Tie Dye" party. By coloring our shirts - it helps us locate our team at the race. The above picture shows our shirts right after we rubber banded them. The below picture shows them in the "Sea Water" for a 45 minute soak.



Here is the table - all ready for our marathon rubber banding! I put out baskets of rubber bands so everyone can reach them easily. The color of our shirts this year is blue - so I put out those little umbrellas they put in drinks - to show everyone the completed color.



Since only about 1/2 the team could make it - we all rubber banded at least 2 shirts a piece. We threatened those who couldn't make it. We told them we would tie dye targets on their chest area! In the end we ended up being very nice!



I just had the ladies do the rubber banding that night - and I tie dyed them the next day. No one really wants to mess up their nice clothes anyway. I returned the completed shirts the next school day. Didn't they turn out great?


Check back Monday for pictures from the big day! Susan G. Komen - Here we come!!!!!

A Tussy Mussy for Jensie!

This weekend my youngest had her LAST dance recital EVER! Did you hear me - FOREVER! I am actually doing the happy dance - because my daughter is done with dance! Oh it started how everything else starts - a begging girl pleading with me to LET her do dance, and by the end of the school year me pleading with her to "finish strong and with a smile"! Jensen - or Jensie as we call her - is my one hit wonder. She tries everything once - and then wonders why she ever signed up for it. I don't know who was happier today - her or I? In celebration I made her a Tussy Mussy to give her after her performance. I only used 6 roses for this one - but I have made them in the past with up to 2 dozen! To make -I just take all the leaves off the roses, arrange them to my liking, cut stems to same size and then rubberband them together. I then start with my ribbon at the top, criss cross all the way down and then criss cross all the way up again ending with a big bow at the top. Put a damp paper towel at the bottom of a tall container and rest flowers, at least for a few hours, in container.

This is Jensie doing her best surprised look when I handed it to her - do you think Drama Club is next for us?

Easter Cross Craft

When my youngest was in first grade her teacher instructed her to bring one big box of matches, with the ends already burned, to school for an Easter project. This seemed strange to me but her teacher, Mrs. Lesher, was the sweetest teacher, and I knew an amazing project would be coming home. You can imagine how breathless I was when this popped out of her backpack just 2 short years ago. Her teacher had walked them through this craft and each child got to take home their own Easter Cross.

We always spend Spring Break with my mom and dad and I knew the only people who would appreciate this more then me - were my mom and dad. I asked Jensen if she wanted to give this to Gumma and Gumpa - she excitedly said YES - and I reluctantly let that beautiful cross out of my grip. However, the good news is...for the past two years my mom has displayed the Cross and it has welcomed us to Florida.

Celebrate what Easter is all about this year! Make a Cross of your own to cherish for years.

You'll find directions HERE!

Milk Carton Wallet: Snow day fun!

I received my February Family Fun Magazine the other day in the mail and knew I had to make these fun Milk Carton Wallets with my girls. If there is one thing we like more then food - it is purses, and nothing is better then a FREE purse!
A "How-To" video can be found on the Family Fun Website! Just Click HERE and I'll take you there!



In anticipation of making these I had saved two milk cartons. These worked out well since the little barn was front and center. In the magazine they use an orange juice container - and the colorful carton really looks cute as well!



When you click over - they have a printable template which you will need to copy. It helps you score all the creases you will have to make. I found it pretty difficult and quickly realized this was not a step my children could do.



These would be adorable for party favors if you were going somewhere and the children would be given money or coins (Chuck-E-Cheese, Mall). You can't beat the price! Perfect place for your child's milk money as well!

Pumpkin Play Dough

It is getting to be the time of year when children come back in the house to play. Days are getting colder and the kitchen table is more comfortable than the sandbox.



Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tblspn cooking oil
2 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix together, cook until dough comes away
from side of pan (about three minutes)
Cool slightly - knead - add coloring
(Can add coloring with the water)




This simple recipe for play dough is not only easy to make but keeps well and with the addition of food coloring is definitely for all seasons. My mom just made some to give to her "great" nephew and included a few cookie cutters. ( While Mom is making real Halloween cookies her son can make endless shapes and pretend cookies.) He will be able to make pumpkins and bats but put in green food coloring and he will be making Christmas trees. This play dough can also be used with the many play dough toys found in the marketplace.



Make it today and give it away or have it on hand when your grandchildren come over or if your children have a play date.