Mercury

Jordan's version.




Carson's version.



As you know, we are currently in the first week of our solar system unit. Today the kids learned about Mercury. I showed them some pictures of the actual planet. I told them about the craters on Mercury. I thought they would be really excited about the idea of a planet full of holes. But, Carson was way more intrigued by the fact that a day is more than 200 Earth days. She was also sad when I explained that because of the extreme temperatures there is no life on Mercury. Her response, "But, there will be, Mama. There will." I didn't argue. She is smarter than me, and I would just end up being wrong!! Anyway, we made Mercury. We are making a paper plate solar system, so we used a paper plate again. If I had been thinking about it, I would have had them use a small plate. Mercury is the 2nd smallest planet--next to Pluto. So, you might want to use a small plate when completing this craft. This is also a fun color lesson. I mixed some black paint and some white paint together in front of them to create gray. Both of the kids were very excited watching the paint change colors. Then, I let the kids paint the paper plates with the gray paint. Then, I let Carson dip her thumb into the black paint to create thumbprint craters. I helped Jordan do his thumbprints. Jordan's thumbprints look really big because he got a ton of paint on his thumb. Carson's are smaller and more spread out. I want to warn any parent attempting this craft that it is very messy. Don't wear your favorite shirt!! Make sure to use washable tempura paints and add a little dish soap to the paint. Happy Crafting!!

Shabby chic butterfly

Carson and I spent most of our day at a Mommy & Me fancy dress brunch. It was so much fun. And, the decorations were done in such a fun shabby chic manner that I decided to let her make her very own shabby chic craft this afternoon. I took some old scrapbook paper and wrapped it around a toilet paper tube. Then, I let Carson pick another piece of scrapbook paper for her wings. She picked a pink and green pattern and wanted bright pink spots on the wings. She glued the bright pink dots onto the wings that I had cut out of the pink and green page that she picked. Then, She used some of the stickers that her Godmother gave her recently to decorate the wings. I stapled the wings to the toilet paper tube. We used tape to adhere the pipe cleaner antennae. And, she put the wiggle eyes on. And, voila, a shabby chic butterfly!! Happy crafting!

Sun!!

Today was a super fun craft day. We did a sun using a paper plate, yellow paint and pieces of yellow and orange construction paper. It was really fun to see even the youngest kids (Jordan, 20 months) painting and enjoying the craft. This is the start of our 3 week solar system unit, so there will be quite a few crafts. This one is fun because it includes the children's hand prints. I love any thing that has hand prints, foot prints or fingerprints. It is pretty self-explanatory, but I will go through the steps none-the-less.

Start with a large, white paper plate. Draw a yellow circle around the center of the plate. This is the boundary for the kids and helps them to follow directions and stay within the lines. Let them paint, using yellow tempura paint, the inside of the circle. Then trace the child's hand. I let the kids go off to play while the yellow circle dries. The parent should cut out the hand print over and over on the yellow and orange construction paper. I had about 24 hand prints. When the circle dries, glue the hand prints around the outside of the yellow circle. I did yellow all the way around, then staggered the orange, and then put yellow on again after that. It is a super fun, easy craft. And, it is a lovely keepsake. Have fun crafting!!!

Update on Life

I just wanted to make a quick update. I don't blog nearly enough, bit I do what I can. Anyway, things are going really well around here. In fact, I haven't been really sick in a couple of months. And, I have lost 33 pounds now!! I am so proud and happy. I can't believe it. I am attempting to become healthier in all things. We are spending a lot more time out of doors. We have been going to the park quite a lot. And, we are taking swimming lessons. I am still hitting the treadmill from home as well. I think that lifestyle change plus the Weight Watchers program is making a huge difference in my life. I am overjoyed.

Other than that, the kids are wonderful. I can't believe that Jordan will be 2 in 3 1/2 months. It is crazy how quickly life is flying by. I sure wish it would slow down every now and then, but what can you do? I am hoping that we will get the opportunity to slow down a bit this summer. David won't be going to school, so I hope to take it easy. Just spend the evening at the park or the pool together. No stress or strain. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Until next time...