I’m Still Here
Feb 11, 2008 Going Green
That’s the trouble with having so much go on in my life. I didn’t post at all here last week. Things were just too crazy/exhausting.
Start of course with my husband’s situation. Helping him hunt up a new job is tiring, and it completely throws off my daily routine. I work best with no one else in the room, and our computers are side by side.
Add in some sick kids as well as getting sick myself, one of those bugs that doesn’t make you too terribly sick, but just exhausts you.
On the plus side, my son took a nap with me one day. That was so much fun. Normally he just plays when he crawls into my bed. That day he climbed up, played just a little, gave a little sigh and fell asleep. Mommy bliss.
We took this past weekend as family relaxing time. Having my husband out of work is so stressful for everyone, and we realized that the kids in particular needed some extra fun time. We went hiking, made cupcakes, went to a local park to play… all very cheap, aside from eating lunch out on Sunday.
I’m hoping to be a bit more on track this week. So much depends on how long this job hunt takes in the current economy… plus whether or not we end up moving for a job. One possibility could take us to Phoenix!
Technorati Tags: laid off, job hunting, family time
Is It Trash or Craft Supplies?
Feb 1, 2008 Eco Friendly Parenting, Recycling
Young children are very creative. It’s so much fun seeing what they can come up with if you just let them work on their own. But their craft supplies can really add up.
But sometimes you can make your own, free.
Kids love to make collages, for example. One of the easiest places to get materials can be in the junk mail you get every day. My son loves to be given a piece of junk mail to just sit around and cut into small pieces. It’s a bit messy, but keeps him entertained.
Using recycled items doesn’t completely negate the need to buy new supplies. Crayons, markers, glue and so forth are still a big part of most of the projects we do. But not having to buy a ton of other supplies is nice.
Here are some basic crafts you can do that go beyond junk mail collages:
Puzzle Piece Picture Frame
You need:
1 picture of child
poster paper
puzzle pieces
paint and paintbrushes (optional)
glue
magnetic strip
If the kids like, have them paint the puzzle pieces and allow to dry.
Cut the piece of poster paper to about an inch bigger than the picture, then glue the picture to the poster paper.
Have the kids glue the puzzle pieces around the picture to make the frame. Some like to do it in two layers to cover any gaps. Glue the magnetic strip to the back.
My daughter did this one at Christmas at her school, but I can see it as a use for those puzzles that have lost a piece or two. It’s a really easy way for kids to make a gift.
Cereal Box Puzzle
1 empty cereal box
Cut the front of the box off. Cut the front piece into a variety of shapes and give to child to put back together.
Paper Towel Tube Telescope
1 paper towel tube
black construction paper or black paint
yellow construction paper
tape (if using construction paper)
stickers or other decorations as preferred.
Cover the tube in black. On one end add a strip of yellow construction paper. Decorate as desired.
Bowling
10 plastic bottles (2 L or 20 oz work well)
decorating supplies
ball
sand (optional)
Decorate each bottle as desired. A very small amount of sand inside each bottle can make them more stable for setting up, but too much will make them too hard to knock over.
New Crayons for Old
several old crayons, all paper peeled off
cookie cutters
aluminum foil
Heat oven to 250 degrees F.
Wrap pieces of foil around cookie cutters, leaving tops open. Put foil over a cookie sheet and arrange the cookie cutters. Fill with old crayon pieces. Smaller pieces work better. Place in oven and cook for 10 minutes or until crayons have melted.
Technorati Tags: kids crafts, recycled art
