SUMMER BLOG CHALLENGE

HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH

One of Wednesday's activities included making homemade play dough. We found a recipe online thanks to The Imagination Tree. It is messy! Overall the girls loved the activity, even though there was a time during the mixing process that they were tired. Truly, I think it was my fault (I added too much water at once). Either way if you want a great activity for the kids and don't mind the mess - make some play dough!

Eryn & Arden posing before the chaos...

What You'll Need:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

1/2 Cup Salt

2 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar

2 Cups Boiling (warm) Water

Food Coloring

In a bowl combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and mix. We split the ingredients into two bowls so the girls could choose their favorite colors. We also used Neon food coloring drops. I let the girls put 10 drops into a coffee mug before adding the boiling water. The instructions stated to add the food coloring drops to the boiling water before adding to the other ingredients. Another tip: do each batch for one color.

Eryn 'mixing' her ingredients

Also, we just poured the water straight into the bowls and it took us forever to get the right consistency. If it's too dry, add more water. If it's too moist add more flour until you get the consistency that you desire. We had to add A LOT of flour. I actually ran out of flour and we used Bisquick too. A LOT of mistakes were made - but, you live and learn...

The girls mixed and mixed until they were nearly going to give up. We kneeded the flour in until it became the consistency that they could form the substance to make stuff. Overall they did love the activity. It wasn't too fun afterward cleaning up the mess or the counters (we even tried using wax paper to limit the mess). I said I would never do this project again - but honestly, if they wanted to I would try again (once we get more flour) and follow the direction better (I had my eldest niece reading us the directions).

LIBRARY TUESDAYS

Yesterday the girls and I went to the local library to return the books that they had read for their reading program and to check-out new books. It's great, the local library had a suggestion list of summer reading books for kids that are going into their respective grade. My eldest niece Arden checked out books that she wanted, she's no stranger to the library. Eryn, my youngest niece required more help locating and searching for books. No worries though, it was an enjoyable visit and they were able to rent some DVD's as well so they had something to watch for their down-time. FYI ~ If you want to go through the process of obtaining a library card for minors, it is best (no matter what the clerk behind the desk may say) if you have their parents go with them to get the card. We were originally told that the girls mother could fill out the paper, when we took Eryn's paper in we were informed that her mother would have to physically be there (just so you know).

After the library, even though it was quite hot out, we decided to stop by the local duck pond. Look for a pond that does not have signs posted about not feeding the wildlife if you plan on taking something. Also, be responsible and research what ducks can and cannot have. Here are the two links I researched before combining a "Duck Food" bag: What Ducks Eat & The Ultimate List of Duck Treats and Supplements. We put old blueberries, rice, bird seed, cut-up cherry tomatoes, cut-up cucumber and some multi-grain bread crumbs. Put it in a Ziploc bag and mixed it all together - the ducks LOVED it!

The girls enjoyed cooling off in the stream.