SUMMER BLOG CHALLENGE

Monday's are usually pretty manic after surviving the weekend. We usually take it easy on Monday's to let our bodies rejuvenate. While we were keeping it on the down-low for the day, the girls worked on some Rainbow Loom bracelets.

Eryn's

It's an affordable craft that kids not only love, they can make really cool designs too! The craft teaches focus and can also help to learn how to follow directions - some of the designs are even too difficult for me! But, the girls taught me the basics and I have to admit, I even love my anklet I made. The rubber bands come in all different colors and you can make them for anything: favorite sports team, school colors, or whatever! It's also a great gift the kids can make for others.

Arden's

To get their bodies moving we tried to play outside, while the weather cooperated. We walked around the garden and checked things out. We admired the growing sunflowers, we respected a bumble bee's space, and admired a white little butterfly. The storm was quickly approaching though and as soon as we heard thunder we headed in for safety!

Tuesday's @ the Library

Arden finished her reading requirements for the Summer Reading Program and earned her free ticket to a local baseball game. Since we started making regular trips, both Arden and Eryn have their own Library cards now. Today was the first day I took them and they were able to check-out whatever they wanted. The library is such a wonderful resource. Eryn must have checked out nearly 10 books and she renewed The Tales of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo that she has been enjoying.

Usually, the library opens a little later on Tuesday's, which is fine because it gives us more time in the morning to get everything together. Tuesday's also begins their half-hour time slots for grade level math games. Today, the website they worked on was ABCya.com where you can pick the grade level and what math games associated. While one is on the computer for their math time, the other is in the living room where there is a stationary bike and an elliptical glider so that they can also have a structured physical aspect and the importance of exercise within their daily lives.

Coming home from the library I had to stop and run an errand. Before we had left I reminded them that we would be going to a store, so if they wanted to get anything that they would have to bring their own money that they've earned to purchase what they wanted. They both picked out what they wanted, took their turn in-line at the store, and paid for their item. I love doing this with kids because they learn so much! After lunch the girls retreated for their half-hour reading time before they left. Among Eryn's many book that she picked out at the library were a few craft books ... so I'm sure we'll be checking those out and making some cool things.

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.

SUMMER BLOG CHALLENGE

MONDAY - POOL SIDE

Conowingo @ Lighthouse Pool Managment Inc.

Kicking off the summer right, we decided to spend the first official day of summer vacation at the pool. We lathered up and enjoyed dipping into some refreshing chemically treated water. I even got to read a little while laying out. My nieces are 9 and 10 and can swim proficiently, especially since their mother and grandfather were both lifeguards. The 'deep end' isn't really that deep at the pool we go to. It's perfect for them to go and jump in (no diving). They brought some cool sinking balls that they could swim after and go underwater to retrieve (we just had to watch out for other kids picking them up).

We got a little late start (I usually like to be at a pool closer to opening time) so, we weren't able to snag any chairs or tables. It worked out though, we laid our blankets out on the grass and used our bangs and things to hold them down (so the wind didn't carry them away). Some tricks I've learned over the years, pool side (an you probably already know them): Take at least one extra towel, I like to put a towel over my bag to shield it from direct sunlight. Otherwise the suntan lotion and other things inside will get dangerously hot. Something I am going to start doing also is to pack a visor, because of the sun reflecting off of the water (even though we lathered up with sunscreen twice) our cheeks burned. Another tip I've learned is when taking off your shoes (we usually wear flip flops) turn them over. This way the sun isn't baking them and you won't burn the bottom of your feet when you try to put them on again.

"The Girls" having a blast at the pool

Overall it was a great day. Because we set-up camp in the grass we had a picnic styled lunch. We had packed lunch before we left the house. After our time at the pool had come to an end and it was time to go, we managed to rally enough energy to stop by a local spot for some ice cream before I dropped them off home. My youngest niece and I got small dipped cones while my eldest niece got a milkshake. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the end of the day.

TUESDAY - TRIP TO THE LIBRARY

Harford County Public Library

Make sure to verify the Library branch times of operation before you go. We didn't have to wait as long as some other people did, we only waited ten minutes, but still that can seem like an eternity to a child. Anyway, once we were in the girls had fun looking for books. I snagged some grade level book recommendations to help guide them for their summer reading. While we were there we also signed up for their summer reading program. There are great incentives too! Each of them received a little bag with information inside. They received a sheet of coupons and vouchers. One of the coupons was for a free personal pan of pizza, so we stopped and picked up their lunch on the way home. They also informed us that if they read ten books by the deadline then they will receive a free ticket to an Iron birds game. This really excited the girls and they both picked out two books each. When we got home, after lunch and some down-time, I instructed them to read for about thirty minutes. They began to read outside, but since it's a hot-one today, they didn't last too long out and came in to cool down. They loved going to the library and we decided to make it a weekly trip.