Royal Tea Party

With the Royal Wedding this morning, and then broadcasts later in the day as well, it was hard to avoid seeing or watching footage at some point throughout the day.  And I'll be honest, I wanted to see what Kate's dress looked like and of course... the KISS (or 2 kisses in this case)!!


So in honor of the wedding, a really good friend of mine came up with a fabulous, fun idea for any little princess in training.... a Royal Tea Party- complete with royal hats!!  She was also lovely enough to drop off everything that was needed- little straw hats, ribbon, and lots of artificial flowers to choose from... thank you Sarah!

I didn't use any sewing or hot glue in this project, though if you wanted your flowers to be more permanent I would definitely suggest a hot glue gun.  These types of hats were perfect for just threading the ribbon and flowers through, easy for kids to do on their own.  And then if my girls want to change the look we can remove and add as needed.

Did you watch the Royal Wedding this morning?  What did you think of some of the hats??

Interactive Kids Poems... ABC

Since April is National Poetry Month, here are 3 super fun interactive poems for you and your child to do together.  These could also be turned into simple cute craft projects to expand the learning even more (ie. color, draw, or use felt cutouts to teach colors, numbers, & time).

You can also enter my National Poetry Month Giveaway to win a copy of "In The Wild"- a children's poetry book all about animals... low entries and ends 4/12 at midnight!!

                              Way Up High In the Apple Tree

                                   Way up high in the Apple tree

                                       (stretch arms up high)
                                  
                                    Two red apples smiled at me
                      (make fists with your hands & smile up at them)

I shook that tree as hard as I could

(make shaking motion with arms)

Down came the apples

(bring arms down)

                                        Mmm, they were good!

                                        (rub tummy and smile)

                                                Here is the Beehive

                                                   Here is the beehive.

                                                  (hold up a fist)

Where are the bees?

(look at your fist)

Hiding inside where no one can see.

(shake your head)

Here they come, out of their hive.

One, two, three, four, five...

(open your fist, one finger at a time)

                                       Buzzzzz!

                                                      (gently tickle your child with the five "bees")

                              Tick, Tock goes the Clock

     (this one can be done while moving your arms as if they're hands on a clock)

Tick, tock... hear the sound?

Two hands move round and round.

1, 2, 3, 4

Always moving, more and more.

5, 6, 7, 8

Making sure you're never late.

9, 10, 11, 12... that's the end,

                             now let's go around and do it again.

Surviving a Snow Day...

...when it's too cold to send the kids outside!

Where we're at here in Michigan, the kids had their very first snow day of the year.  And Tuesday will be the 2nd snow day of the year.  So how to keep your kids from bouncing off the walls while they're cooped up in the house and keep your sanity too?

My oldest is 5 and only goes to Kindergarten half day so this wasn't too much of a change for us.  But it was still an extra three hours having her home instead of at school.  Three extra hours to fight with her 2 year old sister and bug me to go play outside in the snow... except that it was only 9° (with a wind chill making it feel like -5°) so I couldn't send her outside!

Thank goodness for kids shows on tv, and finally new holiday episodes so I don't have to wear earplugs while they're watching them (it can be rough hearing the same songs over and over).  So the girls watched some of those, also good ol' coloring book and crayons and playdoh helps to keep the kiddos occupied.

If you have older kids, hopefully you have all the goodies- video games, computer, ipod... stuff to keep them entertained.  And hopefully you also have plenty of food and snacks on hand to keep their tummy's full- hungry kids are always cranky!

If you're up for more hands-on activities, a craft or some baking (what kid doesn't like frosting and eating Christmas cookies) is something most younger kids, and older as well, will enjoy.  Here's a few websites for some easy holiday craft ideas, depending on what you have on hand:

• Amazing Moms
• Family Fun
• Kaboose
• Kids Holiday Crafts

I think we'll be attempting to make some simple homemade ornaments for the tree tomorrow.  And hopefully I'll have some pics for Wordless Wednesday. 

If your kids also have a snow day, what will you be doing?

Wordless Wednesday- Gobble, Gobble

Simple, fun Thanksgiving turkey crafts... gobble, gobble!!  :-)

To see more or to link up your own, visit 5 Minutes for Mom

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is coming up on June 20th and every year I struggle to find the perfect gift, not only for my dad but for my husband as well.  I found these sites to give me some ideas, and hopfully you too!

For the New Dad, a First Father's Day Personalized Frame:











Personalized Gift, Dad Clock:










Handmade Gift from Kids, Coupon Box/Jar:

Here's another handmade gift idea, Handprint Photo Frame (this could be done for much less just buying items from a craft store):

Want even more Father's Day gift ideas?  I found tons at Gifts.com- cool, fun, unique... or for whatever style of Dad you have.

Rainy Day Activities

Well it's another rainy day indoors for us here.  So while my 4 year old is off at school I have to find things to entertain my 2 year old (who has decided no more naps for her).  Here's a list of some of our favorite rainy day activities:

• Coloring- I can only give her a few crayons at a time tho' otherwise they wind up all over the place
• Playdough- for less mess I have a small tub I give her to play with it in
• Music & Dancing- I don't know any toddler who doesn't like to dance, and my toddler is no exception.  And her fave nursery rhyme is 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'.  She'll come up to me every so often throughout the day and ask "row da boat?"... how can I refuse!
• NickJr or Sprout- need I say more?  This keeps her entertained for awhile and I can get a few things done.  Her fave shows are Dora & Backyardigans.

As with anything though, these activities only hold her short attention span for so long.  She is a super busy, on the go toddler and sometimes she gets into things she shouldn't- like the bag of chips she dumped out all over the carpet the other day.  So 'rain, rain, go away.... my toddler needs to go outside and play!'  Maybe I can have her run laps around the living room to tire herself out so she'll actually take a nap... YEAH RIGHT!!  Oh well, off to catch my toddler... who is currently climbing on the couch and end tables.