Fabulous Mess

 The other day my kids were being wild and crazy.  We had 30 minutes until lunchtime and I was about at my wits end with them.  I realized that they were being a hand full not because they're naughty, but because they were bored.  I put on some music, grabbed some finger paints, and their moods (and mine) improved immensely!

Putting my 2-year-old in his highchair and taping the paper down to the tray helped contain the mess.  

Creation of Man - quick craft idea

Genesis 2:7

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Then the LORD God formed a man^[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

My 4-year-old is learning about the creation of man, and I found this idea in his preschool curriculum.  We simply drew a stick man, traced him in glue, took the paper outside, and poured dirt over the top to form our dusty Adam.  My son loves dirt, so he was immediately on board with the idea.  We were able to use the project to talk about how great our Creator is and how although man is created in God's image, we still need to be humble.  Hopefully the dirt/dust will remind him (and me) of this! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Okay, okay, so this doesn't look exactly like a shamrock, but my kids liked this holiday-themed breakfast.

Monkeys! (and Monkey Bite Recipe)

 To supplement our study on monkeys, we modified this chocolate covered banana recipe and made them into "Monkey Bites".  We cut up 2 bananas into about 2" slices, placed toothpicks in the middle and froze them until they were  hard.

 Melt 1/2 to 1 c. chocolate chips (we used white melting chocolate b/c we had it on hand) and dip bananas in.  (sorry this is a blurry pic!)

 Add sprinkles or whatnot while the chocolate is still soft.  Allow to harden and enjoy your "monkey bites".  

 This habitat idea is totally stolen from my friend Ann, who did a much more artistic job with her son than we did here at home!  

My son also colored a picture, and I wrote down a few simple facts about monkeys so we could review it at some point.  We sang the "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" for good measure : )  We have 5 other animals we're going to do similar projects for.  

Antsy for Spring

I was trying to be very disciplined and wait a bit longer to introduce some spring decor.  (Why, I don't really know, except I don't want to get my hopes too high too soon here in cold Michigan!).  I just couldn't wait any longer to add some brighter colors!

 A hurricane is my go-to piece for decorating.  The colors in fruit just couldn't be prettier.

  

If you can't read the Scrabble tiles, it says "Hope for Spring".  I thought I'd put up my Caitlin Standing Cross in preparations for Lent and Easter.

Be Mine

Homemade Valentines made by my 4-year-old and me.  

They're not perfect, but they're from the heart.
Happy Valentine's Day to you!  Hope it's a sweet day for you and your family!

Spring Bird's Nest

My son and I had a great time making bird's nests.  We did it as part of his schooling, since we've been learning about birds.  We got the idea from the Horizon's preschool program.  


Ingredients:
1 c. white melting chocolate or chocolate chips
1 1/2 c. Chow Mein Noodles
Jelly Beans or M&Ms
You'll also need squares of aluminum foil to line your muffin tin.


Start by melting the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.

Add the Chow Mein Noodles

Scoop noodle mixture into about 8 aluminum foil-lined spots in your muffin tin.  Press down the center lightly to make a nest.  Place a few jelly beans or M&Ms inside as your "eggs".  It only takes a few minutes for the chocolate to harden, and then you're ready to lift out your nests and enjoy.