Summer Time Kids Activities: Baked Cotton Balls

We all know how long the days can be when all the children are home -- for the whole summer.  We all know it can be great fun filled with tons of beach and park days, ice pops, pools, and tired boys and girls at the end of the day; but we could also use a little advice.  What else do we do with them?

I have two boys four and two.  So, for the most part I am home with them everyday, all day.  My older one is in school two mornings a week which does switch things up a little.  Last summer was our first summer in our new house, but also our first summer away from our old beach house.  We had some adjusting to do.  We did manage to keep our days busy with the help of some of these summer crafts and activities.  I hope to update these activities regularly, I sure will be needing some new ones myself!

Here was one of my favorites:


Baked Cotton Balls

This was so simple and fun.

All you need are cotton balls, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of flour, and food coloring

1. Mix the flour and water.
2. Pour the mixture into separate bowls.  I used muffin tins and it worked well.
3. Make the individual bowls different colors.
4. Let the kids dunk the cotton balls in the colors and make a "cake" once all dipped.  Put them on a greased surface in any shape or design you want.  You can do letters, make a car pattern.
5. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.

You want to make sure the balls are dipped very well, don't leave any white spots! You want them nice and moist!  Afterwards you can even let your kids go to town with a hammer, or just sit back and admire.

Holidays and Birthdays Galore

Ahh, being a mom of two young ones.  Nothing is the same these days.  I used to tackle spring cleaning in one week.  After the first born it turned into one month.  It's going a little longer these days.  This is the first year that I don't exactly have a plan in place.  I do what I can when I can.  So far I have organized a few cabinets, dusted a few baseboards, and even cleaned the bathroom!  Spring cleaning has been put on hold this past week, though.  It was finally time to decorate some Easter eggs this past weekend.  We also celebrated my husband's grandmother's 83rd birthday.  This of course led to some Pinterest love where I finally got to use some of the children's crafts projects!

Here is the cutest art project to keep some amazing memories of your little one's hands and feet.  Who would ever want to forget how tiny they once were?  Of course, my three year old's feet are beginning to look like grown man's feet and I think we may need to stop this soon!

And who could resist, I had to post some pictures of the little ones on Easter!

My New Fascination: H & M Kids

I don't know what it was that kept me away from checking out this store recently.  Before they got a kids section I was a little hesitant of their women's clothing because sometimes to me, cheap prices = cheap clothes.  I have to say though I have been presently surprised.  I have still steered away from the women's clothing because I feel the clothes are a little too snug fitting...but this does inspire me to get more toned.  The kid's clothes....too die for.  You can't beat the prices and some of the designs are so original.  So although N hasn't outgrown his summer clothes from last year, L could use a few outfits that aren't hand me downs.  So, out shopping I went.  Here are some of the finds on my trip.

 This top reminds me of a top I saw at Mini Boden for 24.99.  This one here, 6.95!

Valentine's Day Cards and Crafts

I'm Back!  No other way to say it.  A while back I stopped posting so that I could focus more on my online store, well...needless to say, that didn't work out so well.  I had an amazing time starting the store up, finding clothes for the shop and setting it all up.  In the end, though, I was losing more money then I was making.  It was a great experience, and I continue to want to one day open up a children's boutique...but maybe this one an actual storefront.

Without further ado I'd like to say that I would love to start keeping up with this blog again.  On top of writing about all things children, I would like to start writing and posting about home decor, fashion, good eats, and other things. I don't want to limit myself when I have so many exciting passions!  I am toying with the idea of changing the blogs name...but I think it may just do.  What do you all think??

Well, with my first post back I wanted to share a craft that I did with my children for Valentine's Day.  Everyone in N's preschool class I feel like is doing something more than just picking up a pack of valentine's at Target, so I figured we would jump on the wagon.  I didn't want to do anything too crazy so I just had him use a sponge cut into the shape of a heart and dab it in paint and then on craft paper.  I think it is simple and cute.

Then while staring at my little guy, L, he looked so pitiful not having anything to do.  So I painted his hand and had him make me a handprint!  He didn't like it so much...but having his and N's handprints forever is just too priceless to pass up.  Enjoy!