Stepping Stones

Yesterday was a fun day around here! We had some crafty projects laying around that the kids were dying to do so I decided to indulge them :)

I bought these stepping stone kits at JoAnn's two years ago! I saw them while I was in the checkout marked down big time so in my cart they went. Hello, my name is Laura, and I'm an impulse shopper ;) I knew the kids would have fun with them, I had just forgotten how much I procrastinate doing a project that has the potential to make a huge mess! Anyway, a couple of months ago, Todd ran across them while cleaning out the garage and asked me about them. I said yes, we were totally going to do those, do not throw them out! I mentioned it to the kids last week as a potential project, but something else came up so they didn't get done. Yesterday, Nicholas started in on me first thing in the morning annoying begging me to get them out! Finally, I sent him up to wake Kristen (did I mention he started early?). If we were dragging out those kits and making that mess, we were doing everyone's all at the same time!

It was great fun! Since the weather this week has been so much better, it's just fun getting outside with them doing things like this.

Nicholas had to be first!

I did the majority of the mixing for the younger ones, Brandon mixed most of his and Kristen got to do hers all by herself ;) 

I loved watching how they decorated their stone. My only requirement was to leave a space for their name and the year. Hand prints were optional. Nicholas was so excited about sticking his hand in it though ;)

The finished stones are gorgeous! I can't wait until they are ready to put in the landscaping :)

A Day at the Beach

I took the kids to Alum Creek Beach on Monday. It was the nicest day weather-wise that we've had for a while and I didn't want to waste it! We had a blast! It wasn't busy at all when we got there and when it did get busy mid-afternoon, we left ;)

It was a really wonderful day :) We can't wait to go back!

Like Father, Like Son

A few weeks ago, I noticed Megan putting a sock in her purse. When I asked her what she was doing with a sock in her purse she told me it was her wallet and pulled it out to show me her coins stuffed in there. At the point, I decided she needed a wallet of her own! I ordered one from Jenny's daughter, Adrienne, who is making the cutest duct-tape wallets ever this summer. When I brought it home, she was thrilled! She loves it! She isn't the only one though. The minute Nicholas laid eyes on it, he wanted to try to make one himself. So much like Todd! Always has to know how to make something! Between the two of us, he definitely the more creative :)

So, Tood looked it up on the internet, took the kids to the store so they could pick out their duct-tape (it comes in all kinds of colors and patterns now. Crazy!) and set about making wallets with them:

They had a great time doing a little project with dad!

Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, Todd took the boys to see Despicable Me. We had all gone together a week or two ago (it's fantastic!), but he really wanted to see it in 3-D and I since I can't do 3-D with my funky vision I was going to be home alone while he whisked the kiddies off to see it. At the last minute, pretty much when he was telling them he wasn't buying any movie candy (gasp!), Megan decided she would like to stay home with me ;) Kristen was at work and I was planning on getting some co-op work done or maybe working a bit on our curriculum choices for school, but I was glad to change my plans for a little time with just Megan :) We had a fun few hours!

While I made lunch, she made Mii's. I think that's her favorite part about the Wii!

We had salad for lunch:

We played Guess Who:

I thought it was very funny that three of our kids have their names on a Guess Who character!

And no we didn't name our kids after a board game :p

We snuggled on the couch and watched Backyardigans ;)

It was very nice to have her all to myself for a bit :) Everyone came home around this time and we spent most of the rest of the scorching hot day inside hanging out together. I praying for some more enjoyable temperatures!

Something to Try (Or Not!)

I've been trying to do some fun, unique little projects/crafts with the kids this summer. I've also been working ALOT around the house on projects which means I'm using the internet to find all my cute things for the kids to do! I've spent alot of time on The Crafty Crow and found some really cute things to do. This little project looked so fun I couldn't resist ;) Corn Syrup Painting!

Corn syrup and food coloring, glossy paper and paint brushes. Easy!

First, using crayon, draw a picture. They had a bit of trouble coming up with something so we talked about an abstract picture as a possibility. Remember how we used to draw those all the time? Just a bunch of scribbles then colored all the little areas in?! Fun! Anyway, they thought of some good stuff :)

Megan cracks me up. She's a bit excited ;)

Nicholas drew a little guy. I tried to get him to fill the page, but it looks great just the way he wanted it :)

(notice my kitchen walls are not red anymore ;) yep, the kitchen got painted twice this spring...ugh!)

Brandon drew some random geometric shapes. It looked great!

Finished paintings:

Megan did two. The first one is an abstract the second is a house and some outside things.

The paint is very puffy. That's what I thought was so cool about it.

It was a really fun project and the kids had a blast doing it!

Now for the bad news. I'm not actually sure it dries! We've had these sitting around for over a week and they are still wet and sticky! UGH! They turned out great and I REALLY wanted to hang them, but it looks like I won't be getting my way. I think we might try this with regular paint so we can hang them.

Sweet Little Soccer Player

Tonight, Megan had her first soccer practice, first sport practice of any kind for our little girl, and she had a ball! Last year when her brothers played, she told me she would like to play next year and now her time has come :) This afternoon she and I were sitting in the living room working on a craft and she told me she wanted to pray to God to not let it rain this evening and have her practice canceled. I told her she could absolutely ask God for that but she should also know that He might have other plans for the rain;) When we showed up for her practice it was pouring, but not for long. Almost exactly at 7:00, when her practice was starting, the rain practically stopped :) We had a little drizzle during her practice but not nearly enough to cancel practice and no thunder and lightning.

I took a crazy amount of pictures thinking that most of them weren't turning out but they did! And now I get to share them!

Just stinkin' cute! Tonight while I was putting her to bed, she told me she should have soccer practice every night :) I guess it's a hit!