Mommy-and-Me Do Together Craft: Photo Frame/Art Display

My kiddo loves to paint, and I'm always trying to think of cool ways to display her art. I was at the dollar store scoping out frames for an office-redo project I'm working on, and had an idea to make some mother's day frames that for interchangeable artwork and photos.

While Viv got to work crating some masterpieces, I heated up the 'ol hot glue gun and started by cutting a few pages out of an old photo album.

Measure and mark on a paper instert exactly where you will want to glue onto the plastic... this will save you from having a crooked frame.

I covered by photo frame insert with felt and foam frames... remember not to glue the top of the insert and frame if you want to be able to change the photo!

Ready for artwork!

Kiddo Craft: Chalk Driveway Paint

This was so easy to do....we have more large sidewalk chalk than one family (despite our numerous chalkboards) would ever go through in a reasonable amount of time, so here's what we did:

• Placed the chalk in thick-ish ziplock bags, and used a meat tederizor to crush it up (a regular hammer will do, I just didn't feel like searching for one that early in the morning).
• Combine with water in containers with lids that seal! 
• Enlist a petite helper or two to mix mix mix and shake shake shake!

Make sure you frequently mix each  color!

Kiddo Craft: Birdhouses and Butterfly Feetsies

When we moved into our house we were given an unpainted birdhouse for Viv to decorate. Since we're in the midst of mother nature's fickle 'is-it-spring-or-is-it-winter' dance (an as I typed this, it started to snow again), we decided that today would be the perfect time to do something to welcome spring!

 

And since we had some paint leftover... we made a fe spring creatures of our own :)

 

Bring on the sunshine!

8 "Facts" We Learned From Our Preschooler This Week

8 "Facts" We Learned From Our Preschooler This Week

1. FACT: "Only girls can go to cheese parties." We're not sure what a cheese party is, but I'm sad Mike will not be able to attend.Also, imitation cheddar is unacceptable, so don't even try.

2. FACT: Boobs are made of feathers. "That's how come they are kind of like pillows."

3. FACT: A Yoga mat is actually just a "fashiony runway" and a "royal princess carpet." Don't question her on this, she will demonstrate how to properly walk like a "fashiony" person, and will insist you follow suit.

4. FACT: The Easter Bunny, like many celebrities before him, has decided to re-brand himself with a one- name moniker. Instead of Peter Cottontail, this season he'll  be "Just Cottontail."

5. FACT: Mike's job is to "write about boy things."

6. FACT: China is "on the other side of the lake shaped like a ballerina."

7. FACT: Clearly, "You can wear a tutu, sunglasses, patent-leather shoes an no undies" is practically word for word the same thing as "Go put on something comfy for mommy and me yoga." Yes, if you're Paris Hilton. However, this "fact" is highly contested in our household, lol.

8. FACT:  It is possible to remember the precise location you lost a sticker in a department store 6 states away, a boo-boo from a year and a half ago, and every word of every line from 'Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses,' but impossible to remember what your mom asked you to do 3 seconds prior. According to preschooler law, all requests to do something must be repeated at least 6 times and submitted in writing with a cookie bribe 24 hours in advance.

:-) Ahhh, she teaches us so much! :)

KIddo Craft: Melted Crayon Madness With My Little Lady

Have I mentioned how much I love doing artsy-craftsy projects with my little lady? Well, I do. In fact, you could say I *luff* it even..We have an abundance of crayons (and were inspired by the Sofia the First episode 'A Royal Mess), so I decided today's craft would be the 'ol wax paper-and-crayon "stained glass. My husband claims to never have done this, and I'm kind of in awe. I thought it was a childhood rite of passage to have to iron leaves and crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper! But, I digress...

You know I remember this being MUCH less messy to do as a kid... :)

My Funny Valentine

Mike had to work, and it was pretty chilly out (um, we got almost no snow), so Viv and I opted to stay inside today and work on valentines for her class :)

Kiddo Craft: "Magic" Message Painting

Is it spring yet? We spent this chilly afternoon doing some arts and crafts!

Using the clear crayon leftover from Easter egg dying (white crayons would work too, but our paper was slightly gray so I went with this) I created some pictures and messages for Viv to water color and discover what each one was. Easy-peasy and really fun for little ones! Viv  painted about 12 in all, but would have gone on all afternoon if I hadn't started running low on crayon :)

Preschool and a Letter

I was torn as to which blog to post 'First Day of Preschool' Pics on. It's kiddo related, but personal too... sooo, I posted the Pinterest 'First Day' project over at It's a Daughter's World.

To My Darling Child on Her First 'First Day' of School,

Today was the first time of many in years to come, where Daddy and I will drive you to school, introduce you to your teacher, and wave goodbye as you run off to play. While I'm sure that you will not likely greet each year with the same enthusiasm that you did today, Daddy and I promise to be just as proud, if not prouder, of you everyday as we were of you today. <3 p="p">