There was a Mamasource deal a few weeks ago that I spent a lot of time thinking about, and then I bit the bullet and bought it. It was for a discounted 12-month subscription to the Magic School Bus Young Scientist Club, and when I showed it to The Older, he went crazy over it. Since he got moved to the advanced math and science classes he’s gotten more interested in science (the whys and hows, not just the that-looks-cool-now-let-us-move-on). He struggles a bit with the science part, however, so I thought this might be a nice way to work with him over the summer. I’m going to be working on my lesson plans again so I can work on reading comprehension and science, and I am excited to see what the first kit is going to hold so I can try to weave it all together. Can’t wait for the summer to begin!!!
About our blogger: jenn0324
I'm a WAHM to a 7-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. Left the full-time work field in criminal justice and mental health to be at home with my children. Haven't lost my sanity yet! :-)
Visit jenn0324 @ http://www.adventuresofhomelife.com/
Posts by jenn0324:
Easy Caprese Salad
I love Caprese salads, but I’m used to having them in their “full-sized version” with an entire slice of tomato, whole slice of mozzarella, and a basil leaf. In trying to cut back on calories, I came across a version that cut down on the calories and fat but NOT on the taste! I modified it a bit to my own liking, and I came up with a version that The Younger can help me with and that satisfies my craving! (I cut everything up, and The Younger got to arrange it in the bowl and add the vinegar. She had a great time and even tasted it, although the vinegar was a bit strong for her liking).
This would be a great for in the summer!
- Sliced organic cherry tomatoes (4)
- Chopped organic basil leaf (1)
- Fresh mozzarella cheese (1 oz)
- 2 tsp balsamic vinager
- Mix the above ingredients and serve
Reusing Pasta Boxes
… to hold birdseed!
I’ve had these old pasta boxes around, and I wasn’t sure what we were going to do with them. I had one on the kitchen counter from making baked ziti, and boy was I glad it was there when our bag of birdseed broke! I was able to salvage most of it, and now I can put it safely in the cabinet. It’ll be easier for the kids to open and get their hands into as well, and now I don’t have to worry about spilled seed all over my floor 
St. Patricks Day Craft- Easy Pot Full O’Shamrocks
Since I am FINALLY over my bought with pneumonia, it’s time to return to the land of the living! I needed to start small and easy though, and I figured something with few materials and steps would be a good beginning. Considering I basically missed Valentines Day and the entire month of February, I decided to start with St. Patrick’s Day right away 
The supply list for this was easy:
- Green Paint
- Brushes
- Printouts of shamrocks (you can find them if you search “free clip art”)
- Scissors
- Construction paper (black for the pot and whatever color you want for the background)
First I had The Younger cut out the shamrocks which was great for her fine motor skill set. In reality I cut out the majority, but she was happy doing just one.
When we were done Read the rest of this entry »
Valentine Butterfly- Easy Valentine’s Day Craft
The Younger still doesn’t understand what Valentine’s Day really is, so I’ve been doing little things here and there to teach her about the day. I don’t actually celebrate it myself, but I do like teaching her about different holidays and peoples’ beliefs.
I decided on an easy valentine craft which I saw somewhere (can’t remember where so I can’t cite it), and she was game to try it 
This is our cute butterfly!
The Younger chose the colors for the body and the wings, and then I let her go to town.
First she painted the body (which is a toilet paper roll) while I cut out the heart wings. Then we let the body dry Read the rest of this entry »
Halloween Pumpkin Faces
I had this great pumpkin carving idea for my preschooler. See, in Florida you can’t just carve a regular old pumpkin and leave it on your doorstep, a reality I learned when I first moved here in 2000. All you get from that is a large, wet, moldy mess on your front porch, and that’s a Halloween horror I don’t want my kids to experience. I decided a great alternative would be to get those carvable fake pumpkins from somewhere like Michaels, and then both The Older and The Younger could make their own pumpkin that would last. I’d cut out different eyes, noses, and mouths, for The Younger, and she could create the face she wanted while the older drew his own.
I started out with these, and The Younger got to work, creating all the different pumpkin faces her little mind could come up with.
However, as all projects do, this one took Read the rest of this entry »
Easy Ghost Craft
The Younger is fighting a nasty head cold, so last night we decided to say “no” to baseball and stay home. The kids are getting excited for Halloween, so I figured there would be no harm in starting our annual footprint ghosts a bit early.
These are easy to do (this is my second time doing this, and the kids were really excited). All this project takes is white paper, a pen, a black marker, and some scissors.
First, have the kiddo put their foot on a piece of white paper (I used copy paper, but I think I’ll try thicker paper next time), and trace the foot. Try to keep their toes together, if you can.
This is not a good example of proper foot placement, but The Older was adamant that this picture be included.
Make Your Own Play-Doh
We had a rainy day/not feeling so great afternoon. Perfect recipe for a day of play-doh! I didn’t have any around the house (shocker, I know), so the kids helped me make some. It’s easy, and they can both help because there are enough ingredients for both of them to do something, yet not too many to be overwhelming.
- 2 cups flour
- 1 to 2 cups warm water (I had to play around with this part)
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- food coloring/unsweetened drink mix
Add all dry ingredients, then oil and coloring. Mix well, kneed, and then HAVE FUN! 
I made 2 colors for them with blue and red liquid food dye
It didn’t stay separated for long, and we learned that red and blue make purple! Read the rest of this entry »
Medication Chart for Kids
Since we had to add 2 more medications to The Older’s daily practice, I decided it was time to get organized. I can remember a lot of things, but not 5 medications, one of which is only taken on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday basis! I ended up getting an erasable chore chart and some reusable stickers from Lakeshore Learning, and set up an easy-to-follow chart.
Yes, there are bears on it, but I figured the stars would make up for that.
I filled in the chart with the colors of the medications (for now), and this way he can keep track of the medication with me. I know he’s starting to feel out of control with everything that’s going on, so I thought this would give him a way to feel that he is managing at least something. As you can see, I also got him a daily pill box that I’m going to let him decorate any way he wants.
Filled out and ready for action!
Have you ever had anything like this that you’ve had to keep track of? What did you do to keep it all straight for you and your kids?
Make Your Own Musical Instruments
It’s no secret that The Younger loves anything creative. She loves singing, dancing, and playing instruments, so I decided making homemade instruments would be a fun activity.
First I gathered everything I needed. I got some dried beans, rice, bells, and some stickers and markers. Then I pulled some paper plates and plastic cups from the cabinet, removed the paper towel roll from our paper towels, found a rubber band, stapler, and the scissors. While I was in the junk drawer I found an old Easter egg, and that proved to be a good find too!
We made the horn first. For this, I had The Younger decorate the paper towel tube while I Read the rest of this entry »
