Busy Bag for Flying, Personal iSpy Book

Tayden is currently obsessed with iSpy books. Morning, noon and night you can find him delving through the pages of a half dozen at a time. He's super cute when playing with you too. He'll say "I 'py with my own eye..." and if you take too long finding it he'll say "do you need a hint?"


So how much more rad would having your own book containing your own toys among the pages be? Now, I'm not original in this thought. There are plenty of other moms who have done the same before me. But what struck me most about this idea for him was that he will be away from these toys for a couple weeks while we're on vacation. What better way to see your special toys while missing them then on the pages of a book?


This is a bit more time consuming, as you'll need to round up items (I did themed pages), set them up on a white piece of paper (I mistakingly used off white butcher paper, that turned out gray in the photos, but he won't care) and take your picture. Then pick out a few items from that grouping and take a separate photo of those for your child to "spy". Make a cover for your book and send off your photos for printing. Grab a cheap-o bragging book (found mine at Target) and insert them with each coordinating page facing one another.


Voilá! Adorable little book and a happy child.

Favorites Friday, Put a Plastic Animal On It

Ok, granted, "put a plastic animal on it" doesn't have the same ring as "bird" does, but I'm telling you here and now, they are the next it item. And they are my favorite new things.

They're popping up everywhere from DIY's to those for sale.

Here's a terrific smorgasbord of both.


{1: photo holder, 2: place card holder, 3: craft jar organizers, 4: wrapping paper decoration,
5: jewelry holder, 6: fridge magnets, 7: candle holder}

Be sure to check back every day next week for terrific new busy bag ideas
that you will not want to miss!

Flubber!

This year, for some of the older kids in our lives, we made them flubber for Christmas. You, know, the 1961 classic Absent Minded Professor and his tremendous invention? I mean, he made a car fly, people! I love that movie.

Now, I don't promise you flying cars, but I do promise at least a solid hour of play and discovery out of this recipe. And, if you read to the bottom, you'll find my discovery that is perfect for boys...

I originally stumbled upon the scientific concoction through Pinterest (if you haven't joined, you really need to get on board) to Frugal Fun Challenge's website.

I made a few alterations to that recipe, mainly halving the recipe, which made more than plenty for our needs. Here's the recipe for you!


1. Get 2 bowls.

2. In one bowl, mix up 3/4 cup warm water, 1 cup Elmer's glue, and food coloring (we used neon blue) real good.

3. In your second bowl, stir 1 1/2 teaspoons of Borax (found in the laundry aisle of your grocery store) and 1/2 cup warm water until Borax is dissolved.

4. Pour the Borax mix into the glue mix and knead with your hands until fully incorporated.

Watch as science flies around your kitchen! It is seriously so much fun, and weird, and easy! What more could you want?!

Like I said, we gave ours as gifts, so after enough playing, I put it into jars and made labels. What I discovered when putting them into jars is that it makes your very own fart maker! Kid you not. So, if you're looking for perfect entertainment for your tween boy, make this and stick it in a jar. Hilarious.

I digress, it makes a good gift, or party favors for a science party. Something to break away from play-doh.

Have fun!

Paper Activity Mat

The other week, while the kids were napping, I busted out a roll of butcher paper, markers, and a strong penchant for creating a super-activity-mat for the kids.


I knew it would need roads, a railway, airport and construction zone.


I also threw in some parking spots, a little lake for the animals to roam around, and greenery to fill the spaces.



Tayden loved it and straight away put his train on it. Then there were cars. Cars driving through the mud and on the railroad tracks! We had a few moments of panic, wondering if the cars would make it out of the way in time before the train came.


Happily there were no accidents to report, except the giant baby who thought it was funny to just run and stomp on it.

Cyber Monday

{make boozy olives, bay rum after shave and mountain spice liquid shaving soap, bottle opener and resealer,
hand printed rock glasses, vintage Emerson clock radio converted to mp3 player}


{kenyan black tea, 100% goes towards education of kenyan orphans, heart on your sleeve long gloves,
iPod/iPhone stand, ruffle front skirt, vintage 70's drinking glasses}


{hand knit wool owl, dancing ballerina, fabric button hair clips, set of 3 babushka russian matryoshka cloth dolls, hand painted wood cubes}


{vintage push out puzzles, recycled car crayons, hand knit crankypants, wood tic tac toe, vintage wooden trail pull toy}

Last Minute Halloween!

{us this year: pirate, soccer player, cowboy and indian.}

last year

If you're anything like me, and plan on shopping in your own closet (30 minutes before you're to leave) for your Halloween costume this year, I've extended this brilliancy onto the kids.

Here's a round-up of last minute costumes for baby's, girls and boys, you most likely can pull together with things around your house.

And maybe some duct tape.


{ventriloquist, max, flower child, mommy's mummy, sushi}

{boo ghost, olivia, madeline, pirate, paper doll}

{strong man, gnome, scuba diver, clark kent, golfer}

Favorites Friday, Let's Hear it for the Boys!

 {source: off the wall expressions}
How many times have the boys been overlooked by all the girly stuff on the market? From boyhood to manhood, the story still tells the same. But there are many people out there trying to do something about it. And today we're paying tribute to some of these awesome products and ideas.

Dig into this virtual sandbox and get a little dirty:

 {1: I love the simple idea of making playdoh monsters. Add wiggle eyes and done! 2: a file folder car ramp! perfectly portable fun when vacationing away. 3: Patrice. the coolest plush on the block.  4: personalized 3d letter art. buy it or make it. either way will make a statement in your boys room. 5: parts is one silly all-boy book you'll both get a kick out of reading. 6: make a space shuttle out of cardboard tubes.}   {1: this story cube idea is one of the coolest things. 2: cardboard tube monsters. 3: a lego and car IKEA table re-do. 4: make these easy and adorable page corner bookmarks. 5: have a pirate day with this hat, hook and spyglass tutorial.  6: these 'stache straws would make any meal more fun. 7: the raddest set of peg dolls ever. there's even a harry potter set to make. 8: have a monster themed party or playdate with this set of cupcake wrappers.}
I have to stop daydreaming about awesome boy projects now, and attend to the clingy girl at my feet.

Hi everyone!!

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday to make sure Baby Waller was doing good since the surgeries in December. Happy to report everything was perfect! We're 28 weeks now...only 12 to go! Wow, it seems it's happening so fast!