Messy is Cool... Fun Slip n' Slide Ideas!

 

The funnest memories don't ever seem to involve vacuum lines in the carpet or perfectly pressed white shorts, right? With my band of men, I think they're definitely just the opposite. Those moments when we're all disregarding anyone watching or what could get hurt or if our idea seems a bit crazy, are the ones that I really believe the boys will look back on and really cherish. (Or, if nothing else, at least remember that Mom is pretty cool after all) ;)

So, it goes without really saying then that I'm not one of those Moms that can't handle mud and mess (I might just go truly nuts if I was!). If your life isn't really up for that, then the water fun idea I'm sharing today as part of The Joys of Boys' Summer Survival Series for Moms of Boys might not be for you... But if you're still reading at this point, then I'm guessing you already know this could be a BIG hit...

Random Acts of Kindness Treasure Hunt: Summer Edition!

This post was originally shared over at the blog Maybe I Will as part of her summer fun series, but I wanted to make sure and share here too- a unique, service-oriented idea and freebie for something to do with your kiddos on these summer days :)

You might remember that last fall, I made a fun treasure hunt kit that turned one of our normal treasure hunts into a lesson in kindness...I really love doing random acts of kindness with the boys- nothing uplifts in quite the same way. Need a boost? Try paying for the person behind you in the drive through and not pulling away with a smile! And I want my little men to feel that same thing- to "get it" that not everything in their world has to be rough and tough- it's cool to think of others and be kind. 

Easy Camping Activity Bags and More

My boys seem to start asking about when we're going camping again sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving! Same with the beach- little Ryder could live on the shore! And now that it's getting warm, it's on all of our minds again! Each year we always hope to get more camping in and are happy to take what we can get :)

 So, obviously, I'm excited to be part of today's fun camping themed blog hop just in time- so many great ideas here that will be really helpful for the entire season:

Easter Egg Kid Craft: Pom Pom Creatures

This week Cooper is home on Spring Break, and we're not really planning on anything too grand, just enjoying home. As long as I could get a little shopping in on occasion too, I'm pretty sure I could hang out at home indefinitely- ha!

It feels like Easter is sneaking up fast this year, so I wanted to try and do some Easter season sort of activities with them...

Colorful, Random Gifts of Kindness with Starburst and Skittles

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I love secret, random gift giving.

(I love gift giving in general!)

I know... you already knew it ;)

I had the chance to use colorful Skittles and Starburst to create a gift for some very important people and my creative process went straight to random acts of kindness. So, today I'm sharing a free printable that can turn the Skittles & Starburst 30 Pack from Sam's Club into an actual memorable, heart warming activity for your family too.

This package is perfect for creating with because there are so many candies and a nice variety. I found it in a candy area of Sam's Club, bordering the bakery.

I gotta interject- oh my goodness, I love this picture of my little Ryder! Both of the boys were SO excited about this box of candy, and wanted me to open and dip into it well before I was ready. I really loved the actual gift delivering part of this project, but putting it together with my little guy is a very close second. Candy and color put together- perfect combo for happy kiddos :)

Boy Mama Moments Lately

Every now and then the boys grace me with a selfie like this. Ya know, one of those that you just melt over even though it's grainy and no one's hair was combed :) The one that reminds you they actually do think you're pretty ok.

Ah, I love these moments- when Ry first wakes up and Cooper is already off to school. His cheeks are so soft and warm... just begging to be kissed. And he just snuggles before he decides there is anything more fun to do...

Meanwhile Cooper is off getting smarter. By 100 days now to be exact. Cutest thing ever to see him bouncing toward us in the car wearing this crown and cereal necklace :) I love picking him up from school. If I can help it, he'll never have to ride the bus in his school career- saves so much time and unhappiness just going to get him! Stephen usually drops him off in the mornings on the way to work.

Sometime you just have to celebrate Friday when you can... like on Wednesdays.

We've learned to keep Wednesday nights free for family time, since Stephen works practically 24 hours a day Monday and Tuesday, if not on Sunday too. Sound like an exaggeration? No, really, he can walk in the door at 9:00 after the boys are already in bed, only to hear his work phone chime, which means turning back around for another delivery to the hospital. Blessedly, it's Friday on Wednesday and he is awesome at making sure those nights are focused on the boys...

So we went to The Lego Movie on a Wednesday recently and totally loved it! The boys actually hadn't ever owned or built their own small Legos before- crazy, I know! Here we are a house of boys, with nothing but big blocks around. So we picked up a few sets and they love them! They are all over the place... and the finished pieces are less toys than they'd like... and oh my my, Lego is stinkin' expensive! But, still, the under tones of the movie make me willing to support them and I know the older Coop and Ry get the more they'll enjoy them :)

We've also got two cute, chubby puppies right now! Stephen could have sold lots, lots more, but is hoping things work out better with his next batch. They're just now getting big enough to play with and  the boys are anxious to enjoy them more while they can.

Indoor winter fun :) I love how thrilled they are with simple play like this magnetic fishing game. Once I got them rolling, they adapted it and played for a couple of hours on this one actually...

Aww, this picture just melts my heart! Cooper found this little camera that had been missing and it immediately became the coolest form of entertainment ever... for two or three days. Once of the first pictures he wanted to take was a selfie with Ryder- I was so pleased! Sometimes you just gotta take the little reminders that they really do care about each other beyond being wrestling partners, ya know?

And in parting, here's a little quip from each of  the boys recently- why I'm remember them over the other things they say that I should write down immediately, who knows :)

Cooper...on His Future Wife:

"I'm gonna marry someone who loves me. And is not mean. And is beautiful like you, cause you're a really good cook." (Good thing there are still qualifying years ahead, since as of now the standard is pitifully low) :P


Ryder...on Food

"Chocolate is my favorite dinner." (For what it's worth, no, we really have never eaten pure dessert for dinner!)

For Real :)

Simple Boredom Buster for Kids & Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club $100 Giveaway

This post has been sponsored by Dollar Tree. All opinions will always be 100% mine.

You already know that we love Dollar Tree! It’s literally the boys’ favorite place to go in town and works awesome as a reward for them.  The most productive cleaning days around here seem to have that Dollar Tree light at the end of the tunnel! :)

Ok, ok, it’s true… it’s a reward for me too. Dollar Tree gets my creative wheels turning somehow. The Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club can help with that… each month they send an email with a whole bunch of ideas using items from Dollar Tree.

All of the sudden, when we walk into the store, I no longer see candy, glow sticks, tape and glassware. No, no, no- instead I’m seeing DIY home décor, tips and tricks that turn me into SuperMom, and boredom busters galore. For a moment at least, I feel a little cooler than I really am!

15 Winter Boredom Busters for Kids

This month #myfavoritebloggers and I are each sharing a WINTER idea-

lots of talent right here in one stop:

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Snowman,   Zippered Snowflake Pouch,   Crocheted Winter Gnome,   Crocheted Snowflake Pattern,  Winter Princess Pearl Necklace,   Safety Pin Ice Skates,   Winter Party Favors,   Gold-Brushed Pine Cone Ornaments,   Winter Gift in a Jar,   Candy Swirl Winter Centerpiece,   Egg Nog Cookies,   Easy Beaded Snowflakes,   DIY Christmas Trees.

My mind went to indoor boredom buster activities when it came to winter- it can get frustrating not being able to just go outside and ride bikes or jump on the tramp for my little guys I know! I scrolled down memory lane... or the archives here at this little blog... and gathered several ideas for having simple fun at home this winter!

Random Acts of Kindness Treasure Hunt

I recently shared this post as a contributor over at Ginger Snap Crafts and wanted to share it with you here also :)

 

Is your family in thankful mode yet?

I'm not sure my boys are honestly. Have to coax them into it kinda... someone tell me most kids are kinda that way? :) I love the Thanksgiving season that get them by my side, thinking of other people instead of just themselves.

Have you ever done a random act of kindness? I'm sure you have, even if you didn't realize it. They make me feel so good inside! I love the feeling of pulling away from the drive-through having just paid for the guy behind me, or having taped a quarter to a gumball machine. It brings tears to me eyes- such a cool feeling!

I thought I could maybe take one of Coop and Ry's favorite boredom busters- a treasure hunt- and add random acts of kindness to the mix. I did give them a small treasure at the end, but it wasn't what stole the show of this activity- they enjoyed doing the selfless tasks that were part of each clue far more. I really hope the kit that I made using the fun Falling for Fall digi elements at Summertime Designs will be something your kiddos can enjoy too! The boys loved doing this- certainly more fun than the normal hunts we've done!

Basic Collapsible Play Tents

This post was recently shared on The Ribbon Retreat Blog as part of their awesome Oh Boy! Series and I thought I'd share here as well. If I do say so myself, the series was pretty perfect for me... (boys are kinda my specialty) ;) When you're surrounded by them, they pretty much hafta be, ya know? The project I chose to share is one I've been wanting to make for a long while. And Coop and Ry have been loving them! And I LOVE working as a contributor for The Ribbon Retreat- they really are wonderful!

Boys and forts just kinda go together, right? They're sure a popular form of boredom control around here :) I wanted something that we could take outside, or set up quicker than normal inside. Something that I wouldn't necessarily have to take apart when it wasn't being used, but could still store easily. I think these basic collapsible play tents hit the mark! They fold together to be stored at the side of a closet or (in our case) under the bed. They are big enough with just a few yards of fabric to give my little guys lots of room for fun inside. And super easy sewing and frame construction- anyone can manage these :)

Simple Water Fight Shields

Any chance you noticed the cutie new button in my sidebar??

I am a new contributor for The Ribbon Retreat!!!! I'm so excited!! You could tell from all those exclamation points, right? Usually one is it for me- multiples is a big deal :) I have really loved communicating and working with Michelle, the blog coordinator there- she is awesome! So this post originally appeared on The Ribbon Retreat Blog- such a simple, but fun, idea...

Easy Pool Noodle Nunchucks

This post is part of a fun month-long homemade toy series going on over at the awesome Free Time Frolics. Last year I bought a simple pair of these foam nunchucks at a craft fair for my little guy that was tagging along with Mom that day. I knew they were something I wanted to re-create and only now am I finally doing it (and sharing it with you- seriously easy, fun project)!

Fun and Educational Water Gun Targets

I originally shared this post over at the awesome Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home while Meredith took a little maternity break with her new baby boy. It's been so hot lately and we've been enjoying these fun water gun targets- I thought I'd share then here today!

I'm guessing I'm not the only one that gets frustrated being the recipient of the kiddo's water gun cross fire, right? I can't usually swing it to be running around getting soaked for the afternoon like they can. A couple of years ago, I quickly designed a few sheets of letters and pictures that my older son enjoyed, then laminated them, for him to aim at instead! New ones were made last year too- my boys loved them and seem to start asking about them in April or so. And today, I'm sharing this years versions with you!

13 Ideas for Kids this Independence Day!

Hooray for July! And for Independence Day in just a few days! This is one of my very favorite holidays. I love filling the day of the 4th with things that remind the boys what we're celebrating, or at least keep the red, white and blue front and center :) For my first venture into round-up country, I've gathered several posts I've found that I think would be fun and simple- hopefully this will be useful for you too! 

DIY Pinatas for any Party or Gathering!

Today I am posting as part of McKenzie from Girl Loves Glam's Summer Fun Series-

I've tried to come up with a really fun, and simple, idea-

I hope this will be something you can

enjoy and really use this summer!

Snack Necklace Kids Craft

One of the projects I recently selected for the Pinterest 14 Challenge was a fun snack necklace that I had seen HERE. The next time I went to the grocery store, I kept my eye out for some candy and snack that had a hole in the middle so I would have them on hand for the next boring afternoon when I needed something to entertain the boys with (ya know, like, the very next day)...

Re-Connecting: Pinterest 14 Challenge

Truth be told... I struggle in my thinking about this little blog. In feeling like it is an acceptable use of my time, my focus. I seem to come around to the thinking that all is well with it, but none the less worry about it too.

Yesterday I heard and loved this talk from Sister Rosemary Wixom as part of General Conference. She spoke at one point about a study that was done in observation of a child trying to get his Dad's attention while he was on his phone. At one point the Dad did finally turn his phone off and play with the child, but then later picked up the phone again and engaged his kid in a video on the phone while they waited for Mom. When the technology was involved, scientists observed a lessening of the child's "light."

Found HERE

This really struck me! I do not want to be glued to my laptop (or, along the same line, even my craft table) anywhere even nearly as much as I'm glued to my boys. While I feel a desire to really press PLAY when it comes to this blog, I hope that it will also reflect more and more my time spent with them too.

Along that line, I read late last week at Mama's Got it Together about a fun Pinterest Challenge and really liked the concept: determine 14 pinned projects to complete before 2014.

Scavenger Hunts and Beautiful Boys

I love, love, love the glowing evening light for taking pictures! The little boys and I recently headed outside on a particularly warm evening for a little outdoor scavenger hunt and I couldn't help but keep interrupting the fun to snap photos of my beautiful boys!

Baking Soda Boredom Busters

I've decided Baking Soda and I get along really well...

If I need a good, solid boredom buster for the boys, I can count on baking soda.

Well, baking soda and vinegar, really :)