I'm Feeling Springy

It's been warmer here in Maine than most Februarys, and I like it! Still not warm enough to spend hours at a time outside but we've been finding chances to jump out for a bit. Yesterday we walked with Bear's little toy wagon to Tandoor to pick up takeout and he had fun towing the food back to our apartment. :)

I made our apartment a little more springy with some of these butterflies that later on Bear enjoyed. I like them because it's hard for a toddler to ruin them - he even ripped and squished one and you cant even tell! The original directions for these say to cut them after you make them but that was kinda hard so I made a template and cut them before making them.

You Will Need: 

Colorful Newspaper Adds - Fashion Magazines have some of the most vibrant

Scissors

String, ribbon or thread

Use the general shape below as a template for the butterflies. Trace your template onto the magazine adds and cut out.

After they are all cut out, accordion fold about 1/3 inch thick.

Squeeze in the middle and tie. Ribbon looks nice because when you tie it, it looks like there are antlers on your butterflies.

Voila! 

As an afterthought I thought these would make nice party decorations since they are so easy and quick :)

Love,

PlusPeace

Accordion Valentines

Yay! I love Valentines Day! I have so many people I love and enjoy every day of the year so why not pick a day to give everyone a hand made present? I was browsing MarthaStewart.com looking at kids crafts and she makes old cardboard jewelry boxes into children's keepsakes. I made a spin-off of these as Valentines Day cards.

The Part Your Can Do:

Measure the inside bottom of the jewelry box and cut a long strip of cardstock. Accordion fold so it fits into the box completely. I made mine just in the lid and tied a bow instead of putting it directly in the box. You can also do this my way and put chocolate in the larger half of the box (present and card all in one). Cut out shapes out of tissue paper for your kids to glue on, you can also do finger painting, drawing or put pictures on each of the panels. I used modge podge to glue in the tissue paper letters and shapes which is easy to work with and washes off of fingers better than elmers. 

The Part the Kid Can Do:

Decorate! I made the one above but we will be doing these again with markers and crayons and paint so Bear can make some too. 

You Again:

Once the insides are decorated and dry, glue the first fold into the bottom or top of the box and fold it up! 

Enjoy!

PlusPeace

Indoor Energy Releases

Long days indoor due to weather can be daunting. I've come up with a few indoor games for little tots
that require lots of moving around!

Indoor Soccer – I know this sounds like broken glass and rug burnt knees but hear me out. We got a
plush soccer ball at the dollar store which also comes in foam. The one Bear picked out is actually from
the pet section but honestly, who cares? We don’t have lots of space so I moved the coffee table to the
side and the objective is just to get the ball under the coffee table using only your feet. Make sure you
play too or else it is no fun!

Cardio Dance Party – Put on a fast paced kids CD or maybe http://pbskids.org/danceparty/ PBS Kids’
Dance party game, which lets you choose 24 dance moves to play in sequence. There is also a bunch
available on YouTube, like the Fresh Beat Band.

Tickle Tag - Exactly what it sounds like, running around the house and when you are tagged everyone joins in for a good ticklin'! Laughing is so much fun and it's great to let your kids hear you laugh often :)

Pots N' Pans Band - You should play too. It's loud but so, so much fun. Grab two or 3 pots and lids and some wooden spoons, whisks and plastic forks and experiments with the different sounds you and your little musician can make.

Remember to have fun!!!


:)
PlusPeace

DIY Little Golden Books

Around the Holidays I bought a "Make Your Own Little Golden Book" my thought was that it had a story inside and you just color it in or write the text since I couldn't tell by the way it was packaged. It ended up being a completely blank book with nothing in it but the gold binding that came with Thomas stickers, 4 crayons, 4 markers and a set of train stencils.

We took a "mini" vacation last weekend at Coco Key indoor water resort in Boston, MA. We went in the pool, played wac-a-hippo at the arcade and spent lots of time in the car. When we got home Bear sat on the floor and stuck all the stickers on the cover of the Golden Book and I had an idea!

I let Bear decorate the cover and draw scribbles on the inside and I am going to paste pictures, paper bracelets and rickets from our trip inside. The books are short enough to make into a little "vacation memoir" without being overwhelmingly large/long!

I am going to go back to the Christmas Tree Shop to buy more (i think it was 1.99 each) and bring one on each little vacation so we have a set of family little golden books :)

Enjoy!
PlusPeace

Portland, Maine - Anyone?

For any families in or around the Portland, Maine area:

I read this article and didn't even know half these places existed. I am so glad I saw this because I am adding this to me New Years Resolution list - accomplishing at least 3 of the things on this list!!

Enjoy,
PlusPeace

Yikes! Too Long!

I haven't had internet for a bit and was recently in a fender bender and trying to deal with that BUT I am back for business! Yay!

Now that the Holidays are gone I am looking forward to things settling back to normalcy and re-training Bear with some new routines. We have all had ZERO sleep since Christmas and it's horrible. The little dude refuses to sleep before 9PM and insists on waking up at least 4 times.

I am trying to get us into an earlier routine (eating at six instead of 7:30 and bath by 6:45 and bed/ story time by 7:15) but the first night didn't go well. We were on schedule until bedtime he laid there for 10 mins then came downstairs then went back up at 8 and came back down at 830 then back up at 845 and finally asleep after that!

Maybe some persistence on my part will help? Anyone else having sleep issues again??

Love,
PlusPeace

New Years Resolutions: Mama Style

I don't normally do New Years Resolutions. Mostly because I feel like a jerk for not accomplishing them so this year I've decided to make a list of New Years Goals for my family and I.

1) Get my butt off the couch and play with Bear > even on days when I am so exhausted I can barely move.
2) Introduce 3 new and healthy foods to Bear
3) Take a week long vacation > even if it's just going up North for a week in the summer.
4) At least LOOK into buying a house, or rent something larger.
5) Stay on routine for bedtime and wake up time > no skipping baths or eating in the car.
6) Get outside every chance we have in the warm weather.
7) Actually celebrate my birthday and don't just pass it off as another day.
8) Get Bear potty trained before 2013
9) Take a weekend family camping trip
10) Continue to love my family and my life every day of the year.

Simple yet, satisfying.

Love,
PlusPeace