Outdoor Water Art

Hot summers often require wet activities that keep us cool.  In past years I have bought sponge brushes for my kids to draw on the sidewalk with water.  This year they decided that the house made for a better canvas.  And you know, I think it was a great idea.

They've had a so much fun.

And when their canvas is full, only a few minutes time will dry it off, and they're ready to paint again.

What kind of wet activities do you do with your kids in the summer?

Simple Father's Day Gift

I wanted my kids to help me make a simple gift for Father's Day this year.  

This is what I came up with.

I always struggle with Father's Day gifts.  What do I give to these men in my life that mean so much to me?  Nothing ever seems quite adequate.  This personalized gift seemed meaningful however.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.  

What did you do for Father's Day this year?

Guest Posting

I'm excited to be at Ucreate this week sharing some new quiet book ideas.  Be sure to check back everyday this week for a new post.  I hope you'll stop by.

Summer Fun List

We are getting ready for summer at our house.  We have a few family reunions planned but the rest of the summer is ours to do with as we like.  We came up with our summer fun list and I'm excited!  I love having a list because on those days when I'm not motivated to think of an activity during the day we can look at our list and find something to cross off.  Here is a little peak at the fun we plan to do this summer.

* Concert in the park

* Swim lessons

* Play at the park

* Go to the spray ground

* Nature Museum

* Hike

* Beach

* Family reunion

* Science museum

* Children's museum

* Swim

* Movie day

* Picnic

* Picture shoot of the boys

* Eat from our garden

* Water fight

* Science experiments

* Deliver treats to someone who needs some extra love

* Service

* S'mores

* Attend a matinee movie

* Write a story

* Library reading program

* Homemade icecream

* Homemade popsicles

* Bowling
*Watch fireworks

* Build an indoor fort

* Attend a baseball game

* Work on a jigsaw puzzle

* Marshmallow gun fight

* Make homemade instruments

* Treasure hunt

* Root beer floats

* Visit the zoo

* Have a day with no electronics

* Collect seashells

* Play the ice cube game

* Play "drip, drip, splash"

* Make crafts 
*Go to the ice cream parlor
*Make something from duct tape
*Make and play on a water blob

Race Cars

It was one of those days.  My seven year old was at school, my baby was down for a nap, and my four year old needed something new to do.  It had been a while since we worked on a project together and after thinking about it for a minute I decided on this little race car craft.  My four year old loves cars and he loves to paint so it was perfect.

We hunted down a wrapping paper tube, cut it into pieces, and got to painting.  Then came the bigger task of cutting out all those wheels and the steering wheels. 

After the tubes dried my four year old decorated them with markers.  We then attached the wheels with brads and taped on the steering wheels.  Then they were ready to play with!

It was a good project that left us both happy.

Have you done any popular crafts with your kids lately?