Learn and Color Animals

National Geographic has an amazing selection of coloring pages for kids, each page comes with a little fact about the animals.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Loggerhead sea turtles are known for their giant reddish brown heads. The head helps support powerful jaw muscles that allow the turtles to crush shellfish. Loggerheads eat shellfish, jellyfish, mussels, shrimp, and other marine animals.

One turtle in this picture (bottom) is wearing a National Geographic Crittercam. Crittercams include video cameras and other information-gathering devices. They can be attached to animals without hurting them. Crittercams help scientists study the animals that wear them.

Keep them Learning this Summer

Summer begins for us this week, I have a little game plan for some summer learning.

To keep our writing skills sharp we are playing with Sidewalk chalk, writing letters, names and any other words we want. This is usually followed by a crazed coloring frenzy and a little discussion( dare I say fight) over who gets to spray the water to wash it off.


We also plan on writing some letters to family and friends, I found some sweet "G" cards. I am excited to see what fun stories G wants to write about.

Science will be explored by learning about the planets! I found some great Beginner readers from Scholastic books about the planets!
My sister in law also gave me a great website on Science to do at home HERE! They sell different kits but also at the bottom of the page are links to the Top 10 Science Experiments the first it the Mentos/Diet Coke. Check out the Corn Starch GOO Wow we are ready to explore maybe we should get some sweet white coats! *hint hint* if you see any!

Reading- I have been stocking up on a few new books from Scholastic and am using a website that was referred to me by G's preschool teacher called Starfall.com .I found magnets with "Site Words" on them at Wal Mart by a company called Active Minds

Art/Hands On G Love's foam stickers, if you have received any art from her lately you will have noticed this trend. I found a Butterfly and an Ocean Pack of foam stickers for her to work on. Watch out world hear we come!


Pudding Painting, I love to paint with pudding, I just make up an instant pack of vanilla, divide it up into different bowls add different colors and we have edible paint for all! It is a big smearing, eating mess of a time, maybe do it out side!

Over all learning I found great workbooks at Costco, Wal Mart and Barns and Nobel select the Grade level
Kumon Books
American Education Publishing Everything for Early Learning



WHAT are you doing to keep the kids happy this summer! Share your ideas! Please..........

Home Maker Over for the New Pets

Found an old bird cage and small table at Goodwill
With a little scrubbing, sanding and Paint

BEFORE

After

Meet our new Guinea Pigs!

I Must Confess I am tottaly in Love with

Yes this Australian Drama Series has me addicted! I can not get enough I am on season 5!! The first 3 season's are amazing, then in a dramatic twist I feared I could not watch anymore....but with delight I am still 100% in love. How to describe the show, I would say The Man from Snowy River Meets a Mexican Novelia. Beautiful music, amazing landscape, horses, humor, drama, love and silliness! Check your local library or Netflix to start your viewing Pleasure!

Purse Tutorial

Ok, So here is the pattern that I made. If you cannot read the measurements, email me and I will give them to you.

You will need:
1/2 yard for each type of fabric
A small piece of infusion

Lay out the pattern on the fabric and cut out. Remember to put the bottom/side panel on the fold to cut.

You can't really tell but I decided to sew ridges in the front and back panels.

Sew the bottom panel to the front and back.

Cut out the lining

Cut out the handles remember to use a infusion to stiffen the handles

Pin the fabric right side to right side and sew leaving the bottom edges open.

Sew the lining

Pin the lining to the purse, remember to insert the handles in. Pin right side to right side. Leave one of the side panels open (see below)

See the open side panel

Right side out using the side panel

Press the side panel to sew.





Stitch the panel close and you are done!!









Enjoy a fun new bag!

Happy Mothers Day

This is my beautiful Mother's Day corsage, sure I will post how to make it when I thank and get the info from the great MC

Would you like to be Inspired

(Stephanie Nielson  of Nie Nie Dialogues)

Watch her Video Here!

For Sale

Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer

$150.00

FeaturesClassic color and modern features embellish your kitchen counter, while the 5-qt. stainless steel bowl offers no-nonsense quality

Features 325 watts and 10 speeds, while the tilt back head allows easy access to mixture

Offers a comfortable, ergonomic design

Includes a flat beater, dough hook and wire whip

15Hx14Lx9W"

Material: Zinc

Finish: Enameled

Features: Direct Drive Motor

Includes: Instruction Manual

Capacity (volume): 5.0 Qt.

Number of Speeds: 10

Power Wattage Output: 325 Watts

Safety and Security Features: Safety Lock

Care and Cleaning: Dishwasher Safe Parts

Protective Qualities: Shock Resistant

Yummy Cheesecake

This is the cheesecake I made for easter. Follow the Link to find out how to make this amazing dessert.

www.howdoesshe.com/howdoesshe-master-the-art-of-cheesecake

How to Buy Sunscreen

It is that time of year again that when you leave the house you must have sunscreen on.

Does it really matter the brand that you buy???
Not really, what does matter are: the SPF, UVA/UVB protection, and the ingredients, that's right, you need to read the label.

1-Choose a sunscreen with a SPF 15 or higher, even if your make-up has sunscreen in it, remember to apply sunscreen to your neck and chest. Your face may not show your age, but if you don't take care of your neck and chest, they will.

2-Look for ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or mexoryl. I have searched through the walmart reading labels and I did not find any of these, I have found who does make them though, Anthelios SC Daily moisturizing sunscreen, try CVS or Walgreens. Also Lancome UV Expert SPF 20.

If you are not willing to leave the Walmart, your best bet for anti-aging sunscreen is Helioplex found in Neutrogena.

3-Make sure you are applying enough sunscreen. You need about a tablespoon for your face including ears. About a shot glass size for all exposed areas. The spray on sunscreen is an awesome option for your arms and back of neck to help you not to miss any spots.

4-Make sure to reapply every 3-4 hours depending on strength. Remember to reapply more often if in and out of the pool. I always apply when I leave the house and I carry a Small size bottle in my purse. I am very fair skinned and burn easily.

Hope this is helpful!

Even if your only a "Wee Bit Irish" have a Happy St Patrick's Day

Blarney Stone ..Pucker Up for Good Luck

1. Find a Stone and Paint it
2. Add some Flare, we used Lucky Gold Glitter

3. Apply Flare generously

4. Display with Irish Pride

5. Pucker Up for Good Luck

What is a Blarney Stone?

The Blarney Stone (Irish: cloch na Blarnan) is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney about 5 miles (8 km) from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the Stone and tour the castle and its gardens.

The word blarney has come to mean clever, flattering, or coaxing talk.

Thank You Wikipedia

Éire go Brách (Irish) Erin Go Bragh

Erin Go Bragh (sometimes Erin Go Braugh) is the Anglicisation of a Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever"[1] and pronounced /ˌɛrɪn ɡə ˈbrɔː/.

Like to know how to make the card, Click
More St. Patricks History, Click
Need more Pattys Day fun, Click

Vintage Irish Post Cards

*I just googled it and found such cute free printable's

Try Vintageholidaycrafts.com

Little Leprechaun's afternoon Snack

Delicious raindow of fruit, Trader Joes white cheddar corn puffs for clouds and a Pot-o-Banna's.... a perfect little St. Patricks Snack.

**Idea from Family Fun Magazine

Homemade Valentines Day Cards

Below is a pattern you can use. Place this cut out on top of another piece of paper. Each dot on the pattern you polk a hole through to the next page.

You stitch back and forth across the pattern to create the below.
Cut out and paste on the front of a card.

Follow the link for the step by step guide on how to embroider a card. This took me two hours to do. This was my first time though so hopefully I will get better.

Here is another one that I did. Here is the front:

Here is the back.

2nd Day Sunday Roast

Shred Roast
Add to your left over roast
1 can diced green chili
green chili enchilada sauce (enough to make it a little wet)
salt pepper

Spoon mixture on to tortilla I added Verde Salsa and Cheese, roll up in baking dish cover with more enchilada sauce and cheese bake at 375 for about 30 mins until warm.

I served with pinto beans (I made them in the pressure cooker!)
and rice.

Danish French Toast

Happy New Year!! We love to try a yummy new breakfast on New Years Day, and this delight wast it! It tasted just like the name. The cream cheese and jam tasted like a danish covered in a crispy french toast. It is very rich and sweet, loved the added crunch of the corn flakes. A great special occasion treat!

Danish French Toast

what you need

Texas Toast
mixture of Eggs, milk, cinnamon/sugar
cream cheese
jam (a berry type)
corn flakes (lightly crushed)

How to assemble
make a sandwich with the cream cheese and jam
dip/coat the sandwich in the egg mixture
cover in corn flakes

I cooked our on our new griddle at 350 degrees until they were golden brown

Seriously

Do these trees really fit back in to the box! Next year I am getting Giant plastic wrap, and wrapin this thing up lights, decorations and all!! I have all things Christmas packed and ready to go into the attic until next year. I am enjoying a clean house but the is a sigh of sadness to pack up all that Christmas delight.

** I did find a sucker stick, small toy cow and a napkins stuck in my tree...hmmm wonder who put that there!
.

Leftover Christmas Ham?

I have never used a Pressure Cooker befor. Mr Safety spent 2 years in Brazil living off of food cooked in a pressure cooker. I am scared of the things, I envision the house exploding with some crazy mishap. I am here to tell you its not that scary!! I was very pleased.

First I "Quick Soaked" my Great Northern Beans by keeping a 2 cups of water to 1 cup of Bean ratio.

Bring Beans and water to Boil

Boil for 2 mins

Cover for and hour drain water

My pressure cooker said to add 5 cups of water for dried beans so that's what I did

added my leftover diced ham, dried onion, salt and pepper

**I followed the instructions that came with my cooker**

bring to pressure on high once it starts to left off steam or jiggle turn down to med-low (like a 4-5 on my stove) then start time

20 MIN that is it I tell you, 20 minutes to this yummy dinner!!! LOVE IT

SnowMan Kit

Ok now that I have given this gift I can post about it! G was so excited to give a gift that she can use!
This fun little kit went to her Pop and Grandma



SNOWMAN KIT

1 Black Hat
1 Red Scarf
2 Rocks eyes
1 carrot Nose
Handful of rocks for a mouth
3 tin buttons
2 sticks for arms
2 mittens

***Just add Snow

Found the hat and scarf at the store
I hot glued tin lids from canning jars and painted them Black for buttons.
Found some rocks (in my neighbors yard!) and painted them black also.
The carrot nose was hard to find (I wanted a fake one) I looked at a couple stores and ended up finding it at Hobby Lobby.
Mr Safety cut some branches of our tree for arms.
I think it turned out cute, a fun gift for someone who gets to live where it SNOWS!

Is he here yet?

Just Checking

Merry Christmas

We have been Busy Baking

If you want a yummy easy Holiday Treat my Sugared Almonds "how to" is HERE

Christmas Tag

Christmas Tag

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?

Yes and finished! (in November)

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.

Baking as a Family. Temple Lights, Zoo Lights taking walks at night to see the lights (um we like lights)

Coco Latte!!!

3. When do you put up your tree?

Day after Thanksgiving

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?

No, but if YOU go I will send money

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?

Home Sweet Home

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?

G and the Purple House, maybe the Toots Hippo game.. she just makes so many. Or the time I shot Mr Saftey in the eye with a Candy Cane

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time?

Elf (Christmas Vacations, A Christmas Story, Shreck The Halls)

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What's your favorite treat?

Oh man we do, Sugar Almonds, Fudge, Divinity, Cookies, Carmel Pop Corn ....stop me now!

9. Fake or real tree?

Fake Tree and LOVE IT

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?

Oh I love to Panic Year Round.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

Somethimes

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?

Playing Games and eating, and Polor Express

13. What Christmas Craft do you like the best?

I am going to call Baking and EATING a craft!

14. Christmas music? Yes or no

Yes it starts after Thanksgiving

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?

I thought I was done, I need a 100 watt light blub, (Santa ask me to pick it up)

Our Ocean Theme Christmas Tree

Turkey Day is coming Fast!

I have had these coloring pages for a few years now, I can't remember which site I got them from (most likely I did a color page search) sorry I am not able to give credit. They are cute and a fun thing for the kids to do. I think thye would be a cute Place Card for Thanksgiving Dinner too! Remember last year we made this  Little Turkey