Camp Mystic Lake: Intercamp Games

OK, this one is a bit of a stretch, I'll admit.  Our original plans to have a day of outdoor games with another local family fell through.

We were in luck though: our cousin wanted to come and visit us for a few days!  In return, Ashley went to NY for a short visit with our cousins.

For today's clip I'm sharing the day's game, which could loosely be called, "Table Laps".  It's an old game in our home, but it was new to our long-legged cousin.  She picked it up very quickly and turned it around on the boys!  It was fun to watch!

Also on tap that week were lanyard/gimp crafts:

And a beautiful string art project.

While most of the week's activities weren't on our planner, they sure did keep us busy!

Tag-ectomy

About 6 months ago I embarked on my most challenging renovation project to date.

I am sad to report that my efforts were in vain.  The sleeping beauty continued to sleep with taggie and taggie continued to disintegrate.

See how the row of ribbons are coming off?  The fabric is worn through.

The purple ribbon is one of the favorites:

In a moment of sheer desperation, a new procedure was invented: the tag-ectomy.  What is that?

Upon discovering more of the original froggie fabric deep inside of a storage bin, free Taggie by cutting a square of her (him? it?) out of the original, trimming the ribbons, and then using flat felled seams to attach the new fabric to the old.  In a really sneaky move, add an extra layer of froggie fabric in between the existing layers of froggie fabric to make it thicker and (hopefully) more durable.

Let's check back in six months to see how the "new and improved" taggie is holding up...

Backyard labor

Adam helped MLD sand a piece of wood for a special project.  Took quite a bit of effort:

Project Linus, Year #1

Our kids were motivated to give back to Boston Children's Hospital in Noah's memory. As a family, we decided to donate time and materials to create Project Linus fleece blankets for the babies who are on the same floor (Med/Surg) as Noah once was.

We thought it would be great to get a group of their friends together to help.  Everyone responded to the call enthusiastically.

The goal:  to create infant sized (for car seats and strollers) fleece blankets and hats.

In one hour, we completed 18 blankets and 25 hats.  Whoohoo!  The intent is to donate them in May. They're sitting in a plastic bag, waiting for the right moment to be transported to BCH.  We'll see what the virus allows us to do on that timeframe.

Adam's table at work

Ashley's table at work

The handy hat-maker table

Finished blankets

We hope this will be an annual project for our family.  If you're interested in participating in some way, please contact me and I'll share more information with you.

Homeschooling, Lesson #27: Non-Newtonian Fluids

Ooblek is an inexpensive non-Newtonian fluid made by combining cornstarch and water.  A few drops of food coloring entertain and excite the younger set.  

Hypothesis:  Young kids are willing to stick their hands into anything gooey and messy.  Let's see what the video evidence shows:

Confirmed.

The lesson was expanded:  what happens when you add red food coloring to the already blue ooblek?

Did you answer "purple"?  You're right.  But it also makes for two happy kids and one happy mama who was thrilled to find that this stuff cleaned up far more easily than I had hoped!

Aqua Beads

We found a new craft for Ashley:  aqua beads!  Amazing what a kid can do with water these days, eh?

Mitzvah Mouse

A+A like to participate in the Mitzvah Mouse program.  This weekend we made candles and decorated bags to take to congregants who are not feeling well or are homebound.  We had lots of fun!

Puppetry

What's a mother to do when it's pouring outside?  Visit the library of course! 

When I was a kid, our library didn't have exotic toys, like stuffed animal puppets.  No wonder the kids love visiting this particular branch.

Princess Poncho

The other night Ashley discovered a poncho handcrafted by Grandma Carole.  Even though we were getting ready for bed, she insisted upon wearing it.

Just as I stopped recording, she snuggled the poncho around her shoulders and said (and this is a direct quote):  "I love this!"  So I turned the camera back on to see if we could re-create the moment.  Not exactly:

Ring Crayons

Our friends Heather and Manny gave the kids some very cool triangular ring crayons... the kiddos set to work immediately:

Painting

One morning I wanted to clean up the kitchen, but I needed a way to occupy the citizens.  Water painting.  Bingo!

Noodle Necklaces

Every since the Bling post, I've been looking for ways for the kids to make jewelry.  Then I remembered:  pasta!