A great reuse of egg crates. Making patterns, counting, and sorting!

DIY FELT STORIES

Arwen loves the story Brown bear, brown bear by Eric Carle. I food some digging and found  some resources online. It just happened to be on a site I use a lot. http://www.dltk-kids.com/
I choose to make a felt board play.
Super easy. I printed the pictures and covered both sides with contact paper. Then I put strips of sandpaper on the back so that it would stick. She loves it.  We also made our own book, which she colored.

DIY Felt Board

Some time ago, I got into felt activities with the kids.  I wanted to make a felt board because they are so expensive. 
Normally you would want to use something stronger, but there was a great deal at the craft store, so I bought thick foam board.  I used spray adhesive and covered the board with felt. Then  I reinforced it on the back side with duct tape. It works great for us. Easy and cheap!

DIY hair and scalp treatment.

So I'm poor. I can't afford treatments or dermatologists etc.  I decided to try a DIY treatment for dry, flaky scalp and hair. I used a squirt bottle and filled it with
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of milk
and 2 tsp honey
It was messy and sticky. BUT...this stuff rocks. There was a considerable difference in the scalp and flakes add well as pretty, glossy hair.
Leave on an hour our so.
Just shampoo and condition and you're good to go.

Just when you think things are working....

I made Arwen a special ticket to earn for going down the stairs by herself that she can earn each day. She was excited about it.
Of course all my hopes were dashed ....the tantrum again...being to be carried
The teacher saved me and my back by taking over.  Bless these ladies.

A nervous breakdown.............loading............

I think I might be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  Arwen was fine all morning until AGAIN it was time to go down the stairs at preschool.  This morning was the worst one yet.  She refused to go PERIOD.  She threw her self down on the floor at the top of the stairs, screaming, crying, and shouting NO! NO! NO!
She is very afraid of these stairs and typically goes very slow. The other day her teacher (whom is wonderful)m was going down with the group, holding Arwen's hand...and was going a little too fast for Arwen.....I think she may have fell.  But I know the panic started there.
Anyway...she was crying ...I was holding her 30-40 lb brother in one arm....trying to coax her to get up.
Holding him alone causes me back pain.......bending over causes me severe back pain....I had to pick her up with the other arm....and carry them both down three  flights of stairs. OUCH.
At the bottom, she was fine.  We get to the breakfast table and she starts to space out....she won't sit.  Her teacher helps her find a seat.  I walk away she tears up begging for a kiss.  I forgot to kiss.  I ran back (stupid of me) to kiss her.  That escalated the crying.  I rushed out...shaking and cried the entire walk home.

These tantrums because of fears have become a daily thing. I try, and try to help her...to ease her into the world gently.  I AM A FAILURE.
I am a failure because I have always done EVERYTHING for my children and never allowed them to do things for themselves.  I hope I can step back....and let them become the people they are supposed to be.

I do this in everything....when I managed the store ...I took all the work on myself.  And I am doing it again at home.
It's breaking me.......the thing I love most....being a mommy......is breaking me.
I feel like giving up....but I never will.

The biggest issue I have is .
1 .The back pain is making it impossible to do even the simplest thing as change a diaper.
2 .I wear my heart on my sleeve and take everything personal.
Yes, I exercise alot......but I do not know how to shake all this stress and pain.
I could easily become an alcoholic or drug addict........but I choose not to.
I want to be the best for them......not cringe every time someone jumps on me or wants to horse play.

How do I help her conquer all these fears?

Homework

Today Arwen's homework is learning about textures.  I have no time to prepare so I think we will do a Journey/Scavenger hunt around the house to locate and examine various textures.  I really need to start planning ahead for these activities and visit the library.  We could have so much fun adding activities like this to our daily routine!

Another Reuse

When Arwen needs an incentive to go potty, I give her a treat.  Currently she gets a chocolate.  Hershey's kiss, rolo miniature, or reese's miniature.
My newest reuse is to save the foil wrappers for our daily project.  They make great shiny scales for a rainbow fish!

Foot Balm 2

Batch 2 of foot balm made.... Vanilla Lemongrass.

Foot Balm Recipe

White Tea and Ginger Foot Balm
¼ cup shea butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ ounce piece of beeswax, grated
Add 10-20 drops of essential oil of your choice  ( I used White Tea and Ginger)

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over very low heat, stir until melted
2. Remove from heat and stir to combine, then add essential oils
3. Pour mixture into a clean 4 ounce mason jar
4. Massage a small amount into your feet at bedtime to moisturize

Homemade foot balm

Created my white tea and ginger foot balm. Excited to see how it turns out.

Reduce, Reuse,Recycle

I put old yogurt containers to good use.

Trashy!

During our morning walk today, I noticed a lot of trash on the side of the road.  It was really bothering me and I felt compelled to pick it up.  Unfortunately I did not, but it got me thinking.  I didn't pick it up because I need both hands to push the double stroller. I had no gloves our receptacle for the items....and my recycling bin is AlWAYS overflowing. 
Then, upon considering this....I felt GUILTY.  The stops always make Rowan cry.......but I am really considering....bringing a trash bag and gloves along.  It will kill my back....but I will have peace of mind that I am doing my part...in making things better for my children.  Unfortunately...I will never feel peace knowing just how much people could care less....and enjoy living in and as trash.

More on water conservation

Other small things I have done to conserve water include:

Using the old water from the toddler pool to water plants. 
Catch rain water in the toddler  pool to water plants.
There was more but I am blank now!
Mommy brain strikes again!

Searching for toddler activities

So as everyone knows, I am a major fan of kiwi crate.   They offer ALL the components needed to do 2 age appropriate projects with your child.  This cute green box is delivered right to your door each month.  They offer month to month as well as  subscriptions.  We have had so much fun creating and learning TOGETHER.
They offer gift  subscriptions (i did for my niece) which is super awesome!

They also offer party packs! So fun to create together, making memories,and have keepsakes from a party.

Homemade Baby Food

I've had my successes and failures with making food for the wee ones. I hit a slump and ran out of ideas, so I googled it. I had these items in the house, so I figured I would  give it a try. 
I made Apple and avocado puree.  The boy loved it!

Make your own bird feeder using recyclables

Check it out: Backyard Bird Feeder on FamilyFun.com.

A diaper dilemma... this is an old post

When Arwen was a newborn, we tried several brands of diapers.  We chose Huggies because they had the best fit for her body. We liked them, so we continued to use them with Rowan.We have always purchased them by the case at Sam's Club.The cost was considerably cheaper than anywhere we had seen.
For some time now, both kids have been wearing the same size. Rowan gas become very difficult to change. He flips, writhes, and tries to crawl away.We thought that the diapers might be getting a little small and decided to try a larger size.The amount of diapers per box decreases as the sizes get larger. Therefore, becoming more expensive.
Alas, the larger size was too large.There was a great deal of leaking, sagging, and the diapers nearly coming off.We decided to store that case and buy the smaller diapers.
We dis discovered that the cases were downsized by 30 diapers, yet the price remained the same. Ugh!
We decided to try out Sam's Members Mark brand, as they cost much less.At first glance, they looked pretty good.They appear softer than Huggies.Upon diapering I notice the tabs aren't as long...but it wasn't really a problem. I thought I liked them at that point. After a couple of nights, that thought changed a little. They were both soaking through by morning. Hmmmm....well we decided to try diapering right before lights out and that helped.  The diapers don't hold as much as the Huggies...and do seem thinner,  but I like them fine.  I am not sure if we will go back to the Huggies for the next case or not.  Time, leakages, and conversation with spyDaddy will tell.

Are you feeling green today?

....was the title of a poem I wrote some 16 years ago.  The meaning then was quite different and foolish.

In my quest to become more eco conscious, as well as in observance of earth day, I have considered new ways of recycling and reusing water.

I cut the tops off of a couple of used milk jugs.  One I placed outside to collect rainwater, which I will then use to water outdoor plants and such.

The other I will use to collect water from the faucet...such as when i warm up the water to wash my face....and use that water for indoor plants, and/or cleaning etc.

Why hadn't I thought of this before!
It kills three birds with one stone.
1.  reusing container
2. conserving precious resource
3. Helping our planet in a small way that adds up!

Now dear friends....look to your own lives and slow down long enough to consider our planets future.  What legacy will you leave?  What will we model for future generations?

I hope it will be reverence and respect from that which sustains our lives.  What small thing can you change to brighten our futures?