Easter Scavenger Hunt clues...

Fun!  Fun!  Hiding eggs and letting them search.  My dad writes clues for an older cousin to find around the farm, so this year, I decided to make my kids find their eggs.  Sarah had clues in every egg, but some also had little prizes like Moshi Monsters and girl Legos.  Shane's had something plus the clue in every egg.  A few Lego guys, boy squinkies, and then a Bionicle split up into the last few.  I found a large, 8 inch egg at Walmart as the final one.

Here are the clues for the 10 year old...(things in ( ) are for clarification for readers)
1.  Letterboxing was fun, you think?  Look in a place to get a drink.  (Letterboxing was a girl scout activity from last weekend's camporee)
2.  Isn't it fun looking for clues?  Look in a place where you'll find shoes.
3.  You found one here, you found one there, now find one hiding in a chair.
4.  High and low.  Short and tall. Be careful going down - don't fall. (on stairs)
5.  You figured that one out "Oh My!" The next one will be found up high!
6.  Funny how it was almost out of reach.  Find the next clue packing for the beach! (where we store beach towels)
7.  Good job!  Don't ever think you can't. The next one is inside a plant.
8.  You're good at this game.  Now can you find one behind a frame?
9.  A few more left around the house! Look out, I think I see a mouse! (computer mouse)
10.  Hello?  Hello? Are you there? Amazing how sound travels through air. (by phone)
11.  HaHa HeeHee. I can't fool you.  Look inside something blue! (My favorite...inside a blown up balloon.  she had to pop it to find prize and clue)
12.  Great searching, of you I'm proud.  The last one RINGS really loud. (by back door alarm)(I had to have Shane open the back door and set off the alarm for Sarah to get it.)  I wish she had more perseverance!

for the 7 year old...
1. This year's eggs must be found in ORDER.  Find the next one on the stairs.
2.  Yeah!  Now look by the door to EXIT.
3.  Are you feeling thirsty for some milk?
4.  Looks like it's gonna rain, better grab an umbrella.
5. Maybe you should wash your hands, they are looking a little green (sink in green bathroom)
6.  Your next clue is by a cross.
7. Maybe it's time for a break.  Want to watch some TV?
8.  OK. Ok. Maybe some piano instead?
9.  Not here either?  How about a snack?
10.  You're good at this game, maybe next year I should PRINT them instead (by printer)
11.  Ooops.  My pencil broke, maybe I should get another... (by pencil jar)
12.  Hurray! You're almost done.  Look by the window to continue the fun.
13. :)

The Price of a NAP...

 So a few weekends ago, while I was taking a nap, apparently my kids were eating everything in the pantry.  Hungry? yes. Sneaky? no.  {Sneaky kids would have cleaned up after themselves so they wouldn't get caught.}  I am glad that they are able to survive on their own.  I am thinking a lesson on the food-pyramid might be needed.  I will have to go back to work full-time when Shane gets to be a teenager.  And yes, they did have to clean up their messes!

Minute to Win It party secrets...

So in planning this party, I did a lot of goole searching, youtube video watching, and surfing on NBCs website for ideas.  I was trying to make it crazy, chaotic fun, but not spend a fortune.   So, here's what I decided on ...  the blue links are to the NBC website.  Our games took about 45 minutes.  I have a handout of this I can send you with suppllies needed and directions for each game.

HANKY PANKY -- cut slits in the back before the party.  After the boxes are emptied, run your belts through in time for junk in the trunk.
PAPER DRAGON  -- pull paper from the MIDDLE of the circle

MOVIN ON UP -- I only used 26 cups

DIZZY MUMMY -- we had the holder person, hold a pencil with the tp on it, so the roll would spin

JUNK IN THE TRUNK -- take the plastic off of the box opening; I couldn't find ping-pong balls, so I used plastic golf balls.  $1.89 for a 12 pack at Walmart.

SEPARATION ANXIETY -- use a circle punch to punch out circles for the colors

MARSHMALLOW HEAD -- One girl held a large bowl on her head, others on team sat about 6 feet back and threw one marshmallow at a time into the bucket.  At the end of 1 minute, the team with the most won.  My girl's team had 90+
FACE THE COOKIE -- we used oreos...hilarious, but hard for them!
DEFYING GRAVITY -- this was my tie breaker game, but I din't end up using it.

**Another important hint is having someone run in and collect all the debis/stuff for the game so that you can move on to the next game. 


**To separate my TEAMS, I bought 99 cent bandanas at Hobby Lobby in four colors.  I had girls choose them randomly and tie them on their bodies as their team "buff."

**I planned for 4-6 girls per team so each girl would play 1-2 games each.  I only ended up with 4 girls per team, so they ended up playing 2 games each.  I would have run face the cookie and separation anxiety two times each if needed (because they didn't cost any extra to play multiple times).

**I had each team number off from 1-4.  Then I drew a number out of a hat to determine who would play the game.

**For SCORING...I wrote each game's title on a white board and then made a chart for teams 1-4.  I did use a 60 second clock and had my timekeeper count backwards when it reached 10 to add to the stress of finishing.  Each team that finished before the timer went off got a point for that game.  If no team finished in 60 seconds, then I let them all keep going and then ONLY the first team to finish got the point.  Really my girls were able to do all the games in one minute except, face the cookie.  Younger kids would need more time.

**For dizzy mummy and paper dragon, if they finished in a minute and their paper NEVER ripped, I gave them two points.  If the paper ripped, but they still finished, I gave them one point.  I had little 99 cent gum ball machines from the valentine aisle as the prize for the winning team.

This was loads of fun.  I kept my supplies in case my son decides to do something like this, or perhaps we could do it again at a girl scout sleepover.

Turning 10...Minute to Win It

Sarah turned 10 this past week.  She wanted a carnival themed party, but I didn't want to find enough adults to run the booths, so I talked her into a Minute to Win It theme,  instead.  A few of the 4th grade teachers at our school used this theme for their Christmas party and it sounded fun.  It was!!! To get ideas I just googled "Minute to Win It" birthday party ideas.  I tried to pick games that 10 year olds could do successfully.   I will give more details in another post.

 

 I ordered the invitation and cupcake circles for toppers and cookie pops from a lady on etsy.  She was able to customize the colors for my girly-girl.  Click the link to see her stuff. MTipsy.etsy.com

 

Love, love, love Wilton food coloring for vibrant icing colors!  If I were buying a new color, however, I would go with AmeriColors because their lids have a flip top and you can squeeze the drops out.  Would be less messy!

I made these cookie pops as her party favors, using Wilton cookie pop pans .  As shown here.  I then decorated them using Royal Icing.  My friend Autum suggested using the University of Cookie website for how-tos on using royal icing.  You can see that website here.  The blog Bake at 350 had some great video tutorials.   

Man, I did a  lot of baking.  My feet and back were sore the next day.  Maybe I need some of those rubber mats that are used in commercial kitchens.  Not only did I make the cupcakes and the cookie pops, but I also made a brownie "cake" for the candles to go on.  Best parts were 1) I got white cake in January, 2) Shane got a brownie instead of cake, and 3) there were a few cookie pops leftover. :)

Piggy

Look at this cute hat we got Sarah from "The Store."  Her favorite animal is a pig and she still loves all things PINK.  Love it!  She often wears this hat selling Girl Scout cookies at stores; she gets a lot of compliments.

Snow Buddies

We recently went to Salt Lake City, Utah for a ski trip.  On the last day, we rented snowmobiles in Park City and went for a guided tour.  There was so little snow, we had to travel a ways up to drive smoothly.  The metal skis on the bottom do not make a pretty sound when driving over dirt.  The guide said that they had about 18" low compared to most years.  Along our way to the top of this mountain, there was this cliff that the guide took our pictures on.  It really was safe, but the pictures look like we were falling over. 

 

Here you can really see how little snow there was.  This should have been fully white and beautiful.

 Shane's choice of activity was to simply play in the snow.  This is as much powder as we ever saw.  He and Sarah enjoyed going up and steam-rolling down.  Ski bibs are so great for keeping you warm and dry.  Glad we sprung for them this year for the kids.

Peace...Love...Pink

This summer, Sarah and I made some new art work for her room.  

 Peace...Love...Pink.

 I found a peace sign similar to the one we made for $34 at a furniture store.  We used square canvases from Hobbby Lobby ($7.99 each) and paint that I already had.  My favorite touches are the Stickles glitter accents and the Sparkle Modge Podge.  So wishing I had more time to do crafty things. 

One last hurrah!

Kids having fun during our last visit to NRH2O for the season.

Oreo's birthday

So, our little cat, Oreo turned one in August.  The kids gave her some wet cat food as a treat.  This picture is blurry of Shane, but it was too funny not to include.  I love how he is trying to make her "smile" and look at the camera. 

She enjoys her new climbing tower and perch.  She scrathes on its post, which is a great alternative to our couch. :)

art

OK, so these are from LONG....ago. 

Shane made this at Heritage Christian preschool sometime in 2009. 

The words say: Shane is a Child of God.

I am 4 years old.

My favorite color is blue.

My favorite food is pickles. 

Not much has changed except that he's older, taller, and has longer hair.

Sarah created her name with bingo-dobber type markers.  So fun! 

They blew through the workbook that went with these cool craft must-haves.

Dress up

Not so cute this time; Halloween birthday party for a friend from school.  It was zombie themed (I shoulda looked closer at the invitation.)  I think I made Sar look a little too pretty.  Shoulda made her look like a dead pirate.  H. looked awesome.  She even had tatooed scars.  Loved her shiny sequin shoes.

SMASH

Sarah is playing volleyball again this season.  We switched leagues so that she might meet some friends that she will eventually go to middle and high school with.  Her friend H. from school is also on her team.  I think they are having a good time.  Sarah is consistent with her underhand serves this year, and there are many volleys back and forth.  She runs toward the ball, and although she doesn't usually get it, at least she's not ducking like she did the first year. :) 

Back to School

So here is the scoop from the first day of school.  Shane chose a Mario Cart lunchbox and a Lego Ninjago backpack.  His teacher this year is Mrs. Washington and his best friend Camden is in his class again.

 

 

Sarah has Mrs. Jacobs as her homeroom/math/science teacher and Mrs. McAdams for ELA and S.Studies. She wanted peace and camoflauge stuff.

Wish that this had been a better picture. 

We were in a hurry to get to school and I didn't realize that I cut her head off. 

 

This year wasn't fabulous as far as our walk together to school.  Steve was out of town and on Monday, the school called and asked if I would sub.  I was able to walk each of my kids into their classrooms, but it wasn't quite the same as being a parent (only).   I am grateful to their awesome teachers whom them a few minutes early so that I could get back to the door where I was supposed to be greeting students.

Having taught 4th grade for 5 1/2 years, I have always condiered 4th graders as "the big kids."

I cannot believe that my kids are in 4th and 1st.