At the Seaside

Summer has finally (hopefully) decided to stick around. Our family loves to go to the beach and we've come up with some pretty darn cute craft projects to do when we get home. It's a great way to remember our vacation. I always put my son's name and age on the back, just to preserve the memory!

First on the beach craft to-do list are these adorable shell critters. I soak the shells in a little bleach and water solution overnight to get the clean white look. Although we've painted them in our house too, they get a tie dye effect! I used fimo clay (the stuff you bake) because it's already colored which makes it super easy. You could always make your own salt dough, dry it and paint it.

Did you see my past blog about mobiles?
Making mobiles

Here's a great use for those shells! Both my son and hubby love to collect shells and rocks, here's a great way to display those shells!

I seems like there are lots of stores celebrating Christmas in July. Here's a great way to get some Christmas presents done early!

Just take some sand dollars, let your kiddo paint on them (it doesn't have to be a poinsettia) put a little super glue and ribbon on the back and viola you've got an ornament. It'll work with any shell and remind you of your great beach vacations when it's super cold and snowy outside!

It's 80 Degrees in Washington

... and that alone is enough reason to celebrate. While my son plays outside in our over sized toddler pool I figured it would be a great chance to me to sit down and do some writing. I missed the 4th of July for posting but first of all I need to share this super cool popsicle idea. Days later my son is still asking me for popsicles - and he doesn't mean the sugar kind!

I had a picture of my son eating these, but of course I can't find it now. Figures! -- I took watermelon and cut it hamburger style. I then took a star cookie cutter and cut stars out of the watermelon. I set the stars in the freezer for 10 minutes or until they were a little hard & then skewered them! My son is still asking me about the popsicles, we had a friend bring Dilly Pops from Dairy Queen and he doesn't want them. He prefers the watermelon pops.... This is definitely a score one for any mom, healthy & hydrating! I did a little reading & people have done it with pineapple too, I haven't tried it but sounds like something for a later blog.

We enjoy some fab ways to keep cool. We really enjoyed playing in colored ice cubes. The night before I stuck some food coloring (which just happened to be left over red & blue!) in my ice cube trays in the freezer. My son had a friend over and I gave both of them a bowl of water with some added colored cubes. They splashed around for a good 25 minutes while the ice melted. At one point they were splashing each other... kids will be kids, don't forget the towels! To make the project even more fun you can add things to the cubes, I loved to use toy cars or soldiers in my preschool room. We also made some bigger ice chunks out of buckets. These take up quite a bit of room in the freezer but they're well worth it in the morning!