Mo Summer, No Problems!!

If you're anything like me, you have mixed emotions about summer break.  Don't get me wrong, I love having all three gremlins cherubs home 24/7, but its quite a bit of work!  Mine seem to require constant stimulation, always needing to be wow'd with new and exciting activities.  I'm trying, really I am!

Here are a few of my tips for making summertime run a bit smoother.  Anything helps, right?

1.) Scour all your local websites for free or low cost events.  We're talking malls, libraries, parks and recreation, townships, movie theaters...ANYWHERE!  You'll be pleased with what you find, $1 movies, free outdoor movie nights, story times, etc.  I take out my calendar in late spring and start filling it up.  It feels good to see those little squares full with activities ;)

2.) Emily and I both keep a small convenient store in our cars.  It seems as if these little boogers are constantly "starrrrrrving."  It doesn't matter if we've just eaten a meal, if they see, smell, and even hear the sound of a food wrapper, they're instantly hungry.  Keeping non-perishable snacks and drinks in our car drastically cuts down on costs, especially when you're visiting an amusement park.

3.) I keep a basket in our laundry room of beach towels and bathing suits.  The fellas love water activities, especially our inflatable water "oasis."  It's great that they enjoy outdoor activities, but on a warm day they are in and out at least 3 times.  Keeping a stash downstairs keeps me from running up and down the stairs a million times (not that I couldn't use the exercise).

4.) Keep a bottle of sunblock here, there, and everywhere.  I keep some in my purse, car, and in my laundry room.  It's a great reminder to always slather it on the kiddies.  Plus, you never know when the mood will strike you for outdoor fun.

5.) Ask teachers for summer work to cut down on "summer slack."  I also pick up workbooks at the dollar store to supplement.  I make sure to set aside a half an hour 5 days a week for the boys to do school work.  At first they complain (no surprise), but eventually it becomes routine.

6.) I try to set aside an envelope of "Summer Fun" money.  Our neighborhood has a yard sale in the spring.  Any money I make from the sale goes into an envelope to use towards summer activities.  Having this money set aside helps me with budgeting.  Before heading off to an event I estimate how much we'll need.  This alleviates over-spending on food, souvenirs, etc.

Any tips?  Please share!

Here's to a HAPPY and low stress summer ;)

DIH Construction Party

 

 

 

So, my little guy recently turned 3 and insisted on a construction party.  While I enjoy his newly found independence, unfortunately, I no longer have control over the party theme (sigh). 

I like to put my personal touch on every party so I rarely run to the party store for decorations.  I like a challenge ;)  I also keep my budget really tight so I buy as many items from the dollar store as possible, like the paper goods and utensils, and then fill in as needed. 

For the personal touches I headed to my local craft store.  I lucked out and their scrapbooking paper was on sale for 3/$0.99.  I grabbed 6 pieces (which was more than enough) to fit in with the theme and I was ready to get started.

The construction signs were as simple as can be.  I traced a square and rounded out the edges when I cut them.  Then, used a stencil for the lettering.  I outlined the letters in pencil and then filled them in with a Sharpie marker.  For the figures, I used a ruler to make the straight edges.  I applied the same steps in making the smaller signs for the food at the buffet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The birthday banner is my favorite decoration to make and it's also simple.  I do it for all the boys' birthdays and save each one. 

I start by tracing out the triangles onto scrapbook paper, making sure its large enough for the letter size.  I then use a stencil to trace the letters onto a coordinating piece of paper, cut them out and glue them to the triangles.  Next, I use a hole puncher to punch a hole in the top corners of the triangle.  Finally, weave ribbon or string through the holes and enjoy!

For some of the snack food, I used a few of our own dump trucks (we've got plenty) as serving bowls.  Super cute!!!

My decoration grand total was $2.98 including a super cute dump truck balloon...Woo Hoo!  This just goes to show that it doesn't take a ton of money or time to have a fantastically decorated birthday party.

Happy celebrating ;)

Little Lovies for the Kiddos

This is just a little something I've been doing for the kiddies every morning since February 1st.  I call them "Lovies" and I write a positive message for each of the boys everyday leading up to Valentine's Day.

 

Nothing too fancy, just a special message or words of encouragement from Mommy and Daddy..."You give warm hugs," "Thank you for sleeping through the night," "You're taking your boo-boo medicine so well!"

 

They love them and look forward to reading them each day.  It brings a smile to their face and gives them something to feel special about.  Who doesn't love that?!?

 

 

 

 

 



A Little Kid's Dream Day - The PA Railroad Museum!

Hi everyone, all tens of you!  ;)  Last week I took my boys on our monthly trip to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, Lancaster County.  If you haven't taken your kids there yet you have to do it.  You're thinking...."Trains, Emily?  Trains?  BORING!".  It's honestly not boring at all, this place is awesome for kids, and when our kids are happy, we're happy!  It's totally cheap, you can spend all day there for one fee, and when the weather is nice visitors are free to have lunch at one of their picnic tables overlooking a picturesque farm. 

Upon entering the main hall of the museum, you'll be shocked by the size of the retired and beautifully restored trains. 

Another highlight is the old-fashioned train station, including an office with a telegraph station, and the main street of a little town they've reproduced.  If you like history you'll love it (even if you're not a fan of history, you'll still think it's cool).

Every time we get to the museum my boys run right for Stewart Junction, which is the kid's "building".  Stewart Junction is a hands-on area that includes a model train set with a huge town, a lego table with a motorized lego train town layout, Thomas and Geotrax tables with fun layouts, and tons of educational stuff.

You're probably wondering where the pictures of the trains are in this post.  Here are a few, including the inside of a boxcar that smelled like the inside of my great-grandfather's shed....it was wonderfully nostalgic.



Of course, the highlight of every visit for my boys is pretending to be the firemen and shoveling the coal into the firebox.

Finally, this is just a super cute picture of Peter Pan gazing at a model train while Captain Hook takes a picture with his big boy camera.

If you've never visited the railroad museum, I highly suggest taking your kids and making a day of it.  The Strasburg Railroad is directly across the street also.  Just a tip, if you'll be visiting the museum and riding the train, be sure to buy a combo ticket which will save you some loot.  :)

Have fun!!



Shoe Tying Trick

 

 

 

Here's an adorable little shoe tying poem I found in my travels.  I'm hoping it helps teach #2 how to tie his own shoes, as it is no longer flip flop season in PA :(

It was extremely easy to make and only required a piece of cardboard, a marker, ribbon or shoe lace, and something sharp to poke the holes (I used a skewer).

First, I traced #2's shoe onto the cardboard and then wrote the poem.  Next, I poked the holes into the cardboard.  I used three on each side and then laced through the ribbon.  I decided to use two different colors of ribbon to help #2 differentiate between the left and the right.

Now, we haven't had shoe tying success yet, but this has proved to be a fun little tool that he's having fun with and at least getting some practice.  We'll get there!