Monthly Archives July 2012

Making Wind Chimes

Dear NHL & JSL,

This week we went to the library for one of their summer projects. They were going to make wind chimes and it was a two part project. We had to sign up for it since they only had supplies for so many people.

Wind Chime Craft

When we arrived, all of the supplies for the painting day were set out for project. You had paint brushes and small terra cotta pots. The librarian explained that you would be painting these on the first day. Lots of paint options were set out for people to select from. NHL, you wanted all warm colors. Your selections were red, orange, and yellow. JSL, you immediately wanted blue and then gold. The gold was not working right, so you opted for green and yellow.

Paiting Wind Chimes

It was fun watching your techniques. JSL, you wanted to cover the entire pot in one color and then add some stripes and dots of another. NHL, you were going for a more bold tie-dye effect. Both of you were done rather quickly, so we brought the clay pots to the room for them to dry over the holiday.

Top of wind chimes ready

Since the next step was VERY time consuming, the librarians helped you out. They had baggies set up with fishing line attached to a bead and the chimes at the end. There were five of these, the clapper (which was missing a string), key ring circle, and latch to hang up your creation.

Beads for the wind chimes

Both of you had a lot of fun creating all of your beaded sections. While you worked on those, I tied them onto the key ring.

Making Wind Chimes

We had to leave the clapper off since it was getting knotted up with the string they had left. Not a big deal since the chimes and beads were producing a nice sound on their own.

Finished wind chimes

Now we just need to figure out where to put the wind chimes. I think we may get some hot glue to make the key ring stay in place. It was a lot of fun to make a new craft with both of you during a summer fun event at our library. I can’t wait to see what we do next time.

Love,

Mommy

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Favorite Summer Ice Cream

Yes, I am one of those people that will sit under a blanket or two in the winter eating some ice cream. Of course, in the summer ice cream is a splurge and fantastic treat on a warm day. Most of the places around here have soft serve in the summer months, but also hard ice cream.

For me, the choice is a no brainer. There is nothing like soft serve vanilla and chocolate twist ice cream with rainbow sprinkles in a cone. This takes me back to my childhood when my parents would take me to the local Carvel store. On our anniversary, I told TechyDad that I wanted to get ice cream for lunch. It was late, warm, and nobody felt like eating anything extreme. We went to a local place and my lunch is seen below.

Favorite Ice Cream Types

So my question to you this week is inspired by the photo above:

What type of ice cream is your favorite in the summer? Do you prefer soft serve or hard ice cream? Be sure to let me know if there is a certain flavor that you prefer (there are so many these days) and splurge and let me know sprinkle or dip preference as well.


It's Me

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An<br<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    Island<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    Life

Aloha #210

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Making Mini Golf Memories

There is something extra special about going back to a place that you went to as a child with your own children. Add in going with your parents to watch them with the grandkids, and it is even more magical. On the fourth of July, TechyDad was working to move his office to a new location. Nana and Papa decided to surprise the kids by taking them to a Golden Pond Miniature Golf in Clifton Park.

Clifton Park Golf

The place has not changed much since I went there as a child. They have kept it clean, in good condition, and possibly even made some improvements. While walking around, I had visions of my brother and I learning to avoid the water hazards, getting a hole in one in a certain location, and bringing our neighborhood friends there to enjoy.

On the flip side, I watched my father assist the kids with holding the golf club the right way. I saw my mother smile as I recalled certain items. Then, there was the laughter, running, and smiling from my boys.

Fourth of July Mini Golf

Although we missed TechyDad, we had a great time beating the heat on the shady golf course. I know the kids will definitely want to head back here again and I am sure we will. For me, it was not only about making new memories with my boys, but also reliving some special times from my childhood. It is always nice when a location from your past lives up to your expectations of years gone by.

What did you do with your family on the 4th of July?

It's Me

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Independence Day Wishes for 2012

 

Happy Independence Day on the beach

Wish I was back here, but I will be spending the day with family at home. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July celebration. How will you be celebrating today?

It's Me

Focused on the Magic

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Tuesday Tales – Vote For Me

I rarely talk about politics on my blog or in general. The other day, I actually mentioned that I would love a filter on Facebook to get rid of the political chatter that I keep seeing from so many after the Supreme Court ruling. Reality check, this is only going to get worse on Twitter, Facebook, the news, and beyond as we head into a presidential election. Please hold me!

While at the library the other day, something caught my eye and now I do believe I may buy this book to give to adults, especially politicians.

Vote for Me - Election Day picture book

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton (link to the author’s fun website with more of his work) is a perfect read for children and adults heading into this election year. Although the target audience is 4-8 year old children, I think it may be even better for older children who are studying elections at school. Let’s be honest here, kids hear the negativity, whether they read the newspaper, see the national news, or listen to their parents. They are taking all of this in and this book will show them in a nice way how foolish both side look, how we need to work together, and can compare read world items to Donkey and Elephant. This could lead to conversations about how they think candidates should talk about their views of the important issues, rather than simply name calling and saying what is wrong with the the other person.

Here is an extended book trailer of Vote for Me! from Kids Can Press that gives you a nice version of the story. If you are wondering, you have to read the book to find out how it ends.

 

The book is definitely a satire, but it does strike a nerve with readers that are fed up with the campaign tactics that we see these days. I highly recommend this for adults (especially politicians) to read with some younger children to see the light.  TechyDad and I both read this book with our boys and we had a lot of laughs. My guess is that NHL will appreciate it even more once they start to talk about the election in fourth grade this fall. A little bit of caution, beware your children may use some of the name calling that is “funny” in the book. Sunday, the boys were calling each other Booger Breath several times. We ignored it hoping it would fade away.

As always, Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

It's Me

Disclosure: As mentioned, the book was taken out of the library and I am thinking of gifting it to some of my political friends this election day. One Amazon affiliate link is included and should you purchase the book mentioned I will receive a small percentage from the sale. As always, all opinions are my own.

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