Easter/Spring Craft

We did this one last week, but I just realized I never posted it - not to worry, though.  It can be done as a spring craft as well - you could always replace the bunny with a flower.  This was the only "bunny" craft we did, but I couldn't resist it - it is darling!   Now, we didn't get quite as involved as the one on this site shows: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/measterbunnywreath.htm because we found that trying to get two rows of the circles/rings to stick (without pushing eachother off the ring) was difficult.  One layer works well, though, and keeps little  hands busy. They also had to cut out and assemble all the parts of the bunnies - which took a long time.  Here are our results:

 I think they are darling, and will be hanging out around our house for a few weeks yet!  After all, bunnies are a sign of spring, right?  Have fun making this one, and as always, feel free to copy!
Stacy

Easter Hair, Take Two

Well, the reality of her hair on Easter was different from what we did in the earlier photoshoot, but that's okay.  A girl has to be able to change her mind, right?  We found this 'do to do on Sunday morning: http://cute2tryhairdos.blogspot.com/search/label/updo , which we both loved.  It turned out to be a little tricky, however. For some reason Bridgette's hair did not want to sit nicely in 'bobbypinned' curls, so we had to improvise.  Here is the final result:

It had to be done quickly, as we were running a bit late, but I think she looked beautiful!  Here are some other fun shots from the day:

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter.   Stacy

And Easter 'do for Bee

I found this style: http://www.princesshairstyles.com/2009/11/tween-hairstyle-princess-braids.html and thought it was darling.  Bee was in agreement, but we decided to ditch the "ratting" step.  It looks cute, but the very thought of combing all of that out of Bridgette's hair makes me ill.   I wanted to curl the ends when we were finished, but she wanted them straight - and seeing as she is nine...I guess she gets to have some say in the matter.  
Here is what we did. First, I combed a small section on either side of her head and plastered it down with water (and then hairspray) and connected it under the back of her head.  Putting the rest of her hair in a temporary pony helps with this step.

Then I braided two small braids on the side of her hair that had more hair (that sounds weird, but you know what I mean) and one on the other side.   I attached them under her hair as well, using another elastic over the one  I had just put in.

Finally, I took out the temporary pony tail, and combed out the rest straight!  Like I said before, I would have liked to curl the ends, but she didn't want to.  I might convince her on Sunday to let me, when she sees my hair curly.  :) 

And when it was dry, and we were doing our photo shoot:

Send me photos of your Easter 'dos, and as always, feel free to copy!

Stacy

Tricks of the Trade: Holiday Photos

This next trick is one I've been doing for years, and wanted to post today - so you still have three days to act on it, if you'd like to do it as well.  :)  This trick is based on the fact that holidays are generally over-sugared, over-excited, overwhelming experiences for children. 

This Sunday morning, most of us will be heading to church to celebrate Easter. And even if you go to a church this is as lax as ours (jeans are perfectly acceptable attire to services), most of us get dolled up on this special day. Girls in bonnets and bows, boys in ties and button-down shirts...they looks so adorable, you just MUST get their photos!!   Only here's the problem...you're running late, everyone has to shower and eat and get their hair done. Someone needs to take the dog out, and tie shoes, and keep the littles ones out of the jelly beans.  Kids are jumping because grandma and grandpas have come for a visit and because they know that somewhere lurking in their homes are baskets filled with bunnies and eggs and toys.   It's at this moment that you decide to pull out your camera.  When you have about three minutes left before going to service.  Now, if your house is like mine - those three minutes involve frustrated mommy, less-than-compliant children, and a husband giving me eyes of "do we really have to do this"?

Because my answer is "yes", I have found a solution.  Simply get your babies all dolled up a few days BEFORE Easter (or whatever holiday it might be)!!  Make it a low stress time when you have no place to be.  Put on some fun music and let them chose every (other) pose you take.  You'd be amazed at the beautiful photos you can take when you aren't in a rush.   And now that you have them, that's one less thing to do on Sunday morning!  (Of course I'll still have my camera out on Easter - but we won't have to sit for "formal" shots - it will be candid all the way!)  Here are a few of my favorite shots from this year's Easter photos.

Send me photos of your Easter babies, and as always, feel free to copy!  Stacy

Tricks of the Trade: The Time Filler

In the past three years of homeschooling my kiddos - I've learned a few tricks of the trade.  I'm going to share a few here and there that I think other moms and dads might find helpful.  This first one, "the time filler" is the one I find I use every day, and is most important to me.  As all homeschooling parents know, one of your goals is to keep everyone on task, all the time.  Things fall apart quickly if you have an "escapee" while you are doing math with another child.   I had to remedy this in my own classroom, so I quickly became a fan of time fillers.  For all those times during the day that your child has spare time... while waiting for you to correct their work, or if they've finished their current assignment and are waiting for their next, etc. 

Each week or so, I find a craft project that my children can do on their own, that is tedious.  It either has a million parts to cut out and glue, or lots of tiny spaces to color.  They know they have a certain time frame to finish it in (usually a week for us), so they work on it daily, but aren't expected to finish it all at once. I leave the materials they need to do it by their work area, and whenever they have a "down" moment, they are to pull it out and work quietly on it until I am ready for them.  This works, I promise. 

Here is a good example of a time filler, the one I choose for this week.  http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/meggtree.html  When I choose a time filler, it is always something that I don't have to put too much preparation into. For example, with this craft, I was able to print off the sheets necessary, and give them minimal directions. I believe I drew a green line on the tree page to show where the grass and sky should meet, and told them that was the only part to use crayon. The rest was to be done in marker.   I reminded them of I what I considered to be appropriate times to work on it, and left them to it.  Today, they are finally finished. Here is how they came out:

I will start posting links to our time fillers, in case you want to try them too.  Let me know how they work out for you, and if they make a difference in your homeschooling day!
Stacy

Stained Glass Cross

When I saw this craft, I knew it was one I wanted to do this year.  Then I read these directions: http://crafts.kaboose.com/stained-glass-cross.html and decided that maybe I wouldn't. The directions on this page are horrible.  But the craft was one I really wanted to do.  So, we made our own step by step instructions if you'd like to do it as well. Enjoy!

Step one:  Using a tracer (to ensure they are the same) have the kids cut out two identical cross shapes.

They should look like this when they are finished:

Then, mom or dad (or whoever is in charge at the moment!!) should cut out the center of the crosses.  Now, don't get too crazy about this. They should be similar, but don't have to be exact for the project to look nice.  When you are done, they should look like this:

Next, cut a length of clear contact paper that is big enough to go over the cross twice, and place one of the crosses down like this:

You'll notice that I left the other side covered still. This is to protect it until you are ready.   I had precut tiny pieces of tissue paper and had them ready for the kids.  Next, they put the tissue paper all over the empty area in the middle of the cross.

When that is done, carefully place the other cross on top of the one with the tissue paper over it.  I found the top cross didn't want to stay put, so I added a bit of tape to each edge of it.

Next, uncover the remaining side of contact paper (this is a big kid or grown up job only) and press it down over the cross.

Then have your children cut out the cross shape. 

That's all!  Hang in your window and enjoy!

This project takes a little effort, but is well worth it. I think they look so nice in the window. What do you think? Enjoy a week of crafts (I hope) up to Easter, and let me know which ones your family liked to do the best! Stacy