Happy Fourth of July!

We had such a fun day yesterday, and today has been filled (so far) with relaxation as well.  Here is a picture story of our special day (sorry, but no photos of the fireworks at the end of the night - I forgot my camera at home!).
We started our morning at church, where we got all decked out in our July 4th gear:

On Saturday, the kids needed something to do - and lacking any creativity, I handed them red, white and blue paint and paintbrushes, and let them have fun on our sidewalk.  I thought I'd add it here because of the "July4thness" of it.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the sunshine - with our sprinkler, slip and slide and water guns!

Last year, Bridgette designed and decorated her first cake on the fourth of July.  She hasn't done one since, but seeing as she has the memory of an elephant, she handed me this picture:

and asked that I make a cake for her to decorate.

Apparently this is going to be a new yearly tradition for her - decorating a cake for the fourth of July - I think she did a great job, and like all artists, took a little liberty with her design plan.

Later, we had a picnic at home, just the five of us.

Later on we went to see some fireworks. It was a perfect family day.  I am one blessed lady.

I hope your day was equally as grand!

Stacy

Oh, and here is a closeup of Bee's 'do.  It's just little half piggies - where I left out a bump and added some fourth of July bows.

A little funky, but fun.

:)

A Craft each day until... Fourth of July....Wearable Art

I really wanted to post these today - to give you moms time to make these before tomorrow.  I subscribe to Disney's Family Fun magazine, and I really have to give them credit - most of their crafts are fun, easy, and enjoyable to make.  This month's issue was full of great ideas for the Fourth of July. (I believe you can also find step by step instructions on their website for both of these crafts.)
When I saw this cover:

I was hooked. The tutus are darling - and seeing as I still have a girlie girl at home, I decided to give it a try with her.  That posed a tiny problem, however - having two boys, you can't do for one and not do for the others.    Thankfully, they also had directions to make these:

We shopped for a few supplies (and spent less than $10 total to make all the projects) and got to work.  First, the boys made their shirts.

Aren't they cute?  I just love them!  They needed a lot of help from me - making sure things were lined up jus so, and writing on the bottom so it was "neat", but they love them, and so do I.

Bee was up next.  First, we bought yards of toule, instead of the spools of it - then we cut our own strips.  This was far less expensive, and also made a longer/fuller skirt - which is good for an older girl.

Also, I used a sports headband for the elastic, instead of buying  craft elastic and having to sew it together:

Love, love, love this one.  With Bridgette putting it together, it took about twenty minutes - had I done it, it might have taken ten...maybe.   You can make one of these for your little girl, or have her help if she knows how to tie a knot.   Bee is already requesting one in pink and white - and I'm sure that once our sweet neighbors (who have four darling princesses) get ahold of this they'll want some too.  I can't wait to make more!   Please, please send photos if you've made either of these crafts. I'd love to see them!

Stacy

A Craft a day unitl...the fourth of July! Dreaded Wreath

I feel as though I have to blog about this craft: http://familyfun.go.com/4th-of-july/4th-of-july-crafts/star-spangled-welcome-890210/ even though I disliked it.  We did it, and you might like it, so I'll show you anyhow.
Part of my problem is that I didn't have double stick tape - that being said - even if I had had double stick tape. I don't think it would have helped.
We had the following issues with this craft:
1. The tubes were really difficult to roll, even for me - getting them just right and equal in size was impossible for the kids. This made them frustrated - and made the project less then fun.   One temper tantrum over "I just can't do it" errupted - you know that is never a good sign.
2. Because they aren't the same size, they really don't lay nicely on the circle you've cut out.
3. We needed to use copius amounts of runny elmers glue (which, if you've followed this blog for any length of time, you realize isn't a good friend of mine), which means it took forever to dry.
4. The finished product looked nothing like a wreath - fireworks, maybe - but a wreath?  Nope.

So this got a big thumbs down from the littles, and from me - but here is our journey - enjoy!
Look at the innocent faces, believing fully that this will be an enjoyable experience...

So that's that.  If you try it, and it works better for you, please pass on your tips - not that I think we'll attempt this again, I'd just love to know where we went wrong!

Happy Fourth!

Stacy