Spa Day

Here's a great idea for having fun with your little princess when you have a Mommy/daughter day!

These are the before pictures of nails and hair.

These are the products used for our spa day.  First, we lit a stress reliever candle (mostly for me, lol). We started with a bubble bath and foot massage with sugar scrub.    

After towel drying and rubbing her arms and legs with lotion, I clipped her toe and finger nails and painted them. 

While the nail polish was drying I blow-dried, combed and braided her hair.  For the final touch, I brushed a little eye shadow on her lids and dabbed a bit of pink lip balm on her puckered lips.

She donned her princess dress and her silver dancing shoes and struck a princess pose. Now I need a spa day! ;)

Kinka Video

We love playing with our Kinka Kitty.

The commentary by my daughter is even funnier that the cat!

Kid Crush - When to be Concerned

What are the signs that a young child, as early as age 5, has a kid crush?

• He/she want to spend lots of time with this other child (or adult).
• She constantly draws pictures of the two of them together.
• He speaks about this person often or blushes and/or giggles when you speak about him or her.
• She suddenly goes from being grossed out about the opposite gender to being interested in it.
• He begins to ask a lot of questions about dating, marriage and how relationships work.
• She is constantly putting her hands on, hanging on and/or even hitting this person.
• He is Jealous whenever someone else spends time with this person.
• She starts role-playing relationships, weddings, kissing, etc. with her dolls.

What you can do to help your child:

• Don't discount their feelings!  Although a puppy-love kid crush may seem silly and juvenile to you, it is a big deal to your child.  If you make light of your child's feelings, he/she may not confide in you again.
• Ask questions like, "how do you feel when you are with this person?" or "what does it mean to you to be girlfriend/boyfriend or in a relationship (married)?".
• Help your child to understand that the other child may not have the same feelings. Explain the importance of listening to what that child wants and not pushing him or her.  For example, "I know you like so-and-so but if he asks you to stop touching him you need to respect him enough to keep your hands to yourself."
• Explain boundaries to your child.  Tell them in clear and simple terms what is okay and not appropriate for them.  Items like sitting next to each other, hugging, holding hands and kissing should be discussed.  Also, make sure your child is aware that the private parts of his or her body are to remain private and never to be shown to anyone but parents and doctors.  This is often the age where the game of 'doctor' begins!

When a crush becomes a problem:

• When the relationship causes distractions in the classroom it can be a problem.  Teachers deal with kid crushes on a regular basis but sometimes the constant physical and vocal shows of affection can be too much of a distraction.  Games of kiss tag or 'marriage' ceremonies held at recess sometimes don't end when the recess bell calls the children back to class.  This is where talking to your child about boundaries and consequences for crossing them can be helpful.
• When your child's crush does not reciprocate feelings and reacts negatively it can be very difficult for your child to accept.  Sometimes the person your child has a crush on doesn't feel the same way and can inadvertently or purposely hurt your child's feelings.  Children can be cruel at times and your child might feel embarrassed or heart broken. Children can express not wanting to attend school or go anywhere their crush might be.
• When the crush focuses on the physical it can be a problem.  Sometimes, boys and girls have had too much experience for their age.  At 5, 6, 7 and even 8 years old a child generally isn't thinking about a sexual physical relationship.  However, if a child has had experiences, such as seeing movies or other media that show explicit scenes, older siblings or friends that educate them early or others of the like, they can sometimes try to share or experiment with these experiences with their crush.  This is often the time when children take off their clothes behind closed doors to play 'doctor' or compare differences.  Unfortunately, we can't protect our children all of the time and the child's best defense is awareness of what is and is not appropriate as well as role-playing with your child to give them ideas on how to thwart unwanted advances or handle tough circumstances.

Sources: Parents, KidsHealth, 

Tracks in the Snow

 Tracks in the Snow 

When I was younger, one of my favorite family activities was when my Dad would take us kids out to the woods to explore.  He would point out different tracks and all kinds of other amazing things.  My Dad taught us a lot about nature and the world around us while spending quality time with all of us.  These are some of my greatest childhood memories and I love passing all of it on to my daughter.

Opossum Tracks

It's mid-February and ironically, right around Valentine's Day Opossums and Raccoons begin breeding activity!  These tracks came from a hole in the side of our barn where the metal skirting was pushed open by a vine. They continued on through the remnants of corn stalks in the garden, across the icy driveway and ended at the great Black Walnut Tree, not too far from the house. The next day, I went back out to check on our opossum and a fresh trail led from the tree off to the neighbor's.

 Mouse Tunnels

I couldn't get any good mouse tracks but these are mouse tunnels.  They were all over between the garden and the Black Walnut Tree.  There was a fox hopping through the back pasture early one morning and I'm certain it was after one of these little guys.

Deer Tracks

We have a large herd of deer that travel through our yard almost every night.  They love to feast on the acorns under our giant Oak and the cabbage and other leftovers in the garden.  Generally, only bucks are heavy enough to press their dew claws into the ground and make a print.  However, if the snow is deep enough a doe's dew claw print can be seen as well.  The dew claw print is easy to spot in the last photo.

Rabbit Tracks

We have rabbits all over the back pasture and in the woods.  They come out at night to raid the leftovers in the garden, like kale and cabbage.  They also love our compost pile with it's cucumber peels and strawberry heads.  You can tell rabbit tracks because the two smaller front feet do not hit perfectly parallel.

Small Bird Tracks

These tracks were made by sparrows, juncos and other small birds around our bird feeders.  We also see many mourning doves and blue jays.  Squirrels will occasionally fill their cheek pouches as well.  I also caught a squirrel removing the stuffing from the outdoor cushion and carrying it back to his nest.  Those babies will be living in the lap of luxury with their cushy bed!

Squirrel Tracks

Unlike rabbit tracks, where the two front feet often do not land parallel to one another, squirrel tracks usually do have front feet landing parallel.  This is easy to see in the first photo.  Another easy way to tell squirrel tracks is when they lead up to a tree and then disappear.  Last time I checked, rabbit's don't climb trees!

Tigger Tracks

(Domestic Dog)

Tigger is a 65 pound, German Shepherd and who-knows-what-else dog.  His tracks are about the same size as a coyote's.  Which I have heard nearby but not seen any sign of on our property!

Pepper Tracks

(Domestic Cat)

Pepper is a cat that passes through just about every day.  I have seen him or her twice.  Pepper is a very large, well fed, gray cat with white paws.  When every last morsel of food is gone I know that Pepper has been by to visit.  

Kinka Tracks

(Domestic 6-Toed Cat)

Kinka is our barn cat.  She is very special in that she was born with a kinked tail, shaped like a paperclip, and six toes on all of her feet.  Since she isn't really going outside yet I found paw prints in the mud inside the barn.  You can easily count the five toes that hit the ground.  The difference between Kinka's and Pepper's tracks are obvious.

Piggy Back Kinka

This is Kinka's favorite place to be!

Easy Crochet 11.5" Doll Pullover

11.5" Doll Pullover

Abbreviations (US)
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip Stitch
dc - Double Crochet

Round 1 - ch 16, Join with sl st

Round 2 - ch 3, [dc in next st, ch 1] repeat around, join with sl st to end ch

Round 3 - ch 2, [dc in next st, dc in ch sp] repeat around, join with sl st

Round 4 - ch 2, dc in each st around, join with sl st

Round 5-7 - Repeat Round 4

Round 8 - sc in each st around, join with sl st, tie off, weave in ends

Chickens

These are the neighbor's chickens in our barn.  They are taking a dirt bath in one of our stalls.  The cool thing about this video is that you can also hear dogs barking, Kinka meowing, one of the chickens clucking, the guinea hens from next door and a rooster crowing all in this one video.  Listen closely and see if you can hear all five sounds.

Anxiety in Children

80% of children with an anxiety disorder

do not receive treatment!

Signs that your child has an anxiety disorder:

• Excessive fear, nervousness or shyness (beyond their norm)
• Avoiding places and activities they used to enjoy
• Unable to be comforted
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Change in school performance
• Becoming clingy, impulsive or distracted
• Accelerated heart rate and breathing
• Complaining of nausea, headaches, stomach-aches

What you can do to help your child with anxiety:

• If your child is able, let him/her express their feelings.
• Reassure the child, validate their feelings, stay calm.
• Guide the child to a solution, offer to help but don’t fix the problem for them.
• If possible, help the child to understand that their problem is temporary and solvable. 
• If possible, help the child to find something positive about the situation.
• Consider your reactions to similar problems and see if your child is mirroring you.
• If these suggestions don’t work or the anxiety is reoccuring, contact your child’s pediatrician and/or a child mental health professional.

Sources: ADAA, KidsHealth

Friendly Moth

My daughter rescued this moth from being stepped on or eaten by one of our dogs. After it crawled on her finger it wouldn't leave. She carried it around for a long time until finally she got it to walk onto a leaf. It was pretty cool! 

Crochet 11.5" Doll Party Dress - Free Pattern

Crochet Dress

F hook

4 oz yarn (I think, I just used some of my leftover yarn in my yarn box)

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Ch - Chain

Sl - Slip

St - Stitch

Sc - Single Crochet

Dc - Double Crochet

Tr - Triple (Treble) Crochet

w/ - with

btwn - between

Notes

Working in the round for skirt

Numbers at end of line instructions in ( ) include ch st

BeltLine: Ch 20, connect to beginning with sl st

Skirt

Round 1: ch 2, dc around in each ch, join w/ sl st to 2nd ch (20)

Round 2: ch 2, [skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st] repeat around, 4 dc under ch sts, sl st to top ch st

Round 3: sl st 1 st over to 3rd dc of shell, sc in 3rd dc of shell, [2 dc in sp btwn shells, tr in dc
of Round 1 btwn shells, 2 dc in sp btwn shells on other side of tr, sc in 3rd dc of shell] continue
around, sl st to sc

Round 4: ch 2, 2 dc in sc below ch, [sc in 3rd sp of shell, 5 dc in sc] continue around, sc in
3rd sp of shell, 2 dc in sc below ch, sl st to top of ch

Round 5: ch 1, [5 dc in sc sp, sc in 3rd dc of shell] continue around, sl st to ch 1

Round 6: Repeat Round 4

Round 7: Repeat Round 5

Round 8: Repeat Round 4

Round 9: Repeat Round 5

Round 10: Repeat Round 4

Round 11: ch 1, sc around, sl st to close, cut yarn and weave in end

Top

Round 1: ch 1 to Beltline in back between dcs, sc to beltline in between dcs around, attach to
beginning with sl st (20)

Row 2: ch 2, turn, dc in each st across (20)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across, don’t sc in the ch at end (19)

Row 4: ch 2, turn, dc in each st across don’t dc the ch at end (18)

Row 5: ch 1, sc in sp w/ ch, sc in each st across including dc in the ch at end (19)

Row 6: ch 2, turn, dc in sp w/ ch, 2 dc in next 2 sts, 1 dc in next 12 sts, 2 dc in next 3 sts (24)

Row 7: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in same sp as ch, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 20 sts, 2 sc in next st,
3 sc in ch sp (29)

Row 8: ch 2, dc in each st across (29)

Row 9: sl st in first 3 sts, ch 1, sc across, stop before doing last 3 sts (22)

Strap 1

Row 1: turn, sl st in next 2 sts, ch 1, sc in sp w/ ch, sc in next st (3)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in sp w/ ch, sc in next st (3)

Row 3 - 9: Repeat Row 2

Connecting strap to front of dress: Skip 4 sts, sl st in 5th dc from Row 9 of top, sl st in
middle sc of strap, sl st in next st of dress, sl st to last st of strap, 6 sc in next sts

Strap 2

Row 1: ch 1, sc in st w/ ch, sc in next st (should be 4 sc between straps in front of dress)

Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in next sts

Row 3 - 8: Repeat Row 2

Connecting strap to back of dress: Skip 4 sts, sl st in 5th dc, sl st in middle sc of strap,
sl st in next st of dress, sl st to last st of strap, sl st to next st of dress, cut and weave in end

Button

Sew the button on the left side of the back of the dress between rows 8 and 7 around the
5th dc from the end

Button goes between 2nd and 3rd dc on other side in row 8

Valentine's Day Project

Valentine's Day Idea

First you have to make a bunch of these crochet hearts.  For instructions, click here.

We used foam Valentine's Day stickers from the Dollar Tree.

We bought Valentine's Day suckers.  My daughter wrote her name on a bunch of the large foam heart stickers and stuck one to the back of each sucker.

Thread the sucker stick through the back of the crochet heart.  Use the Sweetheart stickers (or any other two stickers that are about the same size) on either side of the end of the sucker stick to keep it from pulling back through the heart.

Easy Crochet Heart

This crochet heart is super easy and quick!

This is a great project for using up excess yarn.  Any yarn weight will work.  Just use the crochet hook called for by the type of yarn.  For the heart above, I used two strands of yarn together and a 'K' hook.

Abbreviations (US Terms)
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - triple (treble) crochet
sl - slip
st - stitch

First, make a 'magic ring'. Ch 2

Round 1: (3 tr, 4 dc, 1 tr, 4 dc, 3 tr) into magic ring.
Pull the magic ring mostly closed, ch 2, sl st into small hole in magic ring. Pull magic ring tightly closed.

Round 2: sc in ch-sp, 2 hdc in next st, 3 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc, dc, hdc) in next st, 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, 3 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, sc in ch.  Cut yarn with about 4 inch tail.  sl st in ch, pull through.

To Finish: Pull the tail through the top ch toward the back.  Pull the ring tail through the top ch toward the front.  Tie them together at the top and cut off any excess.

Easy Crochet Heart using a really heavy weight yarn and an M crochet hook.

Snow Day Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity 

to accept that I cannot change this snow day; 

courage to plan a day full of activities 

for my energetic children;

and patience not to kill them!

Pottery Cool Review

This stuff is amazing!

My cousin bought my daughter this Pottery Cool pack for Christmas.  She didn't realize that it required the Pottery Cool Studio in order to work properly.  I thought about buying the studio but decided not to for fear we wouldn't use it and it would end up in my bottomless box of crafts in the basement.  

I opened the box to find some really weird parts but once I read the directions, it all made sense. We used all the pieces as intended to make a really cute critter (see picture above).  We opted not to make it a bank because it occurred to us that it would be really hard to get the money out since the sculpture is completely closed.  The only difference between ours and one using the studio would be that on the pottery wheel the clay would be a lot smoother, but considering the fact that we didn't have one, I think our end product turned out great.

The kit even includes stencils for all of the other small parts like eyes and ears.  It is practically fool-proof and really fun.  The instructions are easy to follow with helpful pictures.  The clay is dry and ready to paint in 24 hours.  The kit even comes with paint.  I would definitely buy this product again (just maybe not one of the kits that requires the Studio)!

Full Moon

Fun with Rice Krispie Treats

Here's a fun afternoon activity for the whole family!

Make up some rice krispies treats by combining 3 Tbs of butter and 4 cups of mini marshmallows together and warming in the microwave for about 1 minute or until butter is melted.  Stir in 6 cups of rice krispies (or 5 if you like them extra sticky).  We also stirred in some sprinkles to make them colorful and extra yummy. :)

Gather your supplies, icing, sprinkles, etc.

Place wax paper down before you start working with the treat mix.

Scoop out a spoonful about as big as your fist and shape it in to anything you choose.

Now comes the really fun part.  Using icing, sprinkles or any other baking supplies you get to decorate your treats.

These are my daughter's masterpieces.