Our rainy day activities

If you follow my blog, you know that we created our "Summer Bucket List" at the beginning of the summer with all of the fun things we'd like to do.  I was a little nervous about it to be honest because I really like to just "wing it" during the summer because I stick to such a tight schedule for the other 9 months of the year.  However, I am pleasantly surprised by not only our progress, but how excited it gets the kids!

Here is the where we are so far with a month left to go.  Not too shabby.  We have tackled 10 out of 30 items and have a few more we'll finish up this week.  

We have bought supplies for some of the more crafty things on our list including :  painting canvases, making sock animals and painting rocks.  We have also been very busy collecting our beach rocks and have TONS to paint.   I'm surprised how much I've put off these crafty things on the list until last since I love crafting.  I think it's because in my mind, I need a rainy day for them and I spent the last few rainy days cleaning and hosting play dates to keep my kids occupied.

So I have pledged to my kids that the next rainy day we are starting these activities.  Here is an idea of what we are planning and where I got my original ideas.  You didn't think I was clever enough to come up with these all on my own did you?  What would one do without Pinterest???

Painting canvases-  I promised both of the kids that they could hang their finished product somewhere in the house.  God help me with this one.  I'm keeping fingers crossed that they choose to hang them in either their own rooms or the playroom.

These are actually really fun.   You first make a design on the white canvas with painters tape and then you paint the canvas however you want with acrylic paint.  Once the paint is almost dry, you peel off the tape GENTLY and voila.  How fun!  I  bought a large canvas for myself too to create something fun....I'm loving the chevron.

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I'll keep you posted on how ours come out and where they end up hanging :)

Sock animals - One of the other activities that the kids are so excited for is to make sock animals.  We bought a bag of the stuffing and have to get some socks and then we're ready to go.  We have tons of buttons for the eyes left over from a button project so we are good there.  These are definitely one of the more complicated projects on our list and it was my genius idea to add them.   They are just so cute!

Here are some examples in case you want to tackle these:

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Painted rocks - We have SO many rocks collected from the beach that we are going to be painting for days.   The kids have had so much fun collecting them that next year maybe we'll just add "collect rocks at the beach"...lol

Here are some fun ways to paint them that I thought the kids might like.  A few of them would require me pre-drawing out the images and letting them fill them in, but fun nonetheless.

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A few other great ideas for a fun summer rainy day activity that are not on our list are bracelet making and drawing.   I love these ideas and thought you might too.

There are so many different types of bracelets you can make and with many different types of material.   Just like last year, we are busy making string bracelets of all kinds.  We got this great kit for my daughter that helps you make bracelets with hearts, diamonds, stripes and it's super easy to follow. 

I also found these great ideas:

I know I shared this one once before, but it's worth re-sharing because it's so much fun!

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And these beauties are made from old t-shirts.  Love!

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Drawing is one of our favorite things to do and we have tons of "how to draw" different animals books.  These are so much and I also adore the fingerprint ones too.

There are tons more on the site too.  Here's a sample of the adorable penguin.

I remember doing these as a kid and I LOVED them.

We have so many fun projects and too many beautiful beach days.  I'm looking forward to getting started on some of these fun crafts with the kids over the next week. I hope these give you some fun things to do over the remainder of your summer!

Poshed Up

Pins of the Week

Life has been nothing short of CrAzY lately with the end of preschool for one, end of a soccer season, opening of our beach club and finally...end of the school year for my daughter tomorrow.  Woo Hoo!  I need to get on a better schedule than we've been on.  We've been burning the candle at both ends for a few weeks now running from activity to activity, staying up way too late enjoying the weather and sunlight, visiting with friends and it has caught up.   We even had an impromptu play date in our PJ's yesterday.   Needless to say, I ended up sick last week with an ear infection and so forth and finally feel better this week.

So, with that said, I have been very negligent of this blog.  I have been very busy with teacher gift order of beach bags and other bags and I am soooo grateful that the shop is nearly sold out.  I need to re-stock soon, but still have a few more orders to fill.  Thank you to all who have supported my business...we're nearing a year already and I'll keep you posted on a big celebration sale in July.

I thought I'd do a quick "Pins of the Week" post today before I run to my daughter's school to deliver some teacher gifts (homemade bags  and zippered pouches and gift cards of course).  

(and yes those are play handcuffs in the background...lol)

So here you have it...I've even been neglecting Pinterest if you can believe that.  The nerve.

CRAFTASTIC

We love to make friendship bracelets in the summer or really in any down time we have.   I recently found a very cool kit with these cardboard wheels that you use as a guide to make all sorts of really neat bracelets.   I thought this is super fun too and simple directions.   Last summer as one of my very first blog posts HERE I mentioned that we were knee deep in bracelet making at the beach.

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CRAFTASTIC- FATHER'S DAY

I had been planning on doing an entire post dedicated to Father's Day ideas, but since time is slipping by...I thought I'd just share some of the 'Tip Junkie's' great homemade ideas.   We are working on finishing up our crafts today in time to celebrate our favorite daddy this weekend!

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FOR THE HOME

I have been pinning tons of stripes in rooms lately and I guess I really want some in my house.  I think I'm sold on this idea for my daughter's bathroom that I truly despise right now.  We have not painted 1 wall since moving in 6 years ago this July.  Oh, wait, that's not true...my daughter and I painted her room last year.  Besides that though, not 1 wall has changed because when we moved in we were happy with the colors and I was soon expecting the rambunctious boy I now have and expected many dinged and chipped walls.  I think it's finally time to get rid of the peach bathroom (no offense to those of you who like peach) and bring in a more beachy feel to my daughter's bathroom.

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FOR THE KIDDOS

A step by step guide to turn an ordinary sock into a teddy bear.  So cute.  I love up cycling too!   I think this is a great rainy day project for us this summer.  I'm hoping the past week's weather is no indication of our summer weather to come or we'll be making tons of sock animals...lol

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GREAT TIP

No explanation necessary other than...who wouldn't want one?  I do not like putting the DEET sprays on myself or my children so this is perfect.

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RECIPE

Oh my this is GOOD!  We had my in laws for dinner a few weeks ago and decided to grill outside (Mother Nature of course had to ruin it for us).... I digress.  We decided on grilled fish, grilled zucchini and this Fiesta Lime Rice.  SOOOO GOOD and SUPER simple.  We will definitely be making this one again...OFTEN!

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QUOTES TO LIVE BY

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Poshed Up

Happy Mother's Day...a few days early!

I always feel a little selfish at Mother's Day because my birthday is only a month earlier so it's a whole lot of celebrating me in a short period of time.  While I totally appreciate the love from my family, I really do not enjoy being the center of attention.  I would much prefer to plan a party or mini-celebration for someone else.
 I guess I can endure one more :)

Here are few things I found that I think are so special for Mother's Day
(just in case anyone here at my house is reading).

Flowers....flowers are always associated with Mother's Day because
1- what women doesn't love receiving flowers and
2- Mother's Day falls at the beginning of Spring when flowers are so abundant.

I love this personalized idea for a custom made flowerpot.  A little Mod Podge and you have a really great keepsake that any mom or grandmother would adore!

I think this idea for a "flower" arrangement is so creative.  This would be great for a grandmother or a mother of a big family!  

And how about a dozen cupcakes made into a flower arrangement? 

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I personally love the homemade cards my children make me.   They are 1000 times more sentimental and special than anything Hallmark could write...and they are from their hearts.  I think these ideas for handmade cards are so fun!

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Jewelry....you can never go wrong with jewelry for a woman.   I have a personalized necklace with my children's names on it and I love it.  Here is what it looks like....with different names (lol)

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I get tons of compliments on it as well.  Here are a few others I love besides the one I already own!

I think the family tree charm on this is so special.

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This version would be great with the children's birthstones.

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And last, but not least, by far my favorite gifts for Mother's Day are the ones that their teachers do almost every year where they answer questions about me.  The younger the child the more hilarious the responses of course, but they are great from any age.  Here are a few you can use if you want to see what your own might say.

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Whether you are a mother or celebrating someone else this Mother's Day, I hope the day is filled with love and sunshine!

    

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Some treats from the leprechaun....and some treats from you!

Warning:  Strap on your seat belt because this is going to be a long one.  I wanted to make sure I gave you all of the great ideas I found in time to try a few before Saturday!

Each year leprechauns visit our house and while they do make a bit of a mess, they leave some great treats for the kids.  
 If you don't have leprechauns visiting your home, you may still find some of these great ideas helpful if you are giving little gifts to classmates or playgroups or any other special little people in your life this St. Patty's Day.

I also have some fun printables and party ideas if you are hosting your own little soiree for the big day.  While the adults are enjoying some great appetizers and green cocktails, your little ones can be enjoying some sweet treats of their own.

And lastly, I have some fun ideas to share to bring some green spirit to your children's day on Friday and Saturday whether at home of in their school lunch.  So hang on while I share tons of great ideas!

First....some great treats and goodies from the leprechauns and your own little ones.  Click on any of the links below the pictures for how-to's and free printables
to help you create your own goodies.

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Oh how I loved those little  butterscotch candies at my Nana's house 

when I was a little girl!

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Rainbow cookies inside...

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And a great non-sweet treat!

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Here are some fun FREE gift tags to accompany your goodies for either classmates or a special teacher.

Just click on the link below to download them...super easy!

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All of the above goodies would also be great as goody bags if you are throwing a little St. Patrick's day partay!   Speaking of...check out these great party ideas and free printables to go along with it!  These are great for the adult party as well as the party for the little people in your life!

This fun St. Patty's Playdate is cute with all green food...

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Or how about a St. Patrick's Day Green Dessert Bar?  

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The streamer backdrop on this party is just adorable!  

Or how about this great banner?  Click on the link for the free printable!

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Check out this spread... even includes some "lucky juice"...

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And my most favorite of ALL... this party takes the cake (no pun intended!)

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They even shared some free printable to create your own St. Patrick's Day party.  Click HERE.

No party would be complete without incredible food.  Here are some fun treats for both the young and old to help celebrate.

I'm not quite sure how or when it happened, but cupcakes are no longer just chocolate or vanilla with icing and maybe a few sprinkles...they have become full on ART!  Check these out.

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And if you're a little more basic with your baking like I am, but still want the fun...check out these cupcakes with the cute toppers.

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Or how about a festive cake??

Green velvet anyone?

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Or rainbow?

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And there's always cake pops...

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And a personal favorite...chocolate pretzels..yum!

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Maybe you'd rather something a little healthier...try a fruit rainbow.

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For beverages....

For the kids, a leprechaun float

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Hot chocolate or a hot toddy???

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And last, but not least...beer, ale, stout...whatever you call it!  

Click on the link for some authentic Irish drinks.

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If you have no party planned, but still want to add a little festive spirit to your children's day...try some of these great ideas.

For breakfast... rainbow pancakes, waffles and eggs. Or even green pancakes???

(I don't like to use tons of food coloring...not good for the body, but they certainly look fun)

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Or maybe some green milk and cereal?   What could be easier than the cereal made by leprechauns??

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And for lunch and/or dinner.....these take it to a whole new level.

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Almost too cute or scary maybe to eat???

I think I'll stick with the more basics...

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I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day regardless if you have festivities or not!

And I leave you with one of my favorite Irish blessings...

May the road rise to meet you, 
May the wind be always at your back, 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
The rains fall soft upon your fields 
and, Until we meet again 
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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