Pig Kahuna / by Jennifer Sattler

In our little corner, of this great big earth, the weather is getting a little bit warmer.  It's spring time!

This time of year ALWAYS inspires us to get outside, take a walk and go on ADVENTURES!   We seem to start our adventures on already familiar paths, and usually we are able to discover things we have seen before…and this is a lot of fun!  BUT, do you ever take a different turn on your walk, or walk a little further than normal?  Do you sometimes notice things like bugs, flowers or maybe even rocks that you had never noticed before?  If you answered "yes" to these questions then you were absolutely on an adventure!

In "Pig Kahuna", Fergus, takes a familiar walk with his little brother to find interesting items to add to their treasure collection.  What Fergus doesn't know is that he will be taking a bigger adventure than he ever expected!  Ask your child the above (highlighted) questions…but, don't read the book yet!

PIG KAHUNA

by Jennifer Sattler

Items you'll need:
small bag
Play dough (my 'go to' play dough recipe is posted below) / or *paper plate and glue
various items from your nature stroll (small stones, twigs, shells, leaves….etc.)

Kool Aid makes it smell delicious!

First: Take a short nature stroll and collect cool and interesting items you find (keep items in a small bag until you start the art activity).

Second: When you are back at home, find a comfy spot and NOW read "Pig Kahuna".

Third: Ask your child to find a spot at the craft table, with their bag of collected 'treasure'.  As they are getting settled, give them a baseball size glob of play dough (or paper plate) and ask some questions "What was the biggest treasure Fergus collected?"  "Why didn't Fergus want to put the surf board into the water?"  What fear did Fergus overcome from his unexpected adventure?"

Fourth: Have your child roll the play dough into a ball.  Then, with their hands, have them flatten the ball into a circle…about the size of a small plate.

Fifth: The child can now dump out their bag of treasure, sort through it and start squishing items into the play dough (or glueing them onto paper plate).  When the project is complete, place it somewhere it can safely dry and harden.  When it's done, your child can display his/her collection on a side table for everyone to see and enjoy! (this makes a GREAT conversation starter for when Grandma comes to visit!)

The finished product!
*(not quite dry)*
We had to use treasures we found inside
…spring brought us an unexpected & chilly storm.
But, the idea is the same!

Play dough color will fade as it dries…boys be warned, red turns to pink!  This project also looks awesome in colorless play dough, especially with outdoor treasure!

*what the project looks like glued onto a paper plate*

As you can see, this project can look completely different, according to what your treasure is and how you display it!

Either way this is a fun activity your kids can brag about for some time to come!









"Be brave.  Even if you're not, pretend to be.  No one can tell the difference."  ...anonymous

Peace, Sunshine and Happy Adventures!
Lisa

Elmer / David McKee

*Elmer was not elephant color.  He was patchwork.*

The story about Elmer can be understood by just about each and every human being.  Ask your children some questions about how they see themselves and how they feel others see them.  "What makes you different from other kids?"  What would you change about yourself, if you could?"  "Would it make you happier?"

Self confidence is a touchy subject with some children.  The story about Elmer can help a child know that it is OK to be different, unique from others.  It's what makes them special!  Explain you love your child/children and the little things you find so special about them.

Read "Elmer" by David McKee….

ACTIVITY:

supplies you will need:

art apron & plastic gloves

paper towel

2 white pieces of paper

small water dropper (or a straw)

small cup of water

food coloring

(optional: a cookie sheet - for working surface)

Run water onto a paper towel until it is nice and wet.  Ring out the paper towel just enough so it's not dripping but still quite damp.  Lay the paper towel onto the cookie sheet.

i like cookie sheets because the have an edge to catch messy messes
*and they are non porous!
*and you can get them at the dollar store!

Place the white piece of paper onto the wet paper towel.  Press the paper into the paper towel until you see the water marks seeping through.  (if you are making a frame, like I did, make sure to press the sides of the paper a little harder)

the reason we get the paper towel wet and not the paper itself
is because we don't want the paper soaked.

see the water marks?
that's where i pressed down the hardest to get the most moisture

Gloves!  Open the food colors your child likes the most.  Help them line the edge of the paper with little color dots (shown).  If you are weary about allowing your child to use food coloring, you drip it onto the paper…have your child show you exactly where he/she wants each color dropped! 

Fill a small cup half full of water.  Take the small dropper, or straw, collect enough water into the tube for a few drops of water.  Have your child give each color drop one or two droplets of water.  More than 2 and the colors will start to bleed together and look like mud…trust me.  

The water will run a bit and spread out the colors.  Take the paper off the cookie sheet and place it in a safe place to dry.  Remember, the food coloring will dye any porous surface it comes in contact with…So, I suggest letting it dry outside on the grass or inside on a granite or stainless surface.

see how the colors start to spread out?

While this project is drying, have your child create a self portrait on a slightly smaller piece of white paper. (I usually cut an inch off all 4 sides of the paper)  Or, you can spend some time taking "selfy" pictures….funny, serious and crazy faces are all acceptable!!  When the portrait is finished, or the pictures are ready, paste them into the middle of the dried colored paper…creating a frame! (shown below!)  Hang it on the fridge and celebrate your child's uniqueness each time you look at it.  You could also laminate it or put it in a real frame for a more permanent display.

Little Miss S never looked to bright and cheerful!

Encourage your child to admire their work!!  Ask some questions: "Tell me about your portrait?" "What's the most beautiful part of this work of art?"  "Can you tell me what you like the most about YOU?" 

I REALLY hope the story of Elmer and this beautiful activity encourages feelings of self confidence and self worth within your child's little spirit!  Tell them you love them EVERYDAY!  Compliments can't ever be given too often!

Peace!

Lisa

Kite Day / by Will Hillenbrand

"Come on!" Bear waved to Mole, "Kite day is here!"

Present your child with the book "Kite Day" and have them take a look at the front cover.  Then ask

"What kind of day is a 'kite day'?"  "Do Bear and Mole look excited to fly their kite?"  "Who would you ask to help you make a kite?"   

For this precarious activity, you will need to visit pinkstripeysocks.com.  There, you will find all supplies, instructions and photo's you need (all items can be found around the home) to make your own kites.  I take NO credit for this idea, except that I found it on Pinterest.  It was so cute and simple…I had to give it a test run!

Pink Stripey Socks

Go outside and engage your child and yourself in the fascination of kite flying!  Spend some time with this one….it's good to breathe the clean, fresh, spring air!  This activity could include a visit to the park with a friend or as a play date.

After the kite flying frenzy, sit down on the grass with your child, a cold drink and the book Kite Day.  Start a simple discussion about the story of Bear and Mole and the hurdles they faced when flying their kite.  You might start the discussion by asking "What items did Bear and Mole use to make their kite?" and "Where did Bear and Mole find their kite after the dark, heavy clouds carried it away?" and "Who did the fallen kite help?"

Keep it simple and enjoy!

Peace!
Lisa

p.s. Thank You Pink Stripey Socks!!!

paper clip bracelets/necklaces

Fun project for indoor play days!

PAPER CLIP BRACELETS

What do you need?  Well, look around, you probably have the supplies at home!

1.  Paper clips

2.  beads, sequins, plastic flowers…. (anything with a small hole in the middle)

this is what I found in my craft drawer
what's in yours?  use it!

Start by threading beads (or whatever you're using) through the end of a paper clip.  Push them around the first bend.  Repeat with a second paper clip.  Hook the second paper clip onto the first paper clip.  Squeeze the first paper clip closed (so the beads don't fall off).  Repeat this process until the bracelet fits!  You can also make beautiful necklaces.  Remember, I'm just sharing the guidelines…your creativity may take you in a different direction.  HAVE FUN!

my finished bracelet!

Questions?  I'll answer them!

Peace!

Lisa