Gotta love these moments!!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Felt...oh how I love thee TUTORIAL
The other day I was thinking about the church I grew up in. I was remembering the felt board my teacher used to teach us the stories of Jesus. Who didn't want to be the one who was called to place baby Jesus in the manger or put the crown on Jesus' head?
Anyways...felt was fun! And it still can be fun!
I thought about making my own portable felt boards. You know, so the kids can bring them to the doctors office or to a restaurant. We also do a lot of traveling over the holiday's and we are always looking for car ride entertainment. And don't forget Christmas gifts! I have a number of small people in my life who would love to play with some felt!
So here it is...my little portable felt board tutorial!
Supplies:
Felt in all sorts of colors (I bought it by the yard because it was %50 off and MUCH cheaper)
scissors (regular and crafty ones)
cookie cut outs
ribbon
Step one: Cut out your background. Mine is about 12X12. Then make scenes to go with it. I made water and hills for the boys and hills and rocks for the girls.
Step two: Find your fancy cookie cutters. I got this whole bin on a giveaway table at church and pick out some fun shapes. Trace on felt and cut out.
Step three: You can either make a small little pouch for your felt pieces or just get a baggy for them. Roll up your background and tie with a ribbon...
Step three: Find a small person to play with it.
Anyways...felt was fun! And it still can be fun!
I thought about making my own portable felt boards. You know, so the kids can bring them to the doctors office or to a restaurant. We also do a lot of traveling over the holiday's and we are always looking for car ride entertainment. And don't forget Christmas gifts! I have a number of small people in my life who would love to play with some felt!
So here it is...my little portable felt board tutorial!
Supplies:
Felt in all sorts of colors (I bought it by the yard because it was %50 off and MUCH cheaper)
scissors (regular and crafty ones)
cookie cut outs
ribbon
Step one: Cut out your background. Mine is about 12X12. Then make scenes to go with it. I made water and hills for the boys and hills and rocks for the girls.
Step two: Find your fancy cookie cutters. I got this whole bin on a giveaway table at church and pick out some fun shapes. Trace on felt and cut out.
Step three: You can either make a small little pouch for your felt pieces or just get a baggy for them. Roll up your background and tie with a ribbon...
Step three: Find a small person to play with it.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The tale of three children
Once upon a time, there lived a family whom we shall call the Riedl's. They lived in a little house in the quiet country where they raised three beautiful children.
Although, the country was quiet, the Riedl kids were not so quiet. They were often times heard loudy playing in the yard, or seen streaking around the house. The neighbors stayed away from these "loud" children as they were not familiar with those of the louder breed.
Want to hear about those precious little children?
The eldest of the Riedl's, Kylie, was a musical little one. She did not enjoy toys very much and would much rather be dancing and singing! She was also quite independent and loved to tell others how to perform in her "shows".
On a cold winter day, Kylie was up to her usual "dancing tactics" when she put in some old tunes. Today's performance would be to Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel. She got dressed up and put her "stage lights on" while her brother and sister waited patiently to see the show. To their surprise, they were not welcome at today's performance. Instead, she would be having a "dress rehearsal". She started the music and made sure NO ONE was watching.
Well, little did she know she had one tricky mama who was hiding around the corner. Today, the mama heard something different...she heard nothing BUT Carrie Underwood. No Kylie at all! When she looked, she realized Kylie's mouth was moving but no words were to be heard. Kylie had one hand in the air with her eye's closed with a microphone in the other. The mama let out of little chuckle at her 5 year old's cuteness and instantly was caught. Kylie stormed out of the room, telling the mom how much she had embarrassed her and RUINED the performance...her LIFE! Good thing the mama had a good sense of humor and decided to write a story about it instead of getting mad....if only one could have seen the look on her face.
It was an early morning (as it was every morning). The cute little dimple faced boy burst into his daddy and mama's room only to announce that, "HE DID IT". What did he do you ask? Well, you see this little boy does not need to sleep. He only needs a quick little recharge and he ready to go! But I digress... You see on this particular morning, Cooper actually slept until the ripe hour of 6 am. It was a miracle I tell you and we rejoiced together.
A little later that morning, Cooper had an announcement to make. "MOM...my farts smell like really, really, REALLY bad rotten eggs and I think you need to smell them". To the mom's dismay, she quickly redirected the conversation and corrected the term *fart* and instructed the little boy to use the term *toot* instead. Cooper just laughed...and laughed...and said, "fart, fart, FART". At this point the mama decided to do some planned ignoring only to hear, "Addy, smell my farts....Kylie, that was a bad one". The mama threw her hands up and said, "Cooper, we do NOT say *fart* in our house". The response you ask? "Mom, boys cannot say toot. Toot is for girwls (girls) becaws (because) it is just girwly (girly). Boy's say FART!". The mama backed down and decided it was a hopeless cause. You see, boys are boys and they will just be smelly boys forever!
Addison (otherwise none as Addy), was the baby of the family. And boy did she make it known. She was a spitfire from birth and did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. Now don't get me wrong, this little pig tailed beauty was the sweetest little thing too. She loved to give hugs and kisses and couldn't get enough of her mama! But none the less, she was persistent.
One day, Miss Addy decided she was ready to potty train. Although the mama wasn't familiar with children who potty trained before they could even really talk, that little one was persistent. She would rip off her diaper and sit on the potty and most often time would actually go to the bathroom. She quickly realized she got an M&M for the above stated action and would try over and over and OVER again.
As you can imagine, there was a new fascination with the potty. It was a big, huge bowl of water and what little kid could resist it! There were days of "No, no, Addy! Don't touch the potty!." But Miss Addy did not care what the mama said and did what she wanted to (remember..she was a persistent little cutie).
One snowy evening, the Riedl's were heading out to the annual Christmas walk in town. The mama was running around the house trying to get everyone in their snow attire and herself ready as well. Little Addy had another idea. It was brilliant I tell you! She was thirsty, yes I said thirsty after talking about the big bowl of water! She was given a little bowl of gold fish to "hold her over" while the mama did the above stated activities. "Why not dip those little sucker in the potty so they can swim...and then I will catch them and eat them! YUM!" thought Addy. To make matters worse, there was some "leftover" waste in the potty from a previous child. While the mama gagged, the little girl laughed and was proud of herself for succeeding at her mission.
And that is the end of today's tale of three children. Make sure you stay tuned for more great adventures of the Riedl clan!
*No children were injured during the events described in these stories
Although, the country was quiet, the Riedl kids were not so quiet. They were often times heard loudy playing in the yard, or seen streaking around the house. The neighbors stayed away from these "loud" children as they were not familiar with those of the louder breed.
Want to hear about those precious little children?
Chapter 1
Kylie the great
Kylie the great
The eldest of the Riedl's, Kylie, was a musical little one. She did not enjoy toys very much and would much rather be dancing and singing! She was also quite independent and loved to tell others how to perform in her "shows".
On a cold winter day, Kylie was up to her usual "dancing tactics" when she put in some old tunes. Today's performance would be to Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel. She got dressed up and put her "stage lights on" while her brother and sister waited patiently to see the show. To their surprise, they were not welcome at today's performance. Instead, she would be having a "dress rehearsal". She started the music and made sure NO ONE was watching.
Well, little did she know she had one tricky mama who was hiding around the corner. Today, the mama heard something different...she heard nothing BUT Carrie Underwood. No Kylie at all! When she looked, she realized Kylie's mouth was moving but no words were to be heard. Kylie had one hand in the air with her eye's closed with a microphone in the other. The mama let out of little chuckle at her 5 year old's cuteness and instantly was caught. Kylie stormed out of the room, telling the mom how much she had embarrassed her and RUINED the performance...her LIFE! Good thing the mama had a good sense of humor and decided to write a story about it instead of getting mad....if only one could have seen the look on her face.
Chapter 2
No Cooper, No!
Although one could tell stories of this handsome, blond haired boy for hours, in this chapter you will hear of the most resent.No Cooper, No!
It was an early morning (as it was every morning). The cute little dimple faced boy burst into his daddy and mama's room only to announce that, "HE DID IT". What did he do you ask? Well, you see this little boy does not need to sleep. He only needs a quick little recharge and he ready to go! But I digress... You see on this particular morning, Cooper actually slept until the ripe hour of 6 am. It was a miracle I tell you and we rejoiced together.
A little later that morning, Cooper had an announcement to make. "MOM...my farts smell like really, really, REALLY bad rotten eggs and I think you need to smell them". To the mom's dismay, she quickly redirected the conversation and corrected the term *fart* and instructed the little boy to use the term *toot* instead. Cooper just laughed...and laughed...and said, "fart, fart, FART". At this point the mama decided to do some planned ignoring only to hear, "Addy, smell my farts....Kylie, that was a bad one". The mama threw her hands up and said, "Cooper, we do NOT say *fart* in our house". The response you ask? "Mom, boys cannot say toot. Toot is for girwls (girls) becaws (because) it is just girwly (girly). Boy's say FART!". The mama backed down and decided it was a hopeless cause. You see, boys are boys and they will just be smelly boys forever!
Chapter 3
Addy goes fishing
Addy goes fishing
Addison (otherwise none as Addy), was the baby of the family. And boy did she make it known. She was a spitfire from birth and did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. Now don't get me wrong, this little pig tailed beauty was the sweetest little thing too. She loved to give hugs and kisses and couldn't get enough of her mama! But none the less, she was persistent.One day, Miss Addy decided she was ready to potty train. Although the mama wasn't familiar with children who potty trained before they could even really talk, that little one was persistent. She would rip off her diaper and sit on the potty and most often time would actually go to the bathroom. She quickly realized she got an M&M for the above stated action and would try over and over and OVER again.
As you can imagine, there was a new fascination with the potty. It was a big, huge bowl of water and what little kid could resist it! There were days of "No, no, Addy! Don't touch the potty!." But Miss Addy did not care what the mama said and did what she wanted to (remember..she was a persistent little cutie).
One snowy evening, the Riedl's were heading out to the annual Christmas walk in town. The mama was running around the house trying to get everyone in their snow attire and herself ready as well. Little Addy had another idea. It was brilliant I tell you! She was thirsty, yes I said thirsty after talking about the big bowl of water! She was given a little bowl of gold fish to "hold her over" while the mama did the above stated activities. "Why not dip those little sucker in the potty so they can swim...and then I will catch them and eat them! YUM!" thought Addy. To make matters worse, there was some "leftover" waste in the potty from a previous child. While the mama gagged, the little girl laughed and was proud of herself for succeeding at her mission.
And that is the end of today's tale of three children. Make sure you stay tuned for more great adventures of the Riedl clan!
*No children were injured during the events described in these stories
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas fun with your kiddos
Every other day, my kids and I do some "learning" together. We sit in a circle and sing songs, talk about what day it is, the weather, and then do some activities together. When Kylie is home, she joins us but most days it is just Cooper, Addy and I.
Anyways, I am always looking for new and creative ways to teach my kids. It's always fun during the holidays to come up with new crafts and activities for the kids. BUT...sometimes, I forget about all of the crafts we did as kids. It is also difficult to find activities for all of my kids. Kylie will come home from school and ask to do a "project" so I like to have some handy for her (preferably one I did with the others earlier in the day).
I figured I would share a few crafts with you all that you can use for ALL your children.
Anyways, I am always looking for new and creative ways to teach my kids. It's always fun during the holidays to come up with new crafts and activities for the kids. BUT...sometimes, I forget about all of the crafts we did as kids. It is also difficult to find activities for all of my kids. Kylie will come home from school and ask to do a "project" so I like to have some handy for her (preferably one I did with the others earlier in the day).
I figured I would share a few crafts with you all that you can use for ALL your children.
- The hand wreath...
Yes, some of us did this as kids but it is just fun....
- The Teeny Tiny Book of Christmas Alphabet for your preschooler
- Christmas Reindeer Craft
Directions: Make a reindeer by shaping the pipe cleaner into a V shape and gluing it to the top, back of the stick; glue on wiggle eyes and nose, and draw a mouth. You can make this a gift tag by writing To: and From: on it; you can use the ribbon and make it an ornament; or you can make it a magnet.
- Egg Carton Tree
Directions: Cup the egg cartons so you have one row of 6 cups, one row of 5 cups, and so on to 1 cup. Paint the outside of the egg cup green. When the paint is dry, glue them on a large sheet of paper as follows: Glue the 6 cup row on the bottom of the paper, just above that glue the 5 cup row, and so on until you have used all the cups. It should look like a triangle when you are done. Decorate with misc. craft items - Christmas Necklace
Directions: Cut 2-3 feet of cling wrap and lay flat on table. Starting on one end, place candy in the center of the cling wrap. Do this the whole length of the cling wrap, leaving 2-3 inches between each candy. Fold the cling wrap over a few times - the long way- to seal the candy. Tie a piece of curling ribbon around the cling wrap in between each piece if candy. Tie the ends together to make a necklace.
- Santa Hat
Directions: Cut out a large triangle out of red construction paper. Glue on the cotton balls to make a white ball on one of the triangle tips, and glue cotton balls along the
bottom edge to form the brim. You can also cut out two triangles and tape or staple them together to make a hat to fit the child's head.
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