shaving cream + sunny day =

A happy boy! When I was teaching we would do shaving cream spelling. I had high hopes of doing some letters and sight words with Charley this afternoon. But I ran in the house to grab something and when I returned he was very busy .... covering himself. I think I will just let him have at it and then run through the sprinkler. For those of you who need a fun way to get your kiddos ready for school. Shaving cream and a finger will be the ultimate way to practice spelling words, letters, sight words, math problems...and more. The dollar store sells it for a dollar a large can!

The Foamerator!

One of my favorite monthly parenting resources is Family Fun magazine. A subscription for it isn't very expensive and usually once you order one you can order another one for five bucks...so if you don't get it ...talk to a girlfriend before ordering so you can take advantage of the deal. In the August issue they featured "The Foamerator!" Ed's aunt Katie also let us know that it worked and her daycare kids loved it. By cutting off the bottom of a plastic water bottle, securing a damp washcloth to the bottom with a rope or rubber band, and then dipping it in a shallow bowl of dish soap - you can have loads of fun. Charley is still working on blowing deep breaths for this one but it was a hoot.

Silly Putty with a Silly Guy

Homemade Silly Putty

What You Need:

• Two parts white glue
• One part liquid starch

What You Do:

• Mix ingredients and let dry until workable (like silly putty is supposed to be - I actually just started working it in my hands and the right texture came about faster. I did not let it sit and dry) . Add more glue or starch if necessary. Store in airtight container.

Chalk paint

Recipe:

1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup cold water
Food coloring for color

Charley enjoy the mixing of this the most. The paint will paint rocks and sidewalk...but small areas at a time. Happy Painting!

Doctor! Doctor!

Today Charley's challenge was to be Dr. Charley. He had some patients that had lost body parts. (I cut out people in magazines and trimmed a body part or two off each one) He had to find the body parts and glue them back together. It was great!

I could see him enjoying making silly people and mismatching the body parts too....hmmmm...maybe tomorrow!

cereal puzzles...

Just heard this idea from a friend. She got it from her summer reading program. It is fast and easy if you need an activity to keep your kids out of your way for awhile…………cut the front off of your empty cereal box and cut into pieces, making a puzzle. Do this with several different kinds, mixing pieces in one bag so kids have to figure out which piece goes with which cereal box………………………….

Thanks Kimberly!

Free the....

Freeze a small toy in a bucket of water and then have the kids work hard to "Free the _____. from the ice. They can use squirt guns, water, tools, or other creative measures. Sounds like fun to me! We will be doing this on the next hot day!