Pioneer Children... walked and walked and...

Family home evening last night was pioneer themed. We invited some friends to join us on our mini trek. We read a cute children's story(When Pioneer Wagons Rumbled West, by Christine Graham), sang pioneer songs, and then ventured forth. I had rigged up our garden wagon with hoola-hoops and a little sewing to make a covered wagon. Brett left some "challenges"hidden along the trail. The kids had to find them, read a little about the trials the pioneers faced, and then try the challenge.

The one that tugged at my heart was challenge #2: "Sometimes ma's and pa's died along the trail. Try going a little way with out our help." My friend and I handed our babies to our oldest girls and stood back. As I watched our two seven-year olds daughters hold their baby brothers and struggle to keep hiking, I could see it - feel it - how it must have been for those families. How those parents who had "gone ahead" must have hovered near and tried to strengthen those children who had to carry on without them. Good grief, I sobbing as I write this!

The kids got to dress up a little. My son and his little bud getting all cowboy-ed up. I was laughing when Ben came down dressed like that... check out the plaid and the overalls. Madi and her friend. I told each of the kids to bring one special toy. One of the challenges later was that they had to leave the toy along the trail. (Don't worry, they didn't really have to leave it behind).
I whipped this skirt and apron out for Brooke a the last minute. She LOVED being a pioneer in her new duds.

These little pioneers seem to be excited to "leave their homes behind." The wagon in the back was my afternoons labors. Unfortunately it didn't last long.

My friend's little guy really had fun riding in the wagon.

If you ignore the buildings, it really looks authentic. Cool place for a mini trek huh? Yup, this is a block from my front door.

This was another one of the challenges. These three pioneer "got sick"and had to ride in the wagon for a bit. Daddy made it easy on the others and was the "oxen" the whole time. Poor guy. Well, at least this challenge was when we were on flat ground and not on one of the monster hills we hiked.

The kids had to hop on one foot for a few minutes... Challenge #3: "some pioneer children didn't have any shoes... pretend you just got a thorn in your foot."

We made it! And what do you know, "merry and happy where they," the whole way.

The "fun to do list"

I am a list maker. Mostly because after giving birth to four children, I have lost a lot of brain cells and can't remember things with out writing them down or having one of my children responsible for reminding me. That reminds me, I'd better jot down a few calendering things before I... oh shoot, what was I supposed to write down? hee hee

So this week, I decided to do the things I really should have done with my kids on the week I re-did my kitchen. This is my penance. The kids sat down with me and each of them shouted out a few of the "fun things" they wanted to do. It is only Tuesday, and I have to say, this has been the most fun I have had this summer! The list looks something like this:

• Go yard sale-ing
• Go to the library
• Picnic at the park
• Go to volleyball
• Sew Madi's dress
• Go swimming
• Tea party
• Run through sprinklers
• Play at another park
• Back yard camp out
• Drive-in movie party
• Go to pet store
• doughnut run
• Go to another park
• Go to more parks
• Family bike rides

I don't know why I get so caught up in getting my silly house work done . Fun with my kids is just WAY MORE FUN! We just finished our cardboard box cars and are going to have our "drive-in" in the family room tonight. (My car is a little small to sit in for a couple hours comfortably... I think I'll just let Connor sit in it).

So here is the lesson I have learned this week: Laundry and dirty dishes will still be there waiting for me (unfortunately) but my kids will only be little (and wanting me to play with them) for a short time. So have a fun day... I'm going to read stories with my cuties.

Basket makeover

I just finished this project last night and wanted to... is it ok to say "show it off?" I found this little beauty at a yard sale for a dollar. If you can't tell, it's an old picnic basket. And while it is very charming as is... I had plans for the unsuspecting little basket.So I hit the power tools and had a little fun. Yes those are my old college chemistry goggles for those of you wondering... but now they are ultra sweet power tool mom gear.

I ripped off the old top. Lined the whole basket with masonite to make it more sturdy. (Hooray for my new table saw... also from a yard sale. I know, its so sweet!) A yard of polka dot fabric, little hot glue and a lot of tiny screws later: my happenin' new basket! But hold the phone...


Now it's my guest bathroom, um... well I have haven't exactly figured out what to put in it, but hey, its done. (I just won't be showing my husband how many holes I put in the wall. Those stupid stud finders don't work!)

Who needs a drinking fountain?

It was bedtime... I'm running hither and yon trying to brush four sets of teeth, find pj's for everyone, check that they've done their chores and all those things that roll around at bedtime. And this is where I find Connor. Its amazing what the younger siblings learn from the older ones.
What a cheesy grin!

Just getting drink before bedtime.

Kitchen Makeover

So here are the before and after pictures of my "cheap" kitchen makeover project. (No new counter tops, flooring or cupboards... so I had to be creative). This is the kitchen BEFORE! Be advised.... the colors are about to get CRAZY. Here's what happens when my honey leaves me for a week and my sister comes to visit. I still have a lot of decorating to do and a little window treatmet, but you get the idea.

I had to sand down my "wood flavored" doors, prime, paint, whack and distress (which was interesting with particle board) and them stain and wipe off. Sounds fun huh? So if the cupboards look old... they're supposed to. :)

Do It Yourself @#%&?!

My Honey had a week-long training conference far, far away. So instead of just relaxing with my kidlets, swimming, reading and picnicking... I decided to re-do my kitchen. (I discovered that I would make a very lousy military wife! Trying to be the fix-it guy AND the mom was harder than I thought).
Anyway... I packed up my kitchen, made a few freezer meals and only kept out the things the kids and I would need for the week. Guess what? It has now been almost two weeks and I am still not done. The daddy is back (thank goodness) but now there is still no kitchen and we are all getting tired of sandwiches.
I am hoping to get some before and after pictures for you. Unfortunately all I have is before and during. So I'll have to get back with you on that one.

Kids travel games

I thought I'd better get this posted because I knew that some of you were getting ready to hit the road this next week. If this helps you even a little, it is worth the effort! I am just going to share a few of the ideas I have used and gleaned from others.

• A "travel bag"~ for each child. This helps eliminate fighting over things. I also keep one myself to hide a few extra things just in case.

• Trip to the dollar store~ I usually pick up one new book or toy for each child and scope out their work book and sticker selection. For the babies in the fam (don't laugh) but I look in the dog toy section for those squeaky toys.
• Coloring or work books~ dollar store and/or make a few minny size from picts on the Internet (Print four to a page, cut, staple, ta-da!)
• Make a book or blank note books~ Use colored paper for the cover and blank for the pages. Staple or sew binding. Personalize with their name. Let them write or draw their own story.
• Car bingo~ also printable online or make your own (I added cows, cactus and other stuff)
• Skittles Car bingo~ This is a new favorite! Eat a skittle when you see that color car... you might want to buy both kinds to have more colors.
• Gift wrapped~ This was GREAT!!! Put a little surprise in wrapping paper or a paper lunch sacks sewn shut. Let them open one every now and then. (All I wrapped was a tiny book and stickers and they thought it was the best).
• Color pencils~ NO CRAYONS! My kids all have pencil pouches~less fighting again.
• Colorwonder, explosions, aqua doodle.... Crayola makes a collection of great car friendly stuff. (If you are willing to invest in it $$) Doodle pro is fun too.
• Stickers~ don't forget a book to stick it on to avoid window decor
• Window cling stickers~ I'm not sure I would do both regular and clings on one trip. They are likely to be confused.
• Treats then don't usually get
• Pipe cleaners or tin foil~ have a sculpting contest
• Glow bracelets~ a must for night or evening travel
• Paper dolls~ (The dollar store has re-stickable dress up doll stickers) or find online
• Cat's cradle~ remember that string game when we were little? Use elastic or yarn and teach them how.
• I spy bag~ E-mail me if you need the instructions
• Books!
• Pit stop fun things~ Jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, etc. (fun stuff for the kids to do when you make a potty stop).
• Paper clips~ create necklaces and things with them. The colored ones are fun and easier to spot when its clean up time.
  

• Story box~ Use a school box or something small. Cover inside with felt. Cut out felt scenery. Using heavy pellon, trace or draw characters with pen and color with colored pencil. It's a bit of work, but will really entertain.

• Baby games~ for the small ones this is a fun one. It 's like pulling the Kleenexes out of the box. Use any kind of plastic container they can pull fabric through. Empty frosting containers with a hole in the lid, the round baby wipe containers, I used a powdered country time lemonade bottle). Use handkerchiefs or alternate colored fabric. Make at least a few feet long or what ever can fit in the bottle.(I used ribbing because I ran out of time to hem regular fabric. Tie or sew together and let them pull and pull and pull.

• Baby game #2~ Similar game... another empty container with a smaller hole in the lid. I used pompoms and let my baby keep putting them in the hole.

Good luck on your family vacation! Hope you have a wonder time and I hope this helps a bit! If you have any MORE ideas PLEASE share them!!! I would love to add to my kids travel bags for next time.