Scavenger Hunt anyone???

My kids are usually very good at entertaining themselves. They are creative and love to play with anything you put in front of them. But sometimes they are "bored"...believe me they have plenty to do but they need encouragement to do!
So today we Scavenger hunted...I loved this because it gave my five year old a reason to read and the items were easy enough for my three year old to help find.
This is a quick and easy activity for anyone to put together.

Here's what you'll need:
Something to write with...my preference a green sharpie
Something to write on...blue and purple construction paper
All you need to do now is write down things they can see walking down the street or in your backyard

This was our list:
Something Blue
3 green leaves
1 white rock
pink boat (this is one of our pool toys)
something round
a red car
a blue house
bee
ant
bird
I just loved the way my kids were running up and down our street and even in the backyard.
I see a summer filled with some great hunts!

 

We are planning a trip to the Outer Banks {our first time...so excited!!!} and I think I will be making a car drive hunt with pictures for the little one.
Oh the possibilities!

Owls, toads, and deer...Oh my!

Today Jake's class took their last kindergarten field trip {tear} to Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford. 
We had a wonderful time checking out the Pinelands and all the rescued animals.
It was a bit on the hot side...ok...it was pretty brutal but we had a great time.
Here are a few shots from our trip!

 I just adored her hat!!!

 A snake skeleton.

Kind of gross but I had to share.

 Boy did I wish there was ice!

 Fox

 Barred Owl

 Swan...who was very cranky.

He went after anyone and anything who went in "his lake"

 Checking out a box turtle

 Huge White Tailed Deer

 This toad decided to strut his stuff

 Can you see the lizard???

We had a great day!!!

KINDERGARTEN

Could it really be June in just a few days??
Can this school year be almost over??
Can kindergarten be almost over??
I honestly can not believe how fast this year has gone and how so many prayers have been answered.
And it is completely emotional for me.
School never came easy for me {and yes I know I'm a teacher but that's how I roll...when i struggle with something it becomes my goal to overcome it!} and I worried that my faults may have been passed on to my little guy.

I have seen more growth in my boy over the last 9 months than I ever thought I would, and I couldn't be happier with his experience.
...but really we have all had this experience.
From the time Lizzy and I spend in the classroom volunteering or just dropping off and picking up Jake, to the field trips...I am a room mom after all!
I have met some pretty great families too....I couldn't be more thankful for the families we have met and the friends we have created!
I can't wait to see what the next few weeks will hold as we wrap up our first kindergarten experience!

Pinterest Friday....DIY Night Lights

Let me begin by saying that I am in no way an artist. But I do love a good DIY!!!
So when my daughter started waking up in the middle of the night complaining her room was too dark I began searching for something crafty to help me. I found this amazing site on Pinterest and decided to try it  out.


The moment I saw it I knew this was the perfect solution. Check out the site here
I knew that my pink princess would like something that would match her decor!

With a couple canvases and stencils purchased at Joann Fabrics, and a lot of time, I came up with something she really loved. I used an exacto knife and some masking tape to put the Christmas lights on. I only used a strand of 35. Really, it is so bright I could have used much less if I could find them.
THE FINAL PRODUCT!!!!
She just loves it. She wanted me to add a princess to the castle...like I said, I'm no artist so that may have to wait!

And when I do something this special for one I have to do something for the other....

This is a great project for the most anti-dyiers.
I love that I can give something of myself to my kids.

JAKE

Today Jake got out some trains, which he hasn't played with in ages! I love that he can pick up something that he hasn't played with in so long and it is as if he hasn't changed at all.

(Sorry this is so dark)

It got me to thinking just how much he has grown and changed over the last almost 6 years. And I love him more every single day!

JAKE...

Jake is smart, energetic (beyond measure), and spirited.

He is all about Transformers, Power Rangers, and Star Wars.

He is outspoken (I have no idea where he gets that from)

He is warm, loving, and has a heart for the Lord.

He is a protector for his little sister.

He has surprised me with how much he has learned in Kindergarten over this last year.
He wants to be just like his Daddy!
He challenges me on a daily basis to be a better mom and person.

I thank God each and everyday for Jake, he is a blessing!

I love him so much....all the way to the moon and back!

BTW...last week we had to send in a picture of Jake as a baby to school. They are starting to write autobiographies and needed a baby story from us. I am so excited to see what this will become...I loved looking through all the pictures and pick one. The four in the middle picture didn't make the cut but how darn cute are they??? 

Pinterest Friday...lovely towels

I've decided to take my obsession and make it useful.
If you've been living under a rock you may not know what Pinterest is so I will try my best to explain.
Pinterest is a great place for sharing ideas, thoughts, and discoveries.
If you find something interesting on the internet you can easily "pin" it to one of you boards and others will be able to see it.
Whether it is a design of a living room, a neat tip for cleaning, recipes, or a great outfit...you can find it all on Pinterest.
So I thought I would share how I have made Pinterest useful in my life.

I stumbled across this pin and just had to try it.

I love using CHEAP, everyday household products to help enhance my everyday things.
Here is the tip:
wash towels in 1 Cup of vinegar on hot, then again with 1/2 cup of baking soda on hot. They will smell 10 times better...you don't realize how musty and gross they smell over time!

Okay so I decided to do this and it was fantastic. Just putting the towels in the dryer I could tell they didn't have any smell to them at all. I have a very very very old washer and there always seems to be a musty smell. I think this took care of a little care on the washer too.
Love this one...
Stay tuned next Friday I'll pick another Pinterest fave and let you know how it goes!
Making the fun practical!

CALLING ALL MOVERS!!!!

Ok...I have to confess that I am a bit obsessed with my kids favorite music group, The Imagination Movers.

When my oldest was two years old (and the youngest was just born) we discovered their show on the Disney Channel.

Dave, Scott, Smitty and Rich...were a blessing in our home. With their up beat sound and fun loving problem solving skills they helped keep my little one happy when I took care of the little...or when I was trying to rest. He was mesmorized by them!

I also learned that each of the guys were professionals: Scott a teacher, Dave an architech, Rich a journalist, and Smitty a firefighter. They are based out of New Orleans and were all hit in one way or another during Hurricane Katrina. Since they have worked to rebuild their city, even taping their Disney Channel show from N.O.

Jake and I went to our first Movers concert two and a half years ago...and i have to say it was so much better than a kids concert. We have been to two more since, both with the hubby and little sister.

From the interaction they have with the kids throughout the entire concert to the covers of Van Halen, Journey and U2 we have had a blast each and every time.
On Saturday we drove out to Glenside, PA for their Rock-O-Matic concert...

 Shirts from last years concert...beyond excited and ready to dance!

 She had so much fun she couldn't stop smiling

 Big hugs and kisses for me while The Movers sang "I love you, Mom!" One of my personal faves!

 And yes they do play their own instruments!

 They danced in the aisle the entire concert!

 Doing their best 'Nsync dance moves

 They got to high five Rich, Smitty and Dave (you can just barely see Jake's forehead here)

 Jake was beyond thrilled to high five Smitty, a real live Fireman!

The day wouldn't have been complete without some Wobble Goggles!

They light up and blink and flash!

This was a great way to spend an afternoon...i loved seeing the smiles on their faces!
If you are on Facebook you can like their page and get more info!

My Mom's Day!

I had the sweetest of days!
I slept in, had a D&D breakfast complete with my fave iced coffee.
Even a little craft time!
With the help of my adorable two I planted my veggie garden (and a few pretty flowers for my mom and grandmothers)
Of course a catch with a baseball had to happen, I have the next Mike Schmitt on my hands!

My hubby made sure the day was sweet, which generally means no dishes or cleaning!
I had the sweetest of days spent with the ones who made it possible for me to celebrate!