Crafty Stuff

I am hanging my head in shame over the lack of projects/crafts/activities I have done with Carver over the last 5 months. We have done a few sad little painting or coloring activities but that is about it. I finally, finally, feel like I have a little bit of control back over our existence. At least enough to adequately plan and execute a few activities with my precious big boy.

1) Painting with condensed milk-- when it dries it is nice and shiny.

2) Dinosaur Sensory Bin-- I personally loved this one. I bought a clear bin and filled it with brown aquarium gravel. Then I placed a couple of aquarium plants in it, some "boulders' (styrofoam balls I painted brown), and some plastic dinosaurs. Voila! He seemed to enjoy it. I hope to find some better dinosaurs in the future (like not pink and purple), but these will do for now.

 3) Stamps and Stickers-- pretty self- explanatory. I used bottle caps and foam stickers to make stamps and then gave him stickers I found at the dollar store. (Can I just say that I LOVE the dollar store. For real. I've never really been to one before but I found a ton of stuff to use for these activities.

4) Snow Paint-- equal parts glue and shaving cream. The consistency is a little like marshmallow cream (gross), but when it dries on the paper it is a little puffy-- fun! Next time we might add food coloring and see what happens.

5) Painting (Regular)-- Sidenote: found this red silicone mini-muffin "pan" for $1 at walmart and it is PERFECT for holding paint colors.

7) Bean Table-- I bought probably close to a dozen bags of beans in various shapes, sizes and colors. We have done other activities with beans (they are super versatile). For this activity I just dumped all the beans into Carver's water table and gave him a few utensils to play with. He really enjoyed this one.

8) Gak!-- This is the single most successful activity I have done with Carver, ever. It is cheap and simple to make and Carver has spent hours, literally, playing with this stuff. He likes to roll it into balls, make hand prints and footprints, tear it into teeny pieces, cut it with cookie cutters and just pull on it. Seriously, if you have a kid you MUST make this. 

Ingredients.

Even pouring the glue was super fun!

9) Coloring with markers--very exciting and original.

No, none of these are my original ideas-- I'm not creative at all. But, I can follow directions! I've had a crazy fun time planning these activities. It gives Carver and I some good quality time together--usually when the little one is napping.

Seriously, make the Gak-- it won't disappoint :)

Need ideas? This is my favorite site: http://www.playcreateexplore.com/p/activites-for-ages-1-3.html

A few of my favorite things...

One of my favorite things about reading blogs is finding out about new things. Recipes, project or craft ideas for Carver, clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. Now, I know I only have three readers (two of which are my mom and sis), but I thought I would share a few of the things I recently, or not so recently, have come to love.

1)


I recently melted the lid of favorite Nalgene in our dishwasher. Sad. Then Daniel talked me into switching over to a Camelbak water bottle. I had a little bit of a hard time adjusting, but now I'm a fan!

 2)


Probably my favorite snack at the moment.

 3)


Definitely my current favorite cereal and go-to breakfast. Love.

 4)


These bangles are from ETSY. The two round ones have a "C" initial on them, to represent my boys of course. The other is an infinity symbol. I adore these. (Thanks, Mama!)

 5)

TOMS, oh TOMS. How I love thee.



My latest pair. They are TALL. Like, really tall. But super cute.



Another current favorite-- they are silver and white-ish. This classic style is still my favorite. I think I now have four pairs. And I have my eye on a couple more. If you haven't tried TOMS, you are seriously missing out.

Tiny TOMS. Carver is beyond cute in his TOMS. He has two pairs, and needs more :)

6)


Love Love Love. I wear this bracelet almost every day. Courtney, Michael, and Jules got me a gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl and this is what I chose. It is so special to me.


7)


Lucky Brand Ballet Flats. From Mama last Christmas. I wear these all the time. They are SUPER cute and go with everything. I need them in black. And maybe red...


8)


I have loved this shampoo and conditioner for the last decade. I think I will use it for at least another decade to come.


9)

Bubble Necklaces. I love statement necklaces. I got these this summer, off of ebay. They are really amusing to me.

10)


Michael Kors Tortoise Shell Watch. My fall/winter must have.



Just for fun...

September Phone Dump



We attempted to go to a community event-- Carver was terrible. He had some corn and then we left.



Daddy and Carver went camping out at camp! I don't think a lot of sleep was had, but I'm pretty sure Carver loved it.

Sweet boy. Daddy got to hold him during dinner out one night.



My Guys.



He's a happy baby. Except at night. And for Daniel. But overall, he's a happy baby.



No caption needed. This is just funny.



I love this girl. And this picture makes me really miss her sister. I would sacrifice many things to sit on the porch with Delia again.

I have few pictures with this cutie. So, I resort to taking awful self portraits. Someone, help!

Baby Winston. Trying to get out of Carver's path. There are only so many places a dog this size can take cover.



Carver has found this crown SUPER fun. He made it in school several weeks ago and it is still in one piece. Amazing. And yes, he still loves his pacifiers. No, we are not proud. I am currently hanging my head in shame. Don't worry-- he only uses them at home. Or in the car. No public appearance. Don't judge.



"D" is for Dog! Another school project that gets played with at least once a day.

Enjoying an evening walk out at camp. I love fall weather. And having a nice place to walk.
Burn, calories, burn.

"Round-up Day" at church! Carson sporting his western wear. And a weird look on his face.