Sleeping bags… decisions, decisions
We are going camping this summer and are trying to decide if we should get our 2 year old a sleeping bag. Now to be honest I wasn’t even considering getting him one until I found him laying on his bedroom floor inside a pillowcase and pretending to sleep. So maybe he is old enough to enjoy a sleeping bag. I am a little scared that he wouldn’t stay in one through the night but he is getting too big for the pack n’ play. Any suggestions?
Also, I’m considering getting the Cars sleeping bag from WalMart. It’s about $10, generally an inside sleeping bag but can be used outside. I remember having a Mini Mouse sleeping bag I’d take to slumber parties. Ahhh, memories. (Anyway!) The Cars sleeping bag has gotten some good reviews online, but I’m still not sure. Thoughts? Insights?
Watermelon
Summer is the season to eat (and even grow) watermelon. My little guy loves this fruit and so do I. My husband says he’s allergic, which works out because I eat a LOT of it and it looks like my toddler will be taking after me in this department.
Although I know that the triangular pieces of watermelon (like the picture above) is a classic way to eat watermelon, I personally don’t prefer to eat it that way and it’s too messy for my 2 year old. So I chunk my watermelon up, all of it at the same time, and then keep it in a large Tupperware. This way we have easy access for a quick snack or side dish.
I also got a (really) late start on my garden and I have some watermelon starts that are doing really well. Hopefully I’ll be able to show you my own watermelon by the end of the summer, but who knows!
Get a watermelon, make sure you chill it, then slice it up for some summer family fun!
Weekend
It’s Saturday, the last Saturday in June, which means that wherever you are it’s probably hot, so jump in a pool, run through the sprinklers, do something fun with water!
Free Summer Activity
I’m always up for a free summer activity for the little guy. Our local library does a reading program (as do most local libraries) where children read or listen to 16 books and when they turn in the sheet with the book titles then they get a free book of their choice along with coupons and freebies at local merchants. And they can continue reading for “extra credit” to get their name on a shooting star or a bug, whatever the theme for the summer is. The great thing is there is no age limits, babies can participate along with with 12 year olds. It’s a great opportunity to get some reading time in, and probably rotate to some new books. I know we often get stuck on the top 5 books in the pile. So mix it up and check out your local library! There are also reading groups for adults that you can look into for yourself. I’m planning on doing that as I try to read a book or two a month. Good luck and get started!
Baby Mobile and Homemade Coolness
My sister in law has a link on her blog to etsy.com, a site where homemade crafts/clothes/etc. are sold online. I found this cool mobile that really anyone could make and it could be used for stuff other than a baby mobile. You could totally string several of those together for an art piece for any room. Cool huh?
Mailbox
I haven’t been feeling too hot recently and I know I promised some kid’s activities, so I’m borrowing them! Here is a how to on a Recycled Mailbox.
Too Hot to go Outside
What do you do when it’s too hot to go outside? My sister in law had a cute idea of sugar cookie blocks. I’m a little less inclined to go to such lengths but here are some things we did today.
Obviously my son couldn’t keep his hands off of them long enough to get a picture! Always a hit, and what boy doesn’t love to knock down blocks? These blocks are “Mommy and Me” brand. They were very affordable at $10 for the entire package with a bag and hold up well.
My son doesn’t quite have the patience to figure out why the puzzle pieces don’t fit when it is the correct animal but it’s upside down. So to reduce stress I held it up, we named animals and he pointed to where it went and I put it in. He really enjoyed it that way and we did it a couple of times. This puzzle is also “Mommy and Me” brand, but I have to say I don’t like their puzzles. The pieces don’t fit in well, they wobble around when put in the correct spaces. I would probably spend more for another brand next time.
My son climbed in here by himself, pretended to sleep and read a book. I swear all you have to do is provide a box and kids will go crazy with them, and the best part is that they are practically free! Good luck, and I hope the heat passes!
Its Been a Long Time
Okay, it’s been a long time since I have done some cute kid’s crafts and activities, so look for more of those in the upcoming days. In the meantime here’s a cute craft for all those rocket-loving kiddos out there! (And moms who need to entertain those kids!)
We have Lift Off! Click the link to go to No Time for Flash Cards to see the step by step instructions for this fun activity.
Underground Music Scene
To be honest I know next to nothing about the Underground Music Scene, but my brother in law has a friend who prides himself on it and it was through these very people that we found an awesome band. Sherwood is great, alternative music that is clean with no crazy hysterics. It’s a new sound that is reminiscent of Third Eye Blind, but very different at the same time with a mix of several influences from techno-ish to beat boxing to classical. Their music is upbeat and definitely makes you want to head-bang while listening. Check them out! The link goes to their MySpace page where you can listen to entire songs and get to know them a little better. We really like them and bought their album. I’d like to know what you think and if Sherwood brings out your inner head-banger.
Got the knack?
No I’m not talking about nick knacks, I’m talking about the knack, as in “the stuff.” My sister in law is a very good writer, she is clear in what she says and her personality totally shows through her writing. I think I’m an okay writer, but not great. I think this blog is helping me become a better writer, and to think through my thoughts more thoroughly. Haha, I had to write that down, it came to me and it is a fun alliteration and could even be a tongue-twister! Think through my thoughts more thoroughly. Say that 10 times fast! Okay I actually did it and it wasn’t that hard.
Back to the task at hand. She is a great blogger, and I have to say that I’m a little jealous! She recent got a counter on her blog and has had a lot of hits, granted I get a fair amount but my seem to flux, 100 one day and then 5 the next. Maybe this is normal for blogs; well blogs that have only existed for a few months at least. Who knows, maybe I should narrow my blogging. HOWEVER I’m not jealous enough to leave you out in the cold to where you can find her interesting and fun blog: Beat the Blah So check it out, and in the mean time I will continue to check my dashboard, and wait patiently (those 2.5 seconds) for my stats to pop up to see how many people have checked in today.
