Stocking Ladder

One of the MANY things I love about the hubs, is he can make anything. If I pull something up online he says, "That's easy-I can make that!"

A few years ago (as our family was growing) my mom used an old ladder to hang our stockings on. I loved this idea. Especially because we don't have a fire place!

This year I was bound and determined to do it. They're getting older and we need some things to be traditions around our house. My husband had all the materials and finished it from the time we went to the park until we came back.

 I love this and it's perfect to be able and fill those suckers full!!!! I found the letter stockings last week, but wasn't sure what to do since Mack and Mark are both M's-so I'm going back this week to get us all matching stockings since our family of five is complete! For now we have included the once from the past:)

I think it turned out great...who knows we might be having these appear on Christmas Eve at someones house...

What Else Do You Do On a Cold Day?

Today was a cold, rainy day. We are leaving later this afternoon to attend a Cardinal playoff game and take family pictures-which equals early naps. 

I noticed at school Avery really enjoyed painting glue on objects and sticking them onto things.  So I looked up how to make homemade glue.  It's SO easy that I had to share...

Ready to help!

You need a glass jar...

flour, salt and water.

Bring water and salt to a boil and then put ten pinches of flour into pot-whisking the whole time.

Then added it to the jar and placed into refrigerator to cool.

While the glue was cooling we bundled up and went on a search for leaves-since we have been working with leaves and they would be easy to paint.

 This activity was perfect for both kids.  Av loved to take her time adding detail to each leaf and Mack loved painting the glue on everything.  The pictures are cool and will be displayed in our home.  Just had to share this one-it lasted for over an hour (that is why I am able to blog)!  That's huge on days we can't go outside all morning. 

Now...it's time to gear up for the CARDS GAME!!!!!!  I am teaching them to say, "here we go Cardinals, here we go, whoot whoo!"  Avery said she needs more Cardinal things in her room-that's our girl!

It's Fall and Time for Crafts

Fall is my favorite and I love how much there is to do with kids! We have been looking at leaves through many walks around our yard. Today, we looked at leaves and found some that were changing colors.

Then I got some foil and cut out leaf shapes (not very well) and put out fall colors to let them paint.

I would say this was a great activity with small children because they were engaged the whole time.  I punched a hole in the top and hung them up outside. The only down side was making them outside because the wind was blowing and it made the activity really messy! They loved it and talked about it which equals success!

Painting With What's in the Kitchen

Avery and Mack have been enjoying the beautiful weather we have had here in Missouri.  When yesterday turned out to be a rainy day, we were all ready for a day to stay inside and made sure to fill it with activities.  So, what can you do with a one and two year old?

                                                                                                                                                                       

 

We found things in the kitchen to paint with!  Miss Emily started it with Avery and as soon as Mack heard the sounds of her stamping he came running.

Today we used celery, a potato, and an apple.

They loved this activity and the paintings turned out to be beautiful art pieces!

Baby Lincoln enjoyed watching.  After the painting was over, they baked cookies.  These aprons are from their cousin's birthday party-so cute.

It was a great day to stay indoors and rest-thanks to the help of our nanny Miss Emily!

Friday Funday

Today was a day we needed! We stayed home and I got a lot of cleaning done before Mack even woke up. It was a busy week and I was extra tired...Sesame Street Live (pictures to come soon) took it out of me, but Avery had a blast!

Today we finally had a play date with baby Eleanor and my friend Rachel. It was nice to catch up-even though the kids didn't really play together it was good adult time:)

This was at the end...Avery was asking to go night night!

After naps, Avery and I ran to the store to get our things to do some crafts for the next few weeks.  There is so much out there on every one's blog.  I will make sure to put where my ideas come from-I don't have time to be that creative so I thank everyone who has posted!  First thing I got was a table cloth that I could bring out for crafts. 

Today we made a heart made from tissue paper-this was seen on: http://www.meetthedubiens.com/

I drew a heart and then cut some red and pink tissue paper...

She filled it in with glue...

She just crumpled them up and stuck them on!

In the process she made an airplane...

and a truck!

Our final product.

Avery and Me Me (Miss Emily) made these a couple of weeks ago.  The next two weeks are packed with fun crafts that I will share from a variety of places.

This past weekend was packed!  Avery and Mack went to their Grandparents house for the day on Saturday-this was the BEST thing ever!  Mark and his brother Jack were able to get the babies room painted and I was able to clean the whole lower level-normally it has to be done in chunks.  We thank Uncle Jack, Nanny and Papa H. for this help.

Sunday the kiddos woke up WAY TOO EARLY, so we decided to embrace the day.  We were hosting family dinner for Jane's birthday (Mark's mom aka Nanny) and needed to get her gift ready.  First they painted craft sticks so later we could hot glue them into the word NANNY-forgot the picture on this.  Avery had a blast and Mack was having fun until he lost it.  So crafts this day weren't the best...

Then they made cards-these went a little better because it only required their hand prints.  They turned out really cute.  This is a Pinterest idea!

Then the whole Watson family came over to celebrate.  Luckily, Aunt Heidi and Aunt Meagan made parts of the dinner so my stress level was 0!  

The cousins have really started to play together.  Avery and Cohan held hands and ran around the house.  Soon, Mack will be right there.  There is something different when your friends are your family:)  Cousins are fun!  Hopefully there will be lots of playdates and we can give each other breaks!

I love this picture of all them!  Corn on the cob is the best!

Cohan and Avery get to go to Sesame Street Live next week-should be fun if they don't get scared. 

Another weekend full of family.  We are very blessed!

New Years Activity

Today was a day I was glad I had an activity!  They are a bit crabby and I am especially crabby!

 First we decorated paper plates...

Filled them with beans and stabled them together!  TaDa!  A New Years Shaker!

Happy New Years Everyone!