Paperback Book Christmas Trees

 

I made pumpkins out of paperback books, so why not Christmas Trees??  Same principle.  Cut half of a tree shape all the way through the book.  Glue covers together.  This time I splurged for spray paint, with the pumpkins I painted on acrylic paint and it worked well.  I used glue, white embossing powder, and glitter for the snow.  The star toppers were in the miniatures section at Michael's.  I wrapped wire around their bottoms and stuck the wire down the hole in the middle of the tree.  The tall one in the back I glued a round chop stick in the middle when I glued the covers together.  I need to find a cute little jar, fill it with Epsom salt for the snowy look,  paint the chop stick dark brown and stick the tree in.

Corn Maze

We went to a corn maze and had a blast!  Little did we know it was a whole lot more than just a corn maze.

 

Upon entering you could either go through, around, or over the "mountain". 

They all chose the over the mountain slide. 

Wind Tunnel

 

The maze was pretty big and even though it was kind of busy, you didn't run into a whole lot of people. 

 

I think we were in it a little under an hour. 

 

There were check points you came across that had little activities.  We didn't even run into half of them.

The girls loved the teeter totter, as you just don't see them much anymore.  These were the old fashioned, no safety spring, fly off the seat if the other person hopped off kind of teeter totter.  Old School.

Zip line.

I'd bet everyone will want to go back next year :)

BK CROWN Program $25 GC #giveaway

Congratulations #12 LAMusing - you won!

IMAGINATION IS KING™ at BURGER KING^®. The new BK CROWN^TM/MC Program, built to inspire every kid’s imagination and encourage kids to help choose how BK^® gives back, brings families together to enjoy not just a meal but a mealtime experience.

• The BK CROWN^TM/MC Program comes in a fully interactive Kids Meal box. Sitting atop each box is a newly redesigned BURGER KING^® crown, because every kid deserves to be treated like royalty at BURGER KING^®! With crowns on their heads, kids can dive into the box, taking it apart, playing fun games and activities that challenge their minds, inspire their imagination and engage with the whole family.

I always loved the BK Crowns when we went to Burger King when I was little.  It's fun to see them on my kids.  The Burger King that we went to did not have the new boxes but one was sent to me with the gift card.  It's a fun box with crown included and games all over.  The girls really liked it.

• With the BK CROWN^TM/MC Program, Burger King Corporation invites kids to tell BURGER KING^® what matters to them most. BKC has established a fund to help support the Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, DonorsChoose.org and Have It Your Way™ Foundation. By visiting BKCrown.com, kids learn how BKC’s charitable partners make a difference. Upon entering BK CROWN^TM/MC Codes and clicking on their favorite cause, each kid’s vote helps BK^® choose which charity to give back to.

This is a HUGE bonus to their new program.  On the Give Back tab on the BK Crown web site your child can look at the charities that are involved and even vote on which one is their favorite. My girls, of course, were drawn to the Wildlife Conservation Society because of the animals.

• The fun doesn’t end at the restaurant; the BK CROWN^TM/MC Program experience lives on at http://bit.ly/BKCrown where kids can place their vote for how BKC should give back, as well as find more games, win prizes and enjoy interactive play.

• Also at BURGER KING^®, for just $9.99 your family can enjoy the “BK™ Family Bundle” which includes a WHOPPER^® sandwich, WHOPPER JR.^® sandwich., two small fries, two small soft drinks and a Kids Meal. Now that’s a deal worth getting together for! Limited time only. Price and participation vary. Prices higher in HI.

Head over to the nearest participating BURGER KING® restaurant with your family for the new BK CROWN^TM/MC Program. In your post, tell us which charity your child picks to help BK^® choose how to give back and what they liked most about the new BK CROWN^TM/MC Program.

Would your family enjoy a meal together at Burger King?

Your BK CROWN^TM/MC Program prize pack will contain:
$25 BURGER KING^® Crown Card to purchase a kids meal featuring the BK CROWN^TM/MC Program.


Mandatory Entry:
Why are family mealtimes important to you?



Additional Entries:
1.  "Like" I Blame My Mother on Facebook HERE
2.  Follow I Blame My Mother on Twitter HERE
3.  Friend me with Google Friend Connect
4.  Subscribe via email.

I will end the giveaway on Friday, December 9 at 9 pm EST. 
Giveaway open to US Residents
I will use random.org to select the winner who will have two days to respond to my notification email.

Disclosure: The BK CROWN^TM/MC Program prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark.

A Solution to Threading Yarn With Little Hands

For all threading projects I have always used tape on the end of the yarn to make it easier for little hands to sew, lace or thread beads.  It is one of those things that was an OK solution but an aggravating one at that.  A little piece of pipe cleaner changed all that and I am VERY happy with the results.  The needle stays on, the yarn does not fray, and it's much easier for the little hands to work. 

All I did was wrap the yarn around the bottom of the pipe cleaner, fold it over, and twist a little. 

Works wonders and it's reusable!

The piece of tape at the other end of the yarn is also strategically placed so the yard doesn't pull through (or the beads don't fall off) AND is a great place for their name.  Sometimes I tape it to the table so it's not tempting to swing it around. 

I've used it with threading pasta for a necklace and it works well in that project as well.

Works for ME!!  Go to We are THAT Family for more Works for Me Wednesday ideas!

Funky Christmas Door Hanging Instead of a Traditional Wreath

Started with a picture frame from Salvation Army, took out glass and backing, and spray painted it white.

Hung funky colored ornaments (found at Michael's) with wire at different lengths.

Attached a few glittery floral sprays with wire to figure out placement but will go back with hot glue once I've got it where I like it.

 

Added a bow and called it a day.  I'll get a better picture of it once it is hung AFTER Thanksgiving.  Doesn't all this Christmas decore BEFORE Thanksgiving drive you a little crazy??  :)

Kids in the Kitchen Loaded Pretzels

No shots of the kids actually IN the kitchen but I promise they did most of the work :) 

We made the flavor combos up as we went with our stocked pantry (aka my baking supply addiction)!

These are Chocolate Peanut Crunch. 

Melted chocolate covered in chopped peanuts and chopped peanut butter chips.

Classic M&M.  Melted chocolate covered in mini M&Ms.

The individual shots of the last ones all looked pretty funny.

Melted caramel, covered in chocolate drizzle and fall colored sprinkles.  These are awesome.  The salty pretzels combined with the sweet caramel is perfect.

Here they are all wrapped up.  They look so neat and tidy.  We made bundles of three, tied them with curly ribbon and a Happy Thanksgiving tag.  Easy (except the clean up, I'll find those sprinkles for days)!

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

The Turkey is a Big Hit!

I made a paper bag turkey for the dramatic play area of my classroom and it's been a big hit!  They have been basting, cutting, and serving it all day.  The tutorial can be found over at One Charming Party.  I stuffed mine with newspaper instead of popcorn to give it a little longevity.  It seriously took less than 5 minutes to make.  Got a paper bag and a glue gun?  Go make it!  Your kids will love it!

Big G Cereal DC Comic #giveaway

Congratulations Sam Buck !  You are the winner!

Big G cereals and DC Comics have joined forces to create a powerful breakfast for you and some of your favorite little sidekicks. Available now, specially marked Big G cereal boxes will feature collectable DC Super Hero comic books starring members from the Justice League, from Batman to Wonder Woman to Green Lantern!

Each box will be packed with action, adventure, and delicious cereal, not to mention a cut-out DC Super Hero mask your child can use to help the Justice League fight crime at breakfast time!

• Collect all four comics – there’s one in each specially-marked Big G cereal box - and you’ll instantly be the hero of your house
• Participating Big G cereal include; Cinnamon Toast Crunch (17 oz.), Lucky Charms (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios (17 oz.), Trix (14.8 oz.), Golden Grahams (16 oz.), Reese’s Puffs(18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs (16.5 oz.)

Let Big G cereals and DC ENTERTAINMENT feed your family’s bodies and minds while also giving them a super start to their day! Visit General Mills for more information on Big G cereals and DC Comics.

The girls fought over who would read them first.  You would think that with four comics we would be OK but they all wanted to start with volume number one.  They all agreed that they were "awesome"!  We are a big Cheerios household so Honey Nut Cheerios is always a hit.  And comic books in cereal boxes?  What's not to like about a little reading with breakfast?

Do you have super hero lovers of your own?  You can win a Big G Cereal and DC Comic Prize Pack of your own!

Your prize pack will contain:

1 box of a participating Big G cereal

1 set of the collectable DC Super Hero comic books

1 Green Lantern action figure

Mandatory Entry:

If you could have one super power, what would it be?


Additional Entries:

1.  "Like" I Blame My Mother on Facebook HERE

2.  Follow I Blame My Mother on Twitter HERE

3.  Friend me with Google Friend Connect

4.  Subscribe via email.

5.  Enter my Cheerio Cheer Giveaway HERE.

I will end the giveaway on Friday, November 25 at 9 pm EST. 

Giveaway open to US Residents

I will use random.org to select the winner who will have two days to respond to my notification email.

Disclosure: Product, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and DC ENTERTAINMENT through MyBlogSpark.”

Cheerios Cheer Prize Pack #Giveaway

Congratulations
sohamolina!  You are the winner!

Everyone can use a little pick me up now and then. But for the millions of military families manning the fort at home while their loved ones are away serving, a gesture of Cheer is especially welcome.



When our troops are called to serve, their families must rise to meet the challenges of service as well. To thank them, Cheerios and the USO have partnered in a postcard campaign that spreads Cheer directly to these honorable military families and supports USO programs. Here’s how it works:

• During the months of October and November, 2011, specially-marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature Cheer postcards on the front of the box. Consumers can simply cut out the postcard from the Cheerios logo, write a message of thanks on the back, add a stamp and mail the pre-addressed card to the USO. The USO will deliver the Cheer card to military families across the country.

For each postcard received through November 2012, Cheerios will make a $1 donation to the USO to help fund programs that support military families.

• To kick off the campaign, Cheerios has already donated $150,000 to the USO and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received from specially marked boxes now through November 30^th, 2012.

Sending a “Cheer” postcard is a simple way to say thanks and lift the spirits of our country’s military families. So, take a moment out of your day to spread some Cheer.

Do you want to win a Cheerios Cheer Prize Pack so you can clip the postcard and send your own message of thanks?

Your prize pack will contain:
• 1 Cheerios cereal bowl (LOVE this big Cheerios bowl)
• 1 Cheerios cereal spoon
• 1 cereal dispenser (imagine this filled with candy for a party)
• 1 “Cheer” box of Cheerios (complete with Box Top :)

Mandatory Entry:

What message of thanks would you send?


Additional Entries:

1.  "Like" I Blame My Mother on Facebook HERE

2.  Follow I Blame My Mother on Twitter HERE

3.  Friend me with Google Friend Connect

4.  Subscribe via email.

5.  Enter my Big G Cereal DC Comics Giveaway HERE.

I will end the giveaway on Friday, November 25 at 9 pm EST. 

Giveaway open to US Residents

I will use random.org to select the winner who will have two days to respond to my notification email.

Disclosure: Cheerios cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

 

LOVE This Turkey Project

Our Mission:  Disguise Tom Turkey so he won't be eaten for Thanksgiving!

I LOVE family homework projects and we had so much fun with this one.  Lexi wants to be an actress so we decided to dress up our turkey (now a girl) very "Hollywood".  Do you think she will be discovered or will she blend right in with the A-list crowd? 
I wanted to share the letter home in case you want to use it in your classroom...

Dear Parents,

It’s time to have fun creating a very unusual bird.  As a family, disguise Tom Turkey so that he won’t be eaten for Thanksgiving!  You may choose to dress your turkey as a dentist, an astronaut, a farmer, a cheerleader, a ballerina, a clown, etc…be creative and use any materials you have at home.  Everyone gets to help. 

Cut out the turkey below and mount him on cardboard or heavy paper.  Make it very original and have fun!

Please help us save these turkeys!  The turkey homework is due November 11, but you may send it in earlier.  When your Tom Turkey is incognito, he can hide-out in our classroom!

Happy Turkey Dressing!

Guess My Latest Cake

Is this one too easy?  HERE is the completed cake.

Heaven is for Real for Kids - Review and #giveaway

Congratulations to Swinging On Small Hinges - You Won!!

Heaven is for Real for Kids - A little boy’s astounding story of his trip to heaven and back

"During an emergency operation at three years old, Colton Burpo had an experience that few people have in this life; he was able to see Jesus and visit heaven.  Colton now shares his experience with children so they, too, can have comfort, joy, and wonder of knowing that heaven is indeed for real and that Jesus really, really loves them!" 

Heaven is for Real for Kids is a beautifully illustrated book told by Colton Burpo to his parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo.  The story is simply Colton's recollection of heaven.  He is carried to heaven by an angel, meets Jesus, and sees the beauty only heaven could hold.  He describes the people, the angels, the animals, and the throne.  On each page there is a bible verse that corresponds to the story. 
There is an introductory letter to parents for teaching their children about heaven,a question and answer page, and a prayer you can pray with your child about what you just read.  The book is for ages 4-8.

I read the book both to my own kids and my preschool class.  My students had many questions about the pictures and what was going on in them.  They were very interested in the angels, as we are memorizing an angel finger play for the Christmas program coming up. 

Scarlett, my three year old, liked the pictures of the animals the best.  When asked what she was most excited about in heaven, she said she was excited to just go to heaven with God.  Lexi, my 6 year old said, "I would get to see all my cousins and grandmas and grandpas that had died."  Emma, age 8, said, "To be with God and my family members I have never met before."  I had Lexi draw a picture of what she thought heaven would look like.  Scarlett did one of the coloring pages that is linked below.

You can see a few pages on the Flipbook HERE.
Download Coloring Sheets HERE.
Watch the book trailer HERE.

To enter:  Ask your kids (or grand kids) to describe what they’re most excited about in heaven.  What did they say?

Additional Entry:  Have you read "Heaven is for Real"?  If so, let me know what you thought!

I will end the giveaway on Friday, November 18 at 9 pm EST. 

Giveaway open to US Residents

I will use random.org to select the winner who will have two days to respond to my notification email.

I received a complimentary hardback copy of this book from the publisher through Tommy Nelson Mommy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

 

Ruffles!

It's on the imperfect side of things but I have a good handle on how to make it better next time.  

HERE is the completed cake.