Sand Art

We've been doing a little extra arts/crafts this summer. My mom found these little Sand Art kits at a discount store and thought we'd enjoy it.

The recommended age was 6+, but I let all my children participate. My five year old needed a little extra help, but my 7 and 9 year old could do it on their own after reading the directions. My little 3 1/2 year old was too little, but she had a lot of help from me and her oldest sister.

If you will notice we did this activity outside. It was a very smart idea if I do say so myself. Sand + inside of my house = not a good thing.

It turned out to be a fun activity. They really enjoyed it and I treated them to a popsicle afterwards since it was about 100 degrees that day!

"The Heavens Declare the Glory of God"

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

Shield Birthday Cake for Knight Party

I'm linking up with Jessica over at http://lifeasmom.com/
to post about cakes to make for birthday parties.

I enjoy making my children's birthday cakes. It's also frugal and is very exciting for them.

I made this birthday cake for my son a few years ago for his knight themed birthday party. It was pretty easy to make and he thought it was great!

I always use a cake mix, but I usually make my own buttercreme icing. Go check out all the cakes http://lifeasmom.com/

Beach Bash Birthday

A few weeks ago my 2nd born daughter turned 5. It always seems that 5 is a significant age. I guess it's because 5 is the age where most children leave home to embark on the journey of "school". Since we homeschool this is not the case for us, but I still find that turning 5 makes a big difference in a child or at least to mom :).

Sewing lessons

Several years ago, I began showing my oldest daughter how to sew. I am by no means a

seamstress or anything near that, but I really enjoy making things. I especially enjoy making

dresses for my daughters.

I tend to take sewing in spurts though. I'll sew for a while and then put it down for a while. I

haven't sewed much lately. Seems school and sports have taken a great deal of our time.

Now that we've completed our school year, I'm planning to set a time each week to work on some

sewing projects.

Last week, I asked her (9 year old daughter) to make a list of 5 things she'd like to make or

complete projects that we've already started. (Yes, we have began things and never finished

them.)

She was very eager to look at her patterns and sewing book she received for Christmas

and make her list.

Today we began working on a doll shirt that we started a few months ago using this pattern:

We worked on sewing the facing to the shirt front and back. I think it looks pretty cute myself.

And she loves it and that makes it worth all the time in the world!

A Giveaway

I am so excited about a new giveaway I found this morning!!! Over at http://raisinghomemakers.com/ they are giving away http://www.veritaspress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=000800. I am so excited about this because it is the curriculum that I wanted to use for my upcoming kindergartener and her younger sister. It is valued at over $200. Go check it out!!!

Rain, Rain and More Rain