Shadow of a pinwheel...

Pinwheels spin in the wind. My kids know this. Pinwheels spin when you blow on them. My kids know this. However, there is something they did not know about pinwheels...

Here's what you do:

1.) Buy a pinwheel or two. (must be the pinwheels made with see through colored plastic.)

2.) Take them out on a sunny day.

3.) Place the pinwheels in the sun and let them show their shadowy COLORS!

Take Ten!

Box of tricks...

Take ten to make a box of tricks...

Bored baby? Crying baby? Not anymore, mama found the box of tricks! I can fix this in two easy steps...

Here's what you do:

1.) Get a box and fill it with random, age appropriate toys.

2.) Give it to baby.

So many things to do with a box of tricks! Now, mom can cook dinner!

Take Ten!

Take ten to teach sympathy...

I taught my oldest daughter how to be sympathetic and comforting today without even knowing it.

She wanted to ride bikes outside, but my son was sick. I said "Do you see that your brother doesn't feel good? He probably wants to rest." And I leaned down and kissed his head. She looked at me and said "Yes" and then she said "It's okay, Easton." and moved close to him and she kissed his cheek.

Score one for mom! She understood, felt sympathetic, showed comfort and did not get upset about not being able to go outside. (All without me trying to teach her anything!)

Take Ten!

April showers brought...

paper May flowers!

Take ten to do an art project with friends. We invited our neighbors to make these with us.

Here's what you do:

1.) Cut out flower petals, circles for the middle, stems, and leaves.

2.) Get out your glue sticks, markers and glitter pens if you have them.

3.) Let the kids paste the flowers together and then decorate!

4.) Have fun!

Take Ten!

I've got art on my mind...

Do something artsy today. Here's what we did...

1.) I used scotch tape to make an M and E on some construction paper. (M for Melanie, E for Easton)

2.) Then, I called the kids in and told them to color all over the paper and when they were done there would be a cool surprise.

3.) Melanie saw this project in our Highlights magazine. It is called Paint with Tape..we used crayons instead. (Thanks Grandma Cummins for the magazine subscription!)

4.) Peel the tape and show your kids the "surprise!" These turned out pretty cool.

5.) Lastly, don't forget this part, do something silly with the peeled off tape. Oh and draw "Bert's mommy" like Melanie did on her paper. That was her idea, not mine! lol

Take Ten!

Lollipop beauty shop...

Take a little ten to play beauty shop with a tiny girl in your life...

because being big and grownup is fun to them!

Here's what you do:

1.) Find something girly, like hair rollers.

2.) Set your girl in front of the mirror and do her hair.

3.) Let her take a peek at herself.

4.) Give her something grown up and fun to wear, like red heels.

5.) Take pictures and have some fun.

6.) Build a pyramid with the rollers when you're done. ;)

Take Ten!

It's okay...

It really is okay to need a break from your kids. Kids are draining. Today, I took ten, twice, in a different way.

Here's what I did, and you can try it too!

1st take ten:

Easton woke up unusually early this morning and I needed a shower. He took ten alone, with my Kindle Fire. I turned on a You Tube video about numbers for him to watch, while I took ten in the shower.

2nd take ten:

After a 3 hour grocery shopping outing today, my kids were tired, but it was too late for naps. They took ten upstairs in their beds with a book. And that was okay, because sometimes kids need breaks from parents too.

Just remember, that sometimes taking time for your kids means letting them be alone too. I struggle with this because I feel like I don't do enough, teach enough, spend enough time with them, when in all reality, a big part of growing up is learning independence.

Take ten!