Posts from — June 2009

I seemed to be obsessed with recycling. My grown children often make fun of me about it. I get excited when I can use something I already have to make something new. But that also means saving stuff (or junk as some like to refer to it). Well, I used some of that stuff to make this paper plate shaker. The left over paper plates from a New Year’s Day celebration and ribbons from various different gifts I have received over the year. You can have your children and grandchildren make a shaker then sing songs together. It would be fun to make then at a family reunion, neighborhood, church, or community party and have a parade.

You’ll need:
2 paper plates for each shaker (I used the small ones because they are easier to hold onto and you don’t need as many beans.)
Ribbons, crepe paper or other items for decorating
Markers, paint or crayons
Stapler
Beans

Directions:
1. Decorate the outside of the paper plates
2. As you begin to staple around the edge add your decorations
3. When you are near the end fill your shaker with beans
4. Then finish stapling making sure you have stapled close enough so the beans don’t fall out

You can serve these lollipops and other snack at your 4th of July celebration or any other summer activity. They can even be used as a centerpiece.
I found the idea in Rebook Magazine then used ingredients I had on hand. Choose the foods you and your family like.
I used:
cherry tomatoes
avocado
olives
strawberries
blueberries
cottage cheese
Triscuits
Other ideas:
cream cheese
cheese squares
pineapple chunks
The possibilities are endless.

tomatoes, avocado, olives

strawberries, blueberries, cottage cheese

Triscuits, cottage cheese, strawberries, blueberries

These songs are sung to familiar tunes so you don’t need a piano. What a great activity for a family reunion or a neighborhood celebration. Get Songs

Organizing things in categories is a fun way to help your child with math. Using scissors can help develop small muscle coordination and eye-hand coordination. You probably didn’t realize how important these simple tasks are to your child’s development. This activity can give them lots of practice.

Cut out pictures of food from the newspaper or magazines. Organize them in categories and make a book.
Some categories might be:
Foods that are alike (fruits, vegetables, come from an animal, etc)
Colors
Foods you like or dislike
Healthy or not so healthy
Taste (sweet, sour, salty)
Create a balanced meal

Idea from Classroom Connections, Deseret News

Wouldn’t it be fun to make an award for your children or grandchildren. You can do it at AWARD MAKER and it’s free. Maybe your child has been working to achieve a goal in sports, music or reading. You can make them an award to celebrate their accomplishment. You could also make some funny awards to give out at a family gathering or reunions. Let your child make up an award to give to a family member or special friend. Have a weekly or monthly “Awards Night” in your home and invite special people to receive an award. The possibilities are endless, just use your imagination.

A strawberry is a superstar when it comes to anti-oxidant power! Strawberries are packed with flavonoids called quercetin and kaempferol. Research shows that these two flavonoids help keep “bad” (LDL) cholesterol from oxidizing and damaging artery walls.
They also contain ellargic acids which acts as a scavenger to “bind” cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive. This information may be a bit to technical so the bottom line is EAT MORE STRAWBERRIES!

Frozen Yogurt Strawberry Pops
You’ll Need:
1 – 8oz container of nonfat, strawberry yogurt
1 C diced strawberries
small paper cups
plastic wrap
popsicle sticks
Directions:
1. Evenly pour yogurt and strawberries into small paper cups.
2. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the tip of each cup.
3. Make a small opening in the plastic wrap and insert the popsicle stick in the center.
4. Freeze until solid.
5. Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup and eat your pop.
Yield: 4 servings
This information was found in a Granite School District publication May 2009.

I’m always looking for easy and inexpensive ways to create something cute. My granddaughter wanted a princess hat so with crepe paper, wire and beads we came up with this garland. She helped me make it.
You’ll Need: crepe paper, beads and wire
Directions:
1. Measure enough wire to fit the child’s head and a little extra for securing together when finished.
2. Form it into a circle.
3. Weave the crepe paper onto the wire stopping every few weaves to add the beads. Depending on how large the beads are you’ll want to add 3 or 4 together so they’ll show up.
4. Continue until you reach the end and secure together.
This would be an easy activity for a little girls party.

Top Ten Ways you Can Help Your Grandchild Through A Divorce
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My School’s Out” party this year just happened to be on June 6th, the anniversary of D-Day. Because my father was part of that invasion, I shared some things about my dad with my grandchildren. They loved looking at the old photos and asking questions. I also showed them the artificial leg he wore because he stepped on a landmine and lost his leg. Some were afraid of it and some wanted to try it on (see below). I want them to know about their great-grandfather and know what a special man he was. This was a way to keep his memory alive.

Mason trying to get Great-Grandpa's leg on!

If you’re having trouble getting your kids to do cleaning around the house, here is a fun musical game that trains family members of all ages to become self-governed in getting ready for the day on time in the morning, cleaning their home and getting ready for bed on time at night. The game also trains them to love and serve others – especially their own family.
More information