Time for change

Stay tuned, this fall we will announce some refreshing changes to the group as a whole. It is exciting and we can't wait to share it with all of you!

We also will be keeping up with the blog and adding new features and giveaways as well.

Summer Snacks

Here are a few quick, simple ideas to cool off with and fuel their energy:

Frosty Fruit Wash, dry, and freeze berries, cherries, or seedless grapes in a sealed container. Enjoy on a hot day. Dripless Popsicles Dissolve one 85 g package of Jell-o powder in 1 C. boiling water. Stir in 1 1/4 C. juice. Pour into moulds and freeze.

Sensational Slush
Fill a small yoghurt container 2/3 full with juice or pop. Cap with lid and place in freezer for 1 1/2 hours. Then, mix with fork every 1/2 hour or so until to desired consistency.

Summer Fun!

I thought we could share some ideas for activities this summer with our kids. We are always looking for something constructive and fun to do. Here are some that we've found:

Make a quick patriotic tee for the 4th with this tutorial from Family Fun

Make bubbles at home!

Basic Bubbles 2 tblsp dish soap 1 cup water

Sweet Bubbles 1 tblsp corn syrup 2 tblsp dish soap 1 cup water

Magic Bubbles 1 tblsp glycerin 2 tblsp dish soap 9 oz water

Color Bubbles 1 cup liquid tempra paints 2 tblsp dish detergent 1 tblsp liquid starch

Hints for making bubble solutions

• Mix up the recipes the day before for best results.
• Glycerin is inexpensive and can be found in most drug stores. The children think that the bubbles are so much better that it is worth keeping a small bottle on hand.
• Do NOT use the Sweet Bubbles recipe if you have bees or wasps in your yard.
• Try using sugar or honey if you don't have corn syrup in the house.
• Color Bubbles can be a bit messy. Be sure to use paint that can wash out. You can add a little water if the mix is too thick.
• Karo syrup does just as well as glycerin in the bubble mixture. But watch out for wasps if you are using it outdoors!
  

Homemade play doh

Homemade Play Doh

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• a few drops of food coloring

Mix all but the last ingredient in a small saucepan. Cook over a very low heat until it turns into a dough (it’ll take just a few minutes). Knead the dough on a floured surface until cool enough for kids to touch. Separate the dough into as many colors as you want to make. Put just a few drops of coloring in each ball and knead until evenly mixed.