Week 2, June 19-23
Nature Scavenger Hunt: I really like this one. You can use your own yard or go to a local park. Here's my list (I used it for Girl Scout meeting) or make up your own. Print out a copy for each child and take a hike!
Fortune Cookies: Another Girl Scout project... Fortune cookies aren't as tricky as you would think. Here's the recipe I liked (I tried a couple and this worked the best for me). Have your kids write fortunes (or type on the computer and print) on strips of paper about three inches by a half inch. The batter recipe makes about 10 cookies if I remember correctly (I had to make over 100 for the Girl Scouts so I was tripling the recipe). I used an electric griddle and cookie rounds to help keep the fortune cookies in shape. Basically you ladle a small amount of batter onto the griddle (less than you would think, you want them to be flat), remove the cookie round, and then flip. You can probably do two or three at a time, remember you have to shape them around the fortune while the cookie is still warm and soft. The cookies take about 10 minutes to "harden" although homemade ones are never as tough as the factory cookies. Here's another Fortune Cookie recipe to try as well.
Clean the Bathrooms: I've decide that my Big 3 are big enough to help out more around the house. So once a month, we're going to learn a cleaning task. Some of you smart parents out there may have been doing this all along. Me... I've been just trying to get things done with the least amount of kids in my hair as possible. So, if you are still with me, this is what I'm going to do. (I recommend not breaking out the heavy duty cleaning chemicals this time around.) I'm going to show them how to swish the toilet bowl clean, wipe done everything with wipes (I love those Clorox or Lysol disposable wipes, no more icky sponges laying around), clean the mirrors, scrub the tub, empty the trash, replace toilet paper rolls (if I accomplish this one, I think I should be nominated for a Nobel Prize), and sweep up all the hair out of the corners of the bathroom. Kelly and Kyle will even get to help with the wiping action. My hidden goal for this project is that the kids will realize what big messes they make with their toothpaste and general lack of "paying attention" while in the bathroom and therefore be a little more neat from then on. Yeah yeah, I'm such a freaking optimist, someone hit me over the head with a Swiffer mop please.
Make a Book: My kids love to write little books and this is one project I actually like too (mostly for the lack of mess). You can make this as simple or complex as you like. My kids generally use regular printer paper (feel free to cut or fold in half to make smaller books), crayons, colored pencils, and a stapler to hold it all together in the end. Or you can be fancy and buy blank pre-made spiral notebooks (Michaels often has some in the $1 bins). Have the little ones dictate the story to you (Kelly's stories tend to have bunnies and presents) and let them draw the pictures. Then proudly place their stories on a book shelf. Who knows, they may grow up to be the next J.K. Rowling's and buy you a mansion. *winks*
Movie Day! (aka "Let's Give Mom a Break" Day!) Time to pull out the movies! Try to find one the kids haven't seen in a while or go rent a classic like "The Sound of Music" or "ET" (heck "Toy Story 1" is considered an oldie around here). Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy the movies!
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