Doorknob Pillows

 We colored some small stuffed star and heart pillows.  The loop they each had is just the right size to loop over a doorknob, so we called them "Doorknob Pillow".  "Wait, what's a doorknob?"  We had a lesson. ♥

 

I used a Sharpie marker to write each child's name on their pillow.  The kids then used fabric markers to color them.  The fabric markers did not bleed on the fabric.

 

They all wanted to use multiple colors. 

 

Smudge did this the whole time.  He was needy.

 

They also tried not to color over their names. 

Ta-da!  Doorknob pillows!  To create a more time consuming event, you could create pillows out of newspaper and staple them or sew them together and stuff. 

♥♥♥Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

Taking A Walk

We took a walk to Emerson Elementary School last week.  On the way, we stopped to see the giant tree.  Everyone noticed the green leaves,  it's a summer tree!  They had to give it a climb. 

 

Half a mile later, we arrived at our destination.  Sometimes it's worth a walk to see a different playground.  We didn't even have to share the toys!

 

I didn't realize there was a large covered basketball court.  Next time we will bring our basketballs.  The kids had a blast just running around the large space hollering out to hear their echos. 

Can you see Mt. Rainier?  We could see the top of it reaching above the tree line.  It looks ghostly. 

 

Most important, I gave the swing a go.  It was everything I thought it would be, and more. 

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥

Run Free Like The Wind

If you need your kids to get active, create a windsock and encourage to run!  

Run free like the wind, Bullseye!  (Channeling Toy Story.)

The kids were actually racing.  I love this shot!  

It's just not as exciting to run without something flowy trailing behind you I guess. 

♥Run, run, run, repeat.   They were delighted. ♥

 "Can we do it again?" 

"Ready, set, GO!"

♥♥♥Happy Friday!♥♥♥

Feather Masks

We got out the feathers and some pre-cut masks that have been in the craft overflow drawer for a while. 

 

The kids colored the masks and glued on some feathers.

 

They were trying to be scary. "Groooowlll!!"

 

I couldn't tell who was behind the mask!

 

This one wore hers all day. :)

 I love the bright colors!

 

Smudge, laying on the catnip plants that reseeded in the strawberry box.  

♥♥♥Happy Thursday!♥♥♥

Summer Garden

Things are slowly moving forward here.  We really have enjoyed several quiet lazy summer days. (Whether the sunshine shows up or not..)  Today?  It did not.

We taped some popsicle sticks to the back of some colored paper plates.

Add a medium balloon and you have a toy that creates hours of playtime!  Hitting the balloon with the plate is highly entertaining. :)

Meanwhile, in the garden, the kids' mini pumpkins are looking happy!  They are extending their vines and flowering. 

The green beans are beastly this year.  They have grown up over the 3 tee pee structures AND flower pot hook I added for their climbing pleasure.  They then proceeded to grow more vines and wrap themselves around each other.  I think it's safe to say that they like their new location. 

Like mother like daughter?  That second bud seems to say to the old bloom, "Don't worry, I've GOT this." 

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥

P.S.  My friend Sarah has a new blog and is having a giveaway right now. :)  Click on the link to enter!

http://atowngirlslife.blogspot.com/

Smoothie Popsicles

Last week some time we made some fruit smoothies.  We had a lot left over, so we poured it into 3 ounce cups, added a stick and popped them into the freezer.  They would be the perfect treat for after nap when the weather seems to be the warmest.  In the smoothies, we used a generous blob of vanilla yogurt, fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and pineapple.  YUM!

I loved these because they took forever to melt.  Be careful, because when they did finally start to cause a mess, it was HUGE!  Also- good thing I checked my teeth after I finished mine, they were full of blueberry skins.  I would've smiled and talked to parents that way. 

Where is the sunshine?  Our family just returned from high 90 degree Leavenworth with wonderful sun tans, and it is so cold and cloudy here at home.  Come on, Western Washington, you can do this.  

It's summer, right?

♥♥♥Happy Thursday!♥♥♥

Busy Fun

We have been having a great summer so far at Henle House! 

We made some faces in our Fourth of July hats.

Love it!

We had a celebratory summer picnic!  I love Aiden's enthusiasm.  He is actually wearing a shirt!

We created our own firework show!

Crayon resist style. :)

Painting with water outside sure keeps a toddler entertained.

"Hmmm, what's happening and how do I get my hands on it?"

That's my kind of painting- mess free! 

My kids have enjoyed the lazy summer sunshine. ♥

This morning we created some INDOOR sunshine to decorate the playroom. 

Those are the hot swirls on my favorite star. 

So the sun doesn't have to squint at it's own brightness. 

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥

The Children Trap

All you need to do is hang up a blanket or a sheet in a way that creates a fort. The children must have some sort of tent radar that alerts them.  It only took seconds, and although the children have played in this particular area hundreds of times, it was very different with a blanket enclosing it. 

They just sat there.  That's all!  It did not matter what they were doing, the point was that they were hiding behind the blanket.  That is the fun part!

Meanwhile, we created some rockets!

Look at that fire. :)

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥