WooHoo Wednesday- July 17

Scout lost her first tooth last week. Timely since we made Tooth Fairy Wands for our WooHoo Wednesday project. Precut dowels, glittery paint, washi tape, eye screws and ribbon- done!

Scout dropped her tooth down the sink so she left a note. Receipt idea found here

WooHoo Wednesday- July 10

Wednesday, July 3rd we were at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin on vacation so the whole day was pretty WOO HOO! 

July 10th

I Spy Walk

IDEA SOURCE:  Here. 

We went on an I Spy walk through the neighborhood and ended at the park. I left 2 spaces that said "Mom's Choice"  I created the sheet with free clip art. The items were simple but they really enjoyed it. Who knew finding an ant would solicit excitement! 

WooHoo Wednesday- June 2013

Here is a re-cap of WooHoo Wednesdays for June 2013. 

June 5, 2013
Ellie's End of the Year Celebration at the YWCA. She dressed herself. 

 June 12, 2013

I had every intention of doing a Father's Day craft project but then this happened. Sometimes you just have to say "when". 

June 19, 2013
Playing with clay
We made little heart pendants. Ellie made a "beautiful thing" and B made a little birdhouse.

WooHoo Wednesdays- May 2013

Once the snow melts in Wisconsin, Wednesday's turn into WooHoo Wednesday's. Nick has golf league every Wed. He really enjoys golfing with his brothers. I love that this gives him a chance to get out of the house and socialize with other adults. I also love that is gives me some quality time with the kids. 

This is the 6th year we've done it. I try to plan something fun every week. Some weeks it is something as simple as popcorn and a movie. Other weeks it could be a craft. Bennet and Scout are old enough now where they actively ask "What are we doing this week for Woo Hoo Wednesday?" Spenser is just along for the ride. 

Here is a re-cap of May 2013. 

May 1, 2013 
Felt Monsters for my monsters.
The girls picked the colors and shapes- I did the sewing. Templates found here 

May 15, 2013
Dessert B4 Dinner Night.

May 8, 2013
Mother's Day gifts inspired by this tutorial
I asked the kids what they loved about each Grandma and wrote it on the mug. We also made paint handprints to use as flowers, but that was a crafting fail. Oh well- the Grandma's liked the mugs all the same.

May 22, 2013
Indoor picnic at Grandma Barb's house. 

May 29, 2013
Trip to the library. 
Reading in the tub. B & Scout signed up for their own cards. Bennet said, "I'm like readings #1 fan!"

WooHoo Wednesday (July 18)

Last week for Woo Hoo Wednesday we made Jolly Lollies. I had pinned the idea earlier this summer. I was looking for a low-stress, quick project last week and this fit the bill. Scout calls lollipops, "Lady Pops" and it is just adorable!

Tutorial:

The lollipops were pretty darn tasty and the kids thought they were so 'fancy'!

We also did this art project. Found here. It's similar to the Corn Syrup painting we did a couple of summers ago, but less messy. 

Woo Hoo Wednesday (July 11)

The girls are already getting excited for the 5th Annual Camp G&G at the end of August. This year my parents are taking all three girls (along with my niece Molly) for camp. Bennet asked if we could make a paper chain. Done! 

Nick and I will be taking advantage of a rare child-free pre-#4 weekend with a mini-vacay to Chicago so it serves as a Countdown to Chicago chain as well! 

This wasn't my first time at the Paper Chain Rodeo. I have made paper chains before and this is what I learned. A. I can never remember to take a link off every day and then I lose count and B. Scout always asks, "How many more sleeps Mom!" With that in mind I decided to put the date on each link along with the number of sleeps left until camp. Sometimes I'm a genius. 

                              

Woo Hoo Wednesday- June 27

When I checked the temperature for last week's Woo Hoo Wednesday and saw that it was going to be in the 90's (HOT for Wisconsin) I knew it was time to tackle the 

Kids Car Wash Project. 

I'd seen this posted on several Pinterest boards and pinned it with the intention of making it sometime this summer. That sometime was NOW! 

Source: cassieandcompany.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

I used a tutorial found here. 

SUPPLIES:

7 – ¾” x 10’ PVC Pipes

3/4″ FM x 1/2″ MIP hose adapter (See modifications) 

3/4″ x 1/2″ slip x threaded tee (See modifications) 

10- ¾” PVC elbows (without threading)

10- ¾” PVC tees (without threading)

¾” x 48” dowel (See modifications)

Spray Paint (Optional)

Hose Splitter (See modifications)

I found Menards to be MUCH cheaper than Home Depot. Across the board. I had all the PVC pieces cut at the store. I'd recommend going during the week during a slow period (early morning or noon). Chances are the staff will be more willing to cut them for you. 

Cost: 

TOOLS:

Hacksaw/handsaw

Measuring tape

Epoxy/Silicone (for dowels)

Drill and 1/16” bit

KIDS CAR WASH DIAGRAM


MODIFICATIONS: 

• Added a second section for water. I thought having only one spot for water was kind of lame. I duplicated the front arch at the second arch. I kept the second arch using (3) 30" PVC pieces and (1) 24" PVC piece. I added another 3/4" threaded tee and an additional hose connector. 
• If you add a second water spray location you will need (2) 3/4″ FM x 1/2″ MIP hose adapters, (2)3/4″ x 1/2″ slip x threaded tees, Hose Splitter, (4) 4" dowels instead of 2
• I sprang for 4 cans of spray paint ($12) and painted all the parts. It really took the car wash to a whole other level. No more ugly white PVC pipe with lettering all over it. I love how it looks! 

I really wanted the girls and I to make it all by ourselves. I'd say that we did about 90% of it. Nick helped with some cutting and drilling. Somehow when I went to put it together I lost one of the pieces. I have a feeling Ellie walked off with it. 


Here's how it turned out. I gotta say- I'm pretty darn proud of the finished product.

This is my new favorite picture. We have very few photos of all 3 girls together and this one captures who they are to a T!

Woo Hoo Wednesday - June 20

A week or so ago Bennet came up to me with an idea for our Woo Hoo Wednesday project/activity. It made me so happy that she came up with an idea all on her own. And that she was genuinely excited about it. Her idea? SOCK PUPPETS! The girl is a genius! 

Supplies: 
Tubes Socks (Dollar Tree)
Giant Googly Eyes
Yarn
Felt
Cardboard (for the mouth)
Hot Glue Gun


Bennet getting her doggie's hair ready. I just love her tongue stuck out. Very serious work.

I did alot of the assembly due to the hot glue gun (and have the blisters to prove it!) but the girls picked out the colors and overall theme. Here is Bennet's finished dog.

Scout made Miss Piggy. She decided to use a marker and color the sleeve and her arm.

Ellie made a very scaled down version of Kermit to accompany Miss Piggy.

Bennet became obsessed with her puppet. She pretty much wore it ALL day Thursday. It was on when I dropped her off for Summer School in the morning. It was on when I picked her up at lunch. She did a little show for the YWCA staff when she got there in the afternoon. The girl is all about commitment to her craft.

She overheard me telling Nick that I hope she doesn't get into ventriloquy because those puppets creep me out. Of course she's now asking,"Can I see what those creepy puppets are Mom? I bet I'd like them." Can't you just picture her with a ventriloquist doll? So help me.  

WooHoo Wednesday (June 13) -Father's Day Craft

Every year I try to have the girls make something for Nick for Father's Day. I usually start by asking, "What do you think Dad would like? What things does he like?" The first year I asked this they responded with "Tissues"so he got an fancy embellished pink kleenex holder. Another year they responded with "Zombies" so we made him an ugly zombie doll. 

This year they responded with, "Well- Dad does drink alot of water in his office." They would know. They are always in there sneaking a sip. Based on that we made him a set of homemade coasters. 

Ellie's little hand.

Bennet drew him a picture of Diablo. Nick's been playing a lot of Diablo 3 lately. Bennet helps him pick out is weapons, etc.

Scout wrote 'HULK'. Big surprise right?

I coated them generously with ModPodge and am hoping they last for at least 2 uses. If I did it again I would have the kids use either crayons or permanent markers. The water-based markers smeared quite a bit when I applied the top coat.

WooHoo Wednesday (June 6)

Last WooHoo Wednesday we made homemade sidewalk chalk paint. It was really cheap and simple. We followed this recipe. 

We made enough to have 2 tins of paints.

Bennet was all about the paint splatter. With a fair amount of splatter ending up in her hair. 

I don't think we've ever done a project that hasn't gone from somewhat clean and organized to full on MESS in a matter of minutes. This was no exception. It wasn't long before Scout decided that brushes were for amateurs and the best painting implement was her hands and feet. We took one muffin tin and poured it into a rectangular pan.

 My contribution to the project. 

After they were sufficiently covered from head to toe in sidewalk chalk I quickly ushered all three of them into the shower- TOGETHER! I think that may have been their favorite part of the activity.  I wish I would have recorded the shrieks of glee and the contagious laughter that came from that little stall. They were having all together too much fun! The sweet sounds of sisterhood! 

WooHoo Wednesday (May 30)

Last week we had a mellow WooHoo Wednesday. I wasn't feeling 100% so the three girls and I just cozied up on the couch and watched a movie. I have to admit that sometimes after a long day of work the best thing is just relaxing with my kids! However, we do have 2 different options on the slate for tonight so we'll see what we end up doing.

Today was the first Camp Day at the YWCA. Each Wednesday the kids get some special time outside with fun stations that focus on science, arts & crafts and physical activity. Bennet's age group will start their camp next week.

Scout making homemade ice cream. She has on her ice cream patterned dress today- how did she know?

Ellie making a bubble painting. I'm impressed that she didn't suck the soap in :)

WooHoo Wednesday- Tye Dye Ender

Fall is right around the corner here in Wisconsin. This means the end of Nick's golf league and the final WooHoo Wednesday of the year. We had so much fun this year. Alot of effort went into our events but the memories made were worth every minute!

Tonight we did tye dye. Grandma Sweeney, Mallory, Meghan, Jess and Trevor joined in the fun. The clothes are soaking so I'll post *after* photos later.

A big thank you to Jess for taking photos.

Here is Ellie with a shirt on her head. Don't you just want to scoop her up? She's started sticking her tongue out at night. So flippin' cute!

Grandma brought over the smocks which looked alot like OR scrubs (Oh- are they?) Trevor served as Dr. Trevor. I had to ask for each color like it was an instrument in an operating room.

Until May. . .

WooHoo Wednesday- First Day of School

Today was Bennet's first day of school. She has 4K/PreK everyday for 1/2 day through the Wausau School District. She couldn't be more excited. I just smile when I see this photo. The ruffled denim skirt and Keds. Classic back-to-school attire.

Already making boyfriends? Not exactly. This is Liam. He goes to the same daycare and will be in her class. Apparently when I left Bennet Liam realized that his parents weren't staying with him for school. He gave his mom a death grip. Bennet took his hand and said, "It's ok Liam. Just stick with me" How sweet is that?
Conversation this morning over breakfast.

Me: What's your teachers name?

Bennet: Mrs. Norieka (No-ree-ka)
Nick: Is she Japanese?

Bennet: What? She doesn't have knees?

(giggles)

She did great! She got on and off the bus at daycare like a pro. She told me she sang, played and went to the bathroom 2 times. But her favorite was milk time with milk that opened from the sides. Oh she makes me smile.

Scout starts her new daycare/preschool next week so I took her for a fresh haircut today as well. We are still growing out her bangs so we just had a couple inches cut off the bottom.