ABC Stones

Here's a cute, creative way to help your child learn their ABC's...

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

-1-2 packages of medium sized river rocks

-Package of colorful puffy paints/pens

DIRECTIONS:

1) Lay out 26 rocks out

2) Write one letter on each rock

3) Decorate each letter and/or rock

4) Have fun learning ABC's!

Pom-Pom Fun!

I got this idea from my best friend and it's one of the greatest, cheapest toys ev-er! 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

-Plastic Containers (bought these at Walmart for less than $2)

-Package of Pom Pom (bought these at Walmart for less than $2)

-Exacto Knife/Box Cutter

DIRECTIONS:

1) Cut a small hole on the lid of the container with the exacto knife/box cutter

2) Close the container and have the kids push the pom-poms through and they will have endless fun!!



The Circus is coming!!

When was the last time you have been to the Circus?  Well the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Phoenix starting on June 23 through June 27!

Now I'm not too sure how a baby under 1 would really enjoy the circus but if this is your babies 1st time at a Circus they have a pretty good deal...

Free Ticket for Baby’s First Circus

"Parenthood brings many wonderful firsts - your baby’s first tooth, your baby’s first steps... and of course, your Baby’s First Circus!  That’s why we created the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Baby’s First Circus program for parents of newborns (up to 12 months old and living in the continental United States)."

When You Sign Up You'll Receive:

•A ticket voucher, which will arrive by mail, that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date!
•You'll also be able to print a very special commemerative certificate, that you can personalize with your child's name!

For this and other great deals, visit Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and click on "Special Offers" located at the top of the website!

It's been so long since I've been to the Circus and my daughter has never been so I'm excited it's coming to Phoenix!! The Circus will be held at the US Airways Center.

Make your own Lip Balm!!

I was watching Martha Stewart and I fell in love with this project!!  I think it would be a great activity to do at birthday parties, put in gift bags for "goodie bags" or to give out as gifts etc...I haven't tried it yet, as I need to order the materials, but I had to pass this along and when I prepare my own I'll let you know how they come out!! 

Girls of all ages will just love doing this!!

Ingredients

•2 teaspoons grated beeswax
•5 teaspoons carrier oil (such as castor, sunflower, or jojoba)
•1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
•1 teaspoon carmine (natural red) coloring oil
•6 or 7 drops essential oil (such as vanilla) **optional**

Note: To make colorless lip balm, substitute carmine coloring oil with an additional teaspoon of carrier oil.

Tools and Materials needed:

•Double boiler (use pot on stove and pyrex measuring dish inside)
•Mixing stick or spoon
•Lip balm tubes, pots, or tins
•Pouring tray with plastic scraper
•Decorative paper
•2-inch-wide clear packing tape

Homemade Lip Balm How-To

1. Melt beeswax, carrier oil, vitamin E oil, and coloring oil together in a double boiler, stirring to combine. Add essential oil right before removing from boiler to pour.

2. Pour mixture into lip balm containers. Let cool for about an hour. If using a pouring tray, scrape away excess and smooth tops with plastic scraper.

3. To make labels, cut a scrap of decorative paper to the size of container. Place paper facedown on a piece of clear 2-inch-wide packing tape. Cut packing tape to width of paper strip, and trim so tape is about 1/2 inch longer than paper on both ends. Wrap tape with paper around tube or pot.

Where to purchase the items needed:
-Lip balm ingredients available from TKB Trading
-Lip balm tubes, pots, tins, and pouring trays available from SKS Bottle.
-Essential oils and vitamin E oil available from your local drug stores (such as Walgreens etc.)

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Summer Kids Days @ Peter Piper Pizza!

Looking for something fun, but not too expensive to do with your kids this summer?  Well here's one of many ideas I'll be sharing...

Peter Piper Pizza presents:

SUMMER KIDS DAYS!

Bring the kids, the FUN'S in session!

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June 1:  Blast Off to Summer

June 8:  Meet your Local Hereos

June 15:  Kids on Broadway

June 22:  I am a Rock Star

June 29:  Happy Birthday America

July 6:  Bring Your "A" Game

July 13:  Earth Explorers

July 20:  Behind the Slice

July 27: End of Summer Party

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Join Us Every Tuesday---- June 1st - July 27th from 10am-12pm, Ages 3-12 years

Only $4.99 per child and includes:

          -2 slices of pizza

   -12oz drink

-4 tokens

**Select dates include FREE passes to local attractions**

Playdough from scratch!

Anyone who has a child, no matter what age, knows they all love to play with playdough...here's an easy recipe to make yourselves!  It will keep any kid entertained & they will just love making their own playdough, mine sure did!!

What you'll need:

-Bowl & Mixing utensils

-Food Coloring of choice

-1/4 cup salt

-1 cup flour

-1/4 cup water

Directions:

-Mix together all ingredients and food coloring.  How simple, right?! 

**You may need to add extra water or flour to make the correct consistency.  You can either use plastic bags to mix the ingredients together or mix in a bowl...your preference**

Great storage idea...once you are done playing use disposable storage containers, found at any grocery store!

Don't forget...cookie cutters, rolling pins, and other extras you want to use!

Have fun!!

Chores = Shopping Spree!

I feel that it is important to have kids help around the house--- when they're at the right age of course!

My daughter helps out around the house a lot now, so we've set up certain chores for her to do certain days of the week.  And even though I absolutely hated doing them when I was little, I feel that it was quite beneficial and teaches responsibility!  We originally had it where if she did her chores she would earn allowance, well that didn't work so well...she wasn't as motivated and if she didn't earn the few bucks she was fine.  So, I'm trying something new & hopefully motivating...

 (Chore chart purchased at Target)

If she does her chores for the entire month then she will get a $20.00 shopping spree!  Each week she'll earn $5.00, may not be a lot to us adults but to kids is plenty of money :o)  I told her she could buy whatever she wanted at the end of the month, it was her money...she even asked me, "Could I save my money and use it on something big or put it in my account at the bank?" I thought that was so cute & smart!!