Planter Redo: 2 Minutes, $2 and Too Cute!

Islanders, I have an update and, if you know me, you know it's major.

I have a plant.  A live plant.  It's alive.

Come on.  Is that not major news for me?  Ok, wait.  I have had a plant that I've kept alive for over a month.  It's actually growing.  Are you impressed yet?  NO?!  Well, you should be.

I killed a cactus garden.  I killed a durable house plant.  Heck, I've killed an air plant.

Sometimes, I go to stores later in the evening because I enjoy browsing the aisles solo.  I take my time strolling while everyone else is trying to get in and get out.  A little over a month ago, I went to Walmart and picked up a succulent.  They were on sale and I figured I'd give it a try.  

For weeks, I left it in the ugly little store bought pot... ya know the black ones with the holes in the bottom.  Yes, that little ugly pot.  I left it in there.  I just knew it wouldn't last long so, I didn't get my hopes up.  I sat it on the coffee table next to the artificial plant.  Well, after about 4 weeks.  I noticed something.  

My little baby plant had new green coming in.  Could it be?  Did I not kill it?!   Did it actually grow?  OMG!

I became increasingly more excited as the days progressed... don't worry, it wasn't the same excitement that watered a cactus every other day... I've learned that lesson.  It definitely was not THAT kind of excitement.  It was more of the excitement to buy a new little pot for my plant.  I still wasn't sure of the level of commitment.  I wanted something cute but cheap that would also fit my family room decor.

The kid and I found a cute little pot in the Target garden section.  It was plastic and cream and, the best part, it only cost $1.  I decided to get it.  It was a buck.  What did  I have to lose?  From Target, the kid and I headed to Dollar Tree and I was shocked to see DT had potting soil!  I hurried home and transferred my little plant into her new home. Yep, it's a 'her.'  She's one tough cookie.  Peliona.  That's her name.  Peliona is Spanish slang for a girl who likes to argue or fight.  I had an idea.  I grabbed a few permanent markers.  I drew lips.  I drew lashes.  I drew Peliona.

I took a pencil for an idea of the lash line and used it as a guide to draw lashes.

I love how the plant became her hair.  Munch pointed out that it resembled pig tails.

I tend to agree!  Ok, so here's the best part:

I found a similar vase online for $28!  Doesn't that make it even better?! 

2 MINUTES.  2 DOLLARS.  TOO CUTE!

I was able to spend $2 and use markers I had on hand to create a super cute vase! Target had a black vase too.  How cute would it be to use a chalk marker for seasonal or party decor with cute messages... a row of them with individual letters on each (SPRING or CREATE)... photo adhered with ModPodge... the possibilities are endless!

WW: First Splash of 2017

5 Awesome Summer Crafts for Kids

Hi, Islanders!  While we adjust to the summer schedule and look to find remedies for boredom, I thought I'd share some of the crafts we are planning to do over the next few weeks.  I'll be sure to share the picture of our projects but, if you're looking to MAKE some fun this weekend, consider one of these awesome projects!

I’ve compiled the go-to summer craft list to keep your kids educated, engaged and entertained!

1.  Nature Walk Name Sign

Photo credit:  [Untitled photo of name sign using leaves] (N.D.). Retrieved June 30, 2016 from http://www.pinterest.com]

Give your little ones a small bag and head outside for a walk.  Ask them to pick up some pieces of nature to bring home.  Leaves, twigs, small rocks, flowers, sand, etc. are all great supplies to collect.  When you return home, allow little ones to color or select their favorite color paper and use the supplies to create the letters in the name. 

Tip: Consider introducing new words every day, encouraging little ones to trace with a pencil first and then to use supplies like beans to cover the outline.  When complete, count the beans in each word to increase the educational factor (math work, hello!) without compromising on fun!   

Not only will the daily walks allow for exploration and exercise but the activity when you return home can serve as writing practice (if they trace it) and will allow them to get their creative juices flowing!

2.  DIY Chia Pets

Photo credit:  [Untitled photo of plant in bottle] (N.D.). Retrieved June 30, 2016 from http://www.pinterest

Save a clear plastic bottle for each child.  Cut the bottle in half and provide supplies for the little one to make a face on the front of the bottle.  Place inside soil and quick-growing seeds of your choice like chia seeds, grass seeds, sunflowers, etc. and watch the fun grow in! 

Tip:  Have each child name their bottle pets for added fun!  Consider having each child introduce their friend and, for older kids, have them write a funny or silly story about their new pet. 

This craft is fun, teaches responsibility (with the water and plant food regimen), and reviews the plant life cycle.

3.  Pineapple Print Painting

Photo credit:  [Untitled photo of thumbprint pineapple painting] (N.D.). Retrieved June 30, 2016 from http://www.pinterest.com]

Head to the dollar store in search of a watercolor paint set.  Dip thumbs in water and then into the dry paint.  Dab thumbprints into the shape of a pineapple for a cute and time-consuming painting. 

Tip: for added fun, make this craft while a yummy pineapple dessert is baking.  Incorporate pineapple into dinner, serve the dessert and have each child present his painting to the family.

4.  Sponge Bombs

Photo credit:  [Untitled photo of sponge bomb] (N.D.). Retrieved June 30, 2016 from http://www.pinterest.com]

I shared my tutorial for these here. Make them after dinner for bath time fun.  Make a bunch before a water bomb war between two teams.  Take them with you to the pool.  Think of them as reusable water balloons!  Simply wet and let the fun begin!  With sponge bombs, the possibilities are endless!

5. Feet in the Sand Painting

Photo credit:  [Untitled photo of footprint painting] (N.D.). Retrieved June 30, 2016 from http://www.pinterest.com]

All you need to create a nice painting is sand, paint and glue!  Use the paint to make the water and sand on a canvas or heavy cardstock.  After the paint dries, cover the bottom of your feet in glue and place them on the sand portion of the painting.  Sprinkle sand on top of the footprint to create a 3-dimensional look.  When it dries you will have a beautiful painting that’s perfect for summer decor! 

This post was originally written for Everything Girls Love in my role as Staff Writer, Modern Domestic

Summer Happenin's - Summer School

Howdy, Islanders!

Our summer is off to a fantastic start.  My mom-in-law, Judy, came to visit for the holiday weekend and we had a blast sharing our fun weekend with her.  We visited my bro-in-law's new fancy apartment in the city and helped him settle in with lots of housewares.  We laughed, we shopped... because, well, what visit with Judy would be complete without a shopping trip?

In yesterday's Wordless Wednesday (WW) post, I shared photos of Munch in one of the store parking lots from this weekend's shopping trip:

 Seeing her tote that doll around still makes me giggle to myself.  She's such a little mama.  I shared the other photos from over the years because it seems she has ALWAYS had a doll on her hip, lol.

The other images in the WW post remind me just how much she's grown and yet how young and innocent she still is.  I don't want her to lose that innocence. Don't get me wrong, her sassy-pants are growing.  No, seriously, this pre-pre-teen life ain't easy-haha!


Anyhoo, Munch has had a great summer with her Grandma Lisa and Pop-Pop so far.  Her days have been filled with movie dates, manis and 'big girl' pedis, shopping and more!  This summer, Munch is also enrolled in summer school.

WHOAH! I just shared that.

I was once super embarrassed about the out-of-cycle instruction.  I thought summer school was for the kids parents who were failing.  As a child, I remember seeing kids get off of school buses during summer vacation and thinking, "oooh, they must be BAD kids!"  I guess that childhood prejudice has stuck with me but shifted from the kids to the parents.  Shame on me for that!

Munch LOVES summer school.  She's in a bridge program that covers third grade concepts taught by a fourth grade teacher.  This teacher also introduces fourth grade topics.  The best part of summer school is that there is zero pressure for the students and teachers!  Who thought learning could be fun?  Who thought learning could allow for creativity?  Who is playing games and writing funny stories and, all the while, developing math and grammar mastery?

Everything I disliked about Munch's typical learning environment is what makes summer school unique.  Teachers are able to do what they're called to do, teach.  No lectures or standardized tests... no boring lessons or mass-produced lesson plans... just 3.5 hours of solid instruction... smaller classes and bigger possibilities.  Munch comes home excited to tell us about her day and we are excited to hear about it!

"Daddy, today, we played a game called 3 truths and a lie.  We had to write biographies and read them to our group and everyone had to guess what wasn't true.  I said I have a cat... and everyone believed me!!"

Hmm, nice touch, summer teacher lady.  Nice touch.

When the recommendation for summer school was presented, I immediately pushed for improvement thinking that would help avoid dreaded summer school (after all, in my mind, it was only for failing kids/parents and she was FAR from failing).  Then, with her vision issues identified late May and the extent of her prescription, summer school became increasingly more appealing.  I'm so glad we decided to enroll her in the program!

She's home in enough time to enjoy summer with her baby doll and even converted her bedroom reading nook into a doll nursery.

My craft room trash can became the bedside table, her magazine holder became the baby's bed, the crib quilt became a rug and she even recycled some old party decor to be wall and room accessories.

Summer school allows me to rest easy knowing she is challenged academically and allows Munch to enjoy her time when she comes home to do, well, whatever little mama wants!  She reads to us every evening and it's a lot less stressful for everyone!

Here's hoping you're having a productive and FUN summer too!

A Farewell to Summer

This time of year is always bittersweet for me.

I just love Munch's summer tan :) It seemed like the perfect cover image for our sun-kissed summer farewell.

Islanders, today is the first day of Autumn!

Fall is my favorite season but I do have an unhealthy affinity for the hot summer months.  There's just something about uncontrollable sweat behind the knees that makes me happy, lol.  I almost long for it in December.

The winter of 2013-2014 was rough for our area!  It made me vow to appreciate the summer heatwave... to promise that, no matter how hot it got, I would never complain.  Maybe because it wasn't hellishly hot this year, maybe because I hid in the arms of my air conditioning unit... whatever the case, I enjoyed the hot months of the summer.  Before I bid a formal farewell to grill-burned hot dogs and potato salad, I'd like to take this opportunity to share some of our summertime lost files.  Enjoy!