random fun

I am usually a mega planner, knowing exactly what we are going to do daily and during which time slot. But sometimes, and this is hard for me, I have to be spontaneous. I have a seemingly never-ending list of fun activities and almost no free time, and when we do have a few spare hours I always forget what is on that list. That’s when Nate ends up on the Xbox for a bit and I’ll do something no fun, like cleaning or laundry. What a horrible way to spend the weekend! And with summer upon us, the need for entertainment can become dire.

But here’s a cure for the never-knowing-what-to-do times: a summer fun container! Thanks to Becky of Clean Mama, the purveyor of said wonderful idea, we have the instructions on how to make sure there is always a fun idea waiting to be acted upon. You can find her tutorial here, but here’s my take.

I used her list as a jumping off point and while Nate was in the bath, I sat next to the tub and we discussed what would be some fun things for us to do. I made a few additions to the list, typed it on the computer using my own font and printed it out on some paper:

Let the fun begin!

Here’s a .pdf if you want a copy for your own self - summer_fun_list

I didn’t have any oatmeal canisters hanging around, so I grabbed a salsa jar to hold the slips of paper.  I found a sticker that was perfect and some matching ribbon to tie on the neck of the bottle. I printed the ideas, cut them into strips and stuffed the jar!

Just waiting to be used at the next moment of boredom.

I can see adding many other outings and ideas to this list in the future…some new ideas have already come to mind as I’ve sat here typing…and I’m really looking forward to some new ideas for quality time with my family.

Photo from Kind Over Matter

I’m a fan of feel-good blogs that make you want to be a better person and all that happy stuff. So, of course, I am a big fan of Kind Over Matter, a site whose mantra is “kindness is all that matters.”  

My favorite project the blog documents is the card drops. I have always been a fan of random acts of kindness, and I love the thought of leaving a card with a note to brighten someone’s day in random spots. You can download these positive and loving messages here.

Thanks to Paige for sharing this wonderful site!

From the Eric Carle blog

I have always loved Eric Carle. I’m not being trivial…since I was a little girl, like 4 or 5, I’ve loved The Hungry Caterpillar and his other books for their vibrant color and wonderful texture that is trademark Carle.

Click on the photo to read his post about everyday art and making a mess.

So I’m finally getting over the big New Year’s Eve hoedown. Yes, a woman in her mid-thirties requires two full days of rest before feeling normal after dancing/singing ’til three a.m. + at least five BIG Maker’s Mark and Diet Cokes + er, a few smokes + waking up at 7:45 a.m. the morning after to make a corn pudding for the family get-together at noon. Yeah, that takes a few days to recover from.

Anyhoo, most of my fellow bloggers have posted about their New Year’s resolutions, so I thought I’d get on board. I’m not one to make resolutions, because I tend to pack my life too full of projects and other comittments for a long-term follow through type of plan (hey, at least I’m honest!) but there are two things wearing on my mind these days.

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This has nothing to do with crafts, but I just had to share before heading off to bed…

We had a great weekend, one for the record books. My son has been asking to “go to the lake” for a few weeks now, so we went to Greer’s Ferry yesterday morning for a dip. Yes, it was cold…if you got out of the water. We were joined by some great friends and their son, and the boys had a BALL in the water. The husband said the look of joy on the kiddo’s face while they were floating and splashing was so wonderful. We had a picnic lunch, then headed home for the day.

This morning we joined another couple and their girls for a ride on the River Trail on the NLR side. We pull the kiddo in a bike trailer and he points out all of the trees and animals he sees along the way. He loves his trailer and is always telling Daddy to “GO FASTER!”  Usually Sunday is our family ride day, so it was nice to have friends join us. We had another picnic lunch and the kids played on the playground while the adults commiserated.

But the best part didn’t even involve me. This afternoon I went to the grocery store, leaving my husband and the kiddo to play in the blow-up pool. After much sliding, the kiddo climbed up on Daddy, grabbed his cheeks between his little hands and said, “Dad, you are the best helper ever.” Husband called me at the store to tell me this, and I could tell he was just busting with pride.

It got me thinking.

Our kids lack control over 85% of their lives. This weekend, we tried to let go of the errands and the projects and just asked him “what do you want to do?” He is getting to the age where he remembers places and moments, and I will guarantee you he will remember this weekend for a while…where we helped him to do what makes him happy.

the next time you fail miserably at a venture in crafting, visit the site craftfail. members blog, with photos, the not-so-good outcomes of their craft endeavors. it’s good therapy when you realize you’ve cut on the inside of the pattern…like me.

well, well, well….here we are! the crafty mama has arrived.

today is the first day we are able to upload posts to the blog, and i couldn’t resist the urge to share a fun, supa EASY, artsy project with you guys.

skip to my lou is one of my favorite craft blogs…she always has something kiddo friendly, fun and easy to share with us. one recent post was about homemade chalk paint…as soon as it stops raining, i suggest you make some and paint up a storm on the driveway with your own kiddos.

and just because this has nothing to do with anything, i also wanted to share a video a friend sent me that just made my monday. Have you heard of the jk wedding dance phenomenon? you must watch it now…it will make you laugh and cry and ponder “why didn’t i think of that for MY wedding!”

next time, actual crafting! until then…