Pool Noodle Fun!

I saw an article in a recent Parents magazine about all the fun you can have by getting creative with pool noodles called, "Use Your Noodle: Pool Noodle Backyard Games".  I was a little worried about the cost, since I'd never bought a pool noodle before but, I found them at our local Dollar Tree for $1.00 and I figure I could do the activities listed in the magazine for $12-15.00.  I am sold!!!  The next time I'm out and about, I'm buying a bunch of pool noodles, pulling out my husband's duct tape and using chopsticks from our recent trip to our favorite Chinese restaurant.  Then we are going to make it a family activity by working together to create our own obstacle course/backyard games.  My kids can't wait!!!

Painting with Shaving Cream

A few weeks back I found a picture online of a muffin tin filled with different colored shaving cream.  I thought "What a great idea!" and I immediately wanted to try it.  However, I thought it would be much more fun for my kids to do in the shower. 


Although a muffin tin would be great for a dry activity, it wasn't my first choice to use in the shower.  So, I used a divided rectangle Ziploc container I had for my husband's lunches.  We can keep it in the shower and not worry about rusting and it's easy for the kids to hold.  Having the separate compartments makes it easier to keep the colors separate but it isn't necessary.  The shower walls and clear shower curtain were a perfect blank canvas for the kids. They had a blast!


This is what you need:

• Shaving Cream
• Food Coloring
• Paint Brushes
• Container for "paints"

I used my husband's shaving cream which is only about $1.  The food coloring I already had but, it's only a couple of dollars a box of four in the grocery store.  The paint brushes I picked up in a 3-pack for only $1.  You can use anything laying around the house to keep you "paint" in: old yogurt bin, plastic bowl/plate, etc. 


If your shower is tiled, be careful because the food coloring might stain it.  This activity would also be fun to do outside in the summer too.  I think I'll let my kids do this in our inflatable pool!  Be creative and have fun! 

Get Organized with 3M Command Hooks

We have some much stuff in our house with five family members.  Often times things get lost in the closets from falling down or just getting tossed in.  So, I got organized with 3M Command Hooks.  These things are awesome!!!  They aren't just for Christmas lights and holiday decorations (which I started using them for).  This is what I use my hooks for:

• Keeping book bags/backpacks off the floor and easily accessible
• Hanging Coats
• Storing Belts
• Hanging necklaces and keeping them from tangling

"A place for everything and everything in it's place."  It's a motto I am trying to live by.  Get creative, get organized!

Quick Tip: Summer Playdate Contact Cards

Every summer my kids miss their classmates.  Since teachers don't send home classroom contact lists, I don't have anybody's information.  So, to be sure we stay-in-touch with my children's friends, I make Summer Playdate Contact Cards.  On index cards I wrote my child's name, my name, my contact information and a short note saying my child would like to get together over the summer.  I gave each of my kids three index cards to hand out to friends they want to visit this summer.  I've already gotten two calls from moms and school just ended two days ago!  Looking forward to a summer fully of friends and fun.