Rainbows Aren't Just For Rainy Days!

My son wanted to make a rainbow, like the "leprechaun" did in my St. Patrick's Day Craft Ideas post. After we made the paper rainbows, we went outside to make other types of rainbows.

Here's a few ideas!

• Fill a glass 2/3 full. I found that tall glasses worked better. Grab a white piece of paper and head outside or next to a sunny window. Tilt the glass so the sun shines through the glass onto the paper. Keep experimenting with angles until you achieve a rainbow!

• If it is a warm sunny day, head outside and get the garden hose out. Spray a misty stream. You may need to adjust angle or position to get the rainbow to show up.

• Use a crystal or a prism. Hold up to light to refract (bend) the light into it's separate colors. You can find prisms at local craft stores or on Amazon (here or here).

• Look in the parking lots. Cars sometimes leak oil or other fluids (don't touch!). You can often see a rainbow in the puddle, especially in the sunlight.

• Blow bubbles! If the sun hits the bubble right, you can see a rainbow in it!

To help remember the order of the rainbows colors, just remember the rainbow's friend ROY G. BIV:

Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet

We're Going Bananas!

For banana shakes!

For this relatively healthy snack, you will need:

• 2 bananas
• 5 Tbpn frozen orange juice concentrate
• 1 c. low fat milk
• 3 Tbpn malted milk powder (optional, if you want to make a malt instead of a shake)
• Plastic Wrap
• Blender

Directions:

1. Peel bananas and wrap in plastic wrap. 
2. Freeze until firm (about 1 hour).
3. Break bananas into pieces, add to blender.
4. Next, add milk, juice, and powder (if using).
5. Blend until smooth.
6. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Pulled Beef Sandwiches

If you want a super easy dinner ready for you when you get home, this is it!

PULLED BEEF SANDWICHES

www.DailyMesses.com

Prep time 10 minutes. Cook time 8 hours to 10 hours. (My crock pot runs hot, so it only takes mine about 7 1/2 hours. It just depends on how warm your crock pot runs. After the first time you make this, you'll be able to adjust the time.)

You will need:

• 1 boneless beef roast (3-4 lbs)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 (16 oz) Italian dressing
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Burger buns

Directions:

1. Spray the inside of  crock pot with cooking spray.
2. Add beef (remove any strings/netting first) to crock pot.
3. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
4. Pour dressing on and add seasoning.
5. Cover and cook on low heat.
6. When tender (falling apart, easily shredded with a fork), remove from crock pot.
7. Place on cutting board and shred beef using 2 forks. Place on buns and enjoy!

Feed a Giraffe!

We are lucky enough to have a wonderful zoo near us. The zoo offers different animal encounters (pet the snake, pet the turtle, etc.) on different days of the week. When the weather is nice, the giraffes like to come out into the yard. For $1 a cracker (they look like Triscuits, but are for giraffes) you can feed the giraffes. The kids wanted to do it, and for $2 ($1 each kid) I thought it would be a good life memory. Did you know giraffes have purple-blackish tongues? My kids thought it was hilarious to watch a long purple tongue come out and wrap around the cracker. It hopefully will be a life long memory for them.

You might not have a giraffe encounter near you, but there are always ways to create a life long memory!

Some facts on giraffes:
Giraffes can live for up to 25 years.
Giraffes have 4 stomachs!
Giraffes are herbivores. The tongue and lips are tougher to protect from thorns on bushes and trees.
Giraffes eat 75 pounds of leaves a day!
Giraffes spots are all different. Their spots may look similar to each other, but each giraffe has its own markings!
The color of the tongue might protect it from getting sunburned.

Links:
Wiki
National Geographic
Science Kids

Vacation Time!

It's getting to be that time of year again! Tight budgets, travel, and sunscreen. Vacation planning can be super stressful (I know, it's vacation. I am very grateful that we are lucky enough to be able to save through the year and to go on a vacation when many cannot.) Here are some of my experiences and knowledge from planning vacations:

1. Rental Houses: I have found through various travel plannings that renting a house can be cheaper than a hotel (or at least comparable) especially if you are traveling with anyone else and can split the costs. Vacation rental houses usually give you more room, privacy, a washer and dryer, and a full kitchen. You can stock the kitchen, make your own meals and save money that way too! (Plus, if your kids are anything like mine, eating out is not relaxing! Preschoolers just don't appreciate a nice sit down dinner.) We bring a box of toys and the kids have more room to spread out and play in a house than a hotel room. This saves our sanity and makes our trip much happier! I often use www.HomeAway.com or www.vrbo.com to find rental houses. Sometimes, if you contact the owner (many list an email address or phone number on the sites) and you hit it off, you can get a better rate. These sites also list a lot of reviews on the properties, which helps me a lot to narrow down my selections. If I don't find anything I like there, I generally Google "rental" or "vacation house, Myrtle Beach, SC". 
1. Example: Let's assume you want to go to Disney World next week (4/28 to 5/4). Here is a pricing chart for a Value Resort on Disney property, a Holiday Inn and a rental house. The pricing does not include airfare, transportation or food costs. (These are a general price guideline. I rounded up to the next dollar.) Click on the picture to view it larger.

We usually travel with Grandma and Grandpa, so we need at least two rooms. We've tried the sleeper sofa option, and it's never a good idea for us to sleep on pull out couches (although I am sure it works great for others). The rental house seems higher in price, but when we split the cost between us it is $489!                                                                                                                                                                
2. Budget: I know, the B word again. However, if you plan out where you want to go and know ahead the approximate costs, you can set money aside each week or month beforehand (we usually do 6 months to a year depending on the type of vacation). This year, we have the flight and rental house already paid off. We also have money set aside for planned activities, groceries, and car/gas money for when we get there. It is extremely relaxing to know that the next credit card bill will not be a huge surprise and that we already have the money to pay the vacation off.
3. Transportation: We go back and forth on the driving vs flying debate. Last year, we drove. If we drove straight through, it would have only taken about 6 hours (well...probably 5 1/2). However, we stopped to take potty breaks and walking breaks every 2 hours. Even with all the breaks for the kids, it was still...let's say not fun. Of course, we had a toddler with us, so when they get older it probably won't be as bad. This year, the trip is much longer. With the costs of a rental (probably a minivan for the space) and the cost of gas, it was about the same to fly. I shopped around for flights and checked out the airports near us (within an hour drive). Kayak pulls pricing information from various sites (like Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, Hotels.com) in one search. After last years driving debacle, we decided to fly since the cost difference was so little. Part of our ability to fly this year was the fact that we started saving for this vacation early.
4. Mommy, can I have...?: While on vacation, my kids see all kinds of souvenirs and almost always want the super junky ones I don't want to buy. This year I created a Vacation Jar for them. I cut a hole out of a yogurt container, taped paper around the outside, and let them decorate it. They get to save money for vacation, split what is in the jar, and use it to buy whatever they want to on vacation. They are too young for an allowance, so they earn money doing little jobs, finding coins on the floor or couch. My oldest is learning his coins and what they are worth. If he answers correctly when we quiz him, he gets to keep the coin and put it in the jar. Even the Easter Bunny brought some eggs with money in them!

The boys vacation jar

LINKS:
Home Away
VRBO
Kayak

Identify This: Part 5 Answer

Window Blinds!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cherrios Balls

These are a fun snack to make with the kids. Mine love rolling the mix into balls. I will warn you, they are slightly addictive. We made a batch and they were gone within 3 days. Unfortunately, I think I ate at least half of them. (I'm a sucker for chocolate and peanut butter!)

For this snack you will need:

• 1 cup peanut butter (Creamy or Chunky)
• 2 cups Cherrios cereal (Plain or Honey Nut)
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (I used 1/2 cup milk chocolate and 1/2 cup dark chocolate on the ones shown above.)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Wax paper
• Double Broiler

Directions:

Spooning on chocolate

1. Cover a baking sheet or cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. In a double broiler, heat chocolate chips. Stir constantly until smooth. Take off heat. (If you do not have a double broiler, Noric Ware has a double broiler insert for a saucepan that works really well. I have one and love it!)
3. In a bowl, mix together powdered sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter until well blended. (I used a hand mixer, which worked really well.)
4. Add in cereal and stir until it is evenly coated. (I used a spoon to stir in the cereal so it wouldn't be broken by the mixer.)
5. To help the mix not stick to your hands, lightly spray with cooking spray. Roll 1 Tablespoon of mixture into a 1 1/2 inch ball.
6. Press the balls lightly onto the cookie sheet to flatten the bottom (so they don't roll off).
7. Using a spoon, place about 1 teaspoon of the melted chocolate onto the top of each ball.                      
8. Set in refrigerator to cool and firm (about 30 minutes). Store in the refrigerator in a covered container.

Other ideas: These would be great for a party or as an add-on for your Christmas cookie tray. Try using Candy Melts instead of chocolate to make them fit your needs. For example:

• 4th of July: Red, White, and Blue Candy Melts
• Easter: Pastel Candy Melts (Yellow, Pink, Green)
• Spring: Pastel Candy Melts
• Halloween: Orange and Black Candy Melts (or melted chocolate would work too).
• Christmas: Red and Green Melts
• Hanukkah: Blue and White Candy Melts
• Baby Showers: Pale Pink or Blue Candy Melts. If they don't know the gender, Pale Yellow and Green Candy Melts.

The links are for ones available on Amazon. Many cake and candy supply stores, as well as craft stores, carry the Wilton Candy Melts as well. I linked to Wilton because I use their Candy Melts the most. There is another brand called Merckens, but I have not used them before. Local cake and candy supply stores may have their own packaging, so make sure to ask for directions on how to melt if you are not sure!

If you cannot find the color you want, you can make your own! Buy white Candy Melts and the color of Candy Gel Coloring you want. Melt the Candy Melts and stir in coloring until you achieve the color you want. Wilton sells individual colors or in sets (Primary Candy Color Set, Garden Candy Color Set).

More Freebies: Aspirin and Breathe Right Strips!

I heard about some more freebies that I thought I would pass on.

Today, around 2pm, Bayer is giving away 10,000 bottles of Aspirin.
www.fastreliefchallenge.com

Breathe Right is also giving away a free sample.
http://www.breatheright.com/Offers.aspx

Caterpillar Crawlers

Caterpillar with button eyes and pipe cleaner legs

For these cute little crafts, you will need:

• Styrofoam balls
• Googly eyes or small buttons
• Pipe cleaners
• Craft paint and brush
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Skewers or dowel rods, Styrofoam cups (optional)

Directions:

1. Paint the Styrofoam balls. I stuck a skewer into the bottom of the ball, then stuck the skewer into an upside down Styrofoam cup to dry.
2. Once the balls are dry, remove skewers, and hot glue together. My kids are way too young to use the hot glue gun, so I did the gluing and they told me the order they wanted the balls glued in.
3. Next, glue on the eyes. (I liked the button eyes, but my oldest liked the googly eyes for his.)
4. Cut pipe cleaners for antennae and push into the head.
5. Cut pipe cleaners for the legs and push into the body.
6. If you leave the skewers in, you could place the critters into houseplants for decorations.

Googly eyed Caterpillar Oldest made

Snake

Identify This: Part 5

If you think you know what it is, or just want to guess, post in the Comments! I'll let you know the next day what it was. 

Today's Dinner: A Word Scramble

Here's another brain activity. Today's is a Word Scramble! Words with a space in them indicate two words; however, the space is not necessarily in the right order either!

STAGTEPIH
SDNEOLO
EECHN HEAPRSAEM
STSAP EACUA
ILBGDERAC AR
MLSSAEDESY I

STOP! ANSWERS BELOW!

Spaghetti Sundaes

These are a great, fun way to serve a traditional dinner!


To make these you will need:

• Sundae glasses
• Ground beef/meatballs
• Pasta Sauce
• Spaghetti Noodles
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Parmesan Cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Make and cook the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat. Once the meatballs are cooked, lower the heat to low and add pasta sauce.
2. Make spaghetti noodles. Drain.
3. Add spaghetti noodles to sundae glasses. Top with meatballs and sauce.
4. Next, add grated Parmesan cheese and a cherry tomato. Enjoy!

These are grape tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes did
not look good when I was at the store, so I
substituted grape tomatoes.

Pepsi Next Review

I am a BzzAgent. I signed up for free several years ago, and now get free samples of products to try and review. I usually get a sample of the product or a coupon for a free item and coupons to share. (For more info on BzzAgent, check out my Freebies For Adults post.)

This week, I received my bee covered box for Pepsi Next. It's supposed to have 60% less sugar than regular Pepsi. Inside my box was a can of Pepsi Next, a coupon for a free 2 liter of Pepsi Next, $0.50 off coupons to share, and a pen (Woo-hoo! I am a pen freak. I love pens, especially ones with a comfy grip. I know..I'm a little weird).

It seems to be a mix between regular and diet soda. Diet soda of course has 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugar. Regular soda...not so much. Pepsi Next has 60 calories, 16g carbs, 15 g sugar. It has high fructose corn syrup and aspartame listed under the ingredients. It tastes smoother than diet soda, although I did notice an extremely slight bite like a diet soda. (I probably wouldn't even notice it except I was concentrating on the taste to review it.) After trying it, I would be willing to buy it again for special occasions like parties. However, I probably would not drink it every day due to the aspartame. I have been trying to steer away from products with aspartame in the ingredients due to some of the long term health concerns that have been linked to the artificial sweetener.

These are just my opinions. I receive free samples from BuzzAgent, but am in no way compensated otherwise.

Stuffed Peppers

These are a  great dinner with vegetables, carbs, meat, and cheese all in one container!

STUFFED PEPPERS

www.DailyMesses.com

Cook time: 1 hour. Serves 4.

You will need:

• 4 large green peppers (Washed, tops cut off, seeds removed. Cut slits or small holes into bottoms to allow for any drainage.)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder, or to taste
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning, or to taste
• 1 can (8 oz) Tomato Sauce
• 2 servings rice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare and cook rice.
3. Cook ground beef, chopped onion, and seasonings in a pan.
4. Add in tomato sauce, rice, and cheese. Mix together.
5. Distribute mixture evenly into the 4 peppers.
6. Place peppers into a baking dish.
7. Bake for 1 hour, or until peppers are softened. (They will get wrinkly and soft to the touch. Poke a steak knife through the pepper. It should go in and out easily.)

Earth Day is Sunday 4/22/12

EARTH DAY

When is Earth Day?
This year, Earth Day is Sunday 4/22/12.

What is Earth Day?
Earth Day was begun to celebrate and raise awareness about the Earth and its environment. It is celebrated world-wide. The first observation of Earth Day was on 3/21/1970. The United Nations made April 22 International Mother Earth Day in 2009. Lately, the focus on Earth Day had been about recycling, reusing, and reducing your carbon footprint.

There are some freebies available:

• Target: Reusable bag/tote
• Disney: Reusable Bag (bring in 5 plastic bags to exchange for reusable bag)
• Starbucks: Free cup of hot/iced coffee or hot/iced tea when you bring your own reusable cup
• Caribou Coffee: Free cup of coffee when bring in your own reusable cup
• Parks: Some of the National parks are offering free admission
• Chipotle: Free burrito when you buy a reusable lunch bag ($18) made from old billboards http://store.chipotle.com/products/chipotle-repurposed-billboard-lunch-tote
• Pottery Barn Kids: Pack of sunflower seeds
• Some libraries offer free trees. I've heard rumors of Lowe's giving away free trees, but didn't see anything on their website.

Links:

• Wiki, Earth Day
• http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Earth-Day-Freebies-148216785.html
• To find out your carbon footprint, check out www.carbonfootprint.com
• Wiki, Carbon Footprint

Word Find

I thought it would be fun to have a brain stimulating type of activity on the site. So here is the first one: a Word Find!

In honor of yesterday's grocery store (Food, Cheaper) post and today's Shell-less Egg post, the first Word Find is titled This Weeks Grocery List! I hope you enjoy!

STOP! ANSWERS BELOW!

Egg Experiment (The Shell-less Egg!)

These are NOT to eat, just for fun!

You will need:

• Eggs (raw)
• Cups
• Vinegar (16 oz or so)

Directions:

1. Place egg in cup.
2. Fill with vinegar until egg covered. It's ok if the egg floats, just make sure to cover most of it.
3. Wait. After a few minutes you will see bubbles on the egg shell. It can take 24 hours or so until most of the shell is eaten away by the vinegar. You can tell it's working by a foam/film on top of the vinegar. 
4. After 24 hours, remove egg from vinegar. The best way is to slowly pour the vinegar out and let the egg fall into your hand. Try to gently rub some of the remaining shell off.
5. If needed, pour a new cup of vinegar and soak egg for another day before gently rubbing cleaning.

Hypothesis and Observations:

• Did your egg get bigger? Why? (Osmosis.)
• Can you make your egg smaller? Try soaking it in something with little water content, like corn syrup. What happened? (Got smaller due to osmosis. The corn syrup had less water content than the inside of the egg.)
• Can you make your egg big again? Put your egg in a cup of water. Did it get bigger? Why? (Osmosis: The water traveled through the semi-permeable egg membrane to equalize the water content between the cup of water and the egg.)
• Put food coloring in a cup of water and let your egg soak. What happened?
• Will your egg bounce? How high can you go before it breaks? Start at 1 inch and work your way up.  (You might want to do this on a covered kitchen floor or outside). 

Bubbles on egg in vinegar

Foam/Film on top of vinegar/egg

Egg after soaking in corn syrup

Egg after soaking blue water

Video of egg bouncing. Remember this is not a hard boiled egg!

I learned about this in my MOPS group. For more information, check out this site:
http://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/content/2011/04/how-to-make-a-naked-egg/

Food, Cheaper

Now that I buy for 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog (on a single salary) the grocery bill has become more of an issue. To keep all the bills in check and be financially responsible, we have budgets for everything from gifts to groceries. It can sometimes be hard to stick to the budget, but I have a few tips:

• Before you go to the grocery store, plan your meals for the week and make a list. This way you (probably) won't forget things and have to go back to the store. The list will also help keep you on track so you don't buy unnecessary things. Without my list, I usually come home with things I forgot I already had and didn't need more of. 
• Look at the circulars (most are available online or in the Sunday paper). Plan your meals around what is on sale.
• If you have two stores close to you, compare their circulars. Last week, I went to our normal grocery store for most of the items. However, the grocery store 2 blocks away had a super sale on some fruits and vegetables, so I went there as well. I was already driving past it on my way home and it saved me a few bucks (for $4.25 I bought a pineapple, a cantaloupe, a 3 lb bag of onions, and 2 stalks of celery).
• Set a budget! This will also keep you more on track and not filling your cart with unneeded items. 
• If there are items on sale that you use often, stock up. Take advantage of any 10 for 10, get the 11th free sales, but only if it's a good price! Buying things you use often, while they're on sale, will save you money later on. (For example, my kids love Goldfish. Our grocery store will sometimes put them in the 10 for $10 sale. If I buy them at the sale, I spend $1/bag now versus $2/bag later on.)
• Only use coupons for items you normally use, or if the coupon makes the name brand item the same as the store brand. 
• At Back To School time I stock up on crayons and paper. My youngest is currently in a crayon breaking stage and I hate paying $3 for a box of crayons that I can get for $0.30-$0.50 during school sales. 

When I first started, I was not used to making a list. I created one to help me stay on track. If you would like to use it to get your own started, feel free! There are some blank lines for more details or to add items not listed. (For example: Cheese: Cheddar, Parmesan.)

These are just some of the things that have helped me along the way. Feel free to use or to ignore them!

Identify This: Part 4 Answer

A spool of thread! (Also called a bobbin.)

Memories

I swear that ever since I've had kids, my memory has been shot. If I don't write it down (sometimes in multiple locations), I won't remember it. I don't want to forget some of the crazy stuff my kids do and say, when they got their first tooth, or what their first day of school was like. Not to mention all the pediatrician visits with heights and weights. When my kids were born, I bought them both a black spiral bound hard covered journal and made it into a Memory Book. I started with their birth (height, weight, apgar). Since then, I've added in other doctor's visits and information about them. I bring the book with me to all doctor's appointments so I can just write it in then and not forget by the time we get back home. I also have an envelope taped to the back cover with their shot records in it, so I don't forget/lose that either.

Some examples of what I put in their books are:

• First words
• First steps
• First haircut
• Colds, fevers, cuts, other illnesses. I also put in copies of any prescription labels.
• Information on doctor's visits (height, weight, number of shots received)
• Funny stories
• Petting a baby alligator at the zoo
• Petting a shark at the aquarium
• Birthmarks (along with photos of the birthmarks)
• Vacations (where we went, if we went with anyone else, if we drove or flew, what we did)

I bought mine at Barnes and Nobles. The journals always seem to be on the Bargain/Clearance shelves. Amazon carries a similar one here.

Envelope Taped To Back
Cover With Medical and
Shot Records

Memory Book

Flower Magnets

These are a pretty quick and easy craft (they would make great gifts for grandmas on Mother's Day).

You will need:

• Foam craft sheets. (To make it really easy, they also come in a sticker back.)
• Green pipe cleaners
• Pom Poms, Puff Balls, Glitter, Jewels, etc.
• Craft Glue, Foam Glue or Hot Glue/Glue Gun
• Magnets

Directions: 

1. Cut out flower shapes out of the foam sheets
2. Glue shapes together. (I used a hot glue gun.)
3. Glue on pom poms, glitter, jewels, or other decorations.
4. Cut pipe cleaner to desired length. This will be the stem.
5. Cut small pieces and fold in half to create leaf shapes. Glue to stem.
6. Let dry.
7. Glue stem to back of flowers.
8. Let dry.
9. Cut magnets to fit back of flower. I used a self adhesive magnet. Attach. (Let dry if needed.)

Identify This: Part 4

If you think you know what it is, or just want to guess, post in the Comments! I'll let you know tomorrow what it was. 

Tax Day Deals

Here's some of the freebies/deals I found for tax day (please double check that your local stores are participating before going!):

McDonald's: Buy 1 Quarter Pounder or Big Mac and get the second for $0.01 (some places may offer only the Big Mac).

Arby's: Free Curly fries with Coupon.

P.F. Chang's: 15% off check

White Castle: Buy 1 chicken breast sandwich, get 1 free. http://www.whitecastle.com/promotions/savorychickenslider2012

Maggie Moos: Free scoop of yogurt, 4-7 pm, while supplies last. List of Locations

Marble Slab: Free scoop of yogurt, 4-7 pm, while supplies last.

Sonic: Happy Hour all day 4/17.

Cinnabon: 2 Free Cinnabites on 4/17 6-8 pm, select locations, while supplies last.

Chili's: Free appetizer or dessert with entree purchase. See Coupon/Info

Bruegger's Bagels: Big Bagel Bundle for $10.40 with Coupon.

Seattle's Best Coffee: Free sample. You can find the link on their Facebook page.


IHop: During April, IHop is giving kids 12 and under free meals from 4-10 pm (with purchase of adult meal)
Find Locations near you.

Qdoba (may be at select locations)



For Kids: Free Hidden Pictures Book for Kindle. Link to Amazon

Dole Salad Recalls

As I'm sure many of you already know, Dole issued a recall for some of their bagged salads because of possible salmonella.

Here's the details:
Expiration Date: 4/11/12
Product Codes: 0577N089112A and 0577N089112B
UPC Code: 71430 01057 
Contact: Dole (800) 356-3111 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday)
More Information: Fox News or Google "Dole salad recall 2012".

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

Welcome to Daily Messes! I am so glad you found me! (Either on your own or from the Ultimate Blog Party. The UBP is a place for bloggers to meet up, get to know each other a little, and discover new blogs. Either way, I'm happy you're here!)

My name is Sarah and I am a stay at home mom with two wonderful boys. I worked full time for several years, then went part time after my oldest was born, and finally became a stay at home mom shortly after my youngest was born.

I ran an entertainment business with my husband for many years, which involved lots of party planning aspects. I tend to go slightly over the top on my kids birthday parties. I wrote my first book late 2011, Animals to Trains: A Children's Birthday Party Guide. The book goes over different aspects of a party (invitations, decorations, food, activities, and of course the cake!).

After I finished the book, I still had lots of ideas, many of which didn't fit into a birthday type of mold. My husband suggested that I start writing a blog, so here I am! I now write Daily Messes (www.DailyMesses.com). It is a spot for parents to find things to with their kids, craft ideas, recipes, snacks, and holiday fun. My goal is to post daily and to hopefully give moms (and dads) new ideas of things to do with their kids! I just started (1 month on Saturday!), but it seems to be going well.

Make New Crayons, But Keep the Old...

Ok, I was eating Girl Scout cookies I found in the freezer, so please excuse the title. (We used to sing Make New Friends, But Keep the Old.)

My youngest is very, very hard on crayons. He likes to peel the wrappers off, pushes hard, and frequently breaks them. Lately, I've been collecting the broken or really well used crayons and saving them in a Ziploc bag. Plus, they just got new ones for Easter, so it's a good time to clean the old ones out. Today, we're going to make new crayons out of the old ones!

To make crayons, you will need:

• Old, broken or small crayons, paper removed. (May need to cut into smaller pieces.)
• Old muffin pan. If you don't have an old muffin pan, you will need to line your pan with foil wrappers. (Use the foil wrappers. I learned the hard way that the crayons can leak through the paper wrappers.)
• Foil wrappers (optional).

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Line muffin pan with wrappers.
3. Place small pieces of crayons inside wrappers until about 1/2 inch to 1 inch high. 
4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until they start to melt and slightly combine. You don't want them to melt all the way, or it will turn into one color. You may want to open a window while they melt, because it can sometimes smell.
5. Take out of oven and allow to cool in the pan (about 30-60 minutes).

Other Options: You could also use candy making molds or disposable foil baking pans to create different shapes and sizes.

Melted crayons

Solid crayons, in wrapper

Top of crayons, out of wrappers

Traffic Light Crackers

I made these when I was trying to come up with ideas for my son's "working machine", aka construction, birthday party.

To make these you will need:

• Saltine crackers or graham crackers
• White or black icing (the black icing shown is cookie icing)
• Red, Yellow, and Green M&M's (or other round candies)

Directions:

1. Cover the cracker in icing. 
2. Place on red, yellow, and green M&M's. 
3. Enjoy! Serve as dessert after the Race Car Bear Sandwich for a themed dinner!

(I swear I opened 2 bags of M&M's and could not find enough reds, so I used orange on some.)

It's A Dog, No It's A Dragon, No It's A Plane! It's Look Up At The Sky Day!

 

Today is Look Up At The Sky Day and we are going to spend part of the day looking up at the clouds. The boys like to see what shapes they can find, and it's usually amusing to hear what they think the cloud looks like. Most of the time, I don't see anything even close to what they see.

What Do You See? Leave a Comment on what you see in the clouds! Not to stifle creativity, but I shared some of our interpretations. Do you see what we saw or something different? Share your thoughts in the Comments!

Cloud 1:

To get this started off, my oldest claimed this was a sea monster looking for food. (??? I don't see it.)  What do you think?


Cloud 2:

A pirate hook.

Cloud 3:

My son: A dog on it's back. Me: A kangaroo (if you turn your head sideways).


Cloud 4:

My son: A cloud. Me: A mask.

Cloud 5:

Bird or airplane.

 Cloud 6:

My son: An alien ship.

A Few Facts About Clouds:

• Clouds are made up of water or ice crystals.
• Clouds look white because they reflect the sun.
• The wind moves the clouds.
• Cirrus clouds are clouds high in the air. They are thin and wispy.
• Cumulus clouds look like cotton. They are fluffy and white.
• Stratus clouds are thick and flat. They often appear before a storm.




Chart of clouds I found online

• Cumulonimbus clouds indicate thunderstorms. The tops are flat and have an anvil shape. Sometimes, you can tell which way the storm is going by looking at where the anvil points.

Don't forget to look up at the night sky too! There are some great constellations out there: Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Orion are my favorites (probably because they're the only ones I can usually find!). For an easy look at a star, don't forget that the closest star to us is the sun!


There is some great information out there. Try these sites:
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/astroskymap/constellations.htm. This site allows you to choose the month and hour to print a constellation map!

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/15-science/102-star-a-constellations.html

Although there are not any total eclipses soon, there is a partial lunar eclipse predicted for May 20. See EarthSky.org for more information. There is also a meteor shower that is supposed to happen on April 21! See EarthSky.org here and here for information on the meteor shower.








Most of the cloud info found on http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm