Young Wifey’s 25 Days of Christmas – Book Edition

Tags

25 Days of Christmas, children, family, reading

For about a decade, the Christmas season in many homes starts when parents read The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition to their kids. Many children continue the holiday spirit by watching ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. However, what if our 25 Days of Christmas revolved around families reading together?

When Pumpkin was younger, we’d lie under the Christmas tree, look up at the lights, and read a Christmas story together. Sweet moments like this are often the best gift of the season.

What are you waiting for? Dig out your favorite Christmas books, head to the library, or down load these books and read.

What is your favorite Christmas story?

XOXO,
Young Wifey

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School Mania & Cute Crate Seats

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children, classroom, DIY, organization, school, seat, storage, teacher

At the end of the 2014-2015 school year, I was preparing myself for a subject change to science at the middle school. I was re-familiarizing myself with earth science, I reached out to other science teacher friends, and I was photographing geological formations throughout Pennsylvania and New York. I was going to rock (no pun intended) my first year as a science teacher.

Halfway through the summer, I got a phone call asking me to come into school. To my surprise, they decided to move me to first grade instead! I was stunned for the first few days, but also very excited! Ever since that call, I’ve been working 60+ hours a week preparing for the beginning of the school year! Needless to say, I’ve been neglecting my blog (well there are a ton of projects that I could post, but then my life blog would transform into a teacher blog).

TODAY IS OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! How could that be? I didn’t even have a summer yet!

DIY Crate Seats ♥ Young Wifey’s Blog

If you’re a teacher you know there are a plethora of tutorials for these crate seats on Pinterest (If you’re not a teacher, these crate seats would still work wonderfully in a playroom or reading corner for your kids, nieces, and nephews.)  The Apple Tree Room’s tutorial is my favorite. Mine is not a tutorial. I just wanted to share some additional thoughts and tips.

DIY Storage Crate Seats ♥ Young Wifey’s Blog

I made 6 crate seats for under $20, but I had some of the supplies on hand. If you make 6 without having any supplies on hand, you could probably do it under $50.

Pricing –
Frames: The crates are selling at my local Target for $2.99 (I bought 3, and previously had three). We had leftover plywood from a previous project, but a typical sheet runs $20.

Cushions: Fabric can get expensive, depending on the print and type of fabric. Luckily, you have many options here. JoAnn’s often has 50% coupons (I only used 1 1/2 yards of fabric). Patterned twin-size top sheets can be found around $10 or even a cute fabric shower curtain would work. If you’re a crafty person, chances are you probably already have some extra fabric. Also, printed men’s dress shirts can be found at thrift stores for a small price. The foam was not on sale at my local craft store, so I used a twin mattress egg crate topper (Walmart sells them for under $10) and added two layers. The ribbon pull tabs aren’t necessary, but are nice. Luckily, most crafters have plenty of spare ribbon or you can purchase a spool for around $1.

Opal Approved ♥ Young Wifey’s Blog

XOXO,
Young Wifey

PS – If you look closely in the photos, you might notice another project I’ll be posting about soon...

PPS – It’s Pumpkin’s birthday today! Yay! Happy birthday, Pumpkin!

Dot Silhouette Shirt Tutorial

Tags

art, children, craft, embellished shirt, kid craft, Refashion, shirt

On Day 3 of Nephew Camp, we did a shirt craft. My nephew decided that he was going to make these shirts for a living, and he promised to give me 50¢ for every $10 he makes. I can’t wait until he makes $10 million! But we’ll share our little secret anyway…

Three Rockin’ Shirts

We used three colors of the fabric paint; a darker base color, a shimmery accent color, and a “pop” color.

Materials:  
fabric paint, computer, printer, paper, cardboard, shirt, new pencil, double-sided tape (optional), magazine

Directions:
Step 1: Prewash and dry your shirt (or bag or bandana or…).

Step 2: Google search a silhouette image you like and print it.

Step 3: Place your paper over top a piece of cardboard (I used an empty cardboard food package). Then, use a pen and press down hard as you trace the outline.

Trace Silhouette

Step 4: Carefully cut out your template.

Cut Along Impression

Step 5: (optional) If this project is for little fingers, use double-sided tape to anchor the template onto shirt.

Adhere Cardboard Template

Step 6: Place magazine or cardboard (newspaper is too messy) inside shirt and straighten out any wrinkles.

Step 7: Using eraser of pencil, start doting paint around the edges of the silhouette to create a few radial arms. We dip the eraser in the paint and put the thickest dot of paint closest to the silhouette and make 3 more dots, allowing the paint to fade as we move the eraser further out. Allow first layer to dry.

Apply First Layer

Step 8: Use the shimmery accent to create more radial arms, filling in most of the area around the silhouette. Allow second layer to dry.

Add Second Layer

Step 9: Using the pop color, fill in some of the remaining spaces around the silhouette. Allow final layer to dry.

Final Layer of Paint

Step 10: Carefully peel off template.

Remove Template

Step 11: Carefully read instructions and follow directions for your specific type of fabric paint. Some fabric paints need to be set with a press cloth and hot iron. Some need to set 72 hours before getting fabric wet.

*To help preserve your new creation, turn inside out before washing and hang to dry.

XOXO,
Young Wifey

Pet Monster Rocks

Tags

children, children's book, craft, monster, pet, pet rock, rainy day, rock, summer, summer activities, vacation

This week’s Nephew Camp draws to an end, as my nephew gets picked up today. He’s already planned activities for the next time he comes stay with me. This one-on-one time together was a nice break from his usual (visiting) routine of following around his idol (Pumpkin).

Nephew wanted me to elaborate on some of the projects he mentioned in his letters to Mom & Dad (if he forgots, because he wants to teach his younger brother and sister someday)…

On Day 2 of Nephew Camp, the pet monster rocks were a big hit. We actually collected a few small rocks when playing in the creek on Monday (that wasn’t part of Nephew Camp, but was 8 of us having quality family time).

Materials for Pet Monster Rocks

Step 1: Paint two coats of acrylic paint on rocks (front & back), allow to dry between coats.

Making Monster Rocks

Step 2: Embellish rocks by painting on different mouths, noses, and eyebrows (nephew decided to go with just mouths). Allow to dry.

Step 3: Coat front and back with two coats of clear acrylic sealer, allow to dry between coats.

Step 4: Glue on different sizes and combinations of googly eyes and allow to dry.

Pet Monster Rocks

We think the yellow one looks like a minion. Nephew likes the dark blue and the red the best. I, too, like the red.
Which one is your favorite?

XOXO,
Young Wifey

Nephew Camp: Day 3

Tags

children, children's craft, craft, family, summer

Dear Mom & Dad,

Last night, I slept through another loud thunderstorm! I’m really glad that they come at night and not during the day!

I played Mario Kart for a few minutes while Aunt R- made my oatmeal and chocolate milk. It was raining, so we stayed indoors. Then she set up our science experiment! We tried to make bouncy balls, but none of the recipes worked perfectly. It was still very cool! After we played with our bouncy ball stuff, it was time to paint again. This was so cool! I can’t wait to show you!

Bouncy Ball Fail

After lunch, we started our pizza dough! I continued painting and I made something special for L- and S- too! I can’t wait to show them! They’re dot silhouette shirts!

Our Painting Projects

At dinner time, we finished our pizza dough. I made the cat shaped pizza that I’ve wanted to make for months! It was delicious!

Cat Face Pizza – Before Baking & Before Ears

Cat Face Pizza

After dinner, we played some board games. Aunt R- won at Blokus, but I won at Candy Land. During Candy Land, I was near the finish line, and I had to move backward so I started to scream cry. Then, Aunt R- drew the next card, and she had to go further back than me! She threw a temper tantrum too, it was really funny.

I wish the fireflies were outside so we could catch them. Now it’s time to get into the shower, read, and then go to bed. I’m looking forward to seeing you guys and going to Knoebel’s tomorrow! I told Aunt R- that I’d probably come stay with her again soon.

I love you,
J-

PS- Mom, you really need to learn to make sardines for me (he still means quesadillas).

Nephew Camp: Day 1
Nephew Camp: Day 2

Nephew Camp: Day 2

Tags

craft, family, summer, vacation

Day two of our quality time continues!

Dear Mom & Dad,

Last night, I had so much fun at the playground. After playing for a while, I got tired and went home (He was running around and then stopped still for a few minutes).

Swinging High

Running Amok

I took a shower and went to bed really early. Aunt R- says I slept through another loud thunderstorm!

Early this morning, we went swimming in the pool! Then we got ready to go to a Chinese restaurant for lunch (He was so well behaved).

We met Aunt R-‘s friends at the restaurant. S- has two kids, and they came over to play. It started raining, so we played inside with giant building blocks. The sun started shining, and we went swimming for a while. When we dried off, we had a dance party (playing several Just Dance games)! We also played frisbee with Belle. Then, we played basketball. It was a really fun day! I was so exhausted, I took a nap after they left (My goodness, is he hard to wake up! I even tickled him to wake him).

Aunt R- let me play Mario Kart while she made dinner. After dinner, I made pet monster rocks! They are awesome!

Making Monster Rocks

Pet Monster Rocks

When it was time to brush my teeth, I had to go through a red laser maze first!

Red Laser Maze

Fun Laser Maze

Now it’s time to read a few books before bed. I can’t wait for tomorrow!

I love & miss you,
J-

Nephew Camp: Day 1
Nephew Camp: Day 3

 

 

Nephew Camp: Day 1

Tags

family, Kids, summer, vacation

This week, my one nephew and I are spending some quality one-on-one time together.

Dear Mom & Dad,

Last night, we wrote our schedule of all the fun thing we were going to do today. Aunt R- said I fell asleep right away and slept through a loud thunder-storm last night.

This morning, I ate oatmeal for breakfast, and then we went berry picking. It was hot outside, and I ate a few strawberries as we were picking (He also danced around the strawberry field and serenaded nearby pickers). We picked 10.5 lbs. (Aunt R- picked 10 lbs…)! 

Strawberry Picking

 

10.5 lbs. of Strawberries!

Today for lunch, I made my own chicken & cheese sardines! (He means quesadillas!) It was yummy! I love sardines! After lunch, we had quiet time. I fell asleep for a few minutes, but Aunt R- woke me up.

This afternoon, we made green, blue, and red gummi candy. Then we went swimming for a little while, but then it started thundering and had to get out of the pool.

Then, we chopped up our strawberries and made ice cream. It was yummy! Aunt R- even let me have a little before dinner.

Mixing The Ice Cream

I helped make turkey meatballs for dinner. We ate spaghetti, meatballs, and broccoli. We ate a bowl of strawberry ice cream and sat down to write you a letter.

Soon, we’re going to walk down to the park and play at the playground. Then it’s time to come home, read a few books and go to bed. I’m having fun!

I love you,
J-

Nephew Camp: Day 2
Nephew Camp: Day 3