Dinosaur Book Box: Dinosaur Games, Activities and Reading Fun

I finally completed another book box to trade out. This one was themed Dinosaurs. Roar! I spent a total of $10 making this one. As I've mentioned before, I sort through my books and find a theme I think the kids would like. I obviously had plenty of dinosaur books! Then I looked through the scholastic catalog and ordered six Dinosaur books that were $1 each to share. As luck would have it, I found these awesome dinosaur sandwich cutters on sale for 70% off at Target this weekend. Every child will get one of those too! 

 

Book Box Contents 

·         Dooley Makes Friends

(Please let your family keep one of these or the Dinosaur Dig for your book collection)

·         Dino stuffed animal reading buddy

·         Dinosaur Dig by Jan and Mike Berenstain

(Please let your family keep one of these or Dooley Makes Friends for your book collection)

·         Dinosaurumpus by Tony Milton

·         Curious George and the Dinosaur by Margret and H.A. Reyes

·         My Little Dinosaur by Ilse-Margret Vogel

·         Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner

·         Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur by Lillian Hoban

·         Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff

·         Dinosaurs by Teresa O’Brien

·         How to Draw Dinosaurs

·         Ten Little Dinosaurs by Pattie Schnetzler

·         The Flinstones: Dino Gets a Job

·         What Comes Next Dinosaur Activity Sheet for scissor and pattern practice

·         Dinosaur foam puzzle or wooden puzzle depending on the age appropriateness

·         Dinosaur sandwich cutter (Have a fun dinosaur themed lunch and keep one for your family!)

·         Dinosaur Grow Capsules (Perfect for bathtime)

·         Paleontologist Notebook: Let your little one learn a little about dinosaurs and fossils with their personalized notebook 

 

 

This notebook is about 12 pages I created of fun activities. I would be happy to share it if you email me!
 

·         Consider making some binoculars out of toilet paper rolls for your little paleontologist

·         Dinosaur Egg: Handle with care. You can spray them with vinegar for a fun reaction or just let them crack open their individual egg with any tools on hand. (They easily dissolve or clean off with water) 

 

 

Dino Egg: Mix baking soda and water + black dye (or icing)

 

I have seen many different recipes for this...but this one was super easy and fast.

 

Form mix around dinosaurs.

 

I think they look so fun! Fragile: Handle with care!

 

·         Have fun! Make sure everything on this list is returned to the book box for the next child.

·         Let me know when you have worn out your book box and we will trade. I am hoping to trade about every 3 weeks and just meet up with you. Thanks! Michelle

 

DIY Egg Carton Fire Starters for Camping, Fireplace, and More

We are officially moved into the camper and out of our old house. This is our second week of camping bliss. Yes...I am lying. It has been...edited version...an adventure! We borrowed the camper from a sweet cousin, but it had not been used in a while, and it had a few problems. First there was a hose leak, and we didn't have water inside for about 4 days. Then we found a gas leak, and we did not have hot water for another 3 days. 7 1/2 months pregnant (A 5 year old, 3 year old, and a husband) without water or without hot water is NOT paradise. At least they have started building our new house. I am pretty sure this will lead to some funny stories years from now but I might be lacking a little humor at this point! (I'm laughing thinking about it though)

In the meantime, I made some really cool fire starters.

 

 

I have to say I learn so much from my patients. One of the best parts of my job as a nurse is talking to people. I meet the most interesting patients that I have to credit for teaching me a wide variety of things. One day, I had a patient that was a retired firefighter. I am not sure how we got on the topic, but we began discussing fires and ways to make fire starters. He explained to me this simple process for making homemade fire starters out of candle wax, sawdust, and cardboard egg cartons.

 

My husband was very skeptical the first time I used one of these little homemade fire starters. I placed one under the logs of our fire pit, and lit it on fire. Within minutes, even with quite a strong wind, our fire was ablaze. I made a quick believer out of him! I have to admit...I was quite amazed myself at the power of one little egg carton fire starter.

 

Supplies:

Old candles

Old pot

Tin can

Clamp

Sawdust

Egg cartons (cardboard)

 

 

Step 1: Fill egg cartons with sawdust 

 

 

Step 2: Melt old candle wax. I rigged a pot of boiling water with a clamp and a tin can to melt the wax in.

 

Step 3: Pour the candle wax in each egg carton compartment.

 

 

Step 4: When the wax is cool, tear apart each section, to create an individual fire starter.

 

Trust me...these things are amazing. It takes only 1 to start your average fire!

 

 

 

 

Dad's Secret Stache Father's Day Gift DIY

Are you looking for a unique, original, DIY gift for Father's Day? Have you ever seen those secret cans you can buy to store your money or valuables in. They are disguised as a can or a soda pop bottle, but they are made to hide your treasures. I have been wanting to attempt a DIY version of these secret compartment cans and I finally tried it! I made one for my dad for Father's Day and called it a "Secret Stache."

 

This entire gift took me about 10-15 minutes to make, including designing the tag to go on it. I just wanted something special for my dad to enjoy, and know I was thinking about him. He is also the type to tuck money and treasures in all sorts of places, so I can't imagine he won't be entertained by this gift.

 

 

I am going over to my parents tomorrow night to cook lasagna and give him his gift.

 

Supplies:

French Fried Onion Can with Pop Top

Foam or bubble wrap

Dad's Secret Stache Tag and Ribbon

 

 

 

Directions:

 

1. Carefully open your can of French Fried Onions to keep top intact.

 

2. Insert foam circle in the bottom of the can and then a piece to cover the inside wall of the can.

 

3. Hide your "stache". The foam helps so that you can't hear jewelry or anything metal bang around inside.

 

 

4. Carefully, set your pop top back on the can and close the lid.

 

5. Hope your dad enjoys his "Secret Stache!"

 

 

Looking for some of my Father's Day Gift Ideas from the past...

 

 

Customized Cutting Board for the Dad that Loves to Cook

 

 

Hooked on Daddy for the Fisherman for Father's Day

 

 

Father's Day Card for the Golfer

 

 

Father's Day card for the Business Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Peasy Blackberry Cobbler (5 min prep)

Yum! In my valiant attempt to completely clear my fridge and freezer before we move, I discovered a gold mine in this recipe. I have literally been cooking up every odd and end in my house, and combining all sorts of ingredients, so I can use up all of our food by next week. I hate wasting things and throwing things away of worth! This 3 ingredient, super simple, extra fast recipe for blackberry cobbler is incredible!

( Or choose any berry of your choice for this fruit cobbler recipe)

 

I have seen several times where recipes have called for yellow cake mix for topping, so I thought I would finally try it out.

 

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen blackberries

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 box of yellow cake mix

 

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x9 pan spread out your frozen blackberries

 

2. In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.

 

3. Mix in the contents of the box of yellow cake mix until thoroughly combine.

 

4. Top the blackberries with the dough mixture.

 

5. Place in your preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

 

6. Enjoy!

 

P.S. Ice Cream on top is delectable!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beauty and Ease of Bulbs

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

One week left until we move! I am going to miss some of my outdoor beauties that have been established for years. My beautiful shade trees, peach trees, apricot tree, and my gorgeous lilies and irises. All of these low maintenance natural subjects of eye candy will be staying behind...except some of my bulbs. 

 

I have dug up quite a few of my cannas and I hope to have time to rescue some of my irises and move them to our new property. If you have not tried bulbs before, you are truly missing out. One afternoon I planted over 2 dozen bulbs in less then an hour. I watered them 2 different days, and I have not touched them since. They are amazing!

 

 

 

I also quickly put a few in pots on my patio. Have you ever thought of giving someone bulbs as a unique birthday or anniversary gift? I would love to get such a clever and unique gift. It is literally the gift that keeps giving year after year. It would also be a wonderful gesture for someone that has lost a loved one. What a wonderful tribute to plant some gorgeous flowers that will pop up year after year. The gift giving potential is endless!

 

Wondering yet where to pick up some bulbs of your own? They are available at garden shops, grocery stores, flower shops and more. Just look around and you will be surprised where you can pick up some of your own!

 

 

Look at this vibrant arrangement to inspire you. Which color is your favorite? I really appreciate the different variety of colors and style possibilities. They are a unique, naturally aesthetic, decoration for your home or even office. 

Go buy some today and explore the endless opportunities to grow and display your gorgeous bulbs!

Summer Two of the Traveling Book Boxes

When last summer was just around the corner, I began thinking about the long 3 months ahead of us, and the Texas heat. My son's can get a little bored without the constant stimulation of school, and it is hard to go outside in the peak heat of the day. I figured my friends might need some boredom busters too, so I dreamed up the summer of the traveling book boxes. It reminds me of the concept of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Have you read the story or seen the movie? It is precious.

My plan was to create multiple themed book boxes with books, games, activities, crafts, and entertainment ideas. We would trade out every 2-3 weeks and get a new box for our kiddos. I tried to make them light at first, so I could ship them back and forth. Then I realized everyone was truly close enough, that we could just drop them off.
 

I sent out an email to see who might be interested in my crazy plan. I received four positive replies back and I began creating my book boxes. This being the second summer, it appears that everyone is in on the idea again. This year I am going to solicit some help from some of the other moms to hopefully make a book box each.

 

The first one I created this summer is themed Frogs!

 

I sent a printed sheet with this picture and a listing of the contents and activities.

 

Frog Book Box Contents

 

·         Frog Incentive Chart with star stickers. Place a sticker on the chart as you read each frog book. When all ten books have been read, reward your child with one of the Frog blowouts.

·         Frog stuffed animal. Please pick a frog to keep. Let your child name their frog and bring them along on their frog reading adventures.

·         Too Many Frogs by Sandy Asher

·         The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog (please take one of these books and keep it for your child’s collection.)

·         Froggy Loves Books (please take one of these books and keep it for your child’s collection)

·         The Teeny Weeny Tadpole by Sheridan Cain

·         National Geographic Kids Frogs!

·         The Day the Frogs Came to Lunch by Suzanne Weyn

·         Let’s Go Froggy! by Jonathan London

·         Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathon London

·         From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer

·         Frog in the Kitchen Sink

·         Game: Frog Leap Pad Launcher. Remove the small plastic frogs from the bag. Place one in the large bottle cap top on the launcher. Set out the plates as lily pads. Now launch away and try to get your frog back to its lily pad.

 

(Launcher made from a piece of 2x4, clothespin glued on top, tongue depressor glued on the clothespin, and a bottle cap on the end of the tongue depressor. Launch away!)

Game: Frog Jump and Measure. Make a starting line with chalk on the sidewalk. Jump like a frog and measure with a tape measure how far you made it. Leave your little frog stuffed animal as a marker. Keep trying and see if you can out jump the other "frogs" in your family.

·         Craft: Frog Foam Activity Kit

·         Have fun! Make sure everything on this list is returned to the book box for the next child.

·         Let me know when you have worn out your book box and we will trade. I am hoping to trade about every 3 weeks and just meet up with you. Thanks! Michelle

 

 

In case you missed the box boxes last year...here they are...

 

 

Bug book box click here

 

 

Monkey Book box click here

 

 

Dog Book Box click here

 

 

Cupcakes, Ice Cream, and Flip Flops Book Box click here

 

 

Pirate Book Box click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fla-Vor-Ice for a Quick Snack and some Flavorful Fun!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jel Sert for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

  What are some of your favorite snacks for your kiddos? It seems to be without fail, every night while I am cooking dinner, the kids become hungry before dinner is ready. At only 20 calories per Fla-Vor-Ice, and ten cents a serving, I have found them to be a quick and easy low sugar snack to hold off my little monsters until dinner. My boys think they have tricked me into having des sert before dinner. Ha. Ha. Jokes on them for this "mom approved" snack.  A little real fruit juice frozen into a tasty and refreshing treat never hurt anyone before dinner. They are also allergen free!   My children pick their favorite flavors by color. I would have to agree red and purple are my favorite too. Fla-Vor-Ice is available in Original fruit flavors, Tropical flavors, and even a Sugar-Free variety. Oh, and another little secret...I love them too. I have to admit I consumed quite a few of them in my first few months of my pregnancy. They seemed to settle my tempramental stomach and soothe the nausea. Have you checked out the Fla-Vor-Ice facebook page filled with tons of fun ideas?  Please join me in liking Fla-Vor-Ice on Facebook. They. They .. .. Th