Finger painting fun

I recently bought some finger paint for Rhett.  I figured, he's getting into more of the art stuff, we have a patio, why not?  I have seen all the ideas on Pinterest about using tape to make the kid's name or pictures, so I figured I would try one with Rhett.

I used painters tape on watercolor paper to spell out Rhett's name- some of these letters were not easy!

Rhett was ready to go before I was!

I made sure to strip him down before beginning- then gave him paint and a brush and let him go for it!  The paint did get tasted and all over his belly.

Here he's using his hands.

After removing the tape, we were left with his name.  He is really young- almost 15 months here, so I think he would be even more into it once he gets a bit older and paint a little more.  Also, the paint wasn't very bright.

Ta-da!

Homemade playdoh!

Rhett has recently been into playing with playdoh.  I bought a small 4 pack of tiny ones at Target for $1 and he plays with them for awhile.  He is even careful not to mix the colors!  I did some searching online and on Pinterest and found some recipes that I thought I'd try.  Here is one I made that turned out really well!

http://rustsunshine.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-play-dough.html <--- This is where I found the recipe.

You'll need:

1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. oil
1/4 cup salt
food coloring

1. Mix all ingredients together. Stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until the dough thickens, pulls away from the sides, and forms a ball (about 5-10 minutes).

2. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth.

3. Food coloring can be added when mixing ingredients before heating, or kneading the dough afterward. (I made 3 batches and split them each in half, so I added the food coloring afterward.) Add a few drops at a time and knead until the color is completely incorporated - add more if necessary.  I also added glitter to one of mine.  (I only made three batches because I accidentally added 1/2 cup of salt to my second batch- so ended up doubling the whole recipe)

Finished products- not mixed completely, but liked the tie-dye look.

Rhett was excited to play with it!  He woke up from his nap and saw it on his high chair from his crib.

He played for quite awhile.

Even got out some cookie cutters.

Overall, the playdoh was a huge hit! Now, 3-4 weeks later, the playdoh is still soft and moldable.  I kept it in Glad containers.

Pinterest Projects- Glitter Sugar

I found this really cool idea on Pinterest on how to make glitter sugar.  The picture looked awesome and it was super simple, so I thought I would give it a try. 

http://www.planetpals.com/craft-non-toxic-craft-supply-recipes.html  <-- original pin


See.  It looks awesome.

I followed directions exactly, even trying with both sugar and salt.  I thought there was no way I could get these results.

The left (blue) side is sugar, the right (green) side is salt- this is after I baked them exactly as directed.

This is after letting them cool- The salt is just green salt now, the sugar is hard and clumpy.

 I had hoped that this would work, but unfortunately it didn't.  I feel like the original picture is actual glitter, not edible at all.  Don't know what went wrong. :(

It's been so hot outside that it is hard to get out to play and burn off some energy.  We don't have a yard, but we do have a small balcony. I decided that Rhett might enjoy playing with some water.  I filled up a shoebox sided tupperware container with water and gave him some things to play with.  He had a few bath toys, some foam blocks, some poof balls, and some colored ice cubes.  He had a great time playing!

Hmmm...a paintbrush!?

I wonder what it tastes like?

Putting toys in the water.

BRRRRR!  A cold purple ice cube!

Trying to grab the ice cube.

Playing.

 

 

 

Then the camera died... I have more on my phone that I may add later.  He played for probably close to an hour.  He ended by dumping the tub and dancing around splashing in the water.  

SUCCESS!

Summer Fun Crafts- Glitter Jar

After making the rice jar, we decided to change it up and make a water jar.  I filled a canning jar about 1/2 way with water and put some glitter in it.  I gave Rhett a bowl full of objects to add to the jar- some floated and some sank.  He was very interested in what the objects did.

I added a bit of soap to the glitter jar to add some bubbles- others have said to add glue to slow down the glitter.  We didn't have any glue at the moment, but you can be sure we will make one with glue soon!

Finished Glitter Jar and Rice Jar!

Fun summer crafts- rice jar

With lots of extra time over the summer, I felt like we should take advantage of some of the crafts I've pinned on Pinterest and actually try them.  After a trip to the doctor for his Pre-op checkup (he's getting tubes in 2 days), we made a trip to the local craft store.  I wanted to make some fun jars (sensory jars) for him- rather have him help me make them.  

I got things ready while he napped.

I colored the rice with a bit of food coloring and put it in a jar.

I got all of the things we purchased out and together.

I put a few of each thing in the bowl for him to add.

When he first woke up, he saw the stuff and got very excited.  After a quick potty break, we got started.  He really loved the little "poof balls."

I did a bit of modeling, showing him how to put things in the jar.

He took some out.

And tasted some...

 

And had a great time!

Then he got mad because I put the lid on.  :)

Finished product

Beach Vacation

I have been on "summer break" for a couple of weeks now and we were excited for our vacation for a week to Myrtle Beach.  Rhett was fun to take to the beach.  He had been to the Pacific Ocean when he was 2 months old and to the Atlantic at 3 months old, but he obviously didn't remember those.  This was like he first trip to the beach. 

We had been practicing in the pool and in the bath tub for swimming in the ocean.  

 

The first day or two, he didn't want to touch the sand at ALL!   We had a photographer taking pictures of the whole family and Rhett screamed when his feet touched the sand.  Then he frantically wiped at them until all of the sand was off.  Thankfully, this didn't last long and he was okay with everything.  

                           

                      

                            

We had a great trip with lots of family and can't believe how quickly it came and went. We dug for treasure, swam in the ocean and pool, celebrated Callum's 3rd birthday, and spent lots of time together. Next month, back to the Pacific!!