Our First Sensory Box

Ever since becoming a Pinterest fanatic, I've started reading and seeing these posts and pictures about sensory boxes.  I have to be honest- when I first looked at them I saw... MESS.  And beyond the MESS, I wasn't sure how much my kids would really like it.  I mean, we take them to the beach all the time- that's the hugest sensory box out there, right?! 

For the next 8 days, Ryan is working until 7 PM.  (UGH).  That means the kids and I are flying solo for everything except baths and bed time.  The kiddos absolutely love their time with Ryan, and I wasn't sure what we were going to do during those haunting hours (that's what I call them) between nap and dinner time. 

I jumped on pinterest, and have now compiled a board filled with activities for "when dadda works late."  On the menu for this week is,

• a shaving cream table (spray barbasol all over our little tikes table outside and let them go at it)
• 4 different sensory boxes
• bath tub fishing
• and a bunch of our normal run of the mill, arts and crafts stuff

As far as the sensory boxes go, I decided to start verrrrry basic.  I'm creative to a certain extent... but not like the uber pinners on pinterest (where do they come up with this stuff???)

The Dollar Tree was where I started out.  Here's my list of items:

• rice, rice, and more rice (like 8 bags of it...)
• beans (red, ham and black)
• 2 HUGE containers of oats
• 2 clear storage bins
• 2 packs of fake bugs
• 2 packs of fake coins (thank you mardi gras!)
• 2 packs of beaded necklaces
• 2 packs of mini farm animals
• fake flowers
• fake birds
• construction paper

Yeah... I spent around 37 at the DOLLAR TREE... where everything is $1.00- I had about 20 bags coming out of that place.

Anyways, I assembled two of my sensory bins last night- our garden bin and our bug bin.  (which in hindsight. really could have- should have been combined into one bin)

Today we did the bug/bean bin.  I cannot tell you how pleasantly surprised I am with the success of this project.  The kids were enthralled with it.  Henry had absolutely no direction- he just spooned the beans from buckets to cups, and ran his trucks through them.  I had a few activities for Maeve to do with hers- the first order of business was finding all the bugs.  This dollar pack of bugs, hidden in a bunch of beans, delighted my child more than I can tell you.  Every time she found a bug, she'd get a huge "OHHH" on her face, just beaming!

Along with bugs, I also stuck in "leaves" (construction paper cut-outs) with numbers on them.  The goal being, to find all 10 leaves (one for each bug).  And because I could think of nothing else to stick in this bean/bug bin, I cut out yellow squares- yeah... what?!  haha :)  Still though, Maeve loved digging for them!

Here are a few pics of our afternoon.

(disclaimer- these pics are straight out of the camera- no cropping/editing/nada... they're not pretty!)

On tomorrow's agenda- the "garden bin" (black beans with fake flowers, worms and gardening tools)

sometimes you just gotta... PAINT :)

This afternoon was a long one for us.  Ryan got home from work late and we (as in the kids and I) were kind of going stir crazy.  It's actually a decent day out- the sun is shining, but its cold. 

I pulled out the finger paints and a $1.00 bird house (thank you Jo-Ann Fabrics) and let Maeve make a house for Ponce (Ponce is our bird)...

She had a blast painting.  I had a blast taking photos.  Henry, uh... wanted in on the action, SO. BAD.   After bribing him with liccorice, he sat back and watched (kind of) contently.

Here is a look at our colorful afternoon:

blankets &... blankets.

I've been sewing blankets.  Many, many blankets have been made for Maeve, Henry and the baking baby.  When insomnia hits (which is pretty often), I go in the kitchen and start measuring and cutting.  It makes me sleepy and in the process I've got a stack of super cute blankies. :)

I definitely think this is my new (or current, anyway) obsession.  I love, love, love going to the fabric store and coming up with my own creations.  I've streamlined the process, and can now get a blankie done in about 2 hours.. (haha advanced sewers, I know you're laughing).  I am definitely not very talented with the sewing machine, but its been nice to do something at night that takes my mind off the fact that I am once again, awake at 2 AM.

Here are 3 blankets I've made- 2 were made over the weekend, one was made tonight :)

I have been using very soft, thin flannel for the backing and cute cotton prints for the front.  I did use a super thick hot pink minky fabric for the back of Maeve's blanket- but that stuff was NUTS to work with.  Plus its expensive and limited in colors. 

I do have a question though- after washing these blankets, they come out extremely- EXTREMELY wrinkly... what's up with that?  Is there a special way I should be washing them?  Or do I just deal with wrinkly blankets?  (which really isn't that big of a deal... just a little annoying ;)

I'm No Martha...

Remember way back when I was in that crafting kick?

My husband was so thankful when I finally decided to put the sewing machine away.

However, I truged down to the basement and its reappeared on our dining room table.

I am BOUND and determined to make my kids these.

I went to Jo-Ann's this afternoon and picked out some cute, coordinating fabric. I'm going to make an owl for Maeve and a racoon/cat type thing for Henry. And yes, I'm planning on using lavender scented rice.

I will post ((later)) on how this project turns out.

In the meantime, are you making any homemade gifts? If so, please share!


OH... and have you entered THIS give away? Come on... a $15.00 gift card for leaving a comment as simple as "hi!" :) You can do it... :)

pom poms & glue...

Today, we're crafting.

Although I can't show you exactly what we're putting together... because they're a surprise ;)

Our final pieces will be brought to Florida with us next week and given to Nana, Poppa & Gigi.

I CAN tell you, that everyone is participating (Henry included) and it is themed for Thanksgiving.

We're having a good Wednesday, are you?

PS- the cat ears & chocolate covering my daughters face has nothing to do with the craft... she was just feeling like a cat today.

Ummm....

To be totally honest I am probably not ever going to revisit the last 3 days of Disney... I am kind of proud that I even blogged about the first 4 days. There is just so much going on and I am trying my darnedest to keep up with it. It's tricky to go back in time and try to remember details of Disney World at this point... so there... sorry I know you were all dying to know what happened the last 3 days :)

Onto our busy lives. Ryan has been offered a job. We can't say much about it... but its an amazing opportunity. We're praying... PRAYING...WISHING...PRAYING...HOPING...PRAYING that he gets it. He flies out next Monday for the final interview. I will most definitely keep you all updated. Big changes could be happening.

Regardless of change (in location/job/housing,etc.) I was planning on having a garage sale this summer. Because of the recent job news we've decided to kick it into "second wind" and bump it up to next week. Like... next Thurs, Fri. Sat. This leaves me with a LOAD of stress and organizing. I keep going down to the basement and start looking around, wondering "WHERE DO I START?" You guys have no clue of how much we have accumulated over these years. I think we have owned every baby item there ever was to own (I think we have 2 swings, 4 bouncers, 2 jungle gym things, 2 baths, toys up to the wazoo, clothes ummm... yeah LOTS OF CLOTHES) and I just don't know where to start. Anyways, I have invited some good friends over on Wed. night to help me price the goods. And I'm inviting all of YOU to come SHOP the goods! It's gonna be massive, I will tell you that!

I have also been really busy with photography. Something that started out as just a hobby (which it most certainly still is) is starting to form into something else. What a blessing :) I am getting lots of referrals (thank you my lovely friends :) and I feel honored to be able to practice on such beautiful babies and couples. I have another baptism/dedication to shoot tomorrow... and THREE families next weekend (in the evening after the garage sale...busy, busy, busy, right?).

In the rush and chaos of things... I've got my kids :) Beautiful babies. Here are a few pics I took of Maeve this week. I brought Maeve to my parents, slapped a tutu on her and made her prance around. No pics of Henry because the bugs were so bad... buddy stayed inside with Papa :)




Amongst other things, I found this old table at goodwill. It was 1.99. I picked it up and it felt sturdy enough and for 2 bucks I figured what the heck. Brought it home, gave it a good coat of paint and distressed it a bit. It's now in our bedroom serving as our nightstand (which used to be a tv stand :) Ryan likes it and I'm proud... because the LAST furniture project turned into a mess (remember the yellow rocking chair that got left in the rain???? so sad).





I will update you on the job and location and all that good stuff as soon as we hear word. Please keep Ryan in your prayers as he flies and interviews... this job would mean a new life for our family (not in monetary terms) but in general- a new start, a new city... we just need it.

INSOMNIA=PROGRESS... PROGRESS=HAPPINESS.

Hello. I suffer from insomnia. Did you know that? Well, if not, now ya do. I have it bad. I have always had it to some extent but after having children its gotten about 100 times worse. I've been put on medications for it... I've talked with therapists about it (YES I've seen a therapist:) and I simply cannot find a solution for it. Instead, I busy myself with PROJECTS to take my mind off the fact that sleep is once again eluding me. It's a vicious cycle. I hate insomnia, but I love the feeling of completing projects... or making progress at least. Anywho... take a dive into my insomniac brain, will you? ;)

Recently, I've become a tad (okay more than a tad) obsessed with crocheting. You should see our bedroom- its like a giant yarn ball threw up. I tried (and epically failed) at keeping my yarn nice and organized. This little girl named MAEVE came along and decided to play with it- therefore I now have giant piles of random yarn strewn all along the side of the bed and stuffed in "Jo-Ann's" bags. Still though, I crochet. Every night, I crochet, crochet, crochet. Until my fingers are tired and my eyes are heavy. The result? A LOT of leg warmers, a few hats and one & a half blankets. If you're a friend of mine, have a daughter (or two:) don't be shocked when I throw leg warmers your way. Because really, how many pairs can I manage to squeeze on Maeve???

Speaking of Maeve and leg warmers... take a look at these darling pics :)







Oh- and don't think Henry has been left out of my crocheting madness! Check out these pics of him & his blankie :)




Onto project #2. THE CHAIR. The stinkin' $5.00 GOODWILL chair. Why in the WORLD has it taken me nearly THREE WEEKS to complete this project???? A few reasons. One, I'm a perfectionist- meaning, every time I *think* I am done with painting it, I look back at it and think it needs another coat. TWO, I refuse to bring it into the bedroom (that's where it will go) until I have the absolute *perrrrrfect* fabric for it. Did I also mention I am pretty indecisive??? Yet another quality of mine that popped up as soon as I had children... anywho, every time I go the fabric store I am too overwhelmed by all the beautiful fabric (kind of like how Target overwhelms me with all of their...awesomeness???) that I end up leaving with more- yup you guessed it, YARN! :) HAHA... VICIOUS cycle I tell you, VICIOUS! WELL... I am happy to tell you the chair is like 90 percent completed. I HAVE chosen a fabric (is it perfect??? Um...no, but it's going to have to do because I would actually, believe it or not, like to ROCK in my ROCKING chair while I can still ROCK! :) Now I say 90% because I still have to sew one cushion. The bottom cushion is done (I think) and I'm planning on starting the upper cushion tonight. The chair itself- meaning the painting, distressing, etc. in MY OPINION, looks pretty sweet. I literally beat that thing with a chain to give it JUST the right look. I was also very pleased to find out that the 5 dollar good will chair could withstand such a beating. I am not yet ready to reveal THE WHOLE CHAIR (yes, I'm pathetic...) but here's a peek at it.



Lastly, I've been reading. READING A LOT. I am on the tail end of "The Last Song" (and absolutely loving every word of it). I have "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult & "Not Without Hope" by Nick Schuyler waiting in the wings.

So there ya have it- my insomnia induced projects.

Oh yeah- one more thing... leave a comment (remember how that 100 blog reader/private list thingy is umm...at its limit?) I need to weed out who is reading & who is not! As awful as that sounds... I'm just not wanting the blog to be public- who knows why- just don't. SO, yeah just give me a shout out.... but WAIT- there is something FAB in it for you- simply leave an "I'm reading" comment (so I know not to delete ya!) and I will do a random number generated drawing for one of my insomnia pair of leg warmers! :) I'm sure you're wondering "well I am a momma of all boys" or "I really don't like your dang leg warmers." Or, "I don't even have kids you crazy thing!" Well- let me know you're reading anyway & if you win, give them to a fashionable fashionista that you know and love. Sounds great huh? :) So comment please!


PS- I will leave this open for a couple of days, giving adequate time to let me know you're alive & reading :)