TTAH Tuesday – Let them help!
One of the struggles of being a mom with preschoolers is how to get projects accomplished around the house with little ones underfoot. My motto is “Let them help!”
Yes, this can sometimes cause even bigger messes, but it often provides benefits:
- giving the child a sense of accomplishment
- allowing them to learn new skills
- letting to get something done while they are busy “helping”
One perfect place to do this is when you’re painting. I’ve let my children help me paint rooms a few times now. They really enjoy it, and it generally doesn’t cause too much trouble if I prepare well.
(Want to see some photos? Click here.)
Preparing to have the kids’ paint includes using drop cloths (do not skip this step!), giving them very small paintbrushes, dressing them in old paint clothes, and then giving them plastic cups with very, very small amounts of paint in them. The older the child, the bigger the brush is a good rule of thumb! You can give the older children some instruction and generally they’ll do pretty well.
Don’t be scared of letting your kids help you paint! Latex paints are pretty easy to clean off skin! And they’ll have a ball painting pictures on the wall before you go ahead and put the first coat on.
busy, busy, busy
You know every time I hear that I think of the magician on Frosty – don’t you?
I haven’t been blogging in a while. Or calling friends back (sorry). We have been busy around here, working on a girls’ room makeover. We are now ready to reveal…
But first I’ll start with a before picture. Think dull blue walls, extra bright pink curtains, and way too much clutter.
Before: Princess-themed room. Hmm, yes - that's what we'll call it.
In process…
My painting helper (?)
And Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for…
After
Finally Finished!
Aaah. Done. And the girls are thrilled. (So am I, because I can actually see the floor and there’s no clutter!) So here’s the details in case you’re interested…
I bought the bedding and matching valances earlier in the year from Penney’s – that was probably the biggest cost of the project (about $120). The two dressers I got from 48A-Z for $55. I thought that was a pretty good deal – they are both in good condition, the drawers slide well, and they are large – just what we needed. I spent about $24 on primer and paint for the dressers and the bunk beds. The bunk beds were free (thanks, Mom!). I spent a lot of time and elbow grease sanding, priming, and painting all the furniture – but I think it was worth it. The paint and new rollers for the walls, from Wal-Mart, was about $30. After I took the photos, I also went to Target and bought some accessories – a new lamp, a garbage can (matching, of course), new bed pillows for A, and a bedside caddy for the top bunk – all about $40.
So totalled up, I spent about $270. Not bad. Considering I’m planning on having a garage sale in August where I’d like to sell the old bedroom furniture set for at least $350. (It’s a twin bed with canopy, desk with hutch, dresser with mirror, chest of drawers, and a corner cabinet with tabletop – anyone interested?) I’m hoping to make money on the whole deal!
So that’s what we’ve been up to. What do you think?
TTAH Tuesday – Springdale Farm
Last week’s field trip was to Springdale Farm in Spencerport.
Here’s the website for more information:
http://www.heritagechristianservices.org/springdale/index.html
This is a definite must-do field trip for preschoolers to school aged children. Not too far away and doesn’t take too long to get through. Nice variety of animals. Some learning activities. Free admission, although the petting zoo area and the dairy barn tour you must pay for. They also have a playground and picnic tables in case you’d like to pack a lunch.
Try it out & let me know if your family gives it a thumbs-up, too!
Back to it…
To eating in moderation and exercising, that is.
The last month or so I have had way too much – too much strawberry shortcake, cherry pie, cherry cobbler, strawberry tart, strawberry bread, etcetera and etcetera.
Absolutely delicious, I tell you. But not so good for my waistline.
So today I’m publicly announcing that I’m back to my diet. Please feel free to ask me how I’m doing! (How’s that for accountability?)
I have been (within 5 pounds) of my lowest weight as an adult for the past 18 months or so, and I do NOT want to gain any weight back!
So I’m back to counting my calories and trying to exercise every day. I’d better get going…
TTAH Tuesday – Amherst Museum
The kids and I have a bunch of “field trips” planned for the summer. Last week’s trip was to the Amherst Museum.
Would definitely recommend this place. It’s along the same lines as Genesee Country Museum, but on a smaller scale. They had two exhibits that my kids loved – one was a pioneer kitchen (all stuff that they could play with and touch) and the other was an exhibit on the Erie Canal, complete with a full-sized packet boat model.
The price is cheap ($5.00 for adults and 1.50 for kids. Under 5 free – the website prices haven’t been updated). It is fairly small, so doesn’t take too long to get through, and it seemed to keep my two-year-old’s attention pretty well.
If you don’t mind driving a bit to get there, this is a nice “morning” field trip. We stopped for lunch & ice cream on the way back and had a great time! Try it out!
fourth of july
silly smiles,
mini golf mayhem,
crisp corn-on-the-cob,
sweet strawberry tart,
and fireworks fun.
What could be better?
i love the NLT
The New Living Translation. That’s the Bible translation I’m reading this year.
Love it.
Came across the following verse recently and made a mental note to try to memorize it.
Psalm 142:3 “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.”
Even though I haven’t been feeling too overwhelmed lately, I know the day will come soon when I’ll need this verse and it will be useful to have memorized it.
In other news, summer is in full swing and we have been busy with strawberries (shortcake, jam, bread), cherries (pie, cobbler, jam), an overnight at Covenant Acres, and the pool. My house is kind of a disaster. When the kids are home from school, it doesn’t take long to make it look like a hurricane hit!
Speaking of kids… I should go find out what they’re up to! Have a great day!
