Another way to entertain the kids...

I think sometimes we've used up all the good ideas I can come up with - and then out of the blue I run across something new (and cheap).  I was beside myself Monday night because the kids were bored and just wanted something a little more interesting to do than read and play board games during the hottest part of the day.  Luckily I ran across some fun things online... the first at paperboxworld.com... I think

All it takes is a pair of scissors and some glue, and M had her very own kitty which entertained her for hours - and which doesn't shed, leave unwelcome surprises, or make me sneeze... and which can be replaced quickly if someone accidentally runs over it with a car!

The older kids needed more challenge - so we ended up at another site (cubeecraft.com?) where we found printables for Indiana Jones and other exciting figures...  

So now our entertainment center is crawling with Indy, the Marshmallow Man, Kirby, a lizard and a cat...  and the floor is littered with little scraps of paper (okay, they've actually been vacuumed by now).

So now it's sharing time - has anyone found anything recently that is good healthy indoor fun for children?  We're getting a little tired of baking day and game day (and I really need M to not become attached to a computer screen!)

While You Were Out...

It's amazing how little can get done around the house in a 72 hour period... especially when the man of the house is out galavanting with his brothers.  I made sure to get in a few pampering hours prior to his departure though - I owed a friend a pedicure for her birthday, so we went off to enjoy the newest beauty college (there's 4 here now) and see what they could do for us...  

Next year, when those boys are off galavanting, I propose everyone comes down here right before they take off, or when they return - and we'll make a spa day of it... this place was quite nice, they even stamped little stars on our dark blue toes for the upcoming holiday season... of course, it's not too likely the polish will last that long with the kind of life I lead, but I have photographic proof that they looked stunning for at least the 2 hours of pedicure... that's right folks, a two hour pedicure...  they brought us water (diet coke was offered, but the incredibly opinionated aesthetician and I convinced my fellow pamperees that we were trying to be healthy)

On Thursday - with no man to please - I spent the day working on the scrapbook - ordered in a pizza for lunch and basically just did nothing the whole day except let the kids run roughshod over the house and enjoy themselves...  By the evening this guilt was eating me alive and I did help them make some sandwiches and we invited H's friend over for their very first "late night"...    These two little 6 year olds were up until after 11:00 and fully enjoyed themselves watching Enchanted, eating popcorn, and playing SingStar (a karaoke game).

The next day - despite being dog tired - I had to run around like a chicken with my head cut off to find a bunch of similarly hued green shirts for an upcoming reunion (my side of the family... don't worry that you're missing something)  I also let the guilt get to me and cleaned the house - realizing happily that quickie meals have the added advantage of not leaving behind lots of dishes!  Of course, not letting the real life responsibilities bog me down too long, I invited a friend over to finish up the scrapbook chore that we'd begun the day before - so for the 7-11pm hours I did that - then had to run and buy milk before the kids woke up (T was up and actively babysitting, I didn't just leave them to the wolves!)  I learned something interesting though - as we all tried to check out at midnight - alcohol purchases cannot go through after 12:00 at Albertsons - the checker kind of laughed at me when that shocked me - like I was supposed to know that somehow...  and I wasn't sure exactly if I was enabling someone else's bad habit by letting the guy with the case of Heineken behind me go ahead in order to be done by midnight.  Honestly - I felt really stupid because I initially indicated that he should go ahead, but then had to wonder if Heineken was actually alcohol - or just one of those mixers... obviously I am lacking some knowledge here... but I will be just fine without it!  When I returned home at 12:15 I finished up the lovely card that we made for Father's Day (because aside from T, the kids had been no help at all)

So... this morning at 3:30 (I also read and spent some quality time scratching my ever so itchy back, oh - and I think I checked some of the Sisters blogs) I finally got into bed...  with M - since she thinks Dad's pillow will be lonely without her.

Unfortunately, I am now dead on my feet and preparing to go and buy church pants for T since he is quickly outgrowing his...  

Will those camping men really come home and expect to be pampered for Father's Day...  or did the trip count as a gift?  Too bad our stake conference is this weekend - not much chance for us to have a quiet breakfast in bed!

But Mom... what can I Doooooooo?

Okay, so my kids keep asking what they can do (since video games are restricted to certain hours)... so I posted this list:

Copy page 513 of the Dictionary (or something else) in your very best handwriting * Write a poem about boredom, or about anything else that strikes you * Have a tea party with the girls * Milk the goat (if you can find one) * Alphabetize your bookshelf (by author) * Find a new recipe you want Mom to try out * Research new books coming out that you might want to read * Find 5 things to give to D.I. * Read * Work on an Art Project * Find the Remote Control!!! * Polish the Silverware * Practice your hula hoop skills * Board Games (if you want Mom to play, pick Boggle... or even Scrabble) * Write a Song * Origami * Sharpen all the Pencils in the house * Play word games with M * Clip your nails * Clean out the Junk Drawer in the kitchen * Memorize an Article of Faith * Plan a crazy family vacation (destinations don’t necessarily have to exist) * Mix up a batch of Jell-O to go with dinner * Write the great next American Novel - find your main characters name in the phone book * Wash your sheets (you know they need it) * Organize the games * Read a book to M * Pick a Scouting Goal to Work on... and work on it * Yoga * Puzzles *

Any additions?

Personally, I'm just hoping that page 513 of the dictionary doesn't have any inappropriate words on it!