It's Time for Summer Time Fun!!

Well, I've been gone from the blogging world for a while, but the end of the school year is just insanely busy.  Add to that therapeutic horseback riding every Tuesday night for Dash, Challenger baseball on Wednesday night for Dash, and gymnastics on Thursday night for Crash.  So, I finally have time to get caught up!

My first plan of action is to plan some fun activities for the boys and me.  Gavin just saw this on Nick Jr. and really wants to make them. They look easy enough and lots of fun.  They are "Fresh Beat Band Maracas", which are constructed out of a small water bottle, a dowel, some acrylic paint, felt, and rice.  See the link below for complete directions!

Nick Jr. Directions for Maracas

I think we'll make these on Friday, so I will be sure to post pictures of our process.  This will be fun for both boys, and provide some much needed small motor skills practice for Tanner.

I just love summer time!!!

Step 1.  The Supplies ~ we got everything at Michael's

Step 2.  Paint 1 - 2 coats of acrylic paint on to each plastic water bottle.

Step 3.  Allow paint to dry thoroughly

Step 4.  Paint the dowels and allow to dry

We got one long dowel and Daddy cut it down to size (10")

Step 5.  Carefully add rice to each painted bottle

Step 6.  Insert 10" dowel into bottle opening

(I also added a bit of cotton around the lip to seal completely)

Step 7.  Tape dowel into place

Step 8.  Glue felt around tape and tie colorful string around the top.

Step 9.  Enjoy your maracas!!!!

*We are also going to cut out and glue the Fresh Beat Band "labels" onto

the maracas, but I'm going to cover with a coat of Modge Podge, so we are doing

that step right before bedtime, so they can dry overnight.