Africa---The Water Project

Many Christmas's ago my daughter was very young and so sad because Santa brought everyone gifts but no one took Santa presents. I had to take my daughter to the dollar store so Francessca could buy Santa some socks and then she marched right up to the mall Santa with her little present in her hand and gave them Santa. Santa looked at me and I said, "Santa, she was sad for you. Merry Christmas! "

Another time we were on the road and she would ask to take sandwiches to people standing begging for money. Other times she would want to get scarves or gloves for those standing on the corners in the freezing cold. These are times as parents that our heart feel good and we know we are raising our kids right.

Like my daughter Francessca, I would like you all to meet aother very special 8 years old who has a very BIG heart too---her name is Nina. Nina is quite special. She is very talented. She writes her own stories and songs. She helps create smoothie's and healthy food ideas with her Mommy (Bernice Website) She helps her Mommy with her little adorble brother and she's a great big sister I hear. She is a 3rd grader and an honor roll student. And as you can see she is beautiful outside but she is also beautiful inside too.

One admiral thing that touched me about Nina---she has a BIG, BIG heart. She has big goals and wants to do BIG things in life. At just 8 years old, Nina started a fundraiser and is raising money so she can help build a well in Africa.

Over a billion people in Africa need fresh water. There is disease, lack of water, and a cycle of sickness due to this lack of water. Nina wants to help build a well to provide clean water to people but to do this she needs our help. So through the grace of God, prayers and kind people like you we can help make Nina's dream come true. Please click on this link below for further information---

http://thewaterproject.org/community/profile/nina-lakota


So in honor of Nina and our African friends and the well fundraiser today's crafts is---  



African Rainstick








http://www.freekidscrafts.com/recycled_rain_stick_craft-e89.html

 

 

 

April Craft---Growing seeds

Having a very ill teen at home leaves me little time to myself much less managing my blogs. I have decided to continue with my blogs but I will only be adding content occasionally for the time being.

April's Craft is going to be something for "spring". The warm weather makes you want to go out and dig in the garden.

My daughter and I both love to grow things. I think playing in the dirt and getting in touch with Mother Nature can be quite rewarding. I have bought several little kits for my daughter and so she began growing tomatoes,and sunflowers...etc...Being sick she isn't able to get out much so this project was very rewarding because she could watch her seeds grow and see the changes each and everyday. 
This photo is of my daughter's first seed project. I believe these are of Sunflowers.


Kids of all ages can enjoy doing a project like this. However if you have small children I would advise you to plant some of your bigger seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds etc...The plants are more hardy and seem to grow faster.  You might even get them to eat some of the vegetables they grow...if you are lucky.

You don't have to purchase these kits however. All you need to do is go to your local dollar store and buy a package of plastic cups,some seeds,a bag of soil and a permanent marker.

Fill the cups up with soil. Halfway is good enough...then make a small indent with your finger. Place a few seeds into this indentation and then cover lightly with soil. Water and place in a sunny window. Make sure you write the name of the plant on the plastic cup with a permanent marker. Be sure to keep the soil moist and check everyday.

If you want you can even add some plastic wrap over the cups to help the growing process. Germination doesn't take too long...soon you will see the leaves and stem poking through the soil. I have placed my cups in a baking pan so that it makes it easier to move from window to window.

Happy Spring and happy growing!!

January Craft

Everyone loves a snow globe. C'mon you know you can't resist shaking one if you see it on a table or mantle. Here is an adorable little snow globe I found on Kaboose. I like to use my own interpretations though and I change it up and make the craft suit my tastes. Crafting is fun and you should be able to put your own spin on things.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

A small jar with lid

Florist clay

Glitter (preferably white)

Waterproof glue (Aquarium sealing glue

Plastic figures, plastic greenery,houses etc...

Directions--

http://crafts.kaboose.com/snglobe.html

Books related to our topic:

The Snow Globe Family

Reviewed on Amazon---"A world within a snowglobe! Imaginative children will LOVE this book! Great illustrations, a simple but happy story, and a captivating concept will make this book a favorite--at Christmas and always. They'll never look at a snowglobe the same way again! Our four-year-old granddaughter was thrilled by it--and so was her grandmother."

For more information

Happy New Year---Happy crafting and reading!

Hi Friends----


I haven't posted very much the last few months but I have a very good reason. My daughter is very ill and we have been going through some tough times. 


My daughter has the disabling autoimmune disease Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It's really been hard to take it all in but even more difficult to see my daughter so ill and writhing in pain day after day. 


I was always there for my daughter. Whenever she needed me I was always here....many times putting off my own things  to do for her. Life is short so I just want to say enjoy these days with your kids as you never know when they will be replaced with sickness and pain.


I will not be able to post regularly as I just don't have the time with running to appointments but I will post as soon as possible.

Here's an easy craft and you can help to find the birds at the same time. Right now pine cones are all over the ground. I have seen them in the driveway every time we pass down the driveway.


Here is what you need:


Peanut butter
Pine cones string
Bird seed
Newspaper
A metal pie pan
Butter knife 


Spread newspaper out on the table. Pour some bird seed into the metal pie pan. Tie string onto one end of the pine cone.


Now--- take the butter knife and spread some peanut butter all over your pine cone. Once it's completely covered then you can either roll your pine cone into the bird seed until it is completely covered or you can spoon it onto the cone and pat it down with your fingers. There is no right or wrong way whichever way you choose your feathered friends will enjoy it!!

Bird feeders (Kids Can Do It)

When school's out & you're wondering how to keep your rug rats occupied, grab an armful of Renee Schwarz's books, rummage through your recycling bins, get out your paint boxes & glue stash, dig through your tool kits & get started on some fun things, then sit back & watch your fine feathered friends flock to your feeders. 

The Bird Book & The Bird Feeder (Hand in Hand with Nature)

I am in no way an expert birdwatcher, but this book and birdfeeder are so much fun to use. Like another reviewer, I was skeptical of birds actually coming to the feeder. In less than a week, they had not only found it, but were fighting to get inside it! The book is small, but well written and very informative for all ages, especially if you know very little about birdwatching. It makes the common birds you will see easy to identify. The feeder is great because it can be attached to a window pane, making up-close viewing possible from inside your house.
A great gift!