Firework Painting

I wanted to do something with the girls for 4th of July.  I was not going out with them.  I would of had to of had them on my own, and I did not feel like dealing with crowds and intoxicated people.  So, instead the girls and I painted fire works!!  I gave them blue and red washable paint and let them go at it!  My youngest, of course painted part of herself, but that is all in the fun of painting!!  Besides, it is washable. 

Once they were done painting, I gave the girls each some star stickers to put on their poster.  Pinching the stars is an excellent fine motor skill.

As you can see, I put the paint in the girls' snack cups.  I like using the cups that have the handles on them.  It really helps them in grabbing the paint.  

The fireworks!!  

I gave the girls each one paint color at a time.  They had to wait to switch cups.  It is great to practice sharing and taking turns.  "You get what you get, and you don't have a fit."  That is what we say at home and in my classroom.  

Look at that girl go!

Of course it goes without saying, that no matter what they do, I think it is wonderful!!  

My oldest making her master piece!

Painting is one of my girls favorite things to do!  Washable paint is one of my favorite things.  Painting helps with fine motor skills, and I try and work on using their imagination too!

Colorful Ice

Alright, I saw balloon ice on pinterest too.  Of course it was done in the winter, but why not try it. (The blog:  http://hurrayic.blogspot.com/2008/02/colored-glass-tutorial-for-kids.html)  (Side note...  always give credit where credit is due)  I did not have water balloons, but I thought why not try it with regular balloons.  I had a few left over from my oldest's (Bethany) 3rd birthday party.  I am almost out of food colors, so I thought I would just use it up.  Filling them up started to show me why I should have gotten water balloons.  Obviously it did not work for me.  Have no fear, I will keep trying.  

My sorry balloons

The end result

I kept try to just see what would happen.  The morning, I got up with the girls, and decided to try them out.  I wanted to put them in the plastic pool with the girls, but our pool needs to be replaced.  So, I thought about waiting, but nah, we needed to use them.  The girls and I ran outside with our bowl to see what would happen.  At first, we just played with them in the bowl, but that wasn't any sun.  Then we tried to use them as chalk, but it didn't show up... just wet marks.  Resultantly, I thought of the one thing we shouldn't do... throw them.  Alright, I know it is not the best idea to teach your kiddos to throw ice, but why not?  Bethany loved throwing the ice and breaking it on the floor.  My youngest, Volina, not so much.  She kept trying to eat the ice.  

Trying to draw with the ice

Playing in the bowl. 

As you can see, I took the girls clothing off again.  Food coloring can really make a mess, and I don't want to have to do all that clean up.  Of course this time, the girls didn't really get messy.  Bethany ran around trying to throw ice to see what she could make.  Volina just kept trying to eat the ice.  

End result from throwing the ice

Bethany finding ice to throw

Volina eating the ice

Our blue diamond

More master piece from our household.  

Next time, I will use water balloons, and put the kiddos in the baby pool.  There will be a next time for us with these!  It will be so much fun in the baby pool trying to catch the ice and seeing them melt.  That will be so much fun!  Please comment to give me more ideas or suggestions.  Thanks!

Materials:

- water balloons

-water

-food coloring

Directions:

- put food coloring in the water balloon 1st

-Fill balloon up with water

-Freeze

- Cut off the balloon

-Have fun!!

Sidewalk Paint

Okay, so our frozen side walk paint did not work out perfect for us, so I thought... let's try another.  So, we tried sidewalk paint  Why not?  We love painting!!  And it can't melt since it is not frozen.  This activity is another pinterest one.  (http://pinterest.com/arinn18/toddler-crafts/)  This time I knew it was going to work for us!  I mixed each individual ones with food coloring and had great colors for the girls.  I carefully carried it outside and placed it on the sidewalk for the girls.  I gave them both a paint brush and let them go at it.  

Ready to paint

This time I did not take the girls clothing off... I left them in their play clothes.  The girls sat down and started to paint.  At first we didn't really see anything showing up.  So, the girls started to mix the colors to see what would happen.  They weren't really into the paint and nothing really showing up.  Once it started to dry, we did see the lines and dots they had made, but my girls were not into the waiting for it to dry.  

Mixed all the paint.

The girls ended up with a green mess.  They started to splash everywhere and try to finger paint with it.  You can see in the next picture the spots we made with the paint brushes, everything else was with the splish and splash of the little hands.  Since we had done the frozen paint, they remembered making the feet print.  They both tried to stick their feet in the cupcake tin.  Ha ha!  We made an even more mess, but it was fun.  

Splashes from the cupcake pan. 

You can see a few of the painting makes we made.  

And... just so that you know, all of this washed away in the rain.  Also, my grass has not been affected by any of the food coloring and corn starch.  Hey... it is all natural, so it shouldn't.  Also, reflecting back on this activity, I would change some things.  I would use huge paint brushes for the girls not regular paint brushes.  I would also make more of each color and leave them in a larger container.  The cupcake pan was great because they could not pick it up  or knock it over.  I would also take their clothing off, it  did get all over their clothes.  I will try this painting activity again.  I just have to find a way to make it work for us.  

Materials:

-¼ cup cornstarch 

-¼ cup cold water 

-6 to 8 drops of food coloring 

Steps:

1. Put cornstarch in a small plastic bowl and gradually stir in the cold water.

 2. Add your desired food coloring and stir. 

3. Repeat the process to create different colors. 

4. Put the sidewalk paint into containers to use (I used the cupcake baking sheet since that is what I saw on pinterest)

Frozen sidewalk paint

Alright, frozen homemade chalk... I know odd.  But, being the pinterest person I am, I thought I should try some of the things I have pinned. (http://pinterest.com/arinn18/toddler-crafts/) One of the things was Ice Chalk.  It is 1/2 cornstarch and 1/2 water (same a Oobleck), and then you add the food coloring for the colors.  I froze it in my funky Halloween ice cube trays.  I also made the girls frozen carrots and mango Popsicles.  They were real easy to make.  It takes me back to my baby food making day.  I enjoy "cooking" with the girls. The next day, we were all set.   Knowing what I know about food coloring, I took the girls clothes off and let them run around in diaper and pull-up.  The neighbors love us (actually we have great neighbors).  We lathered up the sun screen and went outside.  I popped open the frozen chalk out and wow!!  We live in South Carolina and the ice melted so fast.  I used this time to talk about the colors (I only did red, blue, and yellow).  I tried to have the girls mix the colors.  We have read the story Mice Paint  by Ellen Stoll Walsh, so I took this time to have the girls mix the paint.  Everything was happening so fast.  The sun was doing it's job!  We were getting messy and running out of chalk.  I started having the girls try to make their hand and foot prints.  We had a good time comparing the sizes of our feet, but everything was drying up so fast.  In the end, we took a bowl of water and washed our hands and feet.  Then we threw the water on our master piece.  Everything dried up, and we just had a yellow/ blue/ red blur on the sidewalk.  My oldest, loved it. She was so proud of it, and couldn't wait to show her daddy the painting.  If I had to change anything, it would be to try it in larger ice cube trays, and to do it earlier in the year (spring time).  Overall, it was fun for about 15 minutes.  It was educational, and I would try it again.  First I will try some of the other pinned items... Keep looking!

Mixing colors

Watching the frozen chalk melt and eating our homemade carrots and mango Popsicles.  

Our hands were so messy!!

They melted so fast!!

Making foot prints in the melted chalk.  

Our ending master piece!!

Materials needed:

- Funky ice cube trays

- food coloring

- cornstarch

-water

Directions:

Mix same amount of water and cornstarch together (I used 1/4 cup for each color).

Then add in the food coloring.

Mix it and pour into the ice cube trays.

Freeze overnight.

Enjoy!!

Chaplin Community Park

The girls and I went to the Chaplin Park.  I had to drive around for awhile.  I have been here before, but couldn't remember the exact location.  The Chaplin Community Park has a lot of things to do.  There is the fields to play in, basketball courts, tennis courts, dog park, and of course the playground.  I remembered that the playground was close to the bark park, but couldn't remember where exactly.  So, I parked near the dog park.  Of course me being me, we walked the wrong way.  We walked towards the dog park, not the correct way towards the playground.  I then realized that there were signs pointing us to the playground.  We eventually ended up in the correct area.  The girls were already tired and bored.  Once they were able to see the park, they took off running towards the ship.  My oldest, Bethany, wanted to drive the ship.  My youngest, Volina, wanted to people watch.  There were some other kids on the playground playing.  She loves to interact with kids, but Bethany prefers to be alone.  Because they have different interest, this caused some frustration on my part. It is difficult to watch both kiddos spread out so much.  Plus in between the two playgrounds, there is a large pole thing.  I am not really sure what to do with the pole.... maybe walk across.  Anyways, it was not for my girls.  Volina loved climbing up the equipment and running around after the other kids.  I was a little nervous about her on the larger playground, there were a lot of opening to fall from.  The other people at the playground were smart, they drove up in their golf cart.  Boy, I wish I would have had one because about that time Bethany came running over to us, and I realized she had wet her pants.  Oh the joys of toilet training.  We walked back to the restroom, and changed clothes.  At this time it started to rain, so we went ahead and went on home.  I really enjoyed Chaplin Park, and I know we will be back soon!  We will then be going to Carrabba's for lunch... my kiddos love it there!!

Climbing on the rainbow bars (or at least that is what I call it). 

The Ship equipment and the pole thing between the two equipments.  

Playing on the larger playground. 

"Mommy, I drive the ship!"  My little ship captain.

The sign. 

The path to the playground.  It would be great for bike rides.  

The tennis court... please let us run around.   You can sign up to use the courts, but we don't play tennis.  

Tuesday Night Fireworks

The Tuesday Night fireworks

Okay, everyone that lives on the island knows about Tuesday night fire works at Shelter Cove.  Of course, if you live here, you should go.  I am one of the people that don't always take advantage of the stuff around me.  So,  I packed up the girls and went.  I knew the fireworks started at dusk.  Now when is dusk?  I assumed 8:30 ish.  But I knew that there was free music and fun for the kiddos.  At 6 we left our house.  Guess what?!?!  There was already security out directing traffic, obviously I have really been missing out.  Now, it is important to know that I keep my girls on a schedule.  (Hey! It is is the teacher in me) The youngest is in bed at 7 and the oldest in bed at 7:30.  My husband works nights, and since I am usually the only on that puts the girls in bed, I have to do it at 2 different times (it works for me).  Anyways, getting back on track, I am once again alone at night, and say "I can do it!"  I am directed to a parking spot, and settle in.  I was smart enough to bring the double stroller.  We had a good walk to get to Shelter Cove.  Remember we were there before 6:30, and had to park a good amount away.  I had to park in the business area.  We start walking over the wooden bridge into Shelter Cove.  As soon as we get to Kingfisher, there are booths set up to sell the tourist  tours and such.  But, there was FREE hair braiding and face painting!!!  Yippee!!  Both girls got their hair braided.  The two girls that were there braiding hair was so good with my girls, and they did an excellent job on their hair.  The face painting for free too, and they painted my girls hands instead of faces for them to be able to see.  The paint came right off in the bath.  Once we were done tipping the girls for the braiding and face painting, we were off again.  We walked past restaurants and shops.  At majority of the restaurants, there was a live singer outside singing.  We did not stop for them, I knew they were not the main show.  We kept walking till we go to the middle with.... Shannon Tanner!!!  The girls enjoyed the music, and got out to the stroller to dance.  There was also 2 jump houses for the kids to jump in.  You pay $5 for all the jump you want.  Bu of course, Bethany did not want to jump.  She wore her wrist band proudly, and she would wait patiently in line.  Once she got up the entrance, she would lose it!!  Oh well, I attempted several times with no luck.  So, we decided to get a drink.  We stopped at the local ice cream shop right on the corner, and got each of us a slushie.  I truly believe that the slushie was the highlight of the night for the girls.  They loved the sugary drinks.  Hey! It's not every day we do this, besides they would need the sugar to stay up to watch the fireworks (okay, I feel a little guilty about the amount of sugar they had).  Back on the stage, I pushed the stroller right behind Shannon Tanner, and the girls danced until he took a break about 7:30ish.  He said they would start back up again at 8 to bring in the fireworks.  Oh boy!! The time was getting close.  I round up the girls, and start back over the bridge.  I did not want to be stuck at night pushing the stroller to the car.  On the other side of the cove, I pull out the towel to sit on and the bubbles for the girls.  The girls ran around the small area I would already let them run around, and popped as many bubbles as they were able.  I knew they would not sit and wait, so I was smart enough to bring something to entertain them.   There was already a group of people gathered around, and I didn't want to lose the girls.  While waiting for the fireworks, one of the great things about living on an island happened.... two dolphins swam right into the cove we were sitting around.  I think they were looking for food, and the rocks other kids were throwing into the water attracted them.  The girls were screaming, "Dolphins!".  Everyone around us was taking pictures.  It was honestly a magical moment.  While sitting there, I started to get nervous about what time the fireworks were going to start.  It was past 8:30 and no sign of fireworks.  At 9, I was thinking this wasn't going to happen for us tonight (remember the schedule thing... getting way nervous now).  Then.... I hear it.... a cannon go off.  That noise was the sign of the beginning!  The girls were already in the stroller ready for the fireworks.  They it happens, the sky lights up with colors!  Both girls were a little nervous at first, but they watched the colorful display.   I will say, I don't think we will be going again this year.  The whole thing was way too late for us.  I might go for a special surprise for the kiddos to dance and get the slushie. Who knows?  Overall it was a great experience and I am so happy the girls and I did it. 

Little one Cheesin'

The best part... the slushie!!

Xeriscape Garden - Wexford Plantation

Xeriscape Garden

Okay, if you are like me, you have no idea what that means... Xeriscape.  So, I did what every modern woman does, I googled it.  Basically it means water wise.  In my head, I am thinking of a garden of exotic plants that don't need a lot of water.  I start thinking of all the fun things the girls and I can do at this garden... sort by attributes, pictures, drawings, picnic etc.  

So, today we go to this Xeriscape Garden.  It is in front of the entrance to Wexford plantation, and it is right next to the Courthouse.  I had a hard time finding the garden because there are no signs say, "This way to Xeriscape Garden."  I ended up parking in the reserved parking, and walking.  As it turns out, the garden is right there at the reserved parking.  Odd, but it works.  The first thing we see is a beautiful water fountain.  We walk over a wooden bridge and look at the water fountain.  My youngest loves it!!  A very nice lady stops and talks to us.  She tells us that there is a gator in the water, but it usually stays away.  My girls are learning not to feed the gators!!  Alligators are common on the island, but usually stay in the water near their food source.  They only become a problem if they are being fed.  The woman points out the small gator (and I know if was not an adult because it still had it's stripes)  as it is floating in the water.  The girls and I move on in the garden ready for our exotic plants.  So far we saw palm trees (nothing new for us) and ferns (still nothing new).  We walk a little more on the path.  Majority of the plants are overgrown, and look a lot like weeds.  There is a man there, and it looks like he is working on the weeds and plants (maybe we will come back (we as in my husband and I).  The best part of the garden is the steps to the courthouse (council area). My girls loved running up and down the ramps and stairs.  We saw a lizard climbing up the wood work (that was pretty cool).  We have a lot of lizards in our own garden in the backyard, but they are always grey because our fence is grey.  I convinced the girls to move on over another wooden bridge, this one was much smaller and skinnier.  We looked at the water fountain on this side.  I tried to take pictures of the girls on a bench with the palm trees overgrown and the water in the background, but it wasn't going to happen.  The girls were bored, and there was not a flower in sight.  Now, I know it is June, but there are still some flowers that could have been growing during this time.  We start walking back to the car, and we see a flower!! Okay, it might have been a weed.  I try to get the girls excited, but they were done.  Sorry, no pictures at this time.
I enjoyed the small garden and walking around looking at the plants.  They do have stakes in the ground with the name of the plants (and I think the Latin names too), but my girls did not.  In their minds, you seen one green plant, you have seen them all.  I would suggest that if you go, wear bug spray. The bugs got me!!  Also, I think spring might be a better time to visit this garden.  This is not a place to take young kids, but it is very nice for the adult side of me.
As, before I will try and recommend a local restaurant for lunch if you visit this park.  I would say drive around the circle to the British Open Pub.  My father loves the fish and chips.  

Xeriscape Garden and it's principles.

Here is our 1st look from the parking lot we parked in. 

The first water fountain. 

One of the plants.

The second water fountain.

The best part of the park for the girls.  They loved running around.  

Our green lizard friend. 

The skinny bridge.

Trying so hard to get her picture.  

One of the beautiful views from the bridge.  

Green Shell Park

We went to Green Shell Park for a nice shady area.  We were there at noon in June, and enjoyed ourselves. This park is great for the heat.  Majority of the park is shaded.  It has two actual play areas, a pavilion,  bathrooms, and a basketball court.  One of the play areas is for the smaller kiddos.  An added bonus is the little nature trail, but you have to walk by a cemetery before you go to the trail.  Living in a the south... I guess I should not be worried about the cemetery.  The cemetery is very well maintained.  My daughters loved going on the trail.  It is a small trail that leads to an overlook of the water.  We looked at so many trees and plants.  It is posted not to take anything, so I would not allow them to dig up anything. It was a great experience to check out nature for the girls.
The only down fall was the broken beer bottles at the pavilion.   I clean up as much as I could,  but still was very careful with the girls around the glass area.  Also, there were no other people around for the girls to interact with today. 

As a suggestion,  if you want to go grab a great bite to eat, I would drive on down the road to Hudson's or the Chart House. 

This is the sign into the park. 

The lovely view at the end of the nature trial. 

You can see the larger playground and the pavilion between the two playgrounds. 

Here is the small cemetery right before the nature trail.  

The smaller playgound.  Perfect for little ones. 

Beginning of the nature trail.

Playing on the larger playground.  

The enterance to the local food place.