Summer Break...

I thought I'd take a little break from writing about school to write about a fun home project that our family recently completed.  Yes...completed! I "pinned" it last year to complete last summer, but now we have actually done it!

I have a four year old little boy who loves cars and trucks, and I came across a project on Pinterest from the Lowe's website that looked like the perfect outdoor play area for him! This was the inspiration...

We wanted a bigger road, so our little guy could drive his dump truck on it, so we used 2x8x16" concrete pavers.  We also used pea pebbles instead of sand, and created two areas, so he could carry rocks from one to the other.

While my mom was visiting, we painted bricks to resemble houses and buildings.

First we used an indoor/outdoor primer on all of the bricks.

Then, we added the color.

And, finally...the details.

We are not landscaping experts, so there may have been a better way to do this part, but we put newspaper down, then covered it with black plastic weed barrier.  We then laid out the concrete pavers and added the rocks.  Then, we dug a small pit around the perimeter and added plastic edging to contain the mulch.  We used rubber mulch, which was probably the most expensive part, but we thought it would be the best thing for little knees.

This is the finished project.  It was pretty easy, and it's a big hit already!

Our neighbor has a swimming pool, so we had to add that.

And, of course, a hotel this big also needs a pool!

I'd love to hear about some of your summer projects!

~Ella Jane

Fun Party Food

Are you in need of a new idea for classroom party treats?  My first year teaching, we had a party with cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and lots of other sweet treats.  It was great…until the stomach aches started.  By the end of the day, many students were on a sugar rush and/or feeling sick, and that’s the way I sent them home.

I thought this was the only way to do things, until a good friend of mine introduced me to a new idea, and my class parties have never been the same!

Instead of the normal treats, we make a big “Trail Mix.”  I ask parents to send in an unopened item to add to our mix.  Some examples of items they can send in include cereal, pretzels, small marshmallows, M&Ms, etc.  Anything small works great! You may have to make accommodations because of allergies.  For example, I always ask them to not send anything with nuts in it.

On the day of the party, I get a large container (I purchased a 50 quart plastic container with a lid to use for parties.), and I have each student pour in the item they brought for the mix.  They love watching it all go in! We usually have extras, so everyone gets to pour something.  I always mix it all together with a cup or by putting the lid on the container and shaking it.

Benefits:
• Students can send in items several days before the party, so you can tell the day before if you need to buy anything.  Sometimes you may have too many sweet items, and you might want to get some Chex cereal or something to cut the sweetness a little.
• Some schools do not allow homemade food items.  This is perfect for that situation.
• Plenty of opportunity for variety.  The students enjoy bringing in seasonal items, such as seasonal colored M&Ms, candy corn, candy pumpkins, seasonal shaped marshmallows, gumdrops, and candy hearts.
• Although it’s sometimes still pretty sweet, it doesn’t seem to have the same effect on kids as mounds of frosting.
• I usually put the trail mix in sandwich or quart size plastic bags, so there is very little cleanup, and students can easily take the bags around the room for different activities.  It’s also nice, because I usually have enough to make extra bags that I can just send home with the students.

So, when it's time for your next party, why not give trail mix a try?  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how fun and easy it is!  Enjoy!!