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in honor of the birds…..

June 3, 2011

craft thursday = robin style

this craft was found via the crafty crow….like so many of my great ideas….she finds them first for me.

we started with paper plates and paint.

we had those really heavy duty chinet plates….they worked awesome for this craft!

we painted half of the plate "sky" blue and the other half "nest" brown.

then we used A LOT of school glue and began fluffing our nests.

we used brown packing shredded stuff that i have had for a long time.

and sticks from the sidewalk….

and string and paper shreds

i cut out some birds that were free hand….just a random bird shape.
we added a red belly.
and glued it on to the bird shape.

then they cut out eggs from blue paper left over from the owl craft last week.

when they were done….i helped with the most important step.

i COVERED the nest in glue.

COVERED.

i used a ton of glue on top of everything they made and let it sit over night to dry.

it worked!

………………………………………………..S E A N …………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..A N N I E……………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………… T A L B Y …………………………………………………….

we thought talby's eye was prety realistic since they always look like they are staring at you and mad.
🙂

they are glued enough to hang on the wall and not lose their fluff.

craft thursdays ROCK!!

you can see ALL of craft thursday projects in the sidebar rainbow square!

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alicia @ la famille - love this craft…birdie crafts are always fun 🙂

renee cauley - You guys have so much fun. Thank you for sharing the bird video i showed my grandson and he thought that was so neat. I love Love your house how old is it? I have a old home and love it . My house is 108 yrs old. Thanks again for sharing i love your blog.

Courtney Walsh - girl. what do you do with all the crafts? We want to do more with the kids, but I’m not sure where to store everything!

Nika M. - Those are cute!

happygirl - what a great craft. Love that you do this with your kids and that they will DO them. You bribe them, right?

hannah - loving the nest! what an easy and sweet craft!!

JustMommer - Sooo cute!

jamie - how cute are they

Erika - May I ask what to you do with all the kids’ projects and artwork when they’re finished?? I LOVE your blog!!!! I think you are an amazing mom, photographer, etc. I look forward to reading your blog every day.

karen - so cute! i like them all…but i just love annie’s bird!!
I will totally do craft thursday’s (or another day) when my kids get a bit older.

sara's art house - This is a cute craft. Good idea to add the extra glue on top of it all.

kylie - You are awesome adn amazing and inspirational and so so fun!! Just a quick question…what do you do with the crafts? Hang them up?? And for how long? And then do you toss them/save them??? How do you do so many fun things but avoid huge amounts of clutter over time? Thanks!!!!

adrienne - such a great idea! filing this one away for school.

PaisleyJade - I love this!! They are so cute.

amy jupin - i love the crafty crow too! i think i have bookmarked 100 of her ideas!

Karen H. - I was reading the comments about your cute craft and I 100% agree with Chantelle!!! I thought the EXACT same thing!!! I picture someone dropping their paint brush (or paper plate) on the couches and pillows!!! Heart palpitations just thinking about it. Maybe I just have really messy crafters!!! lol!

Rachel - Love these crafts. I think I’m going to have to pull this project out for my kiddos. 🙂
By the way — I found ya via the blogher gatorade ad. I am another one of the reviewers and I love what you gleaned from that call. Super cool. It was fun to read another perspective.
Blessings to you!

Lisa - Where have you been all my life?!? ha! What an amazing blog you have I LOVE IT! – I AM THRILLED to have been introduced to you via the Matthew Mead Summer magazine! YAY!!!! Greetings to you from Kincardine, Canada! I’ll be back to read often!

Astrid - Love the Crafty Crow too! I’ve gotten some fantastic ideas from that site.
Love your robins!
I’ve already made our summer bucket list but I think I’ll be adding Craft Thursday to our list. 🙂 Thank you for the ideas!
Today was the last day of school. *happy day!*

Anj - So cute Meg! Love all the craft thursdays, so colorful.
Please tell me- what to you do with all the kids’ projects and artwork when they’re finished?? I drown in artsy stuff from only 2 kids in playschool and library/craft class…!

Shirley - This is a perfect classroom art project. Perhaps you should look into being an elementary art instructor.

Jenna - love this! i am forwarding it to a friend who teaches preschool/kindergarten 🙂
Jenna
momofmanyhats.blogspot.com

Holly - So cute and I am with Amy b.! We need to have craft thrusday in honor of the cicadas! ha!

Shannon - These are so cute and fun ~ I might be copying this one for my oldest ot do 🙂

amy b. - Those are such cute little birds! Love Talby’s with the huge eyeball! Now, if there was a craft to honor our crazy cicadas (locusts) we have here in Tennessee-they attack me as soon as I go outside!Yuck!

Chantelle - This is sweet! But can you tell me, honestly, how do you not get paint stains on that beautiful white table and light colored furniture?? That looks like the acrylic paint that stains everything at our house. No? Love to know your tips! 🙂

Jodi @ The Un-Soccermom Blog - cute!!!! love it!

Sherry - Love this craft — such a cute idea. And what a way to honor and remember the robins that lived on your porch.
Thank you for posting your crafts — they are inspiring!

Kimberly Au - Very cute! We are on our 2nd family of birds using a nest that was deserted when the 1st family grew up and moved out. It’s fun to watch from our patio.

Terrie - Great idea! Wonderful way to honor those beautiful birds…even if they do dive bomb you! It’s what we mommas do to protect our babies!
So, I was reviewing your summer list…”decorate bikes” reminded me of weaving streamers in the spokes and jamming it into the handle bar covers. Did you ever put cards on the spokes with clothes pins? Can’t forget the sound those made! Would it look weird for a 40+ lady to ride her bike through the neighborhood with cards and streamers on her spokes? Maybe I’ll go for a ride in the dark! LOL!!

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owls

May 28, 2011

i found this craft on pinterest and knew it was happening at our house.

we already had the gift boxes.
they were from World Market.
i am sure you can find them at craft stores or in the gift bag or mailing sections of target or walmart?
maybe.

the feathers on the stomach and the eye balls were made from a circle punch.
(we used a creative memories punch)

we used a low temp hot glue gun to have it go quickly.
and i see the glue strings on all of them….i don't know if we took those off or not before they gave them.
oh well.

the wings and feet were oval shapes we just free hand cut.

we filled them with tissue paper and a gift card for our teachers.
sean, talby and annie each made them and were VERY proud to give them away.

fun craft!!!!

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boxing machine - So sweet! I don’t really understand what you used as the “base” though, I mean, what did you glue the “feathers” onto… can you explain? Thanks!!

kim - Love these~ But I’m having trouble finding the pillow pockets??
Thanks

GretchenP - ok, i know i’m probably seriously behind the times (i’m always in reader and just clicked over to pin these guys!) but i had to tell you i just LOVE the header to your blog. i was drawn straight up to those bright jellybeans then to look over and see ‘whatever’ right next to them.. couldn’t be more true! lol 🙂 thanks for the smile today!

jennyonthespot - So. Cute.

kat - Those are ADORABLE!!! Love them. I bet the teachers were super excited to get those for a gift! So cute!

Heidi Berglund - I have been following your blog for awhile now and love it! Thank you for your inspiring words, pictures, crafts and everything else you do! I also would love to follow you on pinterest! 🙂

Jenn - Those are absolutely adorable! What a great idea!!!

amac - those are super cute. can you link up your pinterest account so we can follow you? i love your style! and i’m sure SO many others do too 🙂

RebeccaH - i found those cuties on pinterest too, and they went straight into my project board. I’m thinking it will be a great summer break project… as soon as break starts!

Tami - Meg,
Hi! My name is Tami! I’ve been following your blog for awhile now. My daughter is turning 6 and wants a rainbow party. I figured who better to get ideas from than the rainbow gal! :0)
I plan on making rainbow cupcakes but that is as far as I have gotten. We are having the party at the park so really don’t need to do many decorations. I was wondering if you had any ideas for gift bags for the guests. No worries if you don’t have time to answer just thought I would throw it out there. Thanks!
tamidemann@yahoo.com

www.coconutsandlimes.blogspot.com - WHOOOO. Love these little creatures!

Amy Jo - I second the request for how to follow you on pinterest!

Cori - Do you share your pinterest username for us to follow? I’d love to see what you love!

Michele - These little guys are so cute!

mary - As a former teacher I would have loved this. They are very cute and a gift card is a very thoughtful gift, something they might actually use.

Kimberly Dial - That is the coolest idea! I can only imagine those teachers were very pleased to receive them. Enjoy your summer!

Lori - LOVE THIS!! You find the best ideas…

Cyndi Hamilton - Soo cute!! I love paper crafts!! It’s amazing what you can do with punches…I will have to make some of these up.
Thanks for the great idea!
http://acharmedlife08.blogspot.com/

Miranda - Frickin.adorable.
LURVEEEEEEEE THEM!

Vanilla Bean Crafts - OMG! These are absolutely adorable! I think they’ll be happening at our house too!

Shannon - They are so cute and how fun to give them as a gift to the teachers!

amy b. - I love the owls!! And making them teacher gifts is a great idea! I am so bad about remembering stuff like teacher gifts! I know they deserve them though! Cute idea.

sara @ it's good to be queen - so cute!!! love. this.

Michelle - cute! We might have to try this craft this weekend 😉

Sarah @ this farm familys life - those are so cute!
http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.blogspot.com

Jennifer Waldschmidt Keating - Oh my goodness…….LOVE! I have a little obsession with owls lately. I showed my kids that we are making these……eye rolling because they are so over owls but they did say, “OK, they are cool”. Can’t wait to try to make these! =)

ingrid - these turned out so cute – super happy and thoughtful! i’m sure the teachers were thrilled!

Tracy Fisher - HOw cute are those? Love it.
Tracy Fisher

Simply Lanny - Hi Megan, Oh how I love pinterest not sure how to follow you can you tell me how ? Lanny 🙂

jeana - LOVE this.

Amy @ dwell in the season - Too cute – I love it!

Holly - very cute!

Four Flights - oh wow I love this. thanks for sharing!

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butterflies

May 25, 2011

i saw this craft after the years of different butterfly punch art and i was finally ready.

i had pictures of annie painting the paper but they have disappeared.

the first step is to watercolor paint on paper.
paint all over with pattern or with out….less water makes for brighter colored paint.
and let it dry.

then punch out as many butterflies as you can.

i bought this martha stewart butterfly punch at joann’s.
they are not cheap but it was on sale and they do have 40% off coupons quite often.
and THAT punch is really cool.
VERY easy to use!
it’s in two pieces so you can punch out from any part of the paper not just on the edge.
VERY COOL.
i get why it costs more than the other brands….quality.
it’s martha! what would you expect?

we used 10×10 canvases also from joann’s….i wished i had bigger canvases….like 20 x 20 would have been great!

the girls painted them with acrylic paint.
it was fine to have the streaks in the paint….i liked it.

when the paint was dry they plugged in their glue guns and got to work with a pile of colorful butterflies.
we bent them in the middle and put a tiny dot of hot glue in the center of the back of the butterfly.

i couldn’t love it more.
it’s so pretty.
talby’s was turquoise…..annie wanted turquoise….there were tears….sigh.

…………………..H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S……………………..

annie’s was yellow.
much to her disappointment.
but still lovely and sunny.

i wanted to make 10 of them.
for me.
i love this.
you should make one too.
your kids will be very proud of themselves for making REAL art for the walls.

………………………………………………………….

my kids get out of school today.
i am not ready for that.
<
/span>
i AM ready for….

sleeping in.
swimming.
sun tans.
lightning bugs.
watermelon.
iced coffee.
flip flops for 3 months.
popsicles.
bike rides.
sonic happy hour.
sunshine.
vacation.

but just hope that i can handle being a full time mommy again.
i have had all these quiet days since september…and now that is long gone.
adjustment to summer is hard.
but there is no going back.
just gotta jump in with both feet.
give myself a pep talk…..
YOU CAN DO IT…..BE STRONG…..it’s only 3 MONTHS….MAKE IT FUN…..GO MEG!….
you’re good enough you’re smart enough…..

i hope that works.

we need to make our summer list 2011.
that always cheers me up.

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Angry Birds - This looks like great fun and can not wait till my kids are a little older. I am always looking for easy crafts for them to do. Thank you

magdalenamena199@hotmail.com - que sencillo y tan hermoso trabajo, felicidades!!

Trinh - This is an awesome idea. I will def be trying this with my daughter!

Mario Games Online - Great work, I like it. The idea is creative.

Karen - I loved this craft – I was so lucky my good friend tagged me on her pin on pinterest about this as she knew my girls would love it, and loved it they did – we blogged about it today thank you so much for a brilliant craft – http://thetravellingchaplins.blogspot.com/2012/07/crafty-days.html

andika - Beautiful craft, I like the moment when the kids involved and beautiful butterflies.

Tarek - 統一教会だから何をやっても認めないすばらしくカルトチックな記事ですカルト脳全開といったところだねアメリカじゃSeijin君のことはexaminer.com topix.com 他でも記事にされています統一教会だからというバイアスなしでダメなものはダメ良いものは良いと云えなければダメダメ記者と新聞もどきでしょうそういえば統一教会に関する良いことは書かないそれが藤倉のポリシーでしたねすばらしい英語力でSeijin君の記事でも読んでくださいな Dallas, TX) Salutations from Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings will be read at the Faith, Freedom and Family Rally at Dallas City Hall Plaza at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Mayor Rawlings’ welcoming rerakms will be read by talk-show host Ester Davis, who joins local civic and religious leaders, as well as Japanese-Americans wearing kimonos, to welcome two university students who have embarked on a 2,300-mile bicycle ride to raise awareness of religious freedom in Japan and other countries. The cyclists began the tour at Atlanta’s Gold Dome State Capitol on Dec. 15, 2012. The keynote speaker at the rally will be Bishop Harold Edwards, leader of the Church of the Living God in Dallas. Organizers say the goal of the tour is to raise public awareness of the fact that since 1966 more than 4,000 Unification Church members in Japan, as well as significant numbers of members of other faiths, have been abducted and confined for months or years of psychological and physical abuse in an effort to break their faith. Houston resident Mrs. Taeko White will recount her experience of abduction and deprogramming in 1981. Jeffrey White, 24, her son, will read a tribute to his mother. Mr. Luke Higuchi, a Japanese survivor of abduction and forced conversion, will report his experience at the rally.Advertisement Mr. Seijin Tranberg and Mr. Joshua Wildman, both 22, began their Freedom Ride on December 15, 2011 in Atlanta, the birthplace of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, under the banner of Faith, Freedom, and Family. Prior to starting their tour, Mr. Tranberg briefed twelve congressmen at their offices on Capitol Hill. All 12, representing states from Georgia to California, expressed support for persecuted religious people of the world by signing Mr. Tranberg’s route map and posing with him for photographs. Mr. Tranberg also is calling the rally to raise awareness of the rights abuses against religious minorities the world over, including Baptists in Russia, Coptic Christians in Egypt, Bahai’s in Iran, and many others. Representatives of several persecuted minority groups, including African Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and others will be on hand. The rally has sparked supportive comment from local leaders. Rev. Don E. Peavy, Sr., Associate Minister, New Vision Christian Church in Fort Worth has written: We wish Seijin and Joshua Godspeed in their momentous adventure to spread the Gospel of the common bond we all share as children of God. Their mission is particularly critical at this moment given the mass killings in Nigeria on Christmas Day and the religious insensitivity and intolerance which continue to keep far too many people from living the abundant life for which Jesus the Christ came into the world. Contact: Laura Lea media relations HSA UWC Unification Church of Texas

Monis - They look wonderful Rach, and wow, no mess? When I let my kids go at the craft table, they are so happy, I can see so many sklils being practised while creating. It is so wonderful, but I really don’t do it enough. Gorgeous, really gorgoeus. x

Idayu - Apr14bashanta raj i think its duty and where ever you the Islam and Muslim are a kind of threat its prveod because of their agrishive behaviour and radical thinking so its not a big deal its natural for me the media have nothing to do so they these non sensce issue as a news. as i know indian media house are the home of propoganda for their business news

Valeri - You know, you can also consider that the woman we see isn’t the main sujecbt at all! Think of what those people on the train all see: they’ve been laughing at this man, at his idea that love exists, at his declarations that anyone would ever want to reach out and connect . . . . and here is this woman, proving him right. Yes, it was only a sketch but those people on the train have also learned.

Fiston - Your take on it is very probable. However, for me I sort of felt this rahetr plain, middle-aged woman may have resolved herself to being alone. She went day to day not seeking or hoping for love, assuming she’d never find it or maybe thinking no one would want her. Then this happens and she is confronted with her own desire to be loved. She is exposed. Her heart does yearn for love after all. Even though you may see this as humiliating for her, it’s actually a wake up call. She surrendered to the idea of love. It’s sorta uplifting, actually.

Gems - Well, it’s early January and I have just found this artwork…it made me think of summer and I had a huge smile on my face! How beautiful and inspiring.

kids flip flops - I really love the artwork. I think doing this artwork with my kid’s will be a nice bonding with them.

Perkey - I love it! It’s so adorable artwork with much colorful ideas.
It make me get some inspiration ^__^
Thanks for sharing…

JM - creative!
http://fancyclothesanddirtylaundry.blogspot.com/

שיווק באינטרנט - Amazing butterfly tutorial. Blog is very informative and useful. I like it. I never found a great and amazing tutorial regarding butterflies.

Thriftymommy - We’re making this soon. We got the Martha Stewart stamper and the paint at Michael’s last week using our 40% off coupons. This week we’ll get the canvas. Thanks for the idea. 🙂

Krista from The Playdate Crashers Podcast - This is beautiful! Love it!

Beth - Those are beautiful!

Abel - My daughter will love this! This is so much fun and so pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Julie Hickey - Meg, my kids and I did this craft today and they LOVED it. Turned out great and we sort of, um, have two canvasses that look like total copy-cats of yours! (ie: one is turquoise and one is yellow, the third one is royal blue). Thank you for posting this blog! Can’t wait to make more art with the kiddos.

Karen - This is so cute. I’ve been looking for some inexpensive and cute artwork for my daughter’s room. We may give this a try. Thanks for the idea.

Katrina - I was fully inspired by this project. If you’d like to take a look at what we’d come up with you can find it here: http://katandcompany.net/2011/06/28/craft-night-collage-disks/
Thank you for the inspiration. I love Craft Thursdays.

Amy | She Wears Many Hats - So fun!
And yeah, mine have been out 2 weeks and I’m still not ready.

Carolyn - The butterflies look fantastic!

Gina - PERFECT rainy day craft for my girls, THANKS!

ghada - Nice

Carin - This is such a fun project! I saw it over here last week and just knew my 4 year old would love it too. Just posted about it today, with links here:
http://createdwithlove.typepad.com/created-with-love/2011/06/half-term.html

Carolyn - This craft idea is fantastic! And looks like your girls enjoyed it also.

Faith - what a great idea!!!! I bought all the supplies this week and am starting the project now!! how fun! the only thing i’ve been having trouble with so far is the water colors. what brand did you use? because the color ones i have will hardly come out on the paper!! i think they are crayola. please help and let me know what watercolors are best for this project!!

Elaan - That’s an excellent craft! I might have to do that with my nieces… and nephew – hmm… is there an insect punch too?
What kind of paper did you use?

Blaire - This looks so fun! I am making one this week with my niece. Michael’s has all the supplies on sale this week too. Seems like it was meant to be. I think I am most excited about having one to hang in our bedroom. (The canvas comes in a two pack, YAY!) Very exciting! Thanks for sharing.

hire a web programmer - Beautiful crafts. Great going excitement. I was also a keen planner of art and crafts during my school life. Hope Those days can come back once again in my life.

Denine - We absolutly loved this craft.
All my kids except the teenage boy made one, I loved it so much I made one myself.
Thanks for a great blog.

Sarah - I came across your blog using stumbleupon…and let me say how inspired I am! First of all, this craft is fantastic and I think I will have to plan to do it with my step daughter next weekend! Secondly, you are a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart and beautiful kids. May God’s blessings continue to pour into your house and life – and thank you for the inspiration and motivation to strive for a little more today 🙂

Iris - I have been a lurker for far too long on your blog and have never left a comment, even though I love many of your posts/ideas. I LOVE this artwork and have included it on my project to-do list! Fantastic! 🙂

Jennifer Lundqvist - i never comment, but i always read. and i just wanted to thank you for the smiles… i always leave your page with a smile on my face.

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmlGCOwwabE1fYswWy2kEMtGAD9tIxZvUI - Absolutely beautiful!! I cannot wait to make one of my own, and have each of my kids make one too (doing the happy dance in my seat right now!)
Thanks so much for sharing!
http://www.bethhorn73.blogspot.com

Cindy - LOVE THIS SO MUCH! And yellow is soo cute! I think we will do this with a funky green color. Thanks for the idea and the daily giggle. I much enjoy reading your blog.

Jaime - Those are GORGEOUS!!! Love them!! And love yellow. 🙂

Crystal - Oops, never mind. I see it now. 🙂

Crystal - Gorgeous!! Is that scrapbook paper? My kids would LOVE to do this.

Trina McNeilly - This project is so cool… I love it and def want to try it this summer and speaking of summer. Our just started this morning and I think I”m already going crazy. Oh boy I’ll focus on the good like the list you made above.
xo Trina

Julie - I love the butterfly artwork. I went today to Michael and was able to use coupons and some of their bonus coupons to get the supplies. I am anxious to do it, but I think that I will wait till I can have a mother daughter day, and my husband and son go do some boy stuff. A friend of mine loves butterfly so we may make one for her as well. Thanks so much for sharing!

Jaime A. - Meg –
I haven’t left a comment in awhile; shame on me.
This here is your official invitation to come do Craft Thursday with my kids, each Thursday this summer. I can’t imagine the flight would be too bad from AZ to KS… I could have you home by dinner. 😉
My favorite thing about this project?!? Remembering all of the projects that have come before it – the kids have grown (not just vertically, but also skillfully!)
Your summer posts are my all-time favorite!!

sarah - my favorite craft yet!

Phoenix_Rising - Where do you put all the older artwork? Things like this craft are obviously nothing you could ever part with.

Beth - Hey Meg….I love this project and went and bought one of those martha punches on ebay. Living in a small town and good ways away from any store that has crafting items. I can’t wait for me and Lexi to make our summer list also. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!

erica - love this – filing it away in our summer to do pile.
on another note, thanks to you, we (as in my awesome husband) made the watermelon shark today for my son’s graduation from prek. it was the hit of the school picnic and according to my hus, it was pretty easy. i had the easy part, placing the gummies in mouth!
thank you!
(if i could figure out how to share the pic with you, i would LOL). but, it’s so darn cute!

Amy - I’ll be stealing this idea to use with my girl guides in the UK – they will love it!

Jenn Thomas - Love it! I might over to borrow that punch – would look cute in London’s room or my bathroom. Great ideas you keep finding and sharing. Hope to see you around some time.

kristin - tell annie that yellow is my favorite color lately. she did great. : )

Amanda - Wow, I LOVE this! I am SO putting this on our list! And I am definitely with you about not being quite ready for full time mommyhood, although I only have one in school all day. Luckily I have in-laws that love to take them out of town with them 😉

Southern Gal - Amazing.

Tracie - These are beautiful! I can’t believe your kids are done. We don’t get out until the 17th of June! My son finished preschool last week and we’ve been struggling to find stuff to do. I too am looking forward to sleeping in!

aubrey - I love this project, expecialy this canvas colors. How could Annie not love that yellow? It’s so fabulous–it reminds me of your dining room lamps’ bases.
By the way, what shade of paint did you use for those? Was it spraypaint? I want the same shadeof yellow for something and was so disappointed in my Home Depot’s options of yellow Rustoleum. I want to add a little sunshine to my home.

alicia @ la famille - i LOVE this craft with allll my heart! gonna have to add this to this craft list this summer!

Kat - Gorgeous!! Wonder where I can get a butterly hole punch in Aus? Hm.
While you are heading into summer hols, we are heading into winter here, which is much more heavy going.
Enjoy the sunshine, fun and hanging with the kids. (I hope you can get some down time in amongst this to stay sane too!!)

the.mrs - love love LOVE this! Totally doing it.. a flower one would be cute, too..

Beth - These are so cool!!! I love that you do these things with your kids. When I told all my classes to “keep doing art” this summer, I knew for sure that your kids definitely would!!! Thank you for that!! And the owl is so stinkin’ cute — and the note 🙂 Thank you!

BeckyB - So beautiful! Am I too old to make one for myself? I think I’ll do this with my nieces – we often do your crafts! Thank you!

Becky - This is the second time I have seen this craft online, and I can’t tell you how much I love it! Are you going to hang them in a room? I’d looove to see pics of them hanging!

james - i am so going to have to get some punches. i’m sure my two year old would love to paint some paper too.

Tina I - Not crafty at all, but might have to try this one. Perhaps I’ll add it to OUR summer list. I knew we weren’t the only ones who made one!!!! Looking forward to sleeping in, fireworks, pool days, the zoo, the children’s museum, and the beach with my hubby and 5 kids, but like you, not sure I’m quite ready for Friday afternoon when that bus drops them off for the last time this school year!

Anne - …and by gosh people like you!! Happy summer! I’m going to add this craft to my list of fun things to do with the kids this summer. Cuteness!

HopefulLeigh - Love the butterflies! What a cool project.

Cathy - I love the butterflies! I pinned this to my For the Kids board on Pinterest. That way I won’t lose it.

shauna reed - love the butterflies friend!
i think i saw that craft somewhere too..couldn’t remember where though….
yours turned out delightful!
maybe one of your best!?
i am gonna do that for watercolor wednesday this summer for-sure!
can’t believe your kids are out!
cra-zy.

lori - I posted earlier about your process for your lists, but please ignore. I snooped around your blog some and found your summer lists from previous years. I think I got your summer list confused with maybe a birthday list you have done in the past or goals for the new year.

lori - I quit my job in December to be a stay at home mom and have loved being with my soon to be 3 year old daughter during the day while my older boys are at school. My soon to be 5 year old finished school last week and my 15 year old finishes Friday. I’m looking forward to summer, but I am a little anxious about it…what activities we will do, how I will cope with sibling rivalry, etc. I love the idea of your lists and have started jotting down things I would like for us to do. I would love to make my list colorful like yours. Mind sharing how you do it? Thanks!

Dee - Love this. Totally making these with the kids Friday afternoon.

julia - I love this craft!
Obviously I missed the opportunity to make a ton of money. If I had the idea for that hole punch thingy. It’s always annoyed me that you can’t get to the rest of a page with those things.

Laura Gentle - First I want to say that I love, love, love your blog. I read it every day.
Please enjoy your summer with your children. I work full time and have to send my son to day camp at our local Rec. Dept. He really enjoys it, however, I carry a ton of guilt not being able to spend more time with him while he is out of school.

Kimberly Dial - You’re good enough. You’re smart enough. And doggone people like you! 😉 I can only imagine you & your kiddos will have a fantabulous summer! BTW, this just might be my favorite craft of yours. My grandgirlies, who dig butterflies, will love it too. Thanks for sharing sweet Meg!

myrnie - I’m always impressed when I see moms handing glue guns to their babies…..I can’t even handle a glue gun myself!

Courtney Walsh - Super cute craft! I am making a summer list too–I have a friend who always does that and I just love the whole idea! 🙂
I’m worried for the kids to be home all day–afraid I’ll fail them with my crazed “to do lists”…I blogged about that today, actually. Hopefully I can just chill out!!
PS I HATE hot glue because I always burn myself and it never seems to hold for me. You are a brave soul!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - That is a great craft! Believe me, enjoy having your days to yourself while the kids are little. For some reason as mine grow older the house is constantly buzzing. I have 2 college students who still live at home and between their work and school schedules there is always someone home with me…not that there’s anything wrong with that ?!

Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis - This is such a fun idea for the kiddo’s. But so pretty for me to look at too. I love all the color! Color makes me happy. What a cute idea:)

Catherine Arnett - I’ve just been casting about for a kids craft to do during our openhouse this weekend and this is it! So bright & fun.

Drea - pinnned!!!!! awesome!

amy d - those are so pretty!!! i may have to make one too!

sarah - I’m adding this craft to our summer list. I love it!

Cindy in WA - I LOVE IT!! I’m going to copy it. 🙂 It will look great in my daughter’s room in her colors! I even googled and printed a 40% off Joanne coupon! Thank you!

Staci - “….and gosh darnit…people love you!!!!” heeeheeee Love that SNL 🙂 My kids are out on Friday…only two boys…but they are still loud…for 2 1/2 months…but I am ready…I say, BRING IT!!! I am soooo ready to sleep in…I’ll make sure the pantry is stocked with cereal for the kids when they get up at 7:00 🙂 heeheee Oh yea…the butterfly art is GORGEOUS!!! Sooo making these this Summer! Thanks!

tiffany m gardner - today was feeling kinda down. recovering from having the stomach bug in my house…going through us all…me twice for 2 weeks! ugh. then…tomorrow…major dental work…for me. double ugh. today checking in with you as usual and saw the butterflies (which is something my son so loves) and the craft made me smile. i can always count on you for that. thanks. 🙂

Rebecca W - SUCH a cool craft!! One day i’ll have to do that!

Maria - Love this! I have wanting to get some of those Martha punches….this seems like the perfect excuse to get one…such a cute craft! We are definitely adding it to our list of summer crafts…
The boys were out since last Friday, and although I do miss my quiet days, I do not miss early morning alarm clocks…we have all been sleeping in…especially with our late baseball nights lately…
Love summertime days at the pool and Popsicles…

Terrie - So Pretty! No kids in my house, but I think I’ll make one with fish for my craft room! I’m all about the crafts.
You will do fab as a full-time Mom this summer! While sitting out in the sun on Sunday afternoon, hubba and I started making our summer-to-do list. I think he liked the idea. I think my brother’s family is making one too! Look at how many people you are influencing with your great list idea! I think that you will become my new ‘Oprah’…now that she is done! LOL!! (Even though the last 2 weeks are the first in a long time that I’ve watched her!!)
Remember…happiness is only a Sonic Happy Hour away!

Jessica Kujawa - love your list. a few years ago we started making a summer fun list and i just told the kids that we would work on ours this weekend. i adore this project and am making my list for joann’s today. wondering if you are going to do craft thursdays again this summer…so inspiring!!!! my kids and i love to “follow along”. happy summer!!!! deep breaths! lol

jeny - b e a u t i f u l

Shana - guess what?
I’m going to have K make that craft!
I like it. Pretty. Colorful. And she would totally dig it.

kat - THOSE ARE GORGEOUS!!!! we may have to try this one, my girls would love this craft! thanks for sharing!

ashley jensen - I will trade you 3 months at home with kids and you could come work in my office Monday thru Friday 8-5 plus(fill in the blanks)? No. Dang. But that is a super cute project and I love love love using canvas for different projects.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I love, love, love those ! I definitely see these in our future!

Jes - everything u do is beautiful, and so inspiring!!
I loved the pics from your photo sessions (an aspiring photogr. myself) and such beautiful families must make it easy 🙂
I loved the butterfly art, the yellow canvas reminded me of the beach(cheers to Annie!)
I have used some funky scrap book paper and hand cut butterflies stuck (using zots of course) to big white Chinese lanterns we hung outside. But i love the idea of cutting them from your own painting 🙂 This is something I could see my two year old and twelve year old doing together!

Mindy Harris - gorgeous art. i really love the idea for all ages and wouldn’t a wall full of a ton of them be so beautiful?
you will do great this summer. thanks for the heads-up on what’s yet to come (wilder is 2, story is 1 so we have awhile).
love to u.

Kirsten - HA. You make me laugh. A lot. Thank you!
I am really looking forward to summer (we still have three weeks of school left) – but dreading summer boredom. I will give myself your pep talk. 🙂
P.S. Love the craft. Totally stealing that. A boy can do butterflies, right? 😉

Sarah Wolfe - Agreed. This may be my favorite craft of yours. Maybe we’ll do it this summer? What would be the boy equivalent? I’ll have to think about that! 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - New Favorite.

stephany - I LOVE this craft! I will be making some of these and giving them as gifts…
My little guy gets out of school tomorrow. It was his first year of school…and my first break from him in 3 years. I was still home all day with his little sister, but the break was nice.
I am excited to spend our first “summer break” together.
I, too, have plans to make our summer list this week.
It includes a lot of the same as yours…although we don’t have lightning bugs.

megan - loved the craft! looks beautiful! can you believe my kids still have 3 more weeks of school.
that is good and bad! can’t wait to see you summer 2011 list!
megan

Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land - Oooh Love love love the butterflies!! So beautiful!
I’m not ready for summer either….but then again I am. It’s nice having all these quiet moments without the kids, but then I love summer…the sun, the warmth, the fun, etc. I’m just not ready for th fighting, crying and whining over not having anything to do.
So, I can totally see the mixed feelings. I think we all have those! By August we’ll all be begging for school again LOL!

Denine - I just came across your lovely blog thanks to “Matthew Mead” summer magazine. I ordered it online off of Stephanie Nielson’s blog.
Your blog makes me happy.
I love rainbows, infact there is one on Stephanie’s blog today.
This is a beautiful post, my kids get off of school every thursday at noon. This will be a fun activity for tomorrow.
Thanks for being you.
Denine
Canada

Heather - Ha! I homeschool so the only difference between summer and “the school year” around here is that we are less structured in our time together. You CAN do it – and you will love the time you get to spend with your children. Especially Annie – is she growing up way too fast or what???
I LOVE this craft! I am not crafty at all, but my daughters are very crafty and they would LOVE to do this one! I think I may just have to do it for them! REAL art – not “junk” crafts – I like it. 🙂

Cyndi Hamilton - Hi…Cyndi again…when I followed my blogspot link it took me to someone elses blog. Not sure what is going on with that, but here is my blog.. http://acharmedlife08.blogspot.com/

Acharmedlife08.blogspot.com - I think this will be a perfect project for our rainy days!! Thanks for continuing to inspire me. Can’t wait to hear more about the craft weekend.

Leah - Wow, I want to run out and do this craft now! Thanks for the inspiration! I’ll be going to Joann’s very soon. Good luck with the summer.

alaina - Meg – These are so BEAUTIFUL! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! And must do at my house!!! Tell Talby and Annie I think they did an amazing job and I would absolutely hang their beautiful art in my house! That turqouise background with be so pretty with an aquarium theme…maybe a starfish punch (do they even make those?).

Denissa - How fun! I need to do one that is boy themed..don’t think they would be into the butterflies! haha 🙂
My boys are out on Friday and I’m not ready either, right there with you! We’re going to be making a summer list this year, hopefully that will give them some motivation for not fighting! ugh..

Linda - Love this! I saw it on pinterest and went out to buy the butterfly punch so we could do it. Now, I’m really excited to try it!

karen - Loveeeee this! I’m Pinning it! Are you on Pinterest? Your boards would be so cool!
Oh..good luck with the kids being home!!

sara's art house - LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashlyn@Pinecone - I think this is my favorite art project you and the kids have done!!
Mine don’t get out until June 21st…boo!! Plus we have to move this summer 🙁

Linda - Love this craft! It could be one of my favorites that you have done. Wow your kids get out early. We still have more than 3 weeks. Happy Summer to you enjoy your last day of quiet!

Shannon - Love the colors on the butterfly art!
I’m sending you good luck for your summer with the kiddos. You always make it fun, just be sure to share your fun ideas with us so we can get through summer too 😉

Georgia - Im going to make one of them pictures for me!!!!
That would look schweeeeeeet in my bedroom!
oooooh 3 months off for summer!? can we switch i’ll come ‘play’ mum for 3 months and you can come work in car rental in the uk.. lol

april - go meg! you can do it!!! RAH RAH RAH!!! how was that? hahahah
ok so that canvas is like the raddest crafts ever!!! If I had girls i would totally do it! Well maybe they have a boy cut out i could use right? I will have to do some research on that….:)

Alissa - Beautiful butterfly art! Will definitely do this with my kids this summer!

happygirl - I used to LIVE for summer break. School was our nemesis. The ENEMY. Enjoy the watermelon and fireflies (I call them lightning bugs). Love the art. You are SO clever. 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - pretty craft!!!
WE need to do our summer list again and hang it up where we can be reminded of it!
I know how you feel about them being gone all day and then no time for YOU! but think of me this year, mine had attended public school all the way up until last year and then CRAZY ME decides to homeschool this year! 5th and 4th grade, what was I thinking???!!!!
and now we all loved it (them more than me) and they are thriving, so we have to keep doing it!!! UGH! no time for me ever again!
tara

Kerry - I saw this craft on one of your linkies recently 🙂 Its too flippin cute! Both girls did soooo well, defo will get my Three on it next week during the holidays. you know what stuck out at me about what you’re looking forward to? Flip Flops – oh sigh, I luurve my flip flops! haha! Cant wait for your summer list for some inspiration x

Vanessa - We did the summer list last year, thanks to you! It was such a hit! Can’t wait to get out the colorful markers and get busy with the kids on that!

Katie - Love the Art!!!! My kids will LOVE this!!!
Yes I need a peptalk too! I went to my thinking spot yesterday and cried out to God for grace for today, this week and this summer! I sure do need his help! I want to be a fun mom, a happy mom, an engaged in their world mom!

Stephanie - LOVE LOVE LOVE the yellow!!! Tell Annie that her butterflies *POP* out beautifully on the yellow background!! WAY TO GO!!! I will definately be whipping these out sometime this summer – (when my to do list disappears! – it will disappear someday right?)
Thanks for sharing – love your creativness!

Lynn - I read your blog everyday (almost!). Everything you say about being a Mom and, especially these words about summer, I totally identify with! I often feel like such a bad mother for my thoughts, but reading your words makes me feel like I’m not alone! I’m not usually this corny, but my kids will be out of school in June and all I keep thinking is “what are we going to do all summer?” I have four kids 12 to 6 years old and the oldest does not get along with the youngest (both are girls). My boys are like two peas in a pod even though they are 4 years apart.
Anyway, thank you for saying what I feel and making me feel better! I love your crafts too!

emily@remodelingthislife - I gave my daughter’s bathroom a makeover a couple months ago and keep meaning to finish it off with this exact project that I have seen around blog land but I keep putting it off. You’ve inspired me to just do it. These look so great and will be the perfect finishing touch to my little girl’s butterfly bathroom.
Your girls did a great job!!

Mindi - Love the artwork!! I read your blog daily and love love love it!! You’re such an inspiration! We will be doing this art!! Also, last year we copied your summer list and all but one thing got crossed off and my kids have been talking about this years for weeks!! (my son doesn’t get out of school until next week… we have to make up 3 calamity days due to all of the snow)
Thanks for all the fun!!!

Tam - OMGSH! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the butterfly art! I want to make one for myself! Good luck with the summer, you are an amazing Mama!

Marisa - My kids will be all over this. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

andrea - Today is the last day of school for my kids too. Sigh. I totally agree with you – excited they are going to be home and yet know I will miss my quiet time. BUT have really missed having Eian home since he started kindergarten this year! LOVE, LOVE, Love the butterflies! We are totally going to do this!

Tiffany Kraght - i am in love with this craft. we are going to do it today!! really, i’m getting my clothes on and we are headed to joann’s!!!! thank you so much for posting this! it’s AH-MA-ZING!

Lisa - Love, love, love it!!! Gorgeous! You should sell some on you Etsy store. Original art by Talby and Annie. 🙂 Tell Annie I <3 the yellow!

Jenna - This is beyond cute! My little bun in the oven won’t be able to do it for a while, but nothing is stopping me. Off to the craft store!
Jenna
momofmanyhats.blogspot.com

Sarah B - I’m not crafty or artistic…I wish I was. I was always the athlete who doesn’t understand art. My daughter is an artist, like for her birthday it is gift cards to Michael’s artist. She prepares art projects for when her friends come over, for when MY friends come over. I always stand back and watch. BUT I love this one. I am definitely going to have to surprise her with this one…she will love it, I will love it…we can do it together. And put it up in the house..or even better, a gift for Grandma. Thanks for the idea!

Steph - Oh Meg, you make me smile! I love the pep talk! I am going to give myself the same one! Love the art… I am having art day at our house once a week or so with the neighbors, this one will be perfect! Thank you for the inspiration!

Jodi @ The Un-Soccermom Blog - VERY cool! must have my niece do this the next time she’s over

Wendy - I love this! My girls would have a blast doing this.

jill - i was totally just thinking of your summer list this morning! we are going to make ours soon, too! thanks for the fabulous idea!

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - love their artwork. I can totally relate to the tears. SOmetimes life is so unfair for these children of ours..haha:)
xo,
Sarah

Holly - Mine get out tomorrow! I am excited! I have seen the butterfly thing before. Love it! Tell Annie that I think the yellow is beautiful!

Sarah@this farm family's life - Planning my trip to JoAnn’s now. Love this!
http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.blogspot.com

Laura Phelps - OUT OF SCHOOL????????????? ALREADY!?????????
WOW
I was just at church, thinking about how much I LOVE that I started to go to daily mass…and then I realized…
KIDS ARE HOME IN THE SUMMER!
I might lose that sacred hour…
but yes
sleeping in
no lunches to pack
…good stuff is ahead
and funny…
I just (as in a few weeks ago) painted a canvas all green…then let it sit…with no plan..
me thinks I need to buy a hole punch now…:-)

Margie C - I LOVE this idea. We will have to do it this weekend. Thanks:) Summer will be awesome:)

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Really really love this idea!! I’m looking forward to your summer posts…!!!
Gemma x

Cindy - Simply beautiful! I’ve been wanting to make something like this with my girlies for awhile now too! I think you just inspired me to jump in and get it done! Our walls couuld use a burst of color around here!

Sherry Cartwright - Beautiful wall art!

Chrissie grace - Ha! I just bought the canvases and butterfly punch too! We are having a mini art camp at out house in June and this is one of the projects! I love it!

Necole - My girls will love making these. Summer list, holy moly I need to get working on that.

Trish - oh my this is by far my most favorite art project that you have done! (i love them all, but this one is almost going to make me cry… happy tear!) i am so doing this with my girls!

deborah@applesinwonderland - love the turquiose AND i love the yellow. together? smashing combination:) now i need to go to joanne’s–thanks meg. love summer–and flip-flops, watermelon, sleeping in, birds chirping, the smell of grass, an iced cold oberon, fresh strawberries, tomatoes from the vine….ah, love summer. but, i need a pep talk too. it’s full-time-all-the-time mom-mode.

amy b. - Love the artwork!! it looks like something that would be on etsy! Gonna have to try that one myself. Oh, and to finish your quote…and gosh darn it, people like you!

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on a sunday??

May 16, 2011

i can only explain it by saying i think i felt good from being AT church
and fully experiencing church yesterday morning.
i came home from church and instead of going inside, i stayed outside and watered my plants….
meaning i was in the quiet yard for a few more minutes still holding on to what i had just learned.
not going right inside the house with the kids, noise, life, meal needing to be made, tv, computer, mess, laundry, dishes, dog, and everything else right away.
and i even stayed outside long enough that lauren made lunch! (frozen ravioli)

all that to say…..i had enough energy for making a craft thursday craft on a sunday afternoon!!

my friend angie is an art teacher and i saw this in her school's hallway.
i knew my kids would love it.

we will call it the……all about ME silhouette collage

this is how we made silhouettes at our house….

i taped paper to the wall and had them sit in the little chair.
then shined a flash light at our subject.
taking a pencil, i traced their shadow on the paper.

it was easiest to have it sit on the arm of the couch to keep it from shaking.
we learned that the the closer you got the bigger the shadow….and vice versa.

they really wanted to trace my shadow too.
and they saw how hard it was….to trace a moving subject.
no matter hard you try not to move you still move a little tiny bit.
it was fun!

next step was cutting out our silhouettes.
then gluing them to a piece of colored paper.

i set out a big stack of magazines and let them go crazy.
seriously….they were SO happy!

they were supposed to find things to glue to their "head" that described them or was something they loved.

they worked together picking out things they liked or what they knew their sibling would like.

annie had one melt down crying about the baby she wanted to cut out got ripped and blah blah blah.
but quickly got over it.
thankfully.

(i really dislike crying/whining/fighting during craft time….REALLY dislike)

great craft.

definitely things he likes....because he does not have a phone, a playstation or an xbox.
he does like the Nate series, loves his kindle and the jayhawks and zoo animals.
i told him that was bruce lee….but i think he thinks jackie chan IS bruce lee.
🙂

taylor swift….laptop….camera….ipod….phone….puppy….ipad….money…..slippers….pop tarts…basketball
love it.

soccer ball….wendys…hersheys….doughnut….justin bieber…coins….pizza….baby…jayhawks…baby lion.
annie ended up loving this project once her tears had dried.

and i made one too!
pretty self explanatory.
and i did not get a top lip…

i love collage.
i used to make this kind of thing at home by myself with the jcpenney catalogs when i was a kid.
it was a challenge to see how perfectly i could cut out a person in detail…..for real!

thank you ang for the great idea!

*************************************

the winner for the pleated poppy gift certificate is:

I noticed that cute bag in a couple of previous posts..love it! And I like how you threw in a little homage to TPP's "What I Wore Wednesdays" posts…I just started reading those! She (and you) sure have cute stuff! Let's see…weekend plans: last night – went on date with hubby and wore new shoes, got to pull 6-yr-old's dangling tooth (while wishing I could soak feet from wearing afore-mentioned new shoes); today – shop for birthday party present & supplies for tomorrow's Sunday School craft, go to birthday party, veg out; tomorrow – Sunday school, church, lunch out…make sure we have enough clean clothes & food to get us off to a good start on Monday. 🙂

Posted by: Leslie R | May 14, 2011 at 09:21 AM

send me an email leslie!
thanks.

*************************************
UPDATE on the family on my porch:

one baby so far.
the second one hatched but it was too dark for pictures yesterday.

how can something that ugly be so cute at the same time?

and it's like 2 inches long.

crazy.

crazy awesome…

show hide 53 comments

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Kristi - LOVE this project!!!! I’m stealing this after my older two are out of school! And your craft weekend looks like sooooooo much fun! 🙂

Melissa - We made your craft today…well, a spin off of it.
Theperfecttrio.blogspot.com

Gina - Love this project! That would be good for the many rainy days we’ve been having….and that bird. Oh. my. Hideous and cute all at the same time!

amac - I love that Annie put Biebs on hers! 🙂

Carol S - Hmmm…no top lip or is it your chin that’s missing? That is such a cool project. Have a fantastic week!

Taryn Smith - Love the silhouettes! We used to cut up the Sears catalog and make paper dolls and elaborate houses all over our bedroom floors. We’d cute out whole rooms of stuff, refrigerators, chairs, people, it was alot of fun.

bobbie - Have you played or started learning photoshop yet? love the baby bird pic. so cute!

Linda Sousa - Great craft! …and i LOVE the picture of the bird. We, too have a bird’s nest. It’s in the kids’ play fort. As of yesterday, there were still 4 blue eggs.

Vanilla Bean Crafts - Adorable craft! Not sure I would have the steady hand either, but I know the kids would love it! Cutie pie birdy babe…but it IS a little wierd looking! haha!

Lori - You are so right. So ugly. So cute. Amazing picture. Ugly or cute- I like that picture either way 🙂

Lin - You are so lucky to have birds nesting on your porch. I have missed things like this since moving in to an apartment.

crystal b. - YOu have absolutely no idea what I would give to have that on my porch. No joke. Robins have a place in my heart. I’ll have to tell you a story about the nest I found in a tree at my grandmothers house. One of my favorite memories.
I have little wild canaries that nest at my house and the first year that we lived here, it rained every single day for about 3 weeks. I was so worried about the little birds drowning that I rigged up umbrellas to shelter them from the storm. I would get up in the middle of the night to check on them. It made me cry when every single egg hatched, and we watched them grow. One day, they were gone. Moments like that are the things that make my life precious.
I’m so glad you love birds too. 🙂
Saw a few Blog Sugar gals at the Queen Bee market. Forgot to tell you that last week in my emails. Super nice women. Can’t wait for the conference.

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Awww on so many levels, awww to the baby birdie (albeit a little ugly), awww to your kids’ craft (they are all so adorable), awww to your oldest making lunch, awww to your special time to yourself in the garden. Have a great day Meg.

Susan Bruner - Does Annie always put a tornado by her name?

Kerry - I watered my plants tonight too before coming in to the chaos after school – it is sooo therapeutic! Love the silhouettes, such a clever idea, and I ADORE that picture of the baby birdie!!! Well shot Meg 🙂 x

Alicia @ La Famille - what a fun craft 🙂 and what a cute little birdie! i think that’s the most gorgeous blue i’ve ever seen!

Anne @ Baking Me - What an amazing picture of the baby bird, I just love it!

danielle burkleo - oh my that bird is creepcreeping me out

Tricia - I love your Sunday craft! I think I’m going to have to try this with my son. Have a great week…

Mel - God is so creative!! Adorable ugly baby birds in bright blue eggs. Only Him!!
Thanks for sharing your fabulous photos of your bird family!

Jes - I am so in love. Some years ago we had a hamster give birth, and they were peanut-sized hairless wiggly things, but beautiful as any of God’s creations. Pure life in raw form 🙂

Kimberly Dial - You’re the funnest mom ever! My mom was soooo not for anything that might have had the slightest potential to make a mess so, with that said, even at (almost) 50 years old I love watching kids do things like this … unscheduled, random & oh so creative … does my heart good. BTW (I didn’t mean to be critical) I had a great mom – she just suffered from ‘messie-phobia’ (her daughter is a bit OCD too!;) The baby bird pic is awesome!

Debbie - What a fun project! Will have to try it with my kids.
That robin picture – just amazing!

erica - tucking that craft away for my summer stash! thank you:)

mindy - what a fun craft sunday!! and that baby bird picture is AMAZING!!! love it!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics of your house on the last post, too:) You make me want to make my house more colorful and have a house full of kids (don’t think I can convince my hubby to have more than a couple of kids, but color, I can work on:) Thanks for such a fun/inspirational blog!!

ashleylikescupcakes - oh my the picture of the baby bird is amazing

nicole @ deliajude - great project!
wonderful bird & egg shot.
life is like that ugly and beautiful all at once, isn’t it?

Jennifer - What a great craft idea for silhouettes. Thanks for sharing. And I have to agree with you, it is such a good feeling when you have those uplifting, spiritual moments at church on Sundays. And even better when they linger in our hearts throughout the day. I don’t know about you, but when I have those Sunday morning experiences, I seem to have a greater understanding of why God asks us to set aside this one day each week to worship him and remember him…it’s to bless us our lives. 🙂

Laura Phelps - that cute/ugly bird is so AMAZING
miracles ALL AROUND US
love that the ugly will turn beautiful…
keeps me hopeful when I am reminded of all of my “ugliness”
love the craft
love you

Ashlyn@Pinecone - The baby bird picture is AMAZING and the bird itself is cute-ugly (more on the ugly end of the spectrum.)

Cindy - You MUST enter that picture of the baby bird, nest and eggs into a photo contest somewhere, anywhere, EVERYwhere! It’s that good!!!

julia - We have some baby birds in a hole in a dead branch on our Poinciana tree. When I’m waiting for the school bus I stand there and marvel at how annoying they sound. No wonder the momma bird stays gone looking for food. As soon as she feeds them they start complaining again. Good thing just baby birds do that.

Shauna - That bird photo is amazing…looked Blue-lily-ish style to me…Ive noticed since you went to that workshop your photographs have started to change. They were good before, but now sometimes they actually make me gasp or yell, “WOW!” So….I would buy that print from your shop if you wanted to sell it. hint hint. Could you pretty pretty please think about selling it??? PLEASE???

Georgia - aWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW baby birdie!!! its cute but ugly.. lol
Does muma bird not mind you taking pics?
xxxxxx

Sarah Wolfe - Love those collages. You are so great at doing the crafts with your kids. They will have so many memories of doing stuff like that with you.

Melissa - I must make these with my kiddos!!! My big boys are leaving for the summer…it will be sweet to see their sillouhettes while they are away.

Holly - We made the rainbow wind catchers on saturday night…..when we should have been cleaning to get ready for a party on Sunday at our house…..but we crafted instead!

ashley jensen - I too have a bird story coming up! My cousin, brother, and I used to run around trying to find bugs (mostly roley poleys) to feed baby birds when we were little. It looks like everyone grasped the concept of this project quite well. I might have to try this!

happygirl - What a cute craft. I’ve got to start REALLY attending church again. I might like it if I could think about the message and not the people. How can something be cute and ugly at the same time??? A question for the ages.

Staci - We have a turret right outside our master bedroom….needless to say…it is THE perfect place for momma birds to nest 🙁 I loved it last year…because we could just open the door and the nest was right there….soooo crazy cool….BUT…they are LOUD little thangs 🙁 Annnnd they were hungry alllll night….their poor momma ;( We of course let them grow up and get big enough to fly away… Well, I’m nice and all and LOVE animals but, I do need my sleep! Sooo…our exterminator recommended this Spring we put a fake snake in the turret window….and as much as I hated doing it…it worked…and now we don’t have a ton of baby bird poop to clean out of the turret either 😉 Wonder when they’ll pick up on the fact the snake isn’t real?????? Happy Monday!!!!!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Holy goodness! Are you so proud of that shot?! Look at that bird! So amazing.

april - that picture of the baby bird just blew my mind!!
xoxo

Lisa Currie-Gurney - LOVE THOSE KIND OF DAYS… ISN’T IT INTERESTING HOW OTHERS WILL STEP UP AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WHEN WE JUST STEP BACK AND LET THEM. SO GREAT THAT LAUREN MADE LUNCH. A DAUGHTER THAT SEES HER MUMS HEART, AND NEEDS, AND TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU AND HER SIBLINGS JUST THAT. WHAT A GIFT. <3
HUGS FROM MY HEART

flowerpowermomma - really enjoying the bird family chronicles and photos. thanks.
of course your craft was fun too. neat idea.
What a blessing you got a lunch reprieve by watering and enjoying God’s beauty and presence longer. I love that. I’m headed outside soon myself.
fyi, when i was a little girl, lots of my paper dolls were made from the catalogs. You could cut out an entire family, and furnish their ‘home’.
kept me entertained for hours and such a way to foster creativity. although you do an excellent job in that category.
blessing on your week Meg, and your momma-ing.

Susan - thanks for the bird update!!!!! Still amazed at the color of those eggs!

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Yh baby birds are totally weird!lol
Love the craft project…reminds me of a picture we got done in Disney World!
Gemma x

Kimberlee Jost - That baby bird picture is crazy good.

Sarah Wilks - SUCH a brilliant baby bird photo! I love that it looks like he’s holding onto his future siblings!
Great craft idea, too!

Necole - Another great idea for some summer craft fun!

carolyn - I gasped so loudly when I saw that baby bird. I love it. In a sad place today thinking about loss and endings. It is so good to see beginnings.

Dianne - That is an UNBELIEVABLE picture of that baby bird! AMAZING!

Dee Stephens - Love that everyone include the dog on their collage!

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no david.

May 6, 2011

i am trying out some art projects relating to our favorite books.

we love david shannon's books.

he is a fabulous artist!

the idea of the project was to read the two David books we have
"no david!" and "David gets in trouble"
then the kids would draw a picture of themselves getting in trouble for something THEY would do or have done.

they didn't quite get what i was saying but it still tured out ok.

they basically copied a page from the book instead.
i was thinking they would be a little more original.
and i chose these books because the art is a little messy and not perfect….as encouragement.
i wanted them to see that it's ok to just have a triangle nose or funny shaped hands.
the picture isn't ruined when things aren't perfect.

we drew with pencil.
then filled in some oil pastel.
then watercolored.
then added black detail when it was dry.

sean's work…..eating all the cookies.

first annie drew herself just standing there crying.
then she didn't like it and threw it away.

then decided to copy the picture exactly.
she did pretty well at that!

talby drew herself having to eat brocolli.
this is pretty realistic.

i think we will keep trying the book ideas.
it is fun to see how other artists work and their materials.

craft thursday has been slow going for awhile.
it's because of tired mommy.

because annie asks to make something almost everyday.

see why i am tired???

happy friday.

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בגדי מעצבים - Nice painting draws by every one. It is very beautiful. Please keep it up because the internet needs someone like you spreading the word. Thanks for sharing this paintings.

Cheyenne - This is AMAZING! I popped onto your blog and only had a couple of minutes before bed to check things out…and I’ve just sat and sat here. I love every single thing about your blog!! Thanks for sharing some of your life!

Gabby - What a cool idea! Might have my kids do this on a hot summer day when we need to burn some energy 🙂 We too love the No David books. Thanks for sharing!

Mique - David Shannon is my ALL TIME FAVE (yes I’m yelling at you). He is the best! I love Alice the Fairy. We have almost all of his books. And I love this idea- I need to do it with my kids. Thanks Meg!

Heather - Amazing!! What a great idea.

ranee - Umm. yeah, those are pretty amazing. apparently al lyou kids are going to grow up and be artists!

Rach - First of all… yummy header!!! Mmmmm jelly beans.
Second of all… I used your colorful summer list idea to make our house to do list. It is a daunting list but the colorful nature of it makes me smile and being able to cross things off the list is so rewarding.
And lastly… do only 3 of the kids now participate in craft days and art projects?

gina - I LOVE how all of your art takes place RIGHT in the middle of your rooms….;no worries. 🙂
Great work!! Sometimes “copy” work is good for learning a new technique – all of your kids are very talented. 🙂

Dina - Love love LOVE this idea!!!! and we love love LOVE the David books! Thanks! We’ll be copying you soon:-) …

Renee - Meg,
I have been homeschooling, but just a couple of months ago the kids began attending a private school (we moved). Any way, I am going to be teaching art at their school next year and we have emphasized this subject at home, too. I believe this aspect of learning to draw (Charlotte Mason called it a “picture study”) where kids try to re-draw a piece of art is equally as important as drawing something original. They are learning great techniques! These pieces of artwork really are beautiful! Some of my favorite things that my children have created were picture studies. My son tried to recreate the Mona Lisa when he was in third grade and I still have it framed. So fun. Love that you make time for these activities!!

Dana @ Bungalow'56 - I always enjoy your tutorials Megan, we’ve tried a few…..and loving the new header too!
Dana

Carol S - You’re creating some real talented artists Meg! These pictures are sensational. Treasure these moments even if they’re not always (very rarely) easy. Good things never come easy. I really thing you’re going to have one of these three end up with an art type career.

Jenny B. - This is great!!! I Love the combination of the oil pastels and watercolors.

Kat - Your kids drawings are fantastic, particularly Annie for her age, wow!!
Love all the crafty and creative things you do.
I really need to do some of this with my kids.

Tracy Fisher - That was fabulous. I loved it.
Tracy Fisher

amy jupin - forgot to mention earlier…no mention of your boyfriend, george clooney’s 50th bday today??!! he will not be pleased. 🙂

se7en - Oh your kids are so clever!!! I love their art!!! Brilliant work!!!

Phoenix_Rising - I LOVE THIS!!! Great idea and great results!!!!

Carly Winborne - no way! i have never heard of these books, first of all. so i’m sitting here looking at this post and halfway paying attention to what my little girl is unloading from her backpack (kindergarten). she looks up, sees a picture from this book and says, “hey, we read that today in music.” i am shocked! what timing! i’ll need to go find these books to add to our library! aside from that, i’m loving your blog, daily. seriously, you’re one of three families i check every single day. (i mean that in a very non-stalkerish sort of way.) that, plus you and i have the same birthday! 🙂

Amanda F. - Very cute! Their drawings are spot on to the artist’s in the book.

Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land - Great Job!
I can totally relate to being asked everyday about doing an art project, my youngest, Nathan (5 years old) asks me everyday too. Sometimes it’s hard to think of something to do…I use books alot for inspiration.
I think for me it’s running around all day, doing errands, cleaning and whatnot and then the kids come home from school and all the rush that goes with that, plus ball games or practices, etc….Yep, totally makes for a tired mom (I have a big family too, 6 kids, so I know exactly how tiring it can be).

Libby - There’s a book you should check out for these book craft ideas. It’s called Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg. It’s a cute book that makes you look at mistakes, like drips or stains or ripped paper, as an opportunity to make a great piece of art. It’s a fun little book and would make an excellent craft project!

Alyssa - Those are pretty amazing artist you have…They are awesome work!!

amy jupin - WOW! these are soooo good!
very impressed with the kiddos are this one. 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - This is such a good idea! My favorite is the No, VID!DA! 🙂

melanie - my kiddo just came home with a school art project where they had to draw what kind of “wild thing” they would be from “Where The Wild Things Are.” I love it and will be framing it. have you tried something like that with your kids?
p.s. i love love love your blog; thank you for blogging. also your story a few weeks ago about getting preggers and your hubby choosing you and this life totally made me bawl my eyes out bc it hit a little too close to home (though i had a different ending). anyway, sweet mama, just wanted to say thanks.

Karen Gerstenberger - We love those books – especially fun when you have a son named David!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Hi Meg, just had to say that my son, Spencer, so loved that book, No David. He wanted me to read it to him every single night when he was little. The book finally fell apart. He still talks about it every so often. He just turned 19…boohoo.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Very, very fun idea! I love this!
I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful Mother’s Day!
It’s ok to be tired. Sometimes we just wear ourselves out a bit 🙂

Julia - Wow! Copying or imitating is a great way to learn.

tara pollard pakosta - they all did a fabulous job, but Annie’s is spectacular being she is sooooo young! they are all true little artists though! I would frame these! LOVE THEM!
tara

Sandy - All of the pictures are wonderful, but I was especially impressed with Annie’s considering her age. Way to raise up creative & artistic children!!

merlin - I think there is a profound message in Talby’s, for me at least, given the sorry state of our world and all of its suffering, look at her plate, she is faced with something that looks like she has to take on the world! Her subconcious (?) has her having to manage the world, not just some broccoli. Talby, I don’t want to either!

Sarah @ this farm familys life - Cute idea and Annie is a good drawer for her age!

Jennifer DeLosSantos - Love it! When I was teaching, we read the “David” books while we were setting up our classroom rules. Their pictures are SO good! Have you done any Eric Carle type art? He was one of my favorite classroom artists/authors.

arlene - We also have a robin’s nest on our back door. She built it in my grapevine wreath….perfectly. There are three beautiful blue eggs in it. Will she be able to stay long enough to hatch them as we go in and out the door? I hope so.

Leah - Wow, your children are quite the artists! I’m so impressed. And I love this idea. So creative! Love the new header too. Happy Mother’s Day!

happygirl - You have some talent kids in your house. No wonder you are tired. This was a great idea. I love your creativity.

Jennifer - I love David Shannon’s books! The kids really did an amazing job with their art work. What a great kid-friendly, art idea. 🙂
Happy {early} Mama’s day!

andiejaye - me likey. i appreciate projects that have a literary base. it’s a nice expansion on what they’ve read.

jen - I LOVE it, books are my favorite, children’s art is my favorite, oil pastels, paints, and pencils are my favorite! hahaha Happy Friday!

Tiffany - Annie nailed it (for 5, wow) And your kids will treasure this time and talent you give of yourself, it is an inspiration to me. Keep up the good work Tired Mommy.

sarah - Sean is a pretty awesome artist! I love how you inspire your kids creativity!!

Katie - I kind of get burned out too of our little craft tuesdays (inspired by you). We did really well in the summer and fall and through Christmas. I think I totally crafted out for Christmas. So I took a break for mid winter and spring. Hopefully we will get started again in June.
*We did make our own boats and then try and float them…that was pretty fun and sciency!

angela - Good Grief! Your kids are AMAZING!

Juli - I see. No, I know. I am exhausted too.
I think I deserve the super-sized box of DOVE chocolates this Mother’s Day. Oh, and a yard full of flowers and that rose arbor I’ve been eyeing. A trip somewhere without the kids might even be order. Couple that with my husband rubbing my feet, yeah, I might make it ’til next Mother’s Day then! 😉

Penny - Great drawings. They are all really good. I am impressed! Annie’s is great! I love Talby’s colors and I like that Sean changed the cake to cookies. Very good! I love children’s art. I have some of my favorites of my girls hanging in the hallway. My girls are 23, 20 and 17 now. But I sitll love to look at what they did when they were 7 or 8. I want to make them sit with me and do crafts still, but they are normally too busy. I miss those crafty days. My 23 year old comes over on Sunday’s, she has started knitting and she brings that. Maybe she could teach me!

Holly - Brian just finished reading “No David” for school. We have been trying to incorporate projects with our books also.

Hoosier at Heart - It just can’t get any cuter tha that! I want to roll back time to when my kids were little and then be you!

Beth - one of my favorite books is A Bad Case of the Stipes–it’s SO cute! And our family loves lima beans, too. I’m amazed, your kids are incredible artists–I’m not sure I could copy Shannon’s seemingly easy drawings–impressive!
i’m hoping to implement a form of craft thursdays here at our house this summer as well. thanks for always sharing yourself in this beautiful blog!
beth

Kim - We love using books as inspiration for art here too! So fun.

Terrie - Should I be embarrassed that your kids can draw better than me? I can only do stick figures…barely! LOVE your crafts!

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winner & eggs & SUMMER

April 26, 2011

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IMG_1006-1
i put off dying eggs until the last minute.
i wanted sunshine and to do it outside…..and to do it all by myself….if i’m being honest.
but kids like to dye eggs too so i had to share.

we had to do it inside.
in the kitchen.
and i just tried my very best to relax about DYE right next to all my white cabinets.
not sure if i succeeded.

our packets of colors was strange.
we ended up with green…greener….blue….and peach eggs.
not the prettiest set but still fun to make.

i can breath easier now.
it’s done for the year.

and i have lots of hard boiled eggs to eat.
yum.

************************************

SUMMER magazine is coming out in a few weeks!
i am dying to see it.

you can purchase your own copy ONLY at the website….they are not sold in stores.

click here to order your copy.

you should order one today because they will be mailing out SOON.
so exciting!

it’s going to be FULL of really pretty pictures i am sure of it.

NieNie and Cjane and tricia foley and…….me?…………….gulp.

would you like to win your own copy??

leave me a comment telling me: what is the best part of your summer?

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Stephanie - Hi there – not leaving a comment for the book – commenting on your egg decorating!
Do you raise chickens for eggs? (I noticed the brown eggs!) We do and we color brown eggs every year! I love the rich, darker coloring that we always get! They look much country-er! (If that is a word!) Here is how we get better coloring – we don’t use the store bought kits!
All I did was bring water to almost boiling, while that is warming, in coffee cups (1 for each color) pour about 1/2″ – 1″ of vinegar, when water is hot, pour into cups until about 1″ from top (depending on how big your cups are) Then I used the paste food coloring. I used 1/2 a baby spoon full and mixed until it was all the way dissolved. And VIOLA! Let your eggs sit and soak for a little bit and the colors will amaze you!! If you check out my blog – http://www.alittlebitathisnthat.blogspot.com – I have an Easter egg swag that I made out of colored brown eggs! Thanks for letting me share!

s - lazy late afternoons at the lake that turn into evening and we still haven’t left for home or eaten dinner and instead we eat goldfish and pretzels and watch the golden light fade before packing up and heading home for showers, baths and bed.

Emily - My best part of summer is going on vacation to the beach! I’d love to win a copy of this beautiful book.

Courtney M - Best part of summer in 3 words: flip-flops, s’mores, sun!

regina - the best part of summer is EVERYTHING!!! lighting bugs, lying on a blanket and looking up at the stars, lots of movie nights on the back porch, swimming at anytime, cookouts, bonfires (yes we have them in the summer), playing outside and totally forgetting about dinner until its 8:00, going out on the lake, lying on the porch reading a book, though this year it will be a nook:)…i could keep going on and on:)

Lynn - I just wanted to tell you that you have totally inspired me to start taking my photography more seriously. Your gorgeous pictures take my breath away. I bought an SLR and am still learning but I’m really excited and just wanted to say thanks! 🙂

Roberta - How exciting. The book looks awesome. My favorite part of summer is having the kids home with me and not having to have any set schedule. Sleeping late, day trips, ahhhh, can’t wait!

mandy sadler - Best part of summer is no school and we are moving!!! Thanks for the chance…

Jane - the best part of summer is eating the home grown veggies from the garden, my favourites are tomatoes and basil – yum! I would love to win this magazine cos in Australia we’re heading into winter so it Wouk give me lots of lovelies to look forward to!!

Jennie - most definitely the pool!

Cherie T - Stepping into a cold pool on a hot day.

Kerstie - Best part of summer, out door movie nights with the neighborhood.
Kerstie

Vonda - I can’t believe that I forgot to say the best part of summer is when my sister that lives in Florida comes to visit us with her family!!!! That is way up on the top of my list! Up there with having the kiddos home!:)

Caroline - family talent shows on the patio
going to the beach as a family
BLTs with fresh basil
being at the neighborhood pool
no early bus
no rigid schedules
catching lightning bugs with my kids

Lin - Naps outside.

Julie - Frozen lemonade and sandal tan lines

Christy - The best part of summer is eating almost all of our meals outdoors and not feeling guilty if supper isn’t served before 8. There’s too much great stuff going on to get to it before then!

Kristen - many things but. . .first on my mind is staying up late and sleeping in without that alarm clock!

Karen - Aaahhh! The best part of summer……. running outside in bare feet, feeling a cool breeze blow through your light cotton dress, having a cold glass of white wine on a patio on a sultry, hot, humid evening, getting “caught” by a sprinkler on a neighbourhood stroll, watching the sun set on an endless expanse of beach, slurping a popsicle that is melting quicker than you can eat it, al fresco breakfasts in your backyard, lazy no plan days (hopefully lots of them!) and of course, gardening! flowers, vegetables, berries, all there for the taking and enjoying. Oh summer, hurry up and arrive!

Rachael B - The best part of my summer is going to hawaii to visit my brother whom is a missionary. He is only in hawaii for a short while every year resting and training before his next big outreach 🙂 this summer i am lucky enough to be seeing him for a whole month!

Karen - Cross-country road trips to visit family!

holly - the best part of summer is the beach. i know you live a really long way from the beach, but i used to live far too. now i live close. i don’t live close to barns and thrift stores, though!

Lori - The best part of my summer is when the house is a mess, laundry is piled high, beds are unmaid and toys on the floor…the kids and I can forget it all and go outside! Sunshine can fix just about anything. Bring on the sprinkler and freezer pops!

Heather Earl - Best part is spending time with my kids at the beach, vacation bible school, summer reading program, the beach, and of course fourth of july cookout! LOVE summer!

Linda B - That my husband, the college professor, has a more relaxed schedule.

Gretchen - Best part of summer: Lazy Days with my kids, Swimsuits,Late nights playing outside, Visiting my Aunt and Uncles Cabin, Pond swiming, fishing, Fresh veggies from our garden, FLIP-FLOPS!, Slowed down schedule and more time as a family. Thanks for all your inspiration.

Amy Moon - The best part of summer is that sense of endless possibilities. Instead of, “Is your homework done, did you do your reading, you need WHAT for class tomorrow?” I get to say, “What should we do today?” And then the next day I get to do that again.
Oh…and gardening. I love my garden…almost as much as my kids! Hundreds of homegrown tomatoes baby!

Vonda - The best part of summer is definitely having the kids home! No schedules, staying up late and sleeping in, swimming, barbecueing, and taking our 30 pound pug for a walk. I love the flowers and the long days too! We live across from a campground and they have movie night on Saturday nights-so fun! It is definitely my favorite season!:)

Kim Howell - three girls in the pool non stop for 3 months!!

Alice H - I like taking the majority of my vacation days and being with my kids ALL day. And the swimming pool. And the smell of sunscreen. And the lake with friends.

virginia - the sunshine!

jennifer - Summer is…going barefoot everyday…sunshine…homemade ice cream…swimming…wildflowers…visiting on the front porch…and napping in a hammock!

Tammy Sabourin - The prospect of seeing our extended family while on vacation! We live very far away from them, so cherish any opportunity and this summer looks like it will work for all of us. 🙂

carrie - Taking the girls to the beach 🙂

Staci - SLEEPING IN!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Megan!!!!

Emily - The best part of summer is having garden fresh tomatoes growing in my backyard!

deborah@applesinwonderland - best part about summer? that it needs to be celebrated everyday. because we know it goes too fast. and the beach and cooking outside and lightening bugs and bonfires and flip-flops and vine ripened tomatoes and peaches and grass between your toes and sunshine and no school and (well, that’s probably enough).

Anne - I love not having anywhere that we “have” to be during the summer! Our school year is jam packed with scheduled activities, so it’s such a relief to “chill” during the summer months. 🙂

Jeannie P - Hands down, the best part of summer is having my kids home every minute of the day!

Rachel Newswanger - The birds sing’in, the sunshine & NO school schedule to keep up with!

erica - the endless sunny days without an agenda – just me and my 3 lil ones:)

Ruth H. - The best part of my summer is the FREEDOM. I get to have my kids with me all day long, and our schedule is (mostly) wide open. We get to decide what we do all day. I love having my kids to myself!

julie - the best part of my summer is that i get to be a stay at home mom for 9 weeks. i’m a teacher! wahooo!!

Jenny B. - The best part of summer for me is NO SCHOOL! I’m a teacher, and my summer break starts next Friday! Woo-Hoo!

Annie - my favorite part of summer is sleeping with the windows open..listening to the crickets and the cool breeze blowing on my face after a long hot day!!

Whitney R - Grilling, kids with me, swimming, porch swinging, bike riding, lazy days!

Terrie - Best part of summer is the beautiful flowers that I like to plant, then I can spend days outside taking pics…may not happen this year! I’m having so much fun in my new craft room, that I may never go outside!!
BTW, as I was going through the Jan. ’11 issue of Creating Keepsakes…I saw a perfect layout title for your girls and their boots…These boots are made for splashing! You would have great pics to make that a cute page! You may have already done a page like that…but had to think of you when I saw it!

Jennifer Roehl - Lazy days with my family cause we’ll be staying home a lot this summer! We’re adopting baby #3 in June!

Mary - The best part is traveling “home” to Kansas. I’ve lived in Colorado for 20 years, but Kansas is still “home”. This year on my way from my in-laws to my parents home, I will be stopping in Marion at that fabulous antique place you blogged about! Oh, my boys will hate it but I can’t wait….

Rachel B. - Love summer evenings! My husband and I sneak ice cream and sit outside after the kids go to bed!

Sally - Congratulations! How exciting that you work continues to be recoginzed.
My favorite part of summer is hanging out at my Dad’s lake house in the adirondack mountains. It’s so nice to wear a sweatshirt in the summer…ahh! And a huge bonus to be with family since we live out-of-state.

Julie - My husband is a school teacher and I’m a SAHM, so we take the summer off and travel with our two children!

Jennifer - Not having to get up early and get the kids off to school, lazy days, going to CA to visit family and friends… the list goes on!

Ann R. - Spending time with the family, not so much rushing, no homework, no schedule, the beach and lemonade stands!

Kari - Spending the entire day with my almost two year old little lady…running, biking, reading, sunning, singing, swimming…I can hardly wait!

jodi - the best part of the summer is living near my mom (who lives at the beach) after living 1000 miles away for 15 years… my mom rocks!
jodi in pa

amy jupin - i am flipping out excited for you with this whole summer thing!
i’m freakin out!!
but let’s be honest here…the best part of summer isn’t the beach or lemonade or hammocks. the best part is NO HOMEWORK!
🙂

Janelle - I live in the Virgin Islands – every day is summer! My least favorite months are actually June through September because of the threat of hurricanes. But the best thing about living in a year long summer? Wearing shorts & flip flops all the time!

Melanie - Best part of summer…cookouts with the family, sitting on the patio late into the night with a glass of wine, leaving the bedroom window open while I sleep and hearing the frogs croaking, going to my niece’s baseball games, working in my garden, being barefoot, eating ice cream, swimming in a cold pool on an exceptionally hot day.

Robin - where to start….flip flops and bare feet, sunshine and late nights, BBQ and lemonade…I could go on and on and on and on…

ShelbyP - Hmm, I love pool time, being out in the sun, random trips to the library and evening BBQs with friends!

EllenVR - pool, Freddie’s frozen custard, friends, horseshoes…and if I’m lucky lots of the lake

Margo - The best parts of my summer are bbq’s, ball games, and adult beverages on the patio with good friends.

Karen A. - Best part of my summer is spending 5 weeks on a lake in the Adirondacks with my four girls (age 2-10)- with my sister-in-law, our 4 nephews (age 3-11), and my inlaws – and being able to go to Camp of the Woods which is just on the other side of the lake from us. Second best thing is jumping off the dock into the lake after a run! 🙂

Joanna - The best part of my summer is not being cold.

Mrs. - Summer…sticky hands holding drippy popsicles while watching an orange sunset in the cool, green, fresh cut grass.

elizabeth highsmith - mcdonalds ice cream cones-they are the best fun a dollar can buy-i once thought i’d keep a record of how many i consume in a summer-then i realized i can’t count that high!

Stacey - Summer= pretty much no schedule and lots of lazy days!

Stacy - I do not work in the summer so I get to spend everyday with my son. We read, go to the library and find a lot of free stuff to do!

Meredith - I love bare feet in the summer!!!!

courtney - my favorite activity of summer is sitting on the porch with my husband watching our three little ones jump around in the sprinkler. it makes the grass and sunscreen covered kitchen floor ever so worth it!

Linda War Bonnet - The best part of summer….weekly concerts in the park!!!

cheryl - my husband, who is a school teacher, being home for the summer with us!

Nicole Q. - Don’t know if I can only list one . . . oh so many favorites . . . the pool would rank up at the top!!!

phyllis - I love EVERYTHING about summer – especially the yummy summer fruit!

merlin - letting go
and letting time
have its way
never looking at a clock

Kelli - Definitely the farmer’s market in our little town! Then coming home and figuring out a yummy dinner with my finds!

Rebecca L. - Since I love summer so much I can’t decide:
1. long sunshinie days
2. watermelon!
3. that shadow that falls across everything in the evening when the sun is at that perfect spot.
4. sweet corn
5. swimming
6. grilled ANYTHING…mmm.
7. porch swings/ hammocks/ lawn chairs
8. Popsicles with the juice dripping down to your elbows.
9. flip flops!
10. This summer means my FIRST ANNIVERSARY and I can’t wait to celebrate with my favorite man!

alaina - My favorite part of summer is all my children under one roof (2 are in college)and living at the softball field watching them play!!! I just get all giddy thinking of having my kids home once again and just being together…that is bliss (until the dishes need to be done!)

maribeth - a sno cone on a hot summer day . . . so yummy!

Rachel - Honestly, the best part of summer for me is not working. I’m a teacher and I’m not gonna lie…I love my summer vacation! Last summer I went to Italy and France and was gone for nearly the entire two months. It was awesome. I can’t afford to do that again this summer, plus I have to finish my masters degree. But still…no work. Ahhhh.

Lizz - It would have to be making Art outside with some brand new kiddos! Oh, and eating frozen yogurt!!

Jen - the best part of summer is sitting on the stoop in a cool summer breeze, sipping lemonade watching the kids play & relaxing.

Debbie - The best part of summer is knowing that I do not have to drop my child off at a babysitter’s house. I get to stay home with her and go to the zoo and take painting classes and play at the beach in the sand and blow bubbles and whatever we want.

Courtney Henson - The best part of my summer is roasting marshmallows over the fire pit in the backyard at night..twinkle lights on and the atmosphere just perfect and lounging on the hammock soaking up the warm rays of sunshine while my kids play in the backyard!

Tanya - My favorite part of summer is going to the beach, whether it be nearby or while on vacation. Love it! This year will be bittersweet as it is the last summer before my daughter starts school, so we will certainly make the best of the last few months before big school start

Lori - lazy mornings with the kids…NO MAKING SCHOOL LUNCHES…coming and going as we please (for the most part:))…

susie - savoring a slower pace of life with my family…heaven

Suzanne D - grilling out and spending time with my family!!

robyn - our camping trip to glacier national park in montana! the kids talk about it all winter long 🙂

stacie - right now i want summer so badly that i must say sunshine, all my babies in the nest together, ice cream, outdoor fires, grilled dinners, carefree time, margaritas and camps for the kids!

Lacey - finially going to the beach! we didn’t get to go at all last year because of the oil spill. Can’t wait to stick my toes in the sand and relax while the kids splash and play.

Penny - Being off work all summer!! Spending time with my girls, reading on the deck, cooking out, sitting around the fire pit roasting marshmallows. Oh so many things I just can’t pick one favorite!
This summer we will have a litter of Goldendoodle puppies to raise, too!!

shelley - the most wonderful part of summer is the long days. Little Jude and stay outside late and watch the sun go down while we play out on the deck with chalk and his water table.

Heather - The cottage. Slipping into the lake for the first time every summer is golden. When I wake up early and head down to the dock in time to catch the sun coming over the trees and the mist rising off the water I know we are not alone.

Jennifer G. - The best part of summer…….beach, beach, beach. Love the salty smell, kids and their sand castles, and sounds of the waves crashing over and over! Oh and a margarita in there somewhere!

Tami Hiebert - My son just saw this and said, “You should say the best part of your summer is when your kids don’t fight!” Pretty good answer!

Laura Gentle - Sitting in my swing hung from a hundred year old oak tree with a good book; roasting marshmallows in the fire pit and making smores with exotic candy bars and homemade cookies; fishing at the lake all day and then cooking a fish feast for dinner with coleslaw, hushpuppies and cheese grits; chasing fireflies with my one and only child makes me most happy. Smiling just thinking about it!

carly - cookouts, lighting bugs and sidewalk chalk with my kids!!!

Denise - The best part of summer is when my family comes to visit!

Erin T. - Our family vacation in the Outerbanks! I am so looking forward to lounging around at the pool and the beach, playing with my littles and studying photography/taking lots of pictures!

Danielle - Going to the beach with my kids, barbecues and eating outside. Making s’mores outside by the fire. And SUN, glorious SUN!!! We don’t get a whole lot of it in WA.

Heidi - I LOVE lazy mornings!

Jenna - Not working, going to the lake as much as possible, and pretty much everything else. Summer is the BEST.

Carrie Haywood - The past two summers I have been VERY pregnant and delivered babies (June 2009 and August 2010) so usually it’s having my new, beautiful bundle of joy here with me.. but this year my best part of summer will be spending time with them, showing them new, fun things.. can’t wait to take them swimming!! 🙂

Eli - Best part of summer: sitting on the dock, for hours and hours, with nothing more important to do.

Dani - I love that I don’t have to rush around at night with my kids. They can stay up later if they want to. Dinner is not a rush to finish so baths can be taken. Summer time is much more laid back for us. I also LOVE to take my kids camping.

Jennifer - The best part about summer is having my kids home and working and playing together!

Jenny - Being outside all day, no structure, kids running around the yard, sprinklers, pools, splashing, bubbles, margarita evenings, sand boxes, kids who smell like sunblock, the beach, frozen pops (any kind), music on the patio, cold food, sundresses, friends…friends…and more friends, water guns, swingsets, sticky kid fingers, art projects outside, bikes, gardens…we live in South Carolina where it become sticky hot and humid…so, I cannot leave out the amazing feeling of coming inside and showering and hanging out with my hubby after an amazing fun filled super hot day. Bring on the Summer!

jennibell - Best part of summer. . .days at the pool with the kids!!! And BBQs.

alise - best part of summer is having no schedule and going to the beach, flip flops and eating outside!!!
thanks for the chance to win….

Rebecca - Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and basil picked from my garden. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic–best lunch ever!

Rebecca - Fun Fridays! As a reward for good behavior and cooperation all week, we have a swimming/play date with friends. We meet after lunch at a friends house (who has a pool), the boys swim and play and have snacks and moms have frozen margaritas or lemonades with vodka. Good for the kids, GREAT for the mamas!

Alicia @ La Famille - Best part of summer: flip-flops, skirts, NO coats!

se7en - Oh we are headed into winter over here and we have had three days of rain after months of not a drop and I tell you first hand the BEST thing about summer is so much less laundry!!! T-shirt and shorts all round compared to jeans, shirts, sweaters, jackets, hats, socks… I could go on about the laundry but I am trying to embrace the cold – failing dismally!!! I love summer and wish it was always summer!!!

jennifer - Sleeping in and stuffing as much fun as possible into those too short 8 weeks!

Kathy - We homeschool and ar always together and can technically MAKE time for things. BUT there is something about warm Summer evenings and bright sunny days that just feel like you have been given time. The pressures melt away and fun extra things get done without guilt.

Stacey - The best part of summer is the lazy, fun days with BOTH of my kids at home! Love it!

nicki - I’m in NP school, so the BEST is the 3 weeks in August that we have off before the fall semester! Lots more time with family & friends instead of the books! 🙂

Camm Taylor - No schedules…going with the flow….sandy toes at the beach….ice cold beer on a hot night….summer storms….so much! LOVE summer!

Chantelle - My birthday!!!! Usually a trip to the nail salon, a sip of sweet red wine, a relaxing walk on the beach and/or a stress-free visit to the local bookstore, topped off by a hearty meal with my fam! BRING IT!!!

Mel - The kids being home from school. . . and if I had to be honest, I would add that my second favorite part is when the kids go back when summer winds down!! Is that bad?

Sandra K - The best thing about summer – where to start?!
– Lots and lots of time with lots of friends at our awesome community pool
– Diet cokes and soft pretzels at that pool
– Grilling out!
– Awesome produce from my li’l garden or the farmer’s market, especially tomatoes and sweet corn!
– Sno-cones
– S’mores in the backyard
– Dining outside!
– No school and more time with my kids

Sarah - Man you must have a lot of followers…look at all those comments! My fav part of summer is the pool and the color my skin soaks in from the sun. I miss the sun. Someday…

Tracy - I love to spend time with my family outside….going to the pool, grilling outside, going fishing, going to the park, riding bike, the zoo, and playing golf….love it all!

Mindy Harris - Of course I’d love to win my own copy!
The best part of summer is family vacations, freshly mowed grass and the scent thereof, and catching fireflies.
And swimming.
And watermelon.
And laying out in the sun (but only for 10 mins).

Sara M. - Going to the beach on Lake Michigan!

Amy - Swimming in ponds, swimming in lakes, swimming in rivers, swimming in streams! I live in New England so the summer months are the only time I get to swim outside and it is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!

Jacqui - the warmth of the sun on my face and the endless hours outside:)

Trena - I mean…under the stars!

Tanya H - Every summer since before we had kids (oldest is 9) my husband has run a scout camp in the summer. It can be fun but even when we all live there with him Daddy-time is precious, hard to come by and impossible to have his full attention. This year, he doesn’t have a camp assigment and we are all so excited we can hardly stand it! 😀 We’re gonna have some actual FAMILY time instead of just mommmy-kid time!

Trena - the best part of summer for me…not having to pack school lunches…Just kidding…campfires with my family in the yard until the stars! ♥

Shanna - This summer will be special because I’m having a baby!!!!!!!

Alisa - I grew up in Kansas, but I moved away just before I turned 16 in 1986 – and I’ve never been back. For me summer is the blue open sky in Kansas, a yellow sunflower taller than yourself, the taste of a limeaide, the smell of chlorine in my hair, and the feel of a swimsuit dry the minute you step out of a pool. I now have a family of my own and live in Europe – but I sometimes miss the feeling of those long summers in Kansas, and wish my kids could someday feel it too.

Juli - I’ve already pre-ordered my copy (thanks for original heads-up) but I’d love to win a copy for my friend, Amanda! The best part of THIS coming summer, in particular, is that my husband is taking off the semester from his Master’s program so that he can play with us! I am GIDDY!

Donna - Best part of summer……wearing flip flops everyday, and having some time off work to spend with my favorite people….my family 🙂

Michelle - The best part of summer is our annual family reunion week – and this year will be even better ’cause my cousin and I will have our firstborns with us. There hasn’t been a baby in the family in 26 years!

Simies - Best part of my summer is be with my family. Relax at home or by the sea in Italy 🙂

erin - time spent on, in, or by the water….pool, lake, ocean…i’ll take all three!

dawn - Last year we were without our own home, we lived in MANY different places. This summer will be a treat. No moving, no suitcases, our own home/space/stuff… That time really reminded me how little you truly need and how good it feels to just have your own little place in the world. 🙂

Meredith Salmon - I can’t wait to get it. When I first started my job 4 years ago, Tricia Foley was still working here. She would not know me, but she is very creative and has tons of great ideas and takes great pictures, just like you Meg. Congrats!!!!

Robyn - The beach and warm sunshine!!!

Kirsten J - Best part of summer (you mean those 3 or 4 weeks we get here in Seattle?) would be waking up, taking an early walk and then watering my flowers after I get back. Yep, happens about 1/2 dozen times every summer….and, why, yes, I am bitter about where I live lately….

rosemarie - sunshine and swimming in the pool with kids….

sara @ it's good to be queen - oh i really want to win!! the best part of summer is having a cookout with friends and sitting outside for hours talking and laughing while the kids play. can’t wait!

colleen - best part of summer…it’s NOT winter or spring (not very nice here)!!!!! and i’m a teacher…so days to stay at home with MY kids and enjoy the sun…what’s not to love?

Kasey - The best part of my summer this year is going to be having my second baby!

Ana G - The best part of summer for me is the beach! Even though we live in the Pacific NW, where the water is chilly, and the beaches are mostly rocky, my kids LOVE playing in the water and I LOVE hanging on the beach. Looking forward to it! 🙂

Jenni Carlisle - Yeah for Melissa…better yet YEAH for SERGEY!!!! Best part of Summer for me is that I’m a homeschool/stay at home Mom, so I just get to BE with my kids. For years as a working Mom I battled feeling guilty only getting a week off, now I get them the whole summer! Love it!

Kelly O. - the best part of my summer is the twinkly lights on in the backyard and me and my laptop on the porch just listening to the crickets

Katie Sellers - Summer is just more relaxed. This summer my favorite part will be vacationing all over Florida with my kids. It is a stay-cation for us, but we will be starting Key West, moving on to Marco Island and then up to the Destin panhandle! Can’t wait!

LeAnne - blueberries eaten straight off of the tree!

Jes - Our summers consist of a lot of family outdoor fun activities: bike riding, sidewalk chalk, bike riding, swimming, bike riding, fishing, yes we do a lot of bike riding. Most of all, just the relaxing moments Summer brings. The kids can stay up later (not going to bed with the sun up), evening walks, fishing for a whole day! I love summer!

Kirsten P - Sitting on the deck reading a book while listening to the wind rustle the leaves of the cottonwood trees – 25 of them! Walking along the shore of a Great Lake. Enjoying the flowers of summer.

Lori - Best part of summer….the relaxed schedule and atmosphere – we get together with friends more often, even on a weeknight when we have to go to work the next day. And all that fresh produce! Love summer…

Tracie - Not having to force my daughter out of bed in the morning, that’s the best part. We all love to sleep in during the summer, and drink lots and lots of iced tea!

TonyaElise - Summer clothes! So much more fun than winter – sandals, tanks, sun dresses…yea!

Lelia - Having no schedule to stick to so I can spend extra time with the kiddos!! =)

Kimberly Au - Love my summers! One of the reasons I became a teacher was so that I could still enjoy my WI summers to the fullest, now with my own kids. Simple things like going to the wading pool, zoo and concerts in the park. This summer is especially exciting as we are expecting our third baby in just a few weeks!

Jessica R - The best part of summer is fresh, homemade ice-cream!! Something sweet to beat the heat!

AshleyAnn - Days full of nothing but being at home together. Being at home.
It is so stinkin’ cool that you are in that magazine…smart move on their part!

Leslie - The best part of summer is the warm nights so we can “camp” in the backyard. We bbq, roast marshmellows, play board games, run around with flash lights and leave ALL electronic devices (cell phones, etc.) in the house.

Jennifer - My very FAVORITE – early mornings alone with my coffee and the hose, soaking the hydrangeas, followed by breakfast topped with ripe strawberries, and then turning on the sprinkler and watching the children turn their swing set/fort into a water land while I sit across the yard and sip iced tea with my camera and a good magazine in hand. Does it get any better?

Laura in LA - Abundant sunshine, sprinklers, tomatoes, peas, blueberries!!! Ahhh, can’t wait.

Maureen Troop - I just love having my kids home and we can decide each day what we WANT to do, not what HAS to be done! I love the relaxed pace and time together!

Southern Gal - The part when we can all get away to the beach as a family. Sit in my beach chair, toes in the water and a good book in my hand with kids playing in the surf. Absolute favorite.

Terri Upton - The best part of summer is the relaxed and carefree feeling.

Jes - best part of the summer is our July vacation by the beach with my family, especially dinner for the whole 15 of us at Aunt Carrie’s Restaurant (Narragansett RI)

cindy - Checking off things from our summer fun list…esp. craft friday which was inspired by you! 🙂

Sarah Vincent - This summer will be a little different because I am joining team “Stay Home Mom” so this year I am really looking forward to the whole Summer with my two kiddos!!

Molly - the best part of summer is being home with my two girls! i absolutely love it! i count down to summer every year like a kid i am a teacher, so really it’s not that different!:)

Sarah - The pool! And the lake! 🙂

julia - That looks like a whole lot of egg salad {I didn’t even do the whole dye-ing egg thing this year…not my fave thing to do}.

Rebecca - My favorite part of summer is the sunshine and the WARMTH. After a roller coaster spring, that is what I am ready for!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Melissa Lynch - Slowing down..no running to dance, gymnastics, chior..just enjoying each other at night instead of homework? bedtime?

Amy - ALL of summer is awesome. Sun dresses, flip flops, swimsuits, warm lakes, longer days, running thru sprinklers, SWIMMING, picnics, kid-filled front & back yards, star gazing, SWIMMING, water skiing, warm sand between the toes, cute little chubby bodies w/ tan lines…… And having my oldest home from school w/ us. (1st grade, & his first year to be in all day. *sigh*)

april - just chilling with my three lovelies at the beach~ living so close to lake michigan has advantages. we do a summer beach tour to hit our favs. st. joe, south haven, and warren dunes…just to name a few~~oh i wish it was summer now!

Beth Ann - Best part of summer? Lots of days with no schedules and lots of activities to pick from! Lots of evenings around a fire pit with the kids running around outside playing with friends. And after 9 straight days of clouds and rain – SUNSHINE!!!

shiela - camping in our backyard…our 5 yr old daughter getting all excited about doing car wash with her daddy…playdates with friends at church…both of our kids birthday are in the summer…vacation, vacation!!!

merran tatum - eating watermelon and playing outside…and candle-lit outdoor dinners with the hubs. love.

Amanda - Hmmmm, there are so many things to love about summer…..sunshine, warm weather, swimming, sleeping in, being outside, hanging with my girls……I love it all 🙂

Angela Atkins - Fun days with my kids with lots of sunshine and blue skies.

Jen - The SUN!!!!

Jody - Dusk..I love running around outside w kiddos, catching fire flies & watching sun set w our fire pit goin’ w smores!! So fun.

Amanda F. - I love EVERYTHING about summer. The weather, the fruit, the flowers, gardening, kids home from school, traveling, open windows, bug noises, frog noises, lawnmower noises, everything.
We’ve recently moved to California and I am looking forward to a whole new summer experience.

Jen - A more relaxed schedule and all the time I spend watching the kids play softball/baseball. Really, the entertainment value of little kids playing ball is amazing!!

Patricia - I love everything about summer … but right now the thing I’m most looking forward to is no school, no homework, no helping the kids study for tests, no projects, no papers, and no book bags strewn all over the place! Just being honest :o)

rachel p - Being outside with my 2 little boys!! They are so tired of being indoors, and I’m so tired of playing in MUD PUDDLES 😉 We’re all ready for sunshine and bathing suits and lightning bugs and bellies stained from popsicles!

Gale - Best part of summer in Kansas…. hmmmmmm…. not the heat…. not having to shovel snow comes to mind.. LOL!! Seriously, love just hanging out, being lazy, being light at 8:30pm, grilling, wearing my Toms, drinking margaritas on the deck… what’s not to like? 🙂

Nicky Simmons - easy… floating on the lake with a cold beer in my hand!

Jenny K - Eating outside. At home or a restaurant on a sidewalk or better yet a deck overlooking the ocean!

Kim Barlow - The best part of summer for me is more FREEDOM!!! No more practices, No more games, no more 1.5 hour commute each way (for school drop offs and then to work), no more homework battles, no more packing of lunches and the laundry is a LOT lighter! WOOT WOOT!! And most IMPORTANTLY more chances to be bask in the SUNSHINE with friends and family!! I LOVE SUMMERTIME!!!

Amy - Being home with my kids and eating lunch on the back patio!

Dana Banana - Living at the pool!! (hope you and your fam will join me there!)

Susanna - No carpool, bare feet(and painting little toenails funky colors) and family meals outside!

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Best part of summer? Visiting my parents cottage on a small lake about an hour away.They’ve had it for 35 years and its nothing fancy but its RELAXING to be there and wake up to hear the water outside your bedroom window.
Their taxes keep drastically increasing each year and theyre not sure how long they’ll be able to keep the cottage so each summer that we have there is a gift!

Su@The Intentional Home - best part of summer. . is less tight of a schedule. . do not have to get up at certain time, do not have to get in car and drop kids off and pick kids up. . .thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the magazine. . .

jeana - I’ve asked for this for my birthday! I would love to win! My summer favorite? Reading outside in a hammock while the kids are playing.

jayne Barbour - best part of summer is not having to be anywhere and just enjoying the lazy days!

Jill @ Cora Anne Designs - Best part about summer…hmm…only one??? How about lots of time spent outdoors with awesome neighbors, family and friends!!

Alyssa - EVERYTHING! But for this summer it will have to be being pregnant with our new little life 🙂 Due in September! It has been a ball so far and I know the TX heat will be very unforgiving but I cant wait to be outside and with family toting a little baby in my belly!
xoxo

Laurie Schmotzer - The best part of summer…not setting the alarm!

Molly Pearce - The best part of summer for me is when all the children I teach every Sunday and Wednesday night at church get of school for summer! This means, movie parties, bible study outside, vacation bible school, swim parties and my all time favorite thing to do with them is to have a kick off to summer lock in at church!! So much fun!!!
~Molly P

amosclutchpedal - My husband is a teacher with a very busy schedule, so summertime with him is the best!

Valerie Alexander - Flip flops, sunkissed skin, highlighted hair, swimming, I could go on…. Come on Summer!!

Kate - Every year (or at least almost) we head back to my home town, right on the beaches of Lake Michigan. We play in the sand and the surf and watch the sun go down. We ride rollercoasters. We eat ice cream from the ice cream stand I used to visit as a kid. We go for dune rides. We have bonfires. We drink beer and listen to my uncle play banjo. It’s always a great week.

Trish - I’m gonna be honest here:
I like having my kids around, but I LOVE when they go to camp. They usually go on different weeks, so I have only one home at a time, and I cherish that one on one time with them. Plus I know that the other kid is at a wonderful camp having the time of their life!
Oh, my other favorite part of summer is when we get to leave Alaska in late July, early August, in search of REAL summer weather! I love a week or two of 90 degrees!

Courtney - to name just one is impossible…fresh cut grass, watermelon dripping off your elbows, fireflies, candle light suppers on the back porch…I love summer!

Tammy - Aw, fun in the sun, picnics & homegrown tomatoes….yum!
Thanks for a the great giveaway once again!

Laura Phelps - The BEST part of summer for me? Putting on my bathing suit and wearing it in public! I LOVE that!
Oh wait…
that’s my biggest nightmare!
I suppose it is the carefree timelessness of every day…
no schedules
no lunches to pack
no homework
LOTS of BBQ’s and chalk filled driveways and ice cream cones and cold beer at 3pm
I LOVE it..
for about 2 weeks
then I want to shoot myself in the head

amac - Where I live it’s always summer more or less. But during the hottest months (110+) my favorite thing is mangoes. They are in season, they are CHEAP, they are delicious!!! They’re almost good enough to make me forget that it’s so HOT! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

Tami C. - No set schedule and my mom’s pool. Love it.

Beth K. in CO - There are so many things that I love about summer! Swim lessons, softball games, vacation Bible school, trips to the mountains, it staying lighter outside so there is more play time, BBQs, picnics, flip flops, going to the pool. I should probably stop here, but there are so many more to list. 🙂

jodi @ back40life - time outside, time at the pool and big family vacations…those are the best!

Karen Giddings - Best part of summer . . . not as many “have to’s”. 😀

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - The very best part of my summer… swimming with the kids. So fun.

Rebecca - The best part of summer is long days off with the kids, and late nights up with the Mr.!

Deb Meyers - Best: kids home. Long days. tanned legs and faces.
deb meyers

Karen - The best part for me is the warmth & the sunshine!

Happygirl02 - EVERYTHING!!! The sun, the breeze, the long days, catching fireflies, bbq’s, s’mores, gardening, my kids, fresh cut grass, flowers, not having to wear shoes…. the list never ends!

Toni - Summer night bbqs and Dodger games with friends! Oh, and late night walks with my husband and my beagle.

Laurie Kauffman - I love s’mores in the backyard and laying on the lawnchairs looking at the stars and counting lightning bugs.

georgia - The best bit is going for late night dog walks and watching the sun set 🙂

Courtney Walsh - I totally love that your house is referred to as “The Fun House” lol 🙂 How awesome is that?
Best part of my summer…? Um. Probably going home and spending a week with my sister. But this is the first summer where I havent’ been in Illinois so we’ll see…maybe Colorado will surprise me. 🙂

Sandy W - Dinners on the pontoon boat with my husband and son are most definitely the best part of my summer. I can’t wait! It is still cold and rainy here in Michigan.

Rosita - The best part of summer is the flowers, all the flowers.

karen - flip flops 🙂

Lori - My favorite parts are eating fresh veggies from my garden, yard sales, late night thunderstorms, watching my girls set up their own lemonade/fresh veggies stand.:) Lori

Jen - The best part about summer is that almost everything finally slows down.

Leslie - Hands down being with my kids!!!! After eing sooo inspired by your blog….we are going to start a craft Thursday. I have three boys 15, 14 and almost 10. We just bought the supplies to make the raindow plates with the streamers :} Before I blink my kids will be grown so I am cherishing every moment!Annnd I am holding onto my hat cause my 15 year old is driving. Thanks for being so inspiring :}}}}

Ruth Elder - We moved into a new-to-us house before Christmas. this summer I get to plant flowers in the front yard and the kids will be home to help me put up a picket fence. I’ve never had one before!

julie h - being home with my kids…baby 2 is due in june!

Amy Swanson - Best part of summer: Driving to my parents house with the kids for weekends. They have property where we can fish, ride ATV’s, and swim. Plus my dad makes a big breakfast every morning and my mom does our laundry. Heavenly!

Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - Best part of summer?…..The long summer nights. BBQs, eating outside, late night walks. Maybe that’s more than one. Oh well, hope it’s me 🙂

Shawnie - The best part of summer is spending time at the lake!

juliana whisman - Eating grilled food outside & hours at the pool!

Megan - The best part for me is not having a schedule – we can go to the pool, stay home, or go on a trip whenever!

jen smith - sleeping in, lazy days, swimming. i love summer!

Amy - The best part is getting to spend time with my 3 year old son. This summer will be even better as we welcome boy/girl twins into our home!

Jen H. - The best part of summer for me is having my hubby home since he is a teacher. We go camping with our girls and it is such a fun and relaxing time!!!! 🙂

Jermaine D. - Gardening!

Becki G. - Sleeping late every day.

Sarah - I already ordered my copy and can’t wait! I would love to win one for my mom though….
Best part of summer…kids, sprinklers, the pool, sun, bright blue skies, sweet iced sun tea, picnics, ice cream socials…..and if we’re lucky on vacaation, the beach!

Benay - Relaxing and having the kids around. Taking family trips. Going to the pool. We live in a big city in Brazil which empties out during the summer because Brazilians get a month off and usually spend it at the beach. So living in a somewhat less crowded city during the summer is really nice.

shelly - the best part of summer is…nothing! doing Nothing at all, sitting by/on a lake…watching parades in camp chairs…..laying out, looking at the stars…..I’m ready for it to be here Now!

ingrid - garden bursting with veggies and blooms!

Wendy - Sleeping in, late dinners outside by the pool, visiting family, enjoying the outdoors, going to the beach….. so many things to look forward to. 🙂

Roxane - My garden, the smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of the sprinklers going, the pool, corn on the cob, snow cones and yummy fruit!

Jennifer - Those are weird colors for easter eggs! We still haven’t done ours. 🙂 We will…eventually.
My favorite part of the summer is not having homework and school. My girls still do dance but that is twice a week only. I love the freedom and lack of a schedule!

Donna - No homework!

mandy friend - my favorite part of summer? going to the Rogue River, rafting, otterpops by the dozens, our cabin, campingi could go on…i’ve never won a darn thing-PLEASE:)

Pippa - The best part of summer for me is, this may sound crazy, but it’s not having to worry about homework, don’t have to make lunch, don’t have to get my daughter to school – I always feel such a relief – like a vacation. Of course, love love love going to the beach too!!!!

lynette - The best part of summer is getting to just “be” with my kids. Not having to do school or anything that we really do not want to. The best part of this summer will be meeting our fourth baby girl.

Wendy - The kids being off school & the warm weather

Janet Biernacki - warm sunshine, flower bed and pots full, easier days.

Talia - Oh, so many things…strawberries, farm stands, trips to the farmers market, impromptu wine parties on the porch w/neighbors, the easy attitude and spirit of summer. All of it is just blissful!

Elizabeth - The best part of my summer..is taking off the nail polish from the summer before..off my toenails and putting on a new color!!!! How bad is that??????

Hayley - The best part of my summer is usually making roadtrips to visit family, especially to Oregon. But this year, the best part will be moving back home from a year abroad in Germany…I’m so excited to see my family and friends!!!

Kerry - The best part of my summer is wearing flip flops and painting my toes bright, happy colours 🙂

tam - honestly, (this sounds horrible) but the best part of summer is no homework for the kids! Do you ever get tired of dealing with the homework battles?

Jena - The best part of my summer is having my two girls (9 & 6) with me, all day long, every day! It doesn’t matter if we are going somewhere fun or staying home in pjs all day. I love and cherish every moment I spend with them! Thanks for the chance to win! selphishgirl@aol.com

Katie - best part of summer: parks and picnics, relaxed days, being together as a family!

Sy, Shaunna & The Boys - eating all of our meals outside on the patio, staying up late, and movies played outside on the side of the house. summer is heaven around here!

Aimee - The best part of summer is the road trips. I LOVE road trips and we usually take at least one big or small road trip. Getting to sleep in is a close second though and this year the best part will probably be the pool we are planning to get.

Vicki - Okay…are you ready…this is earth shattering stuff. The best part of summer is when my hot mocha….becomes an iced mocha. That’s right. It isn’t the fresh veggies from the garden, or the kids playing in the sprinkler, warm nights sleeping with the windows open. Nope. It’s all about the COFFEE!

Danielle H. - The best part of summer is vacation with family, late summer nights grilling and eating smores, and no rushing around trying to get here and there by a certain time!

Lisa - What is there NOT to like about summer? I love having my kids home (but so ready for them to go back to school by the end). I love being outside at the river and watching my kids run and play. I love camping. I love being tan. I love having no set schedule. I love swimming. I love having outside BBQ’s. Oh I could go on and on! 🙂

ajdked - No school for the kids, eating on the patio, water balloons, ice cream, strawberry shortcake, flip flops, shorts, cooking on the grill, etc. I LOVE SUMMER, it’s my favorite season!

Julie - The best part(s) sleeping in, enjoying the sunshine, watching my garden grow and more time with my son.

Sarah - The part of summer we most look forward to is heading out to WA State for a few weeks to spend time with my husband’s family. They live on the sound with views of Mt. Rainier…we are on the beach constantly and catch up on a years worth of happenings…wonderful memories that seem like a fairy tale to this midwestern girl!

Marla S. - Lazy days filled with tan skin, bare feet, sno cones, good books, Sonic drinks, watermelon, and riding around in the mom van with the windows down and the music blaring!

Tiffany - my favorite part of summer is longer days. luv them. luv the sunlight and how it makes me happier.

Heidi Bohrer - No homework!!

Jess - I love summer…love being in the sunshine, love gardening, and love backyard bbqs! 🙂

Jennifer - that’s easy…flip flops and watermelon!

Kim - I can’t wait for summer to be here! Fun with the kids, exploring a city still new to us, walks, bike rides, parks, a trip to the cottage, chickens….yep! I think we’re getting a couple of chickens in our very tiny backyard….oh and letting the kids decorate their tree house that really isn’t in a tree…

kathleen - the pool, the pool, the pool!! I have a large family like you, and there is nothing better than spending the day at the pool having fun, then coming home to a light yummy dinner (no baths cause goodness you got clean in the pool, right?), everyone’s sunkissed and happily tired. It’s the pool, definitely. I can’t wait!

Jenn Shock - The best part of this coming summer is trying to make baby #2 😉 And this is my last summer break as a college student! I’ll have my degree in Art Education by the end of the year! Woo!

Teresa - The best part about summer is getting up early on a Saturday morning, making a cup of coffee and going to the farmers market to buy local, fresh produce and flowers.

Karen R. - The best part of summer for me is hands down having my kids home and with me every day. I cherish the endless days of time with them and start really longing for that about this time every year!

colleen - The BEACH! We get to go for at least 2 separate weeks! I have to add: farmers market tomatoes, peaches and corn; picking blueberries right off of my bush for breakfast, sunkissed noses on my husband and kids, lemonade stands, smores over the firepit, lots of friends over for dinner, the smell after rain on a hot summer’s day…. it is my FAVORITE season!

Tere - being off work for a good chunk of time, planning our “to do” list with the kids and sleeping in, even if it’s not on the list…..can’t wait to see the magazine

Leigh - home grown tomatoes

Heather R. - Got my “Summer” coming…can’t wait to see it, either. Our girls dyed the eggs at the table inside. Blue got knocked over a couple times. But we are done for a year, too. 🙂 We had Easter ham/hard boiled egg salad…yum!

Jen - BEING TAN! Cook outs, being outside & I get to take high schoolers away to hear all about their Creator! Nothing better. I LOVE SUMMER!

Jodi @ The Un-Soccermom Blog - the best part of summer are lazy saturdays, hanging out by the pool, talking w/ my daughter about her week, about what’s to come, and now more than ever, her future. :o)

Mallory - The best part of summer are the entire days spent at the beach. Oh, and all that delicious summer food!

Ashley Crenshaw - Summer rocks! I love being able to throw my child outside, turn on the sprinklers, sip fresh lemonade, camping in the backyard(!!!), BBQ’s… man if only I could tan. I love summer!

Kristi - I love sitting on my patio and soaking up the sun!

april - The best part of summer is the trips to the beach with my kids…I cant wait!!!
april
xoxo

April - I love taking my kids to the beach. They have such a blast and it creates great summer memories. 🙂

Amber - Warm breezes, slower schedules, soaking in all the warm sunshine, fresh vegetables from the garden and our first big family road trip….to Wisconsin.

erin j - Limeades during Sonic’s happy hour. I’m miles upon miles from a Sonic though so I’m going to have to figure something else out for this year.

Whitney Benson - my hubby is a teacher so the best part is having him home to help w/ our 3 kids!

Michelle - love afternoons by the pool w/ my family to cool off from the hot houston summer.

Katy Stone - sno cones. and homemade ice cream. and swimming until the sun goes down. most of all, doing all of those things w/ the ones you love! 🙂

Melissa Morrill - popsicles on the front porch in the evenings……yum.

Lisa - Is SUNSHINE!!! We have been so beaten with rain and storms, that sunshine is all I can think about! And lots of fun times outside with friends and family! 🙂

Sara W - Afternoons sitting by the pool while my boys swim,family walks in the evening and fresh garden produce.

Jill jackson - Being able to sleep in.

BriBedell - The part of my summer are my teo little ladies birthdays! Ya, planning some big stuff for them already 🙂

mimi b. - lazy mornings, coffee on the porch, my babies sleeping in, scary movie night-EVERY NIGHT YAH!, all the doors open and kids playing ball in the street, laughter wafting in from outside and millions of water balloons popped all over the drive-way and yard. Oh yeah, and sticky popsicles….I can’t wait to have my kids home again ( of course by July, I will be counting the days until school starts ; )

Katie P. - This summer, it will be spending the longer days with my little girl. She will be 1 yr. old in June. She is AHHHH-mazing!! I love being in the yard and weeding- anything. I love all of it really!!

Jessi - Lots of family/pool/beach/ice cream time!

Melissa - Shut the front door!!!!! I won?!?!?! Woo-hoo!!!!! I’m super excited!!!!!
My favorite part of summer is watermelon and hours spent by the pool. Sun-kissed cheeks and flip-flops. Ok, now I’m praying for summer!!

Miss Emily - The best part of summer is melons, pineapple, blueberries, strawberrys, particularly watermelons. giving me shivers now though, here is aus we’re heading back to winter 🙁

stephanie - Sitting on our porch. Watching kids play. Cookouts. VBS. Way too many things to pick just one. : )

Shawna - Best part of summer…kids are more relaxed, no homework!

Krista W. - The very best part of summer is how free we can be! WE have been known to go swimming way past bedtime, or jump in the car for an unexpected vacation, friends dropping by and being able to stay to the wee hours of the night because no one has to go to school in the morning! OR maybe just sleeping in and waking up to a sun kissed house! 🙂
~We LOVE SUMMER~

Michelle - Lazy days and garage sales 🙂

carolyn - warm sunshine! xo

Four Flights - not having to wake up to an alarm clock! and mint lemonade

Tegan M. - Best part of summer is having so much daylight still left when I finally leave work in the evenings. 🙂

Jessica Shibley - I live at a camp and I love it all! Camping, canoeing, crafts…. 🙂

Kelly - As a teacher I used to love the freedom of no schedules that summer brought. Now as a stay at home mama I am looking forward to this summer of moving into our first house and watching my baby boy learn to walk and explore and be able to play in our yard and grilling out in the evenings and enjoying our new sunroom (& I’m hoping to get a hammock!) Kelly

Cori - Lazy hot days where the kids are in and out of the pool all day. I have a book to read and dinner is made at the grill w/ paper everything.Ending w/toasted marshmellows and a hunt for lightning bugs. It doesn’t happen like this all the time but when it does it so good.

Shar - the best part of this summer will be a visit from my daughter and 2 grandsons from Tennessee. They didn’t get to come last year. We will spend fun times at the beach, etc. And, I get to see both of my children together. a rare occurence for us.
And, i really love that the traffic is lighter for driving to work each day. i know, boring, but time is precious!

Jenny Joy - The best part of summer is a warm, lazy evening catching fireflies in a mason jar… and then promptly releasing them all at once so the air is filled with sparkly lights. I <3 summer!

happygirl - Best part of summer – NO SCHOOL. I work at a college and there are NO STUDENTS around to use the gym equipment, pool, live in the dorm rooms over my office, take my parking spot illegally. I LOVE SUMMER!!

Stacy - I love having my son home from school. Lazy summer days, homemade ice cream, fire works, grilling, sorry but I could go on and on. This summer we will be adding to our family so that will be very exciting. Our little girl is due in August.

debbie - No schedules, zinnias and flip-flops!

Rebecca - Meg- There is a recipe I LOVE that calls for hard boiled eggs (only 2 but hey, it’s a start!) it’s Paula Dean’s chicken pot pie recipe
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/hurry-up-chicken-pot-pie-recipe/index.html
I think your family would love it, since we love all your recipes so much!!!!
Have a great day!
Love you to pieces!
Rebecca

Debbie Smallie - Everything! My husband and I are both home all summer with our four kids and we are schedule free!

elma - The best part of summer is spending time with my sweet babies and just taking it easy and no rushing:) I just love staying home and enjoying life with the littles:)

julie - Today, as I am home with a sick kid, I am longing for warmer days to throw all the windows open and let the fresh summer breeze blow all the stinky germs away. Unless, of course, the wind is blowing just right….err, wrong….and the stank of the pig farm down the road fills my home. Then, I would have to say burying my head in my vintage floral sheets freshly dried in the sunshine. Mmmmmm!

mel - this year the best part of my summer will be when we go to the coast with my husband’s family. his parents rented a beach house for the week in south padre. can’t wait to play in the water, relax on the beach and collect sea shells!

Tammy - enjoying schedule free days! with 4 kids, those are hard to come by during the year!

FeFe - The best part of summer is the fact that me kids are home everyday! We’re free from the bondage of the school schedule!!!

Betsy - No schedule! Lazy days or adventurous days depending only on our morning mood.

Amber P - I live in northeast Ohio where we have on average 52 sunny days a year, so the best thing about summer for me is SUNSHINE! And I love summer clothes and gardening!

Liz @ Perfect Chaos - The best part of summer is sleeping in and not having a schedule. Love it!

Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Best part of summer? Sangria : )
Dana

Alisa - Since I am a teacher, it is definitely the “NO SCHOOL” factor!

Bernice - The best part of my summer? Lazy summer days when all my stresses and worries can just blow away in the warm breeze.

Shanda - It’s been a long winter in Wisconsin. My favorite part of the summer is flip flops. No more coats, snow pants, boots, hats and mittens.

Jennifer O'Steen - I didn’t realize until after a very long winter what my favorite part of summer is. i absolutely LOVE when everything outside around me is green! Green trees mean cookouts, pool time, fireflies, and happy people 🙂

Erin - Getting to spend 3 months with my girls. No work, all play!

alyssa - flowers, grilling, being outside, fruit salad, flip flops!

sarah - best part of summer is being outside, naps in the shade, riding my bright orange vespa, and fun trips!!

Katie g - Grilling out, going to the park with the kids, and taking walks after dinner!

Stephanie - I am a teacher, so the best part of summer for me is that I am home and on vacation with my kids all summer! I am genuinely as excited as they are to be home and have them home! No schedules, no stress just relaxed family time:)

Hannah DeVries - A break from teaching! 🙂

Sharla - Oh wow, the pictures look amazing. My favorite part of summer is heading to the pool with the family when I get off of work!

jill - The best part of summer is having my husband home with the boys and I. Two whole months of FAMILY!

Jennifer - Long days are the best part of my summer. More time to spend outside playing with my dirty, sweaty kids! 🙂

Lydia - The best part of summer is spending all day in a canoe with my very “tan-able” husband while I slather on the whole bottle of sunblock to keep from looking like a lobster!! 🙂

Nichole R - I love the lazy summer days with my kids!
Lunch on the grass, bike riding, water balloons, Popsicles!
Ahhh! I can’t wait for the sunshine!! Bring it on!!

Megan - Just the possibility to do something or nothing…..and eating breakfast on the back patio before the kids wake up, just me and the sounds of the neighborhood.

jessica guidi - The Swarms of Dragonfly fluttering above our pool, the fire pit making smores with the kids both young and old,old time amusement park at the boardwalk, and free summer movies outside at the lake. Water balloon fights, surfing, sleeping in, staying up late, drive in movies, Britt’s Doughnuts and letting my girls enjoy having a true childhood.

MaryLea @ pink and green mama - Holy Cow!!! That’s awesome Meg — you’re a decorating rock star and I always make my hubby look at cute pictures of your house (on your blog, don’t worry, we’re not stalking you….yet!)
Summer plans = gardening, hammock time, playing with the girls outside, three weddings, and a much anticipated trip to the beach the last week of summer.

Allison - The best part of my summer is always getting outside, whether I’m hiking, gardening, or just lying around. I love the hot weather, especially now that I’ve moved to Colorado and it’s hot and dry.

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - um, that’s hard. i don’t like summer. (y’all can stop throwing your flip flops and beach towels at me) the mosquitoes are brutal, the humidity and 100+ heat is a killer, the worry of copperheads where we live intensifies. we do year round schools so my kids are in school during the summer. so i guess the best part of summer is knowing fall is around the corner. 🙂 but i still really would love to win the magazine!

Sarah Osborn - I love spending more time as a family…going to the pool with my kids, more time in the evening to do family things, vacation…..

Maria - After all the rain we’ve had…it will be spending many hours just enjoying the SUN!

Whitney S - Sunshine, lazy weekends and a general feeling of being relaxed. Oh- and my favorite- swimming! (Plus my wedding is this summer, so even more to be excited about!)

Trista - No homework, and family time outside in the evening almost every night.

rkokes - grilling out and playing with the kids outside!

Ann Griffin - The best part about summer is spending all day outside with my 2 year old – blowing bubbles, swimming, taking naps in the hammock

ashley jensen - Grilling out and eating on our back porch, half naked toddler running through the sprinkler, teaching our daughter how to swim in the river, Big Splash (water park), laying on a blanket in our back yard just hanging out.

Jessica - The best part for me is being able to relax on the back porch reading a book, walking barefoot in the grass, and my husband grilling!

Kate - Homemade salsa! (Just one of the many things I love about my favorite season)

Jules - Aww..that’s a hard one…I love summer…would have to say the no-schedule-ness and the warmth of the SUN! and flowers! And flip flops…corn on the cob! my patio! camping!

Sandy - Being outside in the beautiful sunshine!

Tracy - Staying up late!

Janelle - Oh…would love a copy. I actually love my boys baseball games…sitting on the sidelines with my little girls…having drinks and snacks…and then bringing them all home dirty and tired and getting them smelling good before reading books and going to bed 🙂

Lee Ann - The best part is LESS rain and MORE sunshine here in the PNW. We’re so tired of rain!
And I wondered if you could die brown eggs. I haven’t bought eggs in 9 months because we have chickens – which lay all brown eggs. So I bought white ones to die 🙂

JulianneB - Sleeping in and the taking naps by the pool and then everyone falling asleep early after swimming….notice the theme…I think I need to catch up on my rest

Christine - Back porch grilling, front porch snoozing, fresh veggies straight from the garden, and going to the beach. This year will be the first year our adopted son and our first biological son will go to the beach. I absolutely CANNOT wait!

Alissa - So many things! But most of all being outside with the kids, wearing flip flops, and hanging out on the sandbar by the river:))

Catriona - Long, warm, sunny days giving you extra energy for summer holiday fun: picnics, berry-picking, paddling in rivers, chalk pictures on the ground. And I wouldn’t say no to a glass of chilled Rosé at the end of it, either…

Anna Marie - Getting to spend time with my daughter outside in the sun! But this year the best is going to be our new baby girl joining us at the beginning of June. Yay!!!

Chaos-Jamie - Lazy evenings on the back porch….ahhhh, summer….

Julie K - The best part of our summer? Hands down the beach, camping, and no structure!! Would love to see your spread!

Necole - Best part of my summer is going to my parents house with the kids. We love getting to be on the lake?

Laura - The best part of summer is finding a place to curl up outside, with toes in the sun and a breeze to keep you cool. Cloud shapes, lightning bugs, and long days are the best.

Lindsay - Sooooo many great things I love about summer. I’ll go with spending time outdoors because many of the things I love to do are done outdoors! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂

Christy Mandin - Grilling out in the backyard garden while the kids play in the water. It has taken over this year. But, perhaps the 44 heirloom tomato plants will provide some shade! Haha!

Trish - best part of summer… are the lazy days, and the warm breeze off of the lake.

Stephanie A. - spending time with my kids…….camping, visiting zoo’s, laying in the green grass, blowing bubbles, trips to the library, bike rides, sidewalk chalk art and the warm summer breeze 🙂

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giant squids

April 7, 2011

craft thursday!
woo-hoo.

this was a BIG craft…..to go along with the title of the book that was our inspiration.

i love the illustrations in this book I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean.

very cute and simple.

annie can read it by herself and SHE suggested we make a giant squid for craft thursday.
it took some thought but we did it.

i thought it would be fun (and artsy) to use painted paper like collage artists often do (eric carle….lois ehlert)
instead of construction paper….but that would work great too!
and you could complete this project in one sitting if you did.
we chose to paint paper one day.
and make the squid another.

IMG_0153-2

they each painted FOUR sheets of white paper the color(s) they wanted their squid to be.

when this painted paper was dry we took TWO of the sheets and made a squid head with the full sheet.
confused?
we made them 3D.
one full sheet was the front and one full sheet was the back.

they drew the pointy elongated shape on one and traced it to the other.
then they glued them together at the side egdes only.
no glue in the middle.
no glue at the bottom.

we use our low temp glue guns because it drys so quick….regular glue will work….just takes longer to dry.

we stuff the head with tissue paper (newspaper would have been perfect but ours was gone in the recycle)
it just needs a few sheets to make it puffy and 3D.

the other TWO sheets of remaining painted paper get cut into 10 strips for the “legs”.
annie used wavy edge scissors and it looked awesome….very realistic detail.

glue them to the inside of the squid head…so that they hang down….like a squid!

we used white egg cartons for the eye balls.
hot glued them low on the head and wide set.

black sharpie for the eye ball.
sean used big black buttons for his eyes.

AND THEN….we cut strips of bubble wrap and glued them to the legs to make the suction cups! 🙂

i glued a sheet of tissue paper to the bottom of the inside of the body to hide the legs and stuffing.

soooo cute!

big project but they loved it.

the hair….the snaggley loose tooth that she won’t pull out…..the red sonic slushy upper lip…..oh my.
she is such a six year old.

we love them all.
i hung them with string above our computer area.
they are so silly.

and for an extra special motivational treat…..

ANNIE will now read the book “i’m the BIGGEST thing in the OCEAN” for you.

happy crafting.

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Hugo Arnold - These are super cute and creative! Can I have one of those? =) And that little girl’s wiggly tooth is super adorable! Well, your kids seemed to enjoy getting a little crafty. My two kids love arts and crafting too!

Amanda - Oh my! Those squids are totally adorable!
I run Fun Family Crafts, a site similar in nature to Craftgawker and Spotlight, but different in that it’s a library of craft tutorials geared only at kids. I would love it if you’d stop by and submit this to be featured! (I link to you, I don’t post your tutorial on the site) Feel free to submit as many kid friendly craft tutorials as you like! http://funfamilycrafts.com/

lindsay - i work at a daycare and this months theme is under the sea. we read the book then made these yesterday/today in the infant room. i put the paint on the paper and let them have at it. it was a GIANT mess, but hey, that fits with the book, right? the squids are so super cute. thanks for the idea!

MaryLea @ pink and green mama - OMGosh!! These are freakin’ awesome. I love it when the kiddos get all crafty and make fun stuff. So wish we lived closer so we could hang out for crafty play date goodness. xoxo ML

Jenny B. - Love the video!! I like how you put the text over it telling us about the sandwich making. 🙂 Fun project! I’m thinking about doing “craft Thursdays” this summer… maybe… I don’t know… the mess kinda scares me. We’ll see! 🙂 You inspire me, as always.

danielle - loveeeeeeeeeeeeee these books! we have them 🙂 got them at the annual book sale for like $1 each! love the craft too, looks super fun!

merran tatum - seriously. i adore her. awesome job, annie!

Wendy - My 5 yr. old came running as soon as Annie started reading … and she was fascinated! When Annie finished, she said “Mom – she did a really good job”. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Juli - Licking the finger…that is just too much! Could that kid get any cuter?!

Genephur - LOVE that you, too read Twig with your children……Wonderous book!—and adorable craft idea!

Laura - THIS IS AWESOMEEEE!!! The project & Annie’s video are so great! Can’t wait to try it!

Staci - Awesome!!! So totally fantastic!!! And I love the way Annie licks her little finger to turn the page 😉 SO stinkin cute!!!!

carissa... brown eyed fox - “shhhhhhhhh”… loved that part!
i need to pinch her cheeks! :O)
and i heard you!!!!!!
ha!!!!!
just said that in precious comment… and look… i heard you!
so funny!
you sure make me smile!
:O)

Taiya - That is quite fantastic! Love it!

Anne R. - Your Annie is beyond ADOREable & the licking of her finger to turn some of the pages was just over-the-top CUTE! Thanks for sharing. Fantastic craft, too!!! L-O-V-E your blog. It’s da bomb!!

Alice H - That is such a cute idea! I wish I had more time (and money) to do crafts with my kids.
The loose tooth that she won’t pull…my 12 year old just had one of those and when she went to the Dentist, they pulled it. It had been loose for about 2 months. Anyways, she ended up having some gum damage from that loose tooth. Weird, huh!

Stephanie - This is so cute! I am seriously wondering if I can do this with my 20 first graders… big project but they would be so great hanging all over my classroom!! You are so creative~ you should make a craft book:) Love hearing Annie’s sweet voice, she is a great reader!!

Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land - That is a super cute craft!! We just made an octopus using bubble wrap for the “legs”. Maybe we’ll try this one sometime this summer. Oh and we LOVE that book too, it’s one of our faves!
Thanks for sharing!!

Sarah - So adorable!

cassie o - so precious how she kept licking her finger to turn the page
thanks for sharing 🙂

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Really love them…especially Annies…so colourful!
Gemma x

Ali - Oh, I could watch her read for hours. Why did I never video my own children at that stage?

karen - very sweet…love your video’s!

Julie - I love that book!
And I loved watching Annie read it! And, now I want to make a craft with bubble wrap!

LAURA PHELPS - the squids AND the kids are so big
how did that happen???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimberly Dial - Love the squids … every one of them! Your children are such cuties and Annie’s reading …. spectacular. Thanks for sharing!

katie - oh man. i almost didn’t watch that video and i’m SO glad i did.
i cannot even handle that Annie was licking her finger before she turned the pages. so incredibly cute.

asibtroy - Do you have this book? http://www.amazon.com/Best-Artist-Ocean-Kevin-Sherry/dp/0803732554/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302225524&sr=8-2
Sounds like its made for your clan! 🙂

Lori - The finger-licking page turning is toooo much 🙂 Such a big girl!

mandy - love!!!

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - You are a fleepin awesome momma. I cant wait to meet you @ BlogSugar in September! Can we do a crafty project together when we meet?:)
xo,
Sarah

Beth - Oh my goodness!!! Annie reading that book was toooooooo good. Loved her licking her fingers to turn the page (I’m guessing maybe her mommy does that???). And that snaggle tooth — has it come out yet?? She wiggled it at me when she came to art on Tuesday and I do NOT do well with loose teeth!! When I was secretary Edna and I always said NO NO NO we do NOT do teeth 🙂 That project is also the BOMB. You are the best mom ever.

Heather R. - She did finger lickin’ good. Too cute. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the squids! Great job. 🙂

amy jupin - i love everything about this post.
annie’s voice.
hearing yours.
seeing more cuteness hanging over the computer.
everything.
ben is laying on your pillow next to me.
just so you know. 🙂
miss you.
hugs.

Wendy - THose are really cute!!
I have to ask, incase you know – any idea why I’m getting so much traffic from you? I had almost 200 visits that list you as source. But I can’t figure out why?

Angela Atkins - My two year old daughter loves it. So we are going to watch it again. Probably a lot.

Kathryn - 1) A PERFECT snack for this activity would have been the deep fat fried and glazed squid ‘donuts’ from Drubers!

Marla Rae - how fun. i am going to put this book on the list of books i want to get my grandson and then of course make a squid to go with it! WOW MEG YOU ARE A GREAT MOM! the sound on my computer doesn’t work but i will listen to annie at my office tomorrow! way to go you guys!!

se7en - I just love your giant squids – awesome!!!

Callie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ylcwm0xR8
i think annie would appreciate this video! my kindergarten students loved it!

Leslie - I love seeing your crafty Thursday goodies – you are so creative. What a cute video – I love how she licked her finger to turn the page – lol!! And she reads so quietly until the attention turns to Waffle and then her big voice comes out – love it!

Penny - Meg,
Your home looks and “sounds” like a wonderful place to be! I love Waffle getting in on the action. And the music in the background. I hope I was as good a mom, mine are 23, 20, 17. It’s funny how I wish I could transport myself back for a day and relive the wonderful times with little ones. Cherish, I know you do!!
Annie,
You did a great job reading that book. You are an awesome reader. I love how you used your imagination for the pages without words. Keep up the good work!
Miss Penny

Happygirl02 - um, how cute is she licking her finger like an old librarian?! Adorable. Thanks for sharing.

Toni :O) - Okay, by far one of my most favorite videos! How adorable is her finger licking and then Waffle (he has HAIR!)coming by and swishing his tail into the book…so hilarious! What a great craft project, you truly are a terrific mother and extremely creative. Such a beautiful family!

Amy L. Weber - YAY ANNIE!!
I’m a 1st grade reading teacher from South Dakota, (can you find it on a map?) and LOVED your reading! You are doing so many things that good readers do: going back and re-reading, checking your pictures, using great expression, and fixing it up when notice something! Wow! Those are great strategies! Way to go!
Amy

kelli - too cute!! i love how annie licks her finger then doesn’t really use that finger to turn the page 🙂

Kimberlee J. - My librarian from school used to lick her finger like that. I remember practicing licking my finger to turn the pages to be just like her. 🙂
Annie rocks at reading.

Jennifer - You Rock!!!
In your spare time (HAHA!!!) would you tell me what your desk is made out of? We’re wanting to pull some kind of desk/workspace area together and I don’t have an extra 3 grand lying around to order the ones from Ballard that I super want and I’d love to figure out some other creative, re-purpose-y way to do it.

Esther Dee - Meg, I totally admire you as a mom so much. I love how you let your children engage in so many art projects regardless of the messes, art is such a great way for children to express themselves. I meet so many mommies and they say to me oh I can’t have them do this or that because of the paint mess. I was just like you when my children were small, now I do it with my grandchildren. Keep it up, honey!!!

Routhie - Love the background music. Gave it a Masterpiece Theatre feel. 🙂

Regina - Very, very, oh-so-very CUTE! Now, I wonder if I can talk my 12 and 16 year-olds into making giant squids with me too?! Wish me luck…

sarah - I love that she licks her finger to turn the page! too cute

Lisa - Good job coming up with a plan for crafting squid! They are so cute. That reminds me of the year I had to figure out how to make a pink seal costume for my three year old. Oh my.
My little girl said as I watched the video “She’s a good reader!”

Juli - Oh, she is so cute! I wish I’d thought to videotape my kids back when they were learning to read. Ah, well….
There’s always videotaping the grandkids. Someday.

Steph at Modern Parents Messy Kids - Those turned out so great!
I also wanted to thank you for featuring my Paint Chip Egg Garland tutorial.
Your site was one of the first blogs I ever followed. Then I had my daughter and lost track of the blogging world for a while. I’m so glad to have found you again – your site is full of lovely inspiration!

amanda - So cute! 🙂

adrienne - yea annie!!! cute cute! love the giant craft

Cindy B - Thanks for sharing. Love the craft and the bonus read by Annie. TOOO Cute!

Jemm - So cute-I hadn’t heard about that book. I miss having younger ones to read picture books to. My baby is turning 10 tomorrow-yikes!

Sandy - Love that book and loved Annie reading it!

Shayne - The squids are cute, but Annie’s reading was AWESOME!

Meghan - Now those are awesome!

Jes - I sense we will have squid hanging in our home soon too!
What a great story, and I especially liked her own words at the end!

happygirl - So cute. Painted paper. What a GREAT idea.

Tracie - We discovered this book at the last school book sale and we LOVE it. It is great. What a fun craft!

Whitney S - Oh my goodness, I love it! I cannot wait to have children so I can make fun things like this with them! My mom is a teacher so I have always been into fun book crafts- love them!

Nicole Q. - Super cute!

Jen Brandt - Love, love, love it and totally stealing the idea. Thanks!

Christy - Love it!! Love the finger licking AND hearing your voice. Just like the other commenters, not what I was expecting:)

Christy - What a GREAT craft! Love it! My son has this book too & we love it. I think my son & I will have to make one of these too. Great job, love all of the squids!

Lindsay - Finally hearing your voice is wild! Like the previous comments, I had a different voice for you in my head.
She is a doll reading that so confidently.

Jen - lalalalala… Love it my favorite part was the finger lick when she turned the first page… hahaha Hi Waffle…

rachel / cr.e.at.e - annie’s paint job is BEAUTIFUL! LOVE the eyes & bubble wrap accents! cute video – love the commotion in the background. 😉 p.s. your voice doesn’t sound like it does when i read your posts. 😉 i think because you kind of look like one of my friends, i gave you her voice, too. not the same! you’re less raspy than i imagined! HA HA HA! i’ll have to tweak my meg-reading voice!

sharron - i love how she she licks her finger before turning the pages!!! she is a doll!
love the squids too and that you hung them above the computer area!
happy crafty thursday!

Lisa - Oh my goodness! That video was so great. Love how Annie was licking her finger to turn the pages at the beginning. So cute. And the background noise and the “word commentary” made me laugh!

Lauren - I love that she licks her finger before she turns the pages! How sweet, Miss Annie. You are a pro-reader! Way to go!

Holly - those look like a lot of fun! I have a kindergartener and I love hearing him read!

Kari - You are such a fun and creative mom! I sure wish I was more crafty. Thanks for sharing your projects.

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