Author Archives: Angie

If the Box Fits: Camera Obscura

This idea came from the Best of Beakman’s World videos. Our son started watching them because I told him he wasn’t going to be sitting in front of the TV all summer. He negotiated: Even if it’s educational? What about Beakman’s World? And Liberty’s Kids? My counter: Okay, you can watch Beakman’s World, but you &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Science | Tags: , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Whatever floats your boat!

Alternatively entitled, “1001 Uses for Old Taekwondo Boards, Use #1” Our son, like every other child in his Taekwondo class (so I hear), has an under-bed full of these boards. The sheer joy derived from breaking them evidently grants the boards immunity from ever being discarded. This leaves us with a lot of boards which, &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Crafts, Kids, Science | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Peep Nests and Peep Science

  Peep Nests This use of Peeps is not so exciting nor so entertaining as the Dueling Peep Microwave Battle, but it’s probably more socially acceptable .   Tips: You can’t possibly use too much butter. Butter your hands, spoons, everything (EVERYTHING). This is going to be messy. While it’s important to work quickly, you &hellip Continue reading »

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The year Dad ran over the Rabbit.

Dad is a truck driver. A long-haul driver for most of my childhood, he was often unable to make it home on the day everyone else celebrated a holiday. We therefore became accustomed, over the years, to writing letters to Santa and the Easter Bunny:   Did I mention my dad drives a BIG truck? &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Growing up Boonie | Tags: , | 1 Comment

Care Packages and Reverse Care Packages

Deployed service members have limited access to a lot of the little things we take for granted, and care packages from friends and loved ones back home really mean a lot. How to ship? The US Postal Service offers a reduced FPO/AE rate on their large flat rate box. For $12.95 you can mail up &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Community | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Little Helpers

I think kids should help out in the kitchen as frequently as possible. In order to convince you that this is true and good, I’m sharing a picture of Bug.   Yes, she’s covered in flour. Yes, she has squished blueberries in her toes. Yes, I had to watch her so closely that the recipe &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Cooking | 8 Comments

Going Green (For St. Patrick’s Day)

Leprechauns invaded our home during the wee hours of the morning. They broke into my pantry, swiped my potatoes, and hid them throughout the house. The milk was green. My fresh-baked loaf of bread was green. Try eating a tuna salad sandwich on green bread. I dare you. Does anyone know of an earth-friendly, “green” &hellip Continue reading »

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Two-for-One Space Shuttle: Valentine Box and Monster Truck Piñata

Our nation’s farewell to the beloved space shuttle has been at the front of our minds this past few months, so it’s no wonder that when I asked our 2nd grader what type of Valentine’s Day box he wanted to decorate (thinking of the oatmeal-can rocket ship, or the ubiquitous construction paper-wrapped shoe box) he &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Crafts, Kids, Science | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fingerpainting with Pudding – Fun for the Bigs and the Littles

  It’s been harder to find activities that are fun for both of the kids – the one-year-old as well as the eight-year-old – but this fingerpainting activity kept them both busy for nearly an hour (and not just the kids – Jason had a blast playing with his new camera lens). Finger painting with &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Crafts, Kids | 5 Comments

Water: Fun for the Bigs

We have 48 hours of stuck-at-home time as the Big Winter Storm blows through the area.  “Big” is relative, as we’re only 50 miles from the US/Mexico border, but there you are. This is Part Two (see Part One). Oh Groundhog Day Tree, Oh Groundhog Day Tree… We borrowed the Ice Bauble idea from the &hellip Continue reading »

Categories: Crafts, Kids, Science | 4 Comments