The Mom I Want to Be

Making individual piñatas for your kidlets for Cinco de Mayo. These are great party favors since each wee one gets to keep what’s inside and also, this way, each wee one gets the same amount of stuff. No head injuries involved!

*brown paper lunch bags (though any color will do)
*oodles of tissue paper
*scissors
*glue or glue stick
*other collage bits if ya like
*pipe cleaners
*markers
*string

Have your wee ones decorate one side of a lunch sack using all the tissue they could want. Orientate the bag so that the opening is at the top and make sure to kidlets leave about three inches of empty space so that you can tie the bag off. You may want to draw a line for them to stay below.  They can also glue on other collage items and/or draw with markers, etc. Once they are done, write their name on the bottom if you have a large group because these puppies will need to dry. This is a great activity to do at the beginning of a party. Once they’re dry, add the goodies for take home and pass them out as the kids leave. Items to put inside could include fruit snacks, candy neckalces, crayons, stickers, finger puppets, superballs, small rubber toys and whatever you would like to add. Once the items are inside the bag, gather up the open end and blow into it so that it puffs up. Secure with a pipe cleaner and you’re done!  You can tie them outside to hang in the breeze or have your wee ones decorate all sides and make pretty paper wind socks out of them. Aren’t they nifty?

The perfect sandbox is one that draws a crowd of kids all summer and that calls to mind the greatest of all play sites: the beach. What makes the difference between a good sandbox and a bad one? Be sure the site is right. Build it big. Add wide seating. Hide the toys. Cover it well.  The 7- x 10-foot model we built isn’t cheap—about $300 plus sand—but is irresistible to kids and built to last. (Note: Lumber prices can vary depending on location and season, so please call your local supplier before purchasing materials.) It features comfy seats, sturdy lids, a toy box and ample elbowroom. Even parents will enjoy, sitting out there, feet propped up as the kids play. You can easily spend less money on our design with a few modifications (see Money-Saving Ideas in the Preliminary Planning section.)

Tools:

Spade, circular saw, carpenter’s level, carpenter’s square, drill with square screw attachment, rubber mallet, tape measure, dust mask, goggles, chisel, paintbrush (optional)

Materials

1 lb. of 1 1/2″ square-head screws: $5
1 lb. of 3″ square-head screws: $7
3 heavy-duty 8″ strap hinges: $12
1 6′ x 8′ plastic tarp (to line bottom of sandbox): $5
5 2″ x 12″ x 10′ PT boards: $90
3 2″ x 12″ x 8′ PT boards: $42
1 2″ x 4″ x 8′ PT board: $4
3 5/4″ x 6″ x 14′ cedar boards: $45
2 5/4″ x 6″ x 10′ cedar boards: $20

Lid:

5 5/4″ x 6″ x 16′ cedar boards: $75
1 5/4″ x 6″ x 8′ cedar board: $5
1 lb. of 1″ square-head screws: $5

Subtotal: $85

Before you start to build, be sure to consider the following issues.

CHOOSING A SITE
When making this decision, consider putting your sandbox near the house so it feels like a cozy part of the “side yard-kiddie pool-garden-swing complex.” Close by, the box will get used by everyone, even adults looking for a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. Don’t build it where kids will want to play Red Rover later on. Put the box far enough from any permanent objects that you can fit the mower around it. Avoid electrical wires, drainpipes or shallow sewer systems.

We built our box under a giant silver maple (which meant extra time cutting roots). There, the morning sun dries out wet sand and by afternoon, the box is shaded enough that the kids don’t need sunblock. Bird and tree droppings aside, it’s just right. And finally, consider the future. We plan to use this box as a raised flower bed someday, so we put it in enough morning sun for flowers to grow.

SELECTING YOUR LUMBER
We used pressure-treated wood because we wanted our box to last, and it’s guaranteed not to rot for years. It’s the stuff commonly used in decks and landscaping. The kind we used is treated with the pesticide arsenic, a carcinogen. Since the surface residue of arsenic is most dangerous when it goes in the mouth, let the wood weather for a few weeks before building. The combination of rain, dust, dirt and sun that builds up over time will act as a natural sealant. You should cover any surfaces that would be touched by kids with a commercial sealant like spar urethane (about $12.50 per quart) or paint. You can use framing lumber, which is cheaper, but it will rot sooner. In any case, don’t use wood that has been treated with the more dangerous creosote or pentachlorophenol. Also, when selecting your lumber, look for pieces with no splits on the ends, since you’ll need the entire lengths of most of your boards for this design.

LID OR TARP?
You can cover your box with panels, as we did, or use a tarp. Even though the panels are expensive and fairly heavy, we love them. They work as a stage when closed or as ramps on the open sandbox. Plus they look great, keep cats out and let in just enough rain to make good building sand. When not in use, they store out of sight in the lid storage end.

To make the wooden panels, first look over the lumber you’ll need (see Cutting the Lumber). The four panels are built in board-and-batten style. Note that one of the panels is wider than the other three. For each of the narrower panels, use three of the lid boards battened by three of the short lid battens. For the fourth panel, use three lid boards, plus the extra 4-inch-wide lid board and the three long lid battens. Space the battens evenly and about 1/4 inch from the sides of the panels and 2 inches in from the ends. Screw in place with 1 1/2-inch screws.

To make the tarp cover, you’ll need four eyebolts ($2), four small clips ($4), and an 8- x 10-foot tarp ($6). Attach an eyebolt at each corner of the box, put a tall bucket in the sandbox (to keep water from collecting), and lay the tarp over it. Use a clip to attach each eyebolt to the corner grommets of the tarp. Total cost: about $12. Store the tarp in the lid storage end.

THE SCOOP ON SAND
The top-of-the-line (and priciest) stuff you can find is washed play-sand, which is clean, weed-free and a nice grade with which to build castles. In our garden center, it costs about $5 per 50-pound bag. You’ll need about 30 bags for this box. If you can find a good source—ask your friends for recommendations or try a local sand and gravel dealer you trust—you can do a lot better in price. Make sure the sand you buy is clean and safe, with no chemicals or salt in it. Some dealers will deliver a truckload for about $100 or, for much less, you can arrange to pick it up yourself.

MONEY-SAVING IDEAS
If you like this sandbox design but not the price, here are some options for lowering the bottom line:

• Cover the box with the tarp rather than the lid ($12 vs. $85).
• Use untreated framing lumber for everything, rather than the pressure-treated wood and cedar we used. Your box won’t last as long, but your total lumber cost will be about $50 less.
• If you’re handy with carpentry—or you have a friend who is—you can easily modify this design by not making the toy box or the lid storage area. Your box will essentially have the two long seats and a simple end-piece (like the toy box end-piece) at each end. This will save you about $80 in lumber and hinges.

Before you begin building, you’ll need to purchase materials and then cut the lumber to size. We then suggest viewing the diagram of the sandbox to give you your bearings before launching into the project. As you’ll see, the box has two long sides (or seats), a toy box in one end and an opening for storing your lid or tarp in the other.

 

Building:

1. Mark off a rectangle (7 feet by 9 feet, 10 inches), then use the shovel to remove the grass and 1 inch of the topsoil. The sandbox, which has final outside dimensions of 6 feet, 8 inches by 9 feet, 6 1/2 inches, will be held in place by Mother Earth. If you need drainage, dig down 2 more inches and put down some gravel. Make sure the ground is level by laying down a board and checking it with a carpenter’s level.

2. Set the two external frame boards into the dirt with the notch cuts at one end (this will be the lid storage end). Set the toy box end-piece in place at the other end. (The end-piece needs to be 1/2 inch lower than the internal and external frame boards. Don’t cut it to make it lower; just dig it 1/2 inch deeper in the ground.) Square the frame using the carpenter’s square and check that it’s level. Screw the toy box end of the frame together using 3-inch screws. Set the internal frame boards in place, leaving 8 inches in between each one and the external frame boards. Square them, then screw to the end-piece with 3-inch screws.
3. Using a rubber mallet or hammer, tap the two internal frame ends in place—one at the toy box end, 19 inches in from the toy box end-piece, and one at the lid storage end, flush with the L-shaped cut in the internal frame board. Lower these boards by digging them into the dirt an extra 1/2 inch. Screw in place with 3-inch screws.

4. Place the lid storage end-piece into the open end of the sandbox and fasten with the 3-inch screws. Tap the two blocks into place at the lid storage end to keep raccoons and kids from crawling underneath. These boards sit 1 inch in from the L-shaped cut in the internal frame boards and are set into the dirt 1/2 inch lower. Screw in with 3-inch screws. Double check the levels and squareness of the box. Measure across the two diagonals between the far corners. If your box is square, the diagonals should be equal. Tap the frame with the mallet to make changes. To level the box, pry up the boards, push a few handfuls of dirt underneath and tamp the boards down.

5. Place the two seats down and screw in place with 3-inch screws.

6. Assemble the toy box cover in what’s called board-and-batten style. Line up the four toy box cover boards and lay three toy box battens across them. Place a batten 2 inches from each end of the boards and one in the center. Screw the battens on with 1 1/2-inch screws, holding the boards together as you go. Screw the strap hinges onto the battens of the toy box cover. The hinge should open with the pin on the outside of the box. Chisel three 1/8-inch-deep by 3-inch-wide notches in the toy box end board to match the hinge spacing. Have two helpers hold the lid up, and screw the other half of the hinge on the box.

7. To build the seat for the lid storage end of the sandbox, again use board-and-batten style, with the four lid-end seat pieces as “boards” and the remaining four lid battens as “battens.” This time, screw the seat together so that two of the battens are on the very ends and the other two are spaced evenly. Screw the seat onto the frame with 1 1/2-inch screws.

8. If desired, apply urethane or paint to the exposed surfaces. Put the tarp in the bottom of the box and poke 50 drainage holes in it (this keeps the dirt and sand from mixing and lets water drain). Fill the box with sand and choose a lid design.

Consider gifts for the classroom – a book, special art supplies that the teacher may like (water color paper, etc), stamps and a new stamp pad in a pretty / fun color.

Bring in a vase and have each child bring in a flower from home.  At the end of the week, the teacher will have a beautiful (if potentially cacaphonous!) boquet)

Decorate the door!

 

Instead of the 2 large ones — make 5.5″ flowers with cricket’s “In the Garden” in white or a light pastel.  Get the kids to decorate them, and set up a full garden instead.  Or take pictures of kids and use face as center of flowers.  Use the warering idea instead of the sun/butterfly?  “kinder – GARDEN”

*You’re one in a “melon”! – Glue a die cut of watermelon (one for each student) and have them write their name or reason why their teacher is the best. You could also attach a bag of Sour Patch Watermelon candy, or other melon flavored candy.
*A BUNCH of us think you’re GRAPE! – Blow up purple balloons and tape them to the door in the shape of a bunch of grapes. (The balloons may not last the whole week though!!)
*We think you were MINT to be a teacher! Love your little JUNIORS – Glue little boxes of Jr. Mint candy to the door.
*Let’s Party with Mrs. _________ – Tape 5 gift bags to the door and have a surprise inside the bags each day for the teacher. Monday’s bag might have a candy bar. Tuesday’s bag might have a gift certificate, etc.
*We’re NUTS about having you as our teacher! – Have each child write their name on a die cut of a peanut and attach little bags of nuts to the door.
*”Here’s the ‘Scoop’____ Grade Is A Real Treat”. – Give each child a blank scoop of ice cream and have them decorate it and tell why they love they grade/teacher.
*We think you are a Marvelous and Magnificent teacher! – Do an M&M theme. Cut out circles (write the letter M on each one) and attach to the door. Can also glue on bags of M&Ms or M&M Amazing bars (is that what they’re called?) to the door.
*Donut you know you’re a great teacher? – Die cuts of donuts with each child’s name written on them. You could also include a gift certificate for donuts or leave enough to share with the class on the teacher’s desk.

Julie, the teacher, says:  gift cards.  We don’t need another dust gathering object or something that we feel obligated to display.  Gift.  Cards.

Teacher’ survival kit :

Make an absolute blissful survival kit for your teacher or anyone who is a teacher by adding crayon pack, candles, rubber-bands, paperclips, stapler, set of markers, board markers, permanent markers set, pencils, erasers, marbles, lifesaver candies, small puzzles and activities to keep the students busy, ear plugs, starbursts, mints, chewing gums, tissue paper packs, band-aid strips, small alarm clock, a stationary case and some loose stationary.

 

Make a bouquet of easy to make flower pens. Begin by decorating a terracotta pot however you like, then add a handful of dried moss, small river rocks or dried beans, and stick in a dozen flower pens.  A wonderful gift that any teacher would appreciate.  Thoughtful, handmade and practical.

The market to try this year – Beaverton Farmer’s market.  It’s gotten great reviews (unlike Tigard’s).

Beaverton Farmers Market is on SW Hall Blvd between 3rd and 5th Streets.

12455 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR 97005

 

Farmer’s Market Scavenger Hunt

1. Find a yellow fruit or vegetable.  What is it?
2. Find a purple food with an interesting shape.  What is it?
3. Find a red food that is bigger than your fist.  What is it?
4. Find a green food that you have not tasted before.  What is it?
5. Taste an organic strawberry and one that conventionally grown (not organic).  Compare the flavor.  Which one tastes better?
6. Find something that grows on a vine:
7. Find something that grows underground:
8. Find something that grows on a tree:
9. Ask 3 people if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable.
10. What are two examples of a “stone fruit?”
11. Taste them and say which one you liked better.
12. Ask 3 vendors what time they woke up this morning…
    …and how long it took them to get here (time or distance)

Tomorrow is Earth Day!

Keep Our Earth Sparkling

 

blank white paper

pen

blue & green washable tempera paint

glitter

 

Create the earth “template” by turning a bowl upside down and tracing a circle on the paper. Write “Keep Our Earth Sparkling” on the page. Paint the sea blue (if you want to emphasize skill building, encourage them to stay inside the earth’s circle). Paint the earth green. While still wet, sprinkle with a little glitter. Let dry. Use this project to educate your kids about why we want to keep our earth sparkling and the benefits or recycling. Point out the kinds of things we can and cannot (not yet anyway) recycle. And maybe even let them walk a few items to the recycle bin!

Eggs (hard boiled or raw)
Food coloring
Vinegar
Cooking oil
Containers for the dye mixture (mugs will work)
Paper towels
A few spoons

In each container combine one tablespoon of each of the following: oil, vinegar, and your choice of food coloring. Add enough water to make the liquid deep enough to cover an egg. Swirl the liquid with a spoon, and quickly lower and raise an egg into it. Pat dry with a paper towel, and repeat with a second color. Swirl into a third color, if desired. Some white areas can be left on the egg. Gently pat dry the completed egg, leaving a bit of the oil to give the egg a varnished look.

Easter Bunny Hop – Work off some of that candy induced energy with Easter Bunny Hop, a relay race for two or three teams. Each player must cover a certain distance jumping with a plastic, stuffed or styrofoam egg between his/her knees.

Fluffy Needs A Tail – Make a Rabbit on poster board without a tail.The children will rake turn “Pinning the Tail”on the bunny, using Large Cotton balls and tape.

Easter Bunny, Easter Bunny, Where’s Your Egg? – Cut a Large paper egg. The players form a circle with one child in the middle as “the Bunny” The Bunny covers their eyes while a player is selected to sit on the egg. Then the Children Chant…”Easter Bunny, Easter Bunny, where’s your egg? Somebody stole it from your home!” The Easter bunny then has three guesses to find the child who is sitting on it. That child then becomes the new bunny in the middle.

Easter Relay – Divide the children into two teams. Provide each team with one spoon and a marshmallow Peep or plastic Easter egg. Have the kids take turns carrying the object on the spoon from one side of the room to the other.

• “At the end of the rainbow, you are my pot of gold!” (tied to anything with gold in it!)
• “If I had a Pot of Gold, I’d want to share it with you. I couldn’t find one anywhere, so I hope that this will do!” (tied to a Twix, Rolo, Caramello, or gold chocolate coins)
• “A Friend is like a 4 leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have!”
• “Tis better far at the rainbows end, to find not gold, but the heart of a friend!” (tie to package of rainbow skittles, gold coins, a “friend” token)
*At the end of the rainbow, what did I find? A teacher that is one of a kind! (skittles)
• Leprechaun Droppings – (a bag full of chocolate gold coins or green Appleheads)
• Shamrock Attack Kit: “You’re lucky, lucky, I’ve been told – you’ve just been hit with shamrocks and gold!”
• Lucky Leprechaun Lunch: a green gable box with a tag on the outside that says “Lucky Leprechaun Lunch”. Perfect for sending a green lunch with the husband or kids on St. Patrick’s Day.
• “Lucky Me” tags: “Lucky Me…” and end with something different. “Lucky Me… to have such a great friend!” or “Lucky Me… to have such a great hubby!”
• Money Tree: “Happy St. Patricks Day to a Million Dollar Guy/Gal/Kid!” or “Who says Money doesn’t grow on trees…Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”