Have a Safe 4th!

Hey there friends!

I have to admit...I'm that mom that freaks out over sparklers. They just make me nervous! I was never allowed to have them growing up, and now they just make me antsy with little ones around.

Last year, we decided to get crafty and make our own fireworks. We attempted straw painting. I think our paint was too thick...

We also made these, and they were a hit! Some sparkly pipe cleaners, some craft sticks and  little hot glue...DONE! Easy peasy, and lots of fun to run around with.

This year I've been looking for other fun alternatives to sparklers and, as usual, the Kid Blogger Network did not leave me wanting! Here are some of my favorites:

super simple: Star Wands from Our Arts 'n' Things

A little fancy: Patriotic Spirit Wands from Buggy and Buddy

Great for itty bitties: Fireworks in a Bottle from No Twiddle Twaddle

Want more crafty holiday goodness? There are over 30 ideas, all from KBN bloggers here on my pinboard: 4th of July with the Kid Blogger Network

Be blessed, and be safe!

Heather

Day 20: Maisy Goes to Preschool

This year was Charlie's first year of preschool, so we commemorated the occasion by reading, Maisy Goes to Preschool. I thought I'd include what we did to celebrate here since it goes along perfectly with our series!

We LOVE the Maisy books and this one was no exception. It's a great introduction for your kids as to what their expectations might be and we love to follow the story wherever she goes. Check out another favorite, Maisy Cleans Up.

In honor of this first year of preschool, I put together a pencil cake.

I'm sure you've seen a few different versions of this pencil cake. 

Our family LOVES cookie dough though, so I thought I'd make it a cookie cake instead!

Pencil Cookie Cake

 Your favorite cookie dough recipe

1 thin strip of tin foil (for the metal band)

1 jar of white frosting

Food coloring

7 chocolate chips

Mix dough up and spread on a cookie sheet. Bake until cooked through. Cut corners so that you have a "fat" pencil shape. {My boys were thrilled to eat the corners!} Then, frost the eraser {pink}, tip {white} and main body {yellow} last. Place a few chocolate chips for the point and lay tin foil between eraser and main body.

Voila!

Do you have a special book or tradition that you do to celebrate the start of the school year?

Samantha at The Peanuts Gang