Jars Full of Summer Activities!

Memorial day is this Monday, which means school is almost out for summer! Can you believe it?!?! It's an exciting time for kids, but can be very stressful for the parents! What to do with your children during the summer? Everyone has good intentions and fun ideas to do at the beginning of the break, but we all forget how summer seems to fly by soo quick! Where does the time go? 

The ladies at The Crafting Chicks did it again! Here is a simple, fun, no cost idea to get the ball rolling for those summer activities! 

List of supplies: 

3 glass jars (clean spaghetti jars are used here) 

colored paper

Begin with your jars. You can always use more than 3 jars or only a couple. It's up to you! The ladies divided their activities into three categories. 

Next make a list of activities to do over the summer. Sit down with your kids and write down what is on their "wish" list for the summer! You can either print them out or hand write them. Separate each activity into the correct category and colored jar. Kids are very visual and seeing it displayed in different colors is perfect for any age! Below is a list of activities you can use for your jars :) 

Cut paper into strips and place them into the correct jars! 

Create easy labels for the jars on your computer and place on the front of each jar! 

"Activities and Games"

"Let's Eat"

"Oh the places we'll go!"

Have your kids draw a piece of paper out of the jar and see where your next adventure awaits! 

Here is a list of ideas for you and your kid this summer:) 

1. Have a cupcake picnic
2. Go on a walk
3. Collect Bugs and find out what they are
4. Bake brownies
5. Do each others makeup
6. Paint rocks
7. Put curlers in your hair
8. Plant some seeds
9. Movie night with Mom
10. Movie night with Dad
11. Write a letter and mail it
12. Bowling
13. Color pictures of the family
14. Take silly photos and put in an album
15. Do a photo scavenger hunt
16. Go on a bike ride
17. Make breakfast for dinner
18. One night at Grandma and Grandpas!
19. Dress each other up (with no complaints from the person being dressed)
20. Paint each others toe-nails
21. Bake cookies for someone and deliver them
22. Try a new recipe together
23. Make a time capsule (including predictions for the future)
24. Cut sponges into shapes and make sponge paintings
25. Make a silly video
26. Make a count down calendar for something you are looking forward to
27. Make play dough
28. Take your meal and eat somewhere fun
29. Make breakfast in bed — even if it is the middle of the afternoon
30. Make sock puppets
31. Make macaroni necklaces
32. Make a junk tree — collect trash and trinkets from around the house and glue them onto a paper cone and make a “tree.”
33. Make musical glasses and try to play melodies
34. Create bath paints with shaving cream and food coloring — and then create masterpieces
35. Write a story together and illustrate it
36. Build and indoor fort with blankets and cushions
37. Make your own Memory game and then play
38. Make an indoor put-put course using newspaper rolled up for clubs and masking tape rolls for holes.
39. Play a game of “hotter/colder” by hiding things around the house and having the kids try to find them
40. Play red light/green light
41. Build a robot with cardboard boxes and paint
42. Create an indoor treasure hunt complete with a map
43. Make popsicles with juice, fruit, and ice cube trays
44. Have a taste-testing party — blindfold the kids and have them try various foods and see if they can guess what they are.
45. Make a watermelon bowl with various fruits
46. Make homemade peanut butter with shelled peanuts and a blender.
47. Make sugar cookies and then decorate
48. Make popcorn and watch a movie
49. Make an obstacle course and then time yourselves
50. Make (and play) hopscotch
51. Make mud paintings
52. Make a long and winding road for your Matchbox Cars using construction paper and markers
53. Make mud pies and decorate with flowers, rocks, and grass
54. Have a water fight and have everyone (including mom!) participate
55. Plan a dream vacation together and look up airlines, hotels, and site seeing activities. Make a travel brochure for your trip.
56. Buy or print out a world map and mark on it all the places people in the family have been in one color and all the places people want to go in another
57. Have a grocery store scavenger hunt.  Make a list of items the kids have to find and have them check them off and write the price as they find them.
58. Switch roles — parents act like the kids and the kid act like the parents.
59. Make edible necklaces with food you have in the house.
60. Display kids artwork on the wall using string and clothespins
61. Make the alphabet out of play dough
62. Create sculptures using toothpicks and raisins
63. Teach kids North/South/East/West in your home and then hide toys and direct them using only directional commands
64. Have the kids draw a map of the house and/or neighborhood
65. Color flowers using food coloring and a carnation or daisy
66. Make tambourines using paper plates and beans or pasta.  Staple together and decorate.
67. Create a chore chart for the whole family
68. Collect leaves and then do paper rubbings with crayons or pencils
69. Trace your hands and then color and decorate them with “jewelry” and “nail polish.”
70. Blindfold the kids and then have them draw pictures of certain things
71. Have a tea party and have everyone dress up
72. Cut up photographs of each kid and make into puzzles
73. Create a menu for the week letting everyone have a turn picking what to eat.  Post the menu in the kitchen or dining room
74. Create a pizza parlor at home and serve up homemade pizza
75. Make play dough jewelry.  Create beads, make holes with a toothpick, let try, and then coat with nail polish. Then thread into bracelets and necklaces.
76. Make binoculars out of toilet paper rolls and string.
77. Make a pasta picture with dried pasta and paint
78. Create party hats and then come up with a reason to celebrate
79. Make homemade napkins rings and use for dinner that night
80. Make place mats for dinner
81. Create a pancake parlor with pancakes and lots of toppings.  Better yet, invite some friends to join you
82. Make masks out of paper plates
83. Change out all the photos in your picture frames with current favorites
84. Rearrange the furniture in one of your rooms for a new and updated feel
85. Make a bunch of birthday cards for people so that you have them ready for when the time comes
86. Create a “people we love” photo album
87. Have everyone write out ten fun activities to add the the activity jar

Spring Fashion Trends

It is now May and spring is approaching... or so they say! The weather here in the NW has been cold and miserable. The stores remind us that spring is coming! With the bright colors, floral prints, and summer accessories we will be prepared for when the weather does get warm. The sun never lasts long enough so it is best to be prepared for when it does show its bright shinny smile! 

There are not a lot of 'new' fashion trends this year, however the trends from last year are back stronger and much more colorful. Only a few essentials  needed to stay on trend for this years spring and summer wardrobes! 

Must haves for your closet:

Whites/Neutrals/Nude colors! 

White jeans, white tees, and white tanks are a staple in everyones spring and summer wardrobes. Make sure you check your whites, these are items we want to make sure are clean and crisp. White wide leg pants are another trend this year. A throw back to the 60's and 70's. But if you are unsure of the wide leg, a good boot cut jean never fails. White tees and tanks can be found in any retail store location. Its best to replace these each year so no need to spend a fortune! 

Neutral and nude colors are a trend in tops and blouses that add a feminine soft look to your wardrobe. This is a tough trend to pull off for some individuals with fair skin tones. Finding the right shade of cream, ivory, peach, or pink can take some time. If unsure of the trend, find a soft neutral scarf, or sweater to add to your summer wear. Here are a few items we have at Duck Duck Goose: 

Happy Prints!

Floral prints are back! Not everyone embraces the floral prints. Buy the items that you LOVE! If you are unsure of the trend, start small. Buy a shirt or a blouse with a small floral print. Don't go big for your first floral purchase! It will be to overwhelming. We don't want the shirt wearing you! Floral prints can be very flattering and the perfect amount of femininity. Below are a few dresses for spring/summer from Duck Duck Goose

Color Blocking Blues! 

Blues are big this year! Not only in fashion but they have made a come back in home decor as well. Deep blues, turquoise, and aqua look great when paired with yellows, reds, and corals. White pants, a coral top, and a teal scarf! An outfit that can only be worn in the summer! Even turquoise jewelry is a big trend. Spice up a plain white tee with some turquoise jewelry and you look casually chic. 

Here is a blue blouse from Duck Duck Goose with turquoise beading along the sleeve! 

Lace!

Today's lace look can be modernized for any wardrobe. Lace pieces as well as crochet pieces look best in neutral tones. Create the modern feminine trend with antique or sheer finishes. Add simple jewelry, leather belts or handbags to add to the trend. This cowl neck sweater and lace tank from Duck Duck Goose are perfect pieces to add to your wardrobe.

Most importantly have fun with your wardrobe and be comfortable! Confidence is key! For more information on these fashions and much much more, visit us at Shopduckduckgoose.com! 

New Women's Fashions arrive every couple of months and we will inform you of new arrivals on our Facebook page! 

'The dress must not hang on the body but follow its lines.  It must accompany its wearer and when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her.'  ~Madeleine Vionnet

Appreciating Our Teachers!!

Summer is almost here and the kids will be out for summer break soon! But for the other nine months out of the year they are going to school learning from their teachers. Did you know May 2nd - May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week?!? It's dedicated to celebrate your favorite teachers worldwide! I think teachers are very deserving individuals worthy of being appreciated... and to show your acknowledgement this is an adorable gift idea from the ladies at Crap I've Made. 

Spiffy Scissors!

Supplies: 

Scissors (dollar tree) 

Patterned Paper 

E6000: Clear Adhesive glue, can be found at Michaels 

Sand Paper

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic: Adhesive, can be found at Michaels

Step 1: 

Cut out the paper the size of the scissor blades. 

Step 2: 

Use the E6000 adhesive to glue the paper to the scissors. Make sure to get the glue all the way to the edges and then sand off the excess paper

Step 3: 

Make sure you are on a 'safe' surface. It can get a little messy. Apply the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. Read instructions carefully on the box. Allow 3 hours to dry and then complete the other blade. 

Step 4: 

Disposable icing bags are the perfect size to fit your newly crafted scissors!

Step 5: 

Create your own labels and use the extra matching paper. Tie at the top with a ribbon! 

What teacher wouldn't love a new pair of scissors! :)  I hope you enjoy this crafty idea from the ladies at the 'Crap I've Made' blog. And don't forget to make a point this week to do a little something for the teachers in your life! 

"Teachers plant seeds of knowledge that grow forever!"