I'm taking a leap of faith. God has laid it on my heart to take a calling to the next level (see purpose statement in sidebar). The idea of FunMom, which is very much like what I have been doing for the past couple of months on this site, is something that has been on my mind for a while. It's kinda like www.relishingmylittlepickle.com, except that it's less about me, and more about you (other moms). More support. More ideas. More community.

Faith is a good thing, but it's also a little bit scary.

So, please join me on the journey!

http://www.funmomonline.com

Thanks for your support, you pickle lovers! :)

Leslie

Egg Carton Caterpillars

Step 1: Read a caterpillar book...gotta love this one!

Step 2: Cut an egg carton in half lengthwise. We then cut that in half too, so that our caterpillar could move his "hips" a bit!

Step 3: Poke two small holes in sides of caterpillar's head. Thread a long twist tie (pipe cleaner would work too) through holes and curl up ends.

Step 4: If your caterpillar has two segments (like ours) poke one hole in each and attach with another twist tie. Leave about 1 1/2 inches of space between body segments so he has some "wiggle room".

Step 5: Decorate! We used crayons, google eyes, and rainbow pom poms (which meant we also used glue...Landon was a happy boy!).

Next week:

Move: Yard Games 2

Munch: Yummy Yogurt Pops

Make: Memory Coasters

Yard Games...sort of.

Yard Games: "You do the Smokey Pokey"

We've had a really rainy week...so I had to cheat. These pictures were taken last week. But, I just thought that, after our incident a couple of weeks ago, I should probably prove to the world that we do in fact love our puppy, Smokey. "Even if he is a scoundrel," as Landon would say. And yes. Don't let that shaggy face fool you.

He's a scoundrel, allright.

Mid-Week Laugh

So, Landon and I were driving around a few days ago singing that old Sunday School song,

Count your blessings,

Count them one by one.

Count your blessings,

see what God has done.

Afterwards, not wanting to miss a teachable moment, I turned the volume way down, anticipating a deep, thoughtful, God-honoring conversation with my little boy. Excited to hear his answer, I said, "Buddy, what kinds of blessings, or special things, has God given you?"

I admit that I expected to hear sweet, endearing things. A list that would maybe sound a little bit like, 'Mama (named first, of course), Daddy, Smokey, my yard, my friends, etc.' So, imagine my surprise when, with a completely straight face, and not a moment's hesitation, he said instead, very confidently, "Muscles."

Sheesh! It starts young!

Flying Coffee Filter Butterflies

Of all of the springtime crafts that Landon and I have done recently, this one has been his favorite! I asked him why he loved this particular "special time" project so much.

Here were his answers:

1. He got to use markers.

Not crayons. Not colored pencils. He got to use his elusive, generally forbidden markers. Good start to any project, as far as Landon is concerned. Wet wipes were on hand...literally.

2. He got to use a spray bottle.

This reminded him of his water guns, but even better than those, this particular device allowed him to spray water inside the house! Wow! How much better does life really get when you're three-years-old?!?

3. The butterflies actually fly!

He thought that they were pretty when they were just hanging still. He thinks that they're AMAZING when they're flying over him during his afternoon nap.

Here's how your little one can make his or her own flying butterflies:

Step 1: Use markers to color a white coffee filter. Push down hard!

Step 2: Stand back and lightly spray the coffee filter with water. Not too much...the color will fade if too much water is used. You just want the colors to bleed into each other.

Step 3: After the coffee filter has dried, pinch the middle and clip it with a clothespin.

Step 4: Tie a fairly long piece of fishing line (ours are about 18 inches each) to each clothespin. Then, using a small piece of tape, secure the other end of the line to a fan blade (near the outside, just to be safe). Finally, turn the fan on low, and enjoy!

Happy Spring!

The Picky-Eater-Dipping-Party

I'm blessed. My little boy will eat, don't hate me for this, just about anything that I put in front of him. I give credit to a pediatrician who encouraged me to basically skip the baby-food-stage, and instead just begin giving Landon small bites of whatever I had fixed for dinner. Maybe he would have been a great eater either way.

Who knows.

What I do know, however, is that very few of my friends have been so lucky when it comes to feeding their children. If you count yourself among those that dread the dining hours of the day, this may work for you. To be honest, I usually just resort to a "dipping party" meal, such as the one pictured above, simply because I am perpetually late, and it saves me 2.83 seconds if I don't have to actually put the peanut butter (or jelly) onto a piece of bread. It may be a bit pathetic, but my little boy certainly isn't complaining. In fact, he loves dipping party lunches. His favorite combo is what we coined the "muddy bear" (Cinnamon Teddy Graham dipped in peanut butter and raisins).

Here's to happier meals...feel free to insert your own, resounding, "Amen!"

More typical than you might think...

Who needs a shirt when you have:

Fireman boots

Knee pads

Batting glove

Police belt

Superhero cape

Eye mask

Magic wand

Knight helmet

**Next Week's Relish:

Flying Coffee Filter Butterflies

Picky-Eater-Party

Egg Carton Caterpillars

Surprise Yard Games: 1

Milk Carton Birdhouse

Okay. So it's not actually a milk carton. What can I say...we buy creamer in bulk. The birds don't care. In fact, they may actually be lured in by the lingering sweet smell of French Vanilla. Who knows? Either way, here's what you need for this project:

An Exacto Knife (or scissors)

A carton

A small stick

Paint

Paintbrushes

Paper plate (for easy paint clean-up)

Construction Paper

Hole puncher

Mod Podge (optional)

1. Cut a hole in the center of the carton (I used an Exacto Knife), and a smaller one right below (I used a hole puncher).

2. Help your little one paint the exterior of the carton.

3. While the paint is still wet, let your kiddo stick torn paper all over surface. It will stick without any extra adhesive.

4. Paint your stick.

5. Let dry (probably a couple of hours...my pickle tends to glob the paint on thick!).

5. Mama: When birdhouse is dry, apply Mod Podge to entire exterior. This will harden the surface and make the paper really adhere to the carton. It also will give it a more finished look.

6. Insert stick (perch).

6. Fill the bottom with birdseed and set under a covered porch or awning. We're waiting for a sunny day to find the perfect outdoor spot for ours...for now, it looks very festive on the kitchen counter!

Kid Tested, Mother Approved...Paint!!

Let's face it. Paint and preschoolers don't always mix. Or maybe that's the problem...they mix TOO much! I have plenty of friends with paint-phobia, and it's a legitimate, real issue. But, your preschooler probably thinks that paint is even better than play-doh. What to do?!?!

Enter these!!! Landon's Aunt Poppy gave him these for his birthday last year, and we LOVE them. I know. I said WE....on purpose! These paint bottles "are little hand friendly and the applicators won't leak or drip (from website)." So, unlike some other bingo-type paints that we've tried, these really don't dispense any color until you're little one's paper is ready to be turned into a masterpiece. They are also...you may want to sit down for this one..."non-toxic, washable, and won't stain clothes."

So, paint-phoic mamas, you can cross one fear off your list.

We'll tackle paper-mache some other day (like as soon as I'm brave enough to try it...).

Preschool Chores

Fun pictures

Colorful clothespins

Allowance ($1/week)

+____________

A very willing little helper!!

Hope this works for you too! :)

All-Star in the Making

Our little boy doing what he loves most right now...hittin' the ball!

Be sure to turn up your volume and stay tuned until the end...there's a laugh there for ya!

That Jeremy James!

Filthy puddle boots.

Skinned knees.

All boy.