Pixie hat with scarf

Does it happen to you that your kids go to school with scarf and loose it somewhere on the way? Or have a scarf but don't tie it, so it does not serve its purpose?

While browsing net I found cute pixie hat to crochet. Well, my time is due to studies precious, I needed quicker fix. So I made it from nice and warm fleece material. It is very very easy.

1. You will need 2 rectangles. Customize them accordingly. One for the hood and one for the scarf.
2. First shorter rectangle will be your hood. Simply sew them on one of the longer sides. 
3. The longer one will be your scarf that you will sew to the hood. 
4. Add stylish button, or make one from fleece or dry zipper, whatever you prefer. 
5. Enjoy. 

Homework station

There is not need to buy some expensive organizers. You just need some used box, double side tape, scissors and decorative paper.

I raised one side of the box as my support. Simply using the cut lid and tape.

Compartments are necessary, each kids has its own

Folders are going to be added. Each one will have its own color.

And here is the final results with some extra touches.

Goodbye shoelaces

My youngest is going to start preschool, but unfortunately we did not learn yet how to tie shoelaces. Some of her shoes are with dry zipper, so no worries there, but we have others that she will have at school. And yes, they have shoelaces. So here is a simply trick I have used to replace shoelaces with elastic.

Upcycling baby tank bodysuit: step-by-step

I found a really cute baby tank bodysuit. My daughter loved it very much, so this is how I turned t-shirt for 18 months to tank top for 9 year old.

 

 

No paper to draw

I don't know how about you, but we have tons and tons of paper used just for drawing and writing activities. Every now and then I have to go through the pile of pictures of rainbows, butterflies, flowers etc. and throw them out to recycle bin. I'm trying to cut down our paper usage, but how to keep kids happy while still trying to keep environment happy too? Well, in the end, the solution was pretty easy and quite cheap. Yes, it does not have all the features as paper does, but for lazy older girls that don't feel like colouring their artwork, it is perfect. It is also enough even for our writing activities.

So what do we need?

• Clear plastic pockets used for binders (if you are not sure what I mean, here is picture)
• Dry erase marker (white board markers are quite strong and leave smudges, so I do not recommend those)
• Tissue to clean up

I love these, because they are easy to clean and don't leave smudged surface like white boards. Younger kids can trace letters, shapes... well anything and from everything. With older kids you can have spelling, math and writing competitions. It is just as much fun as paper, except colouring part is a bit tricky here.

Here are some activities in action.

Keeping track of your kids - cell free

Here is my tip on how to keep track of your kids whereabouts.

I'm not a big fan of cells as sometimes I feel there are more negatives then positives and still lot of unknowns. But I still needed to find a way, how to keep track of my son's whereabouts, when he goes out with his friends. On the list of presents he wanted for eid (Festival of the Fast Breaking) was a talkie walkie. In the end, I think it was one of the most useful presents we ever bought and I totally recommend it.

Talkie walkie is definitely cheaper to manage than cell. Because of the limited distance it broadcasts (not like cell), he has to keep around the house. We always make a signal check, when he arrives to his destination. 

It is also very useful gadget even for family trips (to talk between cars, amusement parks - especially if you have only one cell in family), and a lot of fun for kids.

So if you are not as crazy about cells for kids as me, talkie walkie is a very good solution with multiple usage. 

How do you keep track of your older kids, those who need more space than your garden can offer? 

How to stop sucking thumb

Aah, sucking thumb, what a disaster. While they are babies it is really nice and easy tool, how to keep your kid a bit calm. However if you pass a year with a thumb, it is very hard to get rid of it. Two of my kids were thumb sucking. First one got rid of nigh-sucking on its own by the age of 8.I have tried everything with him. EVERYTHING.... in the end, it was his own will. Praise God.

But the other one... she is 8 now and even though she does not do it at all during the day for many years, she is not able to stop during the night. As for reasons... "there is a water coming to my mouth and I have to drink it by using the thumb..." Surprisingly both had the same excuse.

Anyways, our dentist insisted on terminating this bad habit. She told me that now it is only habit, uncontrollable habit. She is just doing it subconsciously, so there is nothing really I can do, except make sure, she is not able to bend her hand in the night. So I went for quest around our house, to find something suitable. I found a crisps (chips) box. Like the one from Pringles. I cut it short, made two holes, added yarn and safety pin.
 
Results? Well, we are still  working on it. Every time I took it off, she came back, so this time I'm sticking to a minimum of a week. But her teeth got much better as they have been trying to grow crooked.

So how does it work?
1. Get a suitable round box or make one from cardboard. Make one or two holes (you can use knife, scissors, screwdriver etc.) Put some yearn through, so you can attach the safety pin.

Place it on to the hand of your victim.

3. Secure it with the safety pin to the pyjamas. One side should be enough. If you need, secure in two different places and wish sweet dreams to your loved one.

Pin It