Pepper Paints

Clay/Dough

Today we made a clay/dough that can be baked or air dried.

Mix together 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt , 2 Tablespoon of oil and 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cold water.

We used this dough to make a few beads among other things.

We rolled the beads and then gently threaded them onto skewers and laid them on a foil lined tray.

We baked them at 300 degrees for almost an hour. bake until they are hard.

After they cooled we painted them with acrylic paints.

Once the paint dries you can put a coat of clear shellac or acrylic.

Molly also made a small box to hold her beads.

These can also be air dried for 48hrs.

A funny story about these beads:  when Jake was little and we made these, he walked out the back door to get into the car and our stupid dog-not our smart dog-jumped up and ate the beads right off of Jakes neck.  I drove around for years with a half strung necklace of those beads in my ashtray waiting to be fixed.  Moral of that story I guess is keep these beads away from your dumb dogs as they are sure to think they are treats.  But your smart dogs will know better!  Or at least they will wait till your not looking.

Dirty Beach and Dirty Mouths

This is the first summer in the past several that we have not spent a whole week camping at Delaware State Park.  Last night we camped just for the night while Jake went to a Birthday party of one of  his best friends  near by.   I spread the moth broth on a nearby tree.  Later when I checked there were several moths visiting but I thought I would wait until the girls were with me to take photos.  Bad idea-after returning from watching Lilo & Stitch drive-in style  we excitedly checked again-nothing!  But this morning I did find this guy outside the bath house

not such a good shot…but he was big!  Side note-the bucket of moth broth was hijacked into the woods by some raccoons.  Yes, the whole bucket was gone this morning.  There must of been some party going on in those bushes!

I love this park.  There is so much to do here; hiking, fishing and it is really big.  Today we went for a bike ride.

And of course there is always the beach.  I use this term very loosely… as  well this is the best we got here in the middle of Ohio..and it aint much! But my kids love it.

The photos make this place look pretty good-buyer beware!  Litter everywhere, duck poop everywhere, cigarette butts and foul language everywhere.  And not your regular old potty talk.  Lord knows I can keep up with the best of them!  But, grown men calling their friends  pussy in front of theirs as well as everyone else’s kids.  I sort of draw the line with that and the “C” word!  The sand is granulated dirt and the water is muddy green color.  Sounds great huh?

And there were these creepy crawly things EVERYWHERE!  Anyone know what these are?

It was a lot of packing up and unpacking for one night but all in all it was fun and glad we got to get away for the night!

This week Molly is attending camp at a craft museum as she has for the past several summers.  It is only 1/2 a day so I am hoping  to find some time for a few activities at home too.  Stay tuned.

It’s a Wrap

..or is it “That’s a Wrap?”  Either way, the first week of circus camp is over. Five days of 9-3:30 worth of intensive circus work has everyone worn out.  If it wasn’t for my barking dog I would be still be asleep also.  Next week the class meets later in the evening, so we can all sleep in a bit.   Jake really attended this week more as a helper to the younger and newer kids.  A role he seems to be good at-but don’t tell him I said that, it may ruin his tough image!   But he  participated a good bit also.  To close the week the group had a small performance for families today.  And as always they learned lots of new skills and their confidence has grown.  A good show as always!

getting taped into their stilts

up and moving

Look, she moved up to  the taller stilts this week!!!

Jake took the time on lower stilts this week to try out some new tricks.

They also worked on trapeze, poi, juggling, tumbling and hula hooping this week.  Ginger and I stayed and did their morning warm up a few days this week and let me tell you-it was NOT easy.  This is some hard work.  Back to sleep!

Tired and titleless

Life has been busy around here even with out the daily crafty activities.  My big kids are at Circus Camp this week from 9-3:30.  Being anywhere by 9 AM is really early in this family.  We are all dragging around -partly from the early rising, the long days,  swimming at the pool,the driving around and the heat and humidity.   Jake will continue Circus next week too, but during evening hours, thank goodness.  Maybe some energy will return!

Molly has been busy getting ready to sell and exhibit at KidzArtz .  She has several projects in need of finishing touches all over the house.  If you are local, there is still time to sign up to participate!   Ginger and I have had a few playdates at the pool and I have gotten nothing done in the house.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow!  Here is a what some of the past few days have looked like…

Jake spray painted his bike -the whole bike-with chrome spray paint.

My daredevil son-

You have to notice that she was sticking her tongue out at me to fully appreciate this one!

Here they are stretching out at the end of the day.

4th of July Fun

I really wanted to make a flicker flash badge and post it in this spot but apparently wordpress won’t let me-so this is my homemade version with out the cool flashness!

Yesterday was a  very s l o w day.  My kids had post party meltdowns, all three of them-they are so sad that is all over until next year.   My Mom came for dinner so we BBQ’d and ate cake under the big top again.  Today the tent will come down, the tables and chairs all put away,  and it will look quiet and once more.   Note that I said “look” quiet-we are not really a quiet bunch.

Today I also get to drop my fair entry off.  One of my photos made it into the Ohio State Fair fine arts exhibit.  I am sooo dang proud.  I remember walking through the exhibit the last few years really wishing to participate.  Last year I made a verbal commitment to Joe to enter.  And I am so glad I did.  I know I posted a while back about encouragement from friends, and I just wanted to thank Abby again for encouraging me!!

My big kids will be at circus camp for the next week-Jake the next 2-so the crafty posts may be sparse.  Ginger is my easy going gal so I plan to  drag her round on some early morning photo adventures this week.

Wet and Muddy Comfest

The Grimaldi Circus took the stage a bit later than scheduled.  They made it about 10 minutes into their performance when the winds kicked into high gear and they were told to cut the show as a bad storm was a comin’.  And boy did it come.  The skies opened up and pounded festival goers with a steady hard rain.  It didn’t take long for someone in the crowd to slide down the muddy bowl.  And it took even less time for about 60 other people to follow.

Jake joined in the mud sledding too.  But he had to take it a step further.

Ahhh youth!

Happy Comfest!

We Have A Winner!!!!!!!!!!

Insert drum roll…………………………………….

And look what she won!!!!

James Cooter the cat not included!

Thanks for all the great comments!  This was fun, maybe we can do it again soon-even before post 200!

Yesterday was a day fit for water!

Molly noticed the rainbow and of course, I ran for my camera!  I took about a hundred photos!!

Later in the day we headed to some water fountains to play with some friends.

There was a bigger fountain located on the other side of the mall.  The teenagers led the tweens over there like ducks in a row.  Jake was laughing so hard he could barely keep up!

Then it was off to Thursday potluck.

I need to make another pot of Joe-it’s been a slow morning!!  I need more caffeine to get me moving today.  There is some painting on the agenda for this afternoon.