The leprechauns got into our penne this St. Patrick's Day.  We used some food coloring and were able to taste the rainbow.  We've done this before with Angel Hair (it turned out better that time because I had used enriched rather than whole grain and the color was soaked up better).  Super fun and silly, which is needed sometimes around here.

This St. Patrick's Day, my girls learned how to set a trap (for a leprechaun presumably).  Daddy taught them to use a box, a stick (drum stick used), a string (we used a feather boa!), and bait (Lucky Charms!)  Charlotte took notes which was hilarious and the next day I found fruit loops outside and the kids patiently waiting for a squirrel.  Mmm, me thinks it is time for a talk about rabies.

It has been a little cold at the Curry abode.  So in between the kiddos romping outside in the winter fluff, I've been trying to keep them busy.   Here's one fun activity: a scavenger hunt.  I remember my grandmother making me one as a kid and it is to this date one of my favorite childhood memories so I was eager to provide this simple joy for my little ones. 

The clues were simple and easy to understand (I was dealing with a 1st grader and a preschooler afterall).

This is a shot of our backyard.  Needless to say, we have had a few snow storms this week and so when in Rome, do as the Romans do.  For us this meant embracing the snow!  So, we made snow ice cream.  Here's a simple recipe (there are others a little more substantial out there but this one was easy to make with kiddos).  We added food coloring and sprinkles for pizzaz.

Charlotte was especially excited to dig in and enjoy. Penny enjoyed the silliness of it all.

We had a few boxes ready to be recycled and decided to use 'em a little before they were totally broken down.  So we made a little pretend city thanks to a "fireplace" heater, a handheld stair vacuum, and an unexpected gift from a friend for Valentine's Day.

We had a post office, restaurant, hotel, and a bike shop (all the kids' ideas).

One of my favorite unexpected art sessions with my oldest was from following The Artful Parent's idea of cutting out a hole and allowing the mind to just draw around it.  So the other day, Penny and I had some fun with some holes...

She enjoyed doodling at first and then we began to play a guessing game.  I thought this was good practice thinking about circles but also deduction too.  We got some giggles out of this...

Then we made some aliens.

I saw this cute idea on Chocolate Muffin Tree via Pinterest.  Just add vinegar to water in a clear jar, drop the sweethearts into said jar (we don't need that much candy anyway) and then wait for the "dust" to settle.  When all is clear again, put some vinegar in for a fun "dancing sweethears" show.  Of course, talking of bases and acids are necessary.  And gawking, ahem observing.  Maybe eat some more candy left from Valentine's Day while you do it.

We had a Valentine's Day Party here and just decided to keep some of art out...which made for a week long of crafy fun.  To the right is a picture of my honey displaying Penny's recent masterpiece.  With lots at their disposal, the kids created and created and created some more.  I thought I would share a picture of all the beauties together and some of the lovely mess.  I love the idea of displaying the kids' art in a special way; perhaps this will become a Curry tradition.

Here is another favorite that we returned to this Valentine's Day (see our past experience with a little different twist here and here). We painted with marbles onto hearts thsi week.  I allowed the kids to cut out their own heart's this year, which was something of a comedy...but some of them came out with a little help.  The ol' folding trick helped make them a little more even and heart-shaped.  Once the hearts were cut, we splatted some paint and had them rockin' -n- rolling in no time.

"Marbelizing" with shaving cream and food coloring is always a big hit around here.  Here is an old post about this simple craft when we made tons of prints which turned into cards for loved ones.  This time, we marbelized pretty hearts and hung them for our Valentine's party for Sunday School members.  It is always fun to see how each one is unique and beautiful in its own way.
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