4th of July Shirt

This year I decided that I wanted to make 4th of July shirts for the kids. I have always bought shirts or a outfit, and my kids have always been cute for the big day

See what I mean. :)

But this year, I wanted to save some money and make something cute, so I took to Pinterest. I found this and decided that it was just what I was looking for - cheap, easy, and I could add my own touch.

I started with grey t-shirts, mostly because I had them. I bought acrylic paint at the craft store in red, white, and blue. Probably should have bought fabric paint. Live and learn.

 My secret addition to the shirts - glow in the dark paint!

The stamp is made with pipe cleaners. I used white so I could more easily see where the paint was on my stamp.

To make the stamp, take 4 pipe cleaners.

Fold in half and twist. Then fan out the ends to look like a starburst.

I put a plastic bag on a hanger and then hung my shirt up. Protected the inside of the shirt and made hanging up to dry a breeze.

I also used plastic bags for my paint. Plates weren't big enough to get my stamp on. The plastic bags made clean-up so easy!

I started with red. Just swirl your stamper around in the paint and press on the shirt. I wasn't too concerned with full coverage. The color imperfect color lines look more like fireworks.

I added colors until I got the effect I wanted. I didn't wait for anything to dry between adding colors. I did red, white, blue, and then the glow in the dark. I did 1 stamp of each color to start, and 2 of the glow in the dark. I went back and did a 2nd stamp of each color, and some more glow in the dark. The glow in the dark paint dries almost clear (a slight greenish tint) so I felt I could add as much as I wanted.

Tadah!!

And it glows, though an awful picture.

So super, easy and they will love wearing them!!

We're gonna go Wild, Wild, Wild Kratts!

I'm finally getting around to sharing pictures of David's party. We had a great day celebrating with family and friends!

This year he chose to have a Wild Kratt's party. In case you are not in the know, the Wild Kratt's is a show on PBS. David loves the show and we don't mind letting him watch since it is pretty educational.

As always, I set out with the best of intentions of making things and having great games. It's the thought that counts, right?

I didn't get a picture of the food table. I had cute buckets with the snacks in them. It was all animal themed food, and all kid friendly.
Tiger tails (cheese puffs)
Fried ants (raisins)
Twigs (pretzel sticks)
Jungle vines (green twizzlers)
Elephant food (peanut trail mix)
Animal crackers
Fruit fly food (grapes)
Hungry hippo dip (fruit tray)
Mess hole (sloppy joe)

We played 2 games. The first was a game to learn about frog power. We used big 'ole sticky hands to catch bugs like a frog would with his tongue. Big hit!

Molley wasn't as amused with this game.. She picked the sand table.

Our second game was to teach us about the creature power of the caterpillar/butterfly. We took turns wrapping each other up and then busting out. Fun, but the tp wasn't as kid friendly. 

All in all it was a fun day! David was excited to have his friend over and he didn't want anyone to leave. He woke up the next day and asked when he would be 6 so he could have another birthday party. He's growing up too fast!

The guys (and Sadie) parties hard!!

Nate gave rides that may not have been so safe, but the girls loved it!

Boys being boys.

Any party that ends like this has to be a good one, right? *

*No he did not drink out of the bottle. He has gum in his mouth that he was chewing.

Happy

Five

 I am in denial that my baby is five. How is that even possible? He was just born yesterday, right? (I know, I say that every year, but I mean it every year.)

I cannot believe that it has been 5 years since we met our baby boy.
5 years since I became a mom to this wonderful, at times challenging, but perfect little boy who has brought so much joy to our lives.
5 years!

This is David on his birthday. The day he was born and we finally found out that baby bear was a he!

This is David at about 6wks, practicing for his senior pictures. 

4 years ago we had a smiley little 1yr old. He still wasn't walking (he did figure it out by the end of the summer), but loved to be carried everywhere. He was a happy little guy, content to play alone or with others. He loved animals and Mickey Mouse.

3 years ago we had a boy who loved adventure and the Cat in the Hat! He was talking more and more (finally?) He loved to be outside, no matter the temperature, and he loved running! He was hard to keep up with. Water was his favorite thing to play in, and muddy puddles were the best!

2 years ago I had a boy who was more than ready to be a big brother. He would often "take" his sister out of my belly to play and then put her back in. He loved to hear her heart beat. He was excited to start in Miss So's room at school. He learned how to ride his bike. He was an adventurous 3 year old.

1 year ago I had a boy who was ready to start kindergarten. He was sure that he was going from kindergarten straight to college. He loved his baby sister, and his new found favorite show, Jake and the Neverland Pirates! He still wanted to be outside all the time and go on lots of adventures.

Today, I have my amazing 5 year old boy. The boy who will still cuddle with me if I ask, and sometimes just because. He has accomplished a lot this year!

He graduated from speech
He finally got to Mrs Lori's room where he started and completed Pre-K

He learned how to write all of his letters and numbers
He learned how to spell and write his name
He learned to play soccer in a clinic and on a team
He registered for kindergarten
He has decided that there are some more grades between kindergarten and college, but he'll be going to college after 6th grade
He wants to be a parent someday, mostly so he can make his own rules :)

Happy birthday to my baby boy who has brought more joy, laughs, smiles, and love into our home than we ever could have imagined. I love you to the moon and back, buddy!