How to Make Magnetic Pom Poms

We welcomed a new student into the classroom this school year. His name is Canyon and he is so eager to learn. River and Lily started school last week and Canyon did his best to be patient because mommy wasn’t finished getting all of his material ready for his first day.

I am pulling from so many resources this school year, but two of them that I am using material from, Confessions of a Homeschooler and Home Grown Hearts, are heavy magnetic pom pom users. I never really thought of pom poms for anything other than arts & crafts pieces, but have now seen the light. Because of my new revelation, I included pom poms on my homeschool registry and magnetic dots here or here so that I could make these really cool teaching tools OR play toys for Canyon and his older brother and sister who don’t seem to understand that these are for school purposes only. Oh, well, good thing I made a lot.

pom poms

I sorted the pom poms to be sure I made an equal amount of each color I wanted. I’m just like that.

adhesive magnetic dots

Although the magnets have an adhesive back, I knew it wouldn’t be strong enough to hold the pom poms in place through multiple uses, so I decided to glue them to the magnets.

magneitc dots on baking sheet

I used a baking sheet and lined the magnets on there leaving enough space for working and for the size of the pom poms. The magnets obviously stuck to the magnetic surface and were easier to work with because they didn’t move around.

If you’re a hot glue gun user then you already know once you press the trigger on the gun, you gotta pick up your pace, while also being very careful. Why you ask? It’s because of these three reasons:

1. The glue is hot. 2. The glue dries extremely fast. 3. Before the glue dries, it can burn the heck out of you. If you don’t want to fall to victim to any of these instances, then watch closely.

hot gluing magnetic dots

Put glue on the magnetic dot.

gluing magnetic dots

If you’re not quick with your hands, then glue only one dot.

magnetic dots

If you are quick with your hands and a little daring like me, then go for it and glue more than one dot.

gluing pom poms to magnetic dots

Either way, be ready to place and press.

magnetic pom poms

Soon you’ll have a tray looking like this and you’ll be able to really visualize all of the fun activities you and your children will be able to do. Don’t worry about the extra glue that dries on the sides because it easily peels off after drying. If you need more time from glue to pom poms, then using a cold/regular craft glue works just fine, but takes longer to dry.

pom poms

They clean up easily because they stick together.

storing pom poms

They also store well in a container, so pack ‘em in.

A Little Red, a Little White, and a Little Blue

red, white, and blue

red, white, and blue

These outfits (shirts and dress) have been on my mind since May when I originally bought the fabric. I’m not much of a holiday (outfits for particular holidays) kind of seamstress, but I walked in the fabric store, spotted these fabrics, and all of a sudden felt an intense desire to show my patriotic self and include my children.

red, white, and blue

Much hard work and a whole lot like my finger was having a baby kind of pain of pain, caused by embedding a sewing machine needle into my thumb (read about it here), went into the making of these outfits but it was all worth it.

red, white, and blue

Each of them had smiles on their faces when I gave them their new clothing. I think I better go ahead and start working on their Christmas outfits because it may take me from now until then to get motivated just to start. Plus, I also enjoy seeing those cute little smiles on their faces.

Oh So Very Good

fresh herbs

Well, I’ve done it again. I hit our local co-op and I did it. I couldn’t let another summer pass by without at least trying once again to grow my own herbs. My only hope is to not have a repeat of last year.

fresh oregano

What got me going was my new cooking routine. After deciding which recipes I was going to whip up for next week, my list of required herbs grew. There was a Greek salad (I’ll share later) recipe on the menu that I had made before and I knew dried oregano was not going to do.

fresh herbs

If I have a choice, then I always prefer to use fresh herbs over dried. Fresh herbs just look better, smell better, and taste oh so very good.

blueberries

I know they’re not herbs, but blueberries also taste oh so very good. The only problem is, I’ll have to wait until next season.

Do you have a favorite herb you like to smell, eat, or grow?

Earth Day? What is it all about?

Earth Day

April 22 marks 40 years of celebrating Earth Day. You have probably heard of this global holiday and have probably stopped counting the number of times you have heard the word green since the beginning of this month. If you are wondering what it is all about, I want to let you know that it is really quite simple and after you learn more, you may want to participate in the celebration as well. People have already started partying and it promises to be a good one.

Earth Day was founded and created in 1969 by John McConnell (newspaper publisher and community activist) who originally presented the idea at a UNESCO Conference on the environment. The goal of the day was to promote an appreciation for the planet’s environment and issues that threatened it.

The following year, it became an event in America, through the efforts of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, as well as across the country. Although it is an annual event, it is actually celebrated twice a year. The United Nations observes it on or around March 21st which is the vernal equinox - the moment when night and day are equal throughout the Earth. The second time it is observed is on April 22nd in America as well as in 170+ other countries. This once, few city event that received its first proclamation in San Francisco, has grown to become a global event far larger than ever expected especially now that many are consumed with the subject of global.

April 22 was chosen in honor of Eddie Albert, an environmental, humanitarian activist and actor, who participated in the launching of the first Earth Day celebration. The date also happens to be the birthday of Arbor Day founder Julius Sterling Morton.

Do you feel like partying? Well, here are a few ways that you and your children can get involved with Earth Day this year. Remember, everyday should be Earth Day where we take care of the planet that God gave to us.

EARTH DAY 2010 EVENTS
Earth Day Network
EPA

FUN For YOU and YOUR CHILDREN in YOUR HOME/COMMUNITY
clean up your neighborhood
buy handmade
toss out the toxins
donate unused items
fun indoor activities
start recycling
shop local, shop fresh
start compost bin
ease into green

EARTH DAY CONTESTS
Save My Planet Challenge
come up with ideas for new products or services that will impact the
planet and can be implemented and /or brought to market
submit by April 30

Celebrate the Earth Day 2010
Art Contest
submit by April 21

Earth Day Photo Contest 5th-8th grade students
Take a picture of something changing in your local environment and then write about it.
Submit by May 12

Earth Drive for Earth Day contest
Tell them what you are doing to help save the earth.
Submit by April 20

ECO-VIDEO CONTEST
Planetpals Earth Day Video Contest 2010
Show them how you are a Planetpal.
submit by April 15

PREPARE for NEXT YEAR
Earth Day Poster Contest
EPA photo contest
video contest

KEEP EARTH LOVING ACTIVITIES GOING AFTER EARTH DAY
Visit Milk & Honey Mommy for more eco-friendly fun with your children.

What plans do you have this year for observing Earth Day?