Rainbow Rice

Turbo really enjoys sensory activites. As I've mentioned he has a love affair with dried beans but has not been interested in rice.  Thinking it needed some visual interest, I decided we'd add color.   Good timing too! It's R week, perfect for Rainbow Rice!

Supplies

• White Rice (I used 1/2 cup rice for each color)
• Zip-close baggies 
• Food Coloring 
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Paper towels for quick clean up
• Work area covering (we used a cookie sheet)
• Drying containers (I used one per color to avoid transfer)

Directions
*  Have your assistant pour rice into the baggie.

*  Put 1/2 teaspoon rubbing alcohol in the baggie of rice. I believe it speeds drying. I did this step myself.

*  Have your assistant help carefully add food coloring to the rice. I let Turbo hold the bottle, then put my hand over his to help him squeeze and for quick removal if necessary. There's no pictures of this (obviously)!  We used this opportunity to count drops. It helped him remember to squeeze slower so he could see them.

* SEAL THE BAG - then double check.  You do not want to be dealing with food coloring stains!

* SHAKE, SHAKE and SHAKE. Turbo loved this part. He was amazed the first time. He kept stopping and telling me the rice was turning red.   For every color after, I asked him what he thought would happen to the rice.  He said - "get dizzy, bounce around, shake up, maybe get painted."  I was dying laughing and that encouraged him to come up with more funny things.

* Dry the rice in a container or on a cookie sheet. (doesn't take long at all)
* Repeat for each color.
* MIX!

*  PLAY

Here's my approx drops for the 1/2 cup rice:
Purple - 8 drops of red and 2or 3 of blue.
Blue - 8-10 drops
Green - 8-10 drops
Yellow - lovely and bright with only 3 drops.
Orange - added 10 drops of yellow and 2 drops of red.
Red - wasn't able to master that color. With 10 it looked a bit red, but more pink. I did it again with 20 and it was much better, but still not red, red.  Thankfully I didn't enter into a Rainbow Rice contest, so it's all good.

Blustery days & Kite Tutorial

We had a very windy day this week ~ So we made a kite. 

I don't have pictures of us flying it. Turbo needed help to get it going and we were having so much fun that I forgot to take another picture.

We made kites several times last year and they are always quick and easy. Here's how you can make your own!

Supplies:
Sheet of copy paper
8" rod (Straw or wooden skewer)
Ribbon (use regular ribbon, crape paper, cut plastic bag) Ideally about 6' - but don't let it stop you if you have less.
6'+ String (yarn, string etc)
Spool for string (papertowel/TP tube, large plastic spice jar (like sprinkles))
Scissors
Hole Punch
Tape

Directions:
Figure 1: Fold the paper in half
Figure 2: Fold top sheet on a diagonal - 1/2" from the fold at the top to 3" at the bottom. 
Figure 3: Tape
Figure 4: Tape down rod item (we used a straw cut to size)
Figure 5: Tape down ribbon (I didn't have long enough ribbon, so I used what I had)
Figure 6: Straighten out the back fin. Hole punch about 1/3 down from top and attach string (we used yarn). Wind remaining string around spool item (we used a Toilet paper tube.)

photo: http://www.ntsb.gov/Kids_Site/play/fan_clip_image001.jpg

Another Kid Break!

Ok, I realize this is only my 6th post and 2 of them have been crafty types.  As such, it's a bit misleading.   Let me clarify - I'm not crafty.  Or maybe I'm a bit crafty but not creative. Yes, that's a better fit. Best said - I can follow directions well.

Now that we've settled that, let me show you the new crafty thing I did today during nap time!   Actually got two things done.  First I made another owlie for Turbo's best buddy Crash.

Second, I followed this tutorial (AKA directions) for Baby Legs. Those are the adorable leg warmers for babies. They keep legs warm during diaper changes, under dresses for cool mornings and for cushioning knees while crawling.  I originally found it on Make it and Love it. Such a cute site! I also think this is sooo adorable, but it's not in my skill level anytime soon. 

Found some cute women socks in the dollar section and knew they'd be perfect for Halloween itty-bitty baby legs. I should have thought to take a before picture. So after sewing the first one and cursing the slippery fabric, then having some gaps where the layers didn't connect (UGH!) I remembered that pinning the layers together help.  Yep, I often forget about those useful pins. The second one turned out much nicer.  They look so cute on Sweet Pea!

Kid Break!

Fall is coming and so is Halloween!  I saw some cute Owl Stuffies on the net and wanted to make one of my own!  I was so excited that I created one that very night! He's made out of felt and stuffing. Super cute and Super Easy!