As I have said (many times) before, our summer is like winter everywhere else. We have to stay indoors. And I've learned that Sami needs to stay busy in order to stay happy. So here are a few things that have saved our summer.
Play Dough. Love it. 
And this is the perfect recipe. It comes out so soft and smooth. And it keeps really well. I like it so much better than the store bought variety.
Play Dough Recipe:
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoon cream of tartar (find it in the spice section)
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup waterfood coloring
Mix first 4 ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 - 5 minutes. Dough will become difficult to stir and form a “clump”. Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a long time stored in a covered plastic container or plastic sandwich bag.
And then there's magnets. Magnets keep Sami girl busy for hours, literally. Hours at the fridge, hours on magnet boards, and now there's file folders. Our Cozy Nest gave me the inspiration, and I have been so grateful. I got the games for free here (this one's the best, in my opinion), here, and here. I followed Cozy Nest's example of putting the games in a binder and using magnets instead of velcro, making it much quieter in church.
Sami is now a pro at matching and recognizing numbers, thanks to all these games. And I thought it was fun putting them together. I bought a laminator at Wal-mart ($25) and I love it, not only for this project, but lots of other fun things too.
These ideas have kept us sane this summer, and I hope you enjoy them too. 
7 comments:
Love the ideas! And I love the last picture too. They're sooo cute!
I agree with Lizzie--that last picture is so cute...although all of the pictures are cute! Those games look like fun!
I thought that I would pass this along just in case you're interested. There's a recipe for yummy edible play dough... it's equal parts of peanut butter, powdered milk, and honey. It might be fun to do, but at the same time it might not be a good idea to teach the girls to eat play dough........ hmmm....
Love the side-by-side sisters at the end . . . that is sometimes the best entertainment :) Our own indoor days are coming, so it is good to refresh ideas!
I just got home and am catching up on your blog. I loved all the photos and stories! I particularly loved that last photo--such cute sisters.
These are so fun Chrissy. Just look the other way when you see that the hansens have the same game folder as you! :0) Maybe we will have to split up you sit on one side we'll sit on the other.
Hi you guys! I keep thinking of you lately and wondering how life is for you with 2 little girls. It was so fun to see the cute pics, hear Sami sing "EIEIO" and just get caught up a bit. Your girls are adorable! I'm trying to figure out who Janie looks like--what do you think? Thanks for the play dough recipe and file folder ideas. I'm excited to try them out! My girls LOVE to sit and color, paint, cut, glue, and do play dough. We need to get together some time when you're up here (wait, are you ever up in Utah anymore?)
Love you!
Jen
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