A Birthday and Final Halloween Creations

Rob’s birthday was last week, so Amelia and I went at it in making him his favorite dinner and cake.  Since the day falls in the midst of our Halloween creativity, we thought we would give it a festive look and since he doesn’t like icing, we did one with and one without (only a dab of confectioners sugar).  Amelia figured one was hers and one his…so be it!  Obviously, the icing one was hers.  We had a simple dinner of Tacos with rice, opened presents and then finally the cake!  Happy 35th (you wish..cough cough) dear husband of mine.

We have been busy with our final Halloween creations too.

Made a button bat.  Amelia lost interest half way thru in gluing the buttons on, perhaps I should have used larger buttons! Probably not the best toddler activity, but she does love going thru my button box.  I actually have 2, one that was my grandmothers that I don't let her play with (yet), and another that I bought at a garage sale that she loves putting her hands in and finding matches.

We had 2 pumpkins to carve, but after the first I thought I better just spray paint the 2nd one with black chalkboard paint and have her decorate it.  First, she didn't like the GUK factor from the pumpkin and secondly, couldn't do any of the carving, so wanted to play with her horses instead.  Understood.

We also managed to do some splash painting with a foam bat and a few types of brushes.  This she loved!

Finally, this morning we made a hand print ghost garland.  I decorated one (to show her how) and she did 3 more (she said they were mom with big eyes, dad and "me").  We used card stock,  fishing line, small hole punch and her hand for a template of course!  I love how this turned out. 

ok...ready for Christmas!  Will have trick or treating adventures posted on wednesday.

Ellsworth Elephant September 1959

Not sure if anyone is keeping track, but I have failed already in keeping these in order.  Here is September 1959 issue.  

Painted Jar Pumpkin

Trying to cram in as many projects as we can before Halloween day arrives.  

This one was super easy and Amelia didn’t need much help.  I did tape the face on prior to her painting and spray painted the lid green, but other than that she went at it with a variety of brushes and lots of paint "more paint please".  She didn't bore of it either, so just the right amount of time craft for a toddler.

Looks pretty good!  We added a push LED light in for display on Halloween night, but candle would do fine too (without the lid of course). Think I might need a new Halloween bin for all her projects completed and yet to be done :)

Puppets

Puppets have been big here for the past month or so.  It started with a download I did of farm cut outs that I glued to popsicle sticks.  I was pondering what to do for a puppet stage and scoured about looking for an appropriate cardboard box, but I came across a small ready made one on Amazon cheap, so purchased that and will continue to ponder a larger handmade one.

This set came with wooden spoon puppets that you assemble.  They turned out pretty well and are pretty durable too. 

 

Also came with "props"  that Amelia loves putting them in pre-made slots and taking them back out.

We get Family Fun magazine which has some great craft ideas including an owl puppet made from a toilet paper roll, cupcake liners, glue, tape and white and orange cardstock.  They can fly around the house too.

We have dug out or Cow "Moo Moo" puppet and Zoe from Sesame Street too and have been playing with them endlessly.  Hmmm...will have to get a picture of that as I don't seem to have one to post.  Oh well.

Have a great rest of the week!  Happy puppetry!