Friday Follows Holiday Book Giveaway

"So You Want to be a Work-at-Home Mom" By Jill Hart & Diana Ennen.

And the Winner is....

With a totally random roll of my giant, purple die.

Leanne Chesser.

Thanks for the follows, Leanne.

Everyone else...  Check back later today for the next Holiday Book Giveaway.

How to Make Knives: Handmade Knife Art by Roger Shrum

Hand Carved Knife designs by Roger Shrum.

You don't have to be a painter to be an amazing artist. Roger Shrum (a pretty good painter), is carving a hobby making handmade knives. These knives are art. Want to learn more about how to make knives? Check out the knife below. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, Mr. Shrum has delted his blog and other social media, but you can still see his beautiful works of art on our Pinterest Board. He also makes pewter turtles and other amazing creatures.

Homemade Art Knife by Shrum Knives.

Handcrafted Art Knives

Check out this beautiful, handmade knife art. Want to learn how to make knives? 

Visit my cousin, the artisan on our Pinterest Board: Shrum Knives. 


Roger is a local folk artist who works full-time and crafts and carves in his free time. See his beautiful pewter turtles on Pinterest.

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Activities for Children: How to Make a Straw free Scarecrow with Recycled Items

How to make your own Kid Scarecrow without Straw

When we visit a local farm, there are lots of activities for children including an area set aside to make your own scarecrow. It is very messy and smelly! We all sneeze. Wouldn't it be cool to have a scarecrow without straw?

Activities for Children: Mini Scarecrow for Indoors.

So, a few years ago, I decided to design my own allergy-friendly scarecrow activity for kids. We used paper and recycled bags!

Tired old allergy free scarecrow.

How to Make an Allergy-Free Scarecrow

Old kid's clothes (short sleeves work too).
Paper lunch sacks or plastic pumpkins
Plastic grocery bags
Raffia, yarn, staples, or duct tape to attach the parts.

Grab your kid's old , torn clothes. Stuff the pants with plastic grocery bags. (Tie them in knots or blow them up like balloons for extra padding.) Stuff your shirt.Ties the feet and arms off with string or tape with duct tape. Stuff shirt into waist of pants. Duct tape works best here. Attach it to look like a belt. Cut arms or hands from paper bags as needed. Staple to end of shirt. Make feet too. Stuff a paper lunch sack with plastic bags, tie it off, and attach to the shirt. You can use a plastic pumpkin for the head too- not as easy to attach. Throw on a straw hat or cut out strips of the lunch bag and staple on for hair.

Recommended Reading:

Companion books for this children's activity are:

The Big, Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown *ad

Painting with Gourds and Mini-Pumpkins Craft = Happy Accident

Paint with pumpkins and gourds: A fun, Fall Thanksgiving Craft for Kids

This is a happy accident! We used our pumpkins and gourds as stampers and rollers. We painted them in different colors and then pressed and rolled them onto paper. The kid's had a blast! When we were ready to clean up, I noticed the paint had dried onto the squash. It was so beautiful that I tossed them in a basket and called them a Thanksgiving Centerpiece! You might also like this Acorn Squash Recipe.

Painted Mini-pumpkins and Gourds centerpiece for Thanksgiving.

Look at these lovely squash.

The kids painted with pumpkins and gourds resulting in a beautiful bi-product.

Rolling Pumpkin Art with edible paint.

Grab some paint or make your own with cornstarch, food coloring, and water.
Roll or press the squash in the paint.
Roll it across the paper or use it like a rubber stamp.

Results:

Beautiful works of contemporary art, frame worthy.

Make your own beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece basket.

Happy accident?  A  lovely centerpiece basket full of colorful fall vegetables.

Recommended Reading:

Totline Busy Bees Fall Fun for Two's and Three's

Ten Apples Up On Top!

Fall Crafts for Toddlers to Make

Turkey in the Straw, Turkey in the Hay Fun Thanksgiving Song for Preschoolers

Cute Song for Thanksgiving: Turkey in the Straw

One of my favorite childhood memories is when my brother's second grade class learned the song, Turkey in the Straw. He sang that song until the Fourth of July! It is such a cute Thanksgiving song for Preschoolers and Early Elementary Students.









Recommended Reading:

Thanksgiving Game for Preschoolers

Thanksgiving Song for Preschoolers

Over The River and Through the Woods Poem for Thanksgiving

Do you Remember this Fun, Thanksgiving Song?

Over The River and Through the Woods Poem for Thanksgiving.

Need some music for your next Thanksgiving holiday event? Over the River and Through the Woods is a fun song to sing on the way to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving! Most people think it is a Christmas song, but it was originally written as a poem for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Facebook Fall Header.

Over The River and Through the Woods Poem for Thanksgiving. 

The image is sized to use as a FREE Facebook header. Save a copy and add it to your page or profile.

Growing up, we sang this Thanksgiving song every year on the way to Grandma's house for Christmas.

Over the river, and through the wood,

To Grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh

through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose

As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,

To have a first-rate play.

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood

Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood—

And straight through the barnyard gate,

We seem to go extremely slow,

It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood—

Now Grandmother's cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Recommended Reading:

Turkey Thanksgiving Book for Kids*

Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving

Fun Edible Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

It's the Great Turkey, Charlie Brown: Giant Inflatable Turkey Balloon for Thanksgiving

Every Yard Needs a Bird: Inflatable Balloon Turkey

Inflatable Turkey Balloon.

Do you decorate for Thanksgiving or jump right into Christmas decorations? We leave our orange and purple Halloween lights up, and add a Giant Inflatable Turkey Balloon into our yard. He stops traffic. Enjoy!

Gobble gobble gobble. Happy Turkey Day!

Recommended Reading:

Easy Recipe for Thanksgiving Candy

The Thanksgiving Story

So You Want to be a Work At Home Mom & Giveaway

FRIDAY FOLLOWS NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY #1

Jill Hart and Diana Ennen recently approached me about a review for their book, "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom".  I accepted the offer thinking I would use the book for a giveaway.

Hey Ladies, I actually read the book from cover to cover!  I even took notes.

I googled it.  The website is number two, right after Amazon.com.  The advice given in this book is written from a Christian perspective based on honesty and integrity.  These ladies have been there, done that.

Although I have been blogging for awhile now, I still have many questions.  "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom" is written in an easy, conversational style.  Think the WEB MD commercials where the doctor is sitting in on the couch with a bunch of Moms- that's how you'll feel about Diana and Jill.  It is motivational offering proven success tips.

The book is designed to educate stay-at-home moms on work from home opportunities.  Not only does it answer the tough questions- it details how to find the answers and put them into action for your business.

Can't think of a good business proposal?  The book is filled with real, concrete ideas.

Do you ever get those emails offering thousands of dollars per week for WAHMS?  You get a link to a site that is full of hype but doesn't let out the big secret.  You are dying to know the big secret.  Maybe, just maybe it is really true and you are missing out on a fantastic opportunity.

Ladies, I know the big secret. Don't fall prey.  It may not be a scam but it will take tons of your money, time, and integrity.  This "opportunity" is for Herbalife.  It could be right for you but the odds are against it.

Why am I telling you about Herbalife?  Because, this is not one of those get-rich-quick scams.   "So You Want to be a Work-At-Home Mom" is written by real moms, just like you.  You probably won't get rich quick but you might have fun trying.

SAHM/WAHM bloggers, this is a must read.  SAHM/WAHM others - take your home business to the next level with these great tips.

Write your own press releases, fix your SEO, learn how to market yourself online.

I don't want to give it away but I will.  (I did take great notes, after all.)

Follow, Follow, Follow me wherever you can find me.  For every new follow, you'll get an entry into a random drawing.  All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know where you are following.

At the end of the month, any follower who helps me reach my goals (listed below) will be in the running for a prize package that includes a $15 Amazon gift card and lots of crafty goodies for you and the fam.

I can't wait to send you this little gem.  Get clicking.


Google Friend Connect for KCC 225  (Scroll down the right sidebar)
Facebook for Kid's Creative Chaos 50
Facebook for The Play Connection 200
Facebook Subscribe to Lora Langston  800
Twitter @Playconnection 250
Blog Frog Kid's Creative Chaos 1000 (Click the Blog Frog Tab & Join my community)
Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for me for #1  (Just click the button on the KCC blog)
Google Connect for http://www.midwestbloggersassociation.com  50
Google Connect for http://loralangston.com  35
If you've done everything else have a look at my website. http://www.theplayconnection.com


Surprise me--I have accounts with DIGG, Stumbleupon, Goodreads, Picket Fence Blogs, and several Mommy Blogger's sites you can add that too for bonus points.  Just let me know- I don't get around to all of them very often.

Everywhere you follow gets an entry. You might want to save them for upcoming Friday Follows - I have tons more books to giveaway.

Cute Online Cartoon Pumpkin Carving Game

Carve a Pumpkin Online: Cute Jack-o-Lantern Patterns

You can practice your pumpkin carving skills online. Not sure how you want your Jack-o-lantern to look? Practice by drawing different faces on a pumpkin with this cute, online game for kids.  Enjoy!

Carve a Pumpkin Online: Cute Jack-o-Lantern Patterns

Click on the link above to go to the site, and start carving your very own pumpkin! Below, we've listed some stories to compliment your pumpkin activities.

Recommended Reading:

Perry the Platypus Pumpkin Carving Pattern

The Never Complete Book of Pumpkin Carvings: A compilation of carving ideas

Pumpkin Soup

Creative Pumpkin Activities

Get Creative and Make a Pumpkin Mummy

This pumpkin mummy is an adorable and less messy way to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween! We found these cute little pumpkins over at Hands on as we Grow.  Enjoy!

Mummy pumpkins from Hands on as we grow.

We made these for a preschool Halloween Hoopla class and the kids loved them! Just wrap your pumpkin in cheesecloth.

Recommended Reading:

Why do We Carve Pumpkins?


The Runaway Pumpkin *ad


The Night Before Halloween *ad

Real Family of Indianapolis Takes a Bike Ride: Family Focus

Family Focus: A Typical Outdoor Experience

So, we've been planning to go on a family bike ride for a year now. One thing or another caused delay. The last time our real family of Indianapolis went on a ride, the little ones rode in a carrier trailer behind Mommy's bike. This is the real story behind a typical family fun outing. Enjoy!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.

This is not a bicycle. Do not take one on a bike ride!

Wordless Wednesday- TPC KIDS sing, I Love You Like a Love Song Baby

Everyday, after school, I am brought to happy tears by the angelic voices singing to Selena Gomez's, "I Love You Like a Love Song" in my mini-van.  I transport children ages 3-8 yrs. and the song comes on Disney at the same time everyday.  It is the most touching, adorable thing I have ever heard.

I thought you might like to sing-a-long too.  Here are the lyrics, an instrumental to record your little voices to, and the video found on YouTube.

We were two kids short  but that's okay...

 Send "Love You Like A Love Song" Ringtone to your Cell 

Selena Gomez & the Scene - Love You Like A Love Song Lyrics

It’s been said and done
Every beautiful thought’s been already sung
I guess right now, here’s another one
So your melody will play on and on with the best of ‘em
You are beautiful like a dream come alive, incredible
A sinful, miracle, lyrical
You saved my life again
And I want you to know, baby

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

Constantly, boy, you played through my mind like a symphony
There’s no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I’ve been rescued
I’ve been set free
I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful, you are
And I want you to know, baby

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

No one compares, you stand alone
To every record I own
Music to my heart, that’s what you are
A song that goes on and on

I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song baby (3x)
I love you like a love song.

Recommended:

Jessica Simpson's Rocking Around the Christmas Tree Song

Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas Puppy Craft

Vlog Tutorial Easy Preschool Torn Paper OWL Craft

Easy Fall Craft Activity for Kids Torn Paper Owl

We made a Vlog Tutorial with our Messy Play Class. This Torn Paper Owl Craft is an easy activity for preschoolers. The kids had a blast tearing their construction paper.  Enjoy!

Tearing the paper gives the activity a sensory play element. The glue is sticky and messy too. Make note if your child is especially upset with the sticky glue on their hands, they may have sensory issues.

Recommended: Little Owl's Night Early Childhood Development*

Sims Social bot

I suppose this bot for the Sims Social on Facebook really works.  You have to sign up for things and apply for things.  Unfortunately, for me,  I decided to cancel after I put in my phone number and now I am getting calls for surveys and marketing calls several times a day.

If you are addicted I guess it is worth it.  If not, don't do it!

Sims Social bot

Indy 500 activities for kids: It's that time of year again... Vroom Vroom! Let's go to the Races: Balloon Glow

What is a Balloon Glow Festival? Giant Hot Air Balloons with Fun Shapes at the Indianapolis 500 Track!

Benefits truly abound when living near a capital city. We live about 15 minutes from downtown Indy and a few minutes from the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway. When I saw a tweet inviting everyone to the Centennial Celebration at the track, I immediately 'Googled' it. Just in the nick of time!

The Indianapolis 500 Race Track Start/Finish Line.

In celebration of the Track Centennial and the first hot air balloon race held there, a special balloon glow was held in Indy in May. The balloons were on display and began 'glowing' at dusk, and the evening ended with fireworks! This was well worth the money :-) Totally Free! My kids woke up anxious to check the early morning sky for the balloon race. Memories were made. Way to go IMS, you made our day!

Energizer Bunny Balloon goes up slowly. He is over 60' tall and cannot participate in the race due to size. Here, he looks like he is doing push-ups!

Bunny and Balloon Coloring Sheet

A crowd pleaser, staff handed out Energizer bunny
balloon ears to all attendees.

Hot Air Balloon Glow at dusk in Indianapolis.

Hot Air Balloon Festival.

United Truck Hot Air Balloon.

Mayhem  disliked the fire. At first, Jake did too. He wanted to stay on the pavement and admire the balloons from a distance until he saw the truck. 

Daddy took him to touch the bumper and everything changed...

That's one happy face!  He got to make the fire.

Balloon #21 is the Breast Cancer Awareness Balloon. Special thanks to the crew! They were so nice and patient! Jake even got to light the balloon. His little body shook all over as he pulled on the mechanism to start the flame, but you can see from his face- it was worth it. He begged to take a ride!

In the morning, he awoke bright and early because he wanted to race his balloon. Unfortunately, he was only allowed to peek up into the sky in hopes of catching a glimpse of the balloons in flight.

These flames are not only noisy but fiercely hot.

Hot Air Balloon Glow and Go.

Recommended Reading:

Racecar Alphabet

Racecar Activities for Kids

Wanna Easy Way to Color Eggs

Use a Dudley Egg Spinner!*

This post has moved: Easy way to color Easter Eggs.

You might also like Homemade Easter Egg Coloring Dye.

Post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

Ask Amanda

Today, Amanda asks...

While pulling into pre-school at the church, Amanda asks-

"Mommy, What's a G-Spot?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said?"

"What would happen if we didn't use a G-Spot?"

"Amanda! What are you talking about?"

"Why do we always park in a G-spot? What if we parked in another letter?"

I had no idea what we were talking about until I looked up.

We park in a spot for guest parking with a blue sign marked with a big "G".

Stop what you are doing and take the time to...

Go hug your little one; even if you aren't demonstrative do it EVERYDAY. Protect them from becoming an empty shell trapped in a thick, cinder box too thick for ice picks, jackhammers, or bull dozers to break through the devastating loneliness. Don't wait until it's too late.

Easy Saint Patrick's Day Activity Leprechaun Door Decoration

Easy Take Home Activity for Classroom: Leprechaun Door Hanger

This silly leprechaun would like to welcome you to Ireland or maybe just a kid's room. Easy St. Patrick's Day Activity for Kids to make: Leprechaun door decoration craft. Enjoy!

Here's an easy St. Patrick'S Day craft based loosely on the Shamrock.  To the best of your ability draw a shamrock (connect three hearts) with a swirly stem that wraps around to form a circle opening big enough to hang on a door knob. Finish the design with green, orange, and peach paint or markers.  Add construction paper of felt details too. All done?  Leave a comment and link your leprechaun for all to see.

Here's our first attempt; I know you can do better!

Leprechaun Door Hanger make a take home craft.

You might also like fingerpaint leprechaun handprint craft.

Recommended Reading:

The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever*

St. Patrick's Day Alphabet Book*

















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Easy Saint Patrick's Day Craft and Activities for Preschool: Leprechaun

Make a Cute Handprint Leprechaun for St. Pat's Day! Erin Go Bragh!

Who doesn't love messy Saint Patrick's Day activities for preschool?  Okay, me, but most kids love it.  This is a simple twist on the hand-print turkey.  Brave souls can do the craft as pictured.  We took green, orange, and peach paint to transform little hands into a lucky leprechaun.  Not so brave?  Trace a handprint on construction paper and cut out one of each color then just cut and paste.  "Erin go Bragh"!

Easy Handprint Leprechaun great for Sensory Processing.

Ever wonder what Erin go Bragh means?

From Wikpedia:
Erin go Bragh is an anglicisation of the Irish phrase Éirinn go Brách (pronounced [ˈeːɾʲɪn̠ʲ ɡə ˈbˠɾˠɑːx]), in which Éirinn is the dative of Éire (meaning "Ireland"). In standard modern Irish the phrase is Éire go Brách (pronounced [ˈeːɾʲə ɡə ˈbˠɾˠɑːx]). It is probable that the English version was taken from what was a "dative" context, such as Go bhfanad in Éirinn go brách("May I stay in Ireland for ever") or Go bhfillead go hÉirinn go brách ("May go back to Ireland for ever").



Recommended Reading:




More Leprechaun Fun

That's What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting*


Stingy Leprechaun Game teaches money counting


















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)