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! :)

Saint Patrick Day Recipes with Leprechauns

Here are a few Saint Patrick Day Recipes I'm going to try- they look so yummy! Wondering when is St Patrick Day? It is March 17.

Gingebread Leprechauns
How about these Lucky Leprechaun Cookies from TasteofHome.com? 










Here's an original idea - Leprechaun Fortune Cookies from Gourmet Cookie Bouquets.

Here's a green cookie those of you who like Girl Scout Thin Mints can sink your teeth into.

Green, Mint, Chocolate Chip Cookies

From Betty Crocker.

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Sunday Food for Thought: What Would You Do? The Flight or Fight Instinct

What Would You Do: The Flight of Fight Instinct

So, you think you're perfect, do you?  Me too.  At least, I try. I used to work very hard at it; until, one day, I realized perfect is a lot of trouble.  Since then, I just try to do my best. WWJD and all that jazz.  My teenager was learning about flight or fight.  She was describing how it's human instinct to run away from danger.  If a building is burning, most people run away to protect themselves, maybe they run to safety and then call 911. 

Disney's Tinkerbell often practice Fight or Flight.

"Are you crazy", I ask.  "Is that what you would do?" 
"Umm, yes, hello, I'm no hero.  I'm human."
"Really?  Is that what most people would do?" 
"Yes!  That's what separates us from the heroes. Natural instinct."
"I'm flipping out here.  What if someone is in the building?"
"You hope someone else saves them.  You call 911."
"No way!  I'm counting my kids. I'm making sure we're all safe, and I'm going back in to save whoever I can. What if there is a helpless animal inside?"
"Hope.  Pray."

No way!  I'm going in.  I did that once.  Well, I tried to.  People wouldn't let me.  A house was burning. I called 911.  I thought they were gone.  I knew they had dogs inside.  I ran to the house. It was only smoking. I looked in the windows.  I tried to open the sliding glass doors.  Only the garage was burning at the time.  The owner of the home was working in the garage.  He got out safely.  He never tried to save the dogs.  I couldn't get anything open.  Bystanders made me stop trying.  By the time the firemen arrived it was too late. They died of smoke inhalation.

I'm not a hero.  As I often say, maybe I'm just insane.

Turns out, I'm not perfect either.  Not even close.

Once, I worked in a restaurant, it was a small part of a larger organization. I helped seat people between checking on my special catered events. 

The restaurant manager had been at the hostess stand with another employee.  A dishwasher.  He should have been in the kitchen. He was a seasonal employee.  In the summer he came from Mexico to work for a few months. I later found out that he had a fake social security card.

After they left the hostess stand, I went to greet some customers.  Looking down, I noticed a tiny baggie of white powder on the floor.  I quickly scooped it up and put it in my pocket.  I didn't want a customer or their child to pick it up.

I seated the guests and went out into the corridor to gather my thoughts.  I leaned over the counter of the security desk and looked at the stream of videos coming from all parts of the grounds. Nothing seemed unusual.  I considered telling the security guard.  I considered asking him to call the police.

We'd had some trouble. The restaurant manager was on rocky ground.  He was on the verge of being fired. I felt like he had something to do with the package.  I asked the security guard if he knew where the PIC (person in charge) was.  "I think he's in his office."

I went to his office and told him a 'what if' scenario.  'He'd call the police.'  I knew I would too, but I didn't feel like I could. I had to work with these people.  I was dating the manager.  Worse than that, I had moved in with him. Where would I sleep?  What would I do?

"How about you call the police since you're the PIC and all?" He gazed at me with a quizzical grin.
"How about you call the police since you're the one who found it and all?"

Anyway, immediately upon moving in with the manager, I'd become aware of my mistake.  It was a dreadful decision that will haunt me for the rest of my life. But I couldn't tell anyone.  What would they think of me?

The truth is, I felt quite certain, said manager had something to do with the drugs.  The PIC agreed.

Dilemma. 

I went back to the security desk and hung out for awhile. I saw a policeman patrolling the parking lot. I wondered what would happen if he caught me with the drugs in my pocket?  I felt like a criminal.

It's a restaurant, right?  Maybe it's just a packet of low-cal sweetener?

It could be cocaine, crack, crystal meth; I don't know. 

I've never even taken a puff of a cigarette. Once a group of my friends dared me to try 'Skoal Bandits'. I did.  Can you believe that? I can't. But my Dad had once suggested my Aunt purchase tobacco for her abscessed tooth.  It was a home remedy and it worked!  Plus, they were legal at the time, no matter your age.  But, I digress.

What I do know is that my fingerprints are all over the bag.

I decided to ask the manager/boyfriend. I wanted to see how he'd react.

He grabbed it from my hand and looked at it.  "This is heroin!  Where'd you get it?"

I told him the story. 

"You better get rid of it.   The police are outside."

"Why don't you get rid of it for me?"

"Are you crazy?  No way, I'm not going to get caught with that!  My fingerprints are all over it now."

Well... at least he didn't take it and use it.

I didn't want to throw it in the trash.  Someone might dig it out. I told the boyfriend that I was going to flush it.  "Don't do that!  It might not go down. They might trace it back to you.  Take it home and flush it."

So, I decided to do exactly that.  Don't ask me why I thought that was a good idea.  I just don't know what came over me.  I was scared.  I was afraid of losing my job, going to jail, losing my home, my boyfriend, my life...  Just failing in general, I guess.

On the five minute drive home, I became increasingly paranoid. I was terrified I'd be stopped and the police would search the car.  The rain was pelting my windshield.  My heart pounded.  I panicked.

I threw the baggie out the window.

I did. Me, an intelligent, thirty-year-old, goody two-shoes, with nothing to hide.

Immediately I realized my faux pas, more panic.

I wanted to turn around and try to retrieve it.  What if a bird picked it up and ate it?   Or a raccoon?  What if that spot was a bus stop?  What if the kids found it in the morning?  But...

What if I went back, in the dark, in the falling rain and started scrambling on the ground looking for a bag of drugs?  I'd look like an addict! My prints were on the bag. What if a cop came by and found me?

I never went back. I went home.  I stayed with this guy for nearly three more years.  We never discussed the baggie again.

Later, I told my Dad the story.  He had just one question.  "How did the guy know it was heroin?  Who would know that heroin came in a white powder like that?  Who, but a druggie or drug dealer?"

Good question, Dad.  I hadn't thought of that.  So, my instincts were accurate.  The guy had something to do with it.  Why hadn't I turned it in?  I could have saved myself from three, long years of Hell on Earth. Why?

About a year later, after said manager/boyfriend had lost his job and I ended up quitting also, the PIC and I went out to dinner.  "Whatever happened with those drugs you found?"  I told him. I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He'd tried to get me to do the right thing.  Why hadn't I?

I just don't know.  I deeply regret it.  I am not perfect.  I am not a hero.  Apparently, I am not a goody-two shoes either.  If I had it all to do over again, I would take the risk of losing my place to live, my job, and my boyfriend.

Likely, I would have ended up with the other man. Two goody two-shoes together, in the right place at the right time.

I don't know, would I? 

All of those events brought me to my life today. To my beautiful family, (I never thought I'd have) to my life as I now know it- where I can sit on my high-horse and contemplate doing the right thing... next time I get the chance. 

So... How can we blame our kids for impulsive actions when we can't even be sure of ourselves?

Did you read "Hall Pass Thief"?

Sunday Food for Thought on Teen Angst and Parenting

To Lie or not to Lie that is the Question What is a Parent to do?

What would you do? Parenting is hard. Kids don't come with instructions. Just because you can raise a baby to a teen, doesn't mean you can successfully raise a teenager. We all make mistakes. We learn together. Lying is the hardest part. Looking for advice on raising teens? Yeah... we don't have any. Enjoy!

My Musings on Teens and Lying.

What Would You Do?

Scenario:

You haven't been feeling well and you got sick during passing period at school. You stay in the bathroom for several minutes to recover.  You don't want to walk into class late - you'll feel embarrassed.

I'd go to the school nurse, tell her what happened, and ask for a pass.

Reasoning for not:  Didn't want to get sent home, wanted to go to the other classes.

Here's the kicker (s).

"When I came out of the bathroom I looked down and saw a blank hall pass in front of the lockers. I picked it up and used it to get back in class."

What? Do I look like I was born yesterday?

"It's the truth."

So... you expect me to believe that you are incredibly lucky?

"That's what happened."

Wow.  So, why do you think that happened? God is watching over you and just decided to help you skip class?

"I don't know."

Hmm... stuff like that only happens in the movies. Unless... maybe the Devil's been watching you and thinks he can get you on his team, you know?  Maybe it was a test and you passed with flying colors. Or did you fail? Anyway, if you're that lucky, we better go buy a lottery ticket.

"Okay! I saw some passes on a shelf a few weeks ago. When I came out of the bathroom, I remembered them, went back and got one."

Hmm... So, you saw these passes just lying around waiting to be taken and nobody else took them over a two-week period?

"That's right. I was surprised too."

Hmm... I bet you were.   You know, about now, your Dad would be saying something like, 'it's getting really deep in here' or 'that's a load of crap. So, what really happened?

Silence.  Anger rages.  Evil glares.

"I saw the passes a few weeks ago, I picked them up really fast, because I didn't want any STUPID people to take them and try to use them."

Hmm... Really? Why didn't you throw them away or flush them to protect the stupid?

More evil glares.

"I was in a hurry! I dropped them in a basket in my band locker.  Some of my friends walked by and saw them. They said, 'Whooo, you could use those to cut class'. That's where I got the idea."

Pfft! I want to laugh. I'm trying not to cry. My emotions are boiling over.

Am I insane? Hmm... So you're friends gave you the idea?

"Yes! I've seen STUPID people passing bogus hall passes to the teachers. The teacher look at them, say, 'this looks phony' and nothing happens. They get away with it!"

As far as you know.

"What!?"

As far as you know, they get away with it. The teacher probably turns it in to the office as 'bogus'.

So, let me tell you what I think happened. I think you saw the passes a few weeks ago, picked them up and put them in your locker waiting for an opportunity to use them.

Silence. Hands over face. Squinty eyes and rage ensues.

"Fine! I saw the passes and saved them to use them the NEXT time I cut class."

What? The next time?

"Yeah, I've skipped a bunch of times. I got  away with it. The teacher caught me twice but it was last period and I told her I went home early. She said if she caught me again she'd turn me in for all three times. I hate that class; it is full of STUPID people."

Hmm...  Stupid people who skip class, flunk class, and have to take learning recovery to fix their grades?

"Yes!"

And you're different from them because...?

"I'm not STUPID!"

I bet they aren't all stupid. I bet some of them come from broken homes, or they don't have homes, or their parents are drug dealers, or they have to work to help the family and don't have time for homework, or their parents fight all night long and they don't get any sleep, or...  you get the idea. 

Don't judge. You have no idea what goes on at their house. Maybe they have a learning disability and they are doing the best they can. 

Remind me why you are in that class?

"Because, I didn't turn in my essays!"

That's right; the essay the teacher called about the first week of school to let us know you needed to turn in. The essay that was a series of essays you had already turned in. The essay she emailed me about a week later. The essay she called me about at the end of the grading period. The essay that was just a couple of paragraphs on Martin Luther King or Cesar Chavez. 

The essay, you told me you completed when I got your progress report. The essay your father and I made you do in your room.
The one you bounced down the stairs smiling saying, "It's done." 

Thank God. "That wasn't so bad," said your Dad. "Aren't you glad it's over?"

The essay your teacher called me about a week before the end of the semester. She pleaded with me to have you turn it in so you didn't fail her class. She couldn't promise more than a 'D', but she'd see what she could do because the rest of your work was on par. 

You are one of her favorite students.

The essay you told me she lost. I relayed that message and she laughed, "Unlikely, I can't believe she'd say that. They go in a basket right by the door. I'll look again but..."

The essay, you finally promised you finished and handed in, and when the grades came out and you failed AP English, you said, "She lied. I knew she'd flunk me. I knew it didn't matter!" 

What? No. She wouldn't, she couldn't... she promised. We've got to call her and talk to her about this! "We can't; she's on maternity leave." 

Hmm...  Well, that's convenient; isn't it? Please help me understand; I know you didn't turn it in.

"I'm tired of getting low scores when everyone around me cries about missing one point!"

Hmm...  So, you'd rather flunk the entire class rather than earning a 'B'?

"Yep; at least people won't think I'm stupid. I'll just tell them I flunked because I didn't turn in my homework!"

Really? Let me consult with your Dad. It's unanimous, we both agree. He says,"It's stupid to flunk a class over one stupid essay. I think that's stupid." 

Right. The grade on the essay didn't even matter. Points were received (or not) for turning in all of the essays.

Five English classes in a row. Five teachers, "You're daughter is very intelligent. Brilliant. A joy to have in class." 

Five F's. Bored, you say? The first one was regular English. We decided she could fail AP English just as easily. So, she did.  Apparently, the teacher's are stupid and the work is 'unecessary busy work'.

Are there magic words that we can use to help her understand that brilliant, intelligent people can also do stupid things that make them appear stupid?

She's got guts. I can't imagine. She signed her name to the hall pass and turned it into the librarian who asked her who wrote it. She couldn't answer. The librarian asked what classes she was coming from. The librarian called the teacher who said, "Well, she's a good kid. If she skipped class she must have had a good reason." The librarian turned it into the Dean. 

How'd I find out? Innocently, "How was school today?"

"Oh, did they call you? I knew they would. Here's what happened..."

Shock. No one called, ever. I called the counselor. She has no record of any class cutting or other things we have dealt with at school. Neither the Librarian nor the Dean contacted her. Did it really get to the Dean?I don't know.  The Dean is also her volleyball coach- who knows what a fantastic citizen she is- 'a joy to have on the team'. 

If we are never punished for our actions, won't we keep repeating them, perhaps with more intensity and boldness each time?

After all, if she is getting away with this over and over again, isn't she really smarter than the rest of us "STUPID people"?

I'm a goody two-shoes; I would have done exactly what she said, 'picked that pass up before anyone else could take it and get into trouble', but I would have thrown it away immediately.

How about you? 

Are you sure about that? What would you do?

You might also like: I've got a confession to make involving hard-core drugs. I think you'll find it very interesting.

You might like our Pinterest Board for Teens too.











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! :)

Jake's Jokes: A Comedian in making. Funny things kids say.

Jake's Jokes for Kids: Funny things kids say. 

Jake tells stories like a comedian shares jokes. Check the tab above for lists of knock knock jokes and riddles.

Girl:  "Jake, Do you know Jocelyn?"

Jake:  "Yes, we've been bestfriends since pre-school."

Girl:  "Oh, wow.  She's my friend too, now."

Jake:  "Oh, wait, I forgot.  We're not friends anymore."

Girl:  "Why not?"

Jake:  "She treats me like trash, so I treat her like dirt."

Mommy:  Speechless as usual.

Be Prepared the Boy Scout Motto and My Musings on the Universe Talking to You.

The universe is talking to you.  Are you listening? Be Prepared.

Be Prepared - My Musings on the Universe talking to you.

A few weeks ago my son watched 'Hoodwinked' over and over again.  He loves the goat.  For days he sang, "Be Prepared" and chuckled to himself.

Over the weekend, we attended The Boy Scout's Blue and Gold Banquet.  I was surprised to hear that the Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared." 

We watched a bridge ceremony presented by a high school scout troop. They wore full indian regalia and passed on their wisdom to inspire the new recruits.  It was surprisingly touching and thought provoking.

For various reasons, we hadn't made it to church in awhile.  On Sunday the lesson was Matthew 6:24-34.

Whether you are a Christian or not, I think you'll find Jesus', "Bobby McFerrin",  philosophy thought provoking in this passage.

24 'No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.


25 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


34 'So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

The Reverend then spoke about the difference between worry and preparation. Basically, she said, 'Don't worry, be happy, but plan well.'  

To me it all translates to "Be prepared"!

When the universe hits me in the head with a brick, I try to listen.  Have you noticed similar patterns in your life?

More About the good things Scout's do:

Scout's and Community Service

Saint Patrick Day Greening of The Canal, Indianapolis INDY

Greening of the Canal, Downtown Indy

A few years back, Mayhem and I went to the Saint Patrick Day Parade Downtown Indianapolis and toured the green canal. Happy March!  When is Saint Patrick's Day? March 17, of course. The Greening of the Canal ceremony in downtown Indy is Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 5 p.m. Enjoy!

Saint Patrick Day Activities in Indianapolis: Greening of the canal.


Click here for Details about St. Patrick's Day Activities in Indianapolis.

Green Fountain for Saint Patrick Day.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Recommended Reading:

Fun Leprechaun activities to do with kids

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day*

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! :)

My Musings a Weighty Update and Food Review

My Musings on Weight Loss and Food Allergies.

My Musings on Weight Loss and Food Allergies.

So,  I've been losing and gaining weight for the past... OMG- nearly twenty years.

I've lost and gained 50 lbs. at least three times.

I don't have a food problem.  As many of you already know, I have a drinking problem.

For some reason Mt. Dew curbs my appetite. :-)

So, this time last year I weighed 20 lbs. less than I do today.

I haven't kicked the habit.  I know I can live without it, I can switch to diet or drink something else, but there are times when I really feel a Dew is necessary.

However, my body is fighting back.  The aches and pains of aging have caught up to me.

This year, I've introduced FOOD and vitamin supplements into my diet.  Not just any food, but healthy, good- for-you, food.  I try to make sure that every calorie packs a healthy punch.  The weight isn't coming off yet but I feel so much better.  I see a brighter tomorrow.

Years ago, my family doctor made many of the suggestions that are just taking hold.  Eat wheat germ, sprinkle it on everything.  Try B vitamin supplements, glucosamine, peppers...  yada, yada, yada.  I tried everything he asked me to for about a minute.

A month ago, I started taking vitamin B-12 everyday.  It has completely replaced the need for Mt. Dew, seriously.  Dew gave me a little mood kick when I was feeling down and fatigued.   B-12 does that and lasts all day.  I've been happier about getting up earlier, which gives me more time to get things done and less time to sulk about not enough hours in the day.

My mind says, "Hey, go rest for a minute."  I say, "Okay", and I rest for a minute, not an hour!

So, yesterday I bought glucosamine.  At the ripe old age of eleven, my little cock-a-poo could barely walk or jump.  Glucosamine changed his life and he lived to be almost twenty years old!  20 x 7 = 140.  I'll take that!

I've gone from one meal a day and maybe piece of toast, to eating 4-6 times day.  You've heard it.  Do it.

Stress has been crazy the last few years and more so the last few months; my Dew intake has been at an all time high of 48 oz. per day plus sweet tea, milk, cranberry juice, blueberry juice - whatever I could find.

Wednesday I had 24 oz.   Yesterday 20 oz.  Today 0 oz. 

I'm drinking de-caffinated, black tea with splenda and an occasional cranberry pomegranate juice, and... water.

I am exercising sporadically but wearing those silly walking shoes daily.

My weight is the same but my booty looks great in jeans! 

My knees crack when I go up and down the stairs.  We'll see what the glucosamine does (assuming the allergens in it don't kill me first, be careful- read the label).

My face!  This is where I've seen the biggest change.  My skin looks healthy and I have a glow again.

Yesterday, I decided to try those steel cut oats everyone seems to recommend.

Not thrilling, but not unedible either.   I added one tablespoon of a chunky, cherry applesauce.

1/2 cup = 100 calories. The oats are 150 calories per 1/4 cup.  Not bad people, not bad. 

I got Vitamin C and Iron from the applesauce and Fiber, Iron, and Protein from the oats.

I can't wait for the snow to go away.  Those shoes were made for walking.  I think I finally had that epiphany they talk about on the Biggest Loser, "It's a life change."  Something had to change, I'm not getting any younger.

These items both came from Aldi and were on special.  Oats = $1.89, Applesauce = $1.69.  I wouldn't have bought them otherwise.  I think we have to listen carefully to our surroundings.  A helping hand is guiding, if we just pay attention. 

Blogosphere, the next time you see me, I'll be a perfect size 10 - or at least have the ability to walk without snap, crackle, and pop.  I'll post a photo around April 1. 

Did you know Black Tea actually has healthy properties?

St. Patrick's Day Parade Banner Craft and Fun Leprechaun Ideas

St.Patrick's Day Leprechaun Craft Banner: Fun Ideas for Parade

What can you do for St. Patrick's Day with kids? Make some Saint Patrick's Day crafts and have a parade. This banner is an easy leprechaun craft for St. Patrick Day. Enjoy!

Felt and Construction Paper Banner Leprechaun Craft.

Make a St. Patrick's Day theme mobile for your room, or put it on a stick and carry it in a parade around town! These fun st. patrick's day ideas are easy to make with tacky glue, paper, fabric scraps, and an old wire hanger.

Glue the felt over a hanger.

We took a sparkly, green pipe-cleaner and wrapped the hook end of the hanger. Then, we draped a piece of green felt over the base and glued it with tacky glue.

Next, we cut out shapes from scraps of construction paper and made a leprechaun with a pot of gold. Use tacky glue or a glue stick. Other St. Patrick's Day themes would be a rainbow, a snake, or a simple shamrock. Whatever you choose have fun!

St. Patrick's Day Parade Banner Craft and Fun Leprechaun Ideas.

For the finishing touch, we cut colorful ribbon the width of the felt and glued it to the top and bottom. Use a dowel rod and turn the banner into a flag to carry in a parade. It's simple and you will have fun playing make believe in your very own holiday parade! Follow the Leprechaun to more St. Pat's Crafts and Activities: Shamrocks Rock 

Recommended Reading:


S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet (Discover the World)*

St. Patrick's Day Countdown*
















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