Color the Rainbow: Cornstarch Sidewalk Paint

I found this cool idea on a blog from the Pink and Green Mama. We gave it a try today.

This sidewalk/driveway paint is non-toxic and washable. Just mix corn starch, water, and food coloring to make your paint. Pink and Green Mama didn't give the recipe for how much corn starch and how much water, so I had to guess.

I mixed the paint in a cupcake pan. I started with 2 tablespoons
corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water, and I felt it was too thin.
In the end, I had about 4 tablespoons corn starch to about
1 tablespoon of water.

Some mixtures were thicker than others and those were given a tad more water. I do think overall I had it pretty thick though, and I could have put in a little more water to thin it out. It seemed fine as I was mixing, but when we started painting, it was obvious how thick it really was, but I didn't add any more water. I used both the gel type food coloring for some colors and the liquid type food coloring for other colors, and there didn't seem to be a difference in consistency.

I provided a container of clean water to wash out
brushes between colors.

Painting the sidewalk kept their attention much longer
than the average chalk would have.

Pink and Green Mama mentioned how, when the paint was dry, it did not keep the vibrant colors like she'd hoped. I, too, noticed that the colors faded somewhat when dry, but not to the extent that she mentioned. I was pretty generous with my food coloring. The purple color faded the most, but the other colors held up to the drying process much better.

It was really hot today, so we took a break from painting to
cool down with the help of our adorable turtle sprinkler.

And then it rained.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9

If the Shoe Fits... Fabric Scrap Flip-Flops

It's been more than a year since I snagged this free idea from the craft section at Hobby Lobby. I don't know why it took me so long to do it, because while a bit time-consuming, the hardest part about this activity is picking out flip-flops and coordinating bandanas.

You will need a pair of flip-flops, coordinating bandanas,
and pinking shears.

For small or medium flip-flops, choose 2 bandanas. They can be two coordinating colors, or two of the same color. For large flip-flops, choose 3 bandanas. Again, they can be three coordinating colors, or three of the same. I found our bandanas in the craft section at Hobby Lobby, not far from the flip-flops. The girls loved being able to pick out their own flip-flops and bandanas.

With the pinking shears, cut off the hemmed edges
of each bandana.

Again with pinking shears, cut 1" x 8" strips from the bandanas.

Wrap the pieces around the straps and tie a knot.
I double knotted. Alternate the colors and push
them close together for extra fullness.

My 4-year-old has not yet learned to tie, and she wasn't
grasping the concept today, so I finished hers for her.
She didn't seem to mind and just played with the fabric
while I worked.

My 7-year-old was able to do hers by herself (after I cut
her strips). I did go back in on hers and push them together
and add more strips after she was done. She said
she wanted hers fuller like mine were.

Repeat the process on the other flip-flop,
and you're done!

They will be so fun to wear... but I don't want to get them dirty!
That's the trouble with fancy shoes.

I think you could easily do this project with whatever scrap fabric you might have about, if you don't want to get bandanas. I just counted about 60 strips on ONE flip-flop (the adult one), just to give you an idea.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

Make Your Own Bowl of Ice Cream!

We did something really unique and fun tonight at a birthday party for our friends' daughter. We made our own bowls of ice cream! Well, actually bags of ice cream. I don't have a source for this idea, but I'm going to share it anyway.

For each individual, you will need:

• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 sandwich size zip lock baggie (we used the thicker freezer kind)
• about 1/4 cup rock salt
• plastic container with lid or a gallon-size zip lock
• enough ice to fill plastic container or gallon bag

Mix the sugar, milk, and vanilla in the small zip lock. Make sure there are no holes or leaks in your baggie. Place the small baggie of ingredients inside the larger container or bag and surround with ice and rock salt. Cover tightly or seal bag and shake it vigorously for about five minutes.

Ice cream! YUM!

I recommend having a dish towel handy, because that bag of ice and rock salt was COLD on the bare hands! It was a really fun party activity. The kids thought it was pretty neat, and my daughter gave the ice cream a thumbs up.

I think we'll try this again on a hot summer day when we need a little ice cream to cool us off.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7: 7-12