Keep It Local: Mini Golf at Cameron Run Regional Park

We put putt putt on our Summer Bucket List every year and while we always do it, in the past, some of us have been bigger fans than others {uhem, uhem, Cam laying on the course last year). But this year we seem to have turned a corner and not only were we both super in to going, we played the entire course and sank several hole-in-ones. We just checked out the course at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria and had a total blast. As it always seems to be, it was about 100 degrees out and SUPER humid the day we went. So we spent a lot of time searching out shady spots to rest as well (FYI there is NO WATER available anywhere on the course, so make sure to bring your own).

Between the heat and the sudden uptick in our hand-eye coordination, we finished the course in record time and hightailed it to a nearby 7-11 for Pina Colada slurpies (we are all still in tropical concoction withdrawal from our recent Jamaican vacation). We then looped back to do a little quick geocaching. What can we say? When we go at that bucket list, we like to hit up multiple things at once.

By the way, the golf course overlooks adjacent Great Waves Waterpark, which looked both awesome and totally horrifying to mom (the lifeguard rescue we observed probably didn't help). I don't think we're quite up to the rolling wave action just yet!

Click HERE to get the golf course hours and HERE to get the fees. Note that admission to the golf course is free when you buy a ticket to the water park, which we just might do next year.

Artworks: DIY Mini Piñatas!

Yesterday, we crafted one of our most favorite summer bucket list items yet: mini piñatas. Mom loved them because they used up some of the party supplies taking over our house. We loved them because we got to eat gummy bunnies, which mom pretty much considers candy and dispenses sparingly. Win-win.

We basically followed One Charming Party's tutorial, subbing some of the party supplies we already had on hand. The first one took a bit of finagling, but once you get the hang of it, they come right together. They'd be so, so cute for a birthday party or in red, white + blue at a July 4th BBQ as a "firecracker" piñata. Happy Summer Bucket listing, everyone!

To make our mini piñatas, pull together :
- paper party cups (we used polka dot because that's what we had -- white or another solid colors would give you a more professional look, if you're going for that);
- fringed streamers (we had some pre-fringed leftover garland from another party, so we used that. if we were doing it from scratch, mom would likely cut the streamer in half lengthwise first. it's easier to layer shorter fringed pieces);
- cardstock, cut into 2" circles and hole-punched twice (see photos below);
- string or twine;
- glue;
- a hammer and small nail;
- 5" square or circle of tissue paper; and
- treats! 

1. Having a parent help you, make two small holes in the bottom of the cup with your hammer and nail. Loop a small strand of string through the two holes, tying the ends together inside the bottom of the cup. 

2. Fill cup with treats. Take a 2 foot-long piece of string and loop it through the 2" cardstock circle, and tie string flush against it. Place cardstock on top of your treats, with string ends tailing out the top. 

3. Make small hole in middle of 5" square/circle of tissue paper. Run the ends of cardstock-tied string through it and out the top of the cup. Place a small amount of glue around outside top of cup, fold tissue paper over the sides, gluing down as you go. Let dry for a few minutes.

4. Glue fringe on in layers, starting from the tissue paper covered end of the cup. The more you overlap the fringe, the more coverage you'll get. We could only be patient enough for 3-4 layers. What can we say? We wanted the gummies! 

5. When it's party time, tie piñatas up or have a friend hold one. Gently pull on bottom string and ENJOY!!!

{you can re-use the pinatas by adding more treats, replacing cardstock circle, and taping up the bottom tissue paper a bit}

Artworks: DIY Chalkboard Tag Notebooks

A few weeks ago, we had our very first kiddo book club with a group of friends. Our core group included kids ranging from rising pre-K to rising-1st graders, but a few younger siblings were included, too. To help keep everyone focused (or occupied) during our discussion, we made these super cute chalkboard tag notebooks.

Here's the deal -- you'll need:

- hardcover cardboard notebook (we bought some cute bold graphic patterned ones from Target -- they were under $2 each);
- chalkboard paint (a little can like this will do);
- painter's tape; and
- a foam craft brush

If you want a super clean tag and/or are trying to cover up something on the front of the notebook (we were doing both), have a parent help you outline your painting area with the painter's tape. If you want to do it free form, you likely don't need any help.

Paint thin coats (we did 5 coats) of the chalkboard paint with your craft brush -- allowing each coat to dry sufficiently in between.

Once dry, carefully peel off tape, prime it a bit by rubbing with chalk, and write your name!

Your Dough is My Dough: Frozen Playdough

We realized recently that the last time we made playdough was for St. Paddy's Day! How sad is that!? It makes mom feel like we're getting so old -- we used to make several different batches a week. In any event, we listed some new and creative playdough on our bucket list and when we spotted some recipes for frozen play dough on Pinterest, we knew we had to try it.

And we loved Growing A Jeweled Rose's idea of turning it into ice cream! Such a great way to cool off in the summer. We highly suggest playing with it outside. In bathing suits. Near a hose to spray everything and everyone down after! To make ours, you'll need:

- shaving cream (we used almost 2 cans to make 7 colors);
- gel food coloring (it blends easily without making the shaving cream melt);
- baking extracts (we used vanilla, almond, orange, and peppermint);
- containers;
- ice cream accessories (we used scoops, real toppings, and ice cream cones); and
- freezer space (for a few hours at least).

Let the kiddos spray the shaving cream into containers. Mix in a few drops of food coloring and extracts (FYI, we found that the extracts gave a little scent, but it still smelled like shaving cream!). Put the mixed cream into the freezer for at least a few hours. Once frozen, set up a little ice cream shop and go to town!

Miscellaneous Madness: A Day in the Life (June 2014)

Well, mom did a great job with last month's 12 in 12. And then promptly forgot this month. Just for a day, though. She remembered early the morning of the 13th and mostly made up for it. Friday the 13th. The end of our first week of summer break and the day before we left for a family vacation to Jamaica. Needless to say we were both tired and excited, and mostly hung out at the house prepping and packing for our trip. AND did lots and lots of crafting for our first ever kids book club that we hosted that evening, obviously (more to come on that soon). Hope everyone else's summer is off to a great start! Don't forget to pop over to No Monsters in My Bed and Where the Watermelons Grow to see what they were doing in June.

7.30 am -- mom comes downstairs to find that Kane set up almost all of his "guys" in an epic battle in the living room. He was still in technical compliance with her demand to "keep his room picked up."

8 am -- Cam has her morning juice at the window {with some "guys"}.

9 am -- we make mom birthday cards and she pretends not to know.

10.15 am -- our kids book club read The Magic Treehouse's "Abe Lincoln at Last," which involves giving Abe hope with a feather. So we cut out colorful feathers to use in a club "hope jar."

11 am -- Kane works on the book club "ballot box" -- for voting on our club name, of course.

12.15 pm -- we get a show while mom gets a shower.

1.05 pm -- we decide to run a few errands just as the skies about open up.

2 pm -- lunch at Busboys & Poets -- the rain is relentless, so we stick around for apple pie.

3 pm -- Cam helps pack for vacaye by trying on all her vacation clothes. Super, super helpful.

4.45 pm -- book club set up.

7.15 pm -- Cam helps with a photoshoot for an AFL guest post.

8 pm -- bathtime -- Cam insists on still using her baby bath towel. It's so cute, we let her.