Backyard Ocean: Big Pool Fun for Small Spaces

There's no better way to beat summer's sizzle than in the pool! Florida summers are hot, sticky and often humid To stay cool, the Lil Divas could spend all day playing in water and I can't say I blame them. So when I was contacted by BackyardOcean.com to do a review of one of their above ground swimming pools - our answer was an enthusiastic YES!

The 10x30 Easy Set Swimming Pool arrived and caused much fanfare and pleading from the Lil Divas to get it up and filled immediately. We had a few helpful friends assist us in setting it up and I was glad I had the help because this wasn't a job for this Mama to tackle on her own.

This particular pool set comes is great for smaller spaces and it's perfect for young kids. We had 4 children ranging in ages from 2 to 6 in the pool and they all had a great time playing together with room to spare.

It took us awhile to set up the pool. My only complaint is that I felt the directions could be clearer. We would have loved step by step photos to help us along. Aside from that the pool was easy to fill.  The natives were restless as they waited for the water to reach the fill line (it took over an hour) because they were super excited to get in and play! Luckily, the set came with 2 beach balls so we filled them up and played catch, volleyball and soccer while we waited.

What I liked most about this set was that it includes everything you need (minus the chlorine) - pool, ladder, filter & pump, maintenance/cleaning kit, ground cloth, a repair patch, pool cover, extra filter and 2 beach balls. 

The kids really had a great time in the pool. They were splashing, swimming, floating, playing and jumping. The pool was sturdy through it all & let's just say they put it through a good test. It was so hard to get them out of the pool even after a few hours! They wanted to keep playing.

Once they were out we covered the pool and found it easy to do.  The cover fit well so I am confident that it will keep leaves and other debris out. I have no doubt this pool will gets lots of use this summer.

If you want to know more about BackyardOcean.com be sure to check out their Facebook page. This week they are running a fabulous Pinterest Contest (ends 8/6/12) where you can enter to win gift certificates in the form of store credit to purchase your own pool. So check it out and get pinning for your chance to win!

Good Luck & 

Happy Swimming!

Bern

Disclosure: We received an above ground kids pool in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% our own and based on our personal experience with the product. Your experience and opinions may differ from mine. 

Olympic Rings US Flag Canvas Art

I am excited about the Summer Olympics (just check out my Olympic Fun Pinterest Board!). This is the first time the girls can appreciate what it is & watch the games. To introduce them to the entire concept we spent some time online. I showed them the Olympic Rings and we discussed what they symbolized and took a peek at this years posters (they weren't too impressed). 

I wanted to make something symbolizing the games that we could display at home but I wasn't in the mood for a huge mess or fuss. Yes, I have those days too. Lots of them actually! 

I had decided we would recreate the rings - short, simple & minimal fuss. The girls decided that was "boring" and quickly vetoed my idea. It was 2 against 1. I held firm telling them if they wanted to do something different they would have to come up with the idea themselves. No problem, Mom. 

After a few minutes the Oldest Diva excitedly yells that she has the "perfect" idea - let's paint a flag inside the rings, Mom. The American flag. 

I couldn't help but smile. It was a good idea. 

We got to work.

What We Used:

11x14 canvas

paint

watercolors

white crayon

plastic lids

What We Did:

1. We used plastic snack bowl lids to make our circles. 

I thought they were a nice size for our canvas.

2. Let circles dry.

3. Using watercolors, we painted the blue circle blue and added red stripes to the rest to represent the American flag. 

4. Allow to dry.

5. Using a white crayon, we drew some stars onto the blue circle.

Tada!

We had our Olympic Rings & the American Flag.

We will proudly display this during the Olympic Summer Games!

Bern

The Sunday Showcase - Child Centered Olympic Crafts, Food & Fun

Hello & welcome to the
  The Sunday Showcase -

WHERE YOUR CHILD CENTERED IDEAS
are the STARS of the show!

<a href="http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/"><img border="0"src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRm5pfPJoHo/T-PYLnSLx8I/AAAAAAAALWo/FbEXD-MUgYA/s1600/sundayshowcase.jpg" /></a>

The Sunday Showcase is hosted on FIVE blogs!
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Here Come the Girls
Inspiration Laboratories
The Iowa Farmer's Wife
Train Up a Child

Each blog is showcasing their own features from last week, 
so be sure to check them all out!

If you are here for the first time please read

this informational post for the full details.

Anything kid friendly and/or child centered is welcome!
You are welcome to share more than one post,
but we don't accept links for giveaways, 
shops, or downloads for purchase, etc. They will be deleted.

If you're linking up we encourage you

to visit some of the other links!

Everyone appreciates comments, encouragement, feedback, etc.

One of the co-hosts will visit your link & spread some comment love.

We also share some on Facebook, Twitter &
now we will be adding our features and faves to our Pinterest board! 
Yes, you read that correctly!
The Sunday Showcase also has a Pinterest board 
devoted to sharing YOUR posts!

*Important* 

Please note that by linking up you are giving us permission to use a photo (with proper link to you!) in our featured section and on our Pinterest board!  If you prefer not to be featured simply comment below or e-mail me to let us know.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Showcase Features:

This week I had to showcase some of the OLYMPICS FUN
that were shared on last week's linky.

The Fairy and the Frog shared some yummy Edible Olympic Torches
Inspire Imagination Through Creation hosted a Toddler Olympics
Living Montessori Now shared fun Montessori Inspired Olympic Math Activities (from Pre-K & K Sharing)
From Chalkboards to Strollers made some Olympic Poster Inspired Art
Creative Family Fun had a fun filled Family Olympics
and JDaniel4's Mom shared her Fruit Filled Olympic Rings

If you have been featured, grab a button you deserve it!

-------------------------------------------------------------

From your Hostess:

This week we have some ICY/FROZEN Fun 
but my favorite activity was our
Frozen Food Color Tie Dye Shirts

Thank You for sharing your child centered ideas with us!

Bern

When Things Don't Go As Planned

What do you do when things don't go as planned?

I don't mean an activity or craft.

I am talking about life.

How do you adapt?

How do you move forward?

Do you change your plan?

Do you start fresh?

I have been having trouble with this recently. After being scared about going back to work full time. I actually started to feel excited about it. I miss teaching. I was good at it and I know that I would be even better at it now. It's who I am and what I am meant to do. Unfortunately, I didn't find a job. So now, I am faced not only with disappointment but with fear. 

Finding a job after so many years at home with my girls isn't going to be easy. Rejection is hard, but not knowing what will become of me is harder. I have always been a planner, mapping out my next step before ever making a move. I like to know what I am doing, when I am doing it and how I am going to do it. This is hard for me - not knowing.

My mother recently reminded me that we can't control everything in our lives. She said things happen the way they are meant to, though not always the way we want them to. 

So, where does that leave me? 

What is my Plan B? 

Where do I go from here?

I honestly don't have any answers at this point. I know that I have to work but it saddens me that I might have to let go of what I love doing (teaching) to do something else (whatever I can find).  I can't help but feel a bit inadequate. Why didn't they want to hire me? Why wasn't I good enough? 

Sigh.

This is what I need to work on.

NOW.

I need to adapt.

I need to find a Plan B,

but I need to find one that makes me happy.

While I figure things out, I am feeling grateful that I have this blog, 

this outlet,

this way to share what we do.

I am grateful that no matter what happens,

I am still a teacher - if only to my own girls.

Wherever the future may lead me,

this is the most important & rewarding  "job" I will ever have.

Now, I just have to figure out Plan B.......

How do you handle life when things don't go as planned (or as you hoped)?

Bern

Homemade Frozen Food Color Tie Dye Shirts

Ever had one of those "GREAT" ideas 

that turned out to be way messier than you ever anticipated?

Well, be forewarned......

 this little project turned out was COOL

but was also seriously MESSY!

We had food coloring stained body parts for days.

This idea sprang from my desire to do something both different and cool for ICY FUN Week. I decided to freeze food coloring and use it to tie dye some tank tops. I wasn't sure if it would actually work but figured it was worth trying. 

IT WORKED!

Prep: I used regular and neon color food coloring. I used 4 packs to fill one ice cube tray.  Each bottle was in its own compartment and I topped each with water to fill them. 

 Now onto the messy part! Be sure to dress for mess, use gloves and cover your work space. We worked outside both to prevent staining our furniture and so that the sun could help the frozen food coloring melt onto the shirts.

The Oldest Diva opted to go the traditional tie dye route. We tied the shirt up with various rubber bands as she wanted. The Littlest Diva wanted to freely paint/splatter on her shirt.

As the frozen cubes melted, it got both messier and easier to work with them. I personally think it would have been better to use less colors but given so many choices, of course they felt the need to use them all. I would suggest limiting yourself to 3 colors or so. I think we would have had more color definition - our shirts got a little muddy.

Once the cubes began to melt off the sticks the Lil Divas just dug in with their hands. This actually helped spread the food color really well. We just let the chunks melt on the shirts.

This is the Oldest Divas tie dye shirt. It came out pretty awesome! She really liked the sunburst designs that ended up on the shirt where the rubber bands had been applied.

As I previously mentioned, the Littlest Diva opted to freely paint on her shirt. She worked on both sides. Painting/Splattering/Dripping/Smearing the food color onto the top.

I was worried about how it would look. It didn't look so good (to me) when she decided she was done but the colors continued to bleed/blend as we left it to dry and the final result actually turned out much better than I had anticipated.

We let the shirts dry overnight to set. The following day, I rinsed them with vinegar and water to help set the colors. After rinsing them out I put them in the dryer (hoping to set the colors) I have to say that tie dyeing with food color isn't as bright as the store bought tie dyes - a lot of the color came out while rinsing. I knew that would happen. Remember, this was more about us trying a different process than what the final product would look like. 

This was a messy but fun project and the Lil Divas are quite proud of their Homemade Frozen Food Color Tie Dye Tank Tops!

Note - I have not washed them in soap and water yet, so I', not sure how long these will last and if the colors have permanently set in or if they will continue to fade.

Happy Frozen Tie Dyeing!

Bern

Wordless Wednesday: Exploring Croatia (with Kids)

I had to take some time out to share our recent vacation to Croatia with you. The Lil Divas saw so many awesome sights, experienced a different culture, tasted new foods, hiked mountains to see waterfalls, swam in the Adriatic Sea, walked amidst ancient ruins, watched the most amazing sunsets, ate tons of homemade ice cream and overall just had am amazingly memorable experience (I did too!). 

Zadar, Croatia

Krka Waterfalls, Croatia

Nin, Croatia

Nikola Tesla's House/Museum, Croatia

Kornati, Croatia

Adriatic Sea & Healing Mud, Croatia

Plitvicka Lakes, Croatia

Vrsi, Croatia

What a summer vacation!

Bern

What Melts Ice the Fastest? A Hands-on Science Experiment

It's ICY FUN WEEK!

I can't think of a better way to beat this FL heat and humidity

(besides taking a dip in the pool of course).

It's been awhile since we had fun with a science experiment so I really wanted to incorporate some investigation, experimentation and discovery into our ICY FUN WEEK.

What Melts Ice the Fastest?

A Hands-on Science Experiment

What We Used:

1. hot water

2. salt

3. sugar

4. vinegar

5. baking soda

Prep: Freeze cups of water - 1 for each substance used.

What to Do:

1. Remove ice from cups and put on a dish or tray (be sure it's deep enough to retain the melting ice water).

2. Have substances to be used readily available along with spoons and droppers for pouring. We used measuring scoops and turkey basters. To begin we discussed what we were to do and the Lil Divas made predictions over which items they thought would melt the ice the fastest.

3. Have child(ren) add substances to each ice block and note the immediate reactions. Did it affect the ice? Is it penetrating? Did it cause the ice to melt? 

4. Let sit for approx. 5 minutes. Turn the ice blocks over and repeat - add the substances and discuss any reactions.

5. Let sit for approx. another 5 minutes and discuss what has happened to the ice. Which one is melting the fastest? Slowest? Discuss any noticeable changes - cracks, holes, etc in the ice.

Our Results:

The Lil Divas found that hot water melted our ice the fastest, followed by vinegar, salt (which penetrated the ice and caused lots of holes and cracks) and then sugar (it also penetrated the ice and caused cracks but not nearly as pronounced as the salt). The baking soda had very little effect on the ice. It was the one block of ice that remained pretty intact, melting mostly due to exposure to the heat in the room and the other liquids in the pan.

The Lil Divas enjoyed our icy experiment. We ended up watching the ice melt to its complete liquid form at their request, while they continued to scoop the different substances on the ice. I think they rather enjoyed the concoction the whole thing was making since we inevitably ended up with some fizz from the baking soda and vinegar being so close together and mingling in the pan.

Be sure to discuss if the predictions made were correct and what was learned. The Lil Divas were quite surprised that baking soda had little to no effect on the ice and that sugar did in fact make cracks in the ice. They initially thought the sugar would have little effect and that the baking soda would - I think that stemmed from all of our past baking soda & vinegar experiments.  

Do you know of any other substances that have an interesting effect on ice?

Bern

Beat the Heat with some ICY FUN

It's summer & it's hot,

so this week we are all about ICE!

We are going to be having lots of FROZEN inspired FUN

& I hope you will join us.

To kick things off I thought I'd share a few of our favorite

Frozen and/or Icy Activities:

ICE Age Dino Dig

COOL Ice Art

FROZEN Paint Art

The Snowman Experiment

more ICE Excavation Fun

and lots of other wintery activities

Be sure to check back each day this week -

we will be sharing all of our frozen/icy fun!

What's your favorite FROZEN or ICY activity?

Share it with us in the linky below:

Psst! Guess Who's a Maytag Kitchen Mom? #MaytagMoms

ME!

Yes, I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as 
a Maytag Dependable Kitchen Mom.

I know you want to know what that means & 
I am seriously bubbling with excitement to tell you!

We are getting a dream come true kitchen appliance makeover in our home courtesy of Maytag (a BIG thank you to both Mom Central Consulting & Maytag for choosing us to be part of this amazing program!) 

Which of your current kitchen appliances would you most like to replace?

If someone asked me that question - I'd quickly answer ALL of them! I've wished for and daydreamed about getting new appliances on a daily basis for well over a year (basically every single time I have to struggle with one of my current appliances). Our current kitchen appliances are the same ones that we put in the house when it was first built over 8 years ago and we opted to go with the cheapest base models at the time. As you can probably imagine, everything has started to give us trouble. The buttons on the microwave stick (super frustrating!), the freezer doesn't cool as well it used to, the oven has spills and stains that I can't get rid of (no matter how many products I have tried) and let's not even talk about the dishwasher which at this point just acts as a drying rack because it's horrible.

I HATE all the problems associated with my current kitchen appliances!

What does being a Maytag Dependable Kitchen Mom mean for me?

We will be receiving the Maytag Ice20 French Door Refrigerator, the Jetclean Plus Dishwasher with Fully Intergrated Controls, the Over-the-Range Microwave with Stainless Steel Interior, and the 6.2 cu. Ft. Capacity Electric Range with Triple-Choice and Speed Heat Elements. 

Can you see why I am EXCITED?

I NEED these new appliances.

I am counting down to delivery day.

I am thinking ahead to life with a snazzy new microwave (plus its stainless steel interior - fancy!) that actually works when I push a button. No more fighting with the microwave every time I want to use it - I almost can't believe it. Plus, a brand new fully functional dishwasher. Yahoo!  What a time saver and we can all use some time away from washing dishes by hand, can't we? I know I can. 

I am daydreaming of my new (spill and stain free) electric range. Plus, I can already envision myself opening the french doors of our roomy refrigerator, having a freezer that works properly and watching the Lil Divas pour their own ice cubes (they are so going to LOVE that!). 

Does anyone else get this excited about the prospect of new kitchen appliances? This is seriously better than Christmas for this mama. 

What does this all mean for you?

Over the course of the next 4 months I will be sharing our first hand experiences with you as we utilize the Maytag Kitchen products in our home. You will be getting the inside scoop from the Lil Diva kitchen frontline :) 

Follow the Maytag Dependable Kitchen Moms (including me!) on Twitter and check out the latest news under hashtag #MaytagMoms.  

I can't wait to share all this with you,

Bern

Disclosure: I wrote this post participating in an Maytag Moms Dependable Kitchen Ambassador program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Maytag. I will be provided with a Maytag kitchen appliances set, including a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and range to facilitate my posts.

The Sunday Showcase (7/21/12) Fun Foods for Kids

Hello & welcome to the
  The Sunday Showcase -

WHERE YOUR CHILD CENTERED IDEAS
are the STARS of the show!

<a href="http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/"><img border="0"src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRm5pfPJoHo/T-PYLnSLx8I/AAAAAAAALWo/FbEXD-MUgYA/s1600/sundayshowcase.jpg" /></a>

The Sunday Showcase is hosted on SIX blogs!
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Here Come the Girls
Inspiration Laboratories
Make Do & Friend
The Iowa Farmer's Wife
Train Up a Child

Each blog is showcasing their own features from last week, 
so be sure to check them all out!

If you are here for the first time please read

this informational post for the full details.

Anything kid friendly and/or child centered is welcome!
You are welcome to share more than one post,
but we don't accept links for giveaways, 
shops, or downloads for purchase, etc. They will be deleted.

If you're linking up we encourage you

to visit some of the other links!

Everyone appreciates comments, encouragement, feedback, etc.

One of the co-hosts will visit your link & spread some comment love.

We also share some on Facebook, Twitter &
now we will be adding our features and faves to our Pinterest board! 
Yes, you read that correctly!
The Sunday Showcase also has a Pinterest board 
devoted to sharing YOUR posts!

*Important* 

Please note that by linking up you are giving us permission to use a photo (with proper link to you!) in our featured section and on our Pinterest board!  If you prefer not to be featured simply comment below or e-mail me to let us know.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Showcase Features:

This week I had to showcase some of the FUN FOODS
that were shared on last week's linky.

Living Montessori Now shared fun Montessori Inspired Food Art
Making Memories With Your Kids made Lego Cookies
Lifestyles of the Stay-at-Home Mom made yummy Banana Bites
Inspired by Family Magazine shared Corn Dog Muffin Pops
Taming the Goblin whipped up some sweet Candy Sushi Rolls
and The Seven Year Cottage shared her Graham Cracker Goodness 

If you have been featured, grab a button you deserve it!

-------------------------------------------------------------

From your Hostess:

Play to Learn with Sight Word Bowling

Thank You for sharing your ideas with us!

Bern

Yay, I'm a Camp Sunny Patch Honor Counselor!

Can you tell I am excited to share some news with you today?

Ready to find out what it is?

I have been asked by Melissa & Doug to join in their virtual summer camp 

Camp Sunny Patch

as an Honor Counselor!

How fun is that?!

You know we LOVE our Melissa & Doug products around here (I know I am not the only one with tons of blocks, puzzles, sticker books, stampers & pretend food!) so the Lil Divas and I are super excited to share some Camp Sunny Patch inspired fun.

If you haven't been following along with Camp Sunny Patch - 

you're missing out on some fabulous summer fun.

What is Camp Sunny Patch?

Camp Sunny Patch Counselors (the awesome Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassadors) are sharing weekly activities all summer long from June thru August to keep kids moving, creating, playing and having fun. Each Monday a great new camp activity is shared and there are even badges to earn for joining in on the fun. 

Keep up to date with Camp Sunny Patch

All the details (including calendars, links to activities & more) can be found in the Camp Sunny Patch Guide.  So if you haven't joined in yet, don't fret. There is plenty of fun still to be had this summer.

Be sure to follow Melissa & Doug on Facebook for some great Camp Sunny Patch inspired giveaways, check out their Pinterest board for even more inspiration or sign up for email updates.

Lookout for our post later month (it will be on the Melissa & Doug blog but I will be sure the share details here so you don't miss it!) inspired by one of the July camp activities. We are so excited to be a part of Camp Sunny Patch!

Bern

Disclosure: I will be compensated by Melissa & Doug for my participation as a Honor Counselor at Camp Sunny Patch.  All opinions expressed are my own and based on our personal experience. My opinions may differ from yours and/or other Melissa & Doug product users.

Easy DIY Kids Harmonica {via Montessori Tidbits}

Today's guest post is a fun DIY activity from Leann of Montessori Tidbits. Leann is a homeschooling Mom who shares things like her Top 25 Games to Make Math Fun, practical learning applications like Using Measuring Cups to Teach Fractions and my favorite post - Dr. Seuss Books Listed by Reading Levels.

Let's turn things over to Leann and her fun

  DIY Harmonica

My son loves to play musical instruments, especially if he can create them himself.  A few years ago, we learned how to create harmonicas out of popsicle sticks, and it has been a favorite ever since!  They are super fun and easy to create in just a few minutes.

 
You need:

• 2 popsicle sticks (large works the best, but small works fine too!)
• 3 rubber bands – 1 wide one and 2 thin ones
• 2 strips of paper (about 3/4” x 3”)
• tape

Steps:
1.  Place the 2 popsicle sticks together. 
2.  Wrap the paper completely around each end of the stick.  Tape the paper into position.  (The tape cannot touch the popsicle sticks.)
3.  Slide out 1 popsicle stick, leaving the paper and other popsicle stick in place.
4.  Place the wide rubber band lengthwise across the one popsicle and paper strips.
5.  Place both popsicle sticks together.  Put a thin rubber band around each end.
6.  Enjoy!

---

Leann is a homeschooling mama to one, proud wife of a cop, and pet lover of their two dogs and frogs. Her personal blog, Montessori Tidbits, chronicles their homeschooling journey, while throwing in tidbits about life, reviews, and recipes.