Google+ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Kids Art - Salt Watercolor Painting

After seeing this cool watercolor exploration by The Chocolate Muffin Tree, I knew it was something the Lil Divas would enjoy. I had planned to do it this summer but we never got around to it. Last week, we finally sat down to enjoy some painting at the Lil Divas request and I immediately brought out the table salt as well, hoping their curiosity would be piqued enough to give it a try. They were instantly interested in seeing what would happen and I must say, the results were pretty cool.


What You Need:
card stock or other firm paper
table salt
watercolors
(we used Watercolor Cakes, you can also use Liquid Watercolors)
paint brushes


What To Do:
1. Use your water color to paint a picture.
2. Freely sprinkle salt onto your picture.
3. I allowed the painting to dry and then tapped off the excess salt. Since the Lil Divas wanted to hang their pictures I used a napkin to gently wipe off the leftover salt.


That's it. A super simple art activity with awesome visual results. The salt gives the painting a unique look of texture compared to simply using watercolors alone. It makes parts of the painting lighter than others and leaves some neat prints behind. This is definitely an activity we will be revisiting again.


Have you tried sprinkling salt to your watercolor paintings? What did you think of the effect it gave the artwork?

If you've never tried it before, do you think it's something you or your child would enjoy?

Be sure to let me know if you have given or will give it a try. I'd love to see your masterpiece(s).

Happy painting,
Bern

Monday, September 3, 2012

Family Movie Night with the 3M Mobile Projector

My family loves to watch movies together so we have regular family movie nights. When you do something often, it starts to lack that excitement factor so I was pretty excited about jazzing up our family movie night with the 3M Mobile Projector. Forget the tv screen, that's so yesterday - let's project the movie onto the wall or even the ceiling for some fun.


Seriously, with the 3M Mobile Projector you can tap into your iPad, iPhone, iPod and even most computers and laptops (requires additional cable). View movies, photo slide shows, home videos, youtube videos, stream directly from Netflix and even view all your fun apps/games in action. For a small, portable pocket projector the 3M sure packs punch with all the fun things you can do.


On this particular night, the Lil Divas wanted to view the many, many photos and video clips of them I have on my iPhone. They like watching themselves in action and re-living our family outings, fun, etc. Do your kids like that to? I know it can't be just mine. They beg us often to view our home movies of them as babies.

Instead of having to watch on the small screen of my iPhone, we took out some blankets and pillows, got comfy on the floor and watched everything projected onto our family room wall. They really enjoyed seeing the photo slideshow play so large on our wall. It's not often they get to see such larger than life pictures and videos of themselves.


Of course once they got started they didn't want to stop so we decided to try watching a movie this way. You have to find a way to place the projector so that it projects onto the section you want to view it from but this is easily done by placing it on a table, chair, pillows, etc. The Lil Divas actually held it for most of the time since they were excited about having this new "toy" to test out. It's lightweight and small even for little hands.


My only complaint is that the volume doesn't get too loud. To really get that movie feel you would need additional speakers because the built in sound is pretty low it was fine for us watching at home but if anyone was talking, it was hard to hear the movie.

Overall, the 3M Mobile Projector is a cool little gadget to have. This would be great to use while camping - how cool would it be to project a movie on the side of your tent or RV under the stars, vacationing - view your photos, movies or game apps right on the hotel wall or at home - having a sleepover, the kids will love it. I can think of so many more fun ways to use this product. What would you use it for?


Want more info on the 3M Mobile Projector? Check out their product page, connect with them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure - I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of 3M and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Join the Year Long Virtual Book Club for Kids

I love raising readers so today's announcement is one that is very close to my heart and that I have been bursting to share with you. After the wonderful success of the Summer Virtual Book Club for Kids, we decided to keep the reading fun going all year long. Yay! I would officially like to announce the Year Long Virtual Book Club for Kids and invite you to join in with us as we explore 12 amazing authors over the next 12 months.


Our Year Long Virtual Book Club for Kids Author Pics - I have highlighted some of my favorite books from each author to get you going in case any are new to you. I am so excited about this list.

September 17, 2012 - Lois Ehlert
  

October 15, 2012 - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
    

November 19, 2012 - Tomie de Paola
  

December 17, 2012 - Jan Brett
  

January 21, 2013 - David McPhail
  

February 18, 2013 - Dr. Seuss
  

March 18, 2013 - Julia Donaldson
  

April 15, 2013 - David Shannon
  

May 20, 2013 - Leo Lionni
  

June 17, 2013 - Gail Gibbons
  

July 15, 2013 - Jez Alborough
  

August 19, 2013 - Donald Crews
  

There are quite a few of our favorite authors on this list but there are also some that are new to us and I am excited to delve in and read with the Little Divas throughout the year. What do you think of the author picks? Do you see some of your faves? Did you spot some authors you have never read before?

I am truly excited to share this fabulous reading experience with some awesome fellow bloggers (see list at end of post) and all of you. Will you join us?

It's super easy to join in on the virtual book club fun. Here's how -
1. Pick a book from the spotlighted author.
2. Do a book related craft and/or activity with your child(ren)
3. Share it on your blog & link up to our monthly linky. Don't have a blog - share your fun on the Virtual Book Club Facebook page or on our Facebook page when we post about the month's linky.

Did you know there is even aVirtual Book Club Pinterest page - follow it to help keep all the fabulous book ideas shared in one place.

VirtualBookClub
(feel free to grab the button & display it proudly)

Virtual Book Club for Kids Participating Blogs:

Saturday, September 1, 2012

The Sunday Showcase: Science Fun for Kids

Hello & welcome to the
  The Sunday Showcase -
WHERE YOUR CHILD CENTERED IDEAS
are the STARS of the show!


The Sunday Showcase

The Sunday Showcase is hosted on FIVE blogs!

Each blog showcases their own features (from the previous week's linky) 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.

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The Showcase Features:
Science Fun for Kids
You know we love our science experiments so I was super excited to spy some linked up last week and knew that they definitely had to be my features for this week.

Teach Beside Me shared their Rainbow Absorption Experiment
Mama Miss shared the ever fun Vinegar & Baking Soda Experiment 
using balloons as droppers - how fun is that.
Life with Moore Babies experimented with Liquid Layers.
 Science Sparks had fun with Flying Balloons

Do you have a favorite kid friendly science experiment?


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

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From your Hostess:

Thank You for sharing your child centered ideas with us!
Bern