Homemade shoebox dioramas: Social studies crafts, science projects, book reports

It's 8 pm and darling daughter is wailing. She forgot to make her book report diorama project and it's due TOMORROW! Have you been there, done that, parents? Were you tempted to tell her "tough luck. You were told to do your homework and didn't. So take the F." Perhaps you wanted--like this mom did-- to put her on the street wearing a sign "free-- please take." But I am an eleventh hour girl myself and understood. So we bailed out Last Minute Lucy out. The whole family helped--dad and three older teen siblings. We made an awesome woodland Native American Indian diorama with stuff around the house--and made happy family bonding memories. From that experience grew this guide to making homemade shoebox dioramas for social studies crafts, science projects or book reports. All you need is a recycle bin, craft scraps, household junk and a little ingenuity. Homemade shoebox dioramas: Social studies crafts, science projects, book reports | Examiner.com

Preschool learning centers: DIY cardboard playhouse play kitchen appliances

When I was a little girl, my father and mother made an entire cardboard playhouse for me from recycled cardboard boxes. Here's how to make appliances for a cardboard playhouse play kitchen, including refrigerator, sink, stove, oven and play kitchen utensil rack. As a Montessori preschool teacher, I made recycled cardboard play kitchen sets for my students You can make super easy Montessori preschool practical life learning centers in about 30 minutes. Use your recycled cardboard playhouse at home, in homeschool or in Montessori preschool practical life learning centers. All you need to make a recycled cardboard play kitchen are recycled cardboard boxes (from a television or similar sized products), black permanent marker, sharp scissors, X-Acto Knife, Widget or box cutter, packing tape or duct tape, brass paper fasteners and your recycling bin!   Preschool learning centers: DIY cardboard playhouse play kitchen appliances | Examiner.com

Free printable paper puppet patterns, finger puppets, paper bag puppets, toys | Examiner.com

  used to teach summer enrichment classes and one class that always went over big was puppetry. I suspect children still enjoy playing with puppets. Here are free printable finger puppets, paper puppet patterns, paper bag puppets, paper toys and 3D play sets (to use like finger puppets). Perfect for Vacation Bible School, summer school, daycare and rainy day fun!  Free printable paper puppet patterns, finger puppets, paper bag puppets, toys | Examiner.com

Michigan TSS cluster linked to super tampons: Toxic shock syndrome scare

Four toxic shock syndrome cases have shown up in Michigan in 2016. The West Michigan TSS cluster has been linked to super tampons, reported People Magazine on Feb. 8. Toxic shock syndrome bacteria just about killed one teen, Rylie Whitten, 15, of Montcalm County, Michigan. Whitten had the worst cases of toxic shock syndrome that her physician had ever seen. The three other Michigan TSS cluster cases occurred in West Michigan--two in Grand Rapids and one northwest of Grand Rapids, in Mason County.   Michigan TSS cluster linked to super tampons: Toxic shock syndrome scare | Examiner.com

Catholic Lent crafts: Homemade Lenten tablecloth, family altar, Bible devotional

One area of emphasis in the Catholic Church is that the family is the nuclear church. The Church encourages homes to erect and pray at a family altar, for worship, not just at church. And parents, whether you homeschool or not, know that you are the primary educators of your children. Their religious education begins at home. At no time is this more important that in the Catholic Christian Lenten season. Lent is a deeply symbolic and spiritual journey but sometimes, life in a busy family gets so hectic that poof, another Lent is gone. Here are Catholic Christian crafts to reconnect family and faith. Make this homemade Lenten tablecloth Bible devotional for your family altar.  Catholic Lent crafts: Homemade Lenten tablecloth, family altar, Bible devotional | Examiner.com

Lenten sacrifice, almsgiving service projects: Bible gospel parable math lessons

The Catholic Christian church will enter the penitential season of Lent on Feb. 10, 2016. Ordinary time ends with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), followed by Ash Wednesday which ushers in the Lenten season. Lenten virtues include almsgiving (donating money, acts of charity), prayer and fasting or sacrifice. Catholic Christian parents, are you looking for Lenten sacrifice, almsgiving activities or service projects for Lent? Here's one with math lessons based on the Bible gospel parable of the talents  Lenten sacrifice, almsgiving service projects: Bible gospel parable math lessons | Examiner.com

Bedbugs bug couple in Manhattan: Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation

 A dream vacation turned into a nightmare for two Californians staying in New York City. Bedbugs bugged a couple at the Astor on the Park hotel, an upper west side Manhattan establishment, reported WABC on Jan. 3. Elgin Ozlen posted a Youtube video showing his girlfriend's body covered in bites and their bed mattress crawling with bedbugs. News of the Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation is swarming the Internet. Elgin Ozlen says the pair were given the New Year's Eve holiday stay in Manhattan as a birthday present, but the gift "presented" more than expected. Not only did the couple experience a bedbug infestation of Biblical proportions, they had to switch rooms three times because the first one had no heat and second one had non-functional power outlets. Bedbugs bug couple in Manhattan: Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation | Examiner.com

Christmas trees: Safety, health, cost of real Christmas trees

 When my husband and I first married, we were diehard holiday traditionalists and DIY-ers. We vowed to have a real Christmas tree each holiday. The whole family would select a tree and bring it home. But the kids have grown and finally reality hit me like the felling of a tree. I realized that I was doing all holiday decorating alone and it wasn't so much fun anymore. And I've become that Scrooge mom who uses an artificial tree. Here's a discussion on real Christmas tree vs. artificial tree, including safety, cost and health considerations. Here's the conclusion: a real Christmas tree is more fun for families of young kids but an artificial tree is the more practical choice. Christmas trees: Safety, health, cost of real Christmas tree vs artificial tree | Examiner.com

Christmas lights in home decor: Decorate with repurposed holiday lighting | Examiner.com

Holiday lights are a favorite Christmas decoration. I grieve every season when taking the Christmas lights down. Then I decided to keep the Christmas lights in home decor year-round. Holiday lighting is wonderfully versatile! Here's how to decorate with repurposed holiday lighting.



* String Christmas lights around bedroom ceilings. When our oldest daughter decided to do a Lord of the Rings theme in her room, she strung lavender holiday lights around her ceiling. Christmas lights gave her bedroom a soft warm Middle Earth glow.  Christmas lights in home decor: Decorate with repurposed holiday lighting | Examiner.com

Homemade Christmas presents: Recycled greeting cards, wrapping paper gift crafts

Parents, are you burned out this holiday season? It's hard to keep up with kids home on winter vacation, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, baking, cooking, decorating--oh and your job (can't forget that!) Well, how about a holiday parenting first aid kit that puts children to work in productive ways making holiday gifts? Here are homemade Christmas presents and gift crafts kids can make from recycled greeting cards, valentines and Christmas wrapping paper. Make these gifts free or super cheap with reused materials. These gift crafts are perfect for grandma and grandpa, godparents, teachers, coaches and parents!   Homemade Christmas presents: Recycled greeting cards, wrapping paper gift crafts | Examiner.com