MMM: Catch up (again)

When we have actually been in town this summer, our days at home have revolved around a pretty standard theme.  WATER.

We've been to the splash park, played with the slip n slide in our backyard,

and we've been

swimming,

                               swimming,

and swimming. 

Wherever water is, the boys cannot get enough (and Lou tolerates it in her "diva float").  I like to call us the "nomad swimmers" because we don't really have a pool of our own...we just travel around the metroplex vising friends and family that do (insert a BIG THANK YOU to all who have adopted us for swim days).

With all of that water fun (and quite a bit of traveling...another post), we really have only had time for two actual MMM activities this summer.  One was pretty much a flop the other a huge success.  So, thought I would share. Both are from the same website.  I really cannot remember who sent me this link.  BUT THANK YOU!!   http://www.skiptomylou.org/

PUFF PAINT

On a Monday in July we tried making our own puff paint.  I think this would have been awesome if 1)the kids were just a little bit older 2) We had white cardboard or 3) mom wasn't in a hurry and actually followed the suggested measurements (so unlike me, I know). 

But we muddled through.   

The greatness of this activity is that it only required these few items that we have around the house already:

self-rising flour

food coloring (actually did have to borrow some of this from a neighbor)

cardboard

water

The boys enjoyed painting

and REALLY enjoyed putting their masterpieces in the microwave

but BY FAR their favorite part was pushing the buttons (so weird.  totally would have skipped the mess and just let them push buttons all morning if I had known this was something they had been dying to try!)

So, even though it was fun, the finished product was not nearly as darling as the samples on the website (but I suppose they rarely are). 

The boys weren't very impressed with the "puffiness" of the paint and the smell...well, it smelled like fried cardboard. Probably not going to be a go-to-activity around here.  I'll tell you what will be, though...


MARSHMALLOW DAY!
Today we tried an adapted combination of this activity and this one.  Not only does it fit nicely with the MMM "m" theme, this was seriously so much fun, and kept the boys (even one not feeling well) entertained for a LONG time.  I was very thankful that I thought to use some old shopping bags as mats, but other than what they spilled there, the mess was minimal.

Here is what you need:

Marshmallows

milk

food-coloring

egg carton

toothpicks (definitely will try website's recommendation of straws or maybe pipecleaners next time)

optional: paper grocery sack or other table liner

First, pour a small amount of milk into each segment of an egg carton and add about 2 drops of food coloring to each.  Dip marshmallows or paint with a brush.  Cbug proved that even if you feel the urge to bite into your mallow first, its still good for dipping :)

 Then use toothpicks or other connector (straw, pipecleaner, etc) to connect mallows into your design.

we made lot of "snakes"

But also a couple of birthday cakes (and blew out the candles, of course).

 We had a blast making our marshmallow sculptures.  And found another good use for the other bag of mallows...

RICE KRISPIE TREATS!

(which would have been awesome if I had not left the pam spray on the counter and Cbug had not seen that as an invitation to make sure the tops of the treats were nicely greased. YUCK.)

Thanks for sticking (pun intended) with me through this marathon MMM post.  Hopefully soon I'll get back in a routine of blogging.  There are still lots of summer memories to get documented.  Hope your summer has been filled with fun, too!

ABL