Category: Vlogging

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How to Make Slime

How to Make Slime

Cupcake begged me for months to make slime.  With busy school schedules, we barely had time to breathe, much less, attempt a new, potentially messy and time-consuming craft.  I promised her that we would make slime once school was out.

As summer approached, Cupcake happily reminded me frequently of the approaching slime adventure.  Once school was out, I went to the store and bought a giant jug of glue.  We gathered the remaining supplies at home and all of the kids excitedly assembled around the table for the project.

We had a lot of fun playing with it plain, but we also added a bunch of fun things into it for sensory play.  We added a couple different glitters, food dye, cut up straws, craft eyeballs, kinetic sand, and beads.  The kids also used straws to blow bubbles.  I also added some child-friendly essential oils to a couple batches.  Really, you could add anything you want!

Slime Recipe
1/2 cup glue mixed into 1/2 cup warm water
1/2 tsp borax mixed into 1/2 cup warm water
Slowly add borax into glue, one spoonful at a time until mixture isn’t sticky.
Knead with Hands.
Add glitter, beads, dye, etc.
Play!
Store in zip lock baggies or another airtight container.

Check out our video for an example of how to make it!

Have you made slime?  What did you add to it?  Share in the comments!

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I Bribed My Kids to Workout with Me

I Bribed My Kids to Workout with Me
5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 2, Day 1

Starting week two of the workout challenge was a bit easier.  My muscles are still aching from last week, but some of that is allergy related.  The kids were really excited to workout again, which was a surprise.  I’m so happy they enjoy it!

We started the workout week with a new workout video! The kids and I had a lot of fun. I had to bribe them with a little bit of iPad time to motivate them to try and finish the entire workout with me.  It worked great!

What’s your favorite video to work out to with your kids?

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Day: Day 5: Spring Lake Park
Next Day: Week 2, Day 2: Old Mill Park

 

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Minnehaha Falls

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 4
Minnehaha Creek Trail

I haven’t been to Minnehaha Falls for a while, so I was really looking forward to our hike.  Minnehaha Falls feels like home.  My Maternal Grandparents used to live not too far from the park, so we frequently enjoyed walks along the river’s edge, flying kites in the fields, family gatherings at the pavilion, family reunions, outdoor concerts and events, picnics, playing at the park and so much more.

I can remember being little and looking up at the huge oak trees with wonder.  I love oak trees, maybe because they live in so many of my happy memories.  I remember going on walks with my parents or grandparents and taking in the beautiful marvels that are everywhere.  I love being able to share its beauty with my children and allowing them to make their own memories.

As I walked the paths, I mulled over the memories of a lifetime at this park.  I saw myself grow up.  I saw my Mother, and my Grandmother, who also grew up here.  My great-grandmother would have seen the park when it was new.  I wondered about the Native Americans who lived here before us and the history of the park.  I hope someday my children will pass on the legacy of love of Minnehaha Falls and bring their own children here.

I found that that the park had more history than I could have imagined!  There is a great blog about the history of the falls here.  It was once the location to a zoo!  I knew about the mill that once was a bit further away from the falls because I had climbed down the remains once.  The dog park was once a limestone quarry, which ended up supplying much of the park with limestone for steps and walls.  I loved learning about the different bridges at the bottom of the falls and seeing images of how the falls have looked over the years.

Basic Park Info: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/minnehaha_regional_park/
All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/minnehaha-creek-trail

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Week: Day 3: Hay Creek
Next Week: Day 5: Spring Lake Park

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Our First Visit to Jensen Lake Trail

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 2

Lebanon Hills, Jensen Lake Trail

Originally, the weather forecast predicted thunderstorms.  We delayed our hike due to some destructive storms we’ve had recently.  I wouldn’t want to be halfway through a hike and have the children out in bad weather.  The weather was partly cloudy but mostly sunny throughout the morning, and extremely humid from all of the rain.  Since a storm seemed unlikely after all, we struck out for an afternoon hike.

Jensen Lake Trail is 2.1 miles.  All trails rated it as an easy trail.  (All Trails Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/jensen-lake-trail)  It took us about 2 hours to complete the loop.  The more experienced hiker could easily finish it faster.  There was a guy who passed us going the opposite direction three times!

The kids really enjoyed this trail and would love to go back another time.  There was also a large park that we did not check out because it was too hot and we were exhausted.  We were all proud of ourselves for pushing through and finishing the trail, despite the heat.

If you’d like to visit the Jenson Lake Trail, check out their website for more information:
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/LebanonHills/Pages/jensen-lake-trailhead.aspx

Have you been to Lebanon Hills before?

Check out our video!

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Week: Day 1: Workout At Home
Next Week: Day 3: Hay Creek

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5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 1

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 1

Today was the first day of our workout challenge!  I have been looking forward to this for quite awhile and I’m so glad we planned it.  Exercise sometimes needs a bit of reminder and motivation.

I’m going to be completely honest.  I did not wake up early to work out.  I slept in.  It felt great!  I won’t be doing this for the hiking days, because I want to head out before it gets too hot.

My first workout was actually not a workout video, but cleaning the living room.  The kids and I took a break to do a bit of reading together.  After that, I ended up working on dishes lunch, laundry and then the living room again.

Mr. Awesome was all set to work out with me.  Princess wasn’t a bit interested.  I pulled up a kids workout video on youtube (https://youtu.be/McD6_oOWs-M) and set up my camera.  Then we got to work!

I have to admit, I am out of shape.  Running around with the kids, taking care of a family of six and having a restrictive allergy diet keep me pretty slim, but not of this can replace a good workout.

Right away, I was struggling.  I could feel my heart pounding, I was out of breath.  I tried to keep going but when the video stalled and crashed, I was relieved to be done.  I gave up for the day.  Maybe next time we’ll get through the whole video.

I feel a bit self conscious putting my workout online, but hopefully it will motivate you to get moving yourself!  Even if it is only for a little bit, like me.  We’ll work up our stamina and be fit bodies in no time!

Tomorrow looks like thunderstorms, so I’m disappointed to delay our hiking plans.  We might head out later in the day if the skies look clear.  If it is storming, we’ll give the youtube video another try!

What did you do for exercise today?

5 Week Workout Challenge
Next Week: Day 2: Jensen Lake Trail