Day #18 - Movies, movies, and a great thrift store find

Today we went to the free movies and saw Curious George. Most of the kids hadn't seen it yet, so that was a treat. Then, we went to the thrift store, just to pick up a blanket, and I found the greatest hoodie for Dominic. He is obsessed with his hoodie and the poor thing has holes and stains all over. So, I have been searching for the perfect new hoodie for him. So far, he had been dissatisfied with everyone until today. I found a BRAND NEW Pirates of the Caribbean hoodie in an Adult S with the $44.00 Disneyland price tag for $2.50! Now, the first thing I was thinking was eBay! But, Dom fell in love with it, and I was thankful for that! He was happy, which makes me happy.

Then, it was one home to watch Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Poor Ari had been looking forward so much to watch it, but was disappointed that it deviated so greatly from the book. She has read all of the books at least twice, so she had high expectations. I enjoyed the movie, but of course, I haven't gotten around to reading the books yet.

Tonight Justin chose purple as his bath color. I made soap finger paint and dyed the bath purple by letting him mix the red and blue food coloring. He loved it!

Preschool / Toddler Bath Time Fun

Day #15 - Saturday Fun

Today there was so much going on that we really couldn't cover it all! This morning we went to the Hemet library where they were having a centennial celebration and walked through the Farmer's Market on Harvard Street. I love downtown Hemet, even though it is not what it was when I was young (nothing every is, is it?). The kids got free balloons and I bought some honey sticks for them. Ari got a Mexico hair bow to wear tomorrow for the game against Argentina.

Then it was on to Michaels to pick up some face paint, and Ari did the free patriotic craft that they were doing. The boys were a bit disinterested. Then, it was on to meet a friend and watch the USA v Algeria game with painted faces and blue hair! The boys looked so cute even though we were finally eliminated from competing for the World Cup. All in all, it was a great day.

Day #14 - And the kids left early

This morning started out great. We hit a thrift store with 60% off sales throughout the store. Justin went on a shopping spree, buying a pair of shoes, a hat, and some type of finger puppet. Then their father called and said he had left work early, which is good, but I didn't get to do much with them after that. So, I came home and started baking and getting ready for our day tomorrow. I made more brownies, ice cream sandwiches, banana bread, and a new batch of bubble solution. Hopefully tomorrow will be more exciting! :)

Day #13 - Summer Reading Programs

Today was a busy day. We had lots of errands to run, we stopped by a thrift store, and two libraries to sign up for the summer reading programs for the kids. and ran ourselves ragged in the 95 degree heat. Glad to be home. :)

First, we went to the Hemet Library and signed up for their summer reading program. Because it was the first day to sign up, there was a woman there making very intricate balloon animals and other things. The boys got bow and arrows (which of course they popped already) and Ari got a cute ladybug to wear on her wrist.

Justin watching the balloon lady do her thing

 Justin and Gavin playing with their bow and arrows

Ari's Ladybug

Next, we went to the Hemet Hospice Thrift Store down on Harvard and Justin found a hat.

 Justin and Gavin looking for books on CD/tape

Ari reading at the Valle Vista Library

Today we had a great time with free fun and I will be adding the upcoming events at both libraries to my Google Calendar. I am so excited about going back. Saturday there is a centennial celebration at the Hemet Library and we will turn in our first reading logs at the Valle Vista library. Tomorrow we will be home all day until their father picks them up to spend the night, so I have plenty of things planned.

Day #12 - More Movies and Pizza Box Fun

Today was busy! First we went to the movies and saw Alvin and the Chimpmunks: The Squeakquel at Regal Cinema for free. Kids had a blast and I remembered to spend less at the concession stand. Total spent: $5.75 on a large, free refill soda. We ran a couple errands, then came home to build a Solar-Powered Pizza Box Oven. We had so much fun cooking mini pizzas and eating them too!

Day #9- Home Sweet Home

Today was all about organization. The kids helped clean out things that we don't need and organize what we do. We live in such a small space, it is absolutely important to make sure that we use the space to its potential. I had picked up a bookcase about a month ago and still hadn't bought it in the house. So today, we cleaned it up, made a space for it, and filled it with out books. I could only fit the first three shelves in the pic, but it is six shelves.

I also went through all of the kids' clothes and made bags for Caleb from Justin's clothes, put Ari's old clothes in a donation bag, and moved Dominic and Gavin's clothes down the line to the next available sibling or put them in bags to donate too. One of my favorite things to do is de-clutter and it is fun to get the kids excited about it too.

They are all asleep now. They were busy helping, but they had fun too. Gavin and Justin put on their swim trunks and played in the water, Ari read and picked up her cup and saucer she made at Painted Earth, and Dominic, well...he slept...and is now playing Call of Duty with his friends online on the PS3 (that we are borrowing). Here is a picture of Gavin and Willy sleeping now and a picture of Ari's cup and saucer.

Day #8- Michaels and More

Today we went to Michaels and made cards for Father's Day tomorrow. Gavin, Ari, and Justin each made a card for their dad and we also raided the $1 section for goodies to keep us busy. We then headed to Second Hand Treasures in Temecula to see what else we could find. Found a hoodie for Dominic and it was 1/2 off for Father's Day (all men's clothing was 1/2 off), book for myself (50 cents), and a stuffed Spongebob toy for Justin (50 cents).

We then came home and I made hamburgers, fries, and chocolate shakes while they watched our movie that we borrowed from the library; Inkheart. So much fun!

Day #7 - Homemade Bubble Fun

Today has just gotten started. Ari and I are planning on working on an advanced design of the duct tape wallet and I made homemade bubble solution for the the $1 bubble wand I bought at Target yesterday. Here is the recipe for the bubble solution. So easy! If you don't have glycerin, substitute corn syrup. I substituted shower gel for the dish soap.

Homemade Bubble Solution
1 cup water
2 T glycerin
4 T dish soap

Mix well and have fun.

Day#6 - Thrift Stores and more!

Although today was another day out, I decided that tomorrow we will stay in and do more fun stuff. Today I gave each of my children $5 to spend today while we hit the thrift stores.Dominic decided not to go with us and Gavin saved his money, but Ari found some really great deals. She found a nearly new pink cell phone case with frogs on it for $2 and I also bought her a backpack for school next year that is The Nightmare Before Christmas for $4! That didn't even look used either! Oh, and I bought her a $2 Mexico jersey that she thinks is lucky, because she wore it while they played in the World Cup today and they won.

Then we went to the library and they picked out a couples of books and we borrowed Inkheart to watch tomorrow.

Then it was on to Michaels to make duct tape wallets for free! Ari and Gavin each made one. We gave my brother one (it was also his birthday yesterday) and the other is for their father for Father's Day (shhhh!). I also bought some duct tape so that they can make one for my dad as well.

Day #5 - Errands

Today was all about errands, so that may not seem exciting, but it was actually fun having the kids tag along and it tested my sanity as well. We spent most of the day out and about shopping, doing laundry, and made a run to Starbucks. Tomorrow will start out the same way, but I have a few projects that I need to fit in!

Day #4 - Free Movies

Today was so much fun! I really had planned to do a lot more, but it was so hot, I ran out of energy midday. Oh well. At least we managed to get to the movies at the Regal Cinema this morning. Gavin, Justin, Ari, and I watched Madagascar 2, while Dominic and his friend watched The Spiderwick Chronicles. I love the Summer Movie Festival. For a listing of movies and theaters near you that participate in Regal's summer movie program, click here.

Day #3 - Slime and more!

Today I am feeling a little ill, and the kids were restless, so I decided to split them up into pairs, and assign them tasks. Justin (3) was paired up with Ari (10). She is fantastic teacher, so I gave her a preschool learning activity book and asked her to help him learn his shapes and colors. Not only did she do that, but she went a step further and created her own activities for him! My camera is unfortunately out of commission, but I am going to scan pictures of her work.

I also gave Dominic (12) the task of finding an activity that he and Gavin (7) could work on together. I gave him a book of paper airplane instructions and told him to choose a design to work on with Gavin. This did not work too well, so I had to intervene. Gavin was very excited to have a project to do, so I found this great activity online and we made homemade slime in minutes! It was fun and now Justin and Gavin are having a great time with the slime we created together.

Ari, Justin, and Gavin are going to their father's tonight and through the day tomorrow, so it will be just me and Dom again tomorrow, but I am determined to get him involved! :)

Day #2 - Playdough

Today has been very fun so far. Justin and I made homemade lemon scented playdough, and Gavin and Justin had a great time playing with it! Here is the recipe for the playdough and a link for more summer fun!

Fruity Playdough

Ingredients:
1 cup white flour
1/2 salt
1 cup water
2 T oil
2 t cream of tartar
1 3 oz. package of sugar-free jello or 1 packet of kool-aid

Mix jello or kool-aid with water. In a saucepan combine dry ingredients. Add water mixture and oil. Mix well. Over medium-heat, stir constantly, until mixture thickens and is dough-like. Let cool slightly, then knead on a floured surface until dough isn't sticky.

Summer Fun For Kids

First day...

Today was a lazy day. I figured it being the first day of summer, we would just lounge around the house. My youngest three went to their father's tonight, but oldest son and I made enchiladas verde. I am terrible at making recipes, but here is my best shot:
Enchilada Sauce:

1 lb. tomatillos (green husk tomatoes)

1-2 serrano peppers (milder than jalapeños)

½ cup white onion, diced

¼ cup chicken broth

Salt to taste

Boil tomatillos and serrano peppers for 7-10 minutes until tomatillos darken in color and prick easily with a fork. Drain tomatillos and peppers and transfer to blender. Add chicken broth and blend. Mix in onion and salt.

Enchiladas Verde

Serves 4

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

½ cup onions, diced

2 tsp. minced garlic

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for filling)

enchilada sauce

6 corn tortillas

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small skillet over med-high heat, saute onions and garlic for approximately 3 minutes or until onions are translucent. Remove from heat. In another skillet heat corn tortillas, one at a time, over medium heat, until warm. In each tortilla spoon an even mixture of chicken, onions and garlic, and shredded cheese. Roll shut and place closed side down into a 13 x 9 baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over enchiladas, covering them completely. Bake for 20 minutes or until sauce bubbles. Sprinkle ½ cheese on top of enchiladas and bake for 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with rice and refried beans.  

If you try it, make sure to tell me how it came out. :)