Of Crowns and Kings

With the crux of Jewish holidays just around the corner, the ideas and concepts we want to teach children are in a heaping pile. There are so many rituals and customs creeping up on us at mach speed, getting the important messages across properly can seem simply daunting. There is one, however, that I think is of primary importance; can't greet the "King in the field" (never mind coronate Him!) until you know what a king is!

Turns out, this wasn't an easy feat. Sure, she's heard of kings - but unfortunately only of the nasty variety; Pharaoh, Achashvarosh, Antiochus etc. And crowns simply registered as "princess".

But with a little education and a lot more explanation we landed at a place of mutual agreement; G-d is the best king and "in charge" of the whole world. That worked for me. :)

(Although, once wearing the crown I did overhear her calling herself "Queen Esther" amidst all the tip-toe twirling...)

Popsicle Memories

Happened upon a lovely little DIY game from eat, drink, chic that makes for the most perfect ode to a summer's end. The classic memory matching game gets a cooler twist with popsicle prints and sticks.

You can click here to download the fabulous PDF. If you're like me and out of colored ink or too lazy to stop into a print shop, all you really need is some popsicle sticks, glue, card-stock, and printed papers. I cut out some popsicle shapes from green card stock (they were actually paint chip samples :) and printed papers, glued them to mini popsicle sticks and in about 10 minutes flat had a brand new super-cute game to play with my littlest girlfriend. Plus, they doubled up as play food, and I'm pretty glad - these simple little cutouts kept her happily busy all morning long! Perfect way to spend a Labor Day afternoon-ing; a delightful game to bid adieu to summer treats and summer feats...

Heart Felt + Aleph Beis

This jar of little felt hearts has been circulating all abouts the web this week, and I've simply fallen in fuzzy little love. One super-cool mom created these warm little lovies to slip into her children's pockets on their fist day of school - so they can literally feel a bit of love and comfort throughout their first day away. How sweet?? You can view her tutorial here. (Also, I think if these were cut out quite a bit larger, this would make a wonderful "plastic needle" project to do with little girls!)

Seeing these little guys brought back something I viewed some time ago on Etsy: A set of Little Felted Aleph-beis! I think this is such a fantastic, tangible, and tactile way to teach early literacy and hebrew familiarity to little children. Wishlisted! :)

(P.S. It's not even fall yet and I'm already on a wool and felt trip...!)

Crayon Melt: Modern Art

Once you've already done your shopping at the school supply aisle of Target, might as well use that extra huge box of Crayola's and try out this modern art DIY project as one more family activity to knock off the list before September 1st. I think this is simply genius! And while I personally would proudly hang that in my living room, this really makes for some fantastic wall decor in a children's room, playroom, and especially - a crafts room!!

Head over to Whatever (remember her awesome summer bucket list??) for some more photos of her kids mid-melting and the easy-as-pie DIY details!!

Happy late-summer crafting! :)

School Supplies on a String

How cute would wearable school supplies be for your middle-school daughter's first day jewels?? Found these on MiniEco - I think they're insanely adorable for back-to-school. Especially with a uniform!! :)