Digital Reflections

midweek finds on our week off...

I meant to post this earlier in the week, but this is a busy week for us.  Lots going on, planning and a weekend trip away.  Not to let things go too quietly, we are working on a few things around here, although we didnt have a "theme" this week, we are really reviewing our skills, and reading a lot. The kids have all gotten a book for their book reports. The olders know what to do and I am working with the little ones on reading comprehension as we work through books above their own reading level. My new kinder girl is soaking it all up, it is literally a 24-7 request for school activities, wanting to sit with counting objects, asking for matching games, and shape sorting... she is all about patterns, and colors and writing (I love it!).  I had the olders pick a biography and they will finish reading it and complete a 1 page summary this weekend.  The one thing I love about kids in general, is how absorbant they really are, little sponges. 

I wanted to give you a heads up about next week because I suspect the post to be late after I am back in town. But next week is OCEAN week, and it is chalked full of activities... I am really excited to finish our summer off with OCEAN week, including trips to an AQUARIUM, and of course the BEACH!! So come back and check out that posting for lots of crafting and science ideas...

Cant leave you without some midweek finds - just couldnt do that to you, I know you wanta see what I found dont you.......

FOR THE KIDS::

MAKE AN INDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE (journey into unschooling)

CREATIVE COLLAGES: 4 crazy kings great dimension 

SUMMER MATH FUN (teach mama) LOVE THIS - have you checked out this blog yet, go NOW (but then come back and finish checking out this list!!)

SUN PRINTS (that artist woman)

 SOMETHING TO EAT::

CANTELOUPE SALSA (smittenkitchen)

BAKED BRIE WITH FRESH BLUEBERRIES (recipegirl) 2 of my favorite things 

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE ICECREAM (thepressedpastrychef)

ZUCCHINI LATKES WITH YOGURT CURRY SAUCE (pioneerwoman)

SOMETHING TO MAKE::

FINGER PUPPETS (sewmamasew)

OH YES WE ARE STARTING A FALL CATEGORY::

WHITE PUMPKIN CARRIAGE (imperfectly beautiful) one of the cutest ideas EVER  - a MUST do at our Cinderella loving house.

 AND FINALLY SOMETHING BRILLIANT::

RESTERAUNT KITS (crafty crow)

and I cant leave without atleast one image:

this was taken by my friend KAY who was here taking pics during the tea party camp last week. since my son knew i was a tad too busy to grab my camera, he asked if he could "shoot" some pictures, and after a little this is how to and put that strap around your neck conversation, he rather enjoyed being paparrazzi to a house of girls....

 

I LOVE PHOTOBLAST ACTIONS (first of all they are a breeze to install) and I love the one click change that I get.  The above photo was editing using the RUSTIC CHARM preset...

Here you can see some of my favorite ACTIONS:

  

pro b/w.................contrapop...................antique

they all produce great results... if you work in photoshop or photoshop elements you should certainly go take a look.

well, enjoy your week and weekend... and I will be back with loads of OCEAN fun ideas early next week.

Friday Finds

Somedays, I really sit back in awe of just how much information you can get online these days.  My searches generally relate to kids, photography, cooking, etc.  but you really can find anything you want out there..

Here are a few of my personal favorites from this week:

Camping with Kids a great new blog I have recently added to my google reader. I love the information here as we are planning an outing this summer, for the first time with kids.

Bass Pro Summer Camp Learned about this offering from the Bass Pro Shops from my mom (a new blogger with lots of great info) over at stillfindingcash .  There are all kinds of FREE things they have going on over there from now until Jul5th (Saturdays and Sundays) things from free smores cooking, crafts, casting ponds, shooting range, etc.) check out their website in the link above and be sure to stop by for an afternoon of FREE activities all kids will enjoy one weekend this summer.

                             

doorway into summer love this idea and i think we are going to adapt it for a jar. Each child will write random ideas of things they want to do this summer.    Then when we have a "freetime" during the day a child can draw one idea from the jar.  This will give them all something special to look forward to this summer.

Budget Friendly Summer Ideas

STRETCHING A BUCK (savings info at your fingertips)  

RECIPE FINDS:

CITRUS ICED TEA

CRUSTLESS QUICHE WITH SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS 

BLUEBERRY JAM OR PRESERVES (especially like this - includes process for canning)

BOOKS ADDED:

        

INTERESTING FIND:

SARAH JANE STUDIOS I love everything in Sarah Jane Studios, and when I read a recent post about FUTURE ME, I was curious, I was compelled - and I acted... I think everyone should do this. Here is the link to write yourself a confidential letter which will be emailed to you at your specified date and time.  I have does this  in my past as a part of some childhood retreats, where you write the letter about how you feel as a result of the retreat/camp and a few weeks later the camp quide sends it to you.  So, if you choose to do this drop me a note below and let me know. FUTUREME.

PHOTOSHOP TIPS:

Cassie Jones-creating a collage I think the best way to learn tips and techniques in photoshop is with step by step guides that allow you the hands on experience needed in discovering and seeing all the capabilities of the functions of photoshop.  Cassie offers her customers just this, full pdf's loaded with so much photoshop information you will not be diappointed.  All of her tutorials at designerdigitals are what I consider a must have for all your digital scrapbooking and photoshop needs.  

Have a great weekend, I will be back Sunday with our first regular post of Sundays this Summer, lots of ideas of things you can do with your kids home this summer.  Our family is really excited about whats in store for the weeks to come.