Summer Bucket List Series: Camping Adventure

Sometimes, the thrown together events at the last minute are the BEST events!

As part of our Summer Bucket List with our friends; we wanted to have a family night of camping in the back yard. But the weather just wouldn't allow it each time we planned it. We actually gave up on the whole idea. 

Thursday we all met at the pool since it was so warm (90!) ; and here in Germany you better go if it's warm, becuase you may not see another day like it!

Camping was brought up and we checked the weather... and the very next day was scheduled to be RAIN FREE! 

And this is the VERY FIRST time my children have ever camped out.

 3 families, 10 Kids....

So Here is our Camping Adventure!

Since it was held in our backyard, the kinders and I spent that afternoon getting things together. Everyone came by the late afternoon to set up their tents and eat.

First, The Kinders all did a fun craft:

They made seashell necklaces.

By using and ancient technique,  they were able to create small holes in the tops of the shells by rubbing them on a large stone/brick.

It takes a little while for thicker shells... Place your thumb in the little cup of the shell and rub back and forth. Then string on!

They loved it! And it was something they could keep working on during the weekend...

I made a camp site sign using an old board I had, and rocks. Super easy, and fun!

All set up!

A Very excited boy made it through the night in his OWN tent!

Roasted Hot Dogs over the fire, and side dishes shared by all!

(psst, there aren't any bears in Germany)

The childen loved this part of the day of course!

 After Dinner we went for a Hike in the woods about a mile to this great woodland park. But before we could begin our adventure in the woods we handed  out Survival kits for the rest of the night! (thankfully I had all this purchased earlier this summer so it was easy peasy to put together) I printed little tags onto each one and tied with yarn. (tag reads: Thank you for coming! Camp Happy Hollow)

Survival Kit:

* Colman Glo-stick ( for use as a night light in their tent)

* Water gun to scare off "Bears"

* one mini stuffed animal bear in case anyone is a little "scared" in their tent

* one band aid

* one bottle of water

* bandana for the hike (so we can spot the kids easily in the woods.)

* one small piece of candy

  

Bandana's on - Ready to Go!!!! ( Isn't it soo funny how they all have their own ideas on how to wear a bandana?!?!)

                                                 KT wanted a bow on top of her head.... =)

The Boys.....

 It was fun! Wooden pirate ship, Tee pees, forts.... The sun was setting and so we arranged for my brother and another dad to drive the cars down to pick the crew up so we wouldn't have to hike back.

When we returned from the hike, our next surprise was an OUTDOOR MOVIE on the wall of our house!

My brother worked it all out while we were gone, set it up and everything!

 He is so awesome!

We already owned a projector, which made this an easy activity to put together.

It was like being in a theatre.

The kids were SO Excited!

Movie: The Jungle Book

They All got into their jammies and played with thier glow sticks while the Mamas were inside getting "movie snacks" ready!

Snacks:

*Popcorn

* Chocolate covered Trail Mix

* Glow in the Dark lemonade

My pictures didn't turn out, But this is where I got the idea for the drinks, and here is a great picture!

Aren't these so FUN?

By 11:00 it was lights out, and the kids all fell asleep pretty quick!

We didn't get a chance to roast marshmellows or make smores, so we decided to make those for breakfast.

You were only allowed in the House if you had to use the :

Bed Head KT: She didn't wake up along with everyone else... 2 hours later I FINALLY woke her up! =)

Breakfast: Everyone brought something to share:

                                                                            * Cereal

* Toast (on the campfire)

* Roasted Apples (on the campfire)

* Fruit

* Muffins

I had such a great time with my kinders and our friends!!!!

Morning beauties.... =)

                 As a take home Keepsake the kinders and I made each family a mini photo album.

Recipes:

Pie on a stick

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/pie-on-a-stick-932894/

Trail Mix

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/chocolate-drizzled-trail-mix-932888/

Thank you for visiting!!!

Invite a few families over and make some memories!

Summer Bucket List Series: Origami Party

We Just had the MOST fun Party Yesturday!!!

What do you do on a summer day when it's RAINY ?

Have an Origami DAY!

 I am so thankful for such wonderful friends... They totally make these get togethers so much more fun!

As part of our Summer Bucket List with our friends; we had a great day of paper crafting.

I layed out wrapping paper on the table for decoration, and hung origami paper on string around the room.... They made perfect banners....

On the buffet I set up an origami display of all the projects we were going to learn.

 I also used a japanese fabric cloth, a japanese tea set, kokeshi doll, and a japanese lady doll for our centerpiece. 

We talked about the japanese word ORIGAMI and it's defintion ( Ori- folding Gami- Paper).

I printed and laminated the Japanese flag for our table as well.

All the supplies needed were various sheets of origami paper, and some glue and scissors!

I printed and laminated the directions for many of the designs and hole punched the corner, tied with a ribbon. This way it was easy for me when I was giving instructions...

And I know my kinders were going to be doing these over and over the next few days! =)

Some were very easy! Some were time consuming.. GREAT for ALL ages!

Tutorials we used :

Brachiosaurus

drinking Cup

Rabbit Face

Origami booklet

bracelet

Box

Samurai Hat

Boat

Starbox tutorial

Heart Tutorial

Educational Benefits for Children

Read about the educational benifits for children from the  Origami Resource Center  click the link to read the full article. a few great articles here : Origami Benefits 

theragami  method is based on the use of Origami to achieve vital academic, cognitive and therapeutic objectives.

We made paper airplanes too of course!

Then we went outside to race them!

They raced to see who's went the farthest, the slowest, crashed first etc...

Time for snacks!!!

I made some origami drinking cups out of 6 inch paper, and filled them with marshmellows.

To keep them from tipping over, I stacked them in a large empty egg crate. 

The families pitched in and brought snacks, and it was great!

When the kinders were all done, they need away to take home their creations~ PAPER BAGS! This whole event was paper! I then laminated little Japanese flags and taped them to each bag. The kids can then take it home and place it somwhere so they can remember to keep Japan in their prayers.

Label with their names.

16 point Star tutorial

The kids had SO much FUN!

And don't forget to decorate with pinwheels!

For the littles I set out our Tangram bin...

And for younger children that aren't quite ready to do full Origami, I printed out this adorable Dog and also a few Kokeshi Doll cut out printables

Japan flag coloring page

Butterfly Tutorial

Origami Party Cost:

Each child that participated paid $3 for supplies. The families brought a snack to share.

pinwheels $4

wrapping paper for tables 80 cents

origami paper $3 for decorating with

egg carton- free

marshmellows $1.50 bag

paper lunch bags .99 cents

Cost to the hostess under $10!!!!

Very affordable fun rainy day!

Linking up to some fun crafters and bloggers out there:

http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.redtedart.com/sharing-crafts-parties/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/