This is an easy activity for Holly to accomplish. Still, I like it because it solidifies her knowledge of colors and using the clothes pins is good for her fine motor skills and hand strength. It's not an activity that takes a while, but it's been nice to pull it out as needed. Like when I'm making lunch. I'm glad I took these photos when I did because I gave them to Holly when I was finished and she or Greta (I don't know which) pulled some of them apart. Ah, kids. I need a laminator. 

All you need for this project is cardstock, permanent marker, paint chips and clothes pins! Super easy. Super inexpensive. Super cute. I wonder if hardware stores are getting sick of people snaggin paint chips?

I made a blazer this spring. I had made one in high school, that I never wore. And then I decided to tackle one again this spring. It took so long! It was a tedious process, but I did it! I lengthened it by a good few inches and I used hot pink cotton twill. I still haven't put a button on it and I may never. I'm undecided. I haven't found the perfect button and I'm probably never going to wear it buttoned anyways. I want to make at least one more this year. Next time, I'll take the shoulders in by at least 1/2 inch and I'll do a better job setting the sleeves in. Maybe do welt pockets? I'm thinking black. I'm glad I made this and challenged myself more than usual. And I'm glad I finally wore it!

This summer has been full of pool days here and there and we've loved it. Greta is really comfortable in the water these days. She loves jumping in off the side to me and "swimming" around. Surprisingly, she doesn't cling to me anymore and rarely cries. In fact, this week I was enjoying my pool time so much with Greta that I got a little carried away and injured my back. Greta can be so unpredictable with her moods sometimes that when I catch a stretch of straight happy I like to milk it. Holly preferes wading and playing with buckets and her friends - she has some wonderful besties. Summers in California are perfect.

This is a big winner of an activity. We've been leaving the rice on the tray because then it's easy for us to pull it out for Holly to play with. And play with it she will. For long stretches of time. It's a great sensory activity. Holly loves to fill up different containers, pour them out, and bury her hands. We recently threw in a couple of her animal figurines for added fun. The rice was easy to dye, I just squirted in regular food dye and stirred it really well. It turned out more beautiful than I anticipated. It's a cheap and easy activity. And not nearly as messy as I thought it would be especially after I took a couple deep breaths and relaxed a little! Let me know if you try it!

Notice that Holly is wearing a princess dress in all these pictures? And pretty much all the pictures I've taken of her recently? Every single day she wears it. She loves it! And she's super good about wearing it only when we're at home. No medivial throw-backs outside these walls.