Growing up is hard. Little sis is a thumb sucker…big time. The dentist has suggested that unless we want to spend our meager retirement on braces and headgear that we try to get her to cut back a bit. She’s OK at home and school and in the car, but we’re starting by trying to get her to stop in public places…store, library, etc. Basically just get her to remember it’s in her mouth.

We’ve used this technique before a few times with big-sis. Basically every-time they are successful they get to color one picture. Once they are all done they get a preselected prize. For us it has worked best when the prize is purchased about halfway through and left to sit on top of the fridge.

In the past we did trees, or fish, but she requested candy. Funny to think that candy might be good for her teeth.

Our family is scattered all over the place. We have family in Tokyo, Chicago, L.A., Florida, Dallas, New York, not to mention Iraq and Afghanistan. I wanted a way for the girls to remember every one, so we made a family themed memory game.

It’s easy to build, plus the game helps build logical and spatial skills.

Materials:

• 12 pairs of small photos
• 3 sheets of matching scrapbook paper
• clear contact paper
• glue stick
• Corner rounder paper punch

Directions:

1. Gather your photos. The easiest way I found was to upload the photos to a photo service like Flickr.com, then order wallet prints. This gives you 4 x prints of each photo.
2. Cut out two of each photo.

   

3. Glue the pairs of photos to the back of the scrapbook paper.

   

4. Cut the photos out of the paper along the edge.
5. Use a paper punch to round all the corners.

   

6. Cut two pieces of contact paper large enough to hold about 4 - 6 cards. Remove the back cover and lay the contact paper on your surface sticky side up. Place the cards photo side down on the paper leaving at least a half inch in between the cards.
7. Remove the backing off the second piece of contact paper and place it sticky side down over the cards on the first sheet. Make sure all the edges of the cards are covered.
8. Use a spoon to burnish the cards, especially the edges.
9. Use a pair of scissors to trim the contact paper about 1/8th an inch from the edge of each card.

Not enough people take math seriously. This is a pet peeve of mine…I do teach math and computer science, occupational hazard.

The truth is math equals opportunity. The more math kids master, the more opportunity thay will have later in life, no matter what thet decide to do.

Here’s a simple project to help kids build basic math skills. The bracelet sticks to one-digit numbers, and the key-chain uses two digit numbers.

Materials:

• Prepainted Wooden Beads square
• White wooden beads
• Beading elastic
• Paint pen type

Directions:

1. As you work hold the beads so that the holes are on the right and left sides.
2. Using the paint pen put a + on four sides of a square bead.
3. Do this again with the = sign.
4. Label the numbers on the beads as listed below
5. To make the:
   1. Bracelet: String the beads on the elastic with a square bead, then a round bead. Make sure the number beads go on in the right order. Add enough blank beads to fit yout child’s wrist.

Keep your kids’ books organized.

Both our girl’s are bookworms, so I made these bookplates to help keep the kid’s library tidy. There are six different dog designs. Simply print out the PDF and cut them out. If you like color with colored pencils, then use a glue stick to attach to the inside front cover.

Hope you enjoy!