Camp W- paint the town pink

What to do on yet another hot day at Camp Wannalaffalotta??

Collect some kids and take them to a place with a really long sidewalk, in our case the park.
Take away their shoes in exchange for some sidewalk paint.
Help the timid ones.
Survey your masterpiece!
Wash off in the splash fountain.
Hope the poor souls who spend their lunch hour walking laps here enjoy the brief change of scenery!

Don't worry, the paint was washable chalk paint and disappeared as soon as it rained. Our exhibit was only temporary.

Happy Camping!

Camp Uniforms

In order to have an authentic summer camp experience, we decided we needed uniforms.

The Wannalaffalotta campers settled on these bandana shirts, made from a tutorial found here. After a very eventful shopping trip to the craft store so each camper could choose their own design, we made these.

I was worried the older girls would be too big for ties on the side, so I helped them sew the sides together. With a lot of help, the little ones were able to make their own shirts, even if mom did end up finishing when their fingers just got too tired!

Not botique material, but the kids were proud to wear the shirts they had made themselves. The uneven cuts, oversized neck holes, or mismatched ties just make them more authentic!

Happy Camping!

Camp W builds a teepee

Our first hands-on activity for the Camp Wannalaffalotta was to build a teepee from painter's canvas and bamboo garden poles. We challenged ourselves to let go of the control and let our kids use paint and permanent markers and scribble all over the canvas, drawing whatever they wanted. Amazingly, no one died or ruined their clothes or destroyed anything. I guess control is slightly over-rated.

Here is a step-by-step, in case you want to give it a try.

Take a piece of cloth- an old sheet, painters canvas, old curtains, whatever you have around that is at least 5x8 feet. Lay it flat then fold it into quarters. Kind of like you are making a giant paper snowflake. Cut off the tip of the corner to make a hole for the poles- maybe 4 inches or so. Then round the bottom edge. It doesn't have to be perfect, your kids will love it no matter what.
Here is the finished shape:


Decorate your teepee. You can go all out with acrylics and fabric paints. designer prints, camo, jungle stripes, polka dots, whatever. We decided to make one per family and let the kids paint whatever they wanted. Funny we both ended up with a family tree and hand and footprints. We just cleaned out the craft drawers- watercolors, glitter glue, finger paint, sharpies, crayons- nothing was off limits.

While it is drying flat, put in some holes for the grommets. I used 1"grommets and pounded them in every 2 inches starting from the top edge, or the tiny cut out circle, depending on your perspective. Make sure they line up! Then find something to lace it up. I used yarn, but you could go with leather, ribbons, rope, or an old shoelace, depending on what look you are going for. Now go get your poles.

I used 6ft lengths of bamboo found in the garden center. 6 of them. You could use pvc pipe or wooden dowels or even some long sticks if you have them. Just 6 poles, about 6 feet long, and relatively straight. Gather them up and wrap a few thick rubber bands around the bundle about 8 inches from the top. Spread out the feet evenly, about a foot or so apart with a slightly wider opening for the door. Wrap your teepee around the poles, lace up the grommet holes like you are tying a shoe and move it around until you are happy with the shape and size.

Set it up in a quiet place and let them in! A shade tent, a fort for two, a reading hide away, a time out spot, and Indian house- what will you use it for?

Cleaning House

The past two weeks have been busy here. Room by room, I am conquering the clutter!
First, I helped Andrew clean his room and make sure every toy had a "home". Together we filled one garbage bag with trash and broken toys, and another with toys to "share" and donate to goodwill. All his toys finally fit in the storage he has. After that, I moved on to Lenna's room. After a thorough cleaning, we sent another bag to the trash can, set one aside to give away, and filled a tote with outgrown clothes. After everything was put safely away in a moveable container, Andrew and Lenna traded rooms. Lenna is now in the smaller room, with her desk, book shelf, and craft supplies taking up most of the storage. Most of her birthday presents this year are going toward turning her room into a fairy garden.
Andrew moved to the bigger room and bunk bed, where there is plenty of room for his toys and car rug. And he can play Batman while scaling the side of the bed, much to my horror. I considered taking the ladder off and making him sleep on the floor. Over the next month Rebecca will move in to share the toys and learn to sleep in the toddler bed. Hopefully that will be soon enough that we don't have any issues when her little sister arrives and takes over her current room and crib.
Today I did a wardrobe overhaul on my clothes, since I had outgrown most of the ones in my closet. Maternity and winter stuff in, just about everything else out. I filled a tote with clothes to reclaim when I have a flat stomach, and four garbage bags with clothes that have been outgrown or sitting in my closet for two years without ever coming out. One bag was just shoes I never wear anymore. Sadly, I still fill an over-the-door rack with some to spare. They say admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? Tomorrow I will have everything put away- I am so excited to see the erosion of Mt Washmore in my bedroom!
Next up- the living room book cases and VHS tapes in the entertainment center. Then the giant pile of craft supplies in the dining room (I am pretty sure we have a million crayons. Anybody know what to do with a million crayons?) that need to be sorted and organized and toddler-proofed.
Finally, I am one amazon order and a bike short of being completely done shopping for Christmas and birthdays this year. Hooray for me.
Last week I spent the week house-bound with a sick and cranky toddler and felt hopeless and overhwlemed. Thanks to some prayers in my behalf, some visits from friends, and a few good long walks, I am feeling much better. Today, there is a light. I really am beginning to think that every bag or box I get rid of not only makes my house lighter, but my heart as well! Of course, having the quarantine removed and being able to get out of the house with my now spot-free and smiling toddler helps, too.

Jannet Law Cross is....

A summer in status updates, for my non-facebook friends. In reverse order, because that is how I cut and paste from my "wall." A peek into the one-liners of the summer when I didn't quite have enough to say to make a whole blog post.

Sep 12- I'm back! Who wants to come vacuum the sand out of my car? I can pay you in sea shells.

Sep 10- Going to the beach!

Sep 9- Lenna- "mom, I ran the mile today in 9 minutes and 12 seconds! I was the fastest one in third grade, even faster than all the boys!" That's my girl! :)

Sep 6- Today I am taking Lenna to get her first manicure, as a reward for her not biting her nails for 3 weeks. Does anyone have a favorite nail place here in Augusta/Evans?

Sep 3- Just sent my boy off to kindergarten wearing a Superman cape.

Aug 31- I would like to go to bed now and start Tuesday over. Or perhaps sleep through the rest of the week and check back in next week?

Aug 30- I finally used the "faces" feature on all of my picasa albums. It automatically tagged all the pictures of my dad as Santa Claus. I love it! I'm not changing it.

Aug 30- What is the point of having insurance if you keep getting bills anyway? And if it is as simple as me making a phone call to complain about said bill and the phone lady pushing two buttons to make it "paid" why don't they just do that in the first place and save me the heart attack and phone call every time a $500 bill arrives in the mail?

Aug 30- Getting the last of the stitches out today. Cancer-free pathology report. Booking a hotel room at the beach in a few weeks. I will force things to go well today!

Aug 25- Took the youngest two to the dentist this morning. No screams, no tears, no cavities! Way to go Becca and Andy!

Aug 23- Most people come out of plastic surgery with bigger boobs or a flatter tummy. I only got a few stitches and bandaids. So unfair! Now just waiting for a good pathology report. To all of you immortal youths out there who think it will never happen to you, wear sunscreen!

Aug 18- Took me only one night to switch to California time. Have been back in GA for a week, and still can't make my internal clock function on Eastern time. Why?

Aug 12- My baby has started kissing her own booboo's. I feel so useless!

Aug 11- It's good to be home! Except for that sticky floor, sick baby, and was it always this hot and humid here?

Aug 4- I am loading my kids' bookbags for the first day of school. I LOVE the smell of new pencils and crayons! Funny, Lenna has been planning the perfect 3rd grade outfit all summer. Andrew just wants to wear his pajama shorts and Batman cape. Look out Kindergarten, here we come!

Aug 3- On the phone on hold. Fighting insurance claim denial, getting dr to resubmit paperwork, getting roof leak repaired for the third time- and everyone is at lunch and won't call me back. The price of making calls at naptime.

July 29- I just talked to my grandpa on the telephone. He sounded so old and tired. Made me sad. Glad I get to see him next week.

July 23- I love visiting teachers. Especially ones who come calling with window A/C units.

July 23- Ugh. No A/C until Monday. We are moving into the swimming pool.

July 22- It is 90* inside my house. Turned off the useless AC and opened all the windows. its getting better. pray the repair guy can come tomorrow morning, so I don't have to wait until Monday!

July 19- Home Again. Great week, long drive. Home to clean house and fun surprise from daddy!

July 15- Spending the week in WV with friends- I love the fresh air, cool temps, good company, and lots of space for the kids to run. Last night was fireworks, fireflies, and butterflies. Only thing missing is daddy. We miss you!

July 13- On the Road Again!

July 8- Hot. Humid. Sick. Stir crazy. Not a good combination!

June 25- I just finished packing for a mother-daughter campout. Lenna is so excited to be leaving the "little kids" behind. Good luck to dad tonight!

June 19- Made it back, and has the laundry and trashed car to prove it.

June 10- Warm cookies and cold milk. Life is good

June 6- Root beer floats for dinner, fireflies at sunset, little kids with bare feet running in the sprinklers. I love summer!

June 2- Cannot think of anything good to say. Must be bedtime.

May 25- I am looking to borrow/rent/buy a toddler backpack carrier to use on vacation in a few weeks. One of those you haul your toddler in when hiking and such. Anyone have one?

May 20- I love pretzel M&Ms

May 15- First pool day of the year. I am ready for summer!!

May 13-  Off to field day! My junior track star is ready!

May 11- I had a flat this morning. Grateful that it was s low leak, I could drive on it to get air, get my kids to school, etc then get a $30 patch instead of a new set of tires.

May 7- Up at midnight again with a crying baby. Her legs and arms are splotchy with hives. I think she may be allergic to the amoxicillin she has been taking for strep throat. What do you think?

May 6- Andy was out catching turtles in the backyard for show and tell before breakfast this morning. He wasted no time getting messy with wet grass, mud, and turtle excrement. Combined with the dead mouse the cat left on the door mat and the baby stepping in the turtle poop, it has been a fabulous morning- all before 8!

May 5- I really need to have a productive day today, but I can't keep my eyes open. I am SO tired! Help!

May 2. Up at midnight with Becca. 104.2 temp. No other symptoms but a runny nose. Waiting for Motrin to kick in.