Summer Updates

New posts about our summer in the month of June.

Camp W part 1

Camp W part 2

Slowly catching up!

Camp W Finale- Back to School Bash

To wrap up the summer and as our final Camp Wannalaffalotta activity, we had a back to school party. I sent out electronic invites, Lenna planned the activities, and we invited a bunch of people to pot luck at the park with us.

For your first homework assignment of the year, a little addition problem:

Two minivans carrying five passengers each, are traveling in opposite directions at an average of 25 miles per hour, and they meet at the local park with six other families with 2-6 children each, and everyone brings something to eat. 36 hot dogs, 27 juice boxes, 8 bottles of water, 3 bags of chips, 2 dozen doughnuts, one chocolate sheet cake, and one pinata full of candy have all been eaten. There is one parade that lasts 4 minutes and features 2 pairs of roller blades, 5 bikes, 2 scooters, 2 strollers, 3 tricycles, and 23 musical instruments. There are 2 playgrounds and 1 splash fountain that result in 1 sprained ankle, a scraped knee, and 1 bruised forehead. In the 3 hours the group occupied the pavillion, what is the total amount of fun had by all?

Answer: A whole bunch!

Next summer is going to be even better! You are all invited to join Camp Wannalaffalotta season two premiring in May 2011.

Camp W- Marsh Models

In my attempt to educate my children so their brains didn't turn completely to mush over the summer, we did some research at the library. After looking at a few books on the 7 wonders of the ancient word, we decided to make some of our own.
I gave the kids a few bags of marshmallows, and handful of toothpicks and cut up drinking straws, and let them go. They both decided on pyramids. Lenna went for the Mayan model, while Andy did the traditional Egyptian one.

Andrew decided on a concrete model with solid walls, while Lenna opted for the minimalist approach with just an outline.

Rebecca ran quality control on the building materials.

A few design flaws to correct- perhaps she switched to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

 Wait, was this supposed to start to look like something by now?

Much better! Ta-da!

 A modern version of what the pyramids look like now!

There, brain rot avoided! If only we could say the same for their teeth after they had to clean up. . .

Camp W- rained out

Summer is the rainy season here. Every evening, no matter how hot and sunny the day has been, a thundershower rolls in. Good for the plants. Bad for outside plans like pool picnics. However, if the lightening has stopped, you might as well go get wet anyway!

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?

Camp W, Day 1

Camp Wannalaffalotta, Day 1.

Library to sign up for summer reading and story time.
Park, to play, splash, and explore nature.
Thought it best to not over do it the first day!

A good alternative to just locking them up-

Hose them off instead!

Leara, looking for Prince Charming. I don't think she kissed it, but am not completely sure. It was still a frog when we left.

Becca found a mud puddle that was fun to splash but out of reach of the sprayers.

Wet and ready to go home. Throw in lunch and a nap, and the day is nearly over. Success!

Welcome to Camp Wannalaffalotta!

Introducing Camp Wannalaffalotta-

For moms and kids who "wanna laugh a lotta!"

Just a little something I threw together for my kids as an alternative to the $100-200 weekly day camps that abound here. I am excited about it and they seem to be as well. If you a local, feel free to join us! If not, make up your own camp! You can print out the little brochure- it's not official until there is paper work, according to my oldest- and party with us.

This week- library, splash park, camp teepees, art class, pool picnic, and a s'mores cookout.