You Know It’s Been Way TOO Hot For Way TOO Long When…

The pool feels more like a hot tub, the grass has turned every shade of brown (even with a daily watering from the sprinkler) and crayons melt in the sun to make some fun art. That’s right, melted crayons in the sun…well, kind of.

Let me first start with how I came up with this idea. Not sure if I have officially announced my love, my new bff, my over-the-top obsession with PINTEREST, but yes, it’s true…I’m in love. So many awesome ideas to fill my head and keep me oh-so distracted. I made a promise (to myself) that I would actually try to tackle some of these awesome inspirations so that all my pinning wasn’t a waste.

I have tried a few food recipes pinned from PINTEREST and they turned out great. Next up, Crayola art fun with the kids or kid as Brooke was actually down for a nap for the majority of this project. The best part of this project was that I already owned all the required items to make this project work.

• Crayola Crayons (I used 2 new boxes - any amount would work and they don’t have to be new)

• Glue gun and glue sticks

• Foam board

• Heat gun (I know you thought the sun was responsible but keep reading)

Drew helped to lineup all the crayons in a row and in the color pattern he liked best.

He was very meticulous about lining them up perfectly straight and took his time to arrange the colors.

I then glued the crayons onto the foam board.

We used a large piece of foam board because I didn’t know how much the crayons would drip and wanted all the wax to stay on the board (less mess, please). Finally, we took the board outside to bake in the 101 blazing degree heat.

And we watched... and waited...and waited...and waited.

It took a LONG time for the wax to finally start to show signs of liquefying. After about two hours, the crayon wrappers started to look saturated and large chunks of wax started to plunge out of the wrappers and down the board.

Not the dripping effect that we had hoped for. We immediately brought the board inside and put plan B into action (this is also the point where Darren came home and said..."what the hizell are you guys doing?").

I had a heat gun that I use for embossing and thought this might be a better way to achieve the dripping effect.

I propped the foam board up against the kitchen cabinets and turned the gun on. Immediately, the wax started to pour out of the wrappers and down the board. Awesome!

This is also the point of the project where Brooke woke from her nap and was interested in watching the color wax show...while having a snack, of course.

The heat gun was for sure the super star of this project. I think I might actually try this again using just the heat gun to avoid the large wax clumps.

Overall, it was a fun experiment and Drew loved watching the wax melt and drip down the board. I love the color combination and the feel and texture of the wax on the board. Great little project for a hot, wax melting, stay-inside kind of day!

Big Soccer Boy!

As I watched Drew at Soccer camp yesterday, it struck me how big, independent and responsible he is becoming. It was the first day of camp and he didn’t know anyone. I had flashbacks of the first day I took him to Pre-School. He was terrified; clung to my leg like a monkey on a tree limb and did NOT want me to leave. I thought that this same scenario might play out again here on the soccer field. Not the case.

I was standing there waiting for him to need me to help him with something…and well, he didn’t. He gathered all his stuff, gave me a kiss goodbye (thank God he hasn’t gotten too big for this), found his little group and was off in his own little soccer world. No hesitations, not apprehensive at all about all the strangers and new faces…just a confidant young boy, ready to play some soccer. Bittersweet to say the least. Proud moment…that’s all.

 

It’s a Bird; It’s a Plane; It’s Drew on a Bike…MINUS the Training Wheels!

Oh the excitement of the monumental event. He has not stopped talking about his huge accomplishment and will tell anyone with ears about his new talent! I on the other hand can’t help thinking how this is just another sign that my baby is not really a baby anymore…tear. Darren mentioned that helping Drew tackle this milestone was also a huge parenting moment for him…another tear.

Danger…Ice Cream Shop Within Walking Distance!

We haven't officially walked to the Ice cream shop yet because it has been so blazing hot…but we have driven there more times than I care to count! The kids are in heaven with our new found Ice Cream shop. It's directly across the street from the Winghaven Library and now we can't make our weekly trip to the library without stopping in for a treat. Drew loves the "Cookie Monster" flavor (blue cotton candy ice cream with cookie dough and oreo pieces!) and Brooke just loves it all! My waistline would prefer a fresh fruit/veggie stand within walking distance from the house but I guess I can chalk it up to being part of summer fun!

Drew’s Big Trip to OK!

Drew and Colin went to Oklahoma this past weekend with Grandma Janet. They left early Friday morning and drove 7 hours to stay with Darren's Aunt Pat and Uncle Kurt and cousin Jared. They had such a great time over the weekend visit and Drew is already talking about going back next summer!

Riding Horses!

Off into the sunset they go!

I think he kind of liked riding!

"Let er rip!"

 Bonfire fun...smores!

Swimming!

Summer F.U.N!!!

Totally in shock right now that we are well into the month of July. It just seems to go by faster and faster every year. At least we are trying our best to make the most of these summer months. I really want to make fun summer memories for my kids. I want them to look back someday and remember their summers filled with fun trips, sun, swimming, sprinklers, bbq's and lots of friends and family.


Their 1^st Race for the Cure!

My Buddies!

 

Beach Ball Water Play!

Parish Picnic Fun!

Bobby Knight Golf Fun…for Dad!

Girls Winery Trip Fun…for Mom!

 

They are both FISH!

Our Favorite Park!

And when it's all said and done…this is usually how the fun times end…

 4^th of at the Lake!