Wholesome Fun | Wholesome Mommy :: by the Centsible Sawyer

A Trip to the Strawberry Farm

Written on May 10, 2012 by Denisesawyer in My Whole Food Journey, Wholesome Family, Wholesome Fun

Two weeks ago my mom, my two kidlets, and I went to the local strawberry farm to pick as many berries as we could before the kids pooped out. We had a GREAT time!

The strawberry farm closest to us is in Rome, Georgia and is called LCCL Strawberry Farms. {They are celebrating their tenth year this year!} We’ve been going to pick strawberries here for the past two years since a friend of ours shared it with us. The strawberries are FABULOUS – so sweet and juicy. NOTHING like what you get from the grocery store. Okay. They are both red. But other than that – NOTHING like it. (:

Judah had a wonderful time picking berries. He ran up and down the rows looking for the ripe red berries and he did a great job of ONLY picking the red ones. He really got into it, shouting at me when he would find a really big one. He also did a great job of not eating any until after we were done picking and paying {which by the way, their prices are VERY reasonable – $1.60 per pound}.

I can’t say the same for Eliana, though. We laughed upon checking out and asked if they prefer that I weigh her before paying {although I did pay them extra for the berries that she ate while we were picking them}. She knows what strawberries are and LOVES them. It is actually one of the first foods she would really eat. I think it is because she can hold it and feed herself! So independent!

So, once she figured out what we were putting in our bucket she started acting crazy…that is until I handed her one. I was oblivious to the mess that she was making since she was strapped to the front of me, facing out, while I was sitting on the ground picking berries as fast as I could go. Finally, as she was on around strawberry number 3 or 4 she started to get really aggravated and had had enough of being jostled about as I slid down the rows. I took her out of the baby carrier and turned her around to face me and I died laughing at the mess she had made. It looked like she had just smashed one of the strawberries right on the side of her head!

I picked berries a little longer as Eliana hung on to the side of my berry bucket. {Yes, I guess we can say my child learned to pull up in the strawberry patch}. Judah asked if he could go sit in the car in the “wind” (aka: air conditioning) so we decided to hang it up.

After weighing (we had 20 pounds!) and paying for our berries we bought a bowl of strawberry ice cream and a delicious fried strawberry pie to share. Then Judah took the train for two rides while my mom decided to pick a little longer.

All in all, we ended up bringing home 40 pounds of strawberries. We split up and froze 20 pounds and my dad is making homemade strawberry wine out of the other 20 pounds. In a few weeks we’re going to do it all over again.

It was a lot of fun – not too much work {hey, if I can do it with a 7 month old strapped to me it can’t be too bad!} and a great excuse to get outdoors and have some family fun.

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Kid’s Craft Mother’s Day Gift – Useful, Memorable, and Cheap!

Written on May 7, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun

Mother’s Day is less than a week away…have you decided what to get (or make) you mom yet? Something homemade from the kids is always appreciated. So, Judah and I decided to make something for Nana this year.

My mom loves to garden and plant – all sorts of things: fruits and vegetables, flowers, trees, grapevines, you name it! So, I thought a flower pot would be something she could use. I wanted to get Judah in on the action so we decided to decorate it with paint using his thumbprints. I thought and thought about all the cute thumbprint art you can do and finally decided {duh} flowers would be appropriate for this project.

We bought everything we needed at Walmart (while getting other items in the grocery department!) We used a regular ol’ terra cotta pot (any size will do), some acrylic craft paints (3 colors), and some coordinating ribbon. For this project you will also need a hot glue gun, some hot glue sticks, and some paint brushes. I spent less than $10 to produce this craftiness! (:

First, Judah painted the whole outside of the pot with aqua paint. Then, we let it dry (it didn’t take long – maybe 15 minutes).

Then, I helped Judah dip his thumb into citrus green paint. I helped in put green thumbprints sporadically all around the outside of the flower pot. This was the inside of the flowers. Then, I helped him do the same thing with the pale daffodil paint to make the petals of the flowers. So, the flowers are his little thumb prints! I wrote the date and his name on the bottom of the flower pot (Mother’s Day 2012, love, Judah) with a black Sharpie marker so my mom will remember when it was made and by which grandchild. (:

After all the paint had dried (a couple hours) I went back and hot-glued a matching polka dot ribbon around the top of the flower pot and made a little bow for the center. Now all our project needs is a beautiful plant for my mom to enjoy!

*Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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Kids Can Paint Like Jackson Pollock: Splatter Paint!

Written on May 4, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun

Judah and I had the best time the other day! We did an unconventional art project that was such a hit with him and would be a hit with any kid – no matter what age, I believe. What kids don’t like to splatter paint? And, what is even better than splattering with a paint brush? Why, spraying paint out of a spray bottle, of course!

All you need is some spray bottles (I ordered these from Oriental Trading, but I am sure you can find them most any where. I filled them with liquid water color that I also ordered from Oriental Trading. No liquid water colors? No problem! Try adding a good amount of food coloring to regular water. Viola! Your own liquid water colors. Just be sure to wear old clothes, the food coloring could/will stain.

Judah had a big time spraying the paints on an old bed sheet that I had in the “use this for a drop cloth” bag. It had a rip in it and couldn’t really be used for anything except catching dripping paint. So, I hung it over the clothes line and then Judah had a big canvas to fill with beautiful colors.

We experimented with spraying colors on top of each other to get new colors (red and blue make purple!). We also experimented with standing closer or farther away from the sheet to see what would happen to the paint.

Want to turn this into an art lesson? Go look up the artist Jackson Pollock. He’s a famous artist who is known for splatter paint! After learning about him and then doing his or her own work of art, your child might just proclaim that he/she is going to be the next up and coming artist!

Another cool thing about this project? I left the sheet up for a few days and we got a rain. The paints ran together and lightened and some even disappeared. So, now we’ll be able to do our project all over again! And, as for this sheet living the remainder of its life as a drop cloth, it still can! We’ll just fold up our artwork and use it for painting when the need arises.

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Creation Craft with Judah

Written on May 2, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Family, Wholesome Fun

Each week Judah and I learn a new Bible story. Its been fun teaching him about the scriptures and hearing how his little boy brain makes sense of them. (:

We usually do a project or two to help him understand the lesson and this was one I really had a great time with him doing so I wanted to share it with you.

Each page of the book tells about a different day in creation in Genesis 1.

The cover is made from a file folder. I punched four holes in the spine of the file folder and each page of the book with a hole puncher and ran some yellow ribbon we had left over from some other project through the holes. I tied them into bows to secure the pages. I used card stock for all the book pages because I wanted it to last through multiple readings by a three year old. *Wink*

On the first page we glued half a sheet of yellow construction paper and half a sheet of black construction paper to the card stock. I typed up each verse of the Days of Creation song to glue to the corresponding page to make the book have rhyme and repetition. That way Judah can “read” along. So the book is read in a sing-song voice. (:

On this page Judah water colored the card stock with homemade blue water color (water with a few drops of blue food coloring). Once the paper dried we glued stretched out cotton balls to the page for clouds.

On Day Three, we finger painted the card stock with blue finger paints. Once it dried we glued down a piece of crumpled brown paper bag down for the land and then I cut out a picture from Bible Story Printable Coloring Pages. Then, we used some stickers I had to embellish the water. (:

On Day Four, we used half a sheet of blue construction paper and half a sheet of black construction paper and glued it to the card stock. Then, we used some yellow patterned scrapbook paper I had to make the sun, some aluminum foil from the kitchen for the moon, and some foil star stickers (like the old school ones you use on a reward/incentive chart). Again, all junk I had lying around in my craft supply! (:

For Day Five we used some more scrap book paper scraps I had left in my supply room along with some animal stickers I had from who knows when (probably when I was a kid!).

For Day Six, Judah stuck some animal stickers I recently bought at Walmart for a Noah’s ark project (there were several sheets so we had extra). We also added a picture we had of our family.

On Day Seven, we just glued down the words. I wasn’t sure how to convey rest. I know it is boring! But, hey, rest is a pretty boring topic for a three year old. HA!

We’ve been enjoying reading our book in the evenings and it is fun to see how quickly he memorized the verses. We’ll be doing other fun projects like this. Would you like to see them?

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Craft Your Own Super Cute Custom Flower Pots

Written on May 1, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Uncategorized, Wholesome Fun

I love cute flower pots but they usually cost an arm and a leg! I also like to make things match and look cute (I’m neurotic like that). So, when I saw all the cute flower pots on Pinterest, I had to try craft some up for myself.

What You’ll Need to Make Your Own:

Flower Pot(s) – I got mine on CLEARANCE at Walmart!! (You can use some you’ve got laying around the garage/house too! Tera Cotta, ceramic – whatever you’ve got or can find cheap!)
Fabric – about 1/2 yard (this will depend on the size of your pots of course) – There are lots of cute spring prints right now in the Walmart Fabric department!
Modge Podge
Paint Brush
Flowers

First, wipe off or clean your pot if needed. You’ll want to start with a clean flower pot. Paint a small section of the flower pot with Modge Podge and start wrapping the fabric around the flower pot. Leave about 1/2 inch to an inch hanging over the top of the pot and the rest hanging off the bottom. Continue gluing and wrapping until the pot is covered all the way around.

Trim the fabric so that you have about an inch hanging past the top of the flower pot. Glue this part down inside the flower pot using the Modge Podge. Pleat the fabric as you go around to make it lay flat. Paint a layer of Modge Podge over the outside of the pot to seal it and allow it to dry.

Once this part is dry, flip the flower pot over and trim the bottom of the fabric so that you have an inch or so to glue down. Use the Modge Podge to glue the fabric to the bottom of the pot and then paint another thin layer over it to seal it. (Pleat the fabric as needed like stated for gluing the top down).

Allow the bottom to dry. Then, fill the finished flower pot with your favorite flowers!

These flower pots will do better on a covered porch or in doors. Do not allow them to sit in the rain as the Modge Podge will likely wash off and the fabric will come loose.

*Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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Our Butterflies Emerged!

Written on April 25, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun

Our butterflies have all emerged out of their cocoons. It was a fabulous experience for Judah and I. (Actually, I think my husband, mom, and dad also enjoyed seeing the fuzzy little guys progress). We watched them as they all got into their cocoons. I had my doubts that one of them was going to make it, but lo and behold all 6 of them turned into butterflies! I’ve done this one other time with my second grade classroom and didn’t have as good of a turn out.

It took three days for all of them to come out of their cocoons. It takes only a few moments for the butterflies to emerge from thier cocoons and then they hand for quite a while allowing their wet wings to dry. Judah and I got to see the 4th and 5th butterflies emerge. Just as we got up on Sunday morning two of them emerged back to back. We just happen to be checking on them and saw the cocoons were breaking open! How exciting since it is very easy to miss this quick metamorphosis.

After all the butterflies had emerged we decided it was time to let them go. So, as soon as daddy got home we took the butterfly pavilion outside and Judah helped daddy let them go on a warm afternoon. One of the butterflies fell while he was drying his wings so he didn’t look so well. I think his wing was damaged and didn’t dry out properly but instead was kind of crumpled.

Daddy helped Judah place the injured butterfly in one of our flower pots. We’re not sure if he made it but we watched as the other five flew around the backyard a while before vanishing.

You can actually keep the butterflies and watch them lay eggs and enjoy watching the cycle of life again but I haven’t had luck with it and neither have any of my teacher friends. That is why we opted to let them go after enjoying them all for a day or two.

I will definitely be doing this again but will probably wait until Eliana is old enough to enjoy it too. So, maybe in the next couple years we’ll have a round two. (:

What spring projects have you been up to the past few weeks? Have you done any awesome projects or experiments with your kids that they/you have really enjoyed?

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Learning About Plants – An Interview with Judah

Written on April 5, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun, Wholesome Living

I admittedly have a “black thumb.” I swear I can kill a cactus. No really. I have. {Hangs head in shame}. I don’t know why, my mom can work magic in a garden. She can grow anything. Lucky for me, I live next door so I have been able to enjoy the literal fruits of her labor. Each year I try to grow a little of my own.

We managed to keep a blueberry bush alive and I’m thrilled to see it has berries on it already for our second year! I have also managed to grow a little Kale, some lettuces, and a tomato or two thanks to my mom helping me to set up my own container gardens {and reminding me to water it – and even watering it a couple times for me!}

This year I’ve decided to give it another go and am hoping that my three year old will take an interest and will help to remind me to care for these plants. And, lucky for me, @SeedsofChange is willing to give me a shot. They sent over a Tomato Garden kit and a few packets of seeds for tomato and summer squash plants.

This kit was made for a person just like me. It has USDA certified organic seeds {wooohooo!} and it required very little skill or know-how. It was perfect for a starter kit for me and my little three year old buddy.

The kit included:

2 biodegradable planting pots
Seeds of Change® certified organic tomato seeds
Organic planting mix
100% recyclable windowsill protector tray
step by step instructions

Judah and I spent about 5 to 10 minutes planting our seeds together and talking about what they were, what would happen. A great little lesson opportunity. We also discussed how plants are living things and that God made all the living things {a great tie-in to our Bible lesson}. Here’s a little interview with Judah on his thoughts about planting tomato plants from Seeds of Change.

*Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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Spring Fun – The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Written on March 25, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun

I have been trying to do something fun (like a craft or a fun snack) with Judah, my three year old, each day that I am home. Since his little sister came along (she’s now 6 months) I’ve tried to make this time just for him, a time when he gets all of my attention since his sister takes so much of my attention since she’s a baby.

It used to take place during her nap time. Now that she’s a little older and capable of entertaining herself for a moment she often sits in her Bumbo chair and is an observer while we do these crafts and fun projects.

Last week I gathered the things I needed to do a unit on caterpillars and butterflies with a focus on the book, The Very hungry Caterpillar. I thought this study would be perfect for the beginning of spring! Judah is very interested in the concept of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly so I purchased some butterfly larvae from Carolina Biological Supply Company.

Everything else I purchased from my local Walmart. I intend to teach Judah lots of concepts while we have fun over the next few weeks. Besides watching our caterpillars make cocoons and emerge as butterflies we will also be eating our way through the produce department (LOL) just as the Very Hungry Caterpillar did. We will eat strawberries, oranges, apples, pears, and plums and talk about their color, texture, and flavors. (What a great way to get your kiddo to try some new healthy snacks!) Right now there is a HUGE variety of great fresh produce/fruit at Walmart. I was the most excited about this little pears, called Little Snappers! Aren’t they cute? We will also count the fruits while we work on counting. I also purchased Apple Blasts (Walmart’s Great Value brand of Apple Jack-like cereal) so that Judah could string them to make his own Very Hungry Caterpillar eatable craft.

We’ll be doing other caterpillar and butterfly art projects like the one at the top of this post where we used an old egg carton (bonus! recyclable art!) and some paint, googly eyes, and fuzzy pipe cleaners to make a caterpillar! Judah loved it! He’s been carrying it around!

I’ll keep you up to date and share a few more pictures as we complete some of our project list! Hope you find some time to do some fun spring crafts with your kiddos! For inspiration check out my Pinterest boards on caterpillars and spring!

Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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Pom Chicks – A Fun Craft for the Littles

Written on March 23, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Uncategorized, Wholesome Fun

This week Judah and I had a little crafty fun to welcome spring! We made these cute little pom chicks with just a few supplies from Walmart. (Do you see how happy he is with his little creation?? He carried it around for several days just like it was a real, delicate baby chick, LOL. So sweet!).

Here’s how we made these cute little creatures (You can get the materials list along with printable directions here):

Step 1: Glue a large yellow pom onto a bigger jumbo yellow pom to create the chick’s body. (I couldn’t find the jumbo poms so I just glued two large poms together for the bottom piece and then glued one large one to the top).

Step 2: Cut (4) 2-inch pieces from an orange fuzzy stick. Form each piece into a “V” shape.

Step 3: Twist one piece of each “V” shape together to form a foot shape (making three toes, with the middle one being two pieces twisted together). Repeat with the other two “V” pieces.

Step 4: Glue feet to the bottom of the chick.

Step 5: Glue 2 Wiggly Eyes to the top pom.

Step 6: Cut two 1 inch pieces out of an orange fuzzy stick for the beak. (I cut one piece, because my pom was too small to handle two pieces). Bend to form a small “V” and glue onto the top pom as the beak.

Step 7: Cut two 2 1/2 inch pieces of a yellow Fuzzy Stick. Twist each piece into a loop and glue on the side of the larger pom to make wings.

These were so much fun! Plus, we still have a ton of materials left to make other fun things. Judah has lot of plans for them, he immediately asked me to help him make a T-Rex when we finished the chick.

What fun crafts are you and your kids doing this spring? I have lots more ideas on my pinterest Spring board. Be sure to check it out!

Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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St Patrick’s Day – Fun with the Kiddos

Written on March 17, 2012 by Denisesawyer in Wholesome Fun

I have had an eventful St. Patrick’s Day! It included a trip to the urgent care with the baby. She is fine but having allergy problems that have caused her to vomit three times (from all the drainage). It is pitiful. Amidst the sickness I have also managed to have a little fun, including green pancakes and green milk for breakfast for Judah bug and an afternoon leprechaun hunt.

I made tiny foot prints with my fist and fingers in flour and placed gold chocolate coins at the end of the footprint trails. Judah was excited looking for the footprints!

We also made a special drink to go with dinner! Green Koolaid ice cubes with Sprite. To make your own, just mix up a packet of green Koolaid and pour it into an ice cube tray. Allow them to freeze until hard. Place a handful of cubes into a clear glass and pour Sprite over them. A simple, festive drink that everyone in the family can enjoy! (:

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

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The kit included: