Homemade sidewalk chalk

This is the tutorial that I shared over at Couturier Mommy on May 16th. This is a simple project and they can be using the chalk the same day :)

I enjoy crafting and LOVE that other bloggers share their creativity! I try to keep my busy children occupied with new and exciting projects. I don't know a child who doesn't enjoy coloring. I hope you recreate this project for your children this summer.

Items Needed:
Toilet paper rolls
Plaster of Paris
Washable paint
clay
Painter's tape
cardboard
water

Here are the supplies I used. I would recommend wearing gloves as this plaster will dry out your hands. Please NOTE: Do not rinse these containers in your sink or you will clog your pipes!

You will need to make sure that the clay around the bottom of the toilet paper is sealed tightly or it will seep out the bottom.

I used 2 parts plaster and 1 part water and mixed well. Then poured liquid into the rolls.

Here is Miles helping me!

I let the plaster sit for a little over an hour then you just start peeling the toilet paper off.

The boys really like when I put in two different colors. Here they are ready for use!

Miles was overjoyed when he could finally use his chalk for hopscotch.

Thanks for checking out the tutorial! Please stop by again soon!

How could you NOT want one

The boys are loving the mail they have been receiving lately!  I sent out an email/facebook that the boys are coloring on luminaries in honor or memory of someone.  The other day my dear friend Pixie sent a letter to the boys and Owen could read almost all of it.  He was so excited!  Here is a picture of his luminary in honor of his mommy :)  I love how he puts talking bubbles in his pictures. 

Luminaries are $10 per bag and YOU still have time to send the boys a letter.  Please make checks payable to Marshall County Relay for Life and address the envelope with Carpenter Children. You can also make an online donation by simply clicking on my Courtney's Crusader button on the left side of my blog.

My relay for life is the second weekend in June and I am speaking.  I am nervous but also excited to share my story. 

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

Guest blogging...

Good Morning!

Today I am guest blogging at Couturier Mommy! Go check her blog out and look at my tutorial I posted. If you have children this is a must do summer craft!! Guaranteed.

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Take a look around and let me know where you are coming from so I can check your blog out!

Chemo is OVER!!

It has been pretty busy around here lately now that I don't feel sick.  My last treatment of chemo was April 27th!  I was suppose to have one more treatment but they found a blood clot from my elbow to my shoulder.  I am now going to the hospital DAILY for Lovenox injections in my stomach and legs.  They have also moved my surgery date to June 6th instead of July.  I am excited about the surgery date but not the surgery itself.  I am nervous and scared but in the end this is the best decision. 

I will have a skin saving double mastectomy and removal of the nipples and then they will put in tissue expander's. The reconstruction surgery can take between 2 to 3 hours and they say it is extremely painful.  Ugh...  I believe the children will go to Manhattan to be cared for by Grandma JJ.  I will have family here to help me with my care.  I will have draining tubes to monitor for awhile.  I am hoping that I will be able to attend my Relay for Life here in Marysville on the 15th but we will see.

The next surgery will be a robotic hysterectomy and that will be done at the end of the summer.  That surgery takes an hour to complete.  My oncologist has recommended this because of my onco type test.  My test showed an intermediate risk for recurrence of cancer so we are going to take this to prevent another cancer.

The last surgery is called DIEP or Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery flap and it will take 12+ hours in the operating room.  This is a very time consuming surgery b/c they have to reattach the blood vessels.  I went with this option for many reasons but the main reason is because it is permanent.  Instead of implants they will use my skin and fat of my abdomen and move it to my chest creating breasts.  I know it is AMAZING what my Dr.'s can do!  What is not to look forward to :)  I will have new breasts, flat stomach, and 2 tattoos GONE!!

Oh and my hair is coming back in and so I will be feeling like a new woman before Christmas!

Please continue to pray for strength and healing during these surgeries.  I am confident in my Dr.'s and the teams at KU but nervous about the healing and pain as you can imagine.  However I am ready to feel "normal" again and look forward to these steps being completed. 

Thank you for your continued prayers, calls, cards, food, etc. I am one BLESSED MAMA!!

Sermon Sunday

Yes ME!  I know this comes as a shock to some of you but yes I did the sermon on Sunday!  We called it Adventures in Mommyhood and it was two parts.  The first part regarding my cancer and the second part was the adventures of mommyhood. 

I talked about the new word that I have been using since I have found out about cancer.  The word  BEATIFIC means displaying great happiness, calmness and I want to be seen with a beatific smile. :) I also talked about how God prepared me for this journey, you can find the post here.

I also had photographs of the boys making food and creating a big mess but having a blast.  Then I created a top 5 list.

5 Games Children want to play instead of Chutes and Ladders

1.  You'll never guess what I'm going to bring into the house!  (We had 2 wolf spiders, 2 butterflies, and 1 caterpillar)

2.  Let's see how long we can say MOMMY!  (Oh so many times I can't count them all)

3.  Let me tell you when I'm full (Lila throws her food in 1 BIG sweeping motion)

4.  Guess what I just put in my mouth (Lego, paper, food, goldfish, sock)

5.  Bet I can reach what you think I can't! (getting step stool, climbing on counter, reaching for the toy that is ON TOP of the refrigerator in time out!)

It made me nervous and excited to stand up and share my stories but in the end I had a great time and thought it was successful!

1/2 way there

They have not been able to get on the computer, watch TV, play wii, or even play on the leapster. However mommy has had computer time (limited!) and TV time after the boys went to bed.

We are almost finished with screen-free week and it has actually went pretty well.  I am loving the time with my children and boy it has been exhausting me.  I know that once this chemo is out of me I will have more energy but WOW these kiddos are busy! :)  I love watching them play nicely and use their imaginations!

On day two Owen had a meltdown and said, "He was sick of it and just wanted to play wii!"  Well I can tell you today is the first day he hasn't asked to play.  He did sneak in some screen time at a friend's house for approx. 30 min.  Little stinker :) 


LOVE this verse it is a FANTASTIC reminder: Children are a gift from the Lord: they are a reward from him  Psalm 127:3

We still have several more activities planned:

Put a puzzle together
Make slime
Make sugar cookies
Have a Fitness Treasure hunt with Easter eggs

Here are some highlights of what we have been up to!

 Lots of pictures were painted

 Don't judge the artwork just the painting!

 Playing "dolls" in the only boyish way :)

 April 26, 2011 is Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day and we are donating

a couple of blankets to a local family who is collecting blankets and diapers.

Playing Hullabloo

Screen-Free Week-Ready or Not

We are going to be participating in our 1st screen-free week and let me tell you I am a little nervous!

Just a couple days back I told Owen he needed to play outside and put the wii away and he pouted all the way to the door and then shouted, "This is the WORST day of his life!"  So I am planning ahead and thinking of projects to do so we don't have any meltdowns! Wish us luck! 

Here is some startling information regarding our children and screen time.  Oh and please know that I am one mom who really needs to work on this.  Since having cancer I have let them sit in front of the TV for WAY too much time.   This will be really good for our family and I am pretty excited to have some fun play time with the children and hubby!

http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/factsheets/screentime.pdf

I am praying for nice weather so we can do some field trips outside but here are some of the projects we will be doing.

1.  Put a  puzzle together

2.  Go to the trail with the bicycles

3.  Go to the ball field and practice playing t-ball

4.  Visit the Library

5.  Do some crafts

Please link up if you will be participating and what you will be doing to occupy your children!

I look forward to all the ideas!