Nature's Turkey {Simple Art Project For Kids}

Just popping in today with a little project my four-year-old and I did yesterday afternoon.

 

I realized the other day that I haven't made a single turkey with my boys this year, and  Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  The horror, I know.

Anyway, we decided to make a turkey from nature this time around.  I always love how these turn out, and the best part is you don't have to make or buy a single supply!  Mother Nature provides them all.

It's amazing what you can find outside this time of year.  At first glance, everything seems so dead and dreary, but take another look and you'll be surprised with what can be found.  This entire turkey (minus the hot glue and paper) was made from things we found in my in-law's yard.  Making the turkey itself was fun, but the hunt for materials was actually our favorite part.  We gathered leaves, berries, and a pinecone, then hot glued everything on to a white piece of card stock.  So simple, so natural, and of course, adorable!

What kind of turkeys do you like to make at your house this time of year?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Mason Jar Caterpillar Hunting Invitations {Printable}

For several years now (ever since my sister got us hooked on it) as Labor Day approaches, my thoughts turn to caterpillar hunting.  I honestly look forward to it all year!  The thrill of the hunt, and then witnessing the miracle of transformation that takes place is miraculous!

Our little family always heads out hunting for caterpillars this time of year, and I've been thinking for awhile now it would be the perfect time to have a bit of a party.  Make some cute invites, meet together to go hunting, and maybe enjoy a treat or two afterwards.  Nothing big, but something kind of unique and fun your kids will LOVE!  

I do have to caution you on the number of invites you send out.  Sometimes you find a bumper crop of caterpillars, and other times not so much.  Maybe limit your invites to around 5 or so, and have a few milkweed patch sites in mind (go find some before the party) so you can have a successful hunt for EVERYONE!

Caterpillar Hunting 2013

You can click here for more details on hunting down these caterpillars that will turn into Monarchs.  Monarchs are perfect for kids because they turn in a matter of weeks.  You can watch the entire process right before your eyes in your little Mason jar.

Monarch Caterpillar on Milkweed

I simply created an invitation in PicMonkey, cut it to be the shape of a tag, and attached it to a quart-sized jar (I find the pint-size jars are a bit too small for the caterpillars, milkweed, and eventually butterfly) with some baker's twine.  Oh, and make sure you've punch holes in the top of the lids! 

I also created name labels for the tops of the jars.  This is just for invitation purposes.  You'll want to take the name tags off after the hunt so the caterpillar has air.

Once you have your jar invitations ready to go, deliver them to the recipients.  Then meet on your designated date and time, and hunt away!  

I also thought it would be fun to have a little journaling card to fill out after the hunt.  Each of your hunters can fill out the information on the card and keep it by his/her caterpillar jar at home.  I happen to have a date stamp, so we stamped the date on our cards, but you could easily have the kids write the dates.

Here are some blank invitations you can print out and fill in the information for your party.

Click to Print

And here are some blank caterpillar journaling cards you can print out to use as well.

Click to Print

Happy hunting!  I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we do!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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My Running Journey Part 3 {Treadmill or The Open Road?}

Today begins week three of my Running Journey Series.  If you missed the first two posts earlier this month, don't worry you can find links to them at the end of this post.

So, let's tackle the age-old debate of treadmill verses the open road.  I'm sure you have a strong preference when it comes to running inside on a treadmill, or hitting the great outdoors.  I used to, but I'm honestly split down the middle when it comes to choosing my favorite.

THE TREADMILL

I have three reasons for actually loving the treadmill.  I know some people despise them, but I'd be lost without one.  Here's my argument in behalf of treadmills everywhere.

1.  I CAN RUN YEAR-ROUND

I live in a very wintry place, and as much as I love the beauty of winter, I don't love the often-single-digit (sometimes below zero) temperatures at 6:30 in the morning.  My husband leaves for work at 7:15, so I have to be done running by then.  If I don't get my running done first thing in the morning, then it just doesn't happen, and in the winter it's just too dark and cold to be out running at that hour.  The days I'm a bit frustrated on the treadmill feeling like I'm a rat running on wheel, I just look out the window at the pitch darkness and frost and I'm not so harsh on the old treadmill.

2.  I CAN CHALLENGE MYSELF

Right now I'm lucky to live down the road from the perfect running hill, but that hasn't always been the case.  Ever since I did Ragnar and had an entire uphill leg, I've loved having a hill somewhere in my run.  When you're running outside you can't just make a hill appear out of nowhere.  Sometimes your only option is a nice flat road.  I love the treadmill because I can instantly increase the incline and have a hill whenever I want.  I can do a small hill for a long time, or a big hill for a short amount of time.  I also love the fact that I can challenge my pace on the treadmill.  I find myself getting a bit lazy when I run outside, and letting my pace lag a bit.  On the treadmill I set my pace at a good, challenging speed and try to stick with it my entire run.

3.  I GET TO WATCH MY SHOWS  

I have three shows that I have a hard time living without.  I used to watch my shows at night when they were on TV, but because I'm a bit of a busy body, I honestly had a hard time justifying sitting for an hour three times a week, and just watching something.  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that!  But for me, it wasn't working out.  As I was running one morning I was hit with a brilliant idea.  I realized I can't really do much while on the treadmill, so why not use that for my TV time?  Not only does that free up an hour of my time at night, but it's totally motivating to get out of bed and hit the treadmill when I know I can see if Joel is going to get his act together and be the nice, kind, loving husband he's always been to Julia, or not.  Any Parenthood fans out there?

In case you're wondering, here are my three shows.  I know there are many other great shows out there, but I don't even let myself get started on them.  Three keeps me plenty busy.  You can click on each image to learn more about each show.

THE OPEN ROAD

I feel like I don't even have to argue the case of running outside like I do running on the treadmill.  I'm pretty sure most people would rather hit the open road than be stuck inside on a treadmill.  So, for me it all comes down to one reason (and that one is all I need) for hitting the open road.

1.  THE BENEFITS OF BEING OUT IN NATURE

There is nothing more calming, rejuvenating, refreshing, inspiring, thought-provoking, and enjoyable as being outdoors.  I love the combination of nature and exercise. There's nothing quite like it, especially when your views look like the one below.  I know I'm spoiled to be able to be call this my running route!

View Atop My Running Hill (Memorial Hill, Midway, Utah)

So, I really do have to say I love having the best of both worlds.  I wouldn't be the runner I am today without my treadmill because it's allowed me to challenge myself, and be consistent with my running year-round.  But I can't replace the experiences I've had while running outside.  There are so many life lessons you can tie to running and being outdoors.  It seems like every time I run outside I have another major "ah-ha!" moment.

Maybe you don't have the option of a treadmill, and outside is your only choice, or maybe you live in a big city and a treadmill at the gym is the only way you'll get your running done.  It really doesn't matter, how you do it.  Find what works best of you, your schedule, your surroundings and do it!

  Here are the links from weeks one and two in case you missed them.

My Running Journey Part 2

My Running Journey Part 1

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.