family fun

Good Deal Alert! 101 free 4×6 prints from Shutterfly

Abby H.

DSC03682I don’t know about ya’ll, but we’re melting here! Despite the heat, we’re managing to have lots of fun, and I’m taking a ton of photos.

Thankfully there is a new freebie from Shutterfly! Now through August 10, 2015 all customers enjoy 101 free 4×6 prints with promo code 101TREATS at checkout.

Boring Fine Print: Offer expires August 10, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for 101 free 4×6 prints through shutterfly.com, our mobile-friendly site or Shutterfly apps. Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Not valid on other sizes, other products, prepaid plans, prior purchases and orders placed for in-store pick up. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale.

 

 

Getting Crafty at Home: Play Dough!

Abby H.1 Comment

This is another “Don’t eat this” recipe, but it’s oodles of fun to make and play with!

Play doh can get expensive, especially when the kids mix the colors or leave the lid off, and you are constantly having to replenish the supply.  The following recipe is super easy to make, and most of you have the ingredients in the house. I don’t recommend having the kids help you make this recipe.

Play Dough/Doh

Ingredients:

  • 1c flour
  • 1c warm water
  • 1/2c salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (you can also use melted coconut oil)
  • 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional, but it makes the dough last longer)
  • Food Coloring (I use Wilton Gel Food Coloring– it’s less messy)

Directions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients together, set aside.
  2. In a sauce pan, combine water, oil, and food coloring, stir over low heat.
  3. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring continuously.
  4. Turn dough onto cutting board, and when warm to the touch, knead for 2-3 minutes until dough is elastic.
  5. Store in zip-loc bags or air tight containers.

I made 5 batches last week, each one a different color for Lil’ Man and his buddies to play with!

Screen Shot 2015-04-10 at 10.59.00 AMI’ve made other recipes, including one with conditioner and corn starch (smells nice, but it’s super sticky and gets stuck to EVERYTHING), and by far, this is my favorite recipe. It lasts a long time, doesn’t get moldy (that’s important), and doesn’t dry out INSTANTLY if you leave it out.

 

Screen Shot 2015-04-10 at 10.59.06 AMYes, the brown Play Dough looks like poop! But the kids don’t care- they were mostly concerned with having brown, so they could have dirt play dough for their cars.

You can also add glitter if you’d like. Some recipes recommend that you add essential oil or scent, but with littler kids, I do not recommend that, it will just encourage them to eat it.

Here are a few of the Play Dough toy sets that Lil’ Man loves:

We also use cookie cutters, a garlic press, potato masher, and whatever fun looking kitchen gadgets we find at the thrift stores or the 99 Cents Store.