DIY

A few months ago we learned about the coolest new site called DIY.  It's essentially a place for kids (both young and old) to learn new skills, document them within the community and earn patches.  

Havalah is currently working toward the "Baker" and "Ornithologist" patches and Henry is working on the "Magician" patch.  The kids must each complete three skills under the category to earn a new patch. Below you'll see a smattering of the skills that they've completed and the patches they earned.  

 So far Henry has earned the "Maker", "Oceanographer" and "Builder" patches. 

Havalah has earned "Oceanographer", "Stitcher" and "Holiday Hacker" patches. She had a lot of fun with the "Holiday Hacker" skills. It included things like decorating the house for the holidays, performing a Christmas song and making decorations from nature.

Havalah and I had been working on this lap quilt for about 6 months (made from scraps of fabric from her old clothing as well as some vintage fabric we'd pick up at thrift stores) so she was very happy that it would qualify as one of the skills for  the "Stitcher" badge.  We loved working on this together and  can't wait to make another one sometime.  Other "Stitcher" skills were basic sewing and embroidery.

As a skill for his "Maker" patch, Henry submitted a video that included solving a Rubik's Cube as one of his secret talents.  (See how this appeals to kids?  So smart!)  Some of the other skills he completed for the "Maker" were performing a song on the piano and a Lego stop motion.

H & H

Both of these Lego projects helped him earn the "Builder" patch.  Not pictured was a load bearing Lego bridge support.

"Lego"

 Garbage collecting from the beach for one of the "Oceanographer"skills

 As well as making a creature that could live beneath the water's surface...Dun dun dun.

I love the unassuming boat - ha!

 And finally, shell collecting.

We are so happy to have found DIY!

Make: (T. Verb) To bring something into existence, especially using a particular substance or material. To produce.

We've been as busy as Christmas bees around here.  Nothing makes this Mama happier than hands that are at work with happy, secret (and not some not to secret) projects.  Here's a peek.

Is there anything cuter than a kid made gingerbread house?  I think not. Plus they are just so fun to photograph!

eye candy, anyone?

Ahhh, the sugar high that comes with Christmas.

We found this Poinsettia tutorial at Art Projects for Kids.

I love love love this key holder that Henry made.  The Lego snaps off the board and stays with the key ring, and then clicks back on when we get home.  I just can't figure out how to hang it up... Thoughts? I've been told that I can't damage the Legos in any way (i.e. drilling or screwing).

A classic Christmas craft.  H and H make these every year. These plastic ornaments are at Michael's for about twenty-five cents each.

I found the yummiest slow cooker hot chocolate recipe this year.  Combine 1 cup whipping cream, one can of sweetened condensed milk, 8 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 cups chocolate chips.  Whisk together in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours. It's very rich, so drink in small amounts. Or not. ;-)

Then be sure to top off the hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows. Another really simple recipe - my Kitchen Aid did most of the work.  The only thing I would add to the recipe is to dust them with corn starch to keep them from being too sticky.

I've been trying hard to have a more home spun Christmas this year, keeping spending and costs low.  Along with that theme was to try something I already had on hand.  I love the look of dyed bottle brush trees, so using this tutorial I made some of my own.  Really, so easy!  I was surprised!

Next year I plan on adding to my colors, making something like this:

For a few years now we've been wanting to try our hand at making cinnamon ornaments.  We combined equal parts of applesauce and cinnamon, rolled them out and baked on low until they were rock hard.  About 2 hours.  The house has never smelled so good!

And of course Nutcrackers are, well, a given around here.  Again, an awesome project idea from Kathy.  Her art lessons and wonderful have been in weekly use in our homeschool for years!

Whew!  Time to wrap, menu plan and enjoy the days to come!