Sidewalk Chalk Ideas

I was so inspired by sidewalk chalk. When we had a train birthday party, I decided to go all out and make railroad tracks up the house complete with 2's all over the front porch. Overall, I was really pleased with how it turned out, but next time I will plan a little more before I go out and just start drawing. 

TIP: Be really careful with your fingers because you can scrap a fingernail right down to the skin if you aren't careful. I'm just saying.

Here was the inspiration for a train track, find it at The Butlers

I also thought it would be really fun to create some backgrounds for pictures with the other kids. Boy, am I glad we were all having a good time! Unfortunately, Natalie decided that she didn't like being on the ground and the sun was too bright (it was a completely cloudy day). Sometimes we just aren't meant to have every picture turn out Pinterestable :) Once Natalie set the tone, the other two did not want anything to do with it. Maybe your kids are tougher.

Here was the inspiration, found at Modern Parents, Messy Kids

Here's how mine turned out. Though in all fairness, the girl in the original picture doesn't very comfortable either!

Be sure to check out our other post on 

Fun Sidewalk Chalk Recipes, Ideas and Games!

Fun Stories for Kids by Usborne Books

I was not familiar with Usborne Books until I went to the INCH Convention in Lansing, MI 2013. This past year was the convention's 30th Anniversary, and I ran into Leslie Hamel-Alleyne. She showed me several books for all ages, but I fell in love with this book for my soon to be two-year-old.

Two features really stood out to me about this book. First, the book is designed to be read to your younger children by just reading the text on the top of each page. Then when their attention span increases you can also read the bottom. Or maybe you have had a long day, and you just want to read the top :)  Second, any Stephen Cartwright books have a hidden duck on each page. So, your children are looking for that duck while you are reading to them.  How much better can it get?

You can order directly from Leslie by emailing her ReadingPassport@ymail.com or calling 616-225-7925.  Shop at her website www.ReadingPassport-EDC.com

Happy Reading!! ~Julia

Star Wars Themed Party Games

Here are some fun and easy party games to pull off at a Star Wars themed birthday bash! The party I was planing was for my son's 5th birthday, and the majority of kids that would be there were 5 and under. These needed to be simple, fun games for young kids. And when I say simple, I really didn't want to put out a lot of effort!

Check out all my other ideas for a Star Wars Party
Complete with menu ideas, decorations, and free printables!

Find them HERE

I froze Han Solo (well, a plastic action figure version of Han Solo) in Carbonite (aka, a bowl full of ice). I filled a bowl with ice cubes, positioned Han and then covered him in water. I thought doing this would ensure he stays in the middle during the freezing process, rather than float wherever he pleased. I placed this bowl of water in my chest freezer for about 2 days. We gave all the kids a cheap dollar store water gun. I liked that they were cheap, because no one got super wet and the game took longer this way :)

I only had one Han Solo action figure, so in this game, the birthday boy won. As an alternative, you could supply numerous chunks of ice with numerous action figures to be rescued. Put kids into teams and award prizes to the winning team.

We gave every guest a light saber made out of a pool noodle as their party favor. To play "attack the Clone army" anchor lots of white balloons to the yard. Give kids their light sabers and let them attack the balloons! If you have a brave and willing individual, have an adult dress as Darth Vader and let the kids fight him as well :)

Find more ideas on my Star Wars Pinterest Board!

You may also like my Lego Star Wars themed party post with printable party pack!

DIY Lego Face Plates

If you're planing a Lego themed party, these plate are sure to make a fun statement (and they're easy!). I went from store to store in search of cute party supplies for my son's Lego/Star Wars themed party. Let me tell ya, I was fairly disappointed by the stuff I found. Ok, maybe I have really high expectations. But in the end, I think these turned out way cuter than anything I found in the store!

Check out the rest of the Lego Party Ideas!!

I cut the corners of each plate to round them out a bit. Yea, I'm a little obsessive, but they just weren't {quite} round enough for me! We then drew faces on using a black Sharpie. Even my 6 year old daughter did a few of her own that turned out pretty cute!

Lego Star Wars Party: Free Printables, Games and Menu Ideas!

This was a fun theme to do for my son's 5th birthday party! Here are all the ideas I pulled together, including the free printable party pack I created. Find it here: Lego Star Wars Printable Party Pack *This printable file includes duplicates of each page, one intended for printing in black and white on yellow paper or card stock (the ink friendly version), and one intended for printing in color on white paper.

Menu

• Light Sabers: Pretzel rods dipped in colored white chocolate
• Princess Lays: Chips
• Thermal Detonators: Cheese puffs or malted milk balls
• Obi-Wan Kabab-ies: Fruit kababs (could also be grilled chicken and veggies, etc)
• Yoda Soda: Lime sherbet and Sprite or 7-Up
• Vader-Ade: Red kool-ade or fruit punch
• Wookie-Cookies: Any type of cookie
• Hans-Rolos: Rolo candies
• Han Burgers: Hamburgers
• Hutt Dogs: Hot dogs
• Bow-Ba Fett Pasta: Bow tie pasta salad (I threw mine together with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, green peppers, feta cheese and cherry tomatoes) 
• Ewok Treats: Animal crackers
• Leia's Bunns: Cinnamon rolls
• Giant Ice Cream Sundae: Instead of a cake, we did ice cream! Find out how we did it HERE

Favors

• Lego Head Jars Filled with Lego Candy: I created these fun treat holders out of old baby food jars. Find the tutorial HERE
• Light Sabers: Made out of pool noodles! Tutorial coming soon!!!

Decorations

• Lego Face Plates: Find the tutorial HERE
• Banner, Food Signs and Other Printables: Find everything you need in my FREE Printable Pack 
• Light Saber Napkins: Find the tutorial HERE
• Lego Constructed Utensil Containers, Food Bowls, and Numbers
• Store Bought Star Wars Party Accessories: Find them at Party City

Games

• Attack the Clone Army: We gave each guest a foam light saber, then basically let them loose on a field of white balloons! Hint: don't steak your balloons out to early. Most of ours popped on the grass before the kids had a chance to attack. If you have a willing individual, have someone dress as Darth Vader or another member of the Imperial guard to head up the Clone army.
• Pin the Lego Part onto the Lego Man: Included in my printable pack are the parts to a Lego man. Hang them on the wall and print out extra pieces for the arms or head. Cover kid's eyes with blindfolds and let them pin pieces on to the correct spot.
• Unfreeze Han Solo: Freeze a plastic Han Solo action figure in a tub of ice, give each guest a dollar store squirt gun and let them race against the clock to unfreeze Han from "Carbonite"
• Go HERE for my complete post of party games

The birthday boy had a great time!! 

Find more ideas on my Lego Party Pinterest Board 

...and my Star Wars Party Pinterest Board