Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

My kids affectionately call homemade pajama bottoms “Cozies”  and they prefer them to anything from the store by a mile.

I just finished these sweet little owl fabric pajama bottoms for Emma yesterday and after sleeping in them last night, Emma asked if she could wear them during the day today.  I asked if they were comfortable, and she said “Oh, yes” but “I also think they are so cute, Mom.”  I actually think she could get away with wearing them for pants.

Have you ever made pajama bottoms?  If you haven’t, you’d be surprised how easy they are.  I whipped these out yesterday afternoon in between cooking, cleaning and acting as a referee (is it just my kids who are arguing too much?)

For these little pants I used  Jackie Clark’s -Britches & Bloomers which goes from newborn to size 4.  I know what you are thinking, Emma is 7. But this pattern runs really big… and Emma runs really small.

I love the Alexander Henry owl fabric.  I also love the polka dot from Amy Butler… it is my “go to” fabric for so many projects and I heard she is discontinuing it, say it isn’t so!

I also make cozies for Ben (and the girls ) using It’s So Easy Simplicity Pattern 2742.   To make sure I can use and reuse a pattern and make it in different sizes, I trace the pattern onto a piece of lightweight pelon using a fine point black sharpie pen.  Don’t forget to transfer all the directions from the pattern piece and the size.  You can also use tissue paper or freezer paper.

Don’t be afraid to play with a pattern either.  I was just short on enough owl fabric to make a pair for Lily, and even though she originally wanted a different fabric, I said I would make her the owl cozies if she wanted a cuff at the bottom instead of a ruffle.  I was about 5 inches short on fabric.  I placed the pattern correctly at the top and cut it out so the legs were short.  Then I cut 7″ strips out of the polka dot fabric.  Pressed the strip in half (wrong sides together) and sewed them to the bottom of each pant leg.  I trimmed them straight rather than following the tapered line of the pattern.  Then I finished the pattern as directed.  I just need to put the waistband in today for her… but I love how they turned out.

What are you doing for the 4th of July?  How about some retro fun?  I’ve noticed that most old fashioned activities don’t cost much… and they are lots of fun.  I guess I can have my pie and eat it too.

Here are a few ideas that might take you back a few years…

Three Legged Race

• a bandanna for each team
• a whistle
• crepe paper for a finish line (to get your photo finish!)

Watermelon or Pie Eating Contest- I don’t know about you but I have a hard time thinking about a pie that I slaved over being gobbled down in seconds… so I’ll opt for the watermelon.

Water Balloon Toss- A team of two tosses the water balloon to each other.  With each successful catch you take a step back.  You can also play in teams of three, two people hold either side of a large towel and try to catch the balloon on the towel. 

• filled water balloons
• you can also play with large towels (great for littler kids)

Taffy Pulling (of course!)

Hula Hoop Contest- I used to rock at these… see who can go the longest.

• hula hoops for contestants

Wheel barrow race- one contestant holds the legs of the other while that person races on their hands

• strong arms!
• a whistle to start the race
• crepe paper for a finish line

Horse Shoes- many parks have courts if you are lucky enough to find them.  I have a Rubber Horse Shoe Set that is fun for little kids.

• horse shoes
• two stakes
  

Bean Bag Toss

• bean bags – I’ve sewn them from small pieces of fabrics and filled them with beans.
• targets- any thing from a large piece of strong card board with holes cut in it to buckets placed with different points depending on distance.

Thinking about these activities really takes me back to my childhood… to blazing hot July 4th’s complete with sparklers, fireworks, watermelon and great memories.