Painting Fireworks for the 4th!

By Carly of Carly G. Media

With everyone in the patriotic spirit, Independence Day is a perfect time to craft with kids. Save your empty toilet paper rolls and grab some red, white, and blue paints to make fireworks the whole family can enjoy.

What you will need:

• Red, white, and blue paints 
• 3 toilet paper rolls
• 3 paper bowls
• Scissors 
• Tape 
• Paper

Direction: 

• Start by cutting strips into one end of the toilet paper rolls. The deeper the cuts, the bigger the firework blast.
• Pour red, white, and blue paint into separate paper bowls.
• Have kids dip the fanned out end of the toilet paper roll into the paint.
• Stamp the toilet paper roll onto a piece of paper.
• Repeat with each color.
• Tada! Fun and easy firework art for the holiday.

Sweet Start to the Morning

By Carly of Carly G. Media

We turned one of Cadyn’s favorite lunch in to a super sweet brunch: peanut butter banana french toast.

• 1 egg
• 2 slices of toast
• big spoonful of PB
• 1/2 banana sliced
• maple syrup

In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. Spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on top of each slice of bread. Place the banana slices on top of one of the slices of bread. Place the other slice of bread on top of the first, to make a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Dip the sandwich into the egg mixture and place in the heated skillet. Cook until brown on both sides. Serve hot.

Egg Dyeing Using Natural Ingredients

By Carly of Carly G. Media

With Easter just a hop, skip and a jump away, we wanted to bring you a green option for enjoying the fun of coloring eggs!  Our contributor, Carly, offered up the following recipes for primary color dyes made with natural ingredients that you can find in your own kitchen.

For red dye: Take 2 beets and roughly chop. Combine with 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid for dyeing.

For yellow dye: Heat 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt in a saucepan. Add 6 tablespoons ground turmeric and stir well. Simmer for a few minutes until the turmeric dissolves.

For blue dye: Take 1 large red cabbage and shred it. Combine in a saucepan with 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid for dyeing.