Silly Splatter Shamrock Shindig (finally)

I know it's almost Easter

 BUT I wanted to share the fun party we had to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

a little background:  I've wanted to have a messy art party for the longest time.  

It just so happened that St. Patrick's Day was coming up 

- tada - 

the Silly Splatter Shamrock Shindig was born!

I whipped up a simple invitation on Word and emailed it all the lizard & ladybug's friends.  

Tacky??  Maybe, but it got the job done & it was free :)

The actual party plan was pretty simple.  

Get some paint.  Mix it with water.  Find things for the kids to paint with and on.  

Add kids and go!

To satisfy my need to 'create' a party, I got some white tees and goggles for the kids.  

And, of course, hung them on our fence with rainbow colored clothespins :)

Before the kids started playing, I made sure to have plenty of fun snacks for them.

 

skittles, lucky charms and rolos

candy dipped Oreos

rainbow licorice and sour strips

cupcakes  (printables from Amanda's Parties To Go)

and some Shamrock Soda (idea & printables from The Crafting Chicks)

Now onto the fun part!!!

Here's how it was all set up:

2 big canvas drop cloths were taped to our brick wall 

(ignore the fact the bricks need pressure washing)

a small dollop of paint and fill with water = paint spray!

A big table held blank canvases, foam brushes and ice cube trays filled with paint.

buckets filled with paint water & sponge balls.  

Nuff said!

And they're off!!

it was like this most of the day!!

all the artwork :)

Kiara, of Keaton Photography, took all of these pictures
and was able to get one group shot :)

I think (hope) they all had a good time!

I saved the goggles and tees so we can do it all over again....sometime soon!!!

(photo props from Eye Candy Event Details)

Pot O' Gold game (freebie)

I came up with this game last year & it was a big hit.  

Here's the original post - I hope you enjoy it!

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My game is inspired by the Turkey Feathers game by The Idea Room.  

The lizard & ladybug had such a blast
 playing the simple dice & clothespin game over Thanksgiving.  

I wanted to make a St. Patrick's Day version.

I already had the painted clothespins so a rainbow seemed like a no-brainer.

I found a free pot of gold graphic and created this fun little game.

The rules are pretty simple.  

Each player gets a card (click HERE for card & instructions) and 6 clothespins.  

Each player rolls a dice (or die, if you're proper).  

Add a clothespin to the corresponding number.

The first one with a Rainbow wins.

 

the ink in my printer is a little wonky...but you get the idea.  

I'd love to know if you like this game & if you use it, I'd love to hear how the kiddos like it!

ShamROCKS idea & freebie

While browsing the candy aisle, I spotted some green apple Pop Rocks (3/$1). 

 An idea was born!

It's so simple!!

take these

add one of these

(click HERE for the tags)

and you have

a cute and festive (and cost effective) treat for St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy!

Mega Bloks Barbie Party

I was given the great opportunity to host a Mega Bloks party 

featuring Mega Bloks Barbie Luxury Mansion!  

You know the ladybug was excited :)

Here is just a sampling of the toys I was given:

*this is my dream pool, btw*

>

 

Build 'n Style Ice Cream Cart & Build 'n Style Fashion Stand

The ladybug and her friends had a great time playing with all of the Mega Bloks Barbie swag.

Mega Bloks was so generous..

they even sent enough sets for everyone to take home!!

Not only does the ladybug love playing with Mega Bloks because they are just her size..

they give her the chance to use her imagination!  

She's becoming quite the fashionista :)

Do you have Mega Bloks Barbie toys in your house??  What do you think of them?

*Mommy Parties & Mega Bloks sponsored this post.

Kool Valentine drinks (plus LOTS of freebies)

Today, I thought I'd share some fun Robot Valentines I made a few years back.
They were a big hit at the time & I'm thinking they would be a big HIT this year!!
Lots of freebies too :)

Here's the original post:
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You know when you see an idea and think 'THAT IS BRILLIANT'??  

Well, that's the idea I saw last week.  

Kalleen from At Second Street was guest posting at Tatertots and Jello.  

She posted this totally adorable idea for "LOVE juice" 

along with a great tutorial (and freebies). 

I couldn't stop thinking about it the whole day.

I'm all for sweets for just about any occasion - especially Valentine's Day 

BUT I liked Kalleen's idea so much, I decided to make it my own.

Remember the robot Valentine's I made a while back?

I decided to use the images to make "KOOL" drinks for the lizard's class.

(not the best picture)

Pretty simple.

Water, Kool Aid singles (or any similar brand), straws, pipe cleaners & labels
(avery file folder labels #48366).

If you can't find the labels, you could print on regular paper and use double-stick tape.


Here are the Kool Aid labels
(there are 30 on a sheet)

I also made some 'sweet' ones

There are also coordinating tags
designed for use with a 2" punch (there are 12 on a page)

I would love to know if you use these...

And just because....

Here is Valentine's Day tic tac toe

(perfect size for m&ms, conversation hearts, kisses etc...)

There are 4 games to a sheet.

These would make great classroom treats too.

Valentine countdown activity (plus freebie)

Happy February 1st!!  

A few years ago, I made a fun scavenger-hunt type of countdown for the lizard & ladybug.  I thought I'd share it again with all of you.

I hope you try it :)  

______________________________

Here's what I used:

pipe cleaners (cut in half), clear treat bags and numbered heart tags

 

The idea is to hide their treat and have them find it.  

My kids love hide and seek so this is great for them.  

Plus, it may give me 5 minutes peace :)

We are starting off with lollipops (heart shaped to be exact)

 If you wanted to do something like this yourself...

but don't have the pipe cleaners and/or clear bags.  

Use some ribbon and plastic snack bags.  

Or twisty ties and saran wrap. 

 

I just think it's a fun treat for the kids 

and it gives them something to look forward to each day!

 

**Oh and if you need heart tags..here you go!**

days 1-6, days 7-12, days 13-14 & blanks

 

Happy February 1st!

Have a great day (freebie)

I'm a BIG fan of Random Acts of Kindness.  

Something as simple as bringing a neighbor's newspaper to their door 

(we have our delivered at the end of the driveways)

 or paying for a stranger's coffee at your local coffee shop.  

If you're inspired to spread some kindness with small gifts, 

I have some cute tags for you to use.

They are sweet in their simplicity. 

 Plus, I'm a sucker for any & all things chalkboard.

These are perfect little lunchbox notes for the kids too :)

Click HERE for a sheet of 8 tags.

Enjoy!