The Active Family

So today started our cold snap. The day was a balmy (not) 31 degrees! I tried taking the little ones out for a short while, but it just wasn’t happening. The baby has ear infections, so I didn’t want to keep him out.

Needless to say, I had some very bored children on my hands.

Now, I could have plopped them down in the toasty warm living room and put on a movie. Okay, I admit, I did do that for a little while. But after the baby took a nap, and my oldest got home from school, it was time bring on the crafts.

I made some hot cocoa, and we sat at the kitchen table with Perler Beads. These are the plastic beads that fuse together with a hot iron. Livvy gets frustrated sometimes when the beads don’t go where she wants, but on the whole this is a great, inexpensive craft to do with all ages.  I picked up a large bucket of colored beads at the local craft store, along with some extra shape boards.

The kids had a ball making “ornaments” Livvy made a few round multicolored ones, and Chris made some intricate stars. Joey just liked running his fingers through the beads in the bucket (I made sure he didn’t eat any)

After they were done with the designs-de-jour I fused them with the iron. We then strung them on some wire to use as Christmas decorations. The kids also started thinking about making more for the grandparents.

We had a great time, and I was able to talk to my kids about stuff going on in their lives. To me, that connection was the best part.

Your Mission: Go connect with your kids. Play a board game. Make some crafts. Bake something. It’s easy and you won’t regret it.

Til’ next time!

*Kristen