Prep for Cow Appreciation Day

We love Chick fil A sandwiches in our house. I cannot currently eat one since I am on a low carb diet, but I am looking forward to eating one as my cheat meal on July 11th...our local Chick fil A's Cow Appreciation Day. 

You know you have heard about this. You dress like a cow and you get a free meal. 

Free!

The kids wanted to do it, so I thought, why not!? 

But, the goal is, to get a free meal, not to spend more money on supplies to create a "costume". 

This is making my kids be creative! We rummaged through my craft cabinet and found one white t shirt, a handful of paint brushes, paints, and felt. 

Caleb found a white Duck Commander shirt that was getting too small to wear out in public on the regular, so we were going to use that. 

So, I told the kids to paint the shirts however they thought a cow would look and I would create cow ears for them to wear. 

Jansen's plan was to do this...

Caleb is more methodical and created this...

I cut big ear shaped out of felt, painted some cow spots, and glued them to some extra headbands that I had in a bathroom drawer. 

We will add an "EAT MOR CHIKIN" sign to hang around Jansen's next. I can print that out on a piece of paper, poke some holes, and thread black yarn through it. 

They will wear black shorts and call it a day. All 100% free, made by my boys. 

The kids really want to take pictures with the Chick fil A cow that night, so you won't get to see the full effect until the 11th... :)



Now to figure out how to create something for me to wear!

Minute-2-Minute Challenge

Both of my children dislike reading and writing. It borders on hate. 

But like many children their age, they adore playing video games. 

We created a system to motivate them to earn the privilege of playing games. 

The Minute-2-Minute Challenge. The rules are simple and are listed on the log sheet...

Jansen is currently reading a book called Monster Fish and Caleb is reading a magazine and creating his own comic book using ideas from the magazine. This is a win/win!!!!

If they want to read for 4 hours and then play games for 4 hours...that is fine with me. It gets them learning and motivates them to be creative. I'll take it!

Linked to: Flaunt it Friday

Toilet paper binoculars

My kiddos are still in their pajamas today. Yup! 

This afternoon, after getting my nursing school physical out of the way, the boys made some toilet paper binoculars. 

These were fun for the boys, especially since my oldest is a "certified treasure hunter". Everywhere we go, he is on the lookout for some form of treasure. His room is full of bottle caps, rubber bands, piece of metal, coins, etc. 

He has decided that these will be used for treasure hunting. While they are not actual binoculars, they are great for pretending, especially since his treasures are pretend as well. :)

Step by step instructions:

1. Take two toilet paper rolls (or cut a paper towel roll in half) and use your choice of duck tape to wrap around the two. 

2. Use a hole punch to punch holes in the top outside of each roll.

3. Thread yarn through each hole and tie in a knot. 

Done!

Powell Family Cozumel Cruise 2014

We just got back from a week long vacation and it was actually quite refreshing. 

We spent four days on a cruise to Cozumel and then spent the next 3 and a half in Bandera visiting the hub's parents. 

First and foremost, the cruise. Easily the most smooth, relaxing, and enjoyable cruise we have been on. Our kids were old enough to check themselves in and out of the camps and only needed a walkie talkie to communicate with us. We were able to spend plenty of time together and then avoid the whining of boredom by letting them go do their own thing. It was great. 

This was our first time in an Ocean Suite (because kids sail FREE) and holy crud! It was like an apartment. In a room with all that testosterone, Momma needed a space of her own, and she got it! I had my own large dressing area and closet. Can I get an AMEN?!

We spent our time eating, playing games, watching shows, going to the comedy club, exploring, and just relaxing. That's the sign of a great vacation!

When we got to Cozumel, the weather could not have been better! We spent our time at Mr. Sancho's all inclusive resort. We swam, we ate, we shopped, and we rode jet skis. 

Incidentally, if you know anything about me, you know that my greatest fear is sharks and water. I took Caleb with me on the jet ski because he was scared and I would go slowly. I sent a bit too slow in a turn, and he leaned into it, and we flipped the jet ski. There we were, treading water in the middle of the ocean. I thought I was going to die. But I kept my cool to keep Caleb nice and calm. We were picked up and it was all good!

After getting back to port, the loaded up the car and hit the road for a 5 hour drive to Bandera to visit the in laws. 

I was a little hesitant because Bandera is so remote and country and I am a city girl, through and through. But we had a great time. 

The kids spent time at the water park, they flew airplanes, we toured the surrounding towns, and enjoyed spending time with family. 

Now that we are back home, I am drowning in laundry and am trying to get the house back in order. Not to mention, I gained a ton of weight on this cruise, so I am starting back on Atkins. 

Here's to life back at the good old homestead.