American Flag Bandana Wreath

The 4th of July is coming soon and whether you are wanting to get crafty this year or host a party!

This year I decided to get crafty and make an American Flag Bandana Wreath with items from Oriental Trading, but you can get these items just about anywhere!

What you will need to create your American Flag Bandana Wreath:

• 6 red bandanas
• 6 blue bandanas
• 6 white bandanas
• Scissors
• 18 inch metal mesh wreath
• Hook to hang the wreath

What you will need to create your American Flag Bandana Wreath:

• 6 red bandanas
• 6 blue bandanas
• 6 white bandanas
• Scissors
• 18 inch metal mesh wreath
• Hook to hang the wreath

 

This is such a fun and easy craft that my 11 year daughter made one along side me!  First thing is remove the tag from the bandana and then cut each bandana in half. Just fold the bandana in half and cut along the crease!   My daughter used some jars to hold her bandanas in place to make sure she cut hers nice and easy (we will be using those same jars in another upcoming project!). 

Roll the bandanas.  Start with the raw edge and roll it about an inch thick.  Then fold them in half making a V shape.

 

Place the V shape under your wire wreath with the folded edge on the outside.

Pull the ends through the V shaped loop you just made.  The ends of the bandana will be facing the outside of the wreath as shown in this photo.  Continue alternating the red and white colors until you have added all of them to the wreath.

Next do the same steps above with the blue bandana strips.

Use a pipe cleaner or a metal hook to hang it off of your door hanger, wall, etc.

DIY 4th of July Luminaries

This is a super easy project for the 4th of July   that can be made under a couple of dollars and so easy that your child can do it or help along!     These luminaries are perfect for lining the steps on the porch or to use as a centerpiece for a holiday get together

What you will need:

• Glass jars (I used pint sized Ball jars, but you could even reuse jars from the fridge.  Just wash out the pickle smell or the old pasta sauce and peel off the label!)
• Small American flags
• Mod Podge 
• Sponge brush
• Votive candles or tea lights
• Jute or ribbon

The flags I used were Americana style, so they were printed in muted shades of deep red, ivory and navy.  It gives the luminaries an antique look.  First remove the flags from the sticks and then carefully remove the fabric sleeve sewed to the flag to hold it onto the stick.  Not all will have it, some brands are just stapled on to sticks.

Measure your flag against the jar and apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the area where the flag will adhere to.  You could also just cover the back of the flag if that makes it easier for you!

 Position the flags evenly on each jar and smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles that may form. Then apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of each flag to seal it to the jar.

Let the jars air dry.  I actually put ours in front of the dehumidifier in the basement

Once dry  tie some jute around the top and  place a candle in each. 

This is another easy project that your kids can do with little or no assistance.  My 11 year old daughter wanted to make some for family as gifts and did a couple sets all on her own!

Kids Bowl #Free all summer long!

Registered Kids Receive 2 FREE GAMES Of Bowling Every Day All Summer Long, Valued At Over $500 Per Child!
 
Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.

Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations.

After you sign your child up to bowl for free, you will be directed to a page offering the Family Pass for $29.95.   Please note this is optional,  you do not need to purchase this for your child to bowl free.  This is  an option for the rest of the family to have a discounted pass to bowl along with your child.

Standard shoe rental rates apply. 

Watch DO THE RIGHT THING for #free from June 22 to June 29 #DoTheRightThing

b

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that AFI Movie Club is partnering with Universal Pictures to offer free rentals of DO THE RIGHT THING and host an online conversation with Academy Award®-winning director Spike Lee.

DO THE RIGHT THING is the AFI Movie Club selection for June 22 and will be available to rent for free on Amazon, Apple, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Dish, DirecTV, FandangoNOW, Google, Microsoft, Redbox, Sony, Verizon and Vudu, among others, from June 22 to June 29. Lee will join the AFI Movie Club for a live conversation on Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT viewable on the AFI YouTube channel at YouTube.com/AFI.

AFI Movie Club selections will continue to be supported by exclusive material from the AFI Archive, enrichment about the film and family discussion points. Special guests announcing select AFI Movie Club titles in short videos will be posted on AFI.com and social media platforms.

“AFI Movie Club’s global reach has inspired the need for more thoughtful discussions about films that have shaped our culture,” said Bob Gazzale, President and CEO. “DO THE RIGHT THING is a timeless and timely classic, and Spike Lee has forever proven himself the voice for change that we need now more than ever. We would like to thank our partners at Universal for their essential support in educating and inspiring audiences around the world.”

DO THE RIGHT THING, released in 1989, was nominated for two Academy Awards®, including a Best Original Screenplay nomination for Lee. The film also received four Golden Globe® nominations and a Palme d’Or nomination. AFI ranked it as one of the 100 Greatest Films of All Time. 

Launched on March 31, AFI Movie Club’s first selection was THE WIZARD OF OZ, announced by Steven Spielberg. Since the launch, the following special guests have introduced AFI Movie Club film titles: J.J. Abrams, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jack Black, Kenneth Branagh, Millie Bobby Brown, Hanelle Culpepper, Robert De Niro, Benicio del Toro, Lena Dunham, Cynthia Erivo, Morgan Freeman, Jeff Goldblum, Hugh Grant, Taylor Hackford, Jon Hamm, Eva Longoria, Helen Mirren, Demi Moore, Elisabeth Moss, Mira Nair, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Issa Rae, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Roberts, Sarah Silverman, Alicia Silverstone, Sharon Stone and Kerry Washington. Some of the selected titles so far have included ALI, BLACK PANTHER, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, CAROL, CASABLANCA, DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, ERIN BROCKOVICH, THE FAREWELL, GILDA, JURASSIC PARK, JUST MERCY, LOST IN TRANSLATION, MILK, MOONLIGHT, MUDBOUND, NINE TO FIVE, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… and WONDER WOMAN.

About the American Film Institute (AFI)
Established in 1967, the American Film Institute is the nation’s non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring artists and audiences through initiatives that champion the past, present and future of the moving image. AFI’s pioneering programs include filmmaker training at the AFI Conservatory; year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and at AFI Festivals across the nation; workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community; honoring today’s masters through the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI AWARDS; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films that uphold film history for future generations. 

About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Week 1: #CampWarnerBros - LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters & virtual Super Hero Training

Welcome to Camp Warner Bros. week one! This week (6/22) is Super Hero Week at Camp Warner Bros.! We are celebrating the release of LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters.

About LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters:
10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!

Shazam aka Billy Batson is such a fun character in the DC world, so it is great to see him imagined as a LEGO mini in this film. It is a great introduction for new DC fans to the Shazam's mythology and some of the villains he must face. By shouting one word, 10-year-old Billy Batson transforms into an adult Super Hero! Since this character is based on young boy, it it perfect for kids to relate to and dream about being a super hero themselves. Along the way of fighting crime, Billy Batson also learns some important lessons learns about trusting others and helping those in need!
This week's activities is a virtual Super Hero Training. It will bring out the passion, patience, listening skills, and fun in all of our Super Hero campers. In this video, Batman will show you what it takes to be a Super Hero! He will offer training tips with fun games for our campers including, “Batman Says,” “Super Hero Freeze,” “Memory Challenges” and more! Do you think you have what it takes? We know you do!

Check out the training video here:

Look at my little Super Hero getting ready to learn her Super Hero Training!

 I received the above mentioned to facilitate this review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Full Disclosure Policy

Cucumber Mint Infused Water #Recipe

After a recent vacation, I was hooked on fruit infused water.   The place we went had it on all the bars, entryways, etc.   I could not get enough of it and wanted to try my hand at it at home!    I drink a bottle of water every morning on my way to work and then multiple bottles at work, so this was perfect.

I decided to try this bottle out with the following ingredients:

• Thinly sliced cucumbers
• Grated ginger
• Lime wedges/Lemon wedged
• Fresh Mint leaves
  

The infuser is  I have is large  and I barely filled it with my ingredients.   It will be perfect for bigger chunks of fruit later!   It is lightweight  and durable.   Now I can have fruit infused water without spending all that money on the vacation.  I can have my vacation at home!

Scholastic Summer Challenge

Scholastic Summer Challenge

Here's how you can get involved:

Help your kids sign-up at www.scholastic.com/summer

The free program unites communities in a nationwide campaign that celebrates reading for fun while improving access to books during the summer. For 2020, they are excited to share a brand new kids experience in Scholastic Home Base, a free digital destination which offers full books, live events, and games in a safe community for readers! Kids will be encouraged to track their reading streaks™ to earn rewards and unlock book donations, with the goal of donating 100,000 books by July!

Have some fun this summer with Camp Warner Brother! #CampWarnerBros

Summer is quickly approaching, and with most Summer Camps closed across the nation... parents are now trying to get creative and come up fun ideas to keep the kids active.   Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have decided to make this a Summer Break one you and your family will never forget!  Each week we will be posting about a fun Warner Brother movie or show to watch as a family as well as a fun activity!  

We will have eight weeks of amazing  kid friendly titles each week  along with a themed camp activity.  Today I got a super cool #CampWarnerBros Acceptance Kit for my participation!   Just check out all the fun stuff.

Stay tuned for a tie dye post and all the fun camp activities and movie posts!  We will be having some fun over the next eight weeks and can't wait to share all these activities with you.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program: FREE Book for you kids in grades 1st-6th

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program: FREE Book for you kids in grades 1st-6th

1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (English or Español). Tell us which part of the book is your favorite, and why.
2. Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between now and August 31, 2020 Find a Store
4. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of the journal.

Just check out the books we got in a previous year:

Here are the books your kids can chose from with this reading program:

GRADES 1 &  2

Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights  - Malala Yousafzai

Sunbeam's Shine (Unicorn Princesses #1) - Emily Bliss

The Gumazing Gum Girl!: Chews Your Destiny (Gum Girl Series #1)-  Rhode Montijo

Ivy + Bean (Ivy + Bean Series #1)  - Annie Barrows

Hello, Crabby! (Crabby Book Series #1)   -   Jonathan Fenske

Lunch Walks Among Us (Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist Series #1)    -  Jim Benton

Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson Series #1) -  Kate DiCamillo

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath     -  Nick Bruel

Lily to the Rescue (Lily to the Rescue! Series #1)   -  W. Bruce Cameron

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid (Stink Series #1)   -  Megan McDonald

Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen (Jasmine Toguchi Series #1)  -   Debbi Michiko Florence

The Haunted House Next Door (Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Series #1)  -   Andres Miedoso

The Candy Caper (Trouble at Table 5 Series #1)    -   Tom Watson

Jorge el curioso: De basura a tesoro (CGTV Bilingual Reader)     -   H. A. Rey

Too Cool for School (Pete the Cat Series)    -   Kimberly and James Dean

Fox the Tiger    -   Corey R. Tabor

GRADES 3 & 4

My FANGtastically Evil Vampire Pet (My FANGtastically Evil Vampire Pet Series #1)   -  Mo O’Hara

Kristy's Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club Series #1)   -   Ann M. Martin

Slappy Birthday to You (Goosebumps SlappyWorld Series #1)    -   R.L. Stine

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (I Survived Series #8)    -   Lauren Tarshis

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers    -   Matt Christopher

Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Wayside School Series #1)    -    Louis Sachar

Ramona Quimby, Age 8    -    Beverly Cleary

A Bear Called Paddington     -    Michael Bond

The Lemonade War (The Lemonade War Series #1)    -    Jacqueline Davies

How to Steal a Dog    -    Barbara O’Connor

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire   -     Susan Tan

The Secret Garden: 100th Anniversary Special Edition    -    Frances Hodgson Burnett

Judy Moody está de mal humor (Judy Moody Series #1)   -     Megan McDonald

GRADES 5 & 6

Spy School (Spy School Series #1)   -  Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up (FunJungle Series #1) -   Stuart Gibbs

Space Case (Moon Base Alpha Series #1)   -   Stuart Gibbs

The Tail of Emily Windsnap (Emily Windsnap Series #1)   -   Liz Kessler

A Wrinkle in Time (Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition)    -   Madeleine L'Engle

The Genius Experiment (Max Einstein Series #1)   -   James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

The Magic Misfits (The Magic Misfits Series #1)   -    Neil Patrick Harris

Ungifted    -   Gordon Korman

One Crazy Summer    -    Rita Williams-Garcia

Merci Suárez Changes Gears    -    Meg Medina

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (Life of a Cactus Series #1)   -    Dusti Bowling

The Crossover    -     Kwame Alexander

President of the Whole Fifth Grade   -    Sherri Winston

Demon Dentist    -    David Walliams

Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist    -    Sylvia Acevedo

Homemade Weed Killer #DIY #Frugal

Weed killer is expensive and full of harsh chemicals.  If you have kids or pets, you may want to look for a safer alternative!  Not only is homemade weed killer frugal, but it also works great. It only takes a few minutes to make and you  probably have everything you need  already in your cupboards!

Here is what you will need:

• 1 gallon of white vinegar
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon Liquid dish soap (any brand)
• Empty spray bottle

The vinegar and salt both work together to  draw moisture out of the plants to kill the weed. The liquid dish soap makes the mixture stick to the weed.  This weed killer recipe will kill or damage any plant it touches. Only use it in areas like driveways, sidewalks, and large open mulch or gravel areas. 

This weed killer works best when hot and sunny! It may take a couple applications to fully rid your area of the weeds.

Captain Underpants Bookmark Corner #CaptainUnderpants #TraLaLaa

Based on the bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation presents the long awaited global movie event, Captain Underpants. This outrageous family comedy tells the story of two overly imaginative pranksters, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), who hypnotize their principal (Ed Helms) into thinking he’s an enthusiastic, yet dimwitted, superhero named Captain Underpants.

In honor of the release of CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE this week on Blu-ray, here is a fun craft that you guys can do together!     

You’ll need:

• scissors
• glue stick
• colored pencils
• red and white (or pink for skin tone) construction paper or craft paper
• Corner Bookmark Template (see below)
• pencil

Template:

Step 1:
Use the white construction paper and draw a template on it.  I used a post-it note to make the square and then folded it in half to make the triangle sides and traced them!

Step 2:
Cut out your shape so it looks like this:

Step 3:

Fold your triangles over and glue the top to the bottom triangle.

 

Step 4:

Cut out the a red triangle out construction paper and glue on to your back of your bookmark.  You will also want to cute out a small sliver of red for the front where his cape would be.

Step 5:   

Use your colored pencils and put the polka dots on the cape!   

Step 6:   

Draw on your face with a pencil

Step 7:   

Go over the face details with color pencils

Now you have an epic corner bookmark and no worries about losing your place!