DIY - 5/8 - Views From the Ville

When I was growing up we always left cookies and milk for Santa. We also left carrots for the reindeer; I mean, they have to do a lot of work, too, flying all night. I was always worried they’d get really hungry! My parents assured me that they loved carrots and that they were good for their eyesight.

One group that I didn’t really think of as a child were the elves. I’m not sure how they didn’t cross my mind, but they didn’t. But they really shouldn’t go hungry, either. So with Bubbles I’ll be starting the tradition of leaving out tiny little snacks for them, something like these cute elf donuts. I also made a special little box to serve them in, that’s shaped like a gift. Both are easy to make.

Elven Gift Box with Frosted Elf Donuts

When I was in middle school or so, the women in our family would sometimes set aside Thanksgiving afternoon as Christmas crafting time. After the guys retired to the living room for naps and football my Aunt would set out the project she had selected for us. We did gift bags, ornaments, snowmen made from socks, and lots of other stuff.

DIY Bottle Cap Snowman Ornament Craft #CIJ13

Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the holiday. It’s great to hear from friends and family that I don’t get to see frequently. I love when everyone sends photo cards, especially, as I truly get to see those folks. I like to display them, but sometimes it can get a little tricky to figure out how to do it without looking like you’ve opened a card shop.

In the past I’ve tried running wide ribbon down the center of a door or along door casings and attaching the cards to them. It looked okay, but last year Bubbles was very interested in the ribbons and many of the cards ended up being pulled off repeatedly. I thought about setting them on top of the entertainment center but we usually do family Christmas photos and a few decorations up there – no room for cards.

If you’ve visited Maine in the last few summers you may have heard of the Maine Fairy House Festival held at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor. I personally was never able to attend but it was quite the tradition; fairy houses have always held a special place in the hearts of kids, especially ones that grew up near forests. I don’t recall making one as a child, but as both Bubbles and I are big Tink fans, I thought it would be something fun to introduce.

Building a DIY fairy house is not only a fun way to create a little magic in your child’s life – it’s also a free summer activity! In the outdoors with fresh air! So the next time you have a sunny day and the kids are saying they’re already bored, send them outside to make one.

Build a DIY Fairy House - Great Free Summer Activity

Thank you to Disney for providing us with a great Doc McStuffins DVD.

If you have a toddler the words “time for your checkup” probably cause involuntary humming and perhaps head-bobbing. In fact, just thinking about those words right now has the Doc McStuffins theme song running through my head. Bubbles is taking a nap right now, otherwise if she heard me hum it out loud, she’d be begging to watch the new Disney Junior “Time For Your Check Up” DVD (available today!). That would be fine by me, because I have to admit to being quite the Doc fan, myself.

Disney Junior's Doc McStuffins "Time For Your Check Up" DVD

The new “Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Check Up” DVD has five episodes (though each episode is made up of two shorter episodes, so it’s really like 10) and has a run time of 120 minutes. The episodes include:

Gulpy, Gulpy Gators! / One Note Wonder
Tea Party Tantrum / Blast Off!
Arcade Escapade / Starry, Starry Night
Bronto Boo-Boos / Brontosaurus Breath
Doctoring the Doc / Hot Pursuit

The Arcade Escapade / Starry, Starry Night episode is one we’ve seen a few times on TV and it’s one of my personal favorites. In Arcade Escapade Doc visits and arcade and finds a toy giraffe named Gaby stuck in one of those “claw” machines. She never gets chosen because she has a torn leg, so Doc and her stuffed pals figure out a way to help her. It’s a great lesson on teamwork. And in Starry, Starry Night a little star-gazing planned, but no one is able to see anything through the telescope. Apparently Aurora, the telescope, is having some issues with blurry vision. Continue reading »

Views From the Ville

DIY Frosted Elf Donuts with Matching Elf Gift Box #CIJ13

Bottle Cap Snowman Ornament Craft #CIJ13

DIY Hanging Christmas Card Holder #CIJ13

Free Summer Activity: Build a DIY Outdoor Fairy House (Perfect for the Fairy Hobmother!)

Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check Up” DVD Plus DIY Doc First Aid Kit