So I want to keep Gavin busy this summer with wholesome activities and not just the tv and video games. I am having him make something one week and donate it the next week.  Ideally the projects will take 2 days (hopefully teaching him patience, work and goal setting) Here are a few that I have thought of:
bird feeder
loom and hook tic tac toe boards
make and frost cookies or cupcakes (we won't wait till the following week to donate these)
tie quilt
sew pillow cases
sew bean bags
make a bean bag toss board
build a simple dog house
make clay models
mow or weed someone's yard
make sidewalk chalk


If you think of anything else that we can do to stay  busy, please add to the list.

He is also caring for a garden, teaching music to younger kids, having a picnic several times a week, having friends over, water days in the backyard, going bowling for free (kidsbowlfree.com) and volunteering at a retirement home. We have a busy and fun summer planned, but would love more ideas!

Best Bulk Pancake Mix

I ran out of krusteaz and really wanted pancakes, so I made some from scratch. I loved it so much more than the mixes from the store that I converted it into a bulk mix! We add bananas, chopped nuts, different spices and extracts other than vanilla sometimes. They are so good. This morning I added 1/4 a mashed banana, orange and coconut extract and we had tropical pancakes...yummm.

12c flour
1/2c baking powder
2T +2t salt
1/2c sugar
1 3/4c powder milk
8T flax

Mix all together!
To make the pancakes mix:
1 1/2c water
2c mix
2T oil
1t vanilla

You can get ground flax in bulk at Costco for $7-8. I use it when I cook as an egg replacement when I have forgotten to buy eggs. I also throw it into homemade bread, smoothies or my hamburger meat mix (more on that one later). Let me know if you have any questions.

Welcome

I am always loosing the pieces of paper that I write down fun ideas or great home tips on. I'm hoping this will not get lost as easy! I also want everyone in the family to add to this. I'm wanting this to be a place where all the cousins can share great tips with each other. If you only want to read the tips that others put on here, that is great too. Let me know if you want to have admin rights so you can add to the blog or you can email me what you want added and I can post it. Anything can be added to this as long as it isn't negative. I hope everyone has fun putting this together and sharing ideas. Enjoy!!

Courtney