Recycled windsock.

Today's "keeping it summer" craft was making a recycled waterproof windsock, courtesy of Valerie over on Frugal Family Fun Blog.  I love her ideas!  She also has a post on garden stones that we have planned for later--hopefully this weekend.

The windsock couldn't be simpler to make--and I'm sure you have everything on hand--so it's perfect for an after school craft.  First, check your recycling bin for something plastic that you can cut into rounds to use as the base.  We used a yogurt cup.  Then, cut up several plastic bags into long strips.  The more colorful the better, though our selection was pretty sad (we're down to the last few since we don't accumulate them like we did before switching to reusable bags).  Next, loop your strips around your base, attach a handle, and hang outside. 

I had to help our four-year old as he couldn't quite master the ends-through-the-loop technique.  Our windsock is destined for the boys' new clubhouse that my husband built this summer.  But first, Leo needed to test it out indoors. 

Next up are pie pops from Luxirare (found via Bakerella)--as soon as I can get my act together and make up a batch of pie dough that is.  Have you seen these?  Individual pie servings.  On a stick.  Um, yes please.

Back to school and ice cream in a bag.

Today was Max's first day of first grade.  I have no idea how that happened.  Not in a, "hey, wait, it's only the beginning of August?" kind of way--I know how that happened (he goes to a year-round school so his summer is only six weeks long).  No.  More in a, "how on earth can you be six??!  Six!  And starting grade school?  Where they don't have snacks in the morning or bathrooms in the rooms?" kind of way.  It's killing me.  And although I was more of a mess on his first day of kindergarten last year, I still managed to puddle things up a bit.  Okay, a lot.

Now, I should say that I actually like the year-round format of our elementary school.  It's very nice to have a few weeks off in the fall and spring, as well as an extra couple of weeks during the holidays.  But the end of summer break is hard--especially when most of Max's play friends have another month before their summers end.

So I have some activities lined up for August that will hopefully keep summer alive and well around here.  Today's project (and treat) was making ice cream in a bag.  You will need some milk or half and half, sugar, vanilla, ice, two quart-sized ziplocs, one gallon-sized ziploc, rock salt and any mix-ins you'd like--unless your kids are straight vanilla types like mine (are you shaking your head in wonder?  Because I don't get how they can love every candy on earth as long as it is NOT in their ice cream).  Oh, and mittens or other means to keep little fingers warm.

I scribbled down the instructions for this at the start of summer--I think from Family Fun magazine but I'm not 100% sure.  We made two batches which was enough to serve four.  We must not have used enough ice as the ice cream never set up much past soft serve.  I just stuck it in the freezer for a little bit (like 30 min) and it was perfect.  But don't take my word for it.  Take the word of a first grader.  Sniff.

Ice Cream in a Bag (adapted from Family Fun Magazine)

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