daffodil lane

pen pal center

 
The biggest way dyslexia affects Jenson is through his writing. We are adding in a lot of opportunities for him to write, including a new pen pal.

I picked up this utensil caddy (I think it was?) at a garage sale this weekend for 50 cents and quickly turned it into a pen pal center with notecards, envelopes, and stamps.

 
I painted it with a bit of leftover grey paint.  Next I printed out the word "write." in a large point font and cut it out. I flipped it over and traced the word with a pencil so it was in reverse. I did a messy job, but it worked.

 
Next I flipped it back over, so the printer side was facing me and positioned where I wanted it. I lightly penciled over the whole word...

 

 
When I lifted that off, the word was transferred, easy peasy. I painted it with a black craft paint and a not-very-good brush, hence the still messy look of it. (I'd recommend you take the extra two minutes to pick out the right brush). Funny how many times a day I get the opportunity to practice patience and how few times I actually do. It's good to have things to improve I suppose. ;)

 
 
I distressed the whole thing with a fine grit sand paper, and that took care of all the messy spots. We added our supplies, and voila, a 50-cent writing center.

 

Seeds and Beads

 

A few weeks ago (actually it was April, I'm such a slow blogger lately!)* Keston and I found ourselves with some nice bonding time while Jenson was away for three days at Mountain School with our homescool group.  I had found Action Pack  just a few days before, and fell in love with it! For those three days, Keston and I kept busy with the many awesome activities!

Oh my goodness - we love, love, loved it! For homeschoolers it is amazing, and even includes science and some quick history too, drawing lessons, and recipes. I think it would be fun for summer break too, even if you don't homeschool! The e-magazine has already put out 4 issues. I have all but the #3, the Tea and Sewing issue. I might just get that one in the fall too. They are so cheap for all you get in them! The best $5 I have spent lately, actually! We didn't even get close to completing all the fun things yet.

 
Keston started with making Salad Seed Sprinkle... it was delicious. I hadn't thought of using seeds in place of croutons. Much healthier, but still crunchy yumminess!

She also made some Dukka - that was really good too, and included a little bit of story behind it.
We moved past the edibles and made treats for birds...
and some seed bombs for guerilla gardening, (though we learned the hard way - use your bombs within a few days, otherwise the seeds will sprout from the moisture and then die if they aren't near soil. Mine all sprouted in a little wicker basket...).

 
 
But our favorite of all were the beaded dragonflies. We managed to give them all away before I took photos though, so you'll just have to trust me. :)

Super cool little magazine! We have all the supplies ready for the Paper and Beeswax issue (homemade lotion and lip balm? Yes please!) and the newest is a nature theme that is right up our alley and perfect for summer. Thank you Action Pack! Such a great concept!

{*Yes, I've been a slow blogger lately, but I am catching up right now, just 3 hours after getting home from a minor surgery. Surely that should earn me some points, huh?}