The kids were home from school for President’s Day so we had our own Olympic games. Each child chose a country and then made a mascot and got a flag. We had a parade, a lighting of the “torch” (candles), a celebration with snaps and confetti, and made the medals. Then the events started: water balloon throw, paper airplane folding and throw, fishing, balancing an object on head, shooting targets with toy gun, drinking water contest, tiddlywinks, and others. To wrap things up we even had a medals ceremony. So much fun! The kids really enjoyed watching some events on TV, too.

What to do on a cold, dreary winter day? Make homemade dolls with a made-up pattern and any materials you have around the house, of course!

I used eyeliner and lipstick for the doll faces and we cut off leggings with holes in the knees to make dresses for them.  I didn’t want my son to feel I was favoring the girls, so I let him design an alien pattern and helped him sew it up.  I think the girls may have had more fun playing with the batting than they had with the dolls!