Star Spangled Wavers Kids Craft for Memorial Day

How are you going to celebrate Memorial Day with your family? Gear up for your weekend BBQs and celebrations or even your local parade with these fun star batons for your kids! Boys and girls love them! These batons promise to be the stars of any Memorial Day celebration.

What You’ll Need:

• Scissors
• Pieces of red, white, and blue felt
• Red, white, and blue ribbons (available at local craft stores)
• Tacky glue
• 3/8-inch dowel

Instructions:

1. Cut a pair of 6-inch stars from red, white, or blue felt.
2. Cut a slightly smaller pair (ours were 4 inches across) from a different color of felt, and an even smaller pair (ours were 3 inches across) from the third color.
3. Use tacky glue to affix the stars to each other. Glue together the 2 sets of stars, sandwiching a 3/8-inch dowel between them.
4. Allow the glue to dry, then finish the baton by tying a length of red, white, and blue ribbon around the dowel.

CHECK OUT LE TOP CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AT
www.letop-usa.com

 

 

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Le Top Darlings of the Day: Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William

From left to right: Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William

All hands on deck! These gorgeous children come to us from The Monkey Barrel in Amelia Island, Florida. Sydney, Caroline, Luke and John William are modeling the Le Top “Ship Ahoy” collection for boys and girls. They look ready to celebrate Memorial Day in style! Congratulations to you all for being our Le Top Darlings of the Day!  

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Memorial Day Cupcakes for the Family!

They may not sparkle or burst into the air, but these cupcakes are just the thing for your Memorial Day celebration. Pick up any flavor of boxed cake mix (white, yellow or chocolate or even Funfetti) at a local grocery store, bake cupcakes in foil cups, spread them generously with white frosting, and decorate with fresh blueberries and raspberries. Voila and enjoy as a summer treat!

Needed:

• Boxed cake mix
• Pre-made frosting (vanilla)
• Rasberries
• Blueberries
• Foil cupcake cups

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On the Road Again! Fun car games for the holiday weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and families will be travelling all over to visit their friends and find a bit of sun to kick off the summer. My parents refused to drive further than Los Angeles growing up (I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, California), but we found ways to pass the hours on the 6 hour car drive to “la-la-land.” Here are some fun ideas for you and your family up to age 7:

1. The Alphabet Game
Ages 5 and up: One person chooses the right-hand side of the road, and someone else the left. Each player looks for letters of the alphabet that appear on signs or license plates on their side. The object of the game is to point out all the letters of the alphabet in order, from A to Z. The first person to spot the entire alphabet wins.

2. The Animal Name Game
Ages 6 and up: One person names an animal. Then each person in order has to name another animal (no repeating!) that starts with the last letter of the previous animal named. There are no winners or losers in this game. With older children, try the game with TV shows, or geographical categories such as cities or countries.

3. Twenty Questions
Ages 4 and up: One person secretly thinks of either an animal, mineral, or vegetable. The other players then take turns asking yes-or-no questions, such as “Can it fly?” or “Does it grow in the ground?” After the players have asked 20 questions, each player gets a chance to make a guess.

4. Telephone
Ages 4 and up: A child whispers a story to someone else in the car. That person whispers the same story — as close to a word-for-word recount as possible — to a third person, and so on. The last person to hear the story repeats it out loud so everyone can hear. Invariably, some of the story will have been lost in the translation, and the resulting garbled message usually inspires a good laugh.

5. The Theme Song Game
Ages 5 and up: One person hums the tune to a favorite TV show, and everyone else tries to name the show as fast as possible. The first person to guess correctly hums the next song.

6. Memory Test
Ages 6 and up: The first person says “A is for —” filling in the blank with any word beginning with the letter A, such as “apple.” The second person comes up with a word for the letter B, such as “book,” but must also repeat the “A” word: “A is for apple, B is for book.” Continue through the alphabet, each person taking several turns and reciting more and more letters and words. By the time you reach the letter Z, that player will recite the whole alphabet and its corresponding words. However, if you’re playing with younger kids you may want to choose an earlier letter than “Z” to be the final one.

7. Secret Place Race
Ages 7 and up: One person looks at a road map and finds a small town, village, river, etc. That person announces the name of the place she has chosen. A second player has 60 seconds to look at the map and try to find the secret place.

8. Restaurant Race
Ages 5 and up: Each player chooses a restaurant, such as Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc. Players earn points by spotting their restaurant off the road, on a billboard, on exit markers, on Food/Fuel signs, or by hearing it mentioned on the radio. Impose a time limit — say, 20 minutes — and then add up the points.

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Mimi’s for Kids: STORE SPOTLIGHT PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We are super excited to have interviewed the new children’s boutique owner/founder, Mimi Lonski, of Mimi’s for Kids in Newport, Rhode Island this week for our “Premier Store Spotlight.” She gives us an inside look into opening her first children’s boutique, planning her upcoming “A Party with Carl” event, and her best style and parenting advice for parents and kids. Read more to find out about the chicest boutique in Newport, Rhode Island!

Join Mimi’s for Kids Facebook page and click HERE

1.    What was your inspiration behind starting your children’s clothing store – Mimi’s for Kids?
Mimi:  A grandmother’s job is to spoil her grandchildren and “Mimis” are the some of best grandmothers. Because I am a real Mimi and a Grandmimi, I was inspired to open a shop and fill it with special Grandma gifts for the little ones. We have wonderful clothing, accessories and toys for infants, toddlers and little girls 4-6X.

2.    Tell us about any special events that you have planned at your store and fun deals we can expect.
Mimi: Our store is only one month old so we have been very busy getting to know our customers but we are planning “A Party with Carl” in July when the season is in full swing. Carl is a huge plush sheep from Jellycats who has become our mascot (see above) and frequent window dressing.

Mimi's store front featuring Rabbitmoon's 'Empress' Collection (far left)

3.    Describe the neighborhood of Newport, Rhode Island where your store is located. Tell us about Newport. What made you pick this location and did you grow up in the local area?
Mimi: Newport is a beautiful town, surrounded by water, filled with historic homes, some of which date back to 1720s, and wonderful gardens with big old trees. We are located on Mill Street just off Bellevue Avenue, where all the famous mansions are located. We look out on Touro Park and the Old Stone Mill. The Park is spectacular this spring with all the cherry trees blooming. Newport is a very ‘walkable’ town, which we love. We are only a few blocks from the waterfront and harbor and in the opposite direction, a few blocks from the beach.

4.    Memorial Day and summer break for kids is just around the corner. What are 3 vacation clothing must-have items that are in your store for summer?
Mimi: Although the weather has been quite cool this spring, summer is on its way and Newport is a resort town. Our must-haves for summer include our cool ribbon-trimmed flip flops, fabulous sun hats by Jamie Rae and swimsuits and cover-ups for the beach by Le Top, of course!

5.    Where are your favorite family hangouts in the Newport, Rhode Island area?
Mimi: My grandchildren love kite flying at Brenton Point State Park and of course Easton’s Beach and the carousel that is just a short walk from our shop.

6.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Mimi: Before I had kids and grandkids, I never thought I would become so much like my mother. It always makes me smile to hear her exact words and expressions come out of my mouth.

7.    Tell us about a “special” moment that made your day working at your store.
Mimi: The day we opened, the first customer came in and looked around and said, “I’m soooo glad you are here!” and then made a purchase.  Everyone has been so welcoming that we are soooo happy to be in Newport, too!

Inside Mimi's for Kids featuring some of Le Top's playwear and Baby collections

8.    What do you think are the 3 perfect ingredients if there was a “recipe” for dressing a stylish child? Always having solid basics? The perfect tutu? Great jeans that are durable for the everyday play of boys? Tell us your ‘secret recipe’ on style.
Mimi: My secret recipe for dressing a stylish child is a pinch of pizzazz, a dash of fun, a cup of comfort, and then mix it all up with lots of color.

9.    Tell us your best parenting tip or mom advice that your mom passed on to you that you would like to share with a new parent.
Mimi: I have three younger brothers, the two youngest being twins, so her advice to me was: have a good sense of humor and try to be consistent.

Le Top 'Poppies!' collection

10.    What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line or Rabbitmoon do you love from the Spring/Summer 2011?
Mimi: I love Le Top’s ‘Poppies’ Collection umbrella top and capris for girls and the ‘Sunny Ducky’ Collection short set for boys. Both are just too cute!

 Mimi’s for Kids
154 Mill Street
Newport, RI 02840
401.619.1130

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Memorial Day Festive Snacks for Kids: Pretzel Sparklers!

Memorial Day weekend is next weekend and it is full of family fun! From barbeques to days at the beach to family road trips – here is a quick and tasty snack that is perfect to bring to a family friend’s house as a hostess gift or a quickie snack for the kids that is sure to bring a smile. For this presidential holiday, we decided on Pretzel Sparklers Snacks! Like most sparklers, these are extinguished with a big bite from your kiddo. Enjoy!

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To check out Le Top children’s clothing go to:
www.letop-usa.com

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America, America! Flag Pin Craft Fun!

Hope you are enjoying this wonderful holiday!  Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the service of our United States nation.

Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, but it’s difficult to prove the origins of the day. An interesting tid bit is that there is also evidence that a women’s group in the South decorated graves before the end of the Civil War. All in all, Memorial Day is intended to honor those who have given their all in service to our country.

Show your patriotism and make this beaded flag pin that is fun and quick.  You can hand out these pins at your Memorial Day BBQ party or have it as a fun and fashionable way to show your American pride with the family!

Follow the instructions below to create your own red, white and blue flag pins.

Items Needed:

• red, white, and blue seed beads (you can find at Michael’s or local craft store)  Note: Make sure you get seed beads with holes large enough for the pins to go through.
  
• a dozen large safety pins. (The exact number will vary a bit depending on your safety pin size.)

Steps to make your Flag Pin:

1. On your first safety pin, you will load thirteen 13 seed beads. Seven will be red and six will be white. Alternate them as you put them on the open pin: red, white, red, white, red, white, red, white, red, white, red, white, red.
2. Repeat that six more times, so that you have a total of seven safety pins with thirteen red/white beads on each of them.
3. On the eighth safety pin, you will start making the blue ‘stars’ section of the flag. It’s important that you load the blue beads first; otherwise your flag will be wrong side up. Put seven blue beads on the pin, and push them towards the hinge-spiral. Then add 3 red and 3 white, alternating. From hinge to clasp should be blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, white, red.
Repeat that three more times, so that you have a total of 4 pins with flag sections above the stripes.
With your last pin, you will string all the others, by putting the opened pin part through the hinge-circle of the other eleven. Put all the pins with blue beaded sections on the pin first (with the open sharp part of the pin facing your right), followed by the red-and-blue striped ones. BE CAREFUL FOR THE SHARP POINT!
Close the safety pin, and double-check that your flag is hanging correctly.
Pin on a loved one and enjoy!

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Streamers in the Wind

Memorial Day weekend is only 1 day away!  Not only is it one of my favorite 3 day holiday weekends, it is always that first feeling of the “official” start of summer.  I am sure a lot of parents are wondering (other than BBQing) what they will do with their kids over the long weekend.  Below is a fun wind streamer craft that is patriotic and easy to do with the whole family!  Don’t worry – it doesn’t make noise (I personally get a headache from chimes!), and you cam make this craft with little more than an empty oatmeal container and colored paper.

You can also use this activity to teach younger children about the “wind” (like a science lesson) and illustrate the direction on wind and how it plays a part in the environment. Martha Stewart was my inspiration for this project. 

How to Make a Patriotic Paper Wind Streamer

Items Needed:

• Empty oatmeal container, or similar cylindrical container
• Blue craft paper
• White craft paper
• Star-shaped paper or you can cut stars out on white craft paper
• Craft glue (Elmer’s works fine!)
• Double-sided tape
• Waxed twine
• Red-and-white grosgrain flat ribbon
• Red ribbon
• White ribbon
• Paper punch

Instructions:

1. Remove the bottom of the cylindrical container.

2.  Measure and cut the blue craft paper to fit inside and outside the container. The paper should come right up to the top and bottom lip of the container.

3.  Lay the double-sided tape to the three edges of the paper on the wrong side, and stick it to the container’s interior.

4. Create stars from the white craft paper, and glue them onto the second piece of blue paper. Lay the double-sided tape to the three edges of the paper on the opposite side, and stick to the container’s exterior.

5.  With the fine paper punch, punch four holes at the north, south, east, and west points of the container’s top. Thread a piece of waxed twine through one hole and its opposite hole, and tie in place. Repeat for remaining holes.

6. Cut lengths of the red and white ribbon to create streamers, and glue them at the bottom edge of the container. Lay double-sided tape all the way around the top and bottom edges of the container, and adhere the red-and-white grosgrain ribbon.

Enjoy this colorful and patriotic craft!

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