For the Crafty Moms

I’ve learned that staying home equals finding ways to exhaust your children so they will take a nap and you can nap yourself, look at Facebook, or wash a few dishes. I wake up in the morning wondering to myself, “What the heck are we going to do today?” I can’t very well let them watch TV all day.

Most summer days are easy, swim. Swimming wears the crap out of my kids so it’s ALWAYS a viable option. Unless of course the weather sucks. Today was beautiful, beautiful and 70. Not swimming weather. This morning we hit up story time at the library and then went to Chick-fil-A for some play time.

Upon arriving home, I laid the girls down and thought, SUCCESS! I totally earned those naps. I sat down at the computer to do some research for a little project, but did not accomplish much as Josie got out of bed every 10 minutes. Forget the dishes. Within an hour, Katie was up too, so I decided to let them stay up and play.

It wasn’t long before I realized I was going to have to entertain them. Unfortunately, I still had a napping child so the park, a walk, and all of the other fun ideas I came up with were out of the question. Bake cookies? Too messy, and I’ll eat most of them. Not a good idea. Popcorn, sweet, lets string up some popcorn and make a bird feeder.

In my mind this would be the perfect way to kill an hour or so. We’ll pop some corn, sit out at the picnic table, and string it up for the birds. In the process we’ll giggle, snack on the popcorn, and enjoy some quality time together. I'd snap a few pictures, blog about it, and win mother of the year because of all the people who pinned this post on Pinterest.

In reality, Katie poked her finger on the first piece of popcorn she touched and didn’t want to help anymore. I convinced her to push it down the string for a while, but realized she was eating it as quickly as I put it on.

Then Josie took a turn, but she was too hot. We moved to the shade. Then she needed sunglasses. Then a drink. Then …. Needless to say she didn’t last too long either.

My lovely children and helping me with the bird feeder.

Josie and Katie holding their finished bird feeder. 

Our finished bird feeder hanging in the tree.

Anyhow, for those pinning moms looking for an awesome project you can do with your kids. Here are the directions. I promise you won't be tagging yourself on the Pinterest fails page. It's super easy, but be sure to read ALL directions before starting or you might make a mistake.

1. Pop some popcorn

2. Get a long thread (I used embroidery thread because I have a ton and it's stronger. Any kind should work.) and thread it into a needle. Don't forget to tie a knot on the end. 

3. Take the popcorn, thread, children, and the father outside.

4. Tell the father that his children saw this lovely craft while you were looking at Pinterest the other day and really want him to help them with it. 

5. Go inside and lock the doors.

6. Take a nap, browse Facebook, wash a few dishes.

Enjoy your lovely bird feeder all summer long!