April Play House Update: The Big Top

This month, our play house in the basement turned into a circus/carnival!  The kids are having a great time playing magician and taking hot air balloon rides!

Here are some pictures of the updated space: (Please note, my computer situation is getting worse.  Now, all of my uploaded pictures have a black bar across them.  The originals do  not.  I don't know where it came from or how to make it go away, so please try to disregard it.  The originals are so much better.  I'm tired and don't have the time or energy to investigate it further so I'm thinking of it as my new look to keep myself from crying....anyone know of a good laptop sale going on right now??  Help:)!)

We made the rings for the ring toss using rope and colored duct tape.  The stand is actually a mitten and hat dryer:)!

Giselle the Giraffe

Boog the Bear

I wanted to build a 'zoo' cage for this area, but there wasn't enough time this month.  Then I was going to use  bungee cords to create a similar effect on the bookshelf, but I never got around to that either:).

We are all trying to learn how to juggle:).  It's not going well.  (I found this kit at Barnes and Noble's on super clearance this week!  They had lots of kid books and games for 75% off the lowest marked price = fantastic deals!)

I found these raffle tickets at the dollar store, and we've been having fun earning them with successful ring toss attempts and redeeming them for hot air balloon rides and puppet shows and sweets from the candy corner.

I swear this set up is every kids dream.  (And Bill's too...he tells me he's going to quick run to 'the store' and heads downstairs for dessert:).)  I got the jars on clearance from Target awhile ago, which is weird because most stores still carry them in this size.  I plan to use them for a little pantry upgrade once the carnival is over.

Lucky is putting on a magic show for us using a Melissa and Doug Magic set she received for her birthday last year!

He got a blue dot sucker!!  Winner!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

March Play House Update: Band Camp

It's official.  I LOVE making these play house visions a reality for our kiddos.  This month's edition was very low key on the DIY front and was very intense on the shopping front.  And when I say intense, I mean there was some serious Target toy clearance stalking going on in January:).  I'll explain more in a moment.  Without further ado, Band Camp:

Bill made the campfire using stiff felt and staples.  I may go back and actually sew it.  He also made a 'rock' fire pit ring with newspaper balls covered in aluminum foil.  Clever, no?  We put a battery operated LED lantern in the middle of the fire pit, and the way the light reflects off the felt makes it feel sort of like a real campfire.

I made and stuffed some felt logs.

Bill made marshmallow sticks with the kiddos with dowels and white felt.

Here is our new drum set, compliments of a super clearance score.  It was just over $20.

The piano was a Christmas sale purchase from Walmart for about $25.  It didn't arrive on time for Christmas, so we saved it.

The guitar was about $12 or so from the Target clearance section.

I loaded the former grocery store shelves with musical instruments that we already had.

The band was named 'The Lucky Charms'.

This may be Lucky and Charm's favorite set up yet.  Whenever we have free time they ask to play downstairs!!

As for now, I'm dreaming up next month's set up, and I'm getting very excited to get some stain on this play house.  It won't be long now until we can open our windows and enjoy some fresh air!!

February Play House Update: Fire School!

At first, when we built our play house in the basement, I thought we'd create a different theme for the play house every week.  Then I realized that was crazy, and decided on an every 2 week change up.  Now, I'm thinking monthly changes are more realistic.  Here is how things have looked for the month of February: 

Charm received a fireman's outfit for his birthday in August.

And then I stumbled upon this deal at Bed, Bath and Beyond a couple weeks ago:

BBB also applies their standard 20% off coupons to clearance merchandise, so I picked up this fire chief costume for Lucky for $11.99.  I figured the kids would get more enjoyment out of the 'Fire Station' theme if they could put out fires together in costume.  

Bill made this 'hydrant' and hose combo using a $6 sump pump hose we got at Menards.  We have lots of hose left over in case this one breaks.  Bill made a 12" x 12" box using some leftover plywood for the top and bottom and 2" x 4" boards for the sides.  He made a hole in the top with a jig saw.  I painted the base red like a hydrant:).  Since we had the plywood and scrap 2" x 4" on hand, this only cost us about $6.  It is heavy so the kids can't swing it around, but they can drag it from spot to spot.

We also made this fire truck (or car) dashboard with more leftover plywood and a round wood piece we picked up for $6 from Menards.  We just did a simple paint job and used a bolt to attach the wheel to the plywood base.  

Underneath the Fire Station, we created a school for Lucky, since she loves playing school:

This desk is the student station:

And this is the teacher's desk:

Here's a little lesson in progress:

The 'flames' are just pieces of poster board attached with tape.  I painted the Fire Station sign using a 1" x 8" board and some craft paints.  

For the sign letters, I used Arial Narrow Bold.  I printed off the letters and adjusted the spacing as best I could and traced the letters with a pencil on the paper.  The pressure from the pencil left an indent in the wood that I used as a paint guide.

I already have a plan in mind for March's theme...I just have to get going on another sign.  And put together a few props:).  I'm excited just thinking about it!

Have a super weekend!

P.S.  The Nate Berkus line at Target is now 70% at the Targets in my area.  Some of the items are not included in the sale (the turtle shells for example), but most of it is!!