Stepping Stone Project

A week or so ago we did stepping stones. My friend wanted to give one to her husband for his birthday and invited us over to do one too.

Materials

• Mold: We used plastic planter saucers
• Concrete: Quickrete
• Embellishments: We used stones
• Newspaper or drop cloth: To protect the work surface. We just did them in the driveway.
• Water: For mixing concrete and rinsing hands and feet
• Sand: To make the planter saucer non-stick
• A Paint Stirring Stick: For mixing
• Plastic Tub: To mix concrete in
• An Old Spoon/Shovel: for scooping
• Baby Oil: to make the feet non-stick

Mix it up

If you're using Quickrete, use five parts water to one part cement mix. If you're using another cement consult the bag. Put sand (or cooking spray) into the mold. Once it looks like cookie dough scoop it into the mold. Tap it to get bubbles out, like a cake. They are not kidding about Quick part either it sets up fast. 30minute was more than enough in our case.

Non-Stick Them

We coated the kids feet in baby oil so the cement wouldn't stick. Make sure you use a generous amount and get it under the nails. My kids were thrilled to receive a foot massage. I don't recommend wearing your fancy new dress, but Riley's did survive the experience unsoiled.

Step Right In

It's best to have an adult to lean against for support for your little celebrities lending their hands and feet to the project. Standing on one foot tends to force them to put all their weight on the one they're stepping down with. They do want to step down with the other foot reflexively after a second or two (so watch out for that if you only want one foot).

Decorate It

I wished I'd swung by the store for some marbles before the project, but the kids were just as happy with stones. They added them in a circle around the edge. The concrete was pretty set up by than so it took a good bit of pressure to press them in. I tried to write with a stick to add the year, but I couldn't make it legible. I figure I'll write on it with a Sharpie at some point or maybe use some paint.

Let Them Dry

That's it. Let them dry and pick a nice spot for them.

Take a Trip Thursday: Second Edition

This Thursday was much more smooth (and far less expensive) than the last one. We had breakfast and took our time getting ready. We loaded up around 9:15am and headed for my Dad's house (the house I grew up in). Over the last few years he's acquired chickens and very recently started growing vegetables. The kids visit Grandpa's house now and then. They always say hi to the chickens, but this was the first formal farm tour.

After hellos and candy (grandparents, what can you do?) we were off, armed with bread, to feed the chickens.

They seemed indifferent to the kids, but very excited to see the bread. Riley looked like Eva Gabor from Green Acres feeding chickens in her party dress. Isaac was a bit to imposing and for the most part they ran from him. The chickens enjoyed Riley's quiet approach and took bread from her hand. Just as we were finishing up she got a little scratch from an over zealous chicken's beak. Feeding the chicken's was Riley's favorite part.

Then we moved onto the chicken coop. We learned that chickens only lay eggs when they are young. Apparently there's about a two year window. He has brown chickens that are about done laying and two white ones that haven't started laying yet. Apparently, the color of their legs reveals what color the eggs will be. The coop was Isaac's favorite part.

Grandpa's growing raspberries, mangos, grapes (at least two varieties), tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, green beans, bush beans, cow beans, pineapple, lemons, peppers (at least four varieties), sweet potatoes and strawberries. It was thrilling for Riley to see all the different plants and how they grow. Isaac was only interested in what was edible now. I think it's great for the kids to see where food comes from. I don't think I understood the concept of growing/farming food until I was older. Food comes from the store, right? The cupboard? A box/can?

We all got out in the world and learned something, I declare Go! Dog Go! Day number 2 a success.