Treats for the Birds

 

For years, when the kids were younger, we had a family tradition between Christmas and New Years Day. Granny would arrive with a bag full of pine cones she had collected from her yard in the fall and we would begin mass production of bird feeders. Each person had a job and an assembly line was formed. Bird seed and peanut butter ended up everywhere, but by the end of the day we had trays of luscious feeders adorned with red yarn hangers.

 

 

Distribution was a big deal as the trays were carried ceremoniously out to the yard

to decorate a tree for the birds.

 

On the years we had a real Christmas tree; we would "plant" it in a snow bank or set it in its stand in a bird friendly place and decorate away!

Then as the days passed, we spent hours at the window watching the birds

 enjoy their "Christmas" tree gift from us.

 

 

Pine Cone Feeder – Directions

 

 Tie a piece of brightly colored yarn around the top of a pine cone. We like to use red because it makes the tree look more festive after decorating it for the birds. But, any color or combination of colors may be used. Make a loop from the yarn to use as a hanger. Fill a 9x13 cake pan or large non-breakable bowl with bird seed. With a butter knife, spread peanut butter on all sides of your pine cone and then roll it in the birdseed. Push the covered pine cone deeply into the birdseed so the birds have a thick layer of seed to pick from.

A finished bird seed pine cone BIRD FEEDER
 

 

Alternative: If you just want to make a couple of pine cone feeders you can hang them outside one at a time on a bird friendly tree branch or garden hook in a place easily seen from a window.

 

Watch the birds enjoy this special treat!

 

 

 

 

 

Another Bird Feeder Idea:

 

 

 

• Orange-Half Feeder Directions

Cut an orange in half. Scoop out the pulp for a salad or snack. Fill the skin with bird seed. Set outside in a bird friendly area.

 

 

 

 

 

Fascinating Flashlights!

 

Today is National Flashlight day... who would have guessed?

I stumbled across this tidbit of information when looking for flashlight visuals to go along with today's miraculous, magical moments activity ideas.  In addition to the safety tips provided in this web post, try the fun activities that follow from Hidden Splendor!

"When : Always December 21

Don't be left in the dark on National Flashlight Day. The basic requirement for this day, is a flashlight and good batteries. Flick the switch, and you can put anything into your spotlight.

We'd like to shed a little light on this special day. National Flashlight Day arrives on Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day...and longest night.... of the year. "Watt" that means, is that there's lots and lots of darkness. With all of those dark hours, your flashlight is apt to get a good workout.

You never know when you will need a flashlight. National Flashlight Day is a good day to make sure you and your family know where the flashlights are. Test each flashlight, to be sure the batteries are good. When in doubt, replace the batteries with new ones. It is also a good idea to put a flashlight in your car.

Did You Know? The flashlight was invented in 1898 by Joshua Lionel Cowen. However, this wasn't his greatest invention. He also invented the Lionel train."

Source: 
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/flashlightday.htm

 Flashlight Activity Ideas from Hidden Splendor

• Flashlight Magic

Using a high intensity flashlight, turn it on and hold it up to your palm.   Look at the back of your hand.  What do you see? How well does the light shine through your hand?  Will the light shine through a blanket or pillow? Experiment with other items.

 

•  Flashlight Constellations and Shapes

Cut out a circle from black construction paper the same size as the lens on your flashlight.  Cut out shapes or punch holes in the piece of paper.  Try tiny cookie cutters (depending on the size of your flashlight) or make your own creations.  Using a small hole punch or an ice pick would also help create fun designs.  Tape the paper onto the lens of your flashlight and turn it on.  Check out the shapes or constellations you can make on the wall or ceiling.

•  Light Beams Chase

Several people turn on a flashlight, turn off all the lights in the room and lay on the floor or a bed. Then take turns "chasing" flashlight beams across the ceiling (or on a wall).

Photo source: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mychickadee/galleries/72157627031715749/

• Dancing Light Beams

Play your favorite music and make up a flashlight beam dance to the beat. Create a dancing performance around the room or on the ceiling.

Photo Source:
http://blissfullydomestic.com/family-bliss/parenting-family-bliss/flashlight-fun/34619/

• Undercover flashlight

Who can forget the fun it is to read under a blanket with a flashlight?  This can be done in bed or under your home-made tent inside the house.  Supplies needed?  a large blanket, a few chairs or pieces of furniture to drape your blanket over and a supply of your favorite books, flashlight, pillow and sleeping bag or blankets.  Of course this can be done on an outdoor camping trip too.

Photo Source:  http://www.clubhousejr.com/crafts/flashlight-fun

•     You are in the spotlight!

Make learning great fun.  Gather up the flashcards your child is trying to learn - multiplication tables, addition, subtraction, sight words, alphabet, numbers, etc.  Lay the flashcards out on the floor in a random pattern (right side up for an easier version, upside down to add mystery)  Use a flashlight to highlight a card.  The child must solve the problem or name the item.  If they are correct they get to collect the card.  If not, tell the correct answer but the card stays on the floor.  Revisit that card until the child can get it correct immediately.  Continue shining your flashlight onto the remaining cards one at a time on the floor.  When all the cards are picked up the game is done, or you can play another round. 

• Catch me if you can!

Turn your flashlight on and off in different spots on the floor and let your child try to "tag" with their foot or hand on the light before it moves.  Take turns with the flashlight.

Photo Source: http://artandsoulpreschool.blogspot.com/2012/03/flashlights-and-moon.html

• Tag Flashlight

This game is played outdoors.  Kids run around and try to escape being "tagged" by a flashlight beam.  Everyone gets a flashlight or they can take turns being "it"  seeing how many people they can get out when "caught".

Revise this game for indoors.  Shine a flashlight on furniture and walls and let kids try to "catch" the light spot before it moves or goes off.

• Light Messages

Use a flashlight to write a word, draw a shape or number.  The other people (person) playing with you tries to guess what you wrote.  Take turns writing and guessing.  Wouldn't this be a fun way to assign chores for the day?  hmmm... 

• Morse code

Use a flashlight to send Morse code messages to each other across a dark room or across the lawn.  What great fun this would be while camping in the backyard. 

Siblings sending messages after "lights out" would also be fun!  Parents, build this into your night time schedule. You have more darkness today than any other day of the year!

Since today is the shortest day of the year, it really isn't so late when it gets dark. 

So, plan some flashlight fun to occupy the darkness.

 

Hand/Foot Print Angel

 

At this time of year, our mind frequently thinks about angels. 

Angels can be found hanging on Christmas trees, sitting on shelves as decoration, located in nativity sets, arranged in yards illuminated with lights, hanging on walls and on the front of Christmas greeting cards.

 

Angels play a large part in the Christmas story.  An angel told Mary she would give birth to the Christ child.  Angels told the shepherds that baby Jesus had been born.  An angel came to Joseph in a dream to warn him of the evil plan of King Herod and again to tell Joseph when it was safe to return to the land of Israel.  You can read the complete story in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 in the Holy Bible.

 

With angels playing a central role during the holiday season, it is only natural to combine it with the little "angels" in your life.  This project is perfect to capture the size of your children this year.  Make sure you have them sign and date their creation.  It is fun to look back at the size of their prints and how they sign their name in years to come.

 

        

 

 

This would be a treasure to Grandparents on the front of a shirt or sweatshirt.  Parents and relatives would love to have a framed "angel" or card with their loved ones prints on the front. 

 

Create your angels on paper or fabric.Use poster paint on paper or fabric paint on fabric.  If your creation is on paper, a piece of garland or a pipe cleaner make a great halo.  On fabric a piece of gold cording or ribbon sewn on make a lovely halo.

 

Have fun making a host of heavenly angels this holiday season!

 

Holiday Handprint Wreath

 

 

 

Handprints can be combined around a circle to make a wreath.  Fingerprints can be added for berries.  This creation can be made on paper, a decoration on the front of a shirt or on a fabric banner to hang on the wall.  What a great way to keep memories.  Make sure you sign and date your creation!

 

Materials needed:  Poster paint if creating on paper

                               Fabric paint if creating on fabric