Magic Puppets- Super Awesome Guest Blogger

Today I am happy to have a very, very special guest blogger!!! My daughter Logan. She is the queen of recycled crafts in our house. She has the amazing ability to take something someone has thrown away and see beyond the trash and turn it into something wonderful. She is always asking for empty boxes, milk cartons and plastic bottles.

Here are few of her most recent and amazing transformations:

Minute the Bird (Minute because "it took me 'bout a minute to make)

Hour the Penguin (not because it took her an hour but "because it's a bigger bird and an hour's longer than a minute"...we're still waiting on a small bottle so she can make Second.)

Slickady The Snail

A few days ago she came downstairs and asked for what seemed like completely random supplies. I couldn't wait to see what she was making. The final project was so clever that I asked her if she would share it and be a guest blogger. I think it's a great kids craft because you probably already have everything you need and if you don't, just use your creativity! She was super excited and we had a lot of fun working on the post together. I have a feeling she'll be a reoccurring guest blogger!

So without further ado....I give you Logan...

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My name is Logan. I like to do crafts and to read and eat a lot. I like my family. I am six years old. 

Magic Puppets

I found this in a book and I thought that I wouldn't be able to do it, but when I saw that my family had the materials we needed I got to work. Instead of using two of the same shape and gluing them onto the paper clip, I cut one shape and taped it to the paperclip. I think this is good for kids older than six because you need to use scissors.

Supplies:

• an empty, THIN box 
• scissors
• crayons or markers
• paper
• paperclips-you will need one for every puppet you want to make, it must be made out of metal.
• magnet
• tongue depressor or popsicle stick
• tape or glue
• paint (optional)

Step 1

Cut off the top of your box. It's important that your box is thin!

Step 2

Cover your box with paper or colored paper or paint with dark paint. Decorate however you want if you want to.

Step 3-Making your puppets

Take your paperclip and bend into an "L" shape. Now you draw your puppet, any character you want. Even a person. Mine is a fish. Now cut out your puppet. Then tape the paperclip on the back of your puppet. 

Step 4

Now do the background of your stage. Mine is fish and water. Bend the bottom of the paper and glue or tape it to the inside of the box.

Step 5

Take the magnet and tape or glue it to the tongue depressor or popsicle stick. This is to move the puppets on the stage. 

To use your Magic Puppets you have to put one puppet or two on the top of the stage. Now put your magnet stick inside the box under your puppet. Now move it CAREFULLY and if your box is thin enough the puppet will move. 

I really hope you like this project and it's fun for you! BYE!

LOGAN

Monumental Half-Full Circle

This past weekend I ran my first post-pregnancy race, The Indy Monumental Half. It was cold, damp and started to rain at towards then end, but I was really pleased with my performance. Three years ago my running partner Traci ran the Monumental for her very first half marathon. I ran it with her, keeping her mind off how far we had to go and encouraging her along the way. This year it was Traci's turn to be the cheerleader! She did a great job and really kept me motivated. Around mile 5 I was feeling tired and drained, my back was hurting and I really didn't think I could run the rest of the way. I asked her to distract me by helping me plan my meals for the week. We started discussing our favorite recipes and before I knew it we were at mile 8! The last 5 miles actually flew by. Around mile 12 we were passed by the leading three men of the FULL MARATHON! It happened to us the first year we ran it too. It is so amazing that someone ran twice as far was we did, twice as fast! I also partook in my favorite post-race ritual, a huge double cheeseburger from Five Guys, a cold beer and a long nap! This race took a lot out of me and I was so lucky that the hubby took charge of the little ones so I could recover! 

I had two goals, run the entire race and finish under 2:30. Happily I achieved both goals-whoo hoo!

My stats:

Overall time-2:21:19 (time includes one potty break)

Pace-10:46

Overall Place-3440/4985

Age Group-312/468

Certainly not by best race from a time perspective, but I felt strong, ran the whole way and had a great time. I'm so lucky to have my Bestie/Running Partner Traci! We make a great team!!!

Normally I end my running season in November, but since I got a late start this year the hubby and I added a half in December. It's called The Santa Hustle and I'm so excited! You get a Santa hat, beard and your shirt looks just like Santa's (you know how much I love my swag!!!), they even play Christmas music along the race route. It sounds like the perfect way to end my (short) running season!