Kids Sleep Away Camp Simple Notes to Send Home FREE Template

Our Kids are going to Sleep Away Camp and I wanted to pack some Simple Notes to Pack in There Luggage.

Every site makes you sign up to get free templates.

I don't need anything fancy in the notes, I live in reality,... the kids are gonna be super busy.

So in a moment of free time I retyped up the best of these to stuff in there notes. I am including a postage paid return envelope so they can send it back to me....

Kids Sleep Away Camp Simple Notes to Send Home FREE Template

We love to share. No sign up FREE Templates. Click the link in google drive for our Are You Sure About That Blog Camp Stationary Notes to Send Home Free Template and download the file for yourself.

Kids Sleep Away Camp Simple Notes to Send Home
FREE Template

Yes we give away this Kids Sleep Away Camp Simple Notes to Send Home FREE Template

Download in word or make a copy to your google drive.


You can customize this by priniting on camp or scrap book stationary, add stickers, personalize with your name, campers name and so much more....

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Happy Camping

Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT Roar Junior and introducing Croak playing with art

Suddenly I See the Froggy Olympics. Oh boys this is fun! 

Our boys take a Japanese language class in school, and one of the bonuses is learning origami. Origami (often misspelled Oragami or Orygami) is the paper folding art form that originated in Japan. On this intro is a popular video. In this paper folding wonder, the boys made this art, they made origami paper frogs. But not just any frogs, these are frogs that jump, move and compete in the Froggy Olympics. 

Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT, Roar, Junior, and introducing Croak playing with art

The Origami Froggy Olympics by the frogs BLT, Roar and Junior, and introducing Croak, origami paper frogs that leap, jump, hop, and race, Happy Viewing. The boys were playing before bed. They had at least 12 frogs each. Creative names they created for their origami frogs: BLT, roar, and junior. And introducing Crook a.k.a. "cramp"! He does flips, tricks, and leaps.

The other teams frogs were up for the challenge. The queen - your majesty - was ruling the game. She got busy telling the rules like: "say your majesty." Come on queenie. 

In this episode: "Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT, Roar, Junior, and introducing Croak playing with art" we hear the Queens voice. Queens say is final - she will judge the Froggie Olympics. "Who goes first?" Unfortunately we did not video the match or the winner due to technical issues. But it’s still a cool thing to see these paper frogs JUMP! 

In this corner: BLT, Roar and Junior versus the other team: Crook (stands for Cramp) and Suddenly I see the froggy Olympics. . . WHHHAT ? Origami happens at our house sooooo the fun continues at home. BLT, Roar, and Junior frogs, are competing in the froggy olympics. Apparently here is a player called CROOK (I think It’s croak) — and he does tricks. 

Frogs are up to the challenge. And the last frog standing wins! Who goes first?

SEE THE Froggie Olympics here:

Another You Tube Video from the boys:
Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT Roar Junior and introducing Croak
playing with art

https://youtu.be/-vBMlZI4wEo

WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL ... 


Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will fill our life with. We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. in the meantime click play.

Insect All Around 2nd Grade Presentation Chicago Public Schools Spring 2015 YouTube Video

That one time mom volunteered in a classroom to present the 5 year old insect collection. I love sharing kids passions, and little kids love to explore the tiny world all around them.

So when I had the chance to go into the classroom and bring our insects into a classroom at Chicago Public Schools - I said OH YEAH

I LOVE BUGS! I talked about this so much that family members promoted my passion and I got to go into classrooms to share my passion.

Since this presentation I have much improved the experience, passing around the boxes FIRST and then answering questions. But I think the kids loved it either way.

Insect All Around 2nd Grade Presentation Chicago Public Schools Spring 2015 YouTube Video

2nd Grade Presentation at CPS school on The Wonder of the Insect World. "Insects are All Around" was created & based on our family hobby: Insect Collecting. We have over 1,000 insects collected over a 4-year period (at the time this video was shot) in Spring 2015. We are amateur entomologists, self taught through research on proper insect pinning, preservation, labeling, insect mounting, etc. We are still collecting, learning and exploring our Insect World. See more in the video "Insect All Around, 2nd Grade Presentation, Chicago Public Schools, Spring 2015"

Insect All Around 2nd Grade Presentation

Chicago Public Schools

Spring 2015

Are You Sure About That Blog Youtube Videos

See the video here > > > 
Insect All Around, 2nd Grade Presentation, Chicago Public Schools, Spring 2015

If you want the "notes" of what we talked about in the video - those are here Insect Presentation and Notes for 2nd grade show and tell on our real insect collection
.

Grandma’s Magic Homemade Cough Syrup that works to get rid of coughs Becomes Moms Witches Syrup

I can't believe I haven't posted this before. I have been using this syrup for at least 15 years. Yes, before babies. My husband hates it, but he too swears by it's glorious benefits, and he takes it when he's feeling ill. He actually named this syrup mom's "Witches Syrup." It fits, for a whole bunch of reasons. And so, here's more about moms Witches Syrup. 

This is a homemade "old world" cough syrup that is so super effective. My Babcia used to make it for my mom and her kids because in a small European Polish village you can't run to Walgreens. So this was the local DIY fix it cure she would make for coughs, colds, runny noses, and all things illness.

Actually she made another ugly nasty tasting version that my mom tells horror stories of. Instead my mom shared this recipe and I confirmed with grandma. 

Ugly Version #1

Grandmas ugly version starts with a Polish Classic „Kogiel Mogiel." Simple ingradients found in every old world kitchen: beat one raw egg yolk, add sugar (or honey). Then optionally add onion and garlic. Notice no real measurements here. Use what you have and make the most of it is the old world way.

And then the ultimate cooking sin, my grandma added warm milk. So even if the warm milk doesn't sound yucky, the experience of my uncles and aunts was . . . Grandma would let this recipe sit, and yes the thin layer of 'milk skin' would form. And yes, her kids had to take this with the milk skin layer and all. Yuck, ick, grossness.

Ugly Version #2

Another version of this old world homemade cough cure is starting with heating butter in a pot. Add whole milk, and warm but not boil (but I'm sure it did get boiled in Grandmas kitchen). To the milk butter base add onions and garlic. Simmer as long as 15-20 mins. Then drink the milk „broth" — with the onions and bits strained out.

I think both these above versions of the recipe didn't suit me. The milk skin forming was a no go, and the second version wasn't as tasty or quick to drink. Also, and this is a big piece of the „healing pie," I don't think our processed pasteurized milk in the USA has the same natural health benefits of the farm fresh milk my grandma got from the cow in her backyard. 

Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial Benefits of Onions and Garlic 

I won't go into the natural antiviral and anti bacterial benefits of onions and garlic, but they are tremendous, research them and you'll see it too. 

Add the benefits of honey - you know that honey is also a natural way to "quiet coughs." 

We take all this goodness and put it in one glass container, and let it start to ooze it's natural syrupy goodness for us to enjoy.

My son had started coughing last winter. I started my homemade onion syrup and gave him 2 teaspoons in the am and pm. His cough stopped The. Exact. Same. Day, mostly because we caught it early enough.

Grandma's Magic Homemade Cough Syrup that works to get rid of coughs, Becomes Moms Witches Syrup.

This picture shows the start of the syrup and what the base recipe looks like. 

Grandma's Magic Homemade Cough Syrup
that works to get rid of coughs
Becomes Moms Witches Syrup

Leave on the counter for as little as 20 mins to start to see syrup. Or put it in the fridge overnight and it will have formed lots of syrup.  Also, you can keep it on the counter the first night/day and then put it to the refrigerator.

Store in the fridge for 3-5 days with every new batch. Use as needed. 

For kids: 

((only for kids over the age of 2 years old since they cannot have honey. With kids 2 years old and under, use plain white sugar instead of honey.))

We take 2 teaspoons 3x a day. (If they hate the taste just have them pinch there nose and chase with a sip of orange or apple juice. Only a zip so you don't drown the syrup in juice and instead let the stomach and body absorb its natural benefits.

For adults:

Take 2 tablespoons 3x daily. I also add as a sweetener to my tea when Im sick to keeping pumping it in me.

Keep this syrup potent and fresh::

Potency is important. When someone is getting sick I would make a fresh batch. And it can be used for 3-5 days when stored in the fridge. That way you get the most anti-viral benefits from the fresh ingredients.

As for the taste

Okay, so if you do not like the flavor of onions or garlic, then no matter how much sugary stuff you add, the taste will take getting used too. If the taste is too strong I would just add more honey or sugar to your recipe. And try again. 

>>> Visit our youtube channel for more of our adventures <<<

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA 

Let's Get Started

Moms Witches Syrup Ingredients::

— 1 large onion, peeled and sliced thin in 1/8" slices.

— 3-8 garlic pieces (use what your tastes allow). Peeled and sliced thin. I also slam with the side of a knife to release its essence.

— Honey (organic, pure, no additives or other ingredients is best). 

(( When making this for kids under 2 years old, So Not Use Honey. Instead use white sugar.))

— OR alternative to honey is pure white sugar or natural cane suagr. Approximately 1-2 cups.

In a glass container, add one of the onion slices, then top with 1-2 Tablespoons honey or sugar, add next onion slice and some of the garlic, top again with honey or sugar.

Keep alternating slices of onion plus the garlic and add honey. Layer until the jar is full to the rim, and top with more sugar to the very, very top. Seal air tight. The onions will 'melt' as the syrup forms and the jar won't be full to the top. We use the glass jar and lid with rubber seal. But a simple jar and tightly closing lid works great!

Syrup will begin to form within a few minutes, with a first spoonful ready in 20 mins. 

We keep it in the refrigerator for the 3-5 days, and take the syrup cold (helps with the flavor). I also add to my herbal tea in the evenings during winter.

Here is what it looks like when The Moms Witches Cough Syrup is starting to form:

Moms Witches Cough Syrup
Grandmas Magic Homemade Old World Cure

That ooey-gooey syrup is the "magic medicine" that forms. You will scoop up this syrup by the spoon full. Unless you like raw onion, don't eat the onions or garlic. ((I however do eat the juicy small oniony bits.))

Enjoy often in the cold season. We do!

Tags: being a mom, homemade cough syrup, old world recipies, healthy eating, natural remedy.

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh. Out. Loud. 

Our eBay Store Item: Progetto Mary Jane Peep Toe Green Patent Leather Shoes Womens Retro 37 6.5 Italy

Own this classic shoe today! 

These lovelies are at our eBay store.

A pair of Progetto Mary Jane style Peep Toe shoes in Green Patent Leather, Womens Retro version, made in Italy size EU 37 amd USA size 6.5. Too cute to pass up.

Our eBay Store Item: Progetto Mary Jane Peep Toe Green Patent Leather Shoes Women's Retro 37 6.5 Italy

shop online at our store.ebay.com/AMIchicago

Condition // very good preowned condition, see photos as they are apart of and for the best description of this item. These are leather Progetto Glam heels, color is green / olive shoes with a retro style, wet look, short heel and ankle strap. Shoes are made in Italy see photos of the bottom. A floral pattern, and lace detail trim, with white stitching around peep toe and heel. Women's size 37, fits size 6.5 US. This is a very good condition preowned item.

See it Live on eBay
Progetto Mary Jane Peep Toe Green Patent Leather Shoes Womens Retro Italy 37 6.5

Visit me at areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com for more of our adventures

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh. Out. Loud. (And shop online at our store.ebay.com/AMIchicago)

Tags: ebay store, being a mom, part time work, online shopping

The Black Hole Movie Trailer from Girl Scouts at the Apple Store Youtube AMI Studios

Baby Girl participates in her schools daisy program, and this week the daisy leaders put together an awesome Field Trip to the Apple store. There the Daisy's we introduced to iMovie, the apple app that let's you easily make movies at home. 

The girls selected the SCARY trailer theme as there template for making a movie trailer. The girls were divided into a few groups of 3-4 Daisy's and they were able to be the writers and directors of their trailers! 

THE RESULTS  

The Black Hole Movie Trailer from Girl Scouts at the Apple Store 

Youtube AMI Studios 

A professional looking trailer to their movie concept: The Black Hole. 


I will admit some of the snippets are "scary." The girls lay on the ground like they are dead. They're are scary moments and sound effects, and even a zombie like moment when a friend comes back to life. These girls were creative! 

Once upon a time I wrote a post about children and "Safe Fear." I think it is a part of our animal instinct to occasionally be afraid, and even like getting scared. These scary moments let our brain explore fear and "what would I do" in that situation. So while the ideas these girls explored and filmed are scary, we are okay with that, because this is how we start to learn about fear. Find the link to that post Safe Fear Versus Real Fear here.

The youtube blurb we typed up covers the logistics of what we were doing ... see below. We highly recommend the Apple Store Sessions where you can explore apple apps, and products. You can sign up your family, girl scout troop, and it's a FREE SERVICE. You can't beat that. 

We did not get paid to make this endorsement, but we really think this is an amazing service!  Contact your apple store or visit apple.com/today  

More about making the You Tube Video

We wrote a brief introduction to what the clip is about, especially since it is a new type of content on our channel. We also recommended the Apple Store service. Lastly, we closed with Baby Girl cool closing line. Yes, all edited and created in iMovie.

The Black Hole Movie Trailer From Girl Scouts at the Apple Store

" A little something new for our channel this week. Baby girl attended an Apple Store Session with her Daisy Girls Scouts. The girls were divided into groups and they each made their own iMovie trailer. Yes, super easy, and yes, each girls crew was very creative. The girls selected the SCARY movie trailer from the templates available in iMovie. Don't be alarmed at the scary themes. Kids are totally capable of having ideas about the scary things that can happen in the world. Kids exploring these ideas I call “safe fear” and we wrote a post about it here about "Safe Fear Vs Real Fear “Are You Sure About That Blog” our blogspot page on blogger: https://areyousureaboutthatblog.blogs... This was a field trip our awesome daisy leaders planned, but you too can make your own trailer or get support for ANY apple services with apple sessions apple.com/today or by visiting your apple store, and we highly recommend it! A great experience all around. And now our feature presentation: Apple Store Sessions Daisy Girls Scouts Make a SCARY iMovie Trailer THE BLACK HOLE "

The Black Hole Movie Trailer From Girl Scouts at the Apple Store

See it live >>> Click the link >>> 

Apple Store Sessions Daisy Girls Scouts Make a SCARY iMovie Trailer THE BLACK HOLE

The Black Hole Movie Trailer from Girl Scouts at the Apple Store Youtube AMI Studios 

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh. Out. Loud.

Going for a walk again and again

October 2014 

When my older son was born we went for walks every single day, sometimes even twice a day. Regardless if it was the warmest, sunniest day or the chilliest winter in Chicago, every single day we walked again and again and again.

Going for a walk again and again

My grandmother, his great-grandmother's age old advice, baby should get fresh air every day, and get a little bit of red in their cheeks, that makes for a healthy happy child. And I continue that philosophy even till now, a whole nine years later with my younger son and baby girl.

I'll have to admit, it is nine years later, and we own a home and I have three children and I feel like there's lots more to do. We're also continuing some renovations in our basement and kitchen, so walking every day I'll admit is no longer my priority. However that doesn't mean it's not just as important as it was nearly a decade ago.

Taking a walk is such a simple thing, and I know moms can often feel overwhelmed when they see these great ideas from their friends on Facebook and Twitter doing crafts and activities with their kids. But honestly the best activity that I could've ever done with my children is the simple act of taking a walk.

It doesn't matter when, in the morning, in the afternoon, going to a nearby park, or even an after dinner stroll which is another frequent activity of ours, we keep going for a walk again and again. Walking is just one of those excellent activities because you can be completely engaged with your child. Talking about the changing colors of the trees and the leaves, I'm inspired because it's fall now. Or even in the winter time looking at the snow, throwing snowballs, enjoying the chill in the air, and then of course there's the nature fact even though we live in an urban area of Chicago, there is nature all around us. We listen to the squirrel squeak at each other or the birds chirping trying to identify the call of Blue Jays or Robins.

Going for a walk again and again
Photo taken on the walk

I had the benefit of starting early with my kids, and I've heard some of my neighbors say they think it's not that we walk around so often, that "their kids" would never want to do something as boring as taking a walk. So if you can start them early, otherwise try and engage your kids in simple acts on the walk, like see how many different colors we can find, how many shades of green there are, how many animals we can find, ooh - what's that sound you hear. As for the older ones try to position it as you-and-me time. I want to head about your day! it's just a way of connecting with them and you listening (i phone left at home for a whole 20 minutes) and not talking.

So I've been lazy, it's Halloween and there's lots of decorating and pumpkin carving, and we haven't been doing our double walks every day. After lunch I would usually take a stroll with baby girl before her nap, because all the fresh air makes for a well deserved nap that is nice and long. However we of course walk every day to go pick up the boys from school. Older son and younger son are now in a full day program at school which just leaves me time with her. And maybe that's where the laziness sets in? Being Type A isn't easy. When I'm not overloaded with work, I also feel ironically unmotivated. I know isn't that silly? When I'm not tempting to all three of the children, I feel like I'm being lazy which then turned out to be true laziness because I don't do much.  (I know, its like an illness, my version of don't do much, is not the version of most people's time too much, I admit it.)

Today is a vest day in Chicago. It's a nippy 48°, with a high of 55. Tomorrow is Halloween October 31, 2014. And I'm taking a walk with my baby girl.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON October 31, 2014. 

We've added a you tube channel since then . . . 

YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and laugh out loud.

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

Once upon a time, while perusing Facebook, okay — wasting time — I came across this powerful post written as a letter from a Mother to her Daughter.

Thanks FB memories for reminding me of this. We shared this post on our Facebook page, and its here too.

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

It's evident that all this is true. And at the time I felt like I shouldn't wait until my old age to make some realizations about motherhood and life. 

And so my post was born Old Mom meet New Mom. And then part II of the same name. This evolved into thinking more of my self awareness and simply "being a better mom." And many many many hashtags later - it has become my mom-tra. 

LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER:

"My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago"... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life's issues every day... the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don't feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.

I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

Crying yet? Me too!

We always include our new youtube channel links at the end of each post  >>> 

Visit our youtube channel https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA for more of our adventures <<<

Make mistakes, reflect, breathe and Laugh. Out. Loud!

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

We have lost our minds and are trying the Whole30 Healthy Eating for 30 days program. And while there is plenty of internet info about what you can eat and recipes, we are struggling with the sugars. 

Ultimately, one of the goals is to eliminate sugar in your diet. For some whole30 can mean a Number of things - but we embrace the "let go of the sugar crave" help. 

I found this great sugar reference on whole30.com when a friend Recommended a by product of alcohol sugar often found in gum. You guessed it, not only is xylitol not allowed, no sugars are allowed and No Gum! 

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

Please don't be a close talker with me until February. Im using loads of onions and garlic as a seasoning, and now since gum is out . . .  Just keep your distance.

Here is the graph if sneaky sugars to watch out for, yes read labels!! 

See the website here >> https://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-sugar.pdf

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and laugh.out.loud. (When crying from missing sugar.)

Thank you Fans - Our Most Popular Posts

We love tracking our adventures. And thru nearly a decade of blogging about the fun we have had, we are sharing our most popular blog posts here. A top ten list to start the New Year! 

Along the path we have been on, we are now including our Video Channel, where you can see some of the sillyness live! 

While the banner is brand new, and we have lots of fun videos for you to enjoy - especially about insects, life with kids, and traveling.

Thank you Fans: Our Most Popular Posts

YOUTUBE CHANNEL AMI STUDIOS CHICAGO

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Thank you Fans: Our Most Popular Posts