Five Friday Faves 8.23
Our new art nook set up
I’ve always been a crafty person, so it’s a joy to see my kids getting into crafts, coloring, and painting as well. Lately, when they’re in a bad mood or I find myself with some solo time, I’ve started suggesting we dive into a craft. We’ve got a stash of kits from Target and plenty of materials on hand, and even with their three-year age gap, both kids find something they enjoy. The conversations I overhear while they work together make me crack up. One of their favorite activities is making cards for friends, and the things they say while planning and creating them are priceless.
We used to keep their craft materials in a built-in cabinet in our dining room, under our crystal and china—not the best spot! So, my husband and I decided to create a dedicated art space for them in the playroom. We set up a new table and an art cart, and moved the play kitchen down to the basement since it wasn’t getting as much use. Below, I’m sharing how we set up this new art center and some of the materials and kits that have been a big hit with the kids.
Five Friday Favorites:
Art Table - I’d been seeing this table from Ikea for a while and I loved that it has storage, too. It’s also not precious. I don’t care if it gets covered in crayons. We got these stools and I like that they’re low profile. I ordered the table from Ikea, but if that’s not an option near you, they have it on Amazon for an upcharge. I couldn’t find the stools on the Ikea website.
Art Caddy - This fits in a little weird nook in our playroom and we store different coloring books, paper, materials etc. These trays are interchangeable with the trays in the table too.
Projection Lamp - My sister got this for my son for Christmas and he’s obsessed with it. He has a lot of fun drawing different cars and animals etc. This would be a great Christmas gift for a 5yo. (yes, I am 100% that person who starts thinking about Christmas in August, sorry)
Paper Roll - Another Ikea find, but this large roll of paper has been so fun. The kids are enjoying making large format art and sharing the paper together - sometimes there are fights, but it’s sometimes ok.
Model Clay - This kit is a HIT right now! I was worried, but my son is having so much fun and really proud of his little animal creations! I also bought this Model Magic and it’s so good!
Mondo Llama - The Target Mondo Llama kits are low investment high reward. We love the little paint kits, they’re always a hit! We loved these wooden paint kits, and he wants this big cardboard thing. These art kits also make great birthday party gifts!
Paint - Massive amounts of these paints are never a bad idea. We’ve been using these for three years, and am getting down to the bottom finally, but there are so many uses.
Your favorite link from last week - The Sleep Crown!
What’s for Dinner
Sunday - Chaos Dinner (as
calls it) with friends at their house. We love to do a Sunday Dinner with friends and the kids all play and have fun and we get to socialize!Monday - I was out celebrating
cookbook release at Trillium! What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is AMAZING! You should order it!Tuesday - Out - I felt an urgent need to go school shopping because we found out my son’s teacher. Arguably, this was ridiculous, but we did it and went Dave’s Hot Chicken, a chain that just opened around us. I’d never been and it was great. Kids loved it.
Wednesday - Cajun Shrimp Cobb from Dinner Tonight by Alex Snodgrass - This salad was ABSURDLY delicious, the dressing was spicy and so good, and I ate it for lunch on Thursday over regular lettuce
Thursday - Our town police station had a big fair which was really, really cute!
More A Day In Her Life:
ICYMI - This week’s episode with Tamara Hinckley is full of incredible tips and strategies that Tamara uses to manage the load with her husband and maintain her identity as an ambitious mother.
One Year Ago - Mini Episode 1 - Food with Ellie - where I share how I think about and prepare food for the fam for the week
July Reads - you can check out all past months here
Thanks for being here! If you like what you read, there’s a few ways you can support A Day In Her Life!
🎙️ - Listen and Subscribe to A Day In Her Life wherever you get your podcasts
⭐️ - If you like what you hear, leave us a review! I will ❤️ you forever
💌 - Share the Podcast or this Newsletter with a friend so you’ll have someone to chat with about all the fun stuff you hear/read!
📩 - Subscribe below to get this newsletter to your inbox every week!
🔗 - Some of the links included in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase something, I may receive a (small) percentage. I only share things I love, and I am incredibly grateful for your support.