In her own words: Kylie reveals the gender and name of her pumpkin

Yesterday, I posted about Kylie's pumpkin nailing activity.  We had a great time. 


Here's a little movie clip of Kylie revealing if her pumpkin is a boy or a girl and then telling us what its name is:

To read about the entire process of our Activity, click on this link:  What a fun memory!!
http://histreasuredprincess.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-nailing-fun-halloween-activity.html

Pumpkin Nailing - A Fun Halloween Activity

I found this idea of pounding nails into a pumpkin here and here and wanted to give it a try.

I wasn't sure how this would go.  I had visions of a mutilated pumpkin and sticky, yucky, guck everywhere, but surprisingly it was a very neat (and fun) activity.  It was also a GREAT exercise for Kylie's fine motor muscles and fabulous for working on hand/eye coordination and visual spacing. 

I love how my wee one is "working" but SHE thinks she is playing!  That is a win-win to me!!  =0)

ok, so here are the supplies we used:

*2 inch Galvanized Roofing Nails (these have larger heads so it was an easier target for her hammer)
*Hammer (child size is best)
*Pumpkin
*Sharpy Permanent Marker

We also had Kylie start the activity by wearing her sunglasses as protective eye-wear, but we found that we didn't need them.  It probably depends on your pumpkin firmness and how animated your child is with a hammer, but we quickly ditched the glasses as there were no flying pieces or any eye danger present.

We started out by drawing a face on the pumpkin (using our permanent marker).  We asked Kylie probing questions (giving her choices) to determine how our pumpkin face would look:
*Should the pumpkin be happy or grouchy?
*Should we have Triangles or Ovals for Eyes?
*Should our nose be big or little?

Then we poked the nails into the pumpkin skin and had Kylie hammer them in.  I love how she is focusing here! 

As you can see, she was having a pretty good time!! She kind of liked pounding those nails in.

Even Daddy got in on the fun! (Tools= My man's presence)

I love how her little tongue is sticking out in concentration. 

After a while, we started to push 2-3 nails into the pumpkin at a time and then she would have a choice as to which one to pound in.  She really liked having the extra choices and it made her pound harder.  I think it drove her crazy that there were "unfinished nails"

And here is the final pumpkin!!  It's a little heavy and her arms are a little tired!!

She's so proud of her hard work!!  We love making memories with our girl!!

Glowing Pumpkin Decor and Craft idea - VERY inexpensive

If you can't tell, I am on a Dollar Tree kick!  I LOVE to save money and still participate in holidays and other events. 

I help to coordinate a Bible Study for Moms of Special Needs kids and was looking for a good craft idea to go along with an October lesson.  I was browsing through Dollar Tree, saw a clear glass candy dish and I was blessed with this idea!  =0)

I used these supplies:
*Craft paint - nothing special (I used paint that I have literally had for 10 years)
*Glass Candy Dish with Lid ($1 at Dollar Tree)
*1 battery operated Tea Light Candle (3 for $1 at Dollar Tree)
*Blue Painters Tape (There is also a green version - it would work fine as well)
*Glitter or Glitter paint
*Razor Blade

Directions:
*Use the paint tape to make the face of your pumpkin.  (cut or tear the eyes and mouth)
*Stick them on the clear glass bowl
*Paint the bowl (I used a gold color as I was out of orange)
*Paint the lid (I used a dark green)
*After the paint dries, Pain over your base coat with the glitter paint
Note: If you are using plain glitter, sprinkle it on before your paint dries
*When everything is dry, score the paint around the tape (use a razor blade.  If you don't do this step, your paint may lift off when you take off the tape)
*Remove the tape (Those areas will be clear glass.  If any paint got under the tape, just scrape it off with your fingernail or use the razor blade - it comes right off)
*Place the battery operated Tea light candle inside

*Enjoy your glowing pumpkin

What affordable, fall, crafting ideas do you have? I would love to be inspired!!

Happy Crafting
Amy