Ocean Ice Hunt

I got this idea from a girlfriend a little while back when I saw how much her son loved chiseling away at ice filled with hidden mini treasures. No brainer - I knew Vane would enjoy too. I decided to theme it up and make it an “ocean” ice hunt filled with plastic play octopi and sea turtles, pom pom bubbles and sea shimmery glitter water and sequins. How fun and fancy!!? All you need is a brownie pan, water and whatever magical ingredients you wish for. I decided against a hammer for Vane and kept it cool with a wooden spoon and an ice cream scoop (with a watchful eye). Didn’t want to smash up those tiny cute fingers of hers! Link to all included in our ocean ice hunt below. Have fun with the kiddos! xo RCN

Craft of the Month - Paint With Nature

Like many people, we have been home for almost two months now and going coconuts! Really, we’ve been doing pretty good, but have become bored with some of the crafts and art projects we usually enjoy on a random basis. There is no such thing as too much creation and art, but let’s just say we are at a max for many art projects that once were interesting and now too common.

I decided to focus in on a craft theme each month in hopes this will help me broaden and spark new ideas for our weekly art activities. This month I’m going with the theme “Paint With Nature”. We started out by grabbing up some unwanted coconuts from a neighbor’s yard and got ourselves messy in the backyard. Something so simple can be so fun for a little one. Check out more ideas on this theme listed below. Please share with us your “paint with nature” ideas in the comments below. We’d love to be inspired by you! Thanks all, stay safe! xo RCN

More ideas on this theme:

• Paint onto rocks, shells, coconuts, leaves, pinecones etc. using washable or acrylic paints depending on how long you want it to last.

• Create stamps by cutting in half dried and raw fruits and veggies or collecting leaves, petals, and any natural items from outdoors. Dip into paint and create a masterpiece on paper.

• Paint what you see in the clouds with a bucket of water and a paintbrush in the driveway or sidewalk.

• Create paint marble art, but replace marbles with acorns, berries or anything small and round shaped found outdoors.

• Paint a pot, plant a flower.

• Create a long horizontal canvas by cutting and taping together as many opened and flattened boxes and cardboard. Then paint flowers, grass and a garden to scale. Once dry place alongside the length of a fence or house to bring art to life.

• Mix dirt and water to create mud. Then paint symbols, shapes and objects onto hands, feet and legs. Let dry, play around outside and rinse mud tattoos off later.

• Practice writing letters or numbers with paint onto paper using a feather quill or stick. You could even make your own paintbrushes by timing grass, feathers, leaves, etc. onto the end of a stick.

• Paint with any medium onto paper: the garden, flowers or sky you see from your house or yard.

• Using double sided tape, tape down leaves, flower petals, etc. onto paper and paint over gently with watercolor. Once dry, remove leaves, etc.

• Create shadow art by painting the shadows from trees, etc. Place paper into shadow and trace along with a paintbrush.

Adoption Day

The best day in my life was October 6th 2012 when Zach and I were married. The second best day happened on December 27th 2019. Our little butterfly Vanessa became a permanent piece of our family and it was pure joy.

Being it was only a few days after Christmas and a week after we moved into our new home, the last week of December was extremely chaotic and beyond thrilling. That pretty much sums up how we live life best. Of course our moms and dads and mom mom, all sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews flew in from out of town to soak up the happiness altogether. Legalizing our forever commitment to Vane (pronounced Vanny for those wondering) with family by our side was extraordinary as they have been a huge source of strength for us throughout our unique path to parenthood.

We partied through Christmas all the way up to the New Year. We wore fancy matching shoes (just Me and Van), rode in a stretch limo that barely fit down our street, had a luncheon on a boat in December- because Florida, stopped for empanadas which is Vane’s favorite, planted a palm “family” tree in our backyard and made lots of memories beautifully bunched into a few days. Basically, we had our cake and ate it, too. It’s worth noting the cake was pretty darn fabulous. Baked by the local Two Fat Cookies. For anyone wondering about the Christmas tree with felt fish all over it (pictured below), that was our “O-fish-al’ Family Tree with ornaments for each member of our immediate family.

Special thanks to the wonderful photographer Chantal Lawrie for documenting our day of bliss.

xo RCN