The Humbert House

Girl Loves Summer

By Holly - 5/29/2013 12:11:00 PM

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Summer {with kids} Series: Giant Coloring Page

By Holly - 5/20/2013 09:32:00 AM

I've been working on some projects for Zoe for this summer. It's not warm enough for the splash park or the pool just yet, but the days are getting longer and needing to be filled.

I was at Ikea a couple weeks ago (because they have free babysitting as long as you stay in the store) and I needed to get some homework done. After I picked Zoe up, we wandered around the marketplace and I came across their fabric selection. Their fabrics are a thicker weight cotton, probably upholstery weight. Well I saw this cartoon/sketch fabric, called TIDNY and had a great idea, this would be the best coloring page. You could use it outside, inside or even as a tablecloth at parties!

I bought one yard at which makes the size 59x36 inches, minus 1/4" on each side for the finishing. I came home and serged the edges so they wouldn't fray in the washing machine. If you don't have a serger, you could fold over the edges and stitch them, or if you don't have a sewing machine, you can use fray check.

We bought a pack of washable markers and Zoe went to town. She's been coloring on it for over a week and we still haven't filled up the whole thing. The thicker cotton means that the markers don't bleed through. We haven't washed the whole thing yet but I tested one of the edges and the marker came out just fine.

** Updated 5/29/13: Last night I threw it in the washer for the first time. She has been coloring on the sheet for almost 2 weeks, so those colors have been in there a long time., The first wash got 98% of the color out, there were a few pink spots leftover and 2 spots where she colored with non-washable marker. I washed it a second time and all the color came out, except for the places she didn't use washable markers. So just make sure your kids are using washable markers (We use Crayola) and you should be good!**

This is a great, reusable way to keep the kids entertained. Zoe likes spreading it out on the floor and picking which area she gets to color next.

If you don't have an IKEA in your area and are interested in a giant coloring sheet, let me know, I've been thinking about putting a few of them in my shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

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Back to blogging

By Holly - 5/18/2013 05:20:00 PM

4 Comments

California Vacation

By Holly - 5/05/2013 07:01:00 PM

We decided to squeeze in a trip to California last week before Ryan started his internship tomorrow. We packed a lot into one short week, but I'm glad we made the trip before it got super hot, although we hit a mini heat wave while we were there... it was 88 degrees the first day, sigh, I don't miss the heat at all.

I took a few pictures of Zoe, she turns 5 in less than a month, and I'm still not sure I believe it.

We spent half of the trip down in the bay area to see Ryan's other siblings and to celebrate cousin Taylor's 6th birthday with her a little early. My sister in law made cone cupcakes and they were a hit!

Birthday Girl

Told you the cupcakes were a hit!

We also attempted to get a picture of all the grandkids with Grandma Julie. This wasn't the best one but Zoe's face just cracks me up every time I look at this picture.

Zoe and Asher were pals this trip. It's fun to see the cousins all bond with each other and grow friendships, I really have enjoyed the friendships I have with my cousins.

On Monday, we spent the day in San Francisco at the Japanese Tea Gardens and the California Academy of Sciences. The entire family indulged me, because I have wanted to go to the gardens for years but never made it there. We missed the cherry blossoms by probably a week or so, but it was still very beautiful and probably would've been relaxing if we didn't have 4 kids with us.

I took over 100 pictures, but I'll just share my favorite. This bridge is WAY higher than it looks, but it was so beautiful.

At the Science Academy, we couldn't take picture of a lot of things, so I kept mine in my bag most of the time. Unfortunately, our wonderful day came to a not so wonderful ending. When we got back to the car, someone had broken the window and stolen Ryan' backpack, which unfortunately had a lot inside it. All replaceable items, but not a fun way to end our trip in the bay area.

On our last day, I got to see an old friend and her adorable kiddos, and we went out to a fantastic dinner with Ryan's parents.

We are glad we were able to see Ryan's family before he started his job and before it got too hot!

I started my second semester as well, and am taking 2 more classes than I was last semester. It's already super busy, but I am really loving my classes this time. I'm hoping to get Zoe signed up for some fun summer camps and once it's warm enough we'll be spending lots of our days at the local splash park!

Lots of projects to come in the near future!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.