Easy Salt Dough Ornaments!

We wanted to do something a little different with our Christmas tree this year so we decided to make our own ornaments! I put this off for a long time because I thought it would be too difficult or time consuming. I was surprised to find out that these ARE really simple and quick to make! We used gingerbread cookie cutters this time and we decided to use some of the more natural ingredients around the kitchen to color these with. We used turmeric for the yellow, cinnamon for the reddish-brown, cocoa for the dark grey and just plain salt dough for white. The “people” came out all different shapes, colors and sizes so the boys called them “Gingerpeople of the world”. I thought it was a great idea! The boys had so much fun making these that I know we will make them again next year! I am told that these will preserve until next year, but we might decide to donate them instead of keeping them in the RV all year.

Gingerpeople of the world recipe:
4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup warm water
1 cup salt
Various seasonings for color

Instructions: 
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix ingredients together. It will feel really dry, just keep mixing. The dryer the dough the better they dry out while cooking!
At this point you can separate into a few bowls and add the desired color. We used cinnamon, turmeric, and cocoa powder!
Roll out until about 1/8 inch thick.
We rolled the dough right on the cookie sheet so we didn’t have to move them after we cut them out.
Bake at 325 for about 1 hour or until hard. We have a convection oven so we did about an hour and a half.
Let cool completely on a wire rack and then decorate!
Varnish can be used once decorated to seal the ornaments if you want to keep them for next year!

The post Easy Salt Dough Ornaments! appeared first on That Savage Life.

We are excited to be offering a giveaway again this year! Our whole family has Great Products homeschool shirts and we love them! They are wonderful to use for field trips and they make making new homeschool friends at the playground easy! This year there are two new ones that are our favorites. The lego one and of course the “MIND craft” shirt! Check out Great Products online to find your favorite shirt!

Great Products has been kind enough to offer one FREE Great Products Homeschool T-shirts to one of my lucky readers!

*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email!*

Reminder! Great Products T-shirts are ON SALE right now until September 15th for $5.99!! That is a GREAT PRICE! Check them out here: GREAT PRODUCTS $5.99 T-shirts!

TO WIN a shirt of your own: 
Leave me a comment telling me which shirt you would get if you won! 
Contest ends: Midnight CST September 5th! 

 <3 Jennifer 

The post Great Products Homeschool Shirt Giveaway! appeared first on That Savage Life.

This summer we have had an awesome time as a family participating in the Fulltime Families Summer Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Lazydays the RV Authority! My friends have noticed all the fun pictures on Facebook and want to know where they can find the lists for each week! With permission from Fulltime Families I have printed them below and a free printable PDF is coming! While this was done online it can easily be translated to an offline game between friends or a group! It was so much fun! We still have one more week left to go, so I will update week 4 when we finish! Have fun and good luck!

Rules

This Family Scavenger Hunt is Sponsored by Lazydays, The RV Authority.

Complete this scavenger hunt by taking a photo of each item on the list. There are 100 items, plus a final family portrait (#101). You must submit a separate photo for each item. Your family portrait must be your final photo.

You do not have to be full-time on the road to participate.

This is meant to be fun and stretch you as a family. This is a four week game. Creative thinking is encouraged, but no substitutions.

The items were chosen to be fun, challenging and educational.

1. You must submit one photo per item. One photo cannot represent multiple items.

2. The photo must be of the assigned item, no substitutions are allowed. However, creative thinking is encouraged.

3. The list item number and description must be in the title and/or the description

4. Tag each item with “#lazydaysRVhunt” and the item number in the following format “#ftfld38“. Please follow this exact format. When entered correctly, Facebook will turn the tag into a blue link.  We will use these tags to credit players points.  Incorrectly marked pics will not be counted, however you will be given the opportunity to edit and resubmit with proper hashtags.
5. The Family Portrait must be your final photo (#101), the rest can be taken out-of-order.

6. All photos must be taken after you have joined the hunt. No archival photos allowed.

7. All photos must be your own.

8. No nudity and family friendly pics only.

9. You do not have to take a picture of everything listed, the person with the most points at the end of 4 weeks wins.

10. In the event of a tie, a tie breaker challenge will be issued.

11.  The judge/s reserve the rights to award additional points and / or issue additional challenges on the fly.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Week 1  (Download Week 1 PDF Here)

• Remember to Tag each picture with the corresponding hashtag and #LazydaysRVhunt
• All pics must be taken expressly for the hunt.  No previous pics please.
• If you have not read the rules, please do so here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/fulltime-families-summer-scavenger-hunt/first-time-playing-start-here-official-rules/555226304544618

(#FTFLD1)”I can’t believe we all fit in here!” 600
(#FTFLD2) Picture a live farm animal 350
(#FTFLD3) Picture of a fountain 200
(#FTFLD4) Picture in a fountain 500
(#FTFLD5) Crossing the street in a cross walk 250
(#FTFLD6) In an elevator 300
(#FTFLD7) Decked out in Sporting Equipment 450
(#FTFLD8) If you’re family was a ‘family band’ 700
(#FTFLD9) Swinging on a playground swing set 400
(#FTFLD10) Jumping on a trampoline  600
(#FTFLD11) A fire hydrant 200
(#FTFLD12) A cactus 400
(#FTFLD13) A palm tree 400
(#FTFLD14) A christmas tree 400
(#FTFLD15) Eating an ice cream by an ice cream sign (you’re welcome kids;) 800
(#FTFLD16) In front of a grocery store 200
(#FTFLD17) The parents in the kids play area at a fast food restaurant 600
(#FTFLD18) Playing video games 200
(#FTFLD19) An aquarium full of fish 450
(#FTFLD20) With a grocery cart 200 (500 bonus points if a team member is in the cart)
(#FTFLD21) With one of those little car rides outside grocery stores 300
(#FTFLD22) Caution tape 200
(#FTFLD23) An insect 200 (+500 if you identify the insect)
(#FTFLD24) Park bench 300
(#FTFLD25) Jump rope 200

(#FTFLDBONUS1) WEB Challenge:  Go to http://www.lazydays.com/ to complete this task and post your screen capture + your pic to get your points: “Are you the Queen of your RV?” This is just right for you! Find it at Lazydays.com. Take a picture in a crown along with a screenshot of what you found. 1000 pts!

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Week 2 (Download Week 2 PDF here)

• Remember to Tag each picture with the corresponding hashtag and #LazydaysRVhunt
• All pics must be taken expressly for the hunt.  No previous pics please.
• If you have not read the rules, please do so here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/fulltime-families-summer-scavenger-hunt/first-time-playing-start-here-official-rules/555226304544618

********** CREATIVITY PASS:  This week you can choose 1 challenge on the list to recreate (drawings / legos / etc)  if you can’t find it.  Use your pass wisely  and tag your picture when you use it with #creativitypass  *****************

#FTFLD26 With a restaurant employee 500
#FTFLD27 With the manager of the restaurant 800
#FTFLD28 At a table with a group of strangers out to dinner 950
#FTFLD29 Striking the same pose as a statue (with the statue) 450
#FTFLD30 Spelling out FtF with your bodies 700
#FTFLD31 In front of a Volkswagen Beetle 800
#FTFLD32 A Hawaii or Alaska License Plate that you found during the week.. in a parking lot somewhere (no substitutions) 950
#FTFLD33 With a mannequin (must replicate stance) 600
#FTFLD34 Four leafed clover 700
#FTFLD35 An American $2.00 bill 500
#FTFLD36 In a Tent and it must be pitched 500
#FTFLD37 With a character from the muppets 700
#FTFLD38 Blowing bubbles with bubble gum 200
#FTFLD39 Something that says “Made in the USA.” 350
#FTFLD40 A cricket mallet 600
#FTFLD41 A foot long (12 in.) shoe 700
#FTFLD42 A take out menu from a Chinese Restaurant 600
#FTFLD43 An origami object that a team member created (A decorative object made by folding paper) 500
#FTFLD44 A T-shirt from Arizona 400
#FTFLD45 Someone hanging upside down 400
#FTFLD46 An LED light 400
#FTFLD47 A reflection 300
#FTFLD48 Buying $0.10 of gas, receipt and pump must show amount (Picture of receipt and pump price needed) 800
#FTFLD49 Inside a Walk In Freezer 700
#FTFLD50 A business card from someone named John 800

#FTFLDBONUS 2 Lazydays Bonus Web Search #2
Like to Fly, but really love to RV. Look for a special offer with a plane in it on Lazydays.com. Take a screen shot of special offer logo and a picture of family members flying paper airplanes for 1500 bonus points!

Week 3 (Download Week 3 PDF here)

• Remember to Tag each picture with the corresponding hashtag and #LazydaysRVhunt
• All pics must be taken expressly for the hunt.  No previous pics please.
• If you have not read the rules, please do so here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/fulltime-families-summer-scavenger-hunt/first-time-playing-start-here-official-rules/555226304544618

********** CREATIVITY PASS:  This week you can choose 1 challenge on the list to recreate (drawings / legos / etc)  if you can’t find it FOR 1/2 CREDIT. Use your pass wisely  and tag your picture when you use it with #creativitypass. The Creativity Pass can not be used for items that state ‘no substitutions’  *****************

#FTFLD51 Doing exactly what a sign says (any sign can work) 200
#FTFLD52 Inside a city bus 500
#FTFLD53 Inside a train 700
#FTFLD54  Behind the counter of a donut shop 400
#FTFLD55 Someone from your team doing a slam dunk (picture must have the person
in the air) 800
#FTFLD56 On a fire engine (a full-size, working fire engine) 600 1000 Bonus points with a fireman in uniform
#FTFLD57 Colorful tongues –eat or drink something to change your tongue to green,
purple, etc 200
#FTFLD58 Picture with a solar panel 300
#FTFLD59 A member of your group handcuffed to a police officer 750
#FTFLD60  Next to an old-fashioned tube television 500
#FTFLD61 Your team in a pet store 400 (100 extra points for each team-member holding an animal)
#FTFLD62 your team on a spiral staircase 500
#FTFLD63 standing right next to a Harley Davidson 500 (500 bonus points if the rider is on it)
#FTFLD64 an ice-cream truck 400
#FTFLD65 running through lawn sprinklers 500
#FTFLD66 video a dramatic earthquake scene in public (15 second video) 600
#FTFLD67 holding a live frog 400
#FTFLD68 Find an unknown couple and ask them how they met. Then post a pic along with their story. 700
#FTFLD69 A team member holding an 8 track tape (no substitutions) 600
#FTFLD70 Create your own sport – name it and take a picture of your team ‘in uniform’ 300
#FTFLD71 A team member in the driver’s seat of a real construction vehicle (not a pick up truck) 700
#FTFLD72 A real tombstone from 1910 (date of death) or earlier.  800
#FTFLD73 A whale 500
#FTFLD74 The Random Act of Kindness Secret Mission… A FtF Summer Scavenger Hunt Tradition.  The completion and documentation of a random act of kindness, with a twist… Your kids (1 or all or any combination of them) have to come up with the random act. Then you find a stranger, perform the act, photograph it, and document the strangers reaction and your family’s reaction. The label for this is #ftfrandomact. And it’s worth 2000 points! But in order to get the points you’ve got to complete this mission just as its stated above. Any questions?

#FTFLDBONUS3 Lazydays Bonus Web Search #3
How many service bays can you find at both Lazydays locations. Find the answer and add a picture of yourself holding the number you found for 1500 bonus points!

 Week 4 Coming Soon! 

The post Fulltime Families Summer Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Lazydays the RV Authority appeared first on That Savage Life.

Homeschooling online with Time4Learning.com

Our Journey Towards Homeschooling Online

What is Time4learning?

Each child has individual logins complete with their own grade levels and student records. The grade levels can be different for each subject therefore tailoring your child’s education to their own needs.Time4Learning offers children access to an online playground as an incentive to finish schoolwork. Parents can set an amount of time required for schoolwork before the system will allow the child to play!  The playground boasts hundreds of safe, fun and educational games for the children to play starring some of today’s most popular cartoon characters.

All of the work is sequenced so there is never a guess of what needs to be done next. Time4Learning offers Pre-k to 12th grade language arts, math, science and social studies. Electives are offered in the High School curriculum. We have experience with pre-kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade. For pre-kindergarten, first grade, and second grade all material was included online through Time4Learning. In third grade the format changes a bit to reflect a more mature child. Third grade begins to require some outside materials like books and simple items for science projects. All of the books required were easily found at the library or online for free.

Under the parent account you will find access to lesson plans, teaching tools and a parent forum. The parent forum is great for questions that may come up during your continued use of Time4Learning. The questions are answered fast and by experienced parents who have been using the curriculum for a long time.Time4Learning has not changed any of their curriculum to align or comply with common core standards. You can read more about that HERE if common core alignment is important to you.

Why we chose Time4learning.com over K12.com

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Pro’s and Con’s of Time4Learning.com:

Pro’s:

• Easy for all ages to use.
• Colorful and entertaining for young children. All work is age and grade appropriate.
• Our children can move at a pace that is appropriate for their individual educational needs.
• Progress tracking that lets the child know where they are at in their unit of study.
• Time4Learning staff has been easy to contact and our issues were resolved in a timely manner.
• Portable homeschool curriculum without bulky books and manuals.
• Rewards like the playground for finishing work.
• Parent forum for interacting with other online homeschool parents.
• Self-paced work allows for schedule flexibility!
• 24/7 member access.
• Safe and secure, ad-free learning environment.
• Start, stop or pause your membership any time.
• Automatic digital record keeping for portfolios or transcripts.

 Cons:

• Time4Learning is not available offline. I would like the option to have time4learning available offline at times so that we may use it when we do not have internet readily available!
• Inability for the parent to create daily, weekly, monthly assignments of lessons that create a task list for the children.
• Occasional slow load times for lessons with educational movies.

Our Setup

The post Homeschooling online with Time4Learning.com appeared first on That Savage Life.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Minecraft creeper coloring page

If your kids are anything like mine they would play Minecraft 24 hours a day! My boys love to build houses and create imaginary new worlds! They fight zombies and gear up to beat the Enderdragon! They protect villagers, raise farm animals, mine for materials, and build elaborate castles with secret tunnels!

Minecraft is a great tool to promote creativity! It teaches creative thinking, teamwork, geometry, geology, physics and some survival skills! We have had the opportunity to go to the local museum and see in person the various mined materials like obsidian, sandstone, coal, limestone, diamond, gold, iron and redstone! Plus the use of the remote promotes fine motor skill development. The best part is if you don’t want them playing on the mode with zombies and other “scary” things you can switch it to creative mode where everything is friendly and they can’t die! They can design and build to their heart’s content!

My youngest son was asking me to “print Minecraft coloring pages”, but when I went in search of it I had a hard time finding one that allowed for the most creativity so I made my own! I hope that you enjoy it as much as my kids do! Get out the crayons, markers, pens, paint and whatever other media you can find and let the creativity flow! Since we home school we like to use this printable for art. I even have it folded up in my purse for on-the-go creativity when I have errands to run!

[wp_ad_camp_1]

Click on the Minecraft creeper image below to print the Minecraft creeper coloring page! 

Do you like this Minecraft creeper coloring page? We have a Lego Man coloring page available also!

** Subscribe to our blog with your email address to be the first to know about new posts! Available in the right-hand side bar!**

[wp_ad_camp_3]

The post Minecraft creeper coloring page! appeared first on That Savage Life.

Washi tape toilet paper roll owls

[wp_ad_camp_1]

The kids were bored this morning so we decided to dig through the craft box! These are made with just a few simple items! 

Need: 

Colored Tape (I prefer paper washi tape since you can re-position it)

Scissors

Glue

Embellishments for eyes and beaks! 

I cut about 3 inches at a time off of the paper towel roll. Folded the centers down to make ears. Cover with tape. Add eyes and beaks! 

**Like this and other crafts? Be sure to subscribe to my blog to be notified of new posts! **

[wp_ad_camp_3]

The post Washi tape toilet paper roll owls! appeared first on That Savage Life.

We decided to do a 40 days of Christmas countdown this year! With space being limited in the RV I decided to do an all in one countdown and thankful tree!

We used construction paper to cut strips of red and green. We each got 10 since there are 4 of us and 40 days until Christmas! We each got to write 10 things we are thankful for and attach it to the chain!

Each day we’ll remove one link and read it out loud and discuss it as a family! 

Yes, my 5-year-old is thankful for Batman! 

The post Christmas Craft: Our Thankful Tree and Countdown to Christmas! appeared first on That Savage Life.

Stop Motion Studio

By CATEATER, LLC

The boys spent all morning brainstorming about what their video would have in it and how to do it! This what the end product looks like:

(Be patient… they take a minute to load!)

The post The boys learn to make Stop Motion videos! appeared first on That Savage Life.

Yesterday the boys and I look a little 20 minute trip to the Wyoming Visitors Center to get some ideas about what to do in Cheyenne while we are here! What we found was quite the surprise! The visitors center was so nice!

Not only did it have the typical brochures and books of places to see and things to do, but it also had a walk through history of Wyoming! This included a lot of informational push button displays, art installations, an unearthed dinosaur skeleton AND a jail cell with an escape hatch that led to a slide! The kids LOVED it and it made learning about Wyoming fun!

Apparently they learned how to escape jail.

They were mesmerized by the giant bone structure!

They were very excited to see a checkers game!

They love to play checkers and tic-tac-toe!

Owen and Grant were reading every sign in the visitors center and telling me the details about what they learned about Wyoming and where they wanted to visit!

We are only in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a very short period of time so while we were at the visitors center we created a “Cheyenne Bucket List” of things we want to do before we leave here!

Our Bucket list:

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley

Wyoming State Capitol/State Museum

 Big Boy Steam Engine

Terry Bison Ranch

Cheyenne Depot/Depot Museum

Cheyenne Big Boots

Cheyenne Old West Museum

Has YOUR family been to one or more of these places? Let us know what you thought of it! 

The post Cheyenne, Wyoming Bucket List appeared first on That Savage Life.

The shoes, the clothes, the toys! We had way to much of all of it! Living in an RV you have to constantly be pruning your collection of “things”. We spent almost the whole day donating, cleaning, repairing, and trashing a lot of “STUFF” in the kids’ room! Now it is much easier to find the toys, clothes, and shoes they are looking for! It feels and looks much better and is easier for the kids to clean themselves! It’s a win/win!

(you can click to enlarge)

We had also collected a HUGE collection of books from various trips to thrift stores and garage sales. While I was happy the boys had books available to read they just weren’t justifiable in the RV any longer. During transit they would get ripped, crumpled, lost, and scattered. We kept about 5 out of 100 or so books and donated the rest. Our new solution is we will be getting the boys each a Kindle as well as using the public library more often!

<3 Jennifer

The post Update and de-clutter of the boys’ room! appeared first on That Savage Life.