I can honestly say that we have a lot of the boxes unpacked and the most important things put in their proper places. Whew, what a job! I am so glad that I have some great blogger friends that are able to help me out through all this Today I would like you to meet Dana who blogs at Dapoppins
Dana is a professional nanny and a Mother. She loves reading children's books , is a writer, and a scrapbook enthusiast. A very busy lady indeed.
Today she is sharing her tutorial on how to make Witch Repellent for those nights you may be out and need it - this weekend, maybe....
So without further ado I am going to let Dana take it from here.
So, if you didn't know and I hadn't told you already a hundred times, my day job besides being a mom and an adult in-home caregiver, is as a Nanny.
I'd much rather be Mary Poppins then that girl from Adventures in Babysitting. There is something so much more dignified in an umbrella. A nanny is an educated woman who comes to your home with a purpose. A babysitter is a girl who comes to your house because she didn't have a date.
Anyway, as a Nanny, I not only put kids to bed on time I also bring creative ideas to teach and entertain.
Surrounded by beautiful Autumn colors and brisk Autumn air it is so easy to be inspired.
One day a certain four year old and I were talking about Halloween costumes, (she's going to be a kitty cat ballerina) and I said something about witches.
"Do you think there are real witches? Will I see any on Halloween? Will she look all ugly like the witch from Hansel and Gretel?" asked the big eyed 4 year old.
This is such a great age. Stories are still so real. Santa still comes down the chimney and toys still talk. I love this precious magic of childhood.
"Well, I know this story of this young girl and her little black dog who came home one day. Everyone else was gone, her Mom and Dad, and the house was empty. But there was this big wind and horrible storm, a tornado and she didn't know what to do - so the girl and the little dog ran into the house and hid under the bed. The tornado picked the house up and twisted it through the air and took the girl and her little dog to another world. When they got their a beautiful good witch gave the girl a pair of sparkly ruby slippers, but an ugly green witch wanted them so much she captured the girl and her dog to try and take them. The girl was so frightened and upset, she picked a pail of water and threw it at the green witch, and that mean ugly green witch melted. Good clean water always makes an evil witch melt. So...we should make witch repellent. " (credit where credit is due)
So we did.
DAPOPPIN'S RECIPE for WITCH REPELLENT
and
Extra Strong and Useful Magic Brew
This is such an easy project to do with preschoolers. You could go way out and get very elaborate (in which case it becomes less of a preschool project) or keep it simple.
A story should accompany the project, one like the shortened version of an old favorite above, or Hansel and Gretel, or the fun and slightly scary Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood. The actual craft doesn't take very long and Witch Repellent is something a Nanny (or parent or other caregiver) should savor for an entire afternoon.
The labels are an extra fun touch to personalize the craft and so easy. Here is the link from Just Something I Made. (I love every graphic and idea this woman has!)
I got the bottles from the dollar store. They sell a travel set that has one little spray bottle and three extra little bottles, which is why we also made Magic Brew. (Target has the same kit only for more $$) Keeping in mind that I don't want to plug up the spray bottle, or use any toxic or staining substances, we just went from there and offered as many creative choices to delight the senses that I could imagine. Notice there is something to taste, touch, and smell for each bottle.
The Witch Repellent is :
Water
Colored sugar sprinkles
One drop of any kind of smelly extract (I had almond, lemon, and banana to choose from)
Assorted beads
Assorted sequins
Two of those capsules that turn into tiny sponge animals - purchased via the dollar store.
The Magic Brew is:
Beads
Glitter
Assorted sequins
Dish soap
Water
The Witch Repellent is :
Water
Colored sugar sprinkles
One drop of any kind of smelly extract (I had almond, lemon, and banana to choose from)
Assorted beads
Assorted sequins
Two of those capsules that turn into tiny sponge animals - purchased via the dollar store.
The Magic Brew is:
Beads
Glitter
Assorted sequins
Dish soap
Water
To be honest my family doesn't celebrate Halloween, but I had a fun time making this at work. To keep clean up simple we did most of the pouring of things, (like the glitter and the sequins) over a large pan, which was set on a towel (newspaper would work.)
Also, it doesn't have to be witch repellent. It can be Monster Spray, Zombie Go Away or Ghost Perfume. I do however, recommend finding a great story book to go with it, whatever you choose.
Let me know if you make some! I would love to see the pictures!
Thank you Dana for such a wonderful and fun tutorial. I know Miss A will be wanting to make some of this very important Magic Brew to get through the next week. don't think you can have too much of this around at this time of year.
For more great projects and reviews of some wonderful children's books pop on over to Dana's blog - Dapoppins - I think you'll love what you find.
Until next time - enjoy creating something you love.
Hugs,
This is simply genius! I love it! I'm pinnning this for sure.
ReplyDeleteCute. Fun for kids!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute idea. I love it. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea for kids! Love it!
ReplyDelete