Tracking the Olympics - Go USA!

In our house we are tracking the Olympics with a simple chart that I made from poster board and 2" by 2" red and blue squares.  Check it out!

"GO USA" was cut from white cardstock using the Cricut, then I hand drew stars and strips on them.  I added some bling to the stars and stripes with stickles.  (My 7 year old daughter is CRAZY about stickles!)

We are tracking only the medals that we watch the USA win.  So far, USA has won 17 medals, but we only have 15 on our chart.  The goal is to encourage the kids to take an interest in the Olympics!  So when they see the USA win, they get to add a sticker to the chart.  To up the ante... we've given them a money incentive, too.  Each gold medal on our chart is worth 25 cents, each silver 10 cents, and each bronze is 5 cents.  The stars may have been enough incentive, but adding money to it has really gotten them interested in watching the USA at the Olympics!

We are using stars to represent the medals - gold, solver and white (bronze).  We purchased these in the kids craft area at Walmart.

Happy craftin' and GO USA!

 

Countdown Craft

I saw an idea for this years ago and finally got around to making one to coutdown for an upcoming trip we have planned!  The kids can't wait to start using it!

What is really great about this Countdown Calendar is that it is 100% reusable!

The flowers were cut with a Cricut, then I punched circles for the centers and used number stickers to label them.  The flowers are stuck onto green drinking straws with glue dots then a small strip of tape on the back for reinforcement.  The leaves (cut with cricut) are also attached with a glue dot.

The "vase" is a large Bush's baked beans can that I wrapped with decorative paper and stuffed with handmade "grass". The grass is made from thin strips of green paper that we (me and the kids!) accordian folded.

 I made 21 flowers... So the countdown will begin three weeks before the event.

We'll remove one flower a day - starting with 21, then 20, then 19...  until they are all removed. Then it will be time for our vacation!

 Since it's reusable, for the next vacation (or birthday or beginning of school...), just reload the can and start the countdown all over again!

Happy craftin'!