Ice Treasure !

So the rainy season is here in full swing! And anybody that knows Costa Rica, knows that when it rains it pours! We are lucky that the sun shines most mornings and get to play outside. But today I pulled out my long wish list of activities or crafts for those wet afternoons...

It took me about two days to prepare for this activity (simply waiting for the water to freeze) and doesn't cost a cent!

The moment I had an empty carton I knew it was time for this activity. I collected a small bowl of little bits and filled the carton with those and water and put it in the freezer. I decided to do it in layers, so all the objects don't sink to the bottom, but are spread throughout. I also picked different sized objects that either float or sink.

This is definitely an outside activity, so I got everything ready on the porch. Salt, old toothbrushes, a bowl for the found treasure and a bottle with warm water (not hot). I used an old baking pan, bad idea. Next time it will be a much deeper container since you add more water to the already melting ice.

I tore off the container and she went at it !! This activity kept her busy over an hour WITH my help, so it might entertain her for even longer if I leave her to it by herself.

Almost immediately the treasure started showing!

At some point I decided to add some blue coloured water just for fun!

A bowl of treasure!!!

Pretty Sewing

Creative Gardening

I have a passion for nature and gardening. But with taking care of the baby full time, I don"t always have the time. So I try to find small garden projects with a big impact.  Here are some creative ideas that should take little to no time!

House of Fun

Playing isn't boring. So why should your playhouse be? Imagination and creativity should be the name of the game when you think of giving your child something fun to play in. Here are some of my favourites!!


purple deck house



purple country



Hippy home



crooked house

palace

shoe house

sliding roof

Grassroof pinwheel

The pineapple

Birthday Party Firsts

When your baby turns one, it is a happy but stressful occasion. With a little planning you can save money, time and most of all stress.

Decide a couple of months in advance if you want to go with a theme, even if it is just a colour scheme. Unity will make everything look so much nicer. If you decide to go with a theme, buy a few decorations here and there and match the rest with it according to the colours. It will save you money and won't look too tacky.

The best advice I can give you is about the venue. Try and keep it outside of your house. If you have a big enough backyard, go ahead, but try and organise that you have someone come in for the day to help you clean or set up the decorations. Even if that person can only entertain the baby while you decorate.

I was really lucky to have a great social area in the condiminium where we live. It has a pool as well as a shallow one for babies. That way I could keep the mess out of my house. It already has tables and chairs so all I had to do was decorate.

The pool, waiting for kids and toys!!!

Since I invited mostly babies, I also made sure there was a nice big blanket for them to play on with some baby toys. They loved interacting with each other and feeding (or stealing) each others cake!

I also made individual party favours depending on the child's age: the babies got a soft little ball to play with, baby crackers and cookies and of course some Gerber.(I have seen people add disposable bibs or spoons) And the older kids got candy!

Amazing quilts

The creativity and hardwork is an inspiration, if only making it was as easy.

Pasionate about Patches