Ninjago Valentine's Box

Being a mom to three boys, means that I have had to forget about Barbies and dolls and learn ALL about Lego's and Superheros. My boys are currently obsessed with Ninjago and Skylanders. Liam decided that he wanted to do a Ninjago Valentine's day box, so I got to thinking how to accomplish it...I posted the finished project to my Instagram and had a bunch of people who wanted to know how to do this, so here you go!

Supplies Needed:

1 shoe box

1 roll green (or any of the Ninjago colors)

Green construction paper

Yellow construction paper

Black Construction paper

Gold glue or glitter

Ninjago eyes

Seven Monkey Fury font

Instructions:

The particular shoe box that I had didn't have a lid, there was an insert that you pulled out, but you can just tape the lid of a normal shoe box and then cut out one of the ends for the opening. 

I didn't get photo's of the next steps, but they are easy. Just cut out green construction paper and glue it to the front. back and side of box. (I did this so I didn't have to be as thorough with the streamers part)
Once that is done, start wrapping the box in the streamer, doing a crisscrossed pattern.

Then you will want to find some Ninjago eyes (You can make your own or buy a PDF on etsy.) and print them out, cut to size and glue to front of box.
Then cut out 2in. strips of black construction paper and glue around entire box towards the bottom.
Cut out a black 2in. by 4in. strip and cut V's into the ends of both sides. fold in the middle at an angle and glue to the black belt.

Print out childs name in The Seven Monkey Fury font and glue to belt as well.

For the swords, Use a full sheet of yellow construction paper. (You could use half, but I felt this gave it better stability.) Fold the paper length wise in half three times, then tape or glue edges together. Then cut one of the ends at an angle for the tip.

For the handle, cut a 2in. by 4in. rectangle and fold in half. Lay across sword body and taking your scissors cut a little slit at the same width on each side of handle. (don't go all the way up! Only go about 1/3.) cut across slits to form a rectangle. Slide body through rectangle. Tape edges closed, or glue them and handle to position wanted. Then add your designs. I used glittered glue, but you can draw flames or whatever design you might want.

Once this is done, crisscross swords and glue or tape at cross sections. and then onto back of box.

Cover the back with another 3in strip of black construction paper.

And now you have your finished Ninjago Valentine's day box!

Hope that your kids love this as much as mine did!

Quick Comparison

I still have tons of pictures to add to be caught up and current on the blog, (Like the birth of Oliver,) but people keep asking me if I think Oliver looks like Owen or Liam. I found 4 month pictures of all of them, so you help me decide.

Valley of the Sun

Once I finally made it to Sun valley, ALIVE, it was smooth sailing from there I had lots of extra hands to help in the place of Nate.

1st activity on the list: Ice Skating

We signed them up for a group lesson.

Thanks to Aunt Amy, they had some hands to hold onto. I wasn't able to go, due to my "condition" at that time.

Oh and Liam also got a taste of what it feels like to be a real skater. (This was the instructor.)

They seemed to enjoy it. Owen was done shortly after the lessons, but Liam kept trying and got to where he could go a few steps without needing help or falling.

The kids.

The founders of Sun Valley

And my personal favorites.

They were so happy to be with family and enjoying the great outdoors!

The Ducks were happy they were there too!

We also not 1, but 2 Woody Cowboys!

On the way home we stopped at Red Fish Lake. The water was a little cold, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

And we made another Furry friend

Thanks Poulson's for letting us tag along. Looking forward to another reunion!

I think I might be lost?

After Freemont I decided, sure I can drive to Sun Valley by myself with the boys and make it to the Poulson family reunion. I typed in Sun Valley on my GPS and away I went.
It told me to take a left in 1 mile.  I thought to myself, strange this doesn't seem like a highway? Oh well, that's what the GPS says so I'll keep going.
I should have known something was wrong when I turned onto this:

And it started looking like this:

And when the boys started to ask me: "why's it so bumpy/"

"Are we lost?"

"Are we going to die?"

I should have turned around. But the GPS kept saying it was a straight shot and only ten miles away from my destination. It couldn't get much worse right?

WRONG!

My camera couldn't get the whole picture. This was looking oposite what I was driving on. There was probably a 2000 foot drop off right in front of me.

I was so scared, but didn't want to alarm the boys so I told them, "No, we aren't lost. It's and adventure!" but inside I was praying please don't let us die, or get a flat or have to turn around because I can't do this right now...

We finally made it safe and sound to the bottom of this summit, and it really did take me directly onto Sun Valley Road, but I would not suggest this route to anyone, even though it was scenic. 

Freemont Lake 2011

Our next summer adventure landed us in my car packed with three sweet boys, one pregnant woman and a "Buddy," as we drove our way to Pinedale Wyoming for the annual Liddell family boating trip. (Nate had to work and study for his Boards, so that's why he isn't in any of these pictures.)

My saving grace...The DVD player and headphones.

The water at Freemont Lake is FREEZING! We are talking like 65 on a good day. It was created by a glacier and has the backdrop of beautiful snowy peaked mountains, and has become a Liddell favorite because the is NEVER anyone but us, and whoever comes with us on the lake. So it makes for perfect Glass for most of the day. 

To make it fun for the kids, we found a "tube ski". This little beauty made of skis within a tube make it perfect for the kids so they didn't have to get wet but could feel like they were doing something at the same time!

 I Love the look on Grahmmy's fac. SO serious! But he LOVED it!

Getting braver as the day went on...

We stay in these Hotel/cabins on the lake and there are all sorts of wildlife and the kids found a furry friend they wanted to make their pet.

I said no!

An attempt at a group shot of the 5 boys. Not happening, but still cute.

And when the kids wanted to do something a little different, they could usually talk one of the uncles into taking them for a ride on the wake surfer or the wakeboard.

                                         

 I think they called this the Megatron??? (Thanks uncle Rick!)

We took them fishing, but after waiting and waiting the big boys gave up, and within two minutes Grahmmy caught one.

"I like Bishy's"

Owen doing his thing.

Oh and I couldn't resist a quick tow. Yes I am 8 months pregnant, but I was careful, and my dad said no to skiing, next summer!

I had been sending Nate all these pictures showing him what we were doing, and this was his contribution:

There is a little beach where we took these bucket heads to play.

And on rainy/windy days there is an aquatics center in town we can go to.

Wyoming's best and BIGGEST PIZZA! 

 And if all else failed, a little Ben Ten kept them entertained.

Thanks Papa and Honey for the GREAT trip. Already looking forward to next year!

24th of July

Pioneer Day is on the 24th of July, this is where we celebrate all who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era. Nate's mom is in the Utah State Legislature for Cottonwood Heights and she gets to ride in their parade and wanted her cute grandkids to ride along with her, so off me and the boys went and got to be part of this fun activity!

Oh and did I mention there were bouncy houses?

Just look at him in awe...

Trucks spraying water.

A little Jousting

A little digging for gold.

And one tired boy at the end of it!

(I think we all were, but I wasn't allowed to lay down on the restaurant bench.)

The Fourth

We were able to spend the Fourth of July with Nate's brother and his parents. It was so fun to have family around and to spend time with our cousins! As you can tell they are mesmerized by our fireworks display.

And what's a Fourth of July party without a little entertainment?

 Face/hand painting

 Post parade lunch