lol! the brain out of the Operation game 2) a muffler 3) paint brush 4) coin purse 5) watch 6) Mr. Potato head 7) vitamins 8) chocolate kisses 9)turtle neck sweater a coat long underwear gloves heat plane ticket PICTURE of brug cuttings Halloween candy candy jar sign for the beach greeting card ribbon paint brush stapler piggy bank candle eraser juniper berries dental floss hole punch corkscrew nose ring notepad notebook rock garden journal labels plant ties plant tags knife face mask cough syrup knife incence funnel padlock watering glass bulb scrub brush jig-saw puzzle fireplace matches Basket Brush Cheese slicer Citrus juicer Coat hook(s) Dice Door stop Egg slicer Fruit slicer Garlic peeler Garlic press Glue gun Grocery bag holder Letter opener Music box Night light Organizer Safety pins Soldering iron Splatter guard/screen Tongs Torch Trivet Yarn Book Bumper sticker Comb Coupons Drain stopper Extension cord Harmonica Key board cover Key chain Pencil/pen holder Plastic cups Popcorn Pumice Rainbow Ring Safety glasses Sling shot Slinky Spray bottle Star Telescope Tent Tissue Towel sorry for repeats!

WELL I would say gracie is trying to get you to play & to take part into an active life style :)) I have a cat that is 14yrs old(NEIGHBORS) now & she acts like a kitten & I also Have a younger male cat (Neighbors ) That acts like an old man sleeps 24/7 when he don't want out !!!! think he has a growing problem latly :)) anyway animals are much like the human race the older we get we want to do something so we don't grow old with pain stifness ya know , so she is trying to get you out of a rutine you have been in before getting her . she don't want to sit in a chair read a book or play on the computor or cleanhouse, she is ready for you to pay tention to her & get out of your old habits . it will take time for her to understand your ways , Dogs are much like kids you tell them to go play or go lay down that is rejection & feelings are hurt they don't understand that we have house work or other duties so it is up to us as we are the ones that bring them into our homes to care for to treat them with love & take time retraining them to our life style it will take awhile . just don't give up if you really care :)) I think it great when other adopt these dogs Me I'm to old to teach a dog new tricks ,I'm still in the learning stages :)))) Hey girls best of luck with your new friends , & either way just know that they will teach you a few things also in life . hugs to all susie

Some more great ideas! Olychick--I love the "junk art" idea! I am going to check out the low temp glue guns. I have a regular one and consistently burn my fingers!!! The kids would love to be able to use their own glue gun. It also reminds me that they can make Picasso faces with the junk. Funkyart--I like the movie day--one of the mothers suggested that. I also like the collage book. The food stuff is adorable--but too much work/mess for our group. But some cute ideas for me to do just with my girls. Carol--I will check out Family Fun Tib--the community idea is great. I am a Nursing Home ombudsman--so I am all about the elderly. Chispa--We don't take turns. The reason for this is that when the playgroup initially started, we did take turns hosting. But, the other moms stressed so much about having so many kids at their house, and I don't mind at all. So I told them that I would be happy to always host. They have all given me some money to cover expenses, and I assign them to provide snacks. So, it all works out. And, as I said, when we first started, it was very casual--the kids played and swam in the pool. I was the one that invited so many more members, such that now free play inside isn't really possible when indoors. But, its a great group--Some of the newer members that I invited are families new to town--one family from India and another family from Holland, so I love the diversity in the group! Sandplum--I will have to google the popsicle stick bracelet--I have never heard of that. Mayflowers--crayon rubbings is perfect---very minimal supervision LOL! I love the bubble wrap idea--we have sharpies and paint--so easy to get the bubble wrap. So many great ideas!!! Thank you all sooo much!!!

I think you are sick of "fake art" and are wanting something with more depth. I would actually look into finding some great artists that you love and want to support. Plus, when you have actual pieces of art on your wall you need negative space around it to really showcase it. Here are some to check out... Tschiegg Alexa Rae Studio Thai Mainhard Lisa Golightly Mercedes Tabish (She even does custom portraits, which can be done for each of your family members. Plus, she's really affordable) Hope this helps!