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If you are new to A Craft a Day

A Craft a Day gives you five activities that you can enjoy with your kids, one for each day of the week. Most of these activities work well for preschoolers, but you may be able to adapt them for your toddler.

You can learn more about the basics of a Craft a Day Here.

I will post the crafts on Saturdays so you can use the weekend to get any supplies that you may need. We are making our way through the alphabet this year so if you missed a letter you can find it here.

The Crafts:

Mini Sword Snacks – I actually used sword toothpicks that I use for the boys bentos, but if you are concerned with your children with something sharp you can use pretzels instead.

King of Kings Crown – A fun, easy and inexpensive project. I love that everything in this project you can at the dollar store. Plus it let my boys have a freedom to draw, paint, color however they wanted.

Knight Collage – I know this is more knight than king, but I told Zane that this was a King Knight. This project took a little prep on my side as Zane is still learning scissor skills so I cut out all the pieces beforehand. But if your child is learning or good at scissor work this project is great!

Paper Plate Crown – What I love about this project is that you can pull out any odds and ends you may have from other projects to decorate these crowns. You can use stickers, gems stones, marbles, pom poms, scraps of felt, and any other kinds of odds and ends.

Card Board Castle – Create a castle for your little King (& your Queen). I first saw this castle and loved it, but their isn’t very much that my boys would be able to do to create this. Then I found the colorful artistic castle created at Frugal Family Fun Blog. Perfect! You can let your children freedom of decorating their castle with markers, crayons, tissue paper, and more.

Shield Collage (Bonus Craft) – Cut out a shield from cardboard and use tissue paper to cover the cardboard. Then let your child use stickers to decorate their shield and create their own “coat of arms”. Supplies: Cardboard, Glue, Stickers, Tape

Supplies: assorted fruit, pretzels or sword toothpicks, craft foam, Popsicle sticks, decorations for crown, hot glue, elmer’s glue, styrofoam balls or pool noodle, cardboard, misc decorations for the walls,, paint or markers, craft knife or good scissors, Construction paper, Tin foil, Yellow and black pipe cleaners, Feather, Black pen or marker, Knight Template, plate, stickers, scissors or exacto knife, random craft scraps

Are you Supermom?

Now I’m not supermom and I don’t expect you to be either. We don’t always get to each activity, sometimes life is just too busy. Hopefully you may try one or two of these activities with me and my kids! You don’t have to do every single one. You don’t have to be doing preschool with your child. I just hope to give you a resource for some great fun with your kids!

I was surprised as my new dentist informed me the problems with my teeth may be a result of my “bite”. I never thought there was anything wrong with my teeth, beside having a couple slightly crooked teeth, they seemed fine. My dentist as a child told my mom I didn’t really need braces.

My new dentist let me know that my teeth were hitting slightly off and that if I had that corrected some of the discomfort with my teeth might be fixed.

After the doctor mentioning this, my misaligned bite suddenly became noticeable. When I bite down I notice that my teeth hit then slide together. Wow I how could I have never noticed that before?!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: Most people do not have naturally straight teeth; in fact, the AAO estimates that up to 75 percent of people could benefit from orthodontic care[/box]

Take Care of your Teeth!

Two years ago I was reminded about the importance of taking care of my teeth when I had to have a tooth pulled. I had a temporary crown I had let go too long.

I made a pledge to take better care of my teeth!

I started in on the process of getting my teeth healthy again! After many fillings, root canal, and tons of hygiene appointments my teeth are starting to become healthy. When the dentist talked about talking to an orthodontist I was all for it, whatever will help!

But then afterwards I thought to myself, oh no, braces.

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment. – According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)[/box]

Wearing Braces as an Adult?

I am already dealing with a lot of self esteem issues right now. I’m concentrating so much on my weight loss I’m even more sensitive to how I look: stretch marks, double chin, acne, and even my crooked front tooth mock me as I look in the mirror or at a photo.

How could I stand seeing myself in braces?! An adult in braces! I didn’t know if my confidence could take one more blow.

Then I found my answer: Invisalign!!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: One in five orthodontic patients is an adult[/box]

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to the old fashion metal braces of our childhood. Nearly invisible, removable plastic trays that straighten your teeth. Who could not want this over the alternative? I’m not only excited about the fact that I wouldn’t have to stare at metal teeth photos for a year, but that I would be able to take the “aligner” out and be able to brush and floss my teeth like normal.

Some other features I’m excited about are:

Not having limited food options or having “forbidden” food
No emergency dental appointments
Less appointments and time sitting in the chair (only every 6 weeks)

With my surgery coming up I am not going to need to be limited any more on my food and I will definitely not have time for emergency dentist appointments! I’m already struggling with getting my appointments scheduled, having a set 6 week visit with the dentist would be way better than the alternative with metal braces. Plus they are supposed to be really quick appointments!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: The total treatment time with Invisalign averages between nine and 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30[/box]

I Wish I was Young Again

If I had had the option of Invisalign like teens have now I would have argued with my childhood dentist and jumped on the chance to get my teeth straightened. I have always been conscious of those crooked smiles, but they weren’t that bad enough to make me want metal braces.

I love that Invisalign gives kids the option of getting straight teeth with confidence, comfort, and safety.

As a mom of a very active young boy, who I’m sure will be a very active teen. I can only imagine him playing sports and getting hit or banged with those metal wires in his mouth. I will be looking into Invisalign for him when the time comes. If you have a teen I would definitely look into this option for your kids. They even have a product that is specifically created for teens: Invisalign Teen!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: 78 percent of mothers who had braces as a child believe braces are one of the best investments their parents made for them[/box]

To Be Continued?

As I’m already sharing my fun adventure of getting healthier through Weight Loss Surgery I may also share more about having healthier teeth! LOL Or at least share with you as my teeth get straighter! Wouldn’t you love it if I showed you a video of my Invisalign aligner?!

Did you have braces as a teen? Do you wish Invisalign was an option for you? If you didn’t have braces, do you think if you were offered to have Invisilign as a teen you would have tried it?

[box]I was compensated for this post by Invisalign. Opinions are my own.[/box]

A Craft a Day: K is for King