Edward Scissor Hands

You can just call me Edward, because that is what I have felt like the past couple of days. My right hand actually aches from all of the cutting I've been doing lately. But it has been so worth it. 

I have all of these amazing moms around me and they are all so productive with their time and strive to provide an educational setting for their children. While me on the other hand... have been using the telly as a babysitter and facebook as a social outlet for me. Both are not good... for me or the kiddos. 

So... in trying to make myself better (and my kiddos happier) I have been trying really hard to make Abby's naps a time for Sarah and I to work on school things (painting, drawing, writing or just playing games), and when Abby is awake I've been trying to help them to play together better and work on increasing my patience with them (which has really been failing me lately). 

So... back to me, Edward Scissor Hands.
In my efforts to provide more educational activities for my kiddos I made some File Folder games. 

I really think they turned out cute. And the best part is, I found them all online for free and they printed out in color so I didn't have to spend more time coloring the darn things. 

I did two alphabet ones.
(I'm crazy... 26 pieces for each, and having to cut them out twice (again after lamination)... exhausting)

With the sun one you match uppercase letters to each other, 

and the heart one you match lowercase to the uppercase letter.

I also did two number ones

 More because I had already printed out the flower one,
and then fell in love with the cupcake one and had to make that one as well. 

Then I have a heart pattern matching game,
and a colors one (where you match the mama dino to her egg).  

Then my MOST favorite one that I made was a paper doll set. 

I found this lady who collects out of print vintage paper doll sets and posts them on a website for anyone to print off. I thought this set was perfect (although there was a vintage Strawberry Shortcake that was a close second).
One doll for Sarah and one for Abby.

It is kind of fun because there are five sets of clothing and accessories for each doll, and they are themed around countries from around the world. 

Once I saw all of the cute little animals that went with it, I knew Sarah would love it.

The dolls come out so that they can be played with better, and boy Sarah has had fun.
(it kept her entertained for almost the entire 2 hours of Stake Conference) 

They are just so stinkin' cute, I LOVE it! 

Well worth the hours I put in cutting out all of the little accessories. 

The countries that are represented are: (Left to Right)
Top Row - Holland, England, France, Germany, Australia
Bottom Row - Italy, Spain, Ireland, Russia, Japan

Anyway, I think they are really cute and fun. :)

I haven't been very successful in finding "churchy" ones online for free.
So if you know of any good ones pass them along. :)
(and maybe once my hand recovers I'll be up for making some more)

To make them I printed all the pieces out onto white card-stock, and after cutting out the pieces and gluing the ones on the folder I took them to get laminated (which is a little pricey).
I laminated the folders in soft laminate and the pieces in hard laminate to make them more durable.
Then I re-cut out all the pieces and slapped some clear sticky back velcro dots on them.
Wow... it doesn't really sound that hard... maybe I should make some more.

Here are the links to the various games... in case any of you want them.
Bright and Sunny Letters
Alphabet Hearts
Cupcake Count
Numbers in Bloom
Heart Patterns
Dino Eggs
Paper Dolls
Oh, and HERE is the link to all of those vintage paper dolls I mentioned.

Now, lets see if I can keep this "good mom" ball rolling. HA!