STICKERS!!!!!!

Stickers are a source for hours of entertainment in our house. Mommy loves them because they are inexpensive and make for fairly easy cleanup. Aiden loves them for many reasons..one being that he can decorate Mommy in all of his favorite characters. While lying in bed last night I reached down to scratch my leg and low and behold there were several Thomas the Tank Engine stickers stuck to my calf...now when did those get there?? While we do find stickers in the strangest of places they do come in handy for many craft sessions and are a handy potty training tool too.


Potty Training Concepts has some fabulous, free potty training charts you can print out at home. Aiden has quite the sticker collection in the bathroom now and I find the reward system really helps with keeping his training on track.

A fun activity to try with your little one is making your own stickers. Before applying adhesive prepare your designs. You can create your own using white drawing paper and decorating with crayons, markers, glitter, sequins or whatever else your imagination can come up with. You can also cut designs from magazines or print out on your home printer. Once your designs are ready apply the homemade sticker adhesive to the backs of your stickers using a paintbrush. Allow to dry completely. The paper will curl. Place dried designs under a heavy object, such as a phone book, until they flatten out. Cut stickers apart using sharp scissors. To use your stickers you can apply moisture to the backs using a damp sponge or cloth or by using the lick and stick method. Have fun!!

Homemade Sticker Adhesive
1 package (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin
1 tbsp. cold water
3 tbsp. boiling water
1/2 tsp. sugar or corn syrup
1/2 tsp lemon extract (or flavoring of choice)

Sprinkle gelatin into cold water and allow to soften for 5 minutes. Pour boiling water into mixture and stir until dissolved. Add sugar/corn syrup and flavoring. Mix well.

Leftover adhesive will gel overnight. Store leftovers in a glass container with tight fitting lid. To return adhesive to original state place container in a pan of hot water until glue becomes usable again. Unused adhesive can be refrigerated for several months.