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As promised, after doing some research for our crystal project, which turned out AWESOME, I found a website that taught us how to create heart-shaped crystals using pipe cleaners and borax.

Supplies:

• ½ quart (2 cup) canning jar or high heat stable measuring cup (we had to use large jars and made extra solution)
• 1 ¾ cups of very hot water (almost boiling)
• 1/3 cup borax
• pipe cleaner/chenille stem, cut in half
• string (we used thread)
• tape or a pencil (we used a craft stick)

The whole family did this project, so Amelia chose a light pink pipe cleaner, mommy picked a red one and I picked blue.

First, we created the hearts and then trimmed the excess pipe cleaner. Then we tied thread to the bottom of the heart and tied the other end to the craft stick.

Then we hung them from the top of the jar. They have to be low enough to be completely under the liquid, but they can’t touch the sides of the jar or the crystal will attach to the jar.

We also allowed for extra thread that we could wrap around the stick to raise/lower the heart easily.

Then we added the liquid as directed. Basically, once the water started to form bubbles in the bottom of the pot I turned it off and poured it. Obviously for smaller kids this is a parent’s job. We poured the borax and mixed. We even added a little extra when we saw the whole 1/3 cup dissolved.

I then carefully poured the water in. We found our hearts floated at first, so we used an extra craft stick to push it under. Then we put them in a safe place where they wouldn’t be bumped into or jostled in any way, and waited. Here are the results:

At first, it looked like mom’s red one wasn’t going to grow any crystals. The first image is after an hour. The second is three hours later, and the last image is from the next morning.

It’s important to take the hearts out of the water before they start to get too big, or attach to the sides of the jar.

Side note: we thought we may have ruined the jars since crystals formed all over the bottom of them, but a quick ride through the dishwasher cleaned them right up!

Here are the final results:

Special thanks to Childhood 101 for this idea. Their heart crystals turned out even nicer than ours, so make sure you check it out.

So here at Pod of One we are always looking for ways for Amelia to get some social time with friends, and we’ve been hearing about a new idea that I personally find intriguing.

It’s the concept of finding a lunch buddy. Since we all get a lunch break, it makes perfect sense to try to find someone in the neighborhood with whom we can coordinate a lunch play date, even if it’s just once per week. This gets the kiddos some social interaction, while it also forces us out of the house and moving around as well.

Our plan is to reach out to our class via out PTO’s website and see if anyone is in our area that can meet at one of the playgrounds for a picnic when the weather is nice. Once winter comes this will be tough, so it’s something we should get on ASAP.

Obviously, the idea would be to social distance the usual six feet, maybe more since we won’t be wearing masks, and eat while we talk about our day. It can also be a great chance to review what was learned.

We are hoping to find someone in her class who has the same lunch hour and who has a parent or guardian working from home who also gets a lunch break, and try to coordinate a meet-up.

I’m always looking for other ways you are all getting some social time, so please, comment below with any new ideas you may have. Thanks for stopping by!