Bone to Pick

I started out packaging what I hoped would be fun birthday gifts for my nephews and ended up creating what I think could be a fun Halloween treat.

I'll share.

Matthew thinks he is an archaeologist and can frequently be found on dinosaur digs in our backyard. I bought him the Dino Dig, pictured below, a few months ago hoping to convince him to get out of the heat and continue excavating at the kitchen table.

He loved it!

Rule of thumb. Always give a gift you yourself would enjoy receiving. I'm certain the rule holds true for boys aged 5-8. Around the same time, I purchased my nephews Highlowaha T-Ray shirts from Cafe Press. Note: T-shirts, when given to anyone under the age of 15 are never considered a "real" gift. Never.

Dino Dig + T-Ray Dinosaur Shirt. I feel a theme coming on.

Why simply give a gift when, with a little effort, you can give a gift that SHINES.

Wrap shirts in brown lunch bags, taping balls to each end. Shape and use plenty of tape until package begins to look bone-shaped. Paper mache, using flour, water, and strips of paper. Cover with acrylic paint and add a layer of crackle to make bones look aged. Whole process should take no more than 30-40 minutes.

Here are my nephews birthday packages wrapped, with bones attached dinosaurs worked into the bows. But you, who doesn't have nephews birthdays to celebrate?...
Consider this....

Ditch the t-shirt; use toilet paper rolls to make packages smaller, and to give them their shape; and fill with plastic bugs and candy. You'll be the hit of any Halloween celebration.

Signing off until tomorrow...