Kool-Aid Playdough… Thanks Emmy Mom!

I got this recipe from Emmy Mom, bookmarked it, and finally made it!  It’s going to be a Christmas gift for Monkey, and he’s going to love it!  I’m so excited! I ran out of salt before I made it in all the colors I wanted (green and pink). It was so simple I will probably get to making it again sooner than later!  I mentioned the playdough on my facebook status, and had a few inquiries. So here it is!

Koolaid Playdough
1 Cup white flour
1 Cup water
1/4 Cup salt
3 T. Vegetable oil
1 (heaping) T. cream of tartar (essential for good texture)
1 package Kool-aid (generic brand works great)
Mix all together in a medium sauce pan and whisk until smoothish. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat until dough starts to gather into a ball (takes 2-4 minutes). Remove from pan and knead  (when cool enough) until it looks like playdough. It's ready!

You wont find a recipe for playdough that doesn’t require Cream of Tartar (I know, I looked. It’s not something I happened to have!) So, just go get some. It’s with the spices and it’s white. I’m not telling you this because I think you’re an idiot by any means… I’m telling you this because I had no idea what I was looking for what I went to buy some. Now I know. And if you didn’t, now you know too. :)

Happy Play Doughing!

My Christmas Hat

For the first 2 years that Cameron and I were married he traveled every week, all over the  country. Being the thoughtful husband he is, he would often come home bearing a gift. ;) After an event in Anaheim, California – he brought home for me, a light blue, Tinkerbell “santa” hat.  I absolutely adore this hat. I wear it as often as possible between Thanksgiving and Christmas… and not only it is darling, it’s exceptionally cozy and warm! Something I have recently noticed about this hat is that little girls love it! I sometimes forget it’s on my noggin’ and just assume little girls are staring at me because I’m breathtakingly beautiful… hahaha… but before the thought really has a chance to take hold they shyly tell me, “I like your hat…” Oh! Right! My cute Tinkerbell hat! I like it too! :)

This picture was taken for Cam 3 years ago just  before the Holidays while he was away… and obviously I was pregnant. This was with my first. (After our first son was born, Cam changed departments with that company so he wouldn’t have to travel anymore).  My good ol’ hat. Have I mentioned that I love it!?

These were taken last week. Still rockin’ the Tinkerbell hat! That’s my niece giving it a try… :)

That’s the story of my hat! I suppose that  can kind of be considered a type of tradition… so throw that in there!

6 More Days and Counting!!!!!

One More Week

Really? Only one more week until Christmas Morning? This is one of the best parts of Christmas! The anticipation,Holiday get-togethers,  last minute-shopping (admit it, you love it!), neighbor gifts and enjoying the lights while they are still up! The week before Christmas is my favorite!! I will try to remember to take pictures of a few of the things I’ve made and post them AFTER Christmas so I wont give anything away… :) Enjoy Your Weekend!!!

I wasn't gonna... but I have to!

This one had me cracking up! If you missed it, here it is!

How to have fun in that white, wet, freezing cold stuff Part 2 of 2

Now that we’re toasty warm (except for my nose… any suggestions for that?) and ready to be outside with the rest of the family… we need to be prepared for fun.

Here are some links to resources I have located for fun ideas of things to do in the snow (mostly kid-friendly).

 

• Seven Snow Games
• 20 Games to Play in the Snow
• Play in the Snow, Fun for Kids
• Snow Ice Cream Recipe
• Make it a Snow Play
• Creative Ways for Kids to Enjoy Snow Play

My favorite idea is putting colored water in spray bottles and spraying the snow! That just sounds like so much fun and something I never would have thought up myself!

I also want to make a huge snow…. SOMETHING!  How cool is  that dinosaur? And that SNOWMAN!!!

 

So now that you have an idea of how to have FUN in the snow…

GO DO IT!

Then come back and tell me all about it! Plus, I can always use more ideas!

How to have fun in that white, wet, freezing cold stuff Part 1 of 2

Winter is my least favorite season and if it weren’t for Christmas I would have absolutely no reason to even be open-minded about Winter. But HELLO I live in UTAH! It feels like winter for approximately HALF OF A YEAR! I can either moan and groan and be miserable… 

Or I can find some ways to enjoy it. The snow, that is.

First rule of thumb came from a friend/neighbor who is originally from Upstate New York. Apparently, it’s even colder there. Whatever. Cold is cold. But she made a really great point in response to one of my anti-snow Facebook statuses a while ago. Paraphrasing, she told me, to learn to layer because “Nothing beats the spirit (of winter) like being cold”. Words of Wisdom! I think I’m going to get this quote in vinyl lettering to put on my door. Hahaha… not. Okay, maybe.

So rule #1, Get the right stuff to stay warm in the snow!

• Long sleeve shirt? check.
• Sweater? Check.
• Big, warm snow jacket? check.
• Beanie/warm hat? check.
• Scarf? check.
• Snow pants? check. (These have to be waterproof or they don’t count.  These can also be called “bibs” I have learned. You might feel like a farmer but these things work warm, toasty miracles!)
• Two pairs of socks? check.
• Snow shoes/boots? check. (Again, these have to be pretty water-proof, my skater-style DCs do not count! Neither to my knee-high faux leather boots!)
• Gloves? check. (One (or 2) pairs of those thin cotton kind to go under the water-proof snow kind).
• You also may want to consider earmuffs if your hat doesn’t cover ‘em up.

Alrighty. Once I actually had the right clothing to keep my warm I became open minded to exploring the possibilities of PLAYING outside in the snow… and maybe even enjoying myself. Yes, it’s a hassle to layer especially when it’s me + 2, but we’re working on the “system” and it is getting easier. oh yes, and you should probably make a bathroom run BEFORE you have 4 or 5 layers of clothing on…

To be continued…

Positive Changes

“Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be a part of who you become.” –Learning to Love the Journey

I have discovered so many wonderful, empowering sources that really have helped me to take control of my life and situations. Our lives are what we make them. What we think about is what we attract. There is only one thing that can limit you from reaching your dreams and full potential -  YOU. The way you think can either lead you to happiness and success or depression and failure. Did you know it is possible to change your thought patterns and by doing so, change you life?! It’s true!

A few of the sources I have discovered that have helped me be a happier, more peaceful person are:

• Louise Hay’s “Love Yourself, Heal Your Life Workbook”
• Louise Hay’s  “Heal Your Body”
• Carol Tuttle’s “It’s Just My Nature”
• Carol Tuttle’s Online Energy Profiling Course
• Char Ravelo & Tobbie Tuttle’s “Learning to Love The Journey”

And developing friendships with positive people who are honest with themselves, are willing to forgive me and look past my imperfections, help me develop  my talents and encourage me to be the best person I can be!

You Can Do Hard Things

I don’t know about you – but sometimes things just suck. Both things within your control and things beyond your control…  sometimes it’s a fight to get through the day! It’s usually not the children, sometimes it is the husband, usually its finances or dealing with other peoples’ choices. Sometimes it’s yourself. You know what you feel like doing about it, what other people expect you to do about it, and what the right thing to do about it is. Usually, those three things do not coincide. I love the quote in Harry Potter when Dumbledore tells Harry “You must make the choice between what is right and what is easy” (or something to that effect). I think there is much truth in this statement. Rarely, if ever, is the best path the easy path. And I’ll tell you right now,

You Can Do Hard Things!

Yes. You can. You can! You can! You can! Don’t you ever forget that! I think every family should have this up somewhere in their home. It is when we do hard things that we grow as individuals and really get a glimpse of our full potential. You. Are. Amazing!

"Nap-Time!"

Sometimes I feel like an MMA fighter. Minus the hitting, blood and KOs. I don't think I would do well in that industry.  Nope, I wouldn't do well at all! But I can hold my own against my almost-3-year old and his teammate, my 18-month-old, at  the same time. I'm trying to get them to settle down, and they think we're playing. Finally it's time for someone to tap out. 9 out of 10 times I win. Where's my champion belt?! I think I deserve one.

Facebook.

You wanna know why I haven't been blogging? Facebook. That's why! It's not just connecting with old and current friends anymore... it's Restaurant City, Sorority Life, Bejeweled Blitz, Fish World, Word Challenge, Zoo World, Happy Aquarium, Pet Society... it's BAD! And I'm so guilty.

Anyone else have this problem?

Holiday Traditions

Life just keeps on going day by day whether I'm ready for it or not. The sun rises when my body is not yet rested. The sun goes down when I am not yet ready to end my day. Day after day after day. I really dislike how short the days feel this time of year! But I am excited for my absolutely most favorite holiday of the year! Yes, that would be Christmas!

We keep it simple around here. My almost-3-year-old doesn't expect much and my 18-month-old probably doesn't even remember last year's! We're trying to  start traditions now to keep things simple in the future! At this age, my boys are more interested in unwrapping everything then actually receiving gifts. I love the simplicity of children. I could wrap empty boxes and they would be thrilled! Hm. Maybe I will...

I also make cheese balls and share them with our friends and neighbors! If you're really lucky, maybe I'll share the recipe! :D  My mom made them every year and it's something I always looked forward to. Now, I do the same and my husband looks forward to them!

My husband's birthday is on the 23rd of December and Monkey Man's is on the 28th! It's an exceptionally busy month!

What are  some traditions you have for the holidays?