Homemade Crayons

I only need an excuse to get my creative juices boiling, and a birthday party was perfect! I used this opportunity to try out some homemade gifts. They turned out soo cool. At least my boys thought so. So much infact, that I had to keep some at the house for them. Heaven forbid I give all the goodies away. hahaha! I tried my hand at homemade crayons. I had seen a blog somewhere about how to make them and I was excited. I have about a million little peices of crayons. So the boys and I sat at the table and peeled the paper off the crayons. They thought this was tons of fun, but the real fun began when it was time to break up the bigger crayons into smaller peices. Then we put the little peices into the mini muffin pan. Popped them into the oven for about 10 minutes and let them cool. Once they were cool, they came right out of the pan and then TA-DA.....they were done. You guys have to try this neat craft. The boys love the crayons and really...they look so cool!

Home-made crayons:

Crayons peices with the paper peeled off
Mini muffin pan

Make sure all paper is peeled off the crayons. Break Crayons into tiny peices and put in the muffin tin. Head oven to 350 degrees. Pop tins into the oven for about 10 minutes or until completely melted. Pull tins out (be careful since wax will still be liquid) and set on counter to cool. Once cool (crayons will be set up), tip pans over and crayons should fall out. You may have to use a knife to lightly tap on the bottom of the pans till the crayons fall out. Then- Enjoy!

My favorite is the orange, purple and black. It screams Halloween!

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Friday the 13th

Friday the Thirteenth
Babysitter for the night
Went out on the town!

Scary night for sure
Codes and perpetual rain
Burgers only served.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(ask for gruesome details)

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Tasty Thursday

We were outside all day. I was in the garden tilling and pulling weeds, the boys were busy getting filthy. Sometime in the afternoon, the boys were begging for a snack. I needed to make us a quick fuel snack and something yummy. I opted for Muddy Buddies. Infact, as I write, I'm snacking on them. Sooo good!

I'm sure most of you have tried these before, and if not, whip them up immediately. You won't be disapointed!

Muddy Buddies

7 cups Rice Chex Cereal

1 cup Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup peanut butter (I used Great Value Soy Butter from Walmart)

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions: combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla in a microwave bowl. Microwave for about 2 minutes. Stir till creamy then pour over cereal. Stir cereal and chocolate mixture till cereal is covered. Pour cereal into a ziplock bag and add the powdered sugar...then shake and bake baby! Shake till powdered sugar coats the cereal then eat till you can't eat anymore.

You will love it and if you don't, send it to me!!!!

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What Works for me Wednesday!

Summer is here and if you are like me, routine has been thrown out the window with longer bike rides, extra chalk drawings, garden watering and weeding and of corse 20 billion icee pops that make for long days. I found this really neat site that can help add some creative and learning fun into those longer days. Enjoy!

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/summerkidsactivities2.html

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Running away

For months now only a very select few have known my ultimate weapon on loosing some extra weight and gaining some extra energy. I have been null about the subject and almost sneaky. I apologize to those close to me for not coming forth with the knowledge but wanted this to be "my" thing. Not to mention, I'm a Type A personality which may help explain things better. So- are you prepared for whats behind the curtain???

Since late last year, I've been running and training for a half marathon. I know, I know....the girl that complains about running, but a friend got me interested and since I dabbled in high school track, I thought I would give it a try. This friend of mine is so great. My old boss and mentor. I look up to her in all ways possible. She is far more trained than I, in that she qualified for the Boston Marathon after her first race. She can run 26.2 miles in less than 3 hours. She blows me away! She is beautiful, smart and talented in ways that I admire. I love her and thanks to her, I am more healthy and running 9 minute miles (I've got a llllooonnnggg way to go to be up to her level though)!

So- there is my secret! Does it surprise you? Now my challenge is to comment on what your big shocker secret is. I want to know. Its only fair!!! I share a slice of my privacy so share one of yours.

Thanks Cassina for being my inspiration!

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Works for me Wednesday!

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a Mom by the way she handles these three things; empty sippy cups while driving, hearing "I need to go potty" in the middle of the book section at Target and finally a rainy day! In our Great Lake state, we have had nothing but rain for the past couple of days. The boys have gotten so use to exerting energy outside that being cooped up in the house has been torture (for them and for me). The screams have been extra loud, the whines extra long, and the sharing problem extra hard to handle. So what to do when the craft box has been through 20 times already and the coloring books all colored? PLAYDOUGH!

I make my own playdough and the boys absolutely LOVE to help. They love to get out their tote of cookie cutters and rolling pins and the other what nots I have thrown in the tote for them to play with. I don't have a picture of all the fun stuff they have in their tote, but be creative. A lot of the stuff they use are left over goodies from my baking drawer.

So playdough to the rescue for us today. I hope that where ever you are, that you have sunny skies and plenty of outdoor fun! We will get back outside as soon as possible!

Homemade Playdough- Completly eatible, trust me!!:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup salt

1 package of koolaid

1 cup boiling water (can add a little more if needed)

Add all dry ingredients to a bowl, pour boiling water over and stir till ball forms. Drop onto a lightly floured surface and knead till soft and plyable. I also put a placemat infront of the boys for them to play with their dough since on my wood table, the dough does leave a film.

PLAY FUN, PLAY CREATIVE!

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Life is fragile

When you hear the urgency in a voice and the words "something has happened", I'm sure your heart rate speeds up, mouth becomes dry and your knees a little wobbly. That is what I experienced last night when I received a call from Utah regarding one of my loved sis-in-laws. She had fallen and bumped her head. She went to the ER thinking she needed stiches, but instead learned that she had shattered her skull. After a whirl wind surgery to remove excess blood on her brain and peices of bone. After at least 26 staples with what looks like a 15 inch scar on her head; she was told that "she was lucky".....I would say blessed!

I want her to know that I am thinking about her and she is in my prayers. I am beyond "lucky" to have J in my life. Whenever I'm in her presence, her personality gives me a rush of ambition and excitement. She is funny, stylish, educated and such a great mom. Mostly she is my family and I love her.

I'm grateful for the power of prayer and that J is living it up on pain meds, bed rest and lots of sleep. I'm acutally a little jealous! Seriously though....I love you J and glad that you are safe and sound. So J...I wish you a speedy recovery and happier days ahead, 'cause everyone knows that someone like you, is too busy to be stuck in bed!!!!

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