O Christmas Tree!

Here's the best Christmas tree idea ever! It's only 4 feet tall but will last (that is unless we kill it) for a lifetime! It's a live tree in pot that we can bring inside for 10-15 days and decorate with lights and ornaments and then put back outside to grow on our front porch! It costs about the same as a cut tree and can even be donated to the City of Richland for them to plant in a park somewhere if we decide we don't want to plant it in our yard. I am so excited! I just have to remember to water it!

My milk drinking man!

Just a few days ago Blaise had his first sippy cup full of milk! This is exciting since he's so small on the weight scale and could really use the fat in milk to gain some pounds and because he's 18 months and has never had more than a few sips of anything but water! How does he take his milk... he's been drinking half and half with a little chocolate syrup. We went to the doctor today and found that he had gained a full pound! This is huge for Blaise... the Doc even gave me the green light on heavy whipping cream instead of half and half (of course with some chocolate syrup). I am finding he'll do anything for a little chocolate! More chocolate milk please!

New Blankies!

A few days ago I let the kids go wild and watch a little PBS (our new favorite show is Sid the Science Kid)while I put together new blankets for them. I used a pattern from Amy Karol's book for Cal's but Blaise's was just two squares sewn together! So Easy! I threw a patch of their old blankets (which were falling apart) on these new ones and now we have two super cute new blankets!

Baby, it's COLD outside!

The temperature for this week isn't supposed to get above 20! We are bundled up inside. This is our window from the inside our rental house looking out (yes, that is ICE on the inside!!!)! I am guessing this house needs new windows!

The Red Baron

After watching both the Halloween and Thanksgiving Charlie Brown specials this year with Calvin he is a big fan of Snoopy. His favorite part was the Snoopy vs. The Red Baron scene. I think our coffee table is now an airplane with Lego controls! Sometimes he even has a side passenger.

Homemade Playdoh!

I have been on the lookout for a great playdoh recipe and have finally found it! I love homemade playdoh for many reasons. It can be eaten (Blaise just can't help himself) it's warm and really nothing like store bought playdoh and lastly because my mom made homemade playdoh and it just takes me back to my childhood (you're the best mom!). So... after many not so great recipes here's the best playdoh recipe I have seen so far! I am thinking of trying two packs of Kool-aid to make the color stronger. I don't think I've ever used this stuff to drink but it makes great playdoh color! It smells great too (but doesn't taste like it smells as Blaise found out!). http://www.simplymoms.com/ is where I found the recipe.

Kool-aid Dough

Flour 3cups
Salt 1 1/2 cups
Water 3 cups
Vegetable Oil 2TB.
Cream of tartar 1TB.
unsweetened "Kool-Aid" 1pkg.

Mix ALL of the ingredients in a large saucepan.
Cook over medium low heat, until the dough comes away
from the edges of the pan and it becomes difficult to move the spoon. At this point it looks like a sticky mess and will never be playdoh, but once it's cooled it becomes the real thing! Remove from heat. Cool until it can be handled.
Place on counter or wax paper knead 3-4 times.
Store in an air tight container.