Sleeping Beauty

I may be a big girl, but please don't take away my afternoon nap.

Super Sarah!

Sarah is sailing through her 2nd year. Last week marked two major milestones in her young life. First, she transitioned so well from crib to bed. Second, she potty trained and is now diaper-free! As her mother I am so proud and grateful for the inspiration to help her transition from toddler to "big" girl! She seems so happy with her new found freedoms with the bed and talents with the toilet. Her favorite part about going to the bathroom is the hand washing. It tickles me to watch her place the towel neatly to the side of the sink when she is finished with hand drying. Now, if we can just work on her obsession with the two pink blankies...

Summertime Boredom Buster!

Want to cure boredom and bring smiles to little faces?
Make playdoh!

Best Ever Playdoh
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons oil
4 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 cups water
drops of food coloring

Combine all ingredients and cook on low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat when it thickens and knead on floured surface (older kids can knead). Store in airtight container.

This hot Houston weather has Nathan wishing for snow,

so that he can make snow angels next to Frosty.

Sarah and Maren enjoy making cookies to bake in their playdoh oven.

Happy Birthday Maren!

Today we celebrated our six year old by inviting six friends over for a baking birthday party. The little ladies made "Cat Paw Pizzas" and "Ladybugs on a Stick." To end on a sweet note, they dipped pretzel rods into chocolate and sprinkles. They had a wonderful time together making and baking their lunch.

As I think of Maren's first six years, I am grateful for what she has taught me. She has blessed my life in many simple ways, here are six:
1. Her sweet disposition and sensitivity toward others
2. Her desire for order and cleanliness
3. Her spunky, energetic personality
4. Her desire to make good choices
5. Her ambition and excitement to learn new things
6. Her love for Nathan and Sarah

PARTY RECIPES

Ladybugs On A Stick
Strawberries
Purple or Green Grapes
Wooden Skewers
1 package mini-morsel chocolate chips

Directions:
Place a wooden skewer, sliding it all the way to the end of the stick. That is the ladybug’s head. Next, place a strawberry on the skewer, stem end first, and slide it down to touch the grape. This is the ladybug’s body. Lay the ladybug down and carefully push the pointed end of several chocolate chip mini-morsels into the strawberry to make the ladybug’s spots. Repeat until stick is full.

Cat Paw Pizzas
(Makes 8)
1 can large sized biscuits
8 pepperoni slices
Grated cheese
Pizza sauce (optional)
Bell Pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Snip 4 cuts on one edge of each biscuit with scissors to form “cat toes.” Flatten out biscuits, pull toes apart. Put on optional pizza sauce. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and finish with a pepperoni slice on the top of cheese. Add optional pepper claws at the tip of each toe. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Candy Coated Cat Tails
1 pound melting chocolate
1 bag large pretzel rods
Assorted sprinkles

Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip or drizzle candy coating on pretzel rods and decorate with lots of sprinkles.

Pickin' Blueberries

To celebrate the first day of Summer vacation the kids and I drove to Conroe, TX to pick blueberries at Moorhead Farms. The 40 minute drive from our home was well worth it! The children and I had such a good time and worked hard picking berries for our family. I was surprised how easy and enjoyable this task was (even for a toddler). The ripe blueberries came right off the branches, falling into our hands as we combed through the thick bushes. Nathan and Maren commented, "I sure wish Daddy were here" and "This is fun." From Sarah, "Yummy blueberries Mama!" We came away with four pounds of beautiful berries and honey straight from the farm. It's official, a family tradition in June will be pickin' blueberries!

A homemade treat we've enjoyed with our berries:

Down to Earth Granola

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups sliced almonds or chopped pecans (we prefer pecans)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a bowl mix the oats, nuts, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Stir well. In a saucepan warm the honey and oil. Whisk or stir in vanilla. Carefully pour liquid over at mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon; finish mixing by hand. Spread granola in a 15 X 10 X 1 inch baking pan (cookie sheet). Bake 40 minutes, stirring carefully every 10 minutes. Allow granola to cool completely. Remove granola from pan into an airtight container or plastic bags. Store at room temperature for 1 week or freezer for 3 monthes. Makes 9 cups.

The Sound of Music

Maren had her first piano lesson today. She has been plucking away ever since, trying to perfect her pieces to perform during Family Home Evening tonight. She shows such excitement and self motivation in learning how to play! I have thought of Grandpa Giles and how proud he would be of his granddaughter, I hope he has caught a glimpse of her and listened in today. Maren has asked several times, "Can I practice the piano?" I have explained that she does not need to ask for permission to practice! From the kitchen I hear her clap the counts then play away with her small, steady fingers. Her dance classes have introduced her to rhythm and counting which are helping her transition into music. Her simple repertoire of songs have filled our home with happiness today.