The Playdough to end all Playdough

For Katrina's fifth birthday (a year and 4 months ago), we had a bunch of her little friends over to our house. We made playdough for each of the kids. We still have this Playdough. This is the best Playdough I have ever seen. The girls play with it on a weekly basis, and it has held its consistency the entire time. Wednesday night, the girls played at the counter while Daddy cooked dinner. I have an amazing hubby, I know.







The serious artist

who discovered using shishkabob skewers for drawing sticks.

Little Miss All My Playdough Must Be In Tiny Pieces All Over The Counter

And Violet, whose first real experience with Playdough was a success. She poked designs in her giant blog with a cookie cutter.

Want to know how to make this awesome playdough? Here is the recipe:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

food coloring

1. Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. In a bowl, put flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. In a bowl, put water, oil, and food coloring. Gradually stir wet ingredients into the dry ones until the mixture is smooth.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from stove and cool.

3. Have your child knead the playdough until smooth. Then, start playing! Store in an airtight container. I have found that old sandwich meat containers are just the right size. Repeat for other colors.

I found this recipe in the September 2007 issue of Parents magazine. I have tried to search for the recipe on their website, but have not had any luck yet.

Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for...

• antibiotics and pain meds. On Tuesday, Jerome took me to the Urgent Care because I had had a fever (103), vomiting, sore throat, and aches. Turns out, I had strep throat, an ear infection, and sever tonsillitis. My right tonsil was so bad it was actually abscessed. Did not know they could do that. They had to give me an IV bag of fluids and antibiotics while I was in the office. They also sent me home with more meds. I spent two days at home resting, and it is amazing how much better I feel.

• my kiddos. Spending the last two days at home sick could have been a joy or torture, depending on the attitude of my girls. And they have been angels. Our biggest disagreement was over who was going to sit on my lap. Tuesday morning, while we were watching a movie, Violet crawled onto the couch with me, snuggled against my chest, and fell asleep. We snuggled for about 1 1/2 hours. It was pure gold.

• my hubby. I know I brag on him a lot, but he has really stepped up to the plate this week. Fixing meals, taking care of the kids, loving on me, doing whatever needed to be done. I am so grateful God chose to give me a husband who is willing to serve.

• movies. How else do you entertain a 3 year old and a 2 year old for two days when the only time you can get off the couch is to throw up?

• my job flexibility. It is so wonderful to work for my parents. To have bosses who lovingly force you to go home when you are sick, who urge you to stay home until you feel totally better, who come to your house to watch your kids so your husband can drive you to Urgent Care.

• for two days of rest and visiting with my Daddy. Sometimes I think that I go and go, and the only time I slow down is when forced. I have spent a lot of time thinking about Gods dreams in my life, about transparency (another post), about a lot of things. Good things. God things. And I'm excited to see where they will lead.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas with my almost 95-year-old grandma and Katrinas first rifle!

More Picasa Fun

What is this, you might ask?







Why, it is my nephew, of course. Riding his unicycle. While talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone. I know, right? Such talent.

But seriously, he has had that unicycle for a year now, and he is really good at it. I am sincerely impressed by how good he is. Not that I am a proud aunt or anything.



We had so much fun with our family before Christmas. Watching movies, playing video games, making memories. I love these kiddos so much!

And, Crystal, you will be pleased to note that there is not a single photo of you. My sis-in-love mentioned that she was less than thrilled by my post last year. We went bowling, and I apparently took some less that desirable photos of her. I listened. It was hard, but I listened.

Adventures in Madisonland

... because there is no lack of interesting material for these posts.



Madison's latest adventures include:

• entering our bedroom first thing in the morning wearing literally nothing. She then asks me if she can be Super Girl. When I say yes, she runs to her bedroom and comes back with underwear and socks. After we "dress" her, she runs through the house (in only her underwear and socks) exclaiming, "I'n Super Girl!" Don't ask me how she is able to remove the pjs and pull-up so quickly, when she acts physically incapable of pulling up her underwear and pants after using the restroom. I have no idea.
  
  



• transforming herself into the "Grumpy Leopard." She has a fuzzy leopard coat she has inherited from her sister. When she wears it, she makes sure we all know that she is the "Grumpy Leopard", complete with scowl and crossed arms. Remember this outfit? She now pairs the pants with a leopard print tshirt and proclaims herself Grumpy Leopard. My grandmother would be proud - Madi has many leopard options to her wardrobe.
  



• locking her sister in her bedroom. Again.

• deciding that the apple display in the grocery store was just her height. We were shopping this morning. I was ahead of the cart with Katrina. Jerome was pushing Violet in the cart while Madi walked with him. He saw the apples, and thought they looked nice. Madi saw the apples, and apparently thought they were just right. Yes, she took a bite out of an apple. Without her hands, mind you. This child has real talent.

Just a few of our latest adventures...

Things I Never Thought I Would Say...

...as overheard in our house tonight:



You need to eat your black-eyed peas. They will make your boobies grow big.



Just thought I would share.

Chefs In Training

One of the girls Christmas presents this year were matching aprons, oven mitts, and rolling pins. Their names were embroidered onto the aprons, and their monograms were embroidered onto the oven mitts.


To break in the presents, we decided to bake some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.


Violet supervised, and performed quality control inspection.


Madison stirred, and was on clean-up duty.


Katrina did a little bit of everything, including her best Vanna White impersonation.






I love my helpers!