Messy, Mushy, Modelling Fun Series! (Part 2)

Moon Sand!
Moon Dough!
What is in this stuff that will stick together and doesn't dye your clothing or surfaces and yet doesn't dry out? Well, here's how to make it.

The consistency of this dough is lovely to feel and hold. It can be powdery like flour one moment, and then moldable like damp sand the next. This brought HOURS of fun to my home, and maybe it’ll do the same for yours…

Ingredients

• 8 cups flour
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• Essential oil such as lavender or grapefruit (optional)

Instructions

1. Scoop and pour the flour into the center of a large tub.
2. Create a crater in the middle of the flour.
3. Pour the oil into the crater.
4. Gently mix it all together.
5. Enjoy mixing and learning about the properties of the dough as it is, or add small silicone bowls, spoons, or measuring cups to make small structures, hills, or pretend cupcakes.

Notes

The original recipe is an 8:1 ratio and we started off with half the recipe (4 cups of Flour and ½ cup of oil) because I didn’t want to deplete my flour reserves, just in case. Turns out that this was such a hit and a full batch would have been equally wonderful, especially after playdates.

Messy, Mushy, Modelling Fun Series! (Part 1)

My kids love play dough, clay, moon sand....anything they can mold and play with in their hands, they want! With three kids, replacing these items regularly can put quite a dent in my bank account.  I have compiled a list of the recipes for these items that have worked best for us.  This is the first part of a ten part series.

The BEST  NO COOK Play Dough

You will need:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring
(You might also want essential oils for scents, glitter, or coconut oil to substitute the vegetable oil...it makes it smoother!)

• Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• Add the boiling water
• Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
• Add the food coloring
• Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
• (If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)

Voila!

Now play, play play!

A Long Absence..

It has been quite a while since I posted anything here, and I promise to post more regularly.  A lot of personal things in our lives have come up in the past six months and that took precedence over the blog.
In this fast paced, go-go-go world, some times we need to just stop and take time.
Take time to listen to the kids, play a game, let them help you make dinner, make cookies or a cake just because.  Take time to play in the yard, play catch or tag.  Take time to watch the clouds drift by, talking about the different kinds or just be.  Take time to enjoy being in each other's presence.
Take time.
That may sound easier than it is sometimes.
I know I need to 'unplug' once in a while....put away my laptop, stay off the desktop, and only answer my phone if I need to.  Spend every available moment with the children while you can.  Childhood goes very quickly. Cherish every moment.
But I am BACK!  And it's going to rock.  Be ready to be slammed with lots of awesome posts and great ideas for you and your littles.

Love and stuff,
Courtney

When the kids are away, does Mommy play?

My oldest two kids go to school.  Hunter is in 3rd grade and Hayden is in 1st grade.  They have both asked me on numerous occasions what their 2 year old brother and I do all day while they are in school.  Some of the things they think we do are sort of silly.  They have made me giggle.

*Do you go to Legoland?

*Do you go to Six Flags?

*(after learning we had gone to Target)  Did he get to look at the toys?  Did he get a new toy?

(Surely I am not the only Mom that can't take a trip to Wal-Mart or Target with kids without walking through the toy section..)

*Did you go on a bike ride?  (This is sometimes a yes.  I need exercise, and I have a chair attached to my bike for Wyatt.)

*Did you go swimming?  (We don't have a pool, and the public pools are closed now.  Well, at least the outdoor ones are...)

*Did you go to the museum?  (They are talking about the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.  We have a membership, and we do sometimes go during the day for an hour or two.  They all LOVE this place.)

*Did you play Lego Star Wars? (They are referring to the PS3 game.  I don't play video games, and I assure you the 2 year doesn't either.)

*Did he go to McDonald's for lunch?  

*Did you play with my toys?

*Did you read my books?

*Did you go to the park?  (Sometimes when it's nice out, we do this.)

They really do worry about this stuff!  I tell them that the majority of the day is spent doing craft projects, playing with playdoh and Duplo blocks, and practicing ABC's, colors, and shapes and cleaning the house.  Sometimes we go to play dates also.  They get so jealous if Wyatt gets to do something that they don't.  I think they don't think about all the fun stuff they get to do at school, and that they got to spend time at home with Mommy when they were 2 years old also.

Silly boys. 

Gutzy Gear Review

Have you heard of Gutzy Gear?  It is the newest, coolest backpack accessory for elementary age kids!  See the pic?  That's my oldest son.  He's in 3rd grade, and all his friends at school are asking his where'd he get them and how can they get some for themselves!

Each package comes with two straps and one patch.  The Gutzy Gear straps can be everything from Smileys to food to animals and sport!  My oldest son loves the food patches while my middle son who is almost 7 and in the 1st grade loves the guitar and music patches and the animals.  There is something for just about every kid!

Not only can Gutzy Gear be used on your back pack straps, but you can also use them on a duffle bag or suit case, guitar strap, skateboard strap, or even a seat belt!  I don't know the safety factors involved in using a Gutzy Gear strap cover on a seat belt, and I am not suggesting it, but it doesn't seem much different than the covers you can purchase that are made for that purpose and Gutzy Gear can be personalized!

This is MY favorite part, though.  They aren't iron on patches and they aren't sew on patches!!  They are made with SUPER strong velcro on the back!  How cool is that?!  That way the kids can move them around and change them out all on their own!

All of the kids that came to the party we had and that we've given the Gutzy Gear to have LOVED it!  I haven't heard any negative feedback at all.  The only thing I have heard people ask is where they can get more of the patches.  A friend of mine lives in North Dallas, and she said she saw some at the Wal-Mart near her house, however I live in North Forth Worth, (about an hour's drive from her) and I haven't seen the patches for sale anywhere around here yet.  I am sure they will be popping up in stores everywhere very soon.  They are just too cool!

Thank you so much for letting us try out the Gutzy Gear and share them with our friends!


(Disclaimer: All opinions are my own.  I received this item to review and keep and was not compensated for doing so.)

If you live in DFW, check out this great deal Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine have coming up for 9/11!

In rememberance of the 11th anniversary of the tragedy occurring on 9/11, Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center at Grapevine Mills Mall will offer FREE admission to active and retired U.S. military, police, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, and their immediate family members visiting on September 11. A valid service identification must be presented upon entry to receive complimentary admission to each attraction.
I just love both of these attractions, and to see them do something like this for those that do so much for our communities and our country is wonderful!
        

First Day of School for a New Year

This morning came way too early.  I had the alarm set for 5:45am, and got up just after 6am.  It is the first day of school today for my oldest two children!  My oldest is in 3rd grade, and my middle son is in 1st grade.
They dressed in new 'school' clothes (i.e., regular clothes that are new and they really like a lot). Since their school doesn't have uniforms or much of a dress code enforced, they can pretty much wear what they like.

I made their lunch for them with extra love and care, making it extra special for such a special day.

My 2 year old stayed the night with Grandma and PawPaw last night.  (Thank you, thank you a million thank yous! That made this morning sooo much easier!)
I know he wants to go to school, too, but he's got 3 more years at home.

I hope my kids and yours all have a fabulous first day of school and the best school year yet!