Precious words from my 4 year old:
"Daddy! I made a candy-cane in the toilet!"
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Gingerbread Playdough
Per request of Sebi's teacher last week, I have made 3 batches of the stuff. Ya'll, it makes itself. Really. Try it.
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp. vegetable oil
- cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, whatever (this gives it a brown color and makes it smell good)
Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients. Play with the spices until you get the scent you want and the color. (I used about 1 tsp of each). Mix the water and oil together first, then add them to the dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the mixture for two or three minutes, stirring frequently. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pan and clump together. Take the dough out of the pan and knead it until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow the playdough to cool and store in an air tight container.
Thank you to Mrs. Sham, a kindergarten teacher in Kissimmee, Florida for sharing her recipe.
O.k., now let me just say where I made my pitfalls.
- You gotta mix the wet and dry ingredients BEFORE you start adding the heat. Just make sure they are very well blending before cranking on the stove.
- I cooked over low/medium-low heat so it took longer than 2-3 minutes.
- If it looks wet, it ain't ready. But if you remove it from the pot and find it to be very sticky, that may also be another indicator.
- It really should end up looking just like dough.
- If you take it out prematurely and find it to be sticky, just put it back in and cook it some more- it isn't ready for the trash.
- Read the directions before you start, because as I was typing the directions just now, I high-tailed it to the kitchen because I didn't let it cool before storing it. I have no idea what effect that will have on the playdough. I'll let you know.
- OH, last thing. Don't try it. Again, read the directions. It's got 1/2 cup of salt. And it tastes really bad. Smells good, though.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Play Date: Parent Included
Last night, Sebi was snuggling up with me in bed. I had just reached that mid-wake/mid-sleep phase where you're about off to dreamland when somehow I got snookered into promising him that he could stay home from school and we would go to ChuckECheese the next day.
I also had promised to work that day from 7a-3p. When I called in for my shift assignment at 5:00am, I was told, "Surprisingly, we don't have a shift for you today" Praise God. Needless to say, I went straight back to bed. By morning, I had lists of things running through my head that I needed to get done today.
And then I turned over and looked at Sebi. He was smiling this big goofy smile and staring at me bright-eyed in anticipation. That kid doesn't skip a beat. He remembered. So we discussed going to school and then visiting ChuckECheese as promised right after school. I was aiming for a win-win where I could get some things done and he could get his mouse fix.
No deal.
We took Homer and Gabriel to school all the while I kept reminding Sebi that we could go to ChuckECheese AFTER school, and then he wouldn't miss out on seeing all his friends.
No deal.
Back home to "snuggle some with Mommy in bed". It was cold outside and I don't do cold.
No deal.
He was ready for ChuckECheese. I had to explain that we needed to wait until lunchtime, and he took it with mild reservations- probably because I got too extensive in the circadian rhythms of mice and how they don't start their days until lunchtime. When in a rut, throw a lot of information at them. It stuns them into acceptance.
Finally, by 10:00 he had lost all patience and was almost at the breaking point which I like to call the grand mal toddler fit. So, I convinced him to make a trip to WalMart to pick up my contacts (shout out to the vision center for getting my contacts in so quick), and then we would go to ChuckECheese.
We made it there by 11:00 and thank goodness they were open. In fact, I was surprised that they actually open at 9:00. So much for my theory on the circadian rhythm of mice...
We spent two hours there! We had a blast. The place was practically empty and it was not the experience I have had at ChuckECheese in the past with mass quantities of energy balls bouncing off of one another. It was AWESOME. Sebi and I were a team. He picked every game that was a two seater so that I could play with him. We tore up some giant spiders let me tell you. I don't know who had more fun with that game. We shot baskets. Sebi blew me away. We air hockey'd. Sebi told me to quit putting my blocky-thingy in front of the goal because he needed to win. Is he still young enough for me to let him win and then talk trash? Because He mentioned to Sebastian that he scored a lot and mommy didn't AT ALL!
He's going down next time.
Oh, and we were accumulating some tickets all the while. And then I saw it. In the back corner tucked away- I saw the only pinball machine in the joint. I made a beeline. Not that I was fighting off any competition or like the 7 and under crowd could take me if I needed to.
I like pinball.
I was playing and Sebi was getting frustrated and here is where I went down the- this was about me and not about my 4 year old having fun, avenue. BUT. When I finished my game, out sput a ticket that said I had just earned 150 Free Tickets! My first thought was that I needed to keep hitting up this pinball machine. We were going home with the BIG prize today. And then I remembered that this wasn't about me playing pinball and Sebi standing around too short to see what was going on. I know, I was weak. How was I to know that I was going to rock the pinball world?
We moved on. He was especially happy when I told him how many tickets I had just won us. Only he didn't believe me because he was all, "where are they?" And I was all, "this ticket says so" and he was all, "but I want to see them".
And that's when he convinced me to buy 40 more tokens. I am weak.
It was a really good day. I imagine that things are going to get easier when the babies get older because today was just so effortless. That, or we're going to be going to ChuckECheese on three separate occasions for individual treats for the boys. Either way, I had a GREAT day. And I 'm pretty certain that Sebi did too.
I also had promised to work that day from 7a-3p. When I called in for my shift assignment at 5:00am, I was told, "Surprisingly, we don't have a shift for you today" Praise God. Needless to say, I went straight back to bed. By morning, I had lists of things running through my head that I needed to get done today.
And then I turned over and looked at Sebi. He was smiling this big goofy smile and staring at me bright-eyed in anticipation. That kid doesn't skip a beat. He remembered. So we discussed going to school and then visiting ChuckECheese as promised right after school. I was aiming for a win-win where I could get some things done and he could get his mouse fix.
No deal.
We took Homer and Gabriel to school all the while I kept reminding Sebi that we could go to ChuckECheese AFTER school, and then he wouldn't miss out on seeing all his friends.
No deal.
Back home to "snuggle some with Mommy in bed". It was cold outside and I don't do cold.
No deal.
He was ready for ChuckECheese. I had to explain that we needed to wait until lunchtime, and he took it with mild reservations- probably because I got too extensive in the circadian rhythms of mice and how they don't start their days until lunchtime. When in a rut, throw a lot of information at them. It stuns them into acceptance.
Finally, by 10:00 he had lost all patience and was almost at the breaking point which I like to call the grand mal toddler fit. So, I convinced him to make a trip to WalMart to pick up my contacts (shout out to the vision center for getting my contacts in so quick), and then we would go to ChuckECheese.
We made it there by 11:00 and thank goodness they were open. In fact, I was surprised that they actually open at 9:00. So much for my theory on the circadian rhythm of mice...
We spent two hours there! We had a blast. The place was practically empty and it was not the experience I have had at ChuckECheese in the past with mass quantities of energy balls bouncing off of one another. It was AWESOME. Sebi and I were a team. He picked every game that was a two seater so that I could play with him. We tore up some giant spiders let me tell you. I don't know who had more fun with that game. We shot baskets. Sebi blew me away. We air hockey'd. Sebi told me to quit putting my blocky-thingy in front of the goal because he needed to win. Is he still young enough for me to let him win and then talk trash? Because He mentioned to Sebastian that he scored a lot and mommy didn't AT ALL!
He's going down next time.
Oh, and we were accumulating some tickets all the while. And then I saw it. In the back corner tucked away- I saw the only pinball machine in the joint. I made a beeline. Not that I was fighting off any competition or like the 7 and under crowd could take me if I needed to.
I like pinball.
I was playing and Sebi was getting frustrated and here is where I went down the- this was about me and not about my 4 year old having fun, avenue. BUT. When I finished my game, out sput a ticket that said I had just earned 150 Free Tickets! My first thought was that I needed to keep hitting up this pinball machine. We were going home with the BIG prize today. And then I remembered that this wasn't about me playing pinball and Sebi standing around too short to see what was going on. I know, I was weak. How was I to know that I was going to rock the pinball world?
We moved on. He was especially happy when I told him how many tickets I had just won us. Only he didn't believe me because he was all, "where are they?" And I was all, "this ticket says so" and he was all, "but I want to see them".
And that's when he convinced me to buy 40 more tokens. I am weak.
It was a really good day. I imagine that things are going to get easier when the babies get older because today was just so effortless. That, or we're going to be going to ChuckECheese on three separate occasions for individual treats for the boys. Either way, I had a GREAT day. And I 'm pretty certain that Sebi did too.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sweet As Molasses, Yet Rotten To The Core
I had big plans to spend my day trying to return to "normalcy" and realized quite quickly that I was already there. Obviously, I spent my 1st hour of the day looking for my keys. uggghhh. When will I learn?
stop with your suggestions of the convenient key hook by the door. I have one. At BOTH doors. The problem lays in why I choose not to use them. I have psych next semester. I'll be especially tuned in to myself ;0
But back to my attempt to return to normalcy. Crazy, busy is my normalcy. My poor Gabriel inherited my inability-to-stop gene. Seriously. It exists.
So, I spent some time in the doldrums of the minivan (a.k.a. the back that I don't like to venture to).
give me a moment.
because it was bad.
Who knew that they had gotten a container of syrup from burger king, opened it and layed it smack on the floor??? who knew? And mark my words, I am hot on the trail towards finding out which one of my three, precious, cleptos STOLE a blue stuffed animal and from WHERE!??
**holla if you're missing a blue stuffed animal. I'd post a pic, but again. USB issues.**
**oh, and p.s. it has syrup all over it. Sorry.**
stop with your suggestions of the convenient key hook by the door. I have one. At BOTH doors. The problem lays in why I choose not to use them. I have psych next semester. I'll be especially tuned in to myself ;0
But back to my attempt to return to normalcy. Crazy, busy is my normalcy. My poor Gabriel inherited my inability-to-stop gene. Seriously. It exists.
So, I spent some time in the doldrums of the minivan (a.k.a. the back that I don't like to venture to).
give me a moment.
because it was bad.
Who knew that they had gotten a container of syrup from burger king, opened it and layed it smack on the floor??? who knew? And mark my words, I am hot on the trail towards finding out which one of my three, precious, cleptos STOLE a blue stuffed animal and from WHERE!??
**holla if you're missing a blue stuffed animal. I'd post a pic, but again. USB issues.**
**oh, and p.s. it has syrup all over it. Sorry.**
Monday, December 8, 2008
I took my final exam today. I passed. That needs to be said- simply due to the fact that I spent the WHOLE second half of the semester telling my friends that I was freaking out and I didn't think I was going to pass. Seriously. Every test. Same story.
"ya'll. I'm FREAKING out. I don't think I'm going to pass."
"Becky, you're going to be fine."
No. Because, I'm FREAKING out!."
take exam. 83. Next exam. 83. Next exam 83. I was riding a streak. Oh, but just so you know, on the final exam I busted out with an 88. Because, I'm hardcore like that.
Which leads me to reflect on my first semester in nursing school. I can't begin to tell you how much the benefits outweighed the stress. The friendships I have developed will stay with me for my lifetime. And they are what helped me get through each and every day.
That, and we coined all sorts of phrases this semester- just like Grey's Anatomy. Only we weren't all "seriously".
No. We were "hardcore" and "freaking out" and when we were really certain about something, we were, "fo' sho". I'm enjoying reminiscing the semester with all of our catch phrases. And I especially smile in remembrance of the times that we discussed losing weight over lunch that we ordered.
"we're gonna be skinny." "ya, we are."
"Do ya'll want to get a pizza while we study?"
"fo' sho"
O.k., so it didn't go down like that. But it was good times. We gave great business to Tex-presso. It's a nice little coffee shop off of Anderson Lane. We are even considered "regulars" there. It's our Cheers- only caffeinated and non-alcoholic. They know us.
And really, if they continue to put up with us, (I've done the math) they'll make out like bandits off of our time in nursing school. Only, after I did the math, I no longer order the ever-so-popular Texpresso. I settle for the $2.00 cup of coffee. I was also known to sneak in a Starbucks one time. I had to walk very slowly and evenly so it wouldn't spill in my backpack. Luckily, my friends know me too well and asked if I had started jogging again because of my odd and awkward gait. They thought I was sore.
I should have asked if I looked skinny.
On to other news...
"ya'll. I'm FREAKING out. I don't think I'm going to pass."
"Becky, you're going to be fine."
No. Because, I'm FREAKING out!."
take exam. 83. Next exam. 83. Next exam 83. I was riding a streak. Oh, but just so you know, on the final exam I busted out with an 88. Because, I'm hardcore like that.
Which leads me to reflect on my first semester in nursing school. I can't begin to tell you how much the benefits outweighed the stress. The friendships I have developed will stay with me for my lifetime. And they are what helped me get through each and every day.
That, and we coined all sorts of phrases this semester- just like Grey's Anatomy. Only we weren't all "seriously".
No. We were "hardcore" and "freaking out" and when we were really certain about something, we were, "fo' sho". I'm enjoying reminiscing the semester with all of our catch phrases. And I especially smile in remembrance of the times that we discussed losing weight over lunch that we ordered.
"we're gonna be skinny." "ya, we are."
"Do ya'll want to get a pizza while we study?"
"fo' sho"
O.k., so it didn't go down like that. But it was good times. We gave great business to Tex-presso. It's a nice little coffee shop off of Anderson Lane. We are even considered "regulars" there. It's our Cheers- only caffeinated and non-alcoholic. They know us.
And really, if they continue to put up with us, (I've done the math) they'll make out like bandits off of our time in nursing school. Only, after I did the math, I no longer order the ever-so-popular Texpresso. I settle for the $2.00 cup of coffee. I was also known to sneak in a Starbucks one time. I had to walk very slowly and evenly so it wouldn't spill in my backpack. Luckily, my friends know me too well and asked if I had started jogging again because of my odd and awkward gait. They thought I was sore.
I should have asked if I looked skinny.
On to other news...
The kids are getting huge. And they are eating me out of the house. I would post pictures, but I'm having USB issues and I don't have the patience to take my camera somewhere, get the photos on a CD and load it on the computer. I know, I'm all drama. But, if it can't be resolved, I will do the aforementioned only because they are so darn cute and deserve to be looked at.
Gabriel is still go, go, go. Only now he punches and kicks and throws things. It's like lightning speed coming at you. You need cover.
Homer is STILL obsessed with mama. He needs to be touching mama. All.the.time. All the time. It's heartwarming some days. And others, it drives me nuts. I walk in the door and he lifts his hands to me to be picked up. I know I should cherish these moments, but agggghhhh. I've had babies attached to my hip for 4 years now! I love you, Pudge.
Sebi is my pride and joy. He has made leaps and bounds in school. He was having issues with writing his name. But really, In my motherly defense. Isn't it a little more intimidating to have to learn to write, S-e-b-a-s-t-i-a-n versus John? I'm only saying...
All-in-all, things are good. We had a bout of Gianatti Crosti Syndrome with Homer, followed by pneumonia with Gabriel, followed by the flu with me. But we are all alive and kicking.
Gabi kicks more.
Thanks to all who have kept me in their prayers. I don't see that I could have done any of this without our higher power. I miss you all. I promise, I will be reading blogs religiously now. Once I finish the Twilight series. I started them just before my last exam. Big mistake?
NO WAY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
