Thanksgiving crafts

We took a break from the Letter of the Week - but that didn't mean we'd stop the crafts. Lorelei has gotten really used to doing projects and asks to start as soon as Sadie and John are down for their morning nap.  

Most days we just do free style coloring or painting, but a few days a week we do a "real " project.  This week I got everyone involved - John really loves coloring and actually colors.  Sadie on the other hand would much rather eat the crayons so she doesn't do much on her own - but loves it just the same!  Once the coloring is done I let them play with markers with the caps on to keep them entertained long enough for Lorelei to finish her project.

Here's some Thanksgiving crafts - the first Turkeys we actually did a few weeks back, but I added them in anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

P.S. - anyone have any tips on how to get my 2 1/2 year old to stop taking her clothes off?

Letter of the week - G

Another week's gone by already - I love having somewhat of an agenda, but it's also making time just fly by!

We worked on "G" this week.  Lorelei picked up the sign easily this time, and I'm very happy to say that even Sadie did!  Although she wouldn't repeat it so maybe it was just a fluke.  It was great timing for "G" since Lorelei is totally in love with Melman - the giraffe from Madagascar.  We made a "G"iraffe although it was pretty much just a "C"ow of a different color and she wasn't really into project that morning, but it got the point across and she was proud of it when Daddy got home.  We also made some "G"ingerbread cookies which came out yummy - Daddy was home when we were decorating which added some humor to the project as well.

We'll be skipping the letter theme next week because of Thanksgiving, but we'll be back with "H" the following week - I'd love to make a "H"ippo to keep with the Madagascar idea, but I don't think I could pull that one off.

Yikes!

Apparently I've been spending too much time checking out my new buddy Slick.  While googling the meaning behind the song 'Ring Around the Rosie' tonight my 2 1/2 year old came up behind me and said "I wanna see the guy that do like this - AHHHHHHH", shook her head back and forth and gave me the finger.  

Time to censor myself I guess.

G week preview

In keeping with the "G" theme this week Lorelei and I made gingerbread cookies yesterday.  Because of the chilling time with the dough Chuck happened to be home by the time we were decorating them - this is his contribution to the project.

and then they turned 1!!!

(Sorry Tina I stole your line!)

Sadie and John are ONE!!!  I can't believe how fast the year went by - and how slow it seemed at first!  I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, but we were a little busy :)  I know some family and friends got other pictures so I'll share more later.

Thanks to everyone that could make it, and I'm sorry for those of you that couldn't!

Letter of the week - F

It was another busy week for us!  Sadie and John turned 1 on Thursday and we had a party for them on Saturday (post to follow I promise!)  But we managed to work in a few "F" projects anyway.  

We made this "F"udge - it was quick and easy but not as tasty as I hoped - we might try it again using peanut-butter chips instead.  I slacked quite a bit on the sign this week so we're going to have to work on that along with "G" next week.  She loved making the "F"lowers - mostly for the glitter she got to use.  They didn't come out exactly as I expected, but I used craft foam instead of paper which added too much weight - but they are still pretty cute and sitting on the table as the new centerpiece.

I'm starting to see some real results with this little project of ours - we saw and Elephant on TV the other day and when I asked her what letter it started with she answered "E mumma!" without hesitation.  She also informed me that she wanted a snack - which she told me started with S, we haven't even got to S yet!

do people actually by this?

My 2-year old is having some poop trouble lately - so bad that she runs to me screaming every time she has to go.  So last night I was on a quest for Apple Juice.  We don't drink much juice in the house --- correction the KIDS don't drink much juice, I'm addicted and I figure it's better than the Budwiser I'd rather be drinking at 10AM.  

So anyway, last night I went to the grocery store to pick up some apple juice.  I'm a bigger bargain hunter than ever lately so I really study labels, prices and quantity now.  I'm also trying to get a better handle on the amount of sugar my kids are consuming.  

While perusing the juice isle I saw this product, what draw me to it was the 40% less sugar claim.  I was intrigued so I took it down from the top shelf to take a closer look.  Do you see what I see on the bottom of the package?  The part you can't see when it's perched high up on the shelf.  Yea that part - the part that says "Apple juice + purified water".  

HELLO people - don't you get it?  Of course there's 40% less sugar - there's 40% less juice!!! You're paying for less apple juice and more water - at twice the price no doubt!  

Since the water coming from my tap is purified already I bought the store brand apple juice and will water it down - viola 40% less sugar.  

Boksburg, Gauteng???

OK I added this new thing to my blog that tells me from where people are checking me out - at least that's what I though it did.  But I noticed this morning that someone checked me out from Boksburg, Gauteng.  huh?  I don't even know where that is, let alone someone who lives there!

Did I misunderstand what this widget thingy does or am I starting to get around?

the unnecessary statement of the year

Kendra's family happy!

I mean really is a public statement even necessary?  If you had to choose someone for your 20-something daughter wouldn't just about anybody be better than Hugh Hefner?  Well aside from serial killers and such.

cute things my kid said today

*while running around with a play knife*

"I back-in ook!" 

(that would be "I'm Captain Hook!")

*while I was trying to brush her hair*

Me: "Stay still, you don't want dreadlocks do you?"

L: "No mumma, I no want GoldiLocks!"

*to her 1-year old brother after he fell off  the windowsill*

"You fall down?  You too little climb win-o.  You OK buddy?"

Letter of the week - E

I didn't realize there were so few project ideas that started with "E"!  I should have printed off a picture of myself I guess - yes I spell my name with an E not an A!

Anyway we made the cute "E"lephant which she did all by herself again - even traced over the eye I drew in purple!  And we made the tasty "E"gg dish for dinner no less, everyone liked it so that was a plus!

Next week we're on to "F" - I'd like to stick with an animal theme but I can't figure out a way to make a "F"ish so I'll be using the "F"eather idea I found here instead.  Unless someone can let me know how to make a fish out of the letter F! :)

Oh and since it's Thanksgiving month I forced this project to work by calling it Turk"e"y time!  Hopefully she won't grow up thinking Turkey starts with E.

Even 2-year olds hate hunting

A morning conversation with Lorelei.

L:  "Where Daddy?"

Me:  "Daddy's hunting this morning"

L:  "Daddy hunt 'gain?"

Me:  "yep, he'll be home later"

L: "When Daddy ever not go'in hunt no more?"

5 things I hate about Hunting Season

5.  How long it is - there's like 152 different seasons depending on what you hunt and where you live.

4.  The Butt Out

3. How expensive it is - and that's just the license fees, that doesn't include the ammo, new stands, new calls or the camouflage clothing he's got to repurchase every year because god forbid he be caught in last years styles!  (yea 'cuz you know the trees change every year right?)

2. How my husband justifies the expense but saying "we need the meat".  He went on a goose hunting trip with his brother a few months back and it cost him close to $250 - do you know how much steak, hamburger, chicken and ground turkey I can get in the grocery store for $250?  Trust me a lot more than the 6 or so goose breasts he got - which he has yet to pick up from his brothers house!

1.  How my husband can't get his ass out of bed earlier than 7:30 for work and never leaves before 8:30, yet can be up, showered, dressed in full hunting gear, out of the house and in his deer stand by 5AM during hunting season.

Letter of the week - D

We didn't get as many letter themed projects done this week - we had a busy week with visiting with gee-gee, toddler gym and trick-or-treating!

Lorelei had a hard time with the "D" sign - but since I've always been doing it wrong myself I can see why!  Once she figured it out though she was good to go.  She did get a little confused with the picture of the "D"ogs - since she of course saw it and said "Abby and Ruger!" but I thought it was a good opportunity to point out how they had names different from what they were.

She loved making the "D"ragon!  This week I printed off the finished project from the blog and left it out for her to see.  She was able to do the entire project (with the exception of drawing the "D" and the cutting) all by herself!  She even made the little eye - I was very proud of her!

Next week it's on to "E"!  We'll be making a cute "E"lephant and a tasty "E"gg dish that my friend Kim used to make and I haven't had for a while.