Easy gift for my aspiring artist

Have I told you how much I love Pinterest?  Pinterest is chuck full of talented people for me to glean ideas from.

This framed crayon inital was an easy fast inexpensive project I got from there. 

I estimate it costs me less than a box of candy canes. 

I used two boxes of crayons minus the neutral colors.  The crayons were 40 cents a box at the back-to-school sales.  I bought approximately 27 boxes.  seriously.  The cardstock was probably less than a dime.  The frame I've had for years and years.  But originally it was like $2 at Ikea.  So maybe a nice box of candy canes.  ;)

Here's the original, my inspiration.

I really like that she used a black frame.  And I thought I had a black frame.  But I can't seem to find it.  story of my life.  This deep purple frame actually matches well.

Now to wrap it so the crayons don't fall off . . .

We have a new little person around our home.

This is Chester Charles.  We call him Chester.  He arrived on Monday, December 12, and keeps an eye on the kids to report back to Santa each night

But sometimes, when he's particularly bored because the kids are being good (hey, it happens!) he gets into mischief.   

The kids were just tickled that Chester tried to make hot chocolate and the lengths he went to build a tower to get high enough to use the microwave.  Hey, it seems like he fits in well in our family.  I know a couple two year olds that would do such a thing!

When a tired, no-good-with-a-camera-Momma takes a picture

I tried REALLY hard to get a nice picture of all seven kids in their new pajamas Grandma W. sent. 

I'd get the oldest four to stand still and look at the camera, and the twins and Peach would run off.

Then I'd get Peach to come back, but she'd come right up to me instead of in front of the Christmas tree where I wanted her.

I convinced Pookie to hold her-- but then I had to rein in the twins. 

Hammy and Squdge wanted to be sure I caught their smiles on camera.  Yup, thanks!  I caught the runny nose too.

"Mommy, show Grandma W. my monkeys!"



So Grandma W., this is the best I got.  Please excuse the Sharpie on the walls.  I have budding artists.

(and I don't know what's going on with the shadow in the corner of the camera)

To the Tune of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Note:  You may have to stretch a syllable or two and in some cases cram all the syllables into the same line.  ;)

One more day till Danny comes back ho-ome

Feel my heart get light

From now on my troubles will be out of sight

One more day till Danny wipes their tushies

hands and noses ooze

Next week I'll be shopping for toys, clothes and shoes

Pants for boys and toys for twins

a gift or two for Dan

Shoes for Gab that her toes fit in

a book for little Ham

I must not forget to shop for Peach

learning toys and books

When I go out shopping I won't get strange looks!

Because I will shop by myself next week!
(I know that last part didn't rhyme.)

 Happy Friday my peeps.

I'm not gaining many popularity points.

I think I may have secured the title of Meanest Mom of the Year. 

We just started a new points system with the kids.  It's very much like the Mommy Store but they can redeem points daily.  Their only limitation is they can only pick one goody/treat per day.  No saving up 50 points and buying five candy canes to snork down at once.

For example:

Today the goodies available to buy are Cherry Cordial Cookies and candy canes.  Most of the kids picked a candy cane.  But since I had two green apple Tootsie pops left, I offered the twins that option.  They happily chose "pop-pops."

picture here

Of course they would NOT stay in their chairs at the table.  High chairs aren't even an option anymore-- they can escape in less than 30 seconds from them.

I should also add, it's FREEZING outside.  So sitting on the porch licking a lollipop is not an option either.

I reminded them about twelve times to sit at the table with their lollipops.

Then I told them, "If you don't stay at the table I will have to take away your lollipop." 

In about 90 seconds there was lollipop stickiness on my curtains, digital grand piano, lightswitches, doorknobs and the bottom of the television (which was off so I don't know why it lured them). 

I had to keep my word.  We don't issue threats unless we're willing to follow through.

I took the lollipops.  I knew full well that if I threw them in the kitchen trash they'd dig them right back out.  So I marched outside to the curb, where the big black garbage can is waiting for the garbage man, with twins trailing closely behind, and tossed them in. 

Squdge threw himself down in the middle of the road a helpless Pop-Pop-less heap.

The crying didn't cease for about 10 minutes.  The pouting much longer.  Gabbers just watched in disbelief.  The only reason they did stop crying was because I put Word World on so I could stuff workboxes and teach a long division lesson.

Enjoying our tree and ornaments

I bit the bullet and bought a pre-lit Christmas tree (instead of waiting for the after-Christmas sales). The cost wasn't so bad and it didn't look like the pinecone infested number from the Base Exchange. 

There is something SO magical about a big Christmas tree when you're little.  and not little.

I love how this picture blurs the lights-- like my memories of Christmas trees.

So far we've had about four casualties. 

I told them when we put the cinnamon applesauce ornaments on the tree,

"They're not cookies.  They're yucky.  Don't eat."

I actually didn't even mention the word "cookie" until I heard one of the twins say it.  Even with reminders, it continues to happen.  My Tater has tenacity.  Every other day he tries another.  I'm not as concerned about the ornament as I am for my carpet when he spits it out.  Cinnamon stains.

You can see our Charlie Brown tree in the corner.

Peach likes to circle the tree trying every snowflake and then tossing them on the floor.  Snowflakes are her favorite-- but she keeps an open mind.  She's licked cinnamon applesauce ornaments, shiny red bulbs, reindeer, etc. 

And now without further ado, for you that have kids that don't eat non-food things or if it's just you and you want an easy-peasy Christmas craft/ornament, here's the how-to.

Make your own (non-toxic) Cinnamon Applesauce ornaments

• Combine equal portions of cinnamon and applesauce.  
• Mix together well with your hands.  Add more cinnamon until it's a rollable consistency-- not so sticky. 
• Roll out 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.   
• Cut out with cookie cutters shaped like gingerbread men, star, Christmas tree, wreath, etc. 
• Use a straw to make a hole near the top.  That's where you'll string ribbon or yarn to hang it on your tree.   We made two holes for ones to be strung on a garland.

• Let dry overnight if you're somewhere with very low humidity like Utah or North Dakota (in the winter anyway).  Or put it in your oven on a low temp like 190 degrees checking on it for a few hours or so. 

Sometimes I like to make several trays worth and run my dehydrator.  The white noise helps little ones fall asleep at naptime or nighttime and a homey Christmastime smell permeates my home.  These are also a fun addition to a gift bag, neighbor holiday gifts, or your visiting teaching sisters.

Crying over spilled milk

This little girl didn't do it.  She stood by and observed though as it happened. 

Yes, this little Squdge did it.  And while he dutifully cleaned up his mess, he didn't realize he was pouring milk out of his cup.  That's when these pictures stopped so I could help him.

Taking the pictures helped me not yell at him. 

Unfortunately, I didn't think about pictures fast enough this time before losing my temper and I reduced my Squdge to tears.  It was more than 1/2 a gallon of milk in this incidence.

Since then, I've stopped crying and yelling about spilled milk.  I just keep a handy stack of prefolds (cloth diapers) available for such an occasion.  We've had plenty of practice since then.  And the four big kids know exactly where to find them.

And I realize, half a gallon of milk is a little less than $2.

But a Squdge's heart is worth a lot more. 

Tiny Tip

In place of scissors in my sock beading kit, I use nail clippers.  They fit in the tiny spaces and they work for the job.  I originally placed them in there thinking I'd buy a pair of those foldable scissors that fold down compact.  But after a while I realized how very handy the nail clippers were.

I use them in a sewing kit when I have to sew a button on something.

I have a pair in my hat knitting bag.

I used to have a pair on my key chain.  I'm not sure what happened to it though.

Yesterday I used nail clippers to trim the embroidery floss after sewing eyes back on a couple bears on my tree skirt and trim the thread after patching a stuffed animal for Peach.  Then I folded them and put them in my pocket without worry of stabbing myself.

They're handy like that. 

What little tip do you have that's old news for you but new to me?

They look so innocent when they're asleep.

Squdge will fall asleep anywhere.

  That can't be comfortable.

You'd never guess all the naughty stinkery wonderful things he discovered and did this day.

Gabbers Under the Sea Party with Friends

Every four years, our children enjoy birthday parties with friends.  This year for Gabbers 8th birthday party, she chose an Under the Sea theme.  We started the party off with games:

Under the Sea Relay

Crab walk from start to the tunnels.

Eel swim through the tunnels.

Put on the mermaid tail (pillowcase) and hop to the end (the fence).

Raise your hand to signal to your next teammate to go.

Fish, Fish, SHARK!

This was an "Under the Sea" rendition of "Duck, Duck, Goose."  No pictures because I was busy running around playing it with the kids while Danny was busy finishing up the poster board for:

Put the fish in the bowl

A fishy version of "Pin the tail on the donkey.  We were going to do "Pin the tail on the Whale" but thought it would be more fun to put the fish in the bowl (and easier to draw).

 

Bonus points if you get it in its little house.

Fish that don't make it in the bowl died.  *eek*

We also played The Fishing game.  I laminated the fish so I could reuse them for Primary.  I'm the new chorister.  I used a wooden dowel with some string tied to it and a magnet on the end.  Each fish had a paper clip on it.

I forgot to take pictures of this game.  Everyone's fish had something on the back.  One fish was different.  Everyone won a prize of Twizzlers or Smarties (remember this was just before Halloween) and there was a grand-prize:  Flavor-blasted Goldfish (from the dollar store). 

Then we had Gabbers open her presents.

 After presents we had cake that Danny ordered from the commissary (because I nearly had a mental breakdown that week thanks to my little twin buddies).  And it's a good thing we did, Lindsay from the bakery did a fabulous decorating job.  It was white cake with buttercream frosting and Bavarian creme filling.  Yum!

Gabbers was pretty happy about it.

We passed out goody bags to everyone.  The contents:  Goldfish crackers, Swedish fish, bubbles, banana creme pie pudding cups (they looked like beach or sand colors), and a balloon in cellophane bags that had sea critters all over them (that I bought on vacation in Utah one year a looong time ago). 

I originally planned the party to be inside.  But the day before in a short period of about 10 minutes horrible HORRIBLE things happened due to the two year old-ness of the twins.  Danny suggested an outdoor party also planning on how many boys were also going to be there.  It worked out well.  I had to toss out all the decoration plans I had-- since they wouldn't work outside.  But the bubbles and the sea anemones seemed adequate.

When Peachie's age.

This little bug turned 1 on November 12. 

Her weight is in the 9th percentile but her height is only 4%. 

She's a tiny little chub with just a little bit of red hair and smiles readily for anyone. 

She loves to practice her acrobat skills while nursing.  She walked just before 11 months -- younger than any of her older 6 siblings.  She signs milk, please, and eat.  Peach tries to keep up with the twins by running after them. 

She got a soft bunny and little pink and brown polka-dotted blanket (woobie) for her birthday that are her FAVORITE.  If she has them to go to sleep with, she sleeps longer. 

Happy belated Birthday my sweet Peach!

Don't forget the bubbles!

People ask me all the time how I do it. 

I half-jokingly reply "I've lowered my standards."

My house is never clean for more than 2 minutes.  There is rarely an empty kitchen sink.  There are always dirty clothes waiting to be washed. 

I'm constantly finding ways to be more efficient.  But when I'm in high-efficiency mode, I forget about things like bubbles.

  I forget how much two year olds love bubbles. 

 How magical

and mysterious they are.

And how every single one is new and exciting!

So, even though it's a pretty efficient thing to do to bathe two or more kids together watching a timer while scrubbing your bathroom at the same time and reciting your states and capitals, sometimes you have to stop and blow bubbles and then take pictures to remember:

"they're only little for such a short while. "

(I don't remember where I heard that quote.)

We are encouraging Tater & Squdge to feed themselves.

It helps that they insist on doing it too.  Squdge LOVES spaghetti.

They're very enthusiastic about the process.

They encourage Peach too.

They're proud of their work.