Alphabet

We started our homeschool curriculum early this year. One cause of all the doctor appointments that will get in the way from now on and the three days I will be in the hospital when baby comes.

That and when the curriculum got here Davin couldnt wait to get in there and start learning. So he thought he was ready so lets go go go.

In honor of that I thought I would mark this wonderful occasion for us with a few alphabet items. Something fun and cute and well whimsical if we can find it.

First we found.....

This cute adorable blanket by Kunklebaby. I love the animals and well it has the alphabet on it so had to put it here.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28137677

And a fun alphabet soft book by Childrenswoodland
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27600085

A great and cute chalk mat for on the go fun by LilBDesigns

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25519346

And there are sooo many more but these were the ones that just stood out for me.

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Kids in the Kitchen

Last week's Kids in the Kitchen post was all about making your own homemade play dough and now this week I'll show you how to cook up another goody inspired by our favorite childhood activity - although this time...it'll be edible & scrumptious!

Play Dough Cookies

These cookies - with their vibrant swirls of color - look just like play dough! But you can eat them...they are delicious! Children will go crazy for these cookies...and they'd love to help you make them!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup white sugar & extra for 'dipping' the cookies into
  
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• assorted colors of paste food coloring
• 24 lollipop sticks (optional)
  

Directions:

1. In a bowl - cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir till soft dough forms. Divide dough into thirds or fourths (depending on how many colors you'd like). Tint each with a different food color (you should have 3 or 4 different colors). Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Working with half of each color, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls and for each cookie place 1 ball of each color together to make 1 large ball. Shape into a 12 inch long roll (like a snake), starting at one end, coil roll to make a 2 3/4 inch round cookie, dip the tops of the cookies into sugar for a "glistening" affect. Place cookies 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into bottoms of cookies, if you'd like them to be lollipop cookies (See picture below).
4. Bake cookies for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

These are great cookies to make for your child's classroom or preschool too...children LOVE them!

Recipe adapted from All Recipes.

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VOTE NOW!

It's time to vote for your favorite item! Voting will be open through midnight EST on Monday, July 27th.

This month, EtsyKids members were challenged to create an exciting new item based on a theme 'School Days!' We received a great amount of fantastic entries and it will certainly be difficult to choose just one. So, please check out the entries below and VOTE!

1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
10.11.12.
13.14.15.
16.17.18.
19.20.21.
22.23.24.

1. Classic Denim Ruffle Capri or Pants by: LittleBitShabby
2. RED SHOES RAGALAN PEASANT TOP by: thetrendytot
3. Smocked Bishop Dress Perfect For Back To School by AmberlyJoy
4. Pink and Purple Flowers Girl's Dress by: bellassweetboutique
5. Fully Insulated Lunch Tote - Machine Washable - Hoot Hoot Owls by naturallyfelt
6. Luau Twirly Skirt BLUE and PINK Hula Girl Made on Maui by: tikitales
7. ItsAWrap Back to school sandwich and snack fabric bag set Eco Friendly by: Torrilynn123
8. Back To School Skirt by: bowbakery
9. Back To School Red and Blue Crayon Korker Barrette by: ringsaroundrosie
10. Butterfly Silhouette Tote and Lunch bag by: modernfrills
11. Fuzz Monster Key Chain by: befriendmantic
12. School Dayz - ABC 123 - Black and Red with an Apple on Top - Bow Hair Clip by CuzItClipz
13. Handmade (I love 2 read) dress especially made for back to school by: thePaisleyPearl
14. Children's Educational Wooden 3D Puzzle - Alphabet Apple by: PuzzledOne
15. Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bag SET for kids - Eco Friendly by: CountingBunnies
16. SESAME STREET FRIENDS by jjkgirlythings
17. CUTE AS A CUPCAKE CRAYON CASE by: NinisHandmades
18. School time fun crayon roll set by: ChildishThoughts
19. girls size 2/3 raggy chic jacket by: perennialpiecer
20. Fold Over Flap Sack Book Bag by: Bellesmademoiselles
21. Peace Sign 70s Hip Cool Personalized Monogrammed Embroidered Insulated Cooler Lunch Bag Snack Box by: MommaOh
22. Custom Boutique Back to School Ribbon Shirt - ABC and 123 by: KPCreations
23. Head of the Class Apple Barrette by: GirlettesMV
24. Primary Colors -Back to School Party Hair Bow by cuddlebuddies4kids

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I Forgot to Build My Nest

I was in the middle of watching the movie "Juno" tonight (LOVE that movie), anyway, Jennifer Garner's character was in the middle of painting the nursery and couldn't decide between two different shades of yellow. Her husband wondered why she was even worried about it at this point, when the baby was still a few months away, and she said that it was an important part of preparing for a baby, that the books referred to it as nesting.

Aah, the nesting phase. I've read about it, heard about it, and somehow missed it. Twice. Dang it. I'm pretty sure it would have come in handy. I could have had an immaculately clean house for once. When we first moved in doesn't count. Our dining room table was an overturned box and our couch was an air mattress. We didn't own enough stuff to have a messy house.

In addition to stuff, we also acquired kids, and the two of them together are a combination that would get us turned away by the Producers for TLC's Clean Sweep. "I'm sorry, we're only an hour long show." Why, oh why couldn't I have been a nester?

Instead of nesting, I was busy throwing up and getting 24/7 heartburn. Wasn't the nesting phase supposed to be one of the perks to pregnancy? I think the pregnancy glow was the other one, but I missed that too. I feel a little ripped off. Here, Mother Nature has given us the drive and motitivation to channel our inner Merry Maid so we get one last chance to see a clean house before the baby arrives. Because we all know it won't happen again, ever. See, it's as nature intended. Crap, I think I just proved how completely unnatural I am while admitting I live in a sty. Damn.

As I survey the damage (the smears across the tv screen, Cheerios ground into the carpet, ew, did the cat throw up again?!!), I'm thinking that although I missed nesting, I must still be a pretty good mom. After all, if I'm too busy caring for my kids to clean up every mess, logic would conclude that the messier the house, the better the mom, right? Right?! Well, that's the angle I'm using. And by the looks of my house, I'm half-way to Mother of the Year. :oP

Originally Posted on The Mama Dramalogues

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Here it Comes!!! Hooray!!!

What's even better than ice cream on a hot summer day? Even better than an empty chair at the neighborhood pool? It's the excitement we're feeling for the upcoming, best online magazine EVER! Get a sneak peek here: Modern Handmade Child oh August, I can't wait!!!

.....................................................................................................................................................

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Color Trends Fall 2009/Winter 2010

Im fondly thinking of autumn and sweaters here in the mountains. I thought you may like to see the color forecast for fashion. This information is courtesy of fashiontrendsetter.com. Enjoy!

Chic shades are inspired by digital prints and holograms. This trend is dominated by solid and cold tones. Midnight blues and earth tones as well as deep pink are opposing and in that way creating a world of playful patterns. The interaction of functional blues and structured browns open out onto turbulent explorations that burst forth in stormy alchemies.

The Classic world is characterized by diluted color effects. Clean and earthy colors play a big role in this section. In curious combinations they seem to be like an experiment. Brown and green tones mixed together create a hint of mystery in combination with gray and foggy shades.

Casual colors reflect the style of mixed technologies. Juicy orange tones, drunken scarlets and neutral nuances combine in a dangerous relation. The way how a dynamic brilliance and shining is created seems like a magic formula. Pavement grays brought together with dazzling lights are a contrast to passionate and theatrical tones.

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Kids in the Kitchen

Cookin' in the kitchen doesn't always have to be about the food! You can use the kitchen and your common, everyday kitchen ingredients to create some eco-friendly and affordable fun for your little ones!

With many kids home on summer vacation, I know moms everywhere are looking for something to do with their kids - something fun, something new! Well today, I have a great idea for everyone to try out with their own children...

Let's all make some homemade play dough! Oh...and it's waaaaaay better than that stinky 'name brand' stuff - it's softer, smoother and lasts so much longer (and smells yummy too)! This is a great activity to do with or for your little ones.

Here's what you'll need & how to make the dough:

(don't worry...a parent was helping & supervising the whole event...one one was hurt at the stove!)

Sift together & put in a saucepan:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 TB cream of tartar

Add to saucepan:
1-2 TB vegetable oil
1 cup of water (add food coloring to water...just a few drops will do)
A Few Drops of Vanilla Extract - or other flavored extracts

Whisk together until smooth and thick (low-medium heat). The mixture will be a little sticky until it cools. Place the "blob" of dough on wax paper to cool (about 30 minutes). Keep in an airtight container (deli containers work well). The play dough should keep for several weeks if kept in air tight container - ours usually lasts for months!

I usually send my kids out to the deck in the backyard to play freely with their play dough in the lovely summer sun...and no mess for me to clean up inside...besides the flour that's all over my kitchen from my two year old "helping" me make the dough, that is!!

Have Fun!

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