A little mix of everything....

Well I wish I could have a great story about why I have been missing, one like Amy Sue's. That is probably the best reason that I can think of. Unfortunetly no story like that here. Life just gets really busy this time of year. It should slow down in about a month when tax season ends and I get my DH back. Until then it is going to be a lot of hit and miss on blog time. So I thought I would share some of the fun things that we have been doing around here lately. Well things that have brought a smile to our face at least.
The Scrambled States of America has long been one of the boys favorites around here. So when we heard that they came out with a second one called The Scrambled States of America Talent Show, we just had to get it. The boys love it so much they request it almost everyday.

Gabe lost his first tooth. He was so excited about it. When he found out that his tooth was loose he wanted it out right then and there. He even asked his Dad to pull it out for him. Don't worry Dad said no, and to just keep wiggling it so that it falls out naturally.

Recently we found this great toy at Target that we thought would be fun experiment for Science class. The price was perfect, clearance for 3.75. We told the boys that they had to have all their work done in order to do it at the end of the week. Both boys worked hard and got everything done. They had so much fun playing with it. I did include a short video below if any one wants to see it.

The boys have had a great time making clothes for their webkinz. They bring out all of the supplies and set them on the floor. They are so cute making all of these little clothes. When I ask what they want to do for an art project, first choice is always to design new clothes for the webkinz.

Of course there has been plenty of reading time going on to. There has been a few mornings that Gabe sets himself up like this because he does not want to do school work. Needless to say he does do school work. We just start a little later in the day. I mean why would I want to interupt something like this. LOL.




I love his little curious look that he gets on his face in this video.

Well I hope that you enjoyed some of our favorite things that we have been up to. I hope to be back soon, but only time will tell that.

Fashion Designers in the making?!?!?!?!?

My boys recently got a couple of Webkinz. They love them so much, that they decided they wanted to try and make some clothes for them. So I thought great idea for them to practice some sewing on, and it covers art class to right? I left the boys alone to do this because I wanted to see what they would come up for creations and this is what they did.
These are Sam's creations for his two.

Of course we have Gabe's creations to.

I think that they turned out pretty cute. The boys had fun making them. I can not wait to see what they make next.

Pineapple Carrot Muffins

I found a recipe for these muffins in this cookbook. The boys did everything themselves. They were really proud of them. I thought that I would share the recipe with everyone if you wanted to try them too.

Carrot and Pineapple Muffins -- Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients-
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 eggs
1 large carrot, peeled and finely grated
one 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, semi drained
3/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions--

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper cups.

Sift together the flours, baking powder. baking soda, cinnamon, and salt and mix well. In a seperate bowl, beat together the oil, sugar, and eggs. Add the carrot, pineapple, raisins, and pecans (if using). Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until the ingredients are just combined.

Pour the mixture into the paper cups and bake for 25 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack.

Our Next Country....

Now that we have finished studying Japan it is time to move on to our next country. The boys have already made the flag for it. Can you guess what we are doing next.......

How to make a Kokeshi Doll...

Well we just finished up our study on Japan. I thought that I would share our last project that we did for Japan. We made Kokeshi dolls. Dolls are very important in the japanese culture.
They have lots of celebrations based around them. So I thought that I would show you how to make the ones that we made.
Step one -- Glue a ball on top of a toilet paper roll. The directions recommended that you use a tin foil ball. I had a few extra styrofoam balls that I thought would be good to use.
Step two -- Once you have glued the ball on paper mache the whole doll. Let dry.

Step Three -- Once the doll has completly dried paint the face and hair on.

The final step is to add on some clothes. A robe and a sash.

If you want to learn more about this, I got the directions from this book. Hope you find this fun. If you make some of your own please let me know because I would love to see it.

Missing.......

Ok so I have been missing for a week. We are starting to feel better around here. I thankfully did not catch the stomach bug that my three guys had, but now I came down with a nasty head cold. I thought that I would spend today working on my blog. Getting some future things set up incase I get really busy again and have a hard time getting back. With this entry I thought that I would share some new links that I like.

This first one my mom sent me as a way to clean the inside of the computer screen. I must say that it was very helpful and my moniter has never looked so good. So check out how to do it over here.

Next is one that was left at my blog as a comment. It was from the author of one the books I had posted on my book list. She has her own blog that she writes about what it is like to write stories for children. Then she has a website to that has alot more information and things that you can do with her books.

I love looking to see how people have found my blog and sometimes it leads to great new links. Like this one on Malt-O-Meal cereals. They have their own site that has tons of activities and recipes. You definetly check out the site I am sure you will find something on it that you like.

So now I have some things to work on for the blog. As well as getting some different posts set to go, I will try to work on my sidebar to and fix some things over there. Lots to do so see you all soon.