Hard Hat Times

We are working on a Special Project right now so I can not tell you a whole lot of details. I will say this though, we have been struck with Hard Hat Mania. Hope you enjoy all the pictures.

A Back Rub

I wrote yesterday that Gabe has been having some issues with the energy level, most of it stems from his sensory issues. After writing to the online support group that I am in, an idea given was the back rubs with a ball. Sam loved this idea and could not wait to try it out (After all he is Gabes biggest target, so anything to calm him.)
He was waiting patiently for one of the daily back rubs from Sam in the top. The bottom on he was relaxing in his bed for one. Ahh the life. This is one of the balls that Sam uses for the back rub. Gabe loves it.

This is how he always looks when it is all done. However it does change when Sam tells him it is done for now.

Then he begs for more from him. That face usually earns him 2 back rubs a day.

Lego Mania

Over the last few months I have been having a few problems with Gabe and his energy level. It has been way to high that is. He has been running around like a wild child, yelling and hitting everything in sight. Not much has been able to calm him down, that is except legos. Some reason the kid can sit still for 30+ minutes just working away on it. I included a few shots of him hard at work on them.

One of his favorite things to do is build little cars and race them.

He even got his brother in out it. So what activities slow you kids down for a much needed break. (I could always use some back up Ideas.)

Spelling Dice Tutorial.....

I have wanted to try making a tutorial for awhile. I thought that I would try a an easy one to start off with. When ever the boys do spelling I try to through a game in every other week to break up the worksheets. This week they are going to play with the Spelling Dice.

SPELLING DICE...how to

I started off getting together my supplies. I got a package of wooden blocks, about 1 inch square. Paint of choice for the blocks. Then some letter stickers. Also mod podge for the finish.

I started of by painting the blocks (Gabe picked out the color). Once that was done drying I put the stickers on it. (oh yeah love the elmo in the background. It is one of the old place mats of the kids. They no longer use them for eating but it makes great area for painting)
Ok, sorry this picture is so blurry. This is the final stage, apply the mod podge. I had to apply several coats of it to get it smooth. I think that was because the brush I used. I am making story dice for Sam and I switched to one of the little foam brushes. It is going on so much easier. Also be aware if you use the mod podge that it takes awhile for it to dry.

Then I finished off the whole project with making this litte bag to store it in. It was a really easy project to make and really cheap to. That is always nice. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and make yourself some.

Window With A View......

While schooling the boys I always try to have some sort of art class for the boys. It is always so much fun to see what they come up with. It is hard to come up new original ideas for them, so I am always looking at the library for books to help.
The Muppet book is our book this week and it is lots of fun. It has so many wonderful projects but our choice project was a "Window With A View". The boys loved this so much, it hangs next to of each of their beds.

This is Sam's window. He is very much into studying Greece right now so he drew what he thought Athens would look like from a birds eye view. Such a silly kid, I love it though. The colors really pop and it looks great on his wall. The picture below is what it looks with his curtain closed. If you notice there is even a shelf on the base for them to put there little nic nacs on.

Surprise this is Gabe's window. I know shocking my little monkey put monkey curtains on. He loves doing art but just rather play with other things right now so he does not put as much effort in it. If you look in his window though I think it turned out great. It is of a, wait for it, monkey jungle. I know you did not think it was going to be that though did ya. LOL.

Hope you enjoyed our room with a view. What view do you have?

A project in the works....

I absolutley love sewing and doing any types of crafts. It makes me most happy to make something for other people. I love making new projects for the kids to school. Well the one thing I lack at is making things for myself. I am very excited to find out about the Spring Top Week over at Made By Rae. It gives me the incentive to make something for myself, because I really need some new tops. Won't you join me and make some new tops for yourself. Just click on the button on the side bar and it will take you there. Can not to see what you make.

A Little Brotherly Love....

I really do love how much my boys love each other. It is so sweet. Hope you all are having a great day!

Twix bars...

Yesterday I posted on Facebook that Sam made some yummy twix bars and some of my friends wanted the recipe. I thought that I would share it here. Sam made these and was so proud of himself (which he should because they were really yummy.) I found the original recipe over here. She has step by step instructions with pictures if you find them more helpful.

Twix Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup white sugar

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup butter

3/8 cup white sugar

3 tbsp light corn syrup

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Step 1: Beat butter and 1/4 cup sugar in mixer until pale in color. Add flour to form a crumbly dough similar to pie crust. Press dough into an 8 inch square pan that has been greased and lined with parchment (Sam did not do either and it came out fine, but he did use a non-stick pan). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 -25 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Leave in pan, cool in fridge.

Step 2: Bring to boil: 3/4 cup butter, 3/8 cup sugar, syrup , and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly once boiling for 7 minutes. Caramel mixture will thicken and become pale in color. Spread caramelon COOLED shortbread base. Let caramel layer cool for 30 minutes in the fridge and then an additional 1 to 2 hours in the freezer to get the caramel stone hard.

Step 3: Melt the chocolate chips over low heat. Spread the melted chocolate directly onto the cooled caramel layer. Let cool for 1 hour. Enjoy.

These were extremly yummy and Sam can not wait to make them again. Next week he is going to try out a recipe for Coconut rice crispy treats. Can not wait, yum!

Spartan Warriors......

For our social studies class the boys have been working on the Story of the World. This is a great series, we have been loving everything about it. We also got the activity book to go with it. It has been filled with lots of helpful things to go along with each chapter. We are now on chapter 22 and it is the first time their projects did not call to me, so I had to come up with my own. The chapter happened to be about Spartan Warriors, So why not turn the boys into one.
I started by taking pictures of each boy close up.

Then I printed out each one and cut their faces out.

After cutting out each face I glued it on to another piece of paper.

Then each boy drew out bodies and gear on it.

It was a fun project that taught the boys about the different weapons and armor that a spartan warrior would use.