Gingerbread Houses

These are last years pictures because I forgot to take some this year.

I know, I know. You guys probably already think of me as the "crazy craft lady", so I am going to give you more reason to think that.

This is the 3rd year I have had my 2 nephews and my daughter make gingerbread houses. They enjoy coming up with new designs every year. We do the same basic house each year, but change decorations/candy. (Actually we mostly use the stale stuff that we find in our cabinets.)

First you start with a sturdy base. It can be a board, cutting board or even sturdy cardboard (tape 2-3 pieces together to make it sturdier.)

We use this recipe for "glue". It is edible; however, since we use stale crackers and candy we don't eat much of it.

Layout all of your crackers and candy. I forgot. We just use graham crackers for the house. We haven't ventured out to actually make them out of gingerbread. Every year we talk about buying those kits, but haven't done that either.

I find it easier to build the house for my daughter. My one nephew likes to try building his own and he always uses too much glue. It ends up falling apart because the glue can't dry. Besides, I think the kids like decorating it the most. After I build the house, I glue it to the base.

Now it is time to glue the candy/decorations to the house and the "yard". When all the decorating is done, we put marshmallow creme on the yard to make it look like snow.

That's it! I know it sounds like a lot, but the kids love it. And seriously, I think I LOVE IT MORE THAN THEY DO!

Gingerbread Houses

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2009/12/gingerbread-houses.html

We're Going on a Treasure Hunt

The other day Princess told me that she was bored (in so many words, because she doesn't know the word "bored" yet...thank God). I asked her if she wanted to go on a treasure hunt. She got all excited.

We started by making the "treasure chest". I cut an empty egg carton into strips so each of the kids would have one. (If you plan ahead, you could use save egg cartons so your child has the entire carton and a lid) Princess and Little Guy colored the inside of each egg holder a different color. That's it! Time for a treasure hunt!

We started in the house. They had to find something of each color to put in the egg holders. For example, Princess found a strand of red beads for the color red. The only rule was that the items had to be small enough to fit in each hole. After the indoor treasure hunt, we decided to take it outdoors. We had to make a few rules like do not pick the neighbors flowers and no picking up cigarettes or nasty trash. We did allow them to pick up some "clean" trash.

The kids have had so much fun doing this. We have been on several Treasure Hunts in the last week or so. Oh and did I mention that for toddlers, this is a great way to teach or review colors!

We're Going on a Treasure Hunt

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2009/10/were-going-on-treasure-hunt.html

Field Trip to Paulas Orchards

Last year I posted about taking the kids to the orchard to pick apples. We were invited by a friend to go to the same orchard for a field trip today. Let me just tell you up front the kids loved it!

They rode on a "wagon" pulled by a tractor. They each picked a pumpkin and 3 apples. They got to play at their playground and go through the corn maze (which I thought we would never get out). They were able to see how the small apples (used for juice) are separated from the large apples (sold at the market). And my son's favorite part, they got to see the bees making honey.

Here are some pictures to show you their fun!

Field Trip to Paulas Orchards

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2009/09/field-trip-to-paulas-orchards.html

Chris Sligh

You can check out two songs on his upcoming album here.Good stuff.

Chris Sligh

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/chris-sligh.html

Interesting Stats

A high school technology director from Colorado compiled an interesting assortment of statistics that explain how our world is drastically shifting from what it used to be. Here are just a few of my favorite numbers:

• *The number of text messages sent and received every day exceeds the population of the planet.
• *There are about 540,000 words in the English language which is about 5 times as many as during Shakespeare’s time.
• *It’s estimated that a week’s worth of The New York Times contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century.
• *It’s estimated that 1.5 exabytes (1.5 x 10 to the 18th power) of unique new information was generated worldwide in 2006, which is estimated to be more than the previous 5,000 years.
• *The amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years.
• *Today’s 21 year olds have spent 20,000 hours watching television, 10,000 hours playing video games, 10,000 hours talking on the phone, and have sent and received 250,000 emails or instant messages.
• *More than 70% of U.S. 4 year olds have used a computer.
• *1 out of every 8 couples married in the U.S. in 2005 met online.
• *The amount of technical information is doubling every two years. By 2010, it is predicted to double every 72 hours.

Interesting Stats

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/interesting-stats.html

The Highs and Lows of a Friday

As I was at the checking out of Barnes & Noble today I whipped out a gift card and handed it to the sales clerk.

Unfortunately it was for Border's.

And unfortunately for me, it was the only reason I was even buying something. Because I had a gift card. But I didn't have a gift card.

I hate when that happens.

However, despite this most embarrassing moment, I experienced the highlight of my day in the exact same store.

The Highs and Lows of a Friday

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/highs-and-lows-of-friday.html

500

This is my 500th post. Seriously. 500. Of course, such a monumental achievement requires a post that is equally impressive so I've been throwing around some things I could write about to mark this milestone. Since on my 100th post I took a pass on the obligatory list of 100 things you don't know about me, I thought I'd do something similar now. I'm thinking about one of these topics:

500 Reasons You Should Blog
500 Reality Stars I Love
500 Things You Do Know About Me
500 Uses for Etsy
500 Ways Junior Can Give Me a Migraine
500 Reasons Why I Love Dark Chocolate
500 People Who Have Visited This Blog
500 Rules for Dealing with Bus Sagas
500 Places to Find Grubs
500 40th Birthday Party Ideas
500 Reasons Why I'm Not Having Another Child
500 Ways to Ruin Laundry
500 Purposes for Popcorn
500 Moods of Sparkle
500 Foods Junior Will Eat
500 Foods Brown Sugar Won't Eat
500 Injuries Jim Has Sustained
and
500 Reasons Why I'll Never Do a List of 500

On second thought, I think I'll just say "Happy 500" and call it a night.

500

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/500.html

40 is the new 30

My friend and yours, Patty, turned 40 last September. For a number of reasons, we didn't have a party for her then but we made up for it on Sunday. About 45 of her closest friends descended on my house for a surprise party in her honor. And, BOY, was she ever surprised.

Julie (pictured below), Say Anything, Patty's sister and myself put together this little shindig that featured Patty in her own show called, "Patty, Don't Forget the Lyrics." Patty took the stage and performed the greatest hits of the 80s with the help of her "lifelines" (a.k.a. the party goers) who helped sing the missing lines to the songs.



Although I had great intentions to take lots of pictures, I didn't get the job done, and the pictures I did take have some serious red eye problems that won't seem to go away. But this is a great picture of Julie and Sharon. Julie grew up with Patty in Lewistown.

We even got Bob and Allison in on the action!

As most of you know, Patty has been on a special diet for nearly 3 years. It's basically a strict grain-free, lactose-free, and sucrose-free dietary. So whenever she goes to parties, potlucks, etc there is usually almost nothing she can eat. But she rarely complains and either goes without or carries a bag of almonds or dates with her.

So we decided to make all the food Patty-friendly so she could enjoy as much food as she wanted. I think it definitely gave everyone a greater appreciation for what she has accomplished on her diet.

Happy Birthday, Patty!

40 is the new 30

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/40-is-new-30.html

Celebrity Apprentice

I've only got one word: Omarosa.

Celebrity Apprentice

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/celebrity-apprentice.html

Do you know what really gets my goat?

When only 30 minutes into the Hawkeye Caucae the political pundits on all network and cable stations start "calling" the races. Since when is 12 percent of reporting precincts a reliable number to report news on???

It's stunts like that that sour people to the political process.

Do you know what really gets my goat?

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/do-you-know-what-really-gets-my-goat.html

Does it make me a geek

if I admit I'm glued to CNN tonight watching the Hawkeye Caucae (Iowa Caucuses)?

It is the most fascinating, bizarre, intriguing, and confusing thing I've ever witnessed. And I can't turn away...except to get on the computer and tell all of you that I can't believe the powers that be actually let democracy unfold in this manner. But I think that's great. In fact it is refreshing.

They are actually following several of the caususes live and one is in, what appears to be, someone's house, in Persia, IO. People are crammed into several rooms of this house listening to people stump for their candidates and then they will start getting into their preference groups.

I thought this was a great article if you're interested in learning more about this process.

Gotta run...commercial's over...

Does it make me a geek

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/does-it-make-me-geek.html

Lego Church

It took about a year and a half of planning, building and photographing to make this Lego church. More than 75,000 Legos were used to make this 7 foot by 5 1/2 foot by 30 inches building.

In case you're wondering...It seats 1,372 Lego people and has 3,976 windows. It features a balcony, a Narthex, stairs to the balcony, restrooms, coat rooms, several mosaics, a baptistery, an altar, a crucifix, a pulpit and an elaborate pipe organ.

Lego Church

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/lego-church.html

2008 Color of the Year

Pantone’s choice of blue iris, or No. 18-3943

Now you know what color to paint your bedroom.

2008 Color of the Year

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/2008-color-of.html

That's How We Roll

Dinner at Benihana's
Bowling
Buying stuff we really didn't need at Target for 75% off
Home by 10:15

What did you do for New Year's?

That's How We Roll

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/thats-how-we-roll.html

Etsy

I have fallen in love with a new web site called Etsy. It's been around a long time but I'm just now discovering its charm, beauty and quality.

Basically, Etsy is an online marketplace for buying all things handmade. Since launching in 2005, they have over 100,000 sellers from around the world. Each seller has a "store" that showcases all of their wares. Some stores have just a few items while others have several hundred. And if you like the item, but don't see it in the size, color or fabric you like, you can usually just contact the seller and they'll custom make it for you.

Now I know when I hear the word handmade a whole host of images come to mind...none of them particularly flattering. But Etsy brings the best of the best together to provide unique, well made and perfectly priced items in just about every category you can think of.

I will admit some items are a bit off the beaten path...


like this set of 5 clothespins that are 3 inches long, decoupaged with beautiful paper on both sides.



But then how could you resist this mouth watering assortment of 6 delicious muffins that comes complete with a 6 mini-muffin pan.These baked goods are perfect for imaginative play and are just the right size for a child's hand or play plate.


I've got my eye on these lovely little set of six notecards is made using vintage wallpaper with bright flowers.

The “Dip Gift Box” is a gift of entertaining to the ones you love or for yourself. Gotta bring a dish to the office or a cookout? These individually laminated recipe cards offer 20 different recipes. The “Dip Gift Box” includes recipes appropriate for all occasions from the black tie cocktail party to the Superbowl Party. Great gift for newlyweds, mothers, sisters, girlfriends, co-workers, or anyone who likes to entertain!

These are just a very, very, very few of the items you'll find on Etsy. I bought a Christmas gift on Etsy and was thrilled with the customer service, price and personal touch.

Etsy

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/12/etsy.html

Giveaways Galore

If you haven't visited Five Minutes for Mom and taken part in their Christmas Giveaways, it's not too late. You have until tomorrow evening to enter any of the 19 contests.

Go. Enter. Win.

Giveaways Galore

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/11/giveaways-galore.html

We Shopped till We Dropped

Earlier this week I had thrown the idea around of starting my Black Friday madness at midnight at the Hershey Outlets. I went back and forth all week and even as I ate turkey yesterday, I just wasn't decided. Then, around 8:00pm, Say Anything called me and begged to go along on my excellent adventure.

I could give you the blow-by-blow, but she did a good job of that, however, here are a few of my own observations:

**There were no deals at the outlets that you couldn't score any other day of the year. Seriously.

**The one "carrot on a stick" was that Osk Kosh was offering a radio flyer wagon to customers who purchased $100 or more. Although we weren't interested in the wagon and didn't spend any money there, we were disgusted that the wagon was a miniature replica big enough for your favorite doll. I would've been furious if I had come banking on a full-size wagon.

**At several stores, we had stuff in our hands to buy but decided to walk out with nothing because the lines to check out were so long.

**I love the store White House Black Market. However, it became painfully obvious that I will never wear anything from there...I didn't see a size larger than a 4.

**You Coach fans are crazy.

**A single yahoo caused a frantic stampede on JC Penney's at 3:30.

**Stores should not offer the same deals to people who show up at 4am to those who show up at 1pm.

**No toy is worth the madhouse Toys R Us was at 5am. Sorry, Brown Sugar, that Crayola craft kit will just have to wait.

**I dropped into bed around 6:11AM.

**I have the best husband in the world who took charge of the kids and house so I could sleep until 2pm.

As with any excellent adventure, lessons should be learned and here are the three I gleaned:

1. I've "been there, done that and would've bought the t-shirt if the line wasn't so long," so I probably won't ever shop the outlets at midnight again. But if I was going to do it, I'm glad it was with Say Anything.

2. People will do some crazy things for 10% off a purse.

3. The whole experience just reinforced that Christmas is not a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus anymore, but to celebrate the power of the all-mighty dollar.

I feel a series coming up on that last point. Stay tuned Monday for part one of my series "The Advent Conspiracy."

We Shopped till We Dropped

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-shopped-till-we-dropped.html

Shopping till I Fall Asleep

For the first time last year, the Hershey Outlets opened at 12:00AM on Black Friday. I was skeptical but apparently the cars were lined up for miles on Hersheypark Drive to cash in on the fantabulous deals that were only available to those night owl shoppers.

Being a night owl myself, I think it is a great idea. Getting up at 4:00AM to get all the early bird specials has never held any appeal for me. I'd rather pay full price than get up at the crack of dawn---even for shopping.

So, I'm actually thinking about being one of those midnight shoppers this year. It's much easier for me to shop until 4AM rather than get up at 4aM. Does that make sense? If nothing else, it sounds fun and something this mom who will have been in the house for two weeks with three sick kids may need to do. You know...retail therapy.

However, if you are over 35---and maybe even 30---you know that I will pay for this novel endeavor for anywhere between 3-5 days. I used to stay up until the wee hours of the night/morning in college and beyond and still get up for 8AM classes and run a full day. And then do it all over again the next night.

These days? Not so much. Staying up for New Year's Eve sets me back a few days. And, of course, with kids there is no such thing as sleeping in.

Nevertheless, I'm feeling like living on the edge. Anyone want to join me?

Shopping till I Fall Asleep

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/11/shopping-till-i-fall-asleep.html

Signs that Make Sense

Noting the abundance of “NO SMOKING IN LAVATORY” signs on airplanes, New York Times tech columnist David Pogue began to rant: “Above all, is this really the most important bit of bad passenger behavior the airlines worry about? Shouldn’t there be at least one placard that says,


“No jiggling the seat in front of you."

or

“No blocking the aisle like a clueless idiot while you fiddle with the overhead bin and holding the line of people who are trying to get to their seats?”


In their comments, his readers suggested:

"No on-flight manicures involving nail polish remover."


"Just sit there and don't recline that seat into the passenger-behind-you's knees on a short flight."


"Turn off your cell phone while on the plane even if it is on the ground, unless someone is dying or the contractions are two minutes apart. Nothing is that important."


"It will not kill you if you help the person lift their bags into the overhead bin."


"Traveling with children is not a handicap, it's your choice to let the person in a wheelchair or on crutches board first."


"I don't care who you know, who you are or where you are from. If you have a ticket, stand in line with the rest of us. Otherwise, sit down, shut up, and wait to see if they can take you standby."


Do you have any you'd like to add?

Signs that Make Sense

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/11/noting-abundance-of-no-smoking-in.html

Now We Know Why Nannies are a Necessity

Brittany giving parenting advice? To Heidi Klum?

Okay, would you ever even admit you didn't know what the "sticky things" were for on a diaper? And string!!!

Suddenly I feel like a pretty good mom.

Now We Know Why Nannies are a Necessity

https://momnaction.blogspot.com/2007/11/now-we-know-why-nannies-are-necessity.html