Play Dough Fun

My kids love playing with play dough. There is nothing like a big lump of fresh, homemade, non edible goodness - Even I can't keep from squishing, squeezing and rolling it into a snake. The kids have been at the ball/snake stage for some time...but now they have graduated to more sophisticated play dough molding skills. Miah is into nests (complete with eggs) and teas sets. Avery makes cinnamon rolls, cookies and the occasional snowman and Tov loves to roll and squish his play dough as flat as he can and cut shapes with his special play dough pocket knife. I especially love that this particular activity keeps them occupied for a least a good half hour, maybe more.
Here is a fabulous play dough recipe that stays soft and pliable for months and months. Depending on what Koolaid flavor you pick - it smells wonderful too.

2 1/2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Salt
1 Tbs. Cream of tarter
1-2 Pkg. Koolaid
3 Tbs. oil
2 C. Boiling water

Bunko Buddies Brave the Butte

I just found these pictures that my lovely friend Sarah put on a disk for me from this summer. Oh what wonderful memories came flooding back when I opened them up... Let me explain why this particular event from my past is so meaningful to me. First of all -these are a few of my dearest friends that I have shared many wonderful life moments with, (Sarah Coke, Jen Howell and Rachel Kroon). We all have very young children and because our lives are so "wrapped up"in our little people we can sometimes forget what life is like on the outside and what to do with ourselves without our little attachments. We often face a very real identity crisis...what DO I like to do for fun? what ARE my Hobbies? Who am I? So often when we are together we are in mommy mode, swapping potty training techniques and sharing the latest outrageous family drama. We all pour ourselves into our families and find so much joy in taking care of them, but on this particular day, it was so refreshing to just be friends, having fun, laughing, being crazy and enjoying one another. Instead of playing Bunko on the first Tuesday of the month, (which was our usual practice) we decided to hike the Butte, get some exercise and enjoy a beautiful Alaskan summer evening together. It was wonderful. I know it looks like we are all about to hawk loogies (I've never written that word before...not sure how :) in that last picture, but that is absolutely NOT what we were doing! We were, with extreme feminine delicacy, spitting cherry pits. It just so happened that this little amusement turned highly competitive and it wasn't long until all feminine delicacy went straight out the window! And so I must say that it was very very close, but I am to this day the reigning Cherry spitting champion! (Sorry Sarah - you know I had to say it!)

Fall Festival Fun

This year the whole family dressed up for the NTMA fall festival. As you can see we went for a folk fairytale look and this was the first year I actually MADE costumes. I know it looks like Zach didn't dress up at all...and in actuallity he didn't...but I incorporated him into the theme as well. He is Zach and I am Jill...you know...Zach and Jill went up a hill :) We had a good time. I was so pleased with how my little gingerbread man turned out. As soon as I slipped this little number over Tovie's head he was off..."can't catch me, I'm the Gingerman!" he would say. I though it was very fitting since it's hard to keep up with him anyway!! He attempted to bob for apples at the carnival but turned out to be a big cheater. He doesn't like his face in the water so as soon as his lips submersed...he grabbed the apple and stuck it in his mouth. Avery and Miah had a ball with the games and of course the candy - they were the cutest Goldie Locks and Red Riding Hood ever! It was a very memorable night.