This is a blog about motherhood and the creativity that is involved with life. It is also a chance to laugh, share and enjoy the stories from other mothers.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Mesh baby safe feeder
Gianna loves to chew with her mesh feeder. You know the mesh thing you can put fruit in and they mush it up. Well I put ice in it for Gianna, she loves the hard and cold against hre sore gums. Last night I put some grapes in the freezer so she is sucking on those today! I know her poor teeth are really bugging her!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
iced coffee
I don't know about you guys but I am a huge fan of iced coffee in the summer. I hate, however, the watery mess you get at the bottom of your glass. So I froze some leftover coffee in ice cube trays and now I use that as ice in my glass!! No more water downed coffee! YUM!!!!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Milestones
This past week Gianna has started pulling herself up to the standing position and also trying to walk around objects. She is only 6 1/2 months old so I am a little concerned (in a great way) that we had to lower the crib because she was trying to climb out! So I found a list of Milestones that I thought was handy. I thought you might as well!
Baby Milestones
By the editors of Parenting magazine, Parenting
Baby Milestone Checklist
Baby Milestone Checklist - Parenting.com
10 Essential Baby Milestones
See if your baby is hitting each mark on time - Parenting.com
Is Your Baby Smiling?
How to tell if it's a grin - or just gas - Parenting.com It's a thrill for parents, seeing the first time their baby smiles, grabs, rolls over, and progresses through the whole range of developmental milestones. What are these milestones and when do babies reach them? And how can you tell if your child is just a late bloomer or is actually delayed? Read on.
The 9 major physical milestones
Smiling (8 weeks)
Your baby has an adorable grin, but your husband says, "That's just gas." Is he right? It depends on how old your little grinner is. An infant can't produce what's called a social smile until about 8 weeks. It takes that long for his nervous system and vision to develop enough to see you and produce a smile in response.
Smiling is a baby's first social skill -- he's picking up on how relationships work -- as well as a signal of emotional growth. Your baby is showing you he can distinguish between different emotional states; he's aware that the happy feeling he gets when he sees you isn't the same as the sad feeling he has when you're not around.
Rolling over (2 or 3 months)
During tummy time (which you should supervise), your baby may lift herself into a push-up position and then start to rock back and forth or kick her feet. Then, if she's strong enough, those movements will send her rolling over. (She may get startled and cry the first time!) Flipping from back to front often takes until around 5 months because it requires more coordination and strength. You don't need to coach your baby to roll, though; just make sure she has a safe place to try it out if she wants to.
Grabbing (3 or 4 months)
After the first few months, babies begin to gauge where things are in space, and they can plan an action, such as grabbing a pacifier. By simply dropping something and picking it up, your baby's learning that he can manipulate things with his hands, and he's learning more details about how his toys work. He can make the rattle produce a sound, for instance, which teaches him cause and effect. Being able to grab things means he can engage more in play -- whether by himself or with you.
Hugging (5 months)
Your baby will quickly learn to hug Mom, Dad, and other people she's comfortable around -- as well as her stuffed gorilla, the cat, and anything else she adores -- by watching others hug and getting hugged herself.
Not all babies are wild about hugging, though. Some are naturally more affectionate, while others are just too busy exploring their environment to stop for a cuddle. So try not to take it personally if your baby isn't wrapping her arms around you. She might be more receptive to physical affection before naps, at bedtime, or while you're looking at a book together.
Playing peekaboo (6 months)
What is it about this game that makes your baby crack up no matter how many times you play? When a baby understands the concept of object permanence -- that even though he can't see your face, it's still there behind your hands or his blankie -- he gets a thrill from knowing that at any minute your smiling face will pop back into view.
A few months later, he'll be able to play along by hiding himself. How to increase the fun:
1. Sit close enough that your baby can see your eyes. It'll keep him focused on what you're doing.
2. Ask, "Where's Mommy?" Your voice will reassure him that you're still there.
3. Vary the length of time you're hiding and play with the tone of your voice to make the game more stimulating for him (and less monotonous for you!).
Sitting up (8 months)
Once your baby has enough balance, arm strength, and head, neck, and lower-body control, she'll be able to sit up and take in a whole new world. At this point, her improving eyesight will allow her to see objects outside her direct line of vision -- and she'll try to pull herself up to get a better look.
At first, she won't be able to sit up for long on her own and may need to put out her hand for balance. To motivate your baby to sit well, dangle or set her favorite toy in front of her, then slowly move it from side to side to encourage her to reach for the toy and rely solely on her torso and legs for balance. She'll be sitting without help in no time!
Crawling (6 to 10 months)
Now that your baby's sitting up by himself, it won't be long before he's looking to broaden his horizons. He'll probably start by repositioning himself, from sitting to being on all fours. Then he'll test his arms: When he figures out that they can support him, off he'll go. Some babies start to move without doing the typical hands-and-knees crawl. Yours might shuffle across the floor on his bottom, slither on his belly, or even roll. To encourage him, clear some space. Then place things he likes (including yourself) just out of reach. And be sure to keep him safe by childproofing the house. Take a tour on your hands and knees, and remove anything your baby shouldn't get into.
Pulling up (8 months)
Until now, your baby has depended on you to help her get up on her feet. But at around 8 months, her torso and leg muscles will be strong enough for her to stand up on her own. It's also when she'll realize that she can: Her confidence has been boosted by her ability to roll over, sit up on her own, and crawl.
At first, she'll look for things to pull up on -- the side of the crib, the arm of the sofa, your leg -- so be sure to remove objects that aren't safe or sturdy enough for support, or that have sharp edges she can fall on. And while she may not need to grab your fingers to get up anymore, she won't know how to bend her knees to sit until she's about 10 or 12 months.
Walking (10 to 18 months)
First steps represent a huge developmental leap. Walking requires muscle strength, coordination, balance -- and a certain level of emotional maturity, too. After all, when you're crawling, your center of gravity is just a few inches off the ground. To walk you need to have a bit more confidence. That's why some beginning walkers are content to cruise along the furniture for weeks. The more eager hike away and never look back.
On the most basic level, walking frees up your child's hands to carry items while he moves about independently. By incorporating everything he's learned from all the other milestones -- about space, objects, and people -- he can now bring you things. This turns a purely physical skill into a game, as well as a rich social interaction. For instance: He comes over to you with his little toy duck and you say, "Thank you." You quack a few times (to his delight), and then he takes his duck away and you say, "Bye-bye, duck."
What influences your child's development?
Temperament
Some kids are daredevils: the first to climb onto the coffee table to see out the window and -- later -- the first to jump off the diving board. They're frequently the ones who walk early. More cautious kids often want to know they can do something well before they do it all.
Natural strengths
Think of your own family -- is there one person who's particularly good at writing or loves to build things? Individual fortes can show up as early as age 1, so a child who talks early may well end up being a talented writer or orator. This doesn't mean that children who are late bloomers in these areas won't thrive in them eventually, though.
Siblings
Kids with an older sib often reach milestones sooner than expected because they push themselves to keep up. On the flip side, having an older sibling may also mean that milestones come late -- if, for instance, a child has an older brother or sister who gets his toys for him rather than letting him get them himself. So sometimes you'll need to act as a referee, reminding your older child to let his brother try things by himself or not to push him too hard to do something he's not ready for yet.
Premature birth
Babies born early often take longer than others to reach milestones, but by age 2 they usually catch up to their peers. In fact, pediatricians say that when gauging a preemie's development, parents should begin counting from the child's due date, not from his birth date. So a child born three months early should be expected to reach at 6 months the milestones of a 3-month-old.
Signs of developmental delays
Most of the time, kids who are slow to develop in one area catch up just fine. But sometimes late milestones can signal a problem. The warning signs:
* Your child is delayed in more than one area. For instance, she's 15 months old and hasn't uttered a word or taken a step, and she seems to be wrapped up in her own world, or she doesn't turn to look at you when you enter a room or say her name.
* The delay is two months or more from the norm. He's 17 months old and not walking, or he's 7 months and hasn't smiled yet.
* Your child doesn't seem to understand or respond when you talk. Somewhere between 8 and 12 months, most babies will point to their favorite stuffed animal if you ask them where it is, or at least look in the right direction. By 12 to 15 months, they'll begin to respond to simple verbal requests: If you ask a typical 1-year-old to bring you her shoe, she will.
Easing your worries
Milestones are often a source of stress for new moms, particularly if they focus too much on checking off items on a development chart rather than simply enjoying the glorious journey of their child's growth. How to stop the worries:
Back away from the computer. Fueled by Internet searches, your mind can travel down all sorts of frightening pathways if your baby is not hitting his milestone markers. But the truth is that "normal" has very broad parameters.
Stop comparing your baby to others. There is no indication that minor variations in the achievement of milestones have any relationship to later abilities or disabilities. So just because your friend's little achiever rolls over sooner than your baby doesn't mean your kid is less advanced.
Seek help in extreme cases. A mild delay in one area of development is generally not a cause for concern, but if it's coupled with other delays, talk to your doctor. Also, let your pediatrician know when there's a lag of more than a few months in any area of development.
Summary
Your baby's first year is full of wonderful surprises -- for him and for you. Try not to worry about whether he's smiling, crawling, or walking "on time," and offer him gentle encouragement. And most of all, enjoy the ride!
Baby Milestones
By the editors of Parenting magazine, Parenting
Baby Milestone Checklist
Baby Milestone Checklist - Parenting.com
10 Essential Baby Milestones
See if your baby is hitting each mark on time - Parenting.com
Is Your Baby Smiling?
How to tell if it's a grin - or just gas - Parenting.com It's a thrill for parents, seeing the first time their baby smiles, grabs, rolls over, and progresses through the whole range of developmental milestones. What are these milestones and when do babies reach them? And how can you tell if your child is just a late bloomer or is actually delayed? Read on.
The 9 major physical milestones
Smiling (8 weeks)
Your baby has an adorable grin, but your husband says, "That's just gas." Is he right? It depends on how old your little grinner is. An infant can't produce what's called a social smile until about 8 weeks. It takes that long for his nervous system and vision to develop enough to see you and produce a smile in response.
Smiling is a baby's first social skill -- he's picking up on how relationships work -- as well as a signal of emotional growth. Your baby is showing you he can distinguish between different emotional states; he's aware that the happy feeling he gets when he sees you isn't the same as the sad feeling he has when you're not around.
Rolling over (2 or 3 months)
During tummy time (which you should supervise), your baby may lift herself into a push-up position and then start to rock back and forth or kick her feet. Then, if she's strong enough, those movements will send her rolling over. (She may get startled and cry the first time!) Flipping from back to front often takes until around 5 months because it requires more coordination and strength. You don't need to coach your baby to roll, though; just make sure she has a safe place to try it out if she wants to.
Grabbing (3 or 4 months)
After the first few months, babies begin to gauge where things are in space, and they can plan an action, such as grabbing a pacifier. By simply dropping something and picking it up, your baby's learning that he can manipulate things with his hands, and he's learning more details about how his toys work. He can make the rattle produce a sound, for instance, which teaches him cause and effect. Being able to grab things means he can engage more in play -- whether by himself or with you.
Hugging (5 months)
Your baby will quickly learn to hug Mom, Dad, and other people she's comfortable around -- as well as her stuffed gorilla, the cat, and anything else she adores -- by watching others hug and getting hugged herself.
Not all babies are wild about hugging, though. Some are naturally more affectionate, while others are just too busy exploring their environment to stop for a cuddle. So try not to take it personally if your baby isn't wrapping her arms around you. She might be more receptive to physical affection before naps, at bedtime, or while you're looking at a book together.
Playing peekaboo (6 months)
What is it about this game that makes your baby crack up no matter how many times you play? When a baby understands the concept of object permanence -- that even though he can't see your face, it's still there behind your hands or his blankie -- he gets a thrill from knowing that at any minute your smiling face will pop back into view.
A few months later, he'll be able to play along by hiding himself. How to increase the fun:
1. Sit close enough that your baby can see your eyes. It'll keep him focused on what you're doing.
2. Ask, "Where's Mommy?" Your voice will reassure him that you're still there.
3. Vary the length of time you're hiding and play with the tone of your voice to make the game more stimulating for him (and less monotonous for you!).
Sitting up (8 months)
Once your baby has enough balance, arm strength, and head, neck, and lower-body control, she'll be able to sit up and take in a whole new world. At this point, her improving eyesight will allow her to see objects outside her direct line of vision -- and she'll try to pull herself up to get a better look.
At first, she won't be able to sit up for long on her own and may need to put out her hand for balance. To motivate your baby to sit well, dangle or set her favorite toy in front of her, then slowly move it from side to side to encourage her to reach for the toy and rely solely on her torso and legs for balance. She'll be sitting without help in no time!
Crawling (6 to 10 months)
Now that your baby's sitting up by himself, it won't be long before he's looking to broaden his horizons. He'll probably start by repositioning himself, from sitting to being on all fours. Then he'll test his arms: When he figures out that they can support him, off he'll go. Some babies start to move without doing the typical hands-and-knees crawl. Yours might shuffle across the floor on his bottom, slither on his belly, or even roll. To encourage him, clear some space. Then place things he likes (including yourself) just out of reach. And be sure to keep him safe by childproofing the house. Take a tour on your hands and knees, and remove anything your baby shouldn't get into.
Pulling up (8 months)
Until now, your baby has depended on you to help her get up on her feet. But at around 8 months, her torso and leg muscles will be strong enough for her to stand up on her own. It's also when she'll realize that she can: Her confidence has been boosted by her ability to roll over, sit up on her own, and crawl.
At first, she'll look for things to pull up on -- the side of the crib, the arm of the sofa, your leg -- so be sure to remove objects that aren't safe or sturdy enough for support, or that have sharp edges she can fall on. And while she may not need to grab your fingers to get up anymore, she won't know how to bend her knees to sit until she's about 10 or 12 months.
Walking (10 to 18 months)
First steps represent a huge developmental leap. Walking requires muscle strength, coordination, balance -- and a certain level of emotional maturity, too. After all, when you're crawling, your center of gravity is just a few inches off the ground. To walk you need to have a bit more confidence. That's why some beginning walkers are content to cruise along the furniture for weeks. The more eager hike away and never look back.
On the most basic level, walking frees up your child's hands to carry items while he moves about independently. By incorporating everything he's learned from all the other milestones -- about space, objects, and people -- he can now bring you things. This turns a purely physical skill into a game, as well as a rich social interaction. For instance: He comes over to you with his little toy duck and you say, "Thank you." You quack a few times (to his delight), and then he takes his duck away and you say, "Bye-bye, duck."
What influences your child's development?
Temperament
Some kids are daredevils: the first to climb onto the coffee table to see out the window and -- later -- the first to jump off the diving board. They're frequently the ones who walk early. More cautious kids often want to know they can do something well before they do it all.
Natural strengths
Think of your own family -- is there one person who's particularly good at writing or loves to build things? Individual fortes can show up as early as age 1, so a child who talks early may well end up being a talented writer or orator. This doesn't mean that children who are late bloomers in these areas won't thrive in them eventually, though.
Siblings
Kids with an older sib often reach milestones sooner than expected because they push themselves to keep up. On the flip side, having an older sibling may also mean that milestones come late -- if, for instance, a child has an older brother or sister who gets his toys for him rather than letting him get them himself. So sometimes you'll need to act as a referee, reminding your older child to let his brother try things by himself or not to push him too hard to do something he's not ready for yet.
Premature birth
Babies born early often take longer than others to reach milestones, but by age 2 they usually catch up to their peers. In fact, pediatricians say that when gauging a preemie's development, parents should begin counting from the child's due date, not from his birth date. So a child born three months early should be expected to reach at 6 months the milestones of a 3-month-old.
Signs of developmental delays
Most of the time, kids who are slow to develop in one area catch up just fine. But sometimes late milestones can signal a problem. The warning signs:
* Your child is delayed in more than one area. For instance, she's 15 months old and hasn't uttered a word or taken a step, and she seems to be wrapped up in her own world, or she doesn't turn to look at you when you enter a room or say her name.
* The delay is two months or more from the norm. He's 17 months old and not walking, or he's 7 months and hasn't smiled yet.
* Your child doesn't seem to understand or respond when you talk. Somewhere between 8 and 12 months, most babies will point to their favorite stuffed animal if you ask them where it is, or at least look in the right direction. By 12 to 15 months, they'll begin to respond to simple verbal requests: If you ask a typical 1-year-old to bring you her shoe, she will.
Easing your worries
Milestones are often a source of stress for new moms, particularly if they focus too much on checking off items on a development chart rather than simply enjoying the glorious journey of their child's growth. How to stop the worries:
Back away from the computer. Fueled by Internet searches, your mind can travel down all sorts of frightening pathways if your baby is not hitting his milestone markers. But the truth is that "normal" has very broad parameters.
Stop comparing your baby to others. There is no indication that minor variations in the achievement of milestones have any relationship to later abilities or disabilities. So just because your friend's little achiever rolls over sooner than your baby doesn't mean your kid is less advanced.
Seek help in extreme cases. A mild delay in one area of development is generally not a cause for concern, but if it's coupled with other delays, talk to your doctor. Also, let your pediatrician know when there's a lag of more than a few months in any area of development.
Summary
Your baby's first year is full of wonderful surprises -- for him and for you. Try not to worry about whether he's smiling, crawling, or walking "on time," and offer him gentle encouragement. And most of all, enjoy the ride!
Whew
I just got back from a week road trip with Gianna. Whew that was tough! One thing I was so happy I brought was a nightlight for the hotel room! It made the late night everythings a lot easier! I am very lucky, Gianna was an excellent traveler! We will go on another road trip, not anytime soon, but another one! :)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Just Playing
"Just Playing" by Anita WadleyShare
When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "Just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balance, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I just might be a teacher someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle
Or some "playing" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.
When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "Just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balance, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I just might be a teacher someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle
Or some "playing" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.
Nurse Number
I got this number from a wonderful woman in our gym class. She used it when her son was sick and says it is the best number for medical questions!
The people that answer the phone are the nurses that answer the exchange after hours. Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. noon - 8:00.
314-454-KIDS
The people that answer the phone are the nurses that answer the exchange after hours. Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. noon - 8:00.
314-454-KIDS
20 party recipes in 20 min from Pillsbury
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/20-party-recipes-in-20-minutes.htm?WT.mc_id=partner_facebook_pillsbury
These recipes look yummy!
These recipes look yummy!
A feel good read, okay this made me cry
A newborn's conversation with God…
A baby asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said,
"Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired,
"But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said,
"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked,
"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said,
"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said,
“Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
“Who will protect me?"
God said,
"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said,
"Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,
"God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom'."
A baby asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said,
"Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired,
"But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said,
"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked,
"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said,
"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said,
“Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
“Who will protect me?"
God said,
"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said,
"Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,
"God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom'."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
June 4th
The reason this date is because it is National Doughnut Day. If you go to Krispy Kreme on June 4th you can get free glazed goodies!!! YUM!! Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
ideas to help keep bugs away
This time of year means backyard fun!! Here are some ideas I found in my June issue of Parents mag.
Make a citrus centerpiece by using a jar, or bowl of halved lemons. This may help keep mosquitoes away because they hate the smell!
Blow them away by pointing a fan at the table area, this will keep flying pests from landing on you or the food table. The bonus of this is that it will help keep you cool as well!
Bugs are drawn to blue or uv light so illuminate your deck with a yellow-coated bulb, like GE's Bug Lite.
Make a citrus centerpiece by using a jar, or bowl of halved lemons. This may help keep mosquitoes away because they hate the smell!
Blow them away by pointing a fan at the table area, this will keep flying pests from landing on you or the food table. The bonus of this is that it will help keep you cool as well!
Bugs are drawn to blue or uv light so illuminate your deck with a yellow-coated bulb, like GE's Bug Lite.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! You deserve to have the best day ever!!!
Ice cream in a bag!
I use to make this while I was in college, I learned how teaching a lesson for one of my classes! It is so much fun and so easy to have homemade ice cream when ever you want it!
Cream in a Bag in 5 Minutes
By lovesherboys, eHow Member
Vanilla Ice Cream
How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag in 5 Minutes This works great for those late night cravings when you're out of ice cream, is quick and easy for children to do as well, and can be made for a single servings or a whole family!
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
sandwich & quart zipper bags
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp salt
2 cups ice cubes (1 ice cube tray worth)
Step 1
Ingredients
Gather necessary ingredients. If you want to increase the amount you will have to use larger bags (quart & gallon)
Step 2
Place bag into ice mixture
Mix vanilla extract, sugar, and milk. Pour into smaller size bag and seal closed. Put ice cubes and salt into larger size bag. Place the bag with milk mixture into the ice mixture bag and seal closed.
Step 3
Almost done
Make sure bags are sealed COMPLETELY, hold bag with both hands and shake for 5-10 min. You will feel the ice cream getting thicker.
Step 4
Yummy!
When ice cream is desired thickness, remove bag from ice mixture. Wipe the outside of bag with rag or dish towel to remove salt. If you do not do this, you will have salty ice cream :( - Open your ice cream, pour into dish, and enjoy!
Tips & Warnings
Try experimenting with different flavors; add pieces of fruit or puree(banana, strawberries), add cocoa powder, granola pieces, or chocolate candy.
Try a sundae party with a group of children!When removing salt from bag,
DO NOT rinse the salt off. The water will defrost your ice cream
Cream in a Bag in 5 Minutes
By lovesherboys, eHow Member
Vanilla Ice Cream
How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag in 5 Minutes This works great for those late night cravings when you're out of ice cream, is quick and easy for children to do as well, and can be made for a single servings or a whole family!
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
sandwich & quart zipper bags
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp salt
2 cups ice cubes (1 ice cube tray worth)
Step 1
Ingredients
Gather necessary ingredients. If you want to increase the amount you will have to use larger bags (quart & gallon)
Step 2
Place bag into ice mixture
Mix vanilla extract, sugar, and milk. Pour into smaller size bag and seal closed. Put ice cubes and salt into larger size bag. Place the bag with milk mixture into the ice mixture bag and seal closed.
Step 3
Almost done
Make sure bags are sealed COMPLETELY, hold bag with both hands and shake for 5-10 min. You will feel the ice cream getting thicker.
Step 4
Yummy!
When ice cream is desired thickness, remove bag from ice mixture. Wipe the outside of bag with rag or dish towel to remove salt. If you do not do this, you will have salty ice cream :( - Open your ice cream, pour into dish, and enjoy!
Tips & Warnings
Try experimenting with different flavors; add pieces of fruit or puree(banana, strawberries), add cocoa powder, granola pieces, or chocolate candy.
Try a sundae party with a group of children!When removing salt from bag,
DO NOT rinse the salt off. The water will defrost your ice cream
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Eggs-cellent Idea
From Parents mag. I found this tip. Use the leftover plastic Easter Eggs and fill with snacks. This way when the kids want seomthing to eat while you are out you have something in the perfect portion size to give them. Some little ones may like to play with the egg just as much as eat the hidden snack! ;)
flower petal sun catcher
For those of you who will get flowers for Mother's Day or any other occasion and want to do something with the beautiful petals here is an idea for you.
Flower petal suncatcher
1. remove petals from stem
2. press petals between the pages of a heavy book, such as a phone book.
3. When the petals are completely dry glue to a piece of waxed paper and add constuction paper border to create the "stained glass".
4. Hang in the window and enjoy!
Flower petal suncatcher
1. remove petals from stem
2. press petals between the pages of a heavy book, such as a phone book.
3. When the petals are completely dry glue to a piece of waxed paper and add constuction paper border to create the "stained glass".
4. Hang in the window and enjoy!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
6 month photos
Hey guys here are Gianna's 6 month photos! www.sungazingphotography.com
click on the client tab then our password is regina
Check them out!
click on the client tab then our password is regina
Check them out!
Deals
http://networkedblogs.com/3xLVl
Here is a link for baby deals. Check them out soon, they have expiration dates.
Here is a link for baby deals. Check them out soon, they have expiration dates.
Monday, May 3, 2010
feel free
Please feel free to comment on any post I put up. I would love to hear from anyone reading my posts! I hope this blog has some ideas you can use. I would love to hear what you think!
Dry erase markers
I love Dry erase markers, it may be the teacher in me I don't know! I have a full length mirror next to the door into my garage. I write out with dry erase marker what we are doing for the week. This way I can just take a moment and see what is going on. Also, after I plan out the meals for the week I write it down as well. This helps to keep me organized. I keep one in the bathroom so I can write a quick note to myself or my husband on the mirror! The 3rd way I use the markers in my house is to write the date on top of plastic left over containers. I can never keep track of days anymore so this helps me know how long something has been in the fridge! Ah thank you dry erase markers!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
jack in a can
This is a fun toy you can make for 6 month old and up! I got the idea from babycenter.com
I made this for Gianna using a finger puppet, a plastic knife, tape, and a plastic cup! I used the tape over the plastic knife edges and cut a hole in the bottom of the cup. Gianna loves it!
Jack-in-the-Can
When a baby is getting the hang of object permanence (the idea that something still exists even when it can't be seen), any game where things appear and disappear is a hit. While traditional windup jack-in-the-boxes can still be too startling or scary at this age, you can make a baby-friendlier one yourself using simple materials from around the house.
Appropriate for: 6 to 10 months
Skills developed: Understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: A coffee can, yogurt carton, or large paper cup; a chopstick, pencil, or ruler; a small colorful toy (a finger puppet works best); some tape or glue
Punch a hole in the bottom of the container. Insert a chopstick, pencil, or ruler (even a stick from your garden will do) through the hole, then glue or tape to the tip a small stuffed animal or plastic figure. Even better, use a finger puppet (just slip it over the end of the stick and secure it with a bit of tape).
Now you have a hand-operated pop-up toy: Pull the stick down so the toy or puppet is hidden inside the can or cup, then push it up suddenly when you want the jack-in-the-can to greet your baby.
Cause and Effect
As babies become more observant and attuned to the notion of cause and effect, they get fascinated by light switches, TV remotes, and other things that seem like powerful agents of change. Cater to that fascination by showing your baby how certain actions bring certain results.
Appropriate for: 6 to 18 months
Skills developed: Concept of cause and effect, spatial relationships
What you'll need: Common household items
Start with simple changes: Open and close a cupboard door or dresser drawer, then turn a light switch on and off (besides on/off, this demonstrates light versus dark).
Then branch out into more active scenarios: Roll a ball across the floor to your baby or put a stuffed animal at the edge of the table, then push it off onto the chair. Or just encourage her to ring the doorbell. If you're feeling really adventurous, let her turn the faucet on and off – as long as it's the cold one.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Birthday Party Theme Ideas
I was looking around on the web for birthday party ideas. We are going to a lot of 1st birthdays now so I was curious about finding a different idea for Gianna's (yes it is in Oct. I am already thinking about coming up with a cute idea!). This link had a ton of ideas
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html
Photographer coupon
Here is a coupon for my wonderful photographer! I hope if you need pictures you check her out! I must admit I think the model she chose is the cutest thing ever! HAHA!! If you choose to use her let her know you found out about her from me, I think she would get a kick out of it! ;)
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