Whiskey and Gold

 

This is a Leprechaun Trap 

 

I realize not every child is aware that the Leprechaun has a hankering for Irish Whiskey.

But, according to my children, they love it almost as much as they love the gold.

 

The signs read 'Have some Whisky', and 'Free Gold'.

What Leprechaun could resist?

 

Any smart Leprechaun would follow the trail of pennies, err.. gold, catch whiff of the whiskey (not yet there, as we don't have any left in the house. Darn Leprechauns!), sight of the gold and would sprint across the top of the box, to where he will meet his demise, fall into a hole and get stuck to the sticky tape at the bottom!

 

Today is the first day of spring break and as you can see, the kids are enjoying themselves. We are looking forward to 2 weeks of sleeping in, pool time and fun projects.

 

 



What's in Santa's Sack?

Shhh.... Don't tell!

For the Muffin Miester

Ukulele

 

For Mister Man

 



Microscope

 

For Zahra Joy

 

 

Purchased used from a local FB Buy and Sell group. Isn't it fantastic!!!? What a lucky find!

 

To go with it, I purchased some Ethnic dolls (which just so happen to cost $3 more than the white dolls. ???), and a nursery.

 

Ethnic dolls

 

 



Nursery 

Winter (SNOW!) Sensory Bin

Tomorrow is the last day of November, and we still do not have snow on the ground!

 

Zahra is so eager to make a snowman! She draws and talks about them all the time.

 

I decided since I can't control the weather, I would find a way to make my own snow. I googled my way to some wonderful recipes, but decided to go with this one.

It is cold to the touch!

It powders like real snow!

It compacts like real snow!

 

 

What is it!?

 

It is so simple!!

 

Are you ready for it?

 

6 cups of baking soda

1 cup of hair conditioner

 

Yep, that's it!

 

Our bin is pretty large, so we tripled this recipe.

The cost? $7

 

 

Chances are, you live in a less remote place as we do, and will have better luck finding 'winter' animals, like penguins and polar bears!

 

My kids laughed at me when I brought home the donkey, sheep and turkey. But hey, these are animals that do live in our snowy climate!

 

Tips for this craft: We purchased a large $2 bottle of conditioner from Walmart that had a very strong floral scent. The scent is rather overpowering really. I highly suggest purchasing a non scented conditioner if you have the option! I would have loved to do a non scented with some peppermint essential oil! (Unless you are able to find cheap peppermint conditioner!)

 

My older kids LOVE this just as much as Z does!

 

(Not safe for consumption - so watch the little ones!)

 

In Studio Photo Shoot - 1 yr

We've been home for 5 months now!

I've been wanting so badly to get photos done, but since we are still recovering financially from the last years events and preparing for upcoming needs (new vehicle, flooring, toilet - ALL I want for Christmas is a new toilet BTW. How is that for low maintenance!?), we had to forgo the type of photo shoot we normally would have. You know the one in nature, of candid shots instead of staged shots?

The thing is, I am capable of taking some pretty good photos, but Dan likes to take photos of his thumb prints, and without a tripod (hmmm... another gift idea? Of course my husband will (Should ?) be reading this. ), it means we are unable to have a family picture. Also, I am finding that more photographers are no longer offering digital files for a set fee. You have to pay for the session, then for each individual photo or package - printed. I prefer to have the files, for uploading, and editing/playing around with, and I don't need a bunch of prints, nor a $400 bill. I don't mind paying for a photographers time, but just let me buy the digital files. Non edited even.

I need to make friends with some hobby photographers. Anyone?

So we went to Tot Shots. They offer a digital photo package for $50 (in addition to other package of your choice.) Perfect. Affordable.

Zahra wasn't exactly what I would call the perfect model, as she was uncooperative in the beginning and then just wild at the end. (Certainly this is where a photographer would have come in handy!)

 

 

 

 

OUTAKES

 

Snow

The 'COLD SCOWL'



 

 

 

On the way to visit family in Alberta last weekend, we came across some first snow of the season. Of course, the kids wouldn't allow us to continue without stopping. We were also excited to show it to Z as well.

 

She knew what it was right away, and she knew it was going to be cold. At first she wouldn't even allow me to put a piece in her hand. "Cold Mommy!"

 



I'm not so sure this is a 'good' thing.

HMMM.... maybe it's not so bad.

'Okay Mom, what do you want me to do with it now?'

'Throw it at my brother!'

 

'Throw it at my sister! Now it's fun!!'

This snow was just a teaser, we are waiting for our big 'dump' of snow here, of which we will certainly video tape her reaction!

 

OUTTAKES

 



Perfect timing of Mister whipping a snow ball at my window. Look at the look on his face! Cracks me up!! My sweet little boy - possessed.  



Sensory Bin FUN!

Now that Fall has moved in, and the sandbox is no longer an option... we have moved sensory play indoors.

In Kenya we had a large bowl filled with different dried beans/peas that Z played with. She loved it, but it was somewhat frowned upon by our Kenyan friends and visitors. Why on earth would we allow her to play with good food!? We got tsked several times and a couple head shakes for good measure. They thought we were nuts.

Fact is, sensory play is so important! Not just for our adopted children, but every child! Click here to find out why.

$25 got us a fairly big bin, and a large bag of dried split peas.  Add some animals, cars, toys, spoons, bowls, funnels etc... and you have a bin of FUN!

 

All my children love this bin actually... and I can often get lost in sifting the peas through my fingers. Rice works as well, flax seed, flour, oatmeal, cooked spaghetti - use your imagination, or do what I do, and just look for the cheapest options at the grocery store. Other people have used shredded paper, aquarium gravel, cotton balls etc. This is a great way to incorporate learning by creating themed bins... counting, colors, animals, letters, shapes etc.

Our bin is just about fun this month. Her favorite game is to bury all the animals and then find them again. She can spend a full hour playing in this bin!

 

 

OUTAKES

 

This is what a sensory bin looks like after a certain 3 year old decided to try and sit inside the bin.

 

 

 

Friday Foto - Halloween

I feel like I have missed out on every single holiday last year, so we are hitting it hard this year. Not to mention how much fun it is to get right into the spirit of things when you have a 3 yr old!

In spirit of Halloween, this is how I spent my evening last night...

(Notice how I put in the 'BEFORE' and 'AFTER', like you wouldn't know!? Duh...)

 


AFTER

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER







BEFORE

AFTER



BEFORE

AFTER



BEFORE

AFTER



Pink Princess Party

I thought I would share our invitations that I made for Zahra's Welcome Home/ Birthday Party. We really want to have a large celebration to not only celebrate her 1-2-3rd birthday, but also as a special day to share her with our family/friends and celebrate her coming into our family and home. We are going to do this party up big and PINK. Look out Pinterest!

'Mini Dude' Super Power

My children have a super power alter ego, called 'Mini Dudes'. One thing the Mini Dudes like to do is be extreme. No fear. Mini Dudes love to explore, take the unbeaten path and 'shred' their way down steep hills.

A couple weeks ago... (when the sun was shining and the rain was not present), we hiked up Pulpit Rock.

The trail is a steep ascent, but the views are beautiful! Overlooking our town...

Mini Dude poses - this captures their Mini Dude persona's perfectly!

This video below is embedded from Facebook, and I can't seem to align it or move it... but it shows some more Mini Dude action.