Right Now

Right now, I am sitting in a nursing nightgown (although my baby bird is weaned, I still love it).  I'm drinking my decaf with chocolate-caramel cream and thinking how I need to get a shower for our day out.

Right now, behind me is a bunch of pillows and toys from yesterday's "war" and a random undershirt.  I think it's my biggest bird's.

Right now, behind me on the floor there is also a sleepy head on those pillows.  He's talking about making a note so that his Daddy doesn't forget to wake him up early tomorrow for his visit to Daddy's work.

Right now, my baby bird is sleeping in his bed.  Probably for not too much longer.

Right now, my biggest bird is asleep on the couch, hands tucked under his body, just like when he was a baby.  A bowl with Cinnamon Life cereal crumbs sits on the floor next to him.  He turned the TV on to Phineas and Ferb long enough to fall back asleep.

 J thinks I need this device...

Keepin' it real...

I found inspiration for this post on Awesomely Awake:

 http://awesomelyawake.com/noticing-and-appreciating-lifes-messes/

Monster Playdough

I hope everyone had a safe and sane Fourth of July!  Ours wasn't exactly those things, but no one got hurt. :)


The heat was on yesterday at our house, so I needed an activity to get through those afternoon hours that are too hot to play outside and don't involve electricity.


I decided to make some Kool-Aid Playdough for the boys.  I didn't feel like digging up my playdough recipes, so a quick google search led me to this recipe from http://ecocrazymom.com.  It is simple and quick and yields enough for my 3 to each have a small amount.  I might double it next time.  We chose to do grape Kool-Aid, but any flavor would do.  The only thing I had to add to the recipe was a little more flour during the kneading process- it was still a bit sticky.  After it was cooled and ready, I set out pipe cleaners, craft sticks and googly eyes on the table to create monsters or whatever they were inspired to create.  It turned out to be quite funny.

 B's creation

 My personal favorite.  Creepy!

 N's

Stay cool and have a terrific day!

 Homemade Kool-Aid Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid mix
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oil

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt and Kool-Aid in a large bowl.
2. Add boiling water and oil, then mix with a wooden spoon until a dough ball starts to form.
3. Once the dough is cool enough to handle knead by hand until you have a nice even color. Hint: Children love helping with the kneading process, it’s a great hand exercise and the warmth of the dough adds additional sensory value!

Take Action!

During the month of March, our One Little Word prompt was to Take Action with our word.  My word is TODAY.  For me, this meant setting a deadline for a project I wanted to finish.  It meant vowing I would take the time (even 15 minutes) a day to spend creatively.  It means I need to utilize those early morning hours when the house is quiet or stay up 15 minutes later at night to get something accomplished for me, not the home or my family.

I am actually going to use this prompt for the month of July.  I am hoping that this idea of intentionally making time every day for my creative side will help me make it a habit. What do you do to stay creative or make time for yourself?