Playdoh and Meatloaf

So I have a couple of recipes to share...playdoh and meatloaf.  Having four kids of my own and now running a daycare with toddlers and preschoolers, I have tried many homemade playdoh recipes.  I hated all of them and finally decided that Playdoh was just going to have to be one of those things that I paid the money to buy the real deal.  A year or so ago my sister passed on a recipe for it that I hadn't tried.  It took me awhile to even make it.  And I. love. it.  A couple of the kids I watch helped me make up a fresh batch of colors.  The last batch lasted all fall and they play with it almost everyday.  I store it in large ziplock bags but you could also store it in tupperware bowls.  Here is the recipe:
1 Cup flour
1/2 Cup salt
1 T vegetable oil
1 pkg kool-aid mix (to add the color)
1 Cup boiling water
Stir together until thoroughly mixed then kneed until color is throughout.  Let cool and play with it or seal it up for later.

My next recipe is for meatloaf.  I always thought I made a decent meatloaf.  I didn't really follow a recipe.  I did it by texture and feel.  I would occasionally "shake things up" a bit and add different seasonings or flavorings.  I didn't make it very often because my kids did not enjoy it at.all.   I figured, well, it's meatloaf.  Kids don't like meatloaf, right?  Well, then one night I got all crazy and decided to try the Pioneer Woman's recipe for meatloaf.  They LOVED it!  I do make some adjustments now that I make it on a consistent basis.  I don't wrap it in bacon.  I am toying with the idea of frying up some bacon and sprinkling the crispy bits on top.  I also do not make near the amount of sauce that she calls for.  I half the recipe and still don't use quite all of it.  Part of the reason for that is because I only put the sauce on about 2/3 of the loaf as 1/3 of the people in our house don't like the sauce.  All my kids like meatloaf now.  Nathan even suggested that we make Mondays "Meatloaf Mondays" and they all agreed.  Here is the link:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/09/my-favorite-meatloaf/

John turns 9!

John turned 9 yesterday.  I feel like I missed out because I sent the day laying on the couch moaning.  The stomach flu hit me full force.  So thankful for my husband who took care of me and made sure John had a great day celebrating.  I don't have any pictures, but here is John in summary this year:

Favorite meal:  supreme pizza...he probably would have had them put extra olives on it if it had been an option
Birthday cake:  German chocolate
Toys:  It was a K'nex birthday for John and he was in K'nex heaven.  His favorite was the Mario Kart Wii K'nex...what is better than racing Mario Kart?  Building Mario Kart
Hobbies:  building K'nex and Legos and reading.  He is currently working his way through the Ranger's Apprentice series. He takes a break from that series whenever a new Rick Riordan book comes out.
What he is currently saving for:  a Kindle Fire (he's a Bad Piggies fan)

It's all in your perspective....

After a two week break from routine, we settled back into life here on Monday.  With the new year comes some new perspective in my life.  My days can get very "ho hum" if I let them.  I get up in the morning, take a run, get the kids out the door to school, entertain babies, toddlers & preschoolers, laundry, household chores, dinner plans, welcome kids home, evening errands, go to bed, get up the next day and start it all over again.  It can completely zapped any joy in my life if I let it.  And so this week I began keeping my perspectives in check...

Instead of sighing and wishing for a treadmill in my basement each morning and complaining about the cold weather outside on the way to the gym, I am thankful for the blessing of a gym membership so I don't have to run outside as I get ready for the Indianapolis Mini.

Instead of being frustrated by my kids sinful behavior (because, I, of course never struggle with sin ;) ), I am thankful that the Lord has shown me areas in my kids' lives that need sharpening and in the process finding areas that I need to sharpen.

I have a great job in which I get to watch some awesome kids while keeping things up at home.

And one day I. will. miss. the laundry and the toys of my kids.  I won't get to sit and read books and hear the giggles as they relive the moments of their day.  My cheeks won't be wet from sloppy kisses forever and they won't always be in beds in the same house as me.  Thanking God so much for new perspectives each and every day....

Pinewood Derby 2013

Yesterday was the Pinewood Derby for 2013.  This year we had two scouts that participated...John is a Bear and Nathan is in his first year of scouts as a Tiger.  We are blessed to have a great Pack to be a part of where we live.  But part of having a great Pack means that there are a lot of boys who run cars for the Derby each year.  I don't know how many there were yesterday, but I'm guessing around at least 70.  Joe has learned over the last couple of years (because let's be honest about who is really in charge of building the car....sure the boys help, but the dad's play a significant role) some tips of the trade (so to speak).  It paid off this year with Nathan's car.  John picked out a different design so he didn't get quite as much speed out of his.  Nathan placed 2nd among the Tigers (there were around 15 that raced I think).  He missed 1st place by 1/1000 of a second.  He placed 4th in the Pack. 

Yep, the girls were really enjoying themselves.  They did cheer their brothers' cars on...

John and his best buddy Aden

My Boys!