Tooling Around

For a while, my kids really got into using tools. They have play toys that they were using all over the house. Nathaniel started this kick (for a change - usually he follows whatever Hannah Beth is doing) and Hannah Beth joined in. Thomas and I were working on a few projects around the house, so maybe that inspired it.

I must confess.... there was a chair in our breakfast nook that was not very stable and needed some work. It was where I always sit, so it constantly bothered me. Thomas said he could fix it, but as we do with so many things, it kept getting put off. I didn't want to nag him.... so one day I just moved it to his spot. Amazingly, in just a few days he was fixing the chair! :) So the kids had to run and get their tools and help Daddy out!

So we wouldn't wind up with a bunch of dented walls and furniture I sent the kids to work outside as often as possible. It worked out well (except our neighbors may not have appreciated all the pounding on our fence)!

Edible Playdough

The other night I decided to make the kids some Peanut Butter Playdough. I hadn't made it in a long time, and it certainly was a hit! It's super easy to make:

Peanut Butter Playdough:

12 oz peanut butter

6 Tbsp honey

1/2c. to 1 1/2 c. nonfat dry milk powder

Combine all ingredients; add more dry milk if needed to keep it from being sticky.

They can eat it (and it's yummy - I kept taking sniches from Nathaniel's pile!), and after they finish playing you can put it in a ziploc bag or tupperware and put it in the fridge so they can play with it again. We didn't do so this time, but you can use raisins, peanuts, etc. to decorate and add to your playdough.

I let the kids make their own since they love to help me cook and bake (Nathaniel had a hard time stirring the thick peanut butter, though). Hannah Beth wanted to wear her chef's hat, since she usually wears it when baking, so Nathaniel decided that he needed one and asked me to get one for him. Since we have no other chef's hats in the house, I had to quickly get creative. I offered him one of Thomas' winter hats, and thankfully Nathaniel was very pleased and wore it the whole time! :)

Hannah Beth had lots of fun getting very into making things with the playdough (see below her girl and bunny rabbit). It is neat to see her create. I helped Nathaniel make some shapes with cookie cutters (Christmas ones were still on hand), but he was mostly interested in eating it!! :)

First Snow for Nathaniel!

Tuesday we got a rare treat for Columbia - snow! It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to make Nathaniel's first time playing in the snow lots of fun. Hannah Beth didn't remember being in the snow, so this was like the first time for her, too! Hannah Beth had to call her best friend from school, Brooke, to tell her that it had snowed. She was very excited to hear that it had snowed at Brooke's house, too (15 minutes away)! :) I love seeing things through my children's eyes!

No Toys Necessary!

The other night as we were heading upstairs for bed, the kids decided that it was "raining." Nathaniel ran to get under the clothes basket to hide from the rain, and Hannah Beth had to quickly get her "rain coat" - a towel. Apparently all you need is everyday household items to have a great time! :) I love my kids' creativity, and that it doesn't always take very much to entertain them!

Then Hannah Beth decided that she needed to use my camera, and she took a really fun video! Enjoy!