The Icing Fiasco

So today we were making scarecrow cookies and I actually found a recipe (listed below) for sugar cookies that make two big ones only so I was pretty psyched.  Anyhoo, we whipped those up and then we used icing, wafer cookies, chocolate chips, candy corn and sliced almonds to make scarecrow faces...

Carver basically tried eating all of his icing and I stopped him from eating the chocolate chip eyes, but I couldn't stop him from getting to the candy corn nose.  However, he does look like he's giving a thumbs up which earns him some points.  Landon is getting very good at following instruction and put his own smiley face on with an icing tube no help required.  I'll let you take a guess at which cookie is which!

Sugar Cookies for Two

Ingredients

• 2 TBS butter, softened
• 3 TBS sugar
• 1 egg yolk (or 3 TBS egg, about half)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 6-8 TBS flour
For the Frosting
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 tsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• food coloring, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine butter and sugar in a small bowl.
3. Add egg yolk and vanilla and stir well.
4. Add salt, baking soda and flour and stir to combine.
5. Roll out dough to be 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters or scoop into balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for about 8 minutes then remove from oven.
7. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes before removing to cool additionally on cooling rack.
8. Combine all ingredients for frosting (add more milk or more powdered sugar if too thick or too thin) and frost cookies once cool.

Two Types of Glue =

Hello again! Okay, so we've done two more days of Thanksgiving activities and I am finally here to post about them...
Remember three days ago when we did scarecrow heads? Well, we also went crazy and did some pilgrim heads!  And then yesterday, I got REALLY brave and decided to make a hand print turkey table runner using fabric glue...yeah, you heard me correctly!

 And again, sorry about the askew picture...here are the boys gluing together their pilgrims.

 Landon's is on the left and Carver (and Dad's) is on the right.

 There are no pictures of us doing this activity as it was just myself and the kids, but here is the finished product!

Okay, I understand they sort of look like demon turkey's but I had a limited color supply and two fidgety toddlers.  I still love it.

P.S. I should really have a pic of Carver as he is still covered somewhat in fabric paint.

An Outside Treat

So today we made bagel birdfeeders.  We love watching the birds outside our window, especially with winter coming because we won't be outside as much.  So it's important that we keep those feeders filled.  So, today, we took raisin bagels and covered them in peanut butter and sunflower seeds and hung them outside our window.  I was surprised that it sent so smoothly! I ha the boys in aprons and everything and they were surprisingly tidy!

 I think Carver should pursue a career as a French maid...just saying.

Bring it on birds!

Leaves and Scarecrows and Fun...Oh My!

In case the title didn't give it away, we've been watching The Wizard of Oz.  But, we've also been keeping up with our Thanksgiving activities!  Last night, after dinner, we made leaf rubbings (I'm sure you remember them from elementary school!) and this afternoon, we used paper plates, construction paper and googly eyes to make scarecrows!  Check it out!

 Landon's still getting the hang of the crayon holding thing but both boys loved scribbling away to their hearts' content!

 The finished product!

 A bunch of goofballs and glue...a scary combo!

Landon's scarecrow on the left (unassisted) and Carver's on the right (with some help from Dad)

Healthy Popcorn Balls...What?!

Hello everyone! Okay, so today's Thanksgiving activity was to make Healthy, Harvest Popcorn Balls! We ended up making only half a batch because, with exception of popcorn kernels, I was low on ingredients!

Here's our recipe:

Ingredients

10	cups	air popped popcorn
2/3	cup	agave syrup (or honey)
1/2	cup	sugar free peanut butter
1/4	tsp	salt (optional)
1/2	cup	pepitas
1/2	cup	chopped, unsweetened dried fruit of your choice

Method

1. Line a baking tray with baking paper. 2. Heat the agave, peanut butter and salt in a saucepan, until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute.
3. In a large mixing bowl, coat the popcorn with the peanut butter mixture.
4. Add the pepitas and the dried fruit, stirring until combined.
5. When the popcorn mixture is cool enough to handle, use lightly greased hands to press firmly into balls.
6. Place the popcorn balls onto the baking tray to allow to cool completely.

 The air popper makes the boys gleeful.

Once again, the rotation didn't transfer, but you get the idea...delicious.

Thanksgiving is on its way!

For those of you who know me, I love Thanksgiving (most holidays, really, but I love this day for sure)!  And, as most of you also know, I love celebrating to the most, so for the next thirteen days, we'll be doing a fall/Thanksgiving activity to mark the passage until turkey!  Today, we made pumpkin scented play doh!

Pumpkin Play Doh

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 tbsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp pumpkin spice
Food coloring of choice
 
Mix all ingredients together in a pot, except for food coloring and spice.  Stir over medium heat until it starts to thicken and form a ball.  Then, remove from heat, and knead in spice and food coloring (we chose to make orange, of course-2 drops red, 18 drops yellow!).  Knead until soft and pliable and enjoy!

 Yes, I know, the little one is stirring at the stove.  He's actually very attentive to anything hot and keeps a respective distance, lol! Notice how far away he's holding the spoon.

Okay, I couldn't get this picture to rotate but it was just too freaking adorable!

 Dave's face...need I say more?