Diaper Baby Baby Shower Gift

     Diaper cakes are old news.  This is something new I have recently tried for a baby shower.  A Diaper baby. It was pretty easy to do. 

I used: 

• Sleeper
• Baby hat
• Diapers - head and body
• Pack of wipes - body
• Baby Blanket
• Teddy Bear
• Wash cloths
• various baby items for body or embellishments
• Large piece of sturdy cardboard covered in decorative paper for base 
• Rubber Bands to secure diapers
• Wooden Doweling to form limbs
• Cellophane Gift Wrap
• Sticker Letters for Name

    I didn't take step by step at the time as it was a trial and error process but here are the finished products. If you have any questions feel free to ask. 

Working on position

Mid-wrapping

Final Product

Thankful Thursday - What If?

     What would you be left with?  Would you have anything left at all?  Do you take for granted the most important things in life?  

     If I were honest, what would I have today? My kids and husband.  We would be homeless, jobless, and without a van or our wonderful families. What about our health, clean water, food?  There is just so much to be thankful for and of course we can't list 1000's of things we are so thankful to have every day.  I do however think we have room to improve in the area of giving thanks for all we have.

    If we started everyday with a grateful heart, would our day run smoother?  I'm sure we would start everyday with a better attitude and a positive outlook. How about taking a minute while you brush your teeth, or even in the shower to say thank you for all you have been blessed with and not ask for a single thing.  To be grateful for having a a place to live, clothes to wear, kids to bug you, a vehicle to drive, a job to go to.  I am challenging myself to be more thankful and to start each day with a grateful heart and just be happy.  I am particularly grateful to have been blessed with 4 beautiful, healthy children, a husband who takes care of us, a house to live in and a wonderful extended family on both sides. What are you thankful to have?  Do you struggle to have a grateful heart?   

Wordless Wednesday - Just Like Dad

Tuesday Ten - We Might Be A Little Crunchy Edition

     We aren't quite hippies but we aren't the opposite of hippies either ( can you believe I tried googling the term for opposite of hippie but their isn't a real term). We are what you might call a little bit crunchy or granola if you prefer.

     Here is our Tuesday Ten why we may be a little bit crunchy:

1. Breastfeeding

Yes, I know plenty of women do, but this may be one of the first signs but shhh... I plan to do so until HE wants to wean. It could be a year or two. Don't worry I draw the line at 3.

2. 

Baby Wearing

We only own 3. True hippies would laugh at us at only owning 3. A wrap, sling and Baby Bjorn. We are lacking here but I'm thrifty and I would only buy a new to us carrier if I found a super great deal on a used one.  I do love baby wearing and would be lost without it.

3.                                                                Bed Sharing

We have a family bed policy and it works for us, I just wished we had a bigger bed. 

4. 

                                                                 Cloth Diapers

This is our stash minus the dirty ones. We could use more. Diapers become some what of an addictive habit. I looooooove cloth. 

5.                                                                 Cloth Wipes

If you are going to do cloth diapers, you may as well use cloth wipes. I made our own out of old receiving blankets and reclaimed flannel. 

6.                                                           Homemade Laundry Soap

It's cheaper, works better, better on clothes and cloth diapers and its easy to make. Its really a no brainer. 

7.                                                               Homemade Cleaners

Same reasons we use homemade laundry soap and its healthier then chemicals. We do use some store bought stuff but lemon, vinegar, water and baking soda work great on almost everything.

8.                                                               Homemade Baby Food

I like to know what my baby is eating.  Most of the veggies come from a family farm. its delicious, organic and local.

9.                                                              Quinoa (keen-wah)

It's delicious on its own, cold, hot, in savory recipes or even in chocolate cake. The kids actually beg for it sometimes. Its a win win, healthy and great tasting . 

10.                                                                      Coconut Oil

If you ever have a problem, coconut oil is likely the answer. Its the duct tape of the health food world. You can use it for everything and we.

     These are just 10 reasons why we may be a little bit crunchy. Are you crunchy? A full out hippie? A regular everyday mom? I'd love to hear what makes you crunchy or not. If you aren't sure here is a great way to find out over at Crappy Pictures.

Let's Bake Bread.

This week we made bread. In fact we made bread 3 times. I'm not talking bread machine either. I'm talking pull out your apron, roll up your sleeves and knead that dough type bread.  Looks good enough to eat, right? It was, its gone. It turns out every time just like the picture. 

Loaf 1 of 3

The recipe we currently love. I found it online last year over at Through The Window Pane. 

 Amish Sandwich Bread

This recipe makes makes 1 loaf 
1 Cup warm water (110-115 F)
1/3 Cup  sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons oil (any kind is fine but I used Light Olive Oil )
3 C flour (I use white all purpose but will be experimenting with whole wheat shortly or half and half)
1 Tablespoon yeast

Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Combine the water, sugar, salt, and oil in a large bowl and stir.  Add flour and yeast all at once and stir until thick. Hand  knead for 6-8 minutes, adding additional flour if needed, to make a smooth elastic dough.

Cover, place in a warm location, and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Take the dough out of the bowl and work it lightly in your hands to get the air bubbles out.

Form into a loaf and put in a greased loaf pan.  Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, until almost doubled in size.  While you're waiting for the dough to rise, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until done. 

When the bread is done, remove to let cool for a few minutes.  Remove from the pan and place on wire rack to cool completely or if you enjoy warm bread from the oven with butter that melts right on it, slice up a piece and enjoy. 

Adding all the ingredients

Kneading the dough. Camden isn't a fan of sticky hands. 

Harmony isn't a fan either. 

Sawyer doesn't mind as long as he is close to the action. This is how mommy gets stuff done. 

This is our new go to bread recipe. It was a hit with everyone, except Camden. He won't eat anything unless Grandma makes it....*sigh* 

A Little Blog Makeover

     I decided it was time to shake things up a bit before the weekend.  It was time for a change.  I felt like I was stuck in a rut so a few clicks here and copy and paste there ... VOILA! Something a little different.  I've also been struggling with what to write lately, as you have probably noticed the lack of posts.  Is there anything you would like to see here? More of something? Less of something? Feel free to let me know.  Mommy bloggers love feedback, so please leave comments in the comments section. Thanks!

The Great School Debate.

     It's not a secret that our wonderful 4 year old wants nothing to do with school.  It was a problem we didn't anticipate last summer. He spoke endlessly about going to school with his big sister. He proudly picked out his dinosaur lunch pail and transformer back pack and he was on his way.  He couldn't wait to get there.  He was up at 6:30 am his first day. Just look at that face. He was so excited but somewhere along the way that excitement turned to anxiety and school is now a battle.

     The battle now starts the night before school with the question, "Do I have school tomorrow?" . If the answer is yes a full blown panic attack ensues. Have you ever witnessed a 4 year old panicking? It's heartbreaking.  I can't take it. It makes me feel like the world's worst mother. I mean the kid is 4, a babe really. He still mixes up words and sleeps with a bed full of stuffies, ummm when he isn't sleeping wedged between Daddy, Harmony, and Mommy in our much too small queen size bed.  The mommy guilt is unbearable.

    I find myself conflicted and asking myself a million and one questions. Is it worth it?  Is Junior Kindergarten worth making him hate school forever? If he hates school already, how am I going to get him out the door everyday for the next 18 years or more? What if he just is not ready yet? Should I force him and put on my mean mommy face? If I pull him this year will I give him the message that quitting is OK? What if it validates his feelings and he learns there are other ways to learn? Can I manage homeschooling him with 4? Can I keep him adequately socialized at home? Will he be the weird kid when he integrates back to school at some point? Ugh, so many questions without any answers.

     Right now we manage to force him to go once a week.  The school promised he would love it by January (well the teachers not the actual building, if the actual school spoke I bet he would love it there).  He doesn't and in fact goes less then he did before Christmas. We've promised him that we would explore the Home School option. Bah, My head hurts from thinking about it and my heart is broken every day I force him sobbing on the bus. What to do? What to do? Well if it were solely up to me I would keep him home forever and ever because he is my baby boy and  I love him fiercely. I also know as a parent it is my job to prepare him for life but isn't 4 just a little young to be leaving the nest?

    Well this busy mama is going to go ponder those questions while cuddling my little ones and perhaps baking. I would love to hear from others on the issue though. Questions, comments, concerns and advice all welcome and in fact encouraged. I can't wait to hear what others have to say on the issue.