For the Love of Naps

These are recent pictures I took of the girls taking naps. Olivia will be five in February and sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to get her to sleep. I get her to nap about five days a week. Many people have suggested I pull her nap, especially when she's going through a nap strike phase. But, the kid really needs a nap. No nap and she'll be falling to pieces by 4:00pm. Momma can't deal with tantrums while she's trying to get dinner ready!!

I just love nap time. I love it because I can have some time to myself to read, clean, read blogs (which I'm way behind on right now), catch up on a show I DVR'd, etc. And, I love naps because my kids wake up rejuvenated and, mostly, happy (unless they are hungry). I also love them because I love to hear my girls talk to each other and to their dolls. They "read" and sing to each other, share laughs, quiet moments and sister secrets (Oh, and they plot, I'm sure). Building tight bonds and storing tender moments...

Scented Homemade Playdough

A few days ago, I saw an ad for natural, aromatherapy playdough. I nearly ordered some. Then, I thought it best to save that $28 and make some!

I had some new, natural food coloring (found at King Arthur Flour here) that I thought I'd try out. I don't have a big supply of scents right now. I only had peppermint oil and vanilla extract. Using the following recipe, the girls and I made some vanilla-peppermint pink and purple playdough.

This is a GREAT homemade gift idea. Hope you enjoy making it and playing with it as much as the girls and I did!

Cooked Playdough (flour and salt)

3 cups flour

1.5 cups salt

6 tsp cream of tarter

3 tbsp oil

3 cups water

Extracts or essential oils of your choice

Food Coloring

Dissolve salt in the water (this is where I added a teaspoon of vanilla extract and several drops of peppermint oil - for several different scents, knead extracts and/or oils of your choice in when you knead in food coloring). Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides.

Separate dough into a few even amounts and knead in a few drops of food coloring until the dough mixture matches playdough (1-2 minutes)

Store in plastic containers. Should last for at least 3 months.

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Last weekend, we went to Deana Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, KS. The girls had a great time riding ponies, petting and feeding goats and just running around. It'll be a great place to take family when they come to visit. Here are some pictures: