Easter Cookies

It was late... we really should be getting to bed.  We'd had a lovely day.  Ladybug accompanied me to a hair appointment, then we weeded and mowed the lawn, then a trip to her therapy apointment, out to lunch at in-and-out.  Animal style and Animal style.  We shopped, planted flowers, worked out together, steamed to let the menthol clear my sore throat, and had soup for dinner. 

But, Easter was tomorrow, and we needed to commemorate it.  We ran to the store... AGAIN, and grabbed eggs.  "Who's going to do this with us Mom?"  "No one.  It's still Easter and we are important too.  Grab your apron." 

It was sweet, touching, and fun.  It got us both in the mood and then kept us up a bit late as we discussed the deeper elements of the story in answer to Bug's questions. 

Easter Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter

• 1cup whole pecans
• 1tsp vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• zipper baggie
• wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.  Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.  Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.  Read John 16:20 and 22.

 On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Plus.... they're quite yummy.

Sunday Stations

Today our 20 minute stations:


1.  Interview and goal setting session with Dad (All kids have the same issue.  They all think we love the others more.)

2.  Look through or read scripture books (Everyone's least favorite.  They wanted to move after 15 minutes)

3.  Write letters to loved ones far away (Each child picked someone different. (I hope their mom is on the ball enough to mail them all.)

4.  Listen to a story from the friend, memorize articles of faith or play prophets matching game at http://lds.org/friend?lang=eng  

Wow all the new computer applications on this program are amazing.  I had to tear the kids off this one.  


Next week some of the stations will be different.  

I finish the bread while Dad takes Little Mother on a walk for some one on one.  

We finish the day with a fine performance of Marin and Little Robin.  


The scenery...

The fire ( a flashlight is planted inside)

The touching scene showing sisterly love

 In which all is well before Red Robin is kidnapped and Marin must search the mountains with 12 dwarfs to find her. 

 Sunday is almost over.  Its time for some planning and healing time with my sweetie.  Night!

Stress Busters

Things at our house can get kind of intense sometimes.  We have a schedule to keep, brain gym, exercise, homework, chores, chauffeuring, scripture study, meal preparation... you know... the list.  On top of which loving consequences must be maintained for lack of respect, and poor choices.  

To balance out the serious and mundane nature of life, craziness occasionally must rule.  A new favorite for most in the the castle, is squirt whipped cream mustaches.  Cackling like a demented witch, I chase them around the house  with my cream cannon aimed and ready for 5-10 minutes till I catch and "cream" them.  These three embraced the chase.  However, Little Mother cried.  After I apologized, I was allowed to give her careful artistic facial cream. 

Boredom Busters

Today's boredom was banished by a "cake" decorating class using sugar cookies and yummy frosting.  We learned how to make ribbons, write names, make flowers and borders.  After one layer was complete, they started on a new one.  When  2 inches of frosting made the cookie unstable, they began with a new one.

Easter Morning

I stayed up late preparing for our Sunrise Easter Service.  We woke up to inches of new snow.  A sunrise picnic didn't sound so appealing.  Though disapointed for a moment, our breakfast was amazing.  Not the food or ambiance, but the childrens' questions were memorable.  Sunshine asked the most questions.  "Is it hard to die for other people?  Why did they nail Jesus and only tie the other two?"  We were prepared with a lesson to give with our breakfast rolls, but Sunshine took one bite and said, "I know.  This is the cave where they rolled that big stone.  It is empty today.  No one is in it."
"Ah, yeah.  Why don't you just continue your lesson Sunshine?"
So, she did.

Resurrection Rolls

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

5.  Brush each roll with a bit of milk and sprinkle with sugar. 
6. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
7. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Ghost our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the scriptures because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word.  In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.
 

Hope you all had a blessed and meaningful Easter!

All that Glitters

Squishy sparkly smelly play dough heaven assisted the still incapacitated mother with her rambunctious Sunshine today. She made Red Cherry Sparkle and I made Golden Yellow Lemon Sparkle. I thought it was the funnest dough I've ever played with. My crown looked more regal, and her corn looked fancier and smelled better.


"Aw you show we can't eat it? What will happen if you eat glitter? Is it poison?"

"No," I answered, "It probably is just hard on your system. Your wastes would probably come out sparkly."

"Oh, Mom, that would be so pwetty! Let's try it."

"Uh, No I don't think so."

Sparkle Glitter Play Dough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 T oil
1 cup water
2 T cream of tartar
2 T glitter
1 pkt. Kool Aid

Mix all ingredients except water in a saucepan. Add water, then whisk. Cook over medium heat untill stiff and sticking together in a ball. Dump it out on wax paper. Knead untill smooth.

Candy Creativity

Briz and Ladybug are on a fishing trip. We at home must find a way to feel that our time is special too. After a movie, we created with edible Candy Play Dough from Chef Tess. Little Mother made Cherry Vanilla, and Sunshine built with Coconut Tropical Punch. The scent was intoxicating, and I kept snitching bits of it to taste. It made our creativity that much funner.

Candy Play Dough
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 Kool Aid packets
3 T oil

Mix flour, sugar, and Kool Aid packets in bowl. Microwave water and oil till boiling. Mix with flour mixture. Cool and knead 3-4 minutes. Store in the fridge. We added extracts to the mixtures to give extra scent and flavor.

styrofoam prints

The Chinese are known for their wood cut prints. After a stirring lesson (to me) on Chinese civilization, the great wall, and the legend of Mulan, we tried our hands at printing. We used Styrofoam to create our prints. Next time we'll add more colors.


In addition, we've been celebrating with dinner again! Check it out here!

Fun on a shoe string

Six ribbon sticks sell at Oriental Trading company for under $9.00. Little Mother and Sunshine race up and down the cul de sac, listening to the ribbon whip in the wind behind them. It becomes a snake, a circle of fire, an object of envy for the neighbor kids visiting their grandmother.

I read at the window and watch the hours of creativity and expression. I walk into the kitchen to get a drink. I return and find Briz zigging and zagging, waving and looping. I giggle. Soon all children are lured into the front room by the prospect of a ribbon fest with Dad and hero.

When they tangle . . . or rip off . . . or get lost . . . I am going to shell out another $9.00.

By the way, we are still celebrating with dinner. I added a new post on the dinner celebration blog tonight. I am toying with the idea of discontinuing the dinner blog, particularly the recipes. Does anyone have any input?

Mom Sucess

There are days when it is really great to be a mom. Days when it is exciting to help children discover why baby fish swim in the shallows, why goslings are born in the spring, and why socks are required gear for long walks.

-Days to model friendship as I stroll with Charolette and witness friendship as I walk behind a jacket shared between rivals.

-Days where we drink in the beauty of the world together and exclaim over the artistry of a single tulip or daffodil, where we run, discover and enjoy together.

Let others spend their money on boats and toys. I enjoy them, but I NEED beauty and I NEED simple days like this as a mother.

...Days where the projects waiting at home smell like fresh herbs and the nurturing that is food.

-Days when the art lesson on Middle Eastern mosaics turns into a cooperative experience.

We need days where the adventure doesn't stop at dinner time, where the smallest change of location changes dinner into magic. (detailed on the dinner blog)


We need days to train Little Women in womanly arts and hygiene, to physically show our love by pampering their little hands and feet, to minister to little bodies, and giggle over space man eyes.

I love those days when at the end of the day, the girls say, "Mom, thank you. This was the best day ever!"

Hormon's Great Adventure

I am transcribing a book for one of my favorite authors entitled, Hormon's Great Adventure. You will never see it on your bookstore shelves, but it a masterpiece nonetheless. It is written by an Aspie (one with Aspergers) I love with every learning disability and thus is a treasure to me.

It is the most difficult transcription I have ever done because though the handwriting is neat, all the words are all spelled phonetically. For example: "jiyint" is giant, "fiet" is fight, "haos"is house, lokt is looked, voes is voice etc. Ladybug has been working on this book during her recesses and at night before bed. She has created illustrations and 12 chapters.

Reading causes great trauma and books are an evil to be avoided at all costs. For this reason, my free time today is spent helping this creation come to life for my little one. I can't wait for her to see her finished product, the result of many afternoons of focused effort on her part. And really, it is quite a fascinating story. What an imagination that little one has. I am grateful to find a way to get into her little head for an hour or two.

April Fools flop

April Fools Day is a day I usually forget. I don't do pranks, practical jokes or lying jokes. I really wanted to get into the spirit, so I sent wormy apples to school today and glued Ladybug's lunch shut. I didn't get the response I wanted. No one noticed. No one cared. I feel like Eeyore. I'll try one last shot with dinner on the dinner blog. Perhaps April Fools Day is really not my holiday.

Oh, slim and slimy

Oh, grim and gloomy,
So grim and gloomy
Are the caves beneath the sea.
Oh, rare but roomy
And bare and boomy,
Those salt sea caverns be.

Oh, slim and slimy
Or grey and grimy
Are the animals of the sea.
Salt and oozy
And safe snoozy
The caves where those animals be.

Hark to the shuffling
Huge and snuffling,
Ravenous, cavernous, great sea-beasts!
But fair and fabulous
Tintinnabulous,
Gay and fabulous are their feasts.

Ah, but the queen of the sea,
The querulous, perilous sea!
How the curls of her tresses
The pearls on her dresses,
Sway and swirl in the waves,
How cozy and dozy,
How sweet ring-a-rosy
Her bower in the deep-sea-caves!

Oh, rare but roomy
And bare and boomy
Those caverns under the sea,
And grave and grandiose,
Save and sandiose
The dens of her denizens be.

-Grim and Gloomy
by James Reeves
Slurch
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
food coloring if desired

Oooze and snooze and flooze and plooze. Slimy, grimy, and very messy!!!!

This Time is Precious

Little Mother is in California visiting her grandparents for two weeks. It is an exciting and heady experience for a little one to have her grandparents to herself, to travel and see the world. Her calls are full of excitement and the joy of feeling loved. In the meantime, it frees my mornings up for 2 weeks, (1 1/2 of which are left). Not that I haven't loved educating her- we have really bonded and I love being the one to waken her excitement on Egypt, Rome, and Igneous Rocks. But in the last year my home has fallen to a sad ruin I never thought possible.


To head off my natural desire to use the free time to sit, read, and dream, I listed a few projects to accomplish during my short hiatus from teacher. I've not made much progress yet, but today I wasn't scheduled to volunteer anywhere, I had no plans to visit anyone, and no company. Today is the DAY!!!

I made a list with Sunshine of the fun things she wanted to do with me and the things I wanted to accomplish today. We planned to alternate fun with work all day. But, once again life happened.

The day was half over and we had not accomplished many things on my list. Together we set the timer and worked on the craft room. The timer went off. AAAA! I've made such little progress. "Mom. It's time to play blocks. We are each going to build our own house this time."
"Honey, why don't we bring your blocks in here and you can build and I'll keep working."
"Mom, you promised. It's time to be together."
I sighed inwardly and whined to myself, "But this time is so precious! I get so very little of it."

A voice in my head immediately echoed. "Yes. This time is so precious. And you do get so little of it."
Block temples and the "house of Joseph Smith and his barn" were created with great cooperation. After switching laundry loads and mopping up all the spilled dog food in the laundry room it was on to a castle favorite, peanut butter clay.


My sweetheart often asks, "What did you do today?" Friends and family call and ask, "What is new?" I have no answers for either question. What do I do all day? How can I quantify a 4 year old's pleasure and pride, a 7 year old's discoveries, or a 10 year old's creativity?


I look at my craft room once again. After 30 minutes of hard work and a garbage can full of discards, it looks no better. But I can shut the door again, pretend the evil lurking in the basement doesn't exist.

As I prepared dinner, Sunshine said, "This was my favorite day ever. I didn't have school so I got to spend the whole day with Mom." What is a clean craft room to that I ask you? After all, this time is precious and I have very little. One day, she'll be at school, no longer seduced by peanut butter clay and I will open the craft room ... and my mess will be there ... waiting patiently.

For those of you without peanut butter clay... try ours.

Peanut Butter Clay
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 c. powdered milk
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Mix peanut butter, powdered milk and honey. Add powdered sugar until it is no longer sticky. I set out bowls of small foods to add to the sculptures such as: raisins, nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, Rice Krispies, cheerios, etc.

Dinner Rush Hour Rescue

Why does everyone call at dinnertime? Why does each child need me to look and help and answer? Not that I mind, but dinner time is poor timing. Ladybug wants to go camping. Not wanting to disappoint, I put her to work to make our camping dream (detailed on the dinner blog) come true despite the snowy weather. Yes, there is snow outside again. Yes, we are tired of it. But what to do with my littlest? Colorforms to the rescue. Making dinner while listening to Sunshine hum Beethoven, Mozart, and Grieg, is calming and a perfect background to chop and stir.

Freedom to Experiment

Four excited ten year-olds bump and clump into my house after school, rosy cheeked and dripping with wet snow. No longer shy or fearful of me, they find me, offer a quick hug and get to work on their gratitude journals. Today, they work in twosomes to read and follow directions. I stand asside for backup, because I really want to see how they do on their own.

"This didn't work. What did we do wrong? I think we have too much ice. It is too heavy for the ice on the string to hold. Let's do it again."


After attempting to stir 1 tablespoon of water into 4 plus tablespoons of sugar for over 12 minutes, they ask, "What does dissolve mean? Oh. This is still crystalline. It has not dissolved yet. Why is this so hard? Oh yeah. The instructions do say 3 tablespoons of water."

I watch as the wrong ingredients go in the pan, in the wrong measurements. Oh, I want so bad to say something. I can't resist. "Check the recipe one more time. What do you do first?" Cocoa spills all over the floor and counter top. The nuts are so fun to chop, that they all want a turn, chopping them into fine nut dust.


My girls display their experiments with pride and with no less pleasure, describe their errors and what they learned from them.

"I now know that "boil" doesn't start right as I put the ingredients in."

"Our experiment took so long because we were not reading the directions carefully."

They are mostly gone now, except for Ladybug. I slowly clean a cyclonic mess. Often, like today, I forget they are coming over and come up with an activity at the moment. This could definitely be done better, but the most meaningful gift I give them is FREEDOM. Freedom to experiment with new things. Freedom in my home and my cupboards, freedom to make mistakes and messes, and freedom to be themselves.