Happy Birthday E!

Last week was E's birthday.  She turned 6 years old and I can't believe it!!!  I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  I had a very quick labor and delivery.  It was a bit traumatic actually (shoulder dystocia), but my baby girl was in my arms and I didn't care.  We had to use infertility treatments to get her here, so it didn't matter what else I had to go through for her.  She will always be special to me because she fulfilled one of my life long dreams...she made me a mother.

So, Happy Birthday E!  I hope every birthday brings you happiness and that your life is filled with love and peace.

Every year I make the kids whatever kind of cake they want.  This year E asked for a Tinkerbell cake.  This is what I came up with.  Not to bad, huh?

The Five Love Languages for Couples

I read this book a few weeks ago and LOVED it.  It was so helpful in understanding how to communicate better with my husband.  We have both been working on talking to each other in our specific love languages and it is amazing what a difference it is making.  I highly recommend it.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the author and the concept of this book is refreshingly simple.  He says that each person has a "love tank".  If your love tank is full you feel happy and content.  If your love tank is empty, then you feel unhappy and unfulfilled.  He also says that each person has a primary "love language".  In a marriage, if you want your spouse to feel happy and fulfilled, then you need to speak to them in their primary love language.  This will fill their love tank and help you to have a happier marriage.  What are the love languages?

Dr. Chapman says there are 5 love languages.  They are Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, and Physical Touch.  Most people have one that is their primary language, but it is possible to be bilingual.  This book helps you realize what your love language is and what your spouse's love language is.  It also gives suggestions of how to speak your spouse's love language.  He offers other sound marriage counsel as well.

The last chapter briefly talks about love languages for children and how parents can talk to their children in the correct love language so their kids will also feel happy and fulfilled.  From a parental standpoint, it was very interesting.  I wonder if it will help eliminate or at least make better some of the discipline issues we have been having with our kids.  I think it may.

There is a Five Love Languages book for kids too.  I have it on reserve at the library.  Once it comes in and I get a chance to read it, I will review it too.  I think it will be extremely helpful in knowing what our kids need from us to keep their love tanks full.

Family Night Treats

There will be way too much sugar in this post, but if it is only once in a while it is okay.  Everything in moderation, right?

These are some of our favorite treats.  They are mostly cookies because they are the easiest and cleanest way for my kids to help.  If I know where I got the recipe from,  I will cite it.  If I don't know but you do, tell me.  Otherwise...thank you person I don't know!  I hope you enjoy them!

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 oz) package of instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup. semisweet chocolate chips (1 bag)
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Sift together the flour and baking soda, set asid.
2. In a large bowl cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.  Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended.  Stir in the eggs and vanilla.  Blend in the flour mixture.  Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.
3. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes in preheated oven.  Edges should be golden brown.

Snickerdoodles recipe from here.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3. Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

Brooke's Best Bombshell Brownies recipe from here.

1 cup butter, melted
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.  

Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe from here.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Make sure you get some, because they don't last long!

Family Night Ideas

Every week we spend one night together as a family.  We do it on Monday night.  Sometimes my husband isn't home from work yet, but we do it anyway.  Of course we miss a week every once in a while, but we really try to do it every week.  This is the format we follow.  You certainly don't need to follow this format, it is just a suggestion.  The important thing is to spend time learning and having fun together as a family.  If you want your kids to be close to you when they are teenagers, then you need to foster a close relationship with them when they are young.  It is never too late to start.  (I got this picture from here.)

Opening Song--we usually try and sing a church song.  Usually "I am a Child of God".

Opening Prayer--we take turns on this one.

Lesson--Whatever our family needs at the time.  Right now we are following these lessons, but it can be whatever you want.  Since our kids are so little, we try and keep the lessons pretty short.  Less than 15 minutes usually.  Below is a list of other ideas.

Activity--It doesn't matter what it is, it just needs to be FUN.  Below is a list of ideas.

Closing Song--this song is whatever my kids want.  Sometimes they make them up too.

Closing Prayer--we also take turns on this one.  Don't forget to bless the treats.

Treats--I think this is one of my kids favorite parts.  We don't eat treats very often, so they look forward to helping me make this every Monday afternoon.  I am doing a separate post of Family Night Treats in the next couple of days.

Lessons we have done in the past.

• Fire safety.  The love to practice the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" technique.
• Create or go over family rules.  Not as fun, but sometimes necessary
• Thankful wreaths--trace the kids hands on green paper and write on then what we are thankful for.  Arrange them in the shape of a wreath and display it during the Christmas Season.  This also works for using the hands for flower petals, or turkey wings or Christmas trees.  You can really get creative here.
• Anything you want them to learn...how to sew on a button, change a tire, bake bread, play tennis, etc.  "How to" lessons are really great.
• Role playing.  This is also good because you can teach them how they should react in a certain situation...Johnny hit Suzie at school.  What should Suzie do?

Activities we have done in the past.

• Make gingerbread houses.  Gingerbread and glue frosting recipe here.  Or you can just use the frosting recipe and make it with graham crackers.
• Pillow fight.
• Color with chalk outside.
• Go for a walk to the park to play.
• Watch a movie with popcorn.  My kids love this one, but we try not to do it too often becuase movies take away from the interaction with each other.
• Play board games or other games.
• Talent show.  I love this one.  My kids get so excited to perform for everyone.  This is also a good way to help them discover and develop new talents.

More Hooded Bath Towels!

Here are a few more I made.  I think they turned out really well.  I have to say, I'm pretty  impressed with myself!

These towels will make great presents for Christmas or birthdays for any children you know. Each one of them is made of 100% cotton towels and measures 30 x 54 inches. Each seam is hidden, so there is no chance of your little one getting scratched. The hood is double the thickness of the towel which gives extra absorbency for the hair. There are spots for your child's hands so they can wrap up all by themselves.

These towels come in a toddler size and a child size. The toddler size fits up to about 3 years old and the child size fits from 4 up. These items (and everything else I make) come from a pet-free, smoke-free home.

For more pictures you can see my store at http://www.pumpkinpatchdesigns.etsy.com/.

Flower Hooded Towel and Frog Hooded Towel

Hooded Bath Towels

A while ago I was shopping at a department store and found the cutest towels for kids.  They are hooded bath towels that look like animals and bugs and other cute things.  I wanted to get some for my kids until I saw that they are expensive and the towels are really scratchy.  I thought to myself, "I could make those".  And so I did.

These towels will make great presents for Christmas or birthdays for any children you know. Each one of them is made of 100% cotton towels and measures 30 x 54 inches. Each seam is hidden, so there is no chance of your little one getting scratched. The hood is double the thickness of the towel which gives extra absorbency for the hair. There are spots for your child's hands so they can wrap up all by themselves.

These towels come in a toddler size and a child size. The toddler size fits up to about 3 years old and the child size fits from 4 up. These items (and everything else I make) come from a pet-free, smoke-free home and love filled home.

If you are interested in any of these towels, you can find them in my store at http://www.pumpkinpatchdesigns.etsy.com