Crafty Tuesday - My Baby is Five!

So today really doesn't have a lot of crafting going on other than trying to finish my wood play set which took a blow last week when my husband left my Son and one other daycare child unsupervised while I was in bed with severe pain anyways I am salvaging that project. I have to put the faces on the fairies, hair and wings and then paint the pumpkin stacker as well I still have to get my felt crown made but the party isn't until Saturday so there is time. I picked up two more books from the library for next month the first one is Around the World in 80 tales it's a huge book but looks wonderful and then to compliment that I found Our World a National Geographic Child's First Picture Atlas.

Other than that the only other thing I managed to accomplish on this very crazy snowy day, seriously is Spring ever going to show up, is make birthday cake for my Son to share with his Daycare friends this afternoon. My girlfriend came to celebrate with her two kids and said the cake was so good is right up there in my "best list" and that I must share the recipe with you all.

Spencer's Gluten Free Birthday Blondies

1 Cup white rice flour
1/2 Cup Sorghum flour
1/2 Tsp Xantham Gum
1 Tsp baking powder
1 Cup Fudge Cups
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup organic unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 Cup agave nectar
2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350F and grease a 9" square baking pan.
   
2. Cream butter using mixer. Then add the 1/2 Cup Agave and blend together.
3. Add the 1/2 cup apple sauce and 2 eggs and thoroughly mix together.
   
4. In a separate bowl combine flours and whisk together until completely mixed. Then add to mixing bowl with the wet ingredients and blend together.
5. Once completed add 1/2 Cup of the fudge cups and reserve the other half.
6. Pour completed batter into pan and bake for 10 mins, then remove from oven and add the remaining half of the fudge cups.
7. Bake for another 15-20 mins or until golden and a tooth pick comes out clean.
   
8. Let cool for 5 mins and remove from pan.

Here is a link to my current favorite frosting recipe I substitute the milk for rice milk or soy depending on what I have on hand.

Crafty Tuesday - Finishing up some projects and planning for next month

So next month we are going to be focusing on Rainbows, spring, people around the world and our little part of the world. I found a great tutorial on Rockabye Butterfly on how to do the dying. We will be doing some exercises on measuring with our tub next month, I am gathering some rulers and I just purchased from Discovery toys the Measure up Pots and Spoons to use in our tub next month. I came across a template for making paper people and their clothes on Serving Pink Lemonade and we will spend some time making our people from around the world and talk a little about the differences between us, also just came across this amazing book we will be borrowing from the library about other children around the world Children Just like Me. The fun part is going to be making them some hair! I am also going to be working very hard on getting a calendar set up for us that we can work with each day for some fun and learning! I came across a wonderful resource on the 1+1+1=1 website and also joined the members only site to gain access to some wonderful learning tools. Other than these things I am working on finishing up my wooden play set and starting on cutting out eggs and hamsters for Easter. I am also wanting to work on making some bean bags for the crew and plan some activities around that as well but only so much time!

Crafty Tuesday - More Montessori and a Recipe

So we are continuing to get things ready and made to continue on our new learning path here with the kids. Yesterday I had some time to do some more searching and came across more wonderful resources and information, I am so pleased with how much I have been able to find online. I came across this wonderful site today with directions on how to make rainbow play dough and many other wonderful ideas it is called the Tinker Lab. Also yesterday I found many more wonderful sites for beautiful printable's to use with the kids as well. The first one I came across was a great site it is called PreKinders and it lead me to many other useful links! One of these links has a great ABC play dough mat activity that we will doing with our rainbow play dough it is called Homeschool Creations. Another wonderful activity we found on Homeschool Creations was Color Matching Cards which are as beautiful as they are a great learning tool. Next week we are going to do some reading and learning about apples and the life cycle of an apple. I found a really good National Geographic kids book at the library called Apples for Everyone and then I came across a Montessori activity on Montessori for Everyone in the free printable's section called Life Cycle of an Apple which we will use along with the book and also make some apple treats to eat next week too. Those are just some of the things I have been working on for the kids to use in the coming days and hopefully one day soon Spring will come and we can start going outside to enjoy some outdoor activities.


Today's other creation was Chicken Taco Soup, the kids really enjoyed it, as well it was quick and easy to make!


Chicken Taco Soup
ingredients
1/4 cup jarred mild green salsa ( salsa verde)
1 cup chopped cooked chicken (such as a rotisserie chicken)
2 cups gluten free chicken stock
1 cup water
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
Gluten free tortilla chips ( as much as wanted for topping)
shredded sharp cheddar ( as much as wanted for topping)

In a medium sauce pot combine the salsa with the chicken and vegetables, add the gluten free chicken stock and the water. Heat over medium heat until it simmers and allow to simmer for 20 mins or until the vegetables are tender. Serve and allow the kids to add their own toppings with maybe a little help to crush the chips and Enjoy!