Mar 23

Indoor Friday

Well Friday was cold, really cold. The kids were a little bummed that we were not able to go to the park. I asked the kids what their favorite activity of the week was, and they all agreed… Making homemade ice cream was the winner. I decided that we should make one more batch, and use up our little bits of ingredients.

We worked up a recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream, and it was simple and delicious.

The kids had to try it before it went into the freezer.

We had the ice cream for dessert, and it was extra tasty on top of chocolate cake.

I also got a super cool surprise. James took me yarn shopping in the afternoon. I got a few pretty colors to start an afghan for Agnes.

I’m set for the weekend. Two more days before the kiddos are back to school, and I think that they all actually want to go. The boys miss their friends, and Agnes misses her quiet times. The house will be extra quiet next week, but it has been a lot of fun having all of my kids home and running around the house.

 

 

Mar 22

Spring Cleaning: The Kids Aren’t Happy About It

Yesterday the weather was cold, snowy, and windy. We were stuck indoors anyway, so it was time to clean out the kids closets and dressers. Nobody really wanted to do this chore, but it needed to be done.

I worked with the kiddos one at a time, and they tried on every piece of clothing that they owned. It took a bit of time, but we got the job done.

We even cleaned out five bags of outgrown clothing to be donated. Dylan was really excited about it.

I did a few Spring Cleaning tasks around the house. I deep cleaned the dish drainer, and garbage disposal. I still have a lot of Spring cleaning to do, but I think the tasks will have to wait until next week.

Today was going to be “Pick a Park and go”, but it is freezing. It is only 36F out, so I don’t think a day at the park sounds like a good idea. Instead of the outdoor adventure, we are making another batch of homemade ice cream. The kids finished off the mint chocolate chip last night, and I think I’ve got enough supplies left to make a small batch of Vanilla. We made a chocolate cake yesterday, and some homemade vanilla ice cream would be fantastic to top it off.

The kiddos are going a bit stir crazy this afternoon. This has been a funny Spring Break. We have been at home, and keeping warm. I really hope the Spring weather gets here soon. We need to get back outdoors. The kids will be back to school on Monday, and maybe then I’ll get caught back up.

 

Mar 21

First Day Of Spring

Yesterday was the first day of Spring. In our little KS town, it felt more like the first day of Winter. We had a little outdoor activity planned, so we waited for the warmest part of the day to head outdoors.

I’ve been collecting yarn scraps for several days. They are from granny squares that I’ve been making. I made little “baskets” from the cups for the kiddos to hang outdoors for the birds.

Agnes helped collect some more yarn for the jar.

We waited until mid-afternoon when it was finally 40F, and we started in on the project.

We dumped out all of the yarn, and the kids sorted through it. They each picked out a few of their favorite colors to put in their little baskets.

We got on our jackets and headed out to the front yard.

We hung some of the baskets on the fence row.

We placed a few more in the large tree.

We’ve been watching the window for robins, we hope they find the yarn for their nests.

While we were out, the kids played for just a bit. I clipped half of the daffodils that had bloomed. We are under a Winter weather advisory through Friday, and I’m afraid that the ice and snow is going to wipe out all of the pretty flowers.

The bright yellow daffodils do look pretty in the window.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen baking. I figured it was cold, better warm up the house.

I baked a coconut cake for dessert, and banana muffins for the kids afternoon snack.

I turned the coconut cake into a Raspberry Zinger cake to celebrate the first day of Spring.

My picky eaters didn’t want to try it, but trust me it was absolutely delicious. It tasted just like a Raspberry Zinger. I guess this cake will have to be for me. Oh well…

Today the nasty weather is moving in, and staying through the weekend. I think I’ll start the kiddos on some Spring Cleaning (or maybe Winter) cleaning tasks. I think we are going to be stuck indoors for the next few days.

 

Mar 20

Activity Swap

Yesterday we were supposed to clean out the closets and dressers. I was hoping to get a start on the kids Spring and Summer wardrobe. Well the weather turned a little chilly, and the boys didn’t feel like cleaning. We though about switching the activity with the Thursday one, which is a walk to the library, but the weather stayed cold.

The kids decided to play library at home, and we went upstairs to gather a bin of books. Thade picked out a few chapter books, and we got lots of little books for Dylan and Agnes.

Thade was sharing one of his very favorite books with Dylan and I. Dylan is learning to read, and he is doing very well at it too.

Agnes loves to look at books. She points out the letters that she knows.

The library game lasted for quite a bit, and then the boys were ready to go upstairs to build.

I made Agnes a little comfy spot to rest a bit.

I crocheted a bit on Thade’s afghan while the house was quiet.

Today we haven’t done our outdoor activity yet. It is the first day of Spring, and it isn’t too warm out. It is also supposed to sleet and snow for the next few days, so I need to re-plan some new indoor activities for the kids.

 

Mar 19

Let’s Make Some Ice Cream

Yesterday’s Spring Break activity was dusting off the ice cream maker, and making homemade ice cream. Thade found a recipe that he wanted to try, and Dylan and Agnes were on board too. We went to the store and got all of our supplies.

My littlest helpers were ready too.

Thade popped in to help a bit later.

We mixed in all of the ingredients, and all of the kids took turns stirring. We split the mixture into two batches.

We loaded up the ice cream maker,  and set the timer on the oven.

We couldn’t wait, we had to try just a little bit.

Once the two batches were mixed, I put them both in a large plastic bowl in the freezer. I checked on the ice cream about every thirty minutes, and gave it a good stir to distribute the chocolate chips. I think it took almost two hours before the ice cream was at soft serve stage. We couldn’t wait though, we had to try it.

The kiddos loved it! Agnes said it was yummy.

Dylan really loved it! He wanted seconds.

Thade loved it too! He also wanted seconds.

I also really really really liked it. It was crazy tasty! I am going to have to make this again. Dylan has already requested another batch for his birthday party.