Preparing...

As of yesterday ...


it's now official and we're preparing.

Our son, daughter in law and their four young children (all under seven years old) secured airline tickets yesterday and they're all heading over here for a visit. It's will all be happening in just two weeks! We are all so very excited!

Imagine your parents and four younger siblings moving across the country and not being able to visit for the past two years.

Last year their eldest daughter had the opportunity to fly east with two other grandchildren, our older son and daughter in law were their guardians for the round trip. She has had the advantage of knowing just "how fun" Nana and Papa's house is (wink, popular grandparents, what can we say? LOL), and she is more than eager to come again to play with her aunts and uncles.

Preparations here are underway already today, not even 24 hours after their flights were obtained. It wouldn't be fun on a rainy day without a fresh new batch of playdoh, now would it?

Get the children involved, they can do it with you.

With my trusty OLD recipe in hand today, the younger children and I made two batches on the stove. First my little kitchen helpers measured, stirred and assisted with the gathering of items, and then kneading the warm playdoh hot off the stove. Two colors were suggested, and of course, they turned out so marvelous, the two large lumps on the counter looked yummy enough to eat them.

After the kneading, and cleaning a soapy sink filled with playdoh accessories, both children decided they were old enough to write their own recipes out for their future recipe boxes, just like their older siblings. Funny they thought a playdoh recipe was in due order first thing, rather than food; however who could argue with their enthusiasm.

Copywork accomplished

Perfect Playdoh Recipe;

Here is the perfect recipe for your own homemade playdoh, nothing out there can be compared to its quality;

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water (dissolve color in it)
• 2 tbsp. Oil
• 4 tsp. Cream of tartar

Combine all ingredients in a pan. Stir while cooking over medium heat for approximately 3-4 minutes. Drop onto waxed paper (I usually just use the countertop). Knead. Store in closed container, or ziplock freezer bag.

Muscles required, mom to the rescue soon after

Because all of the ingredients are natural and already found in the kitchen, this is a great recipe for young children to use the countertop or tabletop for play, rather than delegating a plastic placemat to use instead. I find surfaces wipe clean in a jiffy, and if the wee ones happen to be tempted and eat a chunk of the stuff, they will make a grimace over the salty texture as a result.

Safe. Easy. Cheap.

What more could a mother want?