Clean Mush

Today was a gray and rainy February day.  It was looking like it was going to be a long morning, so I decided we better come up with a fun activity quick!  I had read about the idea to make clean mush online and thought we would give it a try.

We started with two rolls of toilet paper that James was delighted to play with...

At first he was a little hesitant because I never let him play with the toilet paper!  But then he got into the fun.

He ran and stomped and made a big mess without having to hear the words "No James!"

Then the real fun began!  I grated a bar of soap... sounds crazy I know.  Next I put it in a big plastic container and mixed it with 1/3 cup of Borax.  Then I added the t.p. and mixed with warm water to make the mush.

I decided to strip him down to his onesie so we didn't make a total mess!  Then I gave him some spoons and cups and a potato masher and let him go to town.  He loved it!

I had fun too!  Ordinarily I hate to make a mess, but it was actually fun to mush around in and it smelled nice and clean!  It was a great way to spend an otherwise long morning!

Valentine's 2012

I got to spend Valentine's Day with my favorite little man!  

I always loved Valentine's Day growing up because my mom would make it a really fun day!  We always got a little treat... nothing big, but just something that was special that she knew we would really enjoy.  As a mother myself now I am finding fulfillment in watching my son and step-sons' delight as they share in this same tradition.  It isn't about the gifts... it's about seeing the joy on their faces as they experience love and know how special they are to us.

This year I decorated little tins I had left over from James' birthday party and put their Valentines in them.  They loved it!

James and I spent the morning looking at his new books...

And dancing with his frog that daddy and Drew picked out for him.

Then we went to story hour at the library and stopped to deliver a few Valentine treats to Nana and Pop, Aunt Lala and crew and our neighbors.

Later Drew got to open his gifts when he came home from school.  He was most excited about the sugar cookies I made him.  The quickest way to any 13 year old boys heart is through his belly!  We had a nice Valentine's dinner together and played with James before sending him off to bed.

It wasn't about flowers and chocolates or sappy cards... I am so not into that stuff!  Well, except for the chocolates part.  I have never met a mouthful of chocolate that I didn't like!

It was just a fun day with my favorite people in life!  Praise God!  He is the giver of every good and perfect gift from above and He has blessed me in abundance.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

~1 John 4:7