Making Homemade Playdough

My mom must have been the best mom ever. Among other things, she gave me a love for things homemade. Like playdough. I can remember us making playdough when I was a little girl. It smelled like mint and came in all the colors of the rainbow. I love how homemade playdough feels in your hands...so much nicer than the store-bought stuff. And if you keep it in an air-tight container, it'll last for a long, long time! Plus it's really inexpensive to make.

Since today is the first day of summer vacation, I decided to make playdough with the two little bears. Note: I have NEVER had both of them help me with cooking ANYTHING...not at the same time anyway. This was Princess Diva Toddler Bear's first time ever, to cook with Mommy.

The little ones wanted purple, so we made purple. When I get some more salt, we will make some more, in various different colors.

Here is the recipe I found to make the playdough (from Cooks.com):

COOKED PLAYDOUGH

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 Tbsp. cooking oil (I used canola)
1 Tbsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
Food coloring (desired amount)

Mix together all ingredients. Cook mixture over low heat until thickened. Store in an airtight container when not using.

*This is NOT for eating!

Mama Bear

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation...

Right now, Papa Bear is home all day, every day, recovering from carpal tunnel surgery. He's been "off work" since early June pretty much, and I LOVE it! I know most couples wouldn't be able to stand being together that often, but we're pretty different from most couples. We have been really enjoying our kiddos, and our garden. We've even made it to the park every now and then, and to the library. Due to getting stitches out too soon, it appears that he will be out through September, so that will give us a lot of opportunity to spend MORE time together. Yahoo! Here are some photos of what we've been up to lately!

Taught our 16 year old some great photography tips, while we photographed Baby Girl.

Tasted some of our first produce from our garden, including this delicious tomato, some carrots, radish, garlic greens, onion greens, green beans, cherry tomatoes,
strawberries, and basil.

Played in the water park with friends from church.

Participated in a July "Easter Egg Hunt" and park play date with the same friends from church.

Photographed my youngest brother, Chris' wedding in New Mexico on June 26.

Got to see my little sister get baptized while in New Mexico for the wedding.

Took sunset photos in New Mexico (in my parents' back yard), while there for the wedding.

And that's not all! (Nor is it in chronological order) I will be sharing more of what we've been doing this summer as I get the chance. I stumbled upon a blog today, where the author mentioned how she wanted to try to keep up with her blog, so that she could "preserve" more of those very special family moments. That inspired me to do this post, and more posts to come. I hope you enjoy these posts!

God bless,
Mama Bear