That's My King!

My New Cake

This cake is completely appropriate for Florida today.  As Hurricane Irene passed us by, the waves were 15 feet yesterday, 12 feet today.  That's huge for us.  See the complete cake HERE.

Not Much But a Cake

This week was pre-plan week for preschool (we start on Monday!).  I have been so crazy busy and haven't had much time to blog.  I can imagine it will be like this a lot this year.  I did make a cake for my niece last night.  I didn't have a lot of notice so was happy to spy this design on flickr.  Can you tell what it is?  The full cake is HERE.

I need some cooking inspiration, and loved when we were doing the Food Network Chefs Cooking Challenge.  It pushed my limits.  Are any of you currently doing any cooking challenges?

Great Creation vs Evolution Book

I had the chance to read It Couldn't Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God's Awesome Creation by Lawrence O. Richards.  I have read many other books dealing with creation vs. evolution and this one truly excels in presenting information in a clear way that builds upon many aspects of scientific thinking. 

The book is broken up into 5 parts; “Earth in Our Universe”, “How Life Began”, “Evidence from Living Things”, “Humanity in God’s Nature”, and “The Book That Didn’t Just Happen”, each with several chapters.  The first four parts explore the scientific behind the theories.  At the end of each chapter there is a Just For Fun section that gives the reader five questions or projects to reinforce the subject matter.  The fifth part, “The Book That Didn’t Just Happen”, discusses the historical accuracy of the bible, it’s supernatural origin, the deity of Jesus, and what the Bible teaches about creation.

Written for children, it is an excellent way to work through the conflicting theories when studying with your child.  Whichever theory you believe, you should know as much as possible about both theories.  Too many times people argue for their view with an ignorance of the other side.  There is plenty of information to get a clear picture of both.  Look at the evidence, then decide for yourself. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255vf: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Just a Little Late - Wedding Dress Pictures

Each year, on their birthday,  I take a picture of my girls in my wedding dress.  I'm a little late this year with both the June and July birthdays......but still so cute!!!

But more true to life.....



Sunday School Review and Display

We have not been great at reinforcing the stories/lessons that the girls are learning at Sunday School.  Once we get home from church, I never know what to do with all the stuff they made or the handouts they got.  After we are out of the car we rarely talk about what they learned.  I felt convicted when a friend and I were talking about how we let the church teach our child the bible, but don't take matters into our own hands.  This isn't right.

I have been trying to figure out how to display it (in sight, in mind) without having any wall space left.   Here is my solution. 

I got the chalk board circles at Michael's and the magnet clips at Staples.  I can write the bible verse and reflection questions or  related challenges.  I like it because it's flexible and is highly visible (on the door to the garage).  The girls gave it two thumbs up!   It has already reminded me of the teachable moments I can use to reinforce the stories that they are learning with examples in our lives.  Works for me!

Find more Works For Me Wednesday ideas at We are THAT family.

Can't Get Enough Pinterest Color!

If you are on Pinterest I am sure you have seen this type of melted crayon art.  The colors, the medium, the simplicity......I couldn't resist making one for my classroom!   Canvas, crayons, glue gun, blow dryer, done.

I still haven't figured out how to pin items that are not already on someone's Pinterest board (I mainly use aol and cannot load a tool bar to aol) but I have not run out of boards to look at.  In fact, I have to force myself away from the computer because it sucks me in so easily.   Usually I am into food or cake boards but this last week has been all about preschool ideas.  So much good stuff!

Do you use Pinterest?  What sucks you in?

Friday Fragments

1.  I realized that in two weeks I would be working 4 days a week, as opposed to two days a week last year, and no days of week all summer.  I then realized that dinner would be getting a little more difficult, so I did an impromptu freezer meal cooking afternoon.  I made chicken pot pie filling, marinated steaks (which I can also add to stir fry dishes, and teriyaki chicken.  I feel more prepared to start school.  Yay!

2.  The incredible Strawberry-Lime Cream Cake that I made for Scarlett's birthday yielded a bit too much fillings, so instead of eating them by the spoonfuls (which I did plenty of), I made it into ice cream.  Strawberry-Lime Ice Cream.  It's very, very good.  I would make the fillings just for the ice cream, but the cake was too good to pass up.  It's a vicious circle of summer goodness.

3.  I finally made some of the peach ice cream that I posted about last year.  Same goodness, different summer flavor.  Don't hate.  Just come over with a spoon.

4.  We are off to see The Fox and the Hound at our church this evening.  I saw this in the movie theater when it first came out with my cousin Sam.  We sat in the very front row.  I had my own box of candy. Dots, I think.  We got a box of Shrinky Dinks after the movie and my other cousin Nick lit a pot holder on fire trying to get them out of the oven.  It's funny the things I remember from childhood!

Go see other Friday Fragments over at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

Make Your Own Pencil Case!

I finally bought the zippers I needed to make the rest of the pencils cases I had cut out and I just love them!  I used this awesome TUTORIAL at Creation Corner.  Her directions are perfect!  The first one I made out of an older sweater, which I posted a few weeks ago, so I had to improvise.  These three were made using the tutorial exactly and took less than 30 minutes a piece to put together! 

The one above is embellished with the ruffle, like the tutorial.  I used a 9 inch zipper and cut the material accordingly.  They had to be long enough for pencils but I made them deep enough for LOTS of pencils, or whatever else a girl may need to store in there. 

The flowery ones are made out of these.....(which required too much ironing for the likes of this house).

I cut them to incorporate the little zippered pockets that were already on the pants.  Bonus - an eraser pocket!  I also left the button and loop on just for a little extra flair :)

Project complete.  Now I can clear off the sewing table!

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Ice Fun with a little bit of Learning

Want the kids to spend over an hour outside with some creative and intriguing play? 

1.  Freeze blocks of ice in a variety of containers.

2.  Place ice blocks in pans with sides.

3.  Fill empty egg carton with water and food coloring (you may have to refill as the hour goes on).

4.  Let kids pour salt all over ice (or mix salt into food coloring).

5.  Give them eye droppers and let them play around with the salt, ice and colors.

Casually bring up that salt lowers the melting point of water.The salt creates groves or tunnels in the ice as it melts, which the colors help you see.   Show them that red and blue make purple....that the ice in the metal pan mets quicker than the one in the glass pan....that the one drop of blue can contaminte the entire thing of yellow....that you better ask before putting colors on your sister's sculpture.  You get the idea.  Expand it, use it to teach.  Science right before your eyes!

What other ideas for learning fun do you have?

Scarlett's 3rd Birthday

 She wanted a turtle birthday.  I made this small turtle cake, which I was going to put on the bigger cake but way afraid that the weight of it would collapse the big cake.  I was too lazy to put in supports.  And the thing is, kids just don't care.  They love it no matter what the grand plan was supposed to be.  The big cake (especially made for the adults) was this AMAZING summer-y recipe for Strawberry-Lime Cream Cake.  Seriously awesome.  Seriously. Best cake ever.

 

Emma with her baby lizard earring.

Cheese all around!

We got her roller skates and a friend got her knee and elbow pads.  She looks like she's ready for roller derby :)