Salt Dough Snakes

The boys have been needing some kind of craft to do lately, so the other night I searched through Pinterest (one of my most favorite websites ever!) for "crafts for 8 year old boys".  I wanted something that would be fun for Ruy but also on a level that Liam could join in.  I came across this craft idea of Salt Dough Snakes and just loved it!  I have read her blog before but it was some time ago and I had forgotten all about it.  She has some really great ideas on her blog.  

So yesterday we got to work on our snakes.  I made the dough:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

3/4 cup water

1 T oil 

* I had to add a little more water to my dough because it was too dry.  It probably varies based on weather and such.  

 

and then the boys started rolling out their snakes.  

Liam kept rolling his so skinny that they would break and then he would get upset.  I just squished it back together for him and then all was right in his world again. 

 Ruy wanted to make certain types of snakes, so I googled images of copperheads, rattlesnakes, garter snakes, black snakes, etc. and then he tried his best to roll his snakes out to look like the pictures. 

 It kept them entertained for some time, especially Ruy.  I helped Liam shape his snakes a little bit but mostly they were all his work. When the boys were finished rolling their snakes out, I baked them at 200 degrees for three hours.  Then they had to sit overnight.  

The boys were already in bed when the snakes finished baking, so the very first thing they both asked me this morning was "Can I see my snakes!!!"  I never thought that such a little thing would be so exciting to my boys.  I guess I really need to step it up on my crafting/fun activities for the boys.  

They were begging to paint them first thing this morning but right after breakfast we had to go grocery shopping so they had to wait until after we got home, ate lunch, cleaned up lunch, and I had put Alanna down for a nap.  Once all that was finished, we got the paints out and they got busy painting.  They used acrylic paints and then I spray painted Ruy's snakes with a clear coating to make his shiny.  Liam did really great with his painting but I could tell after about 30 minutes of painting, he was ready to be done.  He still had three left to paint but I figured I'd save them for another day.  Ruy spent over an hour painting his. 

They both did such a good job on this and were so happy with how they turned out. 

*Liam's Snakes

 *Ruy's Snakes (Before the clear spray paint coating)

 I'm sure we'll end up doing this again in the next few months.  

Credit for instructions & idea goes to Frugal Fun For Boys

Can I Just Eat Some Chick-Fil-A Please

Yesterday was a busy day for us and a little crazy :)  I decided that I was going to go to our outdoor mall to try to find our outfits for my upcoming maternity pictures.  So I loaded the kids up in the van and we headed out.  I decided not to pack snacks and just get an early lunch at the mall Chick-Fil-A.  We went to Gap, and then H&M.  I had to try on clothes on all three of the kids.  They didn't have the suspender jeans that I wanted for Liam but they had them in Ruy's size.  So I had Ruy try on the suspenders and had Liam try on a different kind of jeans.  Ruy hated the suspenders but loved the jeans I had picked out for Liam.  The jeans I got for Liam were either too big or too small.  The jeans I tried on for myself were so tight I could barely squeeze them on.  Apparently I am not a size 4 any more (or a 6 or a size 8)...even in maternity jeans.  It was kind of depressing.  Maybe it's because they were skinny jeans.  I had no desire to go get another style and drag the kids back into the dressing room so I will have to go back another day when we're not all so hungry.  By the time we finished trying on clothes, it was 11AM and we were all STARVING.  By the way we were acting, you would have thought none of us had had any food in days! I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to go out without snacks for anyone but never again will I do that.  Anyways... I bought a dress for Alanna and the pair of jeans that Liam tried on in Ruy's size for Ruy and then we headed up to the food court to get lunch.  Problem...the food court was closed for renovations.  They are replacing the food court with a Children's Museum.  There was a sign that said there was a Chick-fil-a express down by H&M...right where we had come from.  Really!  So we went back down the elevator to check out the CFA Express.  Of course we all had to go to the bathroom by that point so we stopped at the bathroom first.  When we got back to the CFA Express, I realized that this wasn't going to work.  They just had sandwiches and nuggets in a cooler bag.  So we went to one more store and then left the mall and went to the CFA across the street.  When we got there, Ruy asked if we could get the food to go and go eat and play at the Children's Museum.  I thought that sounded good, so we got the food to go and headed to the museum.  When we got to the museum though...it was closed.  It was closed because they were moving over to the outdoor mall.  I totally should have thought of that since the food court at the mall was closed but nope I didn't.  So, we left and headed back to eat at CFA.  I wanted to be irritated but knew that wasn't right.  So I told Ruy "let's just laugh about this.  It's not the end of the world.  We have our food, we'll all safe and alive and things could be worse!  We'll just go back and eat at CFA".  Ruy and I both laughed.  We went back to CFA, carried in all our to-go-food, and ate it all up.  It was delicious and I was glad that I didn't freak out and panic about the whole thing. 

We got home a little after 1PM and I put Alanna straight down for a nap.  While she slept the boys watched a movie and then went outside to play in the water.  Alanna got up and joined them.  

 When it was time to get out, I helped Liam dry off.  He looked so sweet and snuggly, I had to give him a kiss.  When I kissed him, he let out a big "tooty".  Of course him and Ruy thought it was the funniest thing ever.  Here's the picture I took of Liam right after it happened....look at that face! 

Then we cleaned up and headed to dinner.  A friend from church invited us and some other moms and kids over for dinner to chat and play.  We had a really great time.  There were a bunch of kids there and they all had a blast playing together and us moms had a great time catching up and just talking.  It was a great end to a slightly long day. 

Raspberry GGMS Drink

I love GGMS.  I love how refreshing it is and I love how many different variations you can make with it.  If you don't know what GGMS is... it stands for Good.Girl.Moon.Shine.  That might sound silly to you if you don't follow Trim Healthy Mama but seriously, it's delicious.  You should give it a try.  You might become as addicted to it as I am :)  

I've created two new ones this Spring that have become my favorites.  My two youngest children love these two flavors just as much as I do.  My three year old son especially loves GGMS and begs me to make it for him.  

Here is one of the recipes I created...

Raspberry GGMS

Ingredients:

1 bag of Raspberry Zinger Herbal Tea 

2 Truvia or sweetener to taste

1/8 - 1/4 tsp of Ginger

2 TBS of Apple Cider Vinegar

Ice (I usually add about 10-15 ice cubes)

Water to fill jar

Directions:

Bring 1/2 cup of water to boil.  Once boiling, pour water into a mason jar (it doesn't have to be a mason jar but I am convinced that everything tastes better in a mason jar :)  Place tea bag in water and let sit for at least 5 minutes.  Add all other ingredients, stir, and enjoy!!! 

*I got this particular mason jar at Good Will for $3.00.  Got to love Good Will! 

BABY # 4: GENDER & NAME REVEAL

We are so excited to be adding another sweet little BOY to our family!!!  I thought for sure it was a boy and as soon as they turned the ultra sound on I thought I could tell but had to wait for the technician to go through the whole thing until she told us the gender.  Nathan is already excited about having another little boy to coach in baseball and I can't wait to have another little boy that loves to snuggle.  Liam is super excited and was so happy when we came home and told him.  Alanna of course was clueless as to what was going on and Ruy was slightly disappointed it wasn't another little sister.  But he was happy about it today.  

I will have a blast shopping for baby clothes because I got rid of pretty much all of the boys' clothes that I had.  Most of them were from when Ruy was born so they were getting old and this baby is going to be a fall baby and the boys were born in April and July so none of their baby clothes would have fit anyway.  

It looks as though Alanna is destined to be surrounded by brothers and all that comes along with that....trucks, baseballs, dirt, guns, and I'm sure as she gets older...lots of "protecting"  :)  

I apologize that it took until this morning for me to post the gender but my sister and her kids ended up coming over yesterday afternoon and my kids were in no mood to be taking any pictures while their cousins were here.  But I appreciate all the kind words and thoughts from everyone and am so happy to be finally sharing our happy news!!! 

We are naming our precious baby boy after my grandparents Judith & David.  We are very close with them and wanted to name him in honor of them. 

Jude David Zeigler....

we love you so much and can't wait to meet you!

20 weeks

I had every intention of taking a nice outdoor picture today for my 20 week picture, but it was like 60 degrees, pouring down rain, dark and very gloomy.  So I just went with the picture I took of myself before going out to dinner with my sister the other night.  It will have to do for now.  Maybe tomorrow it won't be so "blah" outside. 

June 3, 2015

Weeks pregnant: 20
Weight gained: 22 pounds. I gained 4 pounds while on vacation last week!  I think I ate one too many potato chips with ranch dip! 
Gender:  We find out tomorrow!  Finally!!! AH I'm so excited.  Liam wants a boy and Ruy wants a girl.  Nathan and I are happy either way.  If it's a girl, her and Alanna's birthdays will only be a few weeks apart so I'd be able to hand down all of Alanna's clothes to her and I'm sure they would be best friends :)  If it's a boy, I have to buy all new boy clothes which will be so fun...I'm seeing tiny baby suspenders :) 
Maternity clothes:  Yes some.  Today it was rainy and cold so I broke out my favorite black Motherhood maternity leggings.  They are so comfy. 
Sleep:  Sleeping ok.  Last night was pretty terrible though.  I went to bed at 10:30PM and woke up so many times because I had to go to the bathroom.  I woke up at 11:30PM, 1:33AM, 3:36AM, 4:50AM, and then Alanna woke me up at 6:30AM for the day.  Geez I am exhausted just thinking about all that.
Best moment in the past two weeks:  Vacation!  It was so fun and the weather was amazing.  I loved watching the kids have so much fun at the beach.
Worst moment in the past two weeks:  While we were on vacation, Thursday afternoon, I got a call from my younger brother telling me that my sister Ruth (31) had been in a car accident and was in the emergency room.  He didn't know anything else though.  So I had to call my Dad who was at the hospital with her to find out what was going on.  She had gone off the rode, over corrected, and then hit a tree!!!  I was so upset I was not there to be with her but thankfully she was ok and was able to go home the next day.  She had no major injuries just some glass in her that they had to get out and some bruising.  God was really watching out for her! 
Miss anything:  I miss working out.  I really can't wait to get back into P90x3.
Movement:  YES!!! We FINALLY felt the baby move on Sunday (May 31)  And Nathan was off work and was right there with me so we were able to feel it together at the same time.  That's never happened before.  It was very special.
Cravings:  While on vacation the potato chips and dip called my name one too many times.  I haven't had that in almost a year but I totally caved while on vacation.
 Queasy or sick:  No.  I just feel dizzy and sore sometimes from having such bad varicose veins.  I get light headed and have to sit down some times or move from side to side to try to keep my legs from and feet from hurting.  My feet have been swelling a lot lately.
Looking forward to:  Our first ultra-sound tomorrow.  I can't wait to see our little baby and find out if it's a boy or a girl.  I think it's a boy but I thought that with Alanna and was most certainly wrong.  I think I just always thought I'd have all boys so that's probably why I think it's a boy again. 

Liam's New Hat

It happened!!! It actually happened!  Liam has a new hat.  His beloved straw hat that he got when he was ONE really started wearing down so I've been on the look out for a new hat for him for some time.  Sadly, nothing that I found seemed to "fit" him.  He's tried on so many hats...not by my force but because any store we go in to he tends to gravitate towards the hats.  He loves hats.  And he's been asking me for a new straw hat.  So last week when we were in Carters, he found a little straw hat and loved it.  It was perfect.  He has worn it every day since we bought it and hasn't put on his old hat since.  I'm sure he will pull out his old hat from his "special box" sometime soon though and put it on just because he loved that hat so much.  He's already been stopped several times the past week by people who just want to tell him how much they love his hat.  :)  I felt a little sad about getting him a new hat but after seeing him in this one for the past week, I'm not feeling as sad about it any more.  He looks pretty adorable in this new one. 

18 weeks

I'm a week behind on my 18 week update post because well I was busy packing for vacation and then have been on vacation and totally forgot.  But I'm sitting here on the deck at my beach house, looking at Ruy, my husband, and their cousins, all playing in the pool while I drink some coffee so I thought now would be a good time to catch up on this post.  Liam and Alanna are sleeping since it's 8PM so I'm up at the house with them.  But the pool is close enough to our house for me to see everything that is going on and to hear the beautiful sound of the waves crashing.  It's peaceful and relaxing...listening to two of the most beautiful sounds in the world...my son and my husband laughing, and the ocean. 

May  20, 2015

Weeks pregnant: 18
Weight gained: 18 pounds.  I started at 112 and I'm currently 130.
Gender:  Still don't know
Maternity clothes:  Yes, but still mainly regular clothes.
Sleep:  Sleeping pretty good.
Best moment in the past two weeks:  Getting to spend time with the kids outside especially playing in the water.  It's so fun to watch them have so much fun.
Worst moment in the past two weeks:  Nothing really upsetting has happened lately.  It's been a pretty good two weeks.
Miss anything:  Not really.
Movement:  No movement yet I have to admit that it's really starting to bother me that I haven't felt the baby move.  I felt Alanna at 13 weeks so I just really want to feel some movement.
Cravings:  Nothing that I believe to be pregnancy related...just me wanting to eat too much :) 
 Queasy or sick:  No.  I think that is all long gone.
Looking forward to: Vacation!!! ***Update: (I wrote this before going on vacation but am just getting around to posting it!)