Cinnamon-Applesauce Ornaments

This morning the kiddos and I made cinnamon-applesauce ornaments to give to their friends and classmates for gifts. I found out about these a couple of years ago, but this was our first year to try it.

In case you don't want to click on the link above, the ingredients are:
3 cups applesauce (I used unsweetened)
3 cups ground cinnamon
(I also added a dash of ground cloves and nutmeg)

Mix everything together and roll it out like sugar cookie dough. Use the cinnamon as you would use flour to prevent sticking. After the ornaments are cut out, let them dry for 3-4 days.


Oliver really liked smelling the dough. He also tasted some, but said it was way too spicy. Guess it was because of all of that cinnamon! :-)


Of course Buttercup and Oliver liked squishing the dough the best! Even after the ornament shapes were cut out, they both played with the leftover dough for another 15 minutes or so. :-)






Each of the kids cut out their own shapes (although Buttercup needed some extra assistance with hers). We used a regular straw to make a hole at the top for ribbon.




All of the cute ornaments are ready to dry! The first picture is Buttercup's tray, and Oliver's tray is the second.



After the trays were filled up, I let the kids play with the leftover dough. I love this picture -- Oliver is looking at his hands like, "Now, how did they get so messy?" Ha ha ha.



We are definitely making these again! Not only are they easy, but they are CHEAP (whoo hoo) and the kids had such a great time making a mess and playing with the dough. Can't beat that!

Pictures from the kids' cameras

We gave Oliver and Buttercup digital cameras for Christmas, and they are getting a lot of use!! When we uploaded the pictures to my computer on the second day, Buttercup had taken 392 pictures and Oliver had taken 361. LOL!

Most of Buttercup's photos were very blurry and it was difficult to tell exactly what she was taking a picture of! Here are some that I was able to figure out.

A new toy:


Her baby doll (aka "Big Baby"):


This one's easy! The Christmas tree:


Not sure who this is . . . either Grammy or me:


Oliver!


And these are Oliver's pictures.

Plates in the dishwasher:


Buttercup!


Legos, legos, legos:


Playing with the fun camera features:


Aunt Anna!

A little bit of Christmas, a little bit early!

Last week we received a very special package in the mail -- a box full of Christmas gifts from Grandma and Grandpa. Oliver couldn't wait and wanted to open everything right away, of course! We ended up letting the kids open one gift that afternoon, and they were both so excited and thrilled with their gifts! Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa!

Playing with my new camera

My hubby and I decided to treat ourselves to Christmas gifts early this year (hey, we're not going to turn down a big sale!). He got a 40" flat screen TV, and I got a nice digital camera. I haven't quite figured out all of the features yet, but I've been having fun experimenting!

This morning the kids and I went on a nature walk and I took these first two pictures:


I love the fall colors!



During the kids' naptime, I played with the Smart Portrait mode, which is really cool. The camera detects a smile on the subject's face, and will automatically take a picture by itself!

So here's me (yes, I'm wearing makeup, I was bored).


And here's my cutie pie. I think we kind of look alike. Maybe just a little. ;-)
P.S. I totally wish I had her thick, fine, stick-straight hair.


Look at that sweet baby girl!! I love her!!!!