12 Days of Crafting- The Mod Felt Tree

A few weeks ago, Simon and his cousin were playing with felt figures at the library.  I sensed he needed something like this here at home.  I decided to make the kids a felt tree.  I kept the shape of the tree simple and modern.  I found a pack of fun Christmas felt, and kept most of the ornaments a basic circle.  I added some dimension, by gluing smaller circles in a different pattern on top.  The felt tree resides in the laundry room, affixed to the back of our chalk board.  This simple project took me a half hour to make, and the kids simply love it.

12 Days of Crafting- Permanent Markers and Ornaments

Happy Holidays! For the next 12 days, I will share some easy Christmas crafts the kids and I have created.   A few weeks ago, I found pre-glazed ornaments at the craft store.  I  dug out multi-colored permanent markers and I let the kids go crazy.  Once the ornaments were colored, I placed the ornaments in the oven on 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  This will allowed the marker to set in place.
So anytime I need to occupy the kids, I drag out the unfinished ornaments, and they are distracted for at least a half hour.  So watch out friends and family, you will be receiving some precious artwork!

Greek Avgolemono (egg lemon) Soup

Yesterday, when my daughter came down with an ear infection, I decided to make one of my favorite soups, Greek Avgolemono (Egg Lemon) Soup.  I grew up with my mom making this every time we were sick.  This soup is also a staple dish when we go eat at local Greek restaurants.  There are a couple of variations to this recipe. One variation is with carrots and celery and thickened at the end with a bit of cornstarch. The consistency is like a velvety cream of chicken soup.  The other variation (which my mother made) is without carrots or celery and the consistency is not as creamy.  Both are yummy, but we prefer our Avgolemono Soup a more thick and creamy.  Here is the recipe I used:

Ingredients:

8 cups of Organic Chicken Broth
4 cups of water
2 carrots
1 celery stalk
1 medium yellow onion
2 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves (optional)
2 garlic cloves (optional)
1 pack of chicken thighs, chicken breast,
 or chicken tenders
Cornstarch (optional)
1/2 cup arborio rice
3 eggs (room temperature)
Juice of 1.5 lemons

Coarsely chop the carrots, celery, and onion and pulse them in a Cuisinart and finely chopped into what is  called a tritto.  Next, saute the tritto in olive oil on medium heat.  Once softened, add the chicken broth and water.  Add two bay leaves and two whole garlic cloves.  (These are optional). 

Next, add your chicken pieces.  Some people choose to make their own broth using a whole chicken.  I am usually pressed for time, and it's easier to use pre-packaged chicken broth and pre-cut chicken pieces) 

Once the chicken is cooked (half hour - 45 minutes) remove the chicken, garlic cloves, and bay leaves from the pot. Once the chicken has cooled, shred with your fingers or two forks.

Next, add  four tbsp. of cornstarch.  MAKE SURE YOU MIX THE CORNSTARCH IN WARM WATER FIRST! Then add the aborio rice.  While the rice is cooking,  beat the 3 eggs in a small bowl, and add the juice of 1.5 lemons.  Keep them handy because once the rice is cooked, you have to TEMPER the eggs.  

TEMPERING THE EGGS:

Most people of scared of this part because no one wants scrambled eggs in the soup.  The easiest way to temper eggs,  is to spoon a bit of broth into bowl of beaten eggs and lemon.  Keep beating the eggs as you spoon bits of broth in the bowl.  Next, slowly add the TEMPERED eggs into the pot.  Keep stirring the pot as you add the eggs.  

Finally you can choose to add the shredded chicken back in the pot, or you can eat it on the side.  

This soup is amazing on a cold winter day, or when ever we are under the weather.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!  

'Tis the Season

As we begin to decorate, my heart is heavy for a friend who lost her little boy, Henry, the other day. This Holiday Season, hug your children and keep them close.  Tell those near how much they are loved.  I am thankful for God's grace and the peace he gives to His children.  

To learn more about Henry's journey or to make donations for the family:

Bringing Henry Home

A New Life For Henry

With Jesus

A History of Henry's Adoption

So Sad

Chicago and The Dinosaurs

A Trip To The Field Museum

This weekend we played tourist in our hometown.  I had not visited the The Field Museum since, ( I honestly can't remember) probably 10 years old?  Our visiting cousins wanted to take a ride, so the kids and I joined them.  (Unfortunately, Dearest Husband had to work). Here are some highlights of our visit.

Going Native

Thanksgiving Craft- Native American Headdress

Last week the kids caught part of Pocahontas on T.V. Simon was enamored by Pocahontas' father, the Chief, and specifically his headdress.  I explained that these were the first people who lived in America, and the headdress was a special hat.  I further explained that each feather, on the headdress, was earned  for an act of bravery.  Well, my little guy must be pretty brave, because we went a little overboard with our feathers....

Here's how you can make your own Native American Headdress:

Mean to Serene

My son has crossed the 3.5 year old threshold.  For those of you with kids, you know what I mean.  Let me explain, it is a developmental phase where preschoolers test EVERYTHING.  They do not have the emotional and cognitive maturity to communicate what they need in a calm and rational way.  My preschooler, chooses to whine, yell, hit, and throw tantrums.  I have been at my wits end.  This seemingly happy,  easy child has turned into, for lack of a better word, a devil!
Yesterday, I asked his Montessori teacher if a behavior chart would work.  Coming from a public school, these worked for us, but I wasn't sure if it would work for my son.  Simon's teacher suggested something even better, A Calming Jar.  Simply fill a mason jar with water, food coloring, and glitter.  The theory is, when the child is frustrated, give them the jar.  Have them watch the glitter fall to the bottom.  The visual cue, will help the child calm down.
We just made our Calming Jar this morning, so I'm hoping (with all of my digits crossed) that this will work.

Has anyone made a Calming Jar?  What other calm discipline techniques have you tried?  Let me know!!!