Conference moira::parenting_v3

We're planning a variation of the taped story.  The kids on one side of the
family draw names, and Sally (6) picked her cousin Jordan, 18 months.  These 
are the steps we'll do:
	1. Sally will draw the pictures for a story
	2. She'll put them in a thin photo album (the kind you peel back
		the protective surface, put page in, press back)  These
		have been nice and sturdy for us.
	3. Sally will record the story while turning the pages
	4. I'll take the tape and transcribe the story, adding the text
		to the appropriate pages.

I think I put this in last year: I took kids' artwork to the copy store
and they made great memo pads from them, using colored paper.  For some,
I/we added words (Sally wrote "Grandpa's Shopping List" at the top of one,
drew major food groups [fruit and candy] at the bottom).  

A friend just found grocery-sized blank canvas bags for under $5, is 
personalizing and decorating with fabric markers/paint.

    I have a recipe for cinnamon Christmas orniments at home that the kids
    can help you make.
    
    They are fairly easy.  I think they are just cinnamon and white glue
    and something else.  You mix it together and roll it out and cut out
    the shapes with cookie cutters and let them sit for like 2 days till
    they dry.  I can't remember if you make the hole at the top before or
    after they dry.  After they dry, just thread a piece of red, green or
    gold ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot.  They are really nice
    and they smell good too.
    
    I will look for the recipe tonight when I go home and post it tomorrow
    or when ever I find it.
    
    liz

    A friend of mine did this last year:
    
    Her niece loves Sesame Street, so she bought a VCR tape and taped 6
    hours worth of Sesame Street shows on it.
    
    It seems like kids don't really care how many times they've seen
    something.  My daughter has watched Disney's Bambi about 4,500 times
    and now knows Bambi's lines.  But she really doesn't care.
    
    Gail
    

    Here is the recipe for the Cinnamon Scented Ornaments that I promised
    in .2.  There are 2 versions of this recipe one that you have to cook
    and the other you just mix in a mixing bowl;
    
    
    			CINNAMON SCENTED ORNAMENTS
    			==========================
    
    
    4 oz can cinnamon (approx 1 cup)
    1 tbsp cloves
    1 tbsp nutmeg
    3/4 cup applesauce
    2 tbsp white glue (re: Elmers)
    
    In a medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.  add applesauce
    and glue; stir to combine.  work mixture with hands 2 - 3 minutes or
    until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed.  Divide
    into 4 portions.  Roll out each dough portion to 1/4 inch thickness. 
    Cut dough with cookie cutters of desired shapes.  Using straw or
    toothpick, make a small hole in top of ornaments.  Place cutouts on
    wire racks and allow to dry at room temperature for several days (turn
    ornaments over once each day, for a more uniform drying process). 
    Thread ribbon through hole in ornament.  DO NOT EAT!!!!!!
    
    Makes about 32 (2 inch) ornaments.
    
    ***************************************************************************
    
    In a Double boiler, warm 10 tbsp applesauce.  When warm add 3 - 5 oz or
    cinnamon until it is the consistency of cookie dough.  Use more
    cinnamon to "flour" counter or cutting board.  Roll out the dough to
    desired thickness.  Use cookie cutters for different shapes.  Punch a
    hole in the top for ribbon.  lay on cake racks until dry.
    
    
    KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS!!!!!   NOT EDIBLE!!!!!
    
    
    

    I posted this in another note.... but check out the magazine "Family
    Fun" for *ALL* sorts of creative ideas!!!  If I remember, I'll post a
    few in here - it's a **GREAT** magazine, and worth every cent of the
    $1.95 - and it's only $10.00/year to subscribe for 12 issues .... GREAT
    gift!!