Lion

Lions and tigers are often hunted around our house. I decided to help Treyton bring one to life.

First off, cut a few strips of colored paper. I have some cutsie cutters and found this shape which I thought resembled a flowing mane.

Then fold part of one end.

Apply glue to a toilet paper roll.

Then, with some help, a 3 year old can glue the mane onto the toilet paper roll.

It's serious business though!

I noticed that the papers were a little too long.

So after they were all applied, I gave our lion a mane trim. Hmph. That might be a good name for a kids' haircut place? "Mane Trim"

To make the face I outlined the tube on a piece of paper.

I cut it out leaving a little extra around the rim so that it wouldn't slip through the tube. Learned this one the hard way, I have to admit. Then I applied the glue.

Treyton stuck it onto the tube ending to make the face.

And then came the feet.

I took a hole punch to the bum to make the tail. Then I tied string around it like so. And there's our new house tiger. Perfect size for hiding and seeking.

Chicken Chili

When I think of cowboys, I often think of chili. And, being that it's cowboy day at Treyton's school today, I thought I'd share my terrific chicken chili recipe. As a disclaimer, I am a horrible cook. Terrible. But once in a while I score big. This is one of those times.

White Chicken Chili

• 1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use frozen breasts);
• 2 cans great northern white beans, rinsed;
• 1 can white hominy, drained;
• 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies;
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup;
• 1 envelope taco seasoning;

Place chicken in crockpot. Top with remaining ingredients. Cook high 6-8 hrs. When done, shred chicken. Enjoy!

Howdy!

It's cowboy day at Treyton's school today.

They are going to have an early lunch of hot dogs, beans, and biscuits.

Treyton has taken the role seriously. Did he just say, "Whutch ya talkin' bout Willus?" Oh sorry, I must be mistaken as he's never seen Different Strokes. That was a great show though, wasn't it? Why don't we have more shows like that anymore? Wholesome family entertainment in the evenings is null and void in our world today. Look at that handsome fella. If you like this sort of thing, there is a fun blog I frequent about a city girl who falls in love with a cowboy and moves to the middle of no where to be with him on his family ranch. They have 4 kids now. Check her out at www.thepioneerwoman.com. Her love story with "Marlboro Man" is simply scrumptious!

"Howdy partner!" Let's go get those cows. (He's been practicing for days with a rope. Everywhere we go.)

Can you stand it? Move over Marlboro Man! Cowboy T has stolen my heart!

I'm Your Sister

I'm smiling because your my brother, I'm laughing because there's nothing you can do about it!

Brothers and Sisters

For Sale By Shel Silverstein One sister for sale! One sister for sale! One crying and spying young sister for sale! I'm really not kidding, So who will start the bidding? Do I hear a dollar? A nickle? A penny? Oh, isn't there, isn't there, isn't there any One kid who will buy this old sister for sale, This crying and spying yound sister for sale? Brother for sale, only 50 cents. Brother for sale, he's not a big expense. You can hug him, you can bug him, you can buy or rent. Brother for sale, only 50 cents. Would anyone like to buy a slightly used big brother? Even if you have one now, trade him for another. He will help you with the chores and he's really clean. The only problem is sometimes he can be so mean. Brother for sale, twenty-five cents. Brother for sale, he's not a big expense. You can hug him, you can bug him, you can buy or rent. Brother for sale, twenty-five cents. If Mom knew we were selling him, we would really get it. Buy him now; don't wait till June; on approved credit. Buy him now and we'll tell you what we will do Mister. We'll throw into the deal our little baby sister. Brother for sale, only 10 cents........... He will always pick you up when you take a fall. And he's good at showing you how to catch a ball. He always tells these funny jokes and does this crazy dance. Hey wait, he sounds like a pretty nice guy. Let's give him one more chance. Our brother's not for sale, not for any price. Our brother's not for sale, we guess he will suffice. We love to hug him, we love to bug him, he's really rather nice. Our brother's not for sale, not for any price!

Folded Paper Kitty

When I was working on the folded paper dog with Treyton, I had my hands full with Galina wanting to help. So I scooped her up, plopped her on her throne, and gave her some paper to color.

Then we decided to make a kitty. Start off by folding the paper as above and cut off the extra strip as below.

Fold in the pointed bottom end.

Then fold up one side for the ears.

And the other.

Flip the whole thing over.

Add a face.

Charm your daughter.

Here's our real kitty, Polly. She got her name because she's a polydactyl. Meaning that she has an extra toe on every paw. Evidently, all American polydactyls came from the Ernest Hemmingway home when he brought some over from Europe and introduced them to our country. We also refer to her as Uncle Fester as she lives in our basement most of the time due to her fear of dogs, change, and sometimes children. She comes up in the early morning hours and in the evenings when things are a little less chaotic around here. She's a gentle love.

Folded Paper Dog

We were all getting cabin fever the other day so I decided to do something "structured" to help the day go faster. We decided to make some animals. Here's how: Find a boy or a girl with a scrumptious smile and personality to boot. Then grab a piece of paper and fold it like so.

Cut off the extra hanging off the triangle part.

Unfold and let the cutie patootie create designs on the page and smell makers.

A few spots are always welcome on dogs.

Once BOTH sides are colored, fold the page back up to form a triangle.

Then take one corner and fold it down to create an ear.

Repeat on the other side.

Now for the snout. Fold the bottom up to form a triangle.

And then down again to form the nose.

Color the nose black or pink or whatever strikes your fancy.

Then we took googly eyes and glued one on a piece of black paper to create a spotted eye. We glued both the spotted eye and plain eye to the dog.

Ta-dah! (Notice Daisy looking on from her spot by the door.) The paper dog may be cute, but not as wonderful as this K-9.

Oh Daisy, you are such an angel!