Early Morning & One Sweet Boy

The computer clock says it's 6:10am. I've been up since 4:18am. Finished a cup of coffee. Surfed my favorite blogs to catch up on my reading. Watched some Handy Manny and Jungle Junction with a sweet little boy.
I had to pull him from his bed this morning but he's been such a good sport about it. He is the reason I had to be up at 4:18am and why I kept him up after 10pm last night. He is having his hearing tested for the third try. We took him & his brother a couple weeks ago to check their hearing. Brother did just fine and received a good report but this little guy didn't want to participate in the testing. So, today I'm taking him to get an Auditory Brainstem Response test. He'll be asleep (hence the sleep deprivation) which means this will be the last test we need to do. Thank goodness! I'm ready to finish ruling this out or in for speech therapy purposes. Which by the way they are both doing marvelously! They still aren't talking much but communication is getting better. I'll have to post about all that another time, once I can really get a good grasp on how I feel about all of it!
For now wish us luck with the testing!

Gram's Caramel Apples

My Gramma used to make these every year, and when she would come to visit, we would beg her to make them with us. Which she would. That's just the way I remember her being, very giving of her time and her love. Especially to her grandchildren!
There was one time when she came to see us that I asked her to write down some of her recipes in her own handwriting.Those cards are my favorite ones. My Gramma could bake and cook for crowds of people and it wasn't just mass quantity it was delicious. I like to think I have that part of her as well. She was one of the most amazing women I've ever known!

One of the first and last pictures I have of me with Gramma.

So, here is her recipe and my ultimate fav when it comes to caramel apples. I know she would be more than happy to see me sharing it with all of you. Enjoy!

Caramel Apples

1 c. white sugar
1 c. light Karo syrup
1 can Eagle's Brand (sweetened condensed milk)

Stir together the sugar and syrup in a large saucepan over medium heat, until clear and bubbly.
Add Eagle's Brand, cook and stir until it reaches the softball stage. (When you can drop a piece in cold water and it keeps it's form.)
Place a wooden stick in each apple. Dip apples in caramel to coat. After dipping in caramel, immediately dip into a bowl of ice cold water. Set on wax paper to dry. Store uncovered at room temperature.

Remember the memories you make with the ones you love!

Pumpkin Spice Lattes (just like Starbucks)

Okay, so, I found this recipe for "pumpkin spice lattes" and I have to admit I was a little sceptical when they said it was just like Starbucks. Because lets face it.......it's hard to beat Starbucks. So, anyway, I decided to try it and it was fabulous. Absolute bliss. I did make some changes to the recipe so here's my version.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

2 c. milk
2 T. canned pumpkin
6 T. sugar
2 T. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. strong coffee for each mug

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin, and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a glass blender. Process for 15 seconds until foamy.
Pour into a couple of mugs. Add the coffee. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg or both.

Sesame Street: Will.i.am's song"What I am"

This totally made my day! Although I'm a little late posting, it was fun seeing this on Sesame Street the other day! Is it weird that I love the show more than the twins? lol
Sesame Street: Will.i.am's song "What I am"

Trying to find motivation.....

We just spent the last few days having tons of fun with "Nana", "Granpa" and "Ezah" (Aunt Elsie)!
After a trip to the craft store, the mall, restaurants, markets, and the BR Zoo, it's hard to get back to our routine. Here are a few things I hope to accomplish this weekend:

1.) make camera straps for my etsy shop
2.) laundry and more laundry
3.) grocery shopping (the cabinets are bare) lol
4.) sort through pictures from Halloween
5.) order prints of said pictures
6.) take pictures of camera straps to put on etsy
7.) finish baby gifts
8.) take pictures of my sweet boys bc everyday they change some more
9.) go to the NO Zoo to celebrate my birthday as a family
10.) prepare myself for turning 25 on Tuesday

Okay, I think I need a nap from just thinking about all the stuff I want to get done. lol
What are you planning for the weekend?

Jack O' Lantern Kitty

Last night after the twins were ready for bed, we lit the jack o' lantern I had cut out earlier in the afternoon. The patten I used was a kitty, Kinsauls love kittens (except me) lol, so what could be more perfect than a kitty on our pumpkin?!

Both boys were loving the glow from the candle. David kept saying, "meow, meow", I kept saying, "meow, kitty says, meow". By the end of the night I was hoping that our children weren't thinking that pumpkins are kittens and that they say, "meow". lol

Halloween Play Dough

So, I tried the store bought play dough with my little ones and they were beyond grossed out by the smell of it. With that, I looked online at some different homemade play dough recipes and found one to try. It was so easy to put together. I was concerned at first about the food coloring coming off on things and staining our hands but it didn't do that at all. This play dough still smells a little different but it's much better smelling than the store bought stuff. Funny story though, even without the bad odor my two still didn't want to play with it. lol Oh well, there's always next time!

After making my first batch I thought I'd put together some for Halloween treats to give to B & F's little friends. Here's the instructions on how I made them!

Colored Play Dough

1 c. water

1 T. vegetable oil

1/2 c. salt

1 T. cream of tarter

food coloring

saucepan

1 1/4 c. flour, plus extra

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tarter and food coloring in a saucepan

 and heat over medium heat until warm.

Side note: The cream of tarter makes this dough last 6 months longer, so resist the temptation to omit it.

Remove from heat and add flour.

Stir in flour, then knead on a floured surface until smooth.

Store the dough in an airtight container.

Because I'm going to give these out, I chose to divide the dough into smaller portions.

I used small Ziploc containers to keep it airtight.

These are cute but I wanted to make them really special for Halloween.

 I used some scrapbook paper cut into circles and used my Slice to cut out jack o' lantern pumpkins.

Printed and cut out some tags and used twine to tie them all together.

I love how they turned out! Spooky fun!