Oh What Do You Do In The Winter-Time?

We went to the Home Depot last Saturday for their Kids Workshop and it turned out to be a success! Totally Free and Totally Fun!

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?catalogId&langId=-1&pn=Kids_Workshops&storeId=10051


The Home Depot's Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

Prayer Pretzels

This was a neat family night for us:

Prayer Pretzels
You'll need:
1 package of dry yeast1-1/2 cups lukewarm water (not hot)2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 cups of flour 1 beaten eggsalt
Dissolve yeast in warm water and let rise a few minutes. Add sugar and salt and blend in 4 cups flour. Turn dough out on floured table or breadboard and knead until smooth. Refrigerate until you are ready to use at your table. Preheat oven to 325 . Lightly grease cookie sheet or toaster oven tray. Cut off 4" piece of dough roll into ropes about six to eight inches, or a length you can easily twist. Twist into shape with loop at top and two arms folded over. Arrange on lightly greased toaster oven tray or cookie sheet allowing space between pretzels for expansion. Brush with beaten egg -- those places you miss will not brown. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 12-15 minutes. Ovens may vary so check after 7-8 minutes.

Talk about prayer with your family:
There are many types of prayers. Ask the children if they can think of any:.
Prayers of Gratitude (food - family - home - health - earth)
Peace (giving talk or performing so nerves will be calm)
Safety (travel, etc.)
Someone's health - friend family member facing surgery or medical problem
Strength / Priesthood Blessings (to get through a tough situation)
Sacrament Prayers
Review prayer language
Tell the story of the Pretzel - In about 610 A.D. a very creative Alpine Monk decided to make use of the dough left over from baking bread. The Monk formed them into thin strips folded into a looped twist to represent the folded arms of children in prayer. This scrumptious treat was given to the children as they learned their prayers. They began calling the treat "Pretiola", which is Latin for "little reward". Soon it was known to the world as pretzel. The secret of making great pretzels is not only in the baking but also in the shaping. We, like pretzels, are made from the best ingredients, by the best hands available, the hands of our Father in Heaven. Have you ever seen a broken pretzel, or one that has lost it's shape? We too, can lose our shape when we don't pray always to keep our spirituality in place. The simple shape of the pretzel, arms folded in prayer, reminds us to pray each day. Our "Pretiola" or "little rewards" are the blessings we receive. During this twisting time, it may be possible to talk about what happens when we pray for others. Francis of Assisi said, "The gift of prayer is no small gift, to whomever it is given." It is a gift implying love, thoughtfulness, and often action on the part of the person who says the prayer.
While the children are making their pretzels, ask them to think of one person they can pray for and to challenge them to remember them throughout the day and in their prayers. (Before starting family prayers at night, review the names of those you want to remember so that you can pray for them as a family too.)

The Cost of Raising Children

Can you believe how expensive it is to raise kids?!?!?!
I take this as a challenge and think that I can do a better job for way less than this:

The table below shows the estimated annual costs of raising a child, based on a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The table shows costs based on a family with two children on a per-child basis. The data comes from the Consumer Expenditure Survey by the U.S. Department of Labor, conducted from 1990-92.The figures have been updated to 2001 dollars using the Consumer Price Index. The USDA ends its cost survey when a child legally becomes an adult at age 18. It does not include any estimates for sending your children to college nor does it offer any cost estimates if your child remains in your home as a dependent after the age of 18. The College Board reports that in the 1998-99 school year, a resident student at a four-year private college will spend about $23,578 a year; a student at a public college will pay $9,008 a year. See the footnotes¹ below for further information. If you're a single-parent family, use the Single-Parent Family table.

Dual-Parent Family

Age of Child	Housing	Food	Transportation	Clothing	Health	Child care/ Education	Miscellaneous	Total
Before-tax income: up to $39,100
0 to 2	2,500	910	780	370	460	840	630	6490
3 to 5	2,470	1,010	750	360	440	820	680	6,630
6 to 8	2,380	1,300	880	400	510	560	680	6,710
9 to 11	2,150	1,560	950	450	560	340	720	6,730
12 to 14	2,400	1,640	1,070	750	560	240	900	7,560
15 to 17	1,940	1,780	1,440	660	600	400	660	7,480
Total	41,520	24,600	17,610	8,970	9,390	9,990	12,720	124,800
Before-tax income: $39,100 to $65,800
0 to 2	3,380	1,090	1,160	430	610	1,380	980	9,030
3 to 5	3,350	1,260	1,130	420	580	1,530	990	9,260
6 to 8	3,260	1,600	1,260	470	660	980	1,030	9,260
9 to 11	3,030	1,890	1,330	520	720	640	1,250	9,190
12 to 14	3,280	1,900	1,450	870	720	470	1,250	9,940
15 to 17	2,820	2,110	1,840	780	770	810	1,010	10,140
Total	57,360	29,550	24,510	10,470	12,180	17,430	18,960	170,460
Before-tax income: $65,800 and up
0 to 2	5,370	1,440	1,630	570	700	2,090	1,630	13,430
3 to 5	5,340	1,630	1,600	560	670	2,270	1,650	13,720
6 to 8	5,250	1,970	1,720	610	770	1,560	1,690	13,570
9 to 11	5,020	2,290	1,800	670	820	1,090	1,720	13,410
12 to 14	5,270	2,400	1,920	1,100	830	840	1,900	13,170
15 to 17	4,810	2,530	2,330	1,000	870	1,470	1,660	14,670
Total	93,180	36,780	33,000	13,530	13,980	27,960	30,750	249,180

Single-Parent Family

Age of Child	Housing	Food	Transportation	Clothing	Health	Child care/ Education	Miscellaneous	Total
Before-tax income: up to $39,100
0 to 2	2,240	1,010	730	330	220	530	380	5,440
3 to 5	2,550	1,060	640	350	330	720	500	6,150
6 to 8	2,710	1,340	740	410	390	650	670	6,910
9 to 11	2,600	1,550	530	420	490	310	540	6,440
12 to 14	2,600	1,550	620	710	520	400	520	6,920
15 to 17	2,760	1,690	970	830	520	300	600	7,670
Total	46,380	24,600	12,690	9,150	7,410	8,730	9,630	118,590
Before-tax income: $39,100 and up
0 to 2	4,820	1,560	2,220	470	510	1,290	1,580	12,450
3 to 5	4,820	1,650	2,130	500	690	1,620	1,690	13,410
6 to 8	5,290	1,980	2,240	570	790	1,510	1,870	14,250
9 to 11	5,180	2,380	2,030	580	950	880	1,740	13,740
12 to 14	5,190	2,380	2,110	950	1,000	1,260	1,720	14,560
15 to 17	5,340	2,470	2,290	1,090	990	1,030	1,800	15,010
Total	92,850	37,110	39,060	12,480	14,790	22,770	31,200	250,260

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Estimates are based on 1990-92 Consumer Expenditure Survey updated to 2001 dollars using the Consumer Price Index.

¹ The figures represent estimated expenses on the younger child in a two-child family. Estimates are about the same for the older child, so a family of two would then double the total cost. Thus, a family with two children and an income of less than $39,100, could expect to spend somewhere around $249,600, for two children by the time they each had reached age 18. If you have only one child, the USDA assumes you'll spend slightly more on that child and suggests multiplying the total expense for the appropriate age category by 1.24. If you have three or more children, the USDA assumes you'll spend slightly less per child. To estimate expenses for each child in a family with three or more children, multiply the total expense for each appropriate age category by 0.77. For expenses on all children in a family, these totals should be summed.

Kool Aid Play Dough

Make something else with Kool Aid this summer...
This is always a hit at my house:
Kool Aid Play Dough
1 cup Flour
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 pack Kool Aid
1/4 cup salt
2 Tbsp. cream of Tartar
1 Cup water
Mix Flour, salt, cream of tartar, and Kool Aid in Medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. When mix forms a ball, remove and knead.
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Kids Activities...

Gotta love the public library for free summer fun.
We get movies, books, and attend activities for free all year long.
Love it.

Homemade Baby Wipes

Try to buy a good roll of paper towels for less than a dollar and you'll get a batch of these baby wipes for about $0.50.
Making your own baby wipes will not only save money, but you will know that no harsh or drying chemicals are touching your baby's bottom.

What You Need:
· Round plastic container (Rubbermaid #6 or #9 works well)
· Thick, strong roll of paper towels
· Sharp knife to cut paper towel roll in half (Be Careful!)
· 2 cups hot water
· 2 Tablespoons baby shampoo or baby wash
· 1 Tablespoon baby oil

Here's How:
1. Cut the roll of paper towels in half with a knife.
2. Mix liquid ingredients in container.
3. Place the paper towels in the container with the cut side facing downward.
4. Secure lid tightly and allow to sit until all liquid is absorbed into the paper towels.
5. Turn the container upside-down and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
6. Open container and 'start' the roll by removing the cardboard center and pulling a towel from the inside of the roll.
7. Wipes are now ready to use.
Tips:
1. Save the other half of the roll for use next time you make wipes.
2. Make sure the container is closed tightly after each use to prevent drying out.