Of course there are many versions of the story but the one we just read came with a recipe – now that’s just brilliant!

Here’s a Gingerbread recipe from the Food Network:

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2/3 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 large egg

For the complete recipe including baking directions visit Gingerbread Cookies 101 on The Food Network.

Her latest quest is to figure out how to make slime. In fact, she asked me to go on my computer and look it up. About.com had a video complete with the ingredients and steps needed to make an opaque or translucent concoction.

You can check it out here.

So, in addition to decorating Halloween cookies, this weekend’s craft is all about ooey gooey slime.

In fact, I play the cd in my car even when she’s not riding with me (shhhh! – that’s our little secret). My favorite track is #6 – She’s so gone. I like that song so much because it’s about releasing insecurities and growing into your own – a great lesson at any age. After that song, my next favorite is Breakthrough. It’s very upbeat and a great work out song.

Don’t worry I am always a few steps away if not right by his side. I usually put him there when he’s had enough of the swing and I need to get dressed. I’ve also done it when I need to work on the computer and cannot hold him. In that case I sit an arm’s length away from his pillow fortress.

Low and behold, one day during a stroll in Babies R Us, I came across the Bumbo Baby Seat. At first glance, I was smitten. It was as if the heavens opened up and the angels started singing. I purchased it and it’s accompanying tray. When I got home, I put CJ in it (on the floor – as directed) and I sat next to him. He loved it! He stayed in it for quite some time as the family walked to and fro.

I’ve noticed that he tends to enjoy it more when there are others on the floor with him – even if it’s the dog. He’s not picky when it comes to companionship. Working on the floor’s no biggy with me….whatever it takes to keep the peace!

When getting him dressed for church recently, the outfit just didn’t seem complete without some baby sized dockers. We’ve received several pairs of really cute baby shoes as gifts but this kid just doesn’t think they are necessary. I even enlisted my 5 year old daughter to help with the cause but my son’s persistence prevailed until both she and I gave up in frustration.

If he’s anything like his sister (who started walking at 7 months) he’s only got about a month left of that “No shoes for me!” mentality before we’ll have to glue them to his feet -socks and all.

The rotund family caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the magazine stand in the grocery aisle.

Before I knew they were called the Pumpkin family, I thought they were were Snowman Pumpkins. Regardless, we will be making them at our Fall Pajama Party this year!

Check out the details of how to bring this family to life at Create a Cute Pumpkin Family.

I like the aspect of the clear jar so that she can see all of the money she has accumulated however, a Clear Piggy Bank would serve the same purpose. Plus it has a slot to put the coins in and folded up dollar bills instead of having to unscrew a lid to make a deposit.

So, that will be the next purchase…a clear piggy bank to replace the lady bug holding cell.

Of course, I was the one that ended up putting the seeds on his head since she didn’t want anything to do with that. She is really helpful when its time to keep him watered as he continues to grow.

I had a Chia Pet when I was younger…a generic, black, dog Chia but Scooby is soooo much cooler!

Since I don’t have a printer, I had to draw the characters by hand instead of using the templates provided on the Nick Jr. Site. But they still turned out great and look just like the characters on TV.

She’s been sleeping with them ever since we made them. I wonder how long that will last? Probably just until we make another craft next week!

Follow the links below to learn how to make the Moose and Zee crafts…

• Moose No-Sew Snuggle Pillow
• Zee No-Sew Snuggle Pillow

I signed up for their email list never the less because I was impressed with the prices of the clothes that were available for resale. I received an email with the following details and decided to give them a second try.

Needless to say. I was delighted. I plan to go back just before CJ is born to get his first set of baby clothes.