Ideas for a Cry Baby

So my second oldest daughter, who is two-and-a-half, is a big cry baby. Her solution to everything is to cry. Cry, cry, cry. I tell her to sit at the table; she cries. She can't get her sock off; she cries. Her baby sister takes her toy; she cries. I tell her the milk is all gone; she cries. Her older sister tells her to do anything; she cries. It's not her turn yet; she cries. It's time to pick up toys; she cries. I remove a fork from her hand; she cries. She has to take one bite of her food; she cries. You get the idea. She cries, she cries, she cries. And it's not like she whimpers. She cries like someone chewed off her arm. I have tried a variety of tactics to get her to stop this behavior. I've ignored it. I've had her stand in the corner. I've tried to teach her to use her words. I've had her repeat whatever it was that made her cry until she does it without crying. I've cried with her. I've encouraged her to cry louder (as if she could!), for reverse psychology's sake. I've sprayed water on her face. This one is by far the most effective because it's startling and she immediately forgets what all the fuss was about, but it's hard for me to carry the spray bottle everywhere. And I'm mildly opposed to treating her like a cat. Any other ideas? I'm afraid of what she'll end up like at school, or at a music lesson, or on a sports team, when someone asks her to do something, she struggles, and then the tears flow, as if that's the solution. Any ideas on how to teach her to stop this behavior?

Fairytale party ideas?

We're doing a fairytale party for Kendall's birthday in two weeks and I need some ideas. If everyone comes that's invited plus Kendall and Gage- we'll have 5 boys and 5 girls altogether. Any thoughts on food, time of day, length of party, games, prizes?

I want all the kids to come dressed as some kind of fairytale character- princess, knight, fairy, dragon- that sort of thing. I'm going to do some face painting for any kids that want to and we'll do cupcakes for cake. I wanted to do some kind of crafty thing- like make ribbon wands, but am having a hard time finding something gender neutral.

Oh Tara, how do you play pass the parcel? I remember that from Emma's birthday and Kendall talked about it forever afterward so we want to play that.

Ideas? Thanks much!

Pancakes

These pancakes are easy and really yummy. I think I'll make them for breakfast tomorrow. I love to eat my pancakes with peanut butter and syrup on top. If you've never tried it, you should.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

HAPPY (early) BIRTHDAY TARA!!!

I know you and Collin are disappearing and will be gone on your actual birthday so I'm hoping you see this before you go. I hope your trip is amazing and that you guys manage to make your birthday special no matter what you're up to. We'll all be thinking of you and wishing you a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



I can't make pretty cakes but if you were here I'd make you some yummy cupcakes.

We love you and miss you guys. I hope we don't have to go too much longer with seeing you guys.

Here You Go...

Thai Salad

1lb. Angel Hair Pasta ¾ cup soy sauce
¼ cup peanut oil ¾ to 1 cup mayo
1 to 2 tsp. Dijon ¼ cup sesame oil
¼ cup chili oil 2 whole chicken breast or a rotisserie chicken
6 green onions 2 carrots peeled and grated
1 red bell pepper chopped 1 can water chestnuts chopped
½ cup cilantro no stems ½ lb. snow peas
toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Cook chicken (grill or shred a rotisserie chicken). Cook noodles, drain and toss with ½ cup soy sauce and peanut oil. Set aside.
Combine mayo, Dijon, sesame oil, remaining soy sauce and chili oil. Refrigerate. Add chicken to noodles, then add dressing and toss well. Refrigerate. Before serving add all veggies. Garnish with extra cilantro and sesame seeds.

Julie's Thai Noodles

Julie Larsen, can you please post your Thai Noodle recipe that you brought to the cooking group? I wanted to make it for an Asian themed potluck I am going to tomorrow and I can't find the recipe. Or Katy or Kirsten could you post it? Thanks!