Troublemaker

He's not as innocent or sweet as he looks.

Yesterday I was enforcing the "no TV time" for a while, and what did my little monkey do?

He got into the baby-care kit and scattered the bulb syringe, KY jelly, and rectal thermometer I keep in there.  I couldn't find the thermometer.  Until this morning.  When I found the rectal thermometer with the top bitten off.  And yes, that would be "the" end of the thermometer.

He cleaned the TV screen with Vicks VapoRub.

He spilled a cup of water in the kitchen.

He spilled a cup of JUICE all over my entryway floor and carpet.

On days like this, you can see why we watch more "Shaun the Sheep" than normal people should.

It's either that or a straightjacket.

Peanut Butter Fudge & Peppermint Spoons

I made some Christmas treats yesterday with the girls.  I had to make some refreshments for the cantata, and I was trying out a new fudge recipe from Our Best Bites and really wanted to do a peanut butter variety.  So, I modified the recipe and halved it (just in case is turned out badly).  Lucky for me it was a success!  It is awesome, so of course I had to share.  The recipe uses a candy thermometer, so I bought one just for the occasion.  If you don't own one, they are worth the investment of $3.50 - trust me.  It took a lot of the guesswork out of making candy.

Also, while we were waiting for the fudge to set we made some dark chocolate mint hot cocoa stirrers for gifting.  I bought the flavored candy melts at Hobby Lobby the other day, and we just melted them down, dipped the spoons in, and set them on parchment paper.  Then we sprinkled them with crushed candy canes and left them alone to set.   They looked so good after I wrapped them last night I was compelled to take a picture.  I'm inordinately proud of myself - they almost make me look crafty.

And now... on to the fudge recipe!


Anita's Peanut Butter Fudge

8 oz. white almond bark (4 squares)
1/4 c. butter
2/3 c. crunchy peanut butter
3/4 c. evaporated milk
2 cups granulated sugar
1 heaping cup of mini-marshmallows

In a glass or metal mixing bowl, place almond bark, butter, and peanut butter.  I used the bowl from my stand mixer.

In a large saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and marshmallows.  Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture reaches about 225 to 240 degrees.  Be careful near the end, because it will scald really easily.  Just make sure you are stirring constantly and you don't have the heat up too high.  If it browns a little, it's not a big deal, just lower the heat and make sure it doesn't burn.

Once it has reached the proper temperature, pour the mix and sugar mixture into the bowl on top of the other ingredients.  Beat with a mixer or stand mixer until thoroughly combined.  The heat from the milk mixture will melt the ingredients in the bowl, so just make sure you've got everything melted before stopping.  It's probably a good idea to scrape the bowl at least once before you're done, too.

The heat from the milk mixture will melt the ingredients in the bowl, so just make sure you've got everything melted before stopping.  It's probably a good idea to scrape the bowl at least once before you're done, too.  When it's ready it should look something like this.

Pour into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan lined with foil.  For good measure, I sprayed my foil with non-stick cooking spray, too. 

Let it set then cut into small 1-inch squares.  Store in the fridge.

I think I've gained 5 pounds just thinking about this fudge, so be sure to give it away fast!

Random Cuteness

She got in trouble for this one...

 I had to explain to Kelsey that you just shouldn't go around putting aprons on dogs.  They don't really like it.  I'm not one of those people who dress up my pets for Halloween, either.  My dog already has clothes.
It's called FUR.

Later that same day I walked into the den where Kelsey and Connor had been quietly playing while I fixed dinner.  I guess they were having a doggie tea party or something. 

I really got a kick out of the extra cups being used as hats for the little ones.

And speaking of Connor, this is what Ben found the other night when checking on him before going to bed:

For the record, that lion costume is way too small.  It was lying on his bed from earlier in the day when he'd wanted to put it on and I told him it was too small.  I guess when it was time for bed, he couldn't resist giving it just one more shot.

My kids really are adorable.  How did I get to be such a lucky mommy?

The Things We Do for Money

I really want my kids to know the joy of gift-giving.  And when they pick out a present for their sibling and Ben and I pay for it, I feel like that robs them of some of the experience.  So for the past couple of years, Ben and I have told the girls that they need to buy or make their own Christmas presents to give people.  However, since my kids aren't really old enough to earn money outside the home, we have provided some opportunities for them to earn money AT home.

Let's take Kelsey, for example.  She cleaned my big picture windows inside and out, and spent quite a while happily scrubbing the stove.  She really loved doing the cleaning knowing that she was earning money to buy presents for Christmas.  Some other things the girls did for me - babysitting (Olivia), folding and putting away their brothers' laundry (both), and extra work with the dishes and in the kitchen (Olivia).

This really is the most wonderful time of the year!