Here's Reagan posing with some of her cookies she sold this year. Her goal was 212 and she sold just under 300 once she worked at two booths. Great job Reagan (and her mom). Thanks to those who purchased cookies this year!

Perhaps the last bit of papers Daddy didn't see....

Above, some lovely marker work by Addison and Brady.....lots got on their hands too.....and Brady's ear, even IN it some days! Below: Brett showing his softer side.....a nice book and then a special valentine for his big sister

Parker's Birhtday at the Cow Cafe

Yee haw! We helped our handsome little neighbor, Parker, celebrate his second birthday at the Cow Cafe downtown.

As you can see....neither of my youngest children were interested in a photo op...I think Addison is flicking me and Brady was just plain saying, "really"? Stinkers.

They WERE excited that the modern "art" that was in the courtyard downtown was changed out and now the Itsy Bitsy Spider is there!!! They came up with that title, I'm not thinking it's so itsy bitsy!! They were prancing around singing the riddle.....moments like that one make me happy to be paid in kisses!

Empty Bowls for RCS

Krissy and I went to the Empty Bowls fundraiser for the local homeless shelter. We chose our bowls (not an easy task) then headed into the gym at our church where the entire room was lined with local churches and restaurant's that were serving soup.

They wrapped your ceramic bowl in paper and put it in a bag for you then handed you two throw away bowls to use for your soups of choice. I had a corn chowder and can't for the life of me remember the second one. The place was packed and we sat by some older ladies that were a hoot and a band was playing in the background so it was a nice time. I think RCS has a great mission and I'll happily support them whenever I can.

Some papers Daddy didn't see yet.

Brett's 100th day of school.


I really do appreciate the fact that they let them do their art their own way....upside down hats and all! LOL


Good work Reagan. She's done great on studying this year. I turned it over to her at the beginning of the year and I don't help unless she asks for it.

Batman, by Brett.

Re purposed crayons

What does one do with all the broken crayons in the bucket?

You cut them up.............

.......and bake them down to make new ones!

We made these hearts for Addison to give to her classmates for Valentine's Day.

Making Tai Cookies!!!

Growing up we had neighbors across the street that were from Laos, which lies between Thailand and Vietnam. Their family and their cousins that also lived in town were about as diverse as our small town got. I was friends with Oi, she was my age and their youngest child. Here sister, Noi, was in Scott's class a grade above me. If I'm counting correctly they had three older brothers as well.
Anyhow, I used to love when Oi would bring me a sticky rice ball and her mom made these amazing cookies. I liked them so much that every Holiday party and birthday I requested she bring them, or that her cousin Khong's mom would, who was also in our grade.
As an adult I had Google the cookies to see if I could find how to make them with no success. Scott's classmate, Noi, came to their 15 year reunion so I asked her about them then but I never got the actual recipe. One day I noticed Khong was on Facebook so I asked him if he was willing to share the recipe. He was happy to do so! Yay! Thanks, Khong!!! Now the kids love them too! Scott remembers them as a kid too and was happy to have them again as well. :)

One package of egg roll wrappers cut into thirds.


Slice the center of each rectangle and take one end and put it through the cut in the middle and gently pull so the middle sides are 'flipped'.

Heat oil in pan. Lay wrappers in pan. After it puffs up and turns a light brown flip it with a fork. They will brown quickly so have a plate with paper towels ready.

Here they are after being fried.

Here they are glazed. He didn't give a specific ratio on the glaze but it's sugar and water. I did 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and heated it to a syrup consistency. When I felt that was right I dipped one side of the cookie then flipped it and dipped the other then put it on a pan to dry. You can eat them wet, but I like them after they dry as it's more like I remember as a kid.

Brady's first taste.
Addy's.......
Reagan likes 'em!

Brett too! Khong said you can use maple syrup for a topping or powdered sugar too. We tried p. sugar once and it made it seem like a funnel cake of sorts, which the kids didn't mind.