How cool is this?

I had to teach an enrichment class on food storage and since I've been working on ours lately, I appreciated the chance to figure some things out. One thing I found was a great space-saving device, a rotating can rack I found here.


I just made it out of cardboard and wood glue. It's not perfect, but I found it a lot easier to make than I imagined. And,hey, it works and that's the main thing!


It holds 12 cans. There are different sizes you can make for different size cans, but I think I'll have to make up my own dimensions for some because of different can sizes.
Apparently it's a really fun toy too. Alaina's been begging me to let her decorate it.


I don't know if you can tell, there's a funny colour coming in from outside. There's a huge dust storm here today (as far away as Sydney). So, the sun is being blocked by all this dust which gives us a welcome relief from the already hot temperatures, but is making all the washing I need to do pretty difficult. (can't hang any of the clothes up to dry) It's also delaying flights because of low visibility. The last time I saw one this big was 2 days before Alaina was born. I worked so hard that day (once again grateful for the break from the heat) that I think I helped bring on labor the next night. That won't be happening today, this time it's inspiring a day of folding the mountain of clothes that managed to get washed and watching old movies with the kids. Popcorn anyone?

The best part about helping Mummy in the kitchen is licking the pot clean, in this case, of mashed potatoes.

And having a sister to help is great.

Or just go for it yourself.
I know it can make things harder to have my two little helpers, but I love having them around. I love how they grab their stools as soon as they realize I'm up to something interesting. And I love how they want to 'mell, stir, and taste it all. And I love the lectures Alaina gives Lincoln for putting his fingers in something with raw egg, and how she won't spread the oil around the top of white pizza because it's gross to her, but it's my favourite part of making that dish. And I love that I have to grate an extra pile of cheese just to be consumed by the helpers. It all makes for messier cooking, but I love doing one of my favourite things with two of my favourite people.

Rock-a-bye Baby

Lincoln likes to have a little toy in bed with him for his nap. He plays a little, then falls asleep. But, when he asked to take his toy guitar to bed one day, I thought there was no way he'd actually fall asleep with it. I was wrong.



After a few minutes I didn't hear it playing anymore, and this is what I found. He's a great, easy sleeper. Usually.