How to Make Playdough

Courtesy of WikiHow:

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups of plain flour
• 4 cups of water
• 2 cups of fine salt
• 4 tbsp of cooking oil (or cream of tartar)
• Food coloring (optional), Kool-aid powder (use different flavors for different colors and aromas)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Gather the necessary ingredients and mix the dry ingredients together. Add food coloring to the water.
2. This optional step will create colored play dough. Put the water in a different bowl if color is to be added.
3. Mix all of the ingredients in a large pan and heat it over medium heat.
4. Stir constantly until the dough feels like stiff, smooth, mashed potatoes.
5. Take it off the stove once the mixture has a stiff consistency. Let it cool and knead it until it is blended smoothly.

The only limit to what you can make is your imaginationStore the dough in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag.

ChildFun

Rules of a Toddler

If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be removed.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If Mommy's or Daddy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy/Daddy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it IS food, it must not be tasted.
If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it is a car seat, it must be protested with arched back.
If it is Mommy/Daddy, it must be hugged.

Smokey The Bear's Birthday

How much do you know about Smokey?

KIND OF BEAR: American black bears live in the United States along with brown or grizzly bears and polar bears.

CURRENT WEIGHT: 300 plus lb. Smokey has black bear relatives who weigh as much as 800 pounds. Some of his grizzly bear cousins weigh almost a ton!

WEIGHT AT BIRTH: About 1-1/2 pounds. In other words, he weighed about as much as a big loaf of bread.

FAVORITE CLOTHES: Smokey Bear hat, blue jeans and belt. Smokey can frequently be seen standing upright, with feet planted on ground, shovel in hand.

FAVORITE SAYING: "Only you can prevent forest fires."

FAVORITE FOODS: Forest takeout: ants, insects, salmon or trout, bark, plants, roots and berries.

FAVORITE WINTER ACTIVITY? Heavy sleep accompanied by slow heart rate. This is sometimes called hibernation. Smokey will awake if the weather is warm or he is disturbed. He eats a year's worth of food in 6-8 months so he has a layer of fat which can keep him fed during his winter sleep.

WHAT SMOKEY NEEDS: Your help! Smokey and his forest pals need green forests. If they're destroyed by fire, Smokey and his pals have no home.

To learn more, about preventing forest fires, go to:

http://www.smokeybear.com/
or
http://www.smokeybear.com/kids/

Beyond Saving the Universe

From video-game villains, kids can aim their do-gooder powers toward the real world. Help yours do just that during summer vacation at www.idealist.org, a website that features tons of charities where children and teens can volunteer for a day, a few weekends or more. Simply plug your hometown and your child's interests into the search engine, and out pops a listing of activities like beach cleanups and pet-care programs. Use the site for tips on creating your own charity projects, too. -- Jenna Briggs for Parents Magazine

Ava's Favorite

Every night, sweet Ava can't go to bed without one or both of her Care Bears; her purple Sweet Dreams Care Bear and her Lavender Best Friend Bear. Her Best Friend Bear gets the most use these days, especially since Sweet Dreams started tearing at the seams and Mommy needs to make some repairs.

Cooper's Favorite

If you don't this man by now, get to know him. KA-POW KA-CHOW!!!!!