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Blog

Halloween S'mores Party

October 31, 2017 Laura Morton
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I have been dying to make homemade marshmallows for years.  

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Seriously, it's one of the first things I pinned like 7 years ago but they seemed intimidating. And you need gelatin and for some reason that freaked me out. But I did it! And it inspired a marshmallow roasting, s'mores building autumn festival. 

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Homemade mallows are pretty sticky and VERY flammable so they didn't photograph well during the 'ole roasting sesh. They pretty much immediately melted off of the sticks. We resorted to these cutie pumpkin shaped guys. Ruthie was a big fan of standing really far away from the fire and launching them in. 

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On her first Halloween, we watched this terrible Keanu Reeves movie and made chili and caramel corn. Last year, Ruthie stayed with my mom and dad while I went to a Halloween party dressed as a super pregnant lady wearing a witch hat. With Ruthie being two, I feel sort of awkward this Halloween. She kind of understands trick-or-treating, but she would be super fine with just talking and reading about it, not actually participating.

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SO even though Ruthie prooobably doesn't care much about Halloween this year, my sister and I have always loved it so we will be taking her trick-or-treating around our hometown. If you have babes or kids too young to be begging to go trick or treating, throw a little s'mores party tonight to get in the spirit.

I followed Ina's marshmallow recipe and added a vanilla bean right after removing the boiling mixture from the heat. 

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In Party, Halloween party, Party ideas Tags Autumn spice, Halloween, S'mores, Fall, Babies, Autumn
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Remember when the sun was out and plants were green?!? #februarythoughts
Remember when the sun was out and plants were green?!? #februarythoughts
MAN toddler whining gets. to. me. (And I used to be a real whiner. When we were little my sister would get anxiety before going on a family vacation in preparation for all of my whining). .

A few things I need to write down so I can quit losing my cool guy facade when there is a whole lot of whining in one day: 
Whining isn’t about me and I’m mature enough to not allow whining/toddler mood swings to affect my mood and therefore my vibe. 
Whining is normal, unhappiness after things don’t go your crazy toddler way is normal. 
Unhappy toddler feelings last as long as they last, it’s not up to me to decide “ok that’s enough, time to wrap up your unhappiness”.
Whining doesn’t mean that I have massively and permanently failed, I can remain calm and confident even in the face of a 10 minute long “WHYYYYYYY”.
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This is a realization that many probably discovered a lot sooner than I: being a capable leader all the time is HAAAAAARRRRD.
MAN toddler whining gets. to. me. (And I used to be a real whiner. When we were little my sister would get anxiety before going on a family vacation in preparation for all of my whining). . A few things I need to write down so I can quit losing my cool guy facade when there is a whole lot of whining in one day: Whining isn’t about me and I’m mature enough to not allow whining/toddler mood swings to affect my mood and therefore my vibe. Whining is normal, unhappiness after things don’t go your crazy toddler way is normal. Unhappy toddler feelings last as long as they last, it’s not up to me to decide “ok that’s enough, time to wrap up your unhappiness”. Whining doesn’t mean that I have massively and permanently failed, I can remain calm and confident even in the face of a 10 minute long “WHYYYYYYY”. . This is a realization that many probably discovered a lot sooner than I: being a capable leader all the time is HAAAAAARRRRD.
Valentine’s flower delivery to one of our very favorite people, great grandma. .

Also, swipe for a toddler activity that I didn’t have high hopes for, but actually turned out super cool. A cut bunch of celery = perfect rose stamp. Left the grocery store with these flowers and a cart full of celery to make roses with Ruthie’s preschool class tomorrow. Just draw a green stem on a piece of cardstock and have yer tot add a celery stamp on top. 🌹🌹
Valentine’s flower delivery to one of our very favorite people, great grandma. . Also, swipe for a toddler activity that I didn’t have high hopes for, but actually turned out super cool. A cut bunch of celery = perfect rose stamp. Left the grocery store with these flowers and a cart full of celery to make roses with Ruthie’s preschool class tomorrow. Just draw a green stem on a piece of cardstock and have yer tot add a celery stamp on top. 🌹🌹
Breakfast with a side of Magnolia Table choco chip cookies ❤️ #valentinesweek
Breakfast with a side of Magnolia Table choco chip cookies ❤️ #valentinesweek
Sometimes it’s handy to have a quick summary of how to raise great eaters (in case someone at preschool pickup asks for advice on their grandson’s picky eating, or a family member wants to know why you’re not helping baby eat). This has become my go-to, quick advice. .

It is a different perspective for a lot of parents and grandparents, putting babies/kids in charge of their own intake. Shifting the focus from “getting food in” to providing good food and letting babe do the job they are so capable of doing.
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It took a little practice at first, not getting too involved when Ruthie was struggling to get food in her mouth. Once I got used to it I found that it has spread from feeding into other areas like playing and drawing. I’ve gotten better at resisting the urge to help or fix every thing I perceive as a problem and let her figure things out on her own. Then I get to watch how proud she is when she finished something herself (on the other hand it sometimes results in a huge tantrum because she couldn’t figure out whatever it was, that’s all part of it too I guess!)
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Tagging a few other moms who share amazing advice around this simple but super effective approach. ❤️
Sometimes it’s handy to have a quick summary of how to raise great eaters (in case someone at preschool pickup asks for advice on their grandson’s picky eating, or a family member wants to know why you’re not helping baby eat). This has become my go-to, quick advice. . It is a different perspective for a lot of parents and grandparents, putting babies/kids in charge of their own intake. Shifting the focus from “getting food in” to providing good food and letting babe do the job they are so capable of doing. . It took a little practice at first, not getting too involved when Ruthie was struggling to get food in her mouth. Once I got used to it I found that it has spread from feeding into other areas like playing and drawing. I’ve gotten better at resisting the urge to help or fix every thing I perceive as a problem and let her figure things out on her own. Then I get to watch how proud she is when she finished something herself (on the other hand it sometimes results in a huge tantrum because she couldn’t figure out whatever it was, that’s all part of it too I guess!) . Tagging a few other moms who share amazing advice around this simple but super effective approach. ❤️
Both babes napping rarely happens anymore AND it’s finally sunny! Even if it’s 12 degrees I am so glad to see you ☀️. Holding Sam 😺under my arm (so he doesn’t have the nerve to snuggle them awake), probably just going to sit here and stare at them for a while.
Both babes napping rarely happens anymore AND it’s finally sunny! Even if it’s 12 degrees I am so glad to see you ☀️. Holding Sam 😺under my arm (so he doesn’t have the nerve to snuggle them awake), probably just going to sit here and stare at them for a while.
Sometimes when you tell one of your best toddler buddies that it isn’t snack time, they open the fridge themselves and eat a yogurt cup in their favorite window and you can’t do anything but take a pic. .

I have compiled a big ‘ole list of some of our favorite snacks on the blog. check out the list so far (link in bio) but be sure to save it somewhere because I’m going to add to it foreverrrr so none of us will ever be in a snack rut again. What are your go-to snack faves??
Sometimes when you tell one of your best toddler buddies that it isn’t snack time, they open the fridge themselves and eat a yogurt cup in their favorite window and you can’t do anything but take a pic. . I have compiled a big ‘ole list of some of our favorite snacks on the blog. check out the list so far (link in bio) but be sure to save it somewhere because I’m going to add to it foreverrrr so none of us will ever be in a snack rut again. What are your go-to snack faves??
Bringing some sun into the kitchen this morning (and also working through a 10 lb bag of grapefruit from Fresh Thyme). Sprinkled some coarse sugar over thin slices and broiled on low for about 10 minutes. Ruthie informed me that “burnt” grapefruit is not acceptable but then ate half the pan💪🏻💪🏻.
Bringing some sun into the kitchen this morning (and also working through a 10 lb bag of grapefruit from Fresh Thyme). Sprinkled some coarse sugar over thin slices and broiled on low for about 10 minutes. Ruthie informed me that “burnt” grapefruit is not acceptable but then ate half the pan💪🏻💪🏻.
Pre-dinner time is like inconceivably insane lately at our house. The day can flow by completely without breakdown until the second I pick up a pan. I’ve been trying to avoid TV before dinner because it makes the transition to the table super difficult so figuring out some new activities. This weeks successful project: moon sand! Thanks x 1000 for the idea @littlesagemama (2 cups flour + 1/4 cup oil if you haven’t made it before). it is v messy but I’ve avoided shouting “ALRIGHT, TIME FOR CLIFFORD” for like 4 days in a row so I’m down.
Pre-dinner time is like inconceivably insane lately at our house. The day can flow by completely without breakdown until the second I pick up a pan. I’ve been trying to avoid TV before dinner because it makes the transition to the table super difficult so figuring out some new activities. This weeks successful project: moon sand! Thanks x 1000 for the idea @littlesagemama (2 cups flour + 1/4 cup oil if you haven’t made it before). it is v messy but I’ve avoided shouting “ALRIGHT, TIME FOR CLIFFORD” for like 4 days in a row so I’m down.
Had a brown smoothie day 🤷🏼‍♀️. Many days Ruthie isn’t interested in smoothies but Bobby is ALWAYS down. We usually have them as part of breakfast or snack and just like with other foods, I put the smoothie cup by their plate and leave it up to them to choose whether or not and how much they want to drink. .
This one was Ruthie’s creation featuring frozen bluebs, frozen banana, purple kale, cashews, and coconut milk kefir.
Had a brown smoothie day 🤷🏼‍♀️. Many days Ruthie isn’t interested in smoothies but Bobby is ALWAYS down. We usually have them as part of breakfast or snack and just like with other foods, I put the smoothie cup by their plate and leave it up to them to choose whether or not and how much they want to drink. . This one was Ruthie’s creation featuring frozen bluebs, frozen banana, purple kale, cashews, and coconut milk kefir.
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