Christmas Felt Wall Scenes

I know Christmas is over, but I was having a few blog issues last month and didn't get these pictures posted on time.  Inspired by the pictures I saw all over Pinterest, my kids and I made this felt Christmas tree to hang on the wall last month.  They have fun with it because they can hang the ornaments and place the presents under the tree.

Then we saw this idea on Pinterest: a felt wall nativity scene!  Of course we had to make our own to go alongside our Christmas tree.  And, again, the kids had a blast playing with all the characters.  Next year, they said, I need to make a camel and a donkey as well. :-)

Three wise men, bearing gifts

Joseph, baby Jesus in the manger, and Mary

The angels

A couple shepherds and their sheep

Kate's Christmas Bow

Homemade Playdough

Poor Kate was a little upset this morning when Brian and Jack went to Deming to pick up our "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake without her. I would have been a little worried about spending the morning with such a cranky girl... until I remembered a fun kids' kitchen project I'd been saving for awhile: homemade play-dough! The original idea I saw was for Candy Cane Playdough (get that "Artful Parent" tutorial here), which I think would be a lovely idea to give out as classroom gifts.



Today, however, we decided to play it simple and just do one plain batch. We had so much fun! Kate loves to help in the kitchen. And it made her forget all about her brother's trip to Deming.

Ingredients:
5 cups water
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups salt
3 Tablespoons cream of tartar
10 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring

Instructions:
Mix water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a large pot. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring regularly until mixture is hot. Add oil. Stir in flour a cup at a time, stirring in between each addition. Each cup of flour will make the dough more and more difficult to stir as it becomes thicker! Mix until playdough pulls away from pan and is no longer sticky (pinch it between your fingers to test). Dump dough on counter, let cool a bit, then knead. Keep playdough in a freezer bag at room temperature. This recipe makes a lot and lasts for several months!
*Recipe from this "The Artful Parent" post.