I'm Back! Weekly Free Downloads....

Sorry about the unplanned break from blogging here.  But, I do have a good reason.....I'm expecting a new baby!!!!!  I haven't been feeling myself for the last month or so (very tired!), but I'm beginning to feel better, and I'll slowly be getting back into writing here again.  Hope you've had a wonderful summer so far!

Here are some great links to free downloads for you, and thank you for being patient with me!

♥

Printable "Short A" book, from My Montessori House

Plus, an interactive flash game to reinforce the "short a" sound.

A "Sequencing Sailboats" Alphabet Folder Game game from Lakeshore Learning.

Three Part Cards - Kitchen from United Teaching.

Pdf. printable download.

Children's Printable Placemat for learning how to set the table, from Emily Post.

Print out and color the placemat for a handy reminder of how to set the table.

Or, directions for sewing your own placemat for place setting instruction, from Sewing Mamas.

Want to get your recipies organized in a beautiful way?  Make your own recipe binder!

Here are some great pdf templates from Prudent Baby!

This page has all the downloads, from the binder cover to the spine in several color choices.

{Photo Credit: Prudent Baby}

A tip: use Sheet Protectorsto unify your recipe binder.  This way, you can slip in 8.5"x11" pages, or clippings out of a magazine and they will all be in the same size pockets.  Use dividers purchased at an office supply store to customize and divide your recipe sections.  Consider adding a section for holidays as well, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, so you can find the holiday specific recipe you are looking for in a hurry.

And, here is a pdf template I created to record your recipies into your binder!

Just download, and you can print as many copies as you like.

Recipe Template

Homemade Ice Cream Right Now! {No Machine Required!}

Do the kids have a little extra energy to burn off today?  Do you want a quick, simple treat that the kids can make themselves (with a little help from you)?  Try this recipe for homemade ice cream that uses items you most likely have in your house right now!

I discovered this recipe somewhere either in a book or online a few years ago, and used it in my classroom as an activity for parents to do with their children at an evening meeting at the school.  It was a huge success! 

I decided to pull it out and use it with my own children today- yum yum!

I can't remember where the original recipe came from, but I've adapted it some so I think it'll be okay if I post it for you here.

You will need 4 main ingredients:

milk, vanilla, sugar, salt.

You will also need 2 ziploc bags (either a quart and a gallon, or 2 gallon sized bags), and ice cubes.

First, put 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 4 tablespoons sugar into a ziploc bag (the smaller ziploc bag, if you are using 2 different sizes).

Press any excess air out of the bag and zip or press it closed tightly.

Fill up the gallon freezer bag with ice 1/2 of the way.

Sprinkle in 6 tablespoons of salt (regular table salt, but you can also use rock salt).

Put the first sealed bag with the milk, sugar, and vanilla inside the bag with the salt and ice, and seal the outside bag.

Shake the bag around, up & down, back & forth, for 8-10 minutes.  The milk/sugar/vanilla mixture will begin to thicken and solidify.  When it reaches your desired consistency, just open up the bags and scoop the ice cream into a bowl (or eat it right out of the bag).

We sprinkled on some rasberries on the top of ours, and I must say I'm always surprised how quick and easy this recipe is!  It may not be the creamiest ice cream you've ever had, but it sure is good, and a fantastic treat that even little ones can help with!

If you make this, let me know what you think!

♥

I haven't tried this recipe yet (no machine required either), but I'm going to!  (It requires me to make a trip to the grocery store for some ingredients, but I plan to make it sometime this week).

Have a lovely day!