Washington State Museum

There are only a few days left to view the model train displays.

Whirlpool Experiments

The girl wanted to experiment with how whirlpools behave so they are playing with my milk foamer.

Review: APOLLO 13: MISSION CONTROL Interactive Show (with Discount Code)

We went to the Apollo 13: Mission Control yesterday and love it.  We sat at the front and were in charge of the communications.  Everyone had a job, depending on where you sit at the control panels.  They also have seats along the edge for the press galley (those who just want to watch the

During the show they asked for two volunteers to be interviewed by Walter Cronkite.  Princess A was picked for it and it was the highlight.  They projected her interview up on the screen during the show.  She can't stop talking about her interview. 

The show is fast and so much fun.  You really do become part of the show.  The girls are already talking about going to the show if it ever comes back.  The show is in Tacoma through next Sunday and then it is on to Spokane.  If you decide to go make sure you use the discount code "MOM".  For more detail about the show please see my previous

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to attend the show.

Apollo 13: Mission Control

We just left the show at the Tacoma Dome, we loved it. Review will be posted tomorrow.

APOLLO 13: MISSION CONTROL Interactive Show (with Discount Code)

APOLLO 13: MISSION CONTROL

Apollo 13: Mission Control is an interactive theater show.  The audience sits at replica consoles and become Mission Control for one of the greatest survival stories of the 20th century (or if you would just like to watch the show you may sit instead in the press box and just observe.)  At the replica consoles there are switches to be flicked, monitors to study and phone calls to make. One lucky audience member even gets to become an astronaut and travel into space for the evening! Apollo 13: Mission Control has sold out audiences in New Zealand and Australia and is launching its USA tour here in Tacoma, WA at the Tacoma dome. 

When I first heard about this show I was intrigued, what a fun and very different activity to do over winter break.  I love having my kids off for two weeks but sometimes it can be a struggle keeping them busy.  The interactive show opens Friday but ends December 30th. 

SHOW DATES & TIMES

Friday, December 21 / 7:00PM
Saturday, December 22 / 3:00PM
Sunday, December 23 / 11:00AM, 2:00PM & 5:00PM
Wednesday, December 26 / 3:00PM & 6:00PM
Thursday, December 27 / 11:00AM & 3:00PM
Friday, December 28 / 7:00PM
Saturday, December 29 / 3:00PM & 7:00PM
Sunday, December 30 / 11:00AM & 2:00PM

My family and I plan on going to the show.  If you do go there is a great promotion:

KIDS FLY FREE! Make sure and purchase your tickets using the code “MOM” and receive up to two free tickets for kids 6-12. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and the code can be entered in the Promotions and Special Offers box on the purchase page of each event.

To find out more information you can connect with Apollo 13: Mission control:
www.apollo13live.com

@apollo13live
facebook.com/apollo13missioncontrol

Disclosure: I will be receiving complimentary tickets to attend the show.

Gingerbread House Party

Every year I make gingerbread houses for our Girl Scout Meeting. Here are my girls' houses after they finished decorating.

Dye-free Candy Canes Recipe

Dye-free Candy Canes

Ingredients:

3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Cover a cookie sheet with light layer of oil, if you have a splat mat oil that. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar dissolves. Insert a candy thermometer and continue cooking without stirring until the candy reaches 285 (soft-crack stage).  Remove from the heat and stir in the mint extract. Pour the candy out onto the splat mat or cookie sheet.  once it forms a skin use a heat proof spatula (covered in oil),to begin spreading the candy out and pushing it back together, working it across the sheet and allowing it to cool. As soon as the candy is cool enough to handle (but still quite hot), begin to pull it. Cover your hands in oil. To pull: take the candy in both hands and pull the hands in opposite directions, stretching the candy into a long rope. Bring the ends of the strands together and twist the candy into a rope, then pull the rope out into a long strand. Continue to twist and pull the candy until it has a satin-like finish and becomes pearly white.  Once the candy is still pliable but barely warm, pull it into a strand about the thickness you want your candy cane to be. Use oiled kitchen shears to cut them to approximately 8” lengths. Immediately form the hook at the top of the cane, and place it on a baking sheet to set at room temperature.  The candy canes will get very hard at room temperature, but if left out for long periods of time they will get soft and sticky, so be sure to wrap them in cellophane once they are set.

My first sweet potato pie!

I made this pie for my husband for our anniversary. He ate sweet potatoe pie all the time when he was in the army. I decided to surprise him and make it. He said that it was the best one he had ever eaten. He then had another slice, a big slice.

• 1 can (29 oz) sweet potato
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie 

1. Open can and pour out the liquid in the can with the sweet potato. Add sweet potato to bowl and break up.
2. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, flour and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.

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Giveaway: Green Giant Steamers

    My kids actually love veggtables but they can be picky about how they are served.  I am always looking for new (and quick) ways to serve vegetables.  Green Giant Steamers are a yummy and very quick way to add veggies to a meal.  In addition to the veggies I was also sent a lovely apron, bowl and serving spoon.  One of you can win the same items sent to me.

Win:
(1) VIP coupon for one free package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™
Apron
Green Giant Serving Spoon
Mixing Bowl
Bag of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers™

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The coupons, information, and gift packs have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark.

Review: Raggedy Ann by Aurora

  I have been a huge fan of Raggedy Ann since I was little.  I had a bean bag Raggedy Ann and Andy until my puppy ate them.  I was so sad, my mom got me a new Raggedy Ann and this one was stuffed.  It looks very similar to the one pictured above.  My old one is lost somewhere in my Mother's garage.  When I was pregnant with my oldest my husband picked out a Raggedy Ann for our baby.  My youngest one always wanted one too but I could never find a Raggedy Ann she liked any where.  We were both so excited when Raggedy Ann arrived.  Princess G was just so happy that she had her very own Raggedy Ann.  She immediately started playing with her and that night she slept with her (and Hippo.)  Aurora carries a whole collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy! 

Raggedy Ann is just a classic so I was so happy to hear that they are now available.  They also have so cute Raggedy Ann purses but the full size doll is still my favorite.  If my mom could only find my missing boxes (they disappeared over 10 years ago when I went off to college) then we would all have our Raggedy Ann dolls to snuggle with.

Did you have a Raggedy Ann? 

I was provided the complimentary product by Aurora .  The opinion stated are my own.

Raking Leaves

The girls decided to help Daddy and started taking the leaves. Of course I am pretty sure they just want to make the pile so they can jump in it!

Princess G Just Finished First Harry Potter

Princess G just finished reading the first Harry Potter novel. Of course I thought she was sleeping since her bedtime was over an hour ago.

Candy Fairy Left Giant Tinkerbells!

Last night the girls picked out 5 candies each and left the rest out for the Candy Fairy. She left them each a Tinkerbell.

Halloween Cake for Cake Walk Tomorrow!

Celebratory Pretzel After Nighttime Race

Princess G ran in her first timed race, in the dark and the rain. Princess A and G loved running the race with Daddy.