Our day started off not so great (toddler tantrum at Home Depot, ugh!) but gradually got better and better. I'm so pleased with how our Kool-Aid dyed eggs turned out. I followed these easy instructions. I have also dyed my homemade play dough with Kool-Aid in the past. I wonder what else I can dye with Kool-Aid, hmm...

I thought I'd share a cool DIY sensory activity for kids that I discovered, Rainbow Rice.
Very easy to make and my toddler loves to play with it. This is of course for older kids and not to be played with around wee ones or pets. Keep a broom handy!

Rainbow Rice for Sensory Play

5 pound bag of long grain rice ( or less if you'd like a smaller batch)
heavy zip lock bags
liquid food coloring
white vinegar or rubbing alcohol (it lightly coats the rice and doesn't get absorbed like water)
2 cookie sheets lined with aluminum foil

Preheat oven to 175 degrees F. In a zip lock bag, add 2 T vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Add a few drops of food coloring and shake a little. Add 1 1/2 cups dry rice. Zip up and shake really well. Pour onto cookie sheet. Repeat as many times as you like with additional colors in more bags. Bake 15 minutes. Check to see if the rice is all dry, if not put it back in for another 5 minutes or so. Let cool. Combine all the rice and have fun!

This is one of the Halloween crafts I recently finished. On Pinterest, I've seen some Halloween crafts where doilies were used as spider webs and that gave me the idea to try to weave my own web. I learned how to weave a dream catcher on You Tube (this video) and used lightweight black yarn instead. I hadn't planned on having that opening in the center, but I ran out of yarn.
The little one is not a fan of bugs, so whenever she sees it she gives me the "ick" look. But I think it's kinda cute:)

I have to share this recipe for homemade play dough. It's SO much better than the store bought kind. More flexible and it smells really good. The secret ingredient in this is Kool-Aid. That's right!

Homemade Play Dough

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup table salt
1 pkg (6 g) Kool-Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix, any flavor
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
wax or parchment paper
small airtight container

Mix first four ingredients in a big bowl. Add boiling water and oil. Stir with a fork for 3-4 minutes or until cooled. Mix with hands until well blended.
Place on wax or parchment paper. Knead until no longer sticky, adding additional flour one teaspoon at a time if needed.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Have fun!

I have been cleaning and cooking up a storm to get ready for Christmas dinner here tomorrow. Whew! I'm exhausted.
I forgot to post about this paper chain I made. I used my favorite Martha Stewart punch. So delicate.
Merry Christmas!