Toy Poll & Peanut Butter Creativity

WARNING: This post does contain peanuts.

We're headed out to a 1st Birthday party today and I realized that shopping for other people's kids is more fun than shopping for mine. Why? Well, because you can buy them whatever you want...because you don't have to clean up the mess.

When I buy my own kids toys, I'm thinking, "I don't want to clean that up. Nope, too many pieces. Oh no, I wouldn't want to step on those at night. Etc." But when I'm buying for others I go for sheer cuteness and what the kids want.

I remember buying Moon Sand for my brother's kids. I didn't realize Moon Sand was of the DEVIL till someone bought it for me which explains why my brother didn't talk to me for a few months. Then karma gets me back by bestowing upon us the gift of Playdough and all the playdough fixin's.

Raise your hand if you have ever just left the little bits of playdough on the floor, table and chairs because they are easier to sweep/vacuum up when they're dry. Now raise your hand if you've ever seen that your kids have left the playdough open and you don't say anything because it's just easier to throw it all away. But don't raise your hand if you were the one to "accidentally" leave the playdough out to dry. I know who you are. You're my kind of people.

Speaking of playdough (nice unplanned segway, huh), today's idea is one that is great for rainy days or when there's a lot of time for your kids (or you) to be creative. I'm talking about Peanut Butter Playdough. I was first introduced to Peanut Butter Playdough at a restaurant called Peanut Butter & Ellie's. It's closed now, but it was a cute kid-themed restaurant focusing on healthy and organic food. Upon ordering, they gave my kids their own blob of Peanut Butter Playdough, a rolling pin and cookie cutters. They had a blast.  So this morning, we re-created that fun time.

Here's the recipe:

1 c. peanut butter
1 c. instant nonfat dry milk
1 tbsp. honey

Mix peanut butter and instant nonfat dry milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir in honey, 1 teaspoon at a time, until a firm dough is formed. The mixture should like like light brown clay; add a little more powdered milk if it is too sticky.

I didn't have honey around so I used 1 part peanut butter, 1 part nonfat dry milk and 1 part powdered sugar. It was yummy and they had a great time. Take a look! 

Rollin' Rollin'

 

My son's creation. To be honest, he would have rather just eaten the goodness. 

My daughter's T-Rex, Pterodactyl and worried man. Also, the sun by Troy Bolton's head.

Then she later surprised me with a self portrait with me, a flower and the chocolate sun by Troy Bolton's head.

This was fun. And when they were done, they ate a little dough and they put it in ziploc bags for tomorrow.  And then they licked their plates....

Anyway, back to the gifts....

My story left off with the diabolic Moon Sand. So for revenge, my brother gives my baby some toy that talks. I swear that thing was possessed. Of course on this toy there is no OFF button, it just "goes to sleep." And then just after I watched an episode of Criminal Minds and hubby isn't home and I'm sure a serial killer is outside my children's window and I'm tiptoeing into their room to check on them, said toy decided to "wake up" and say "we're friends" in the creepiest sing-song tone of voice.

And...I buy his kid a Whack-a-mole electronic game that is LOUD. And he gives my daughter make-up. And I give his son a marshmallow shooter, and so on and so forth.

So, I'd like to hear from you for my Toy Poll (say that 10 times fast). What's the worst toy you've given or received?  You can email me at noreen@imishoppe.com if you want to remain anonymous. But I can't wait to hear that I'm not the only evil one.