He's got mini-scrubs, a stethoscope, completely authentic ID badge, and traditional black doctor's bag. They're not in the picture, but he also has some crocs. (That's about the most traditional footwear you can have with scrubs. Hehehe.) The scrubs are from a simplicity halloween pattern, the stethoscope is a toy from his toy box, I made the ID on my computer and put it in a spare ID holder, and I used cheap craft felt to make the bag. He's taking a nap (a.k.a. playing in his room while thinking I'm somehow oblivious to the fact that he's out of bed,) so he can't model it right now. I'll make sure to get a good picture of him wearing it tomorrow for the party.
So what about Madeline? I hear you asking... I see the disapproving eyes... searching the screen for tiny pink scrubs. (sigh) When I thought we were just wearing our halloween t-shirts, I bought Maddie an outfit. I hadn't bought Caleb a shirt because his from last year still fits fine. My crafty side (and my sentimental Mommy side) is crying out for cute girlie scrubs, but my practical, kinda frugal side is screaming against it. It doesn't help that the pattern is a multi-size pattern, and in making Caleb's scrubs I probably cut off the pieces to make Maddie's. Now next year. That's another story. Who knows what kind of sewing mayhem I may get up to?
Streamlined White Bread
1-1/4 Cup warm water
1 pkg. dry active yeast
2 Tbsp. shortening
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour
In warmed mixer bowl, dissolve yeast. Add shortening, sugar, salt, and half of flour. Mix (beater, not dough hook) on medium (4) for two minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Add remaining flour and mix in with a spoon. Scrape batter from sides of bowl. Cover; let rise 30 min. or until double. Stir down batter by beating about 25 strokes. Spread evenly in greased loaf pan. Use floured hands to shape top. Batter will be sticky. Let rise again about 40 min. until close to top of pan. Bake 375* 45-50 min. Loaf will sound hollow when tapped. Immediately remove to cooling rack. Brush top with melted butter or shortening. Let cool away from drafts. Makes one loaf.
The hay ride dumped us off in the middle of a field where the corn maze starts. The dreaded corn maze. Never again.... shudder. As it turns out, fields are muddy. Especially little trails in the dirt where lots of feet have mushed up the mud. My shoes actually sank into the mud and filled up. I spent the rest of the morning with mud squishing between my toes. This was the only part of the trip where both kids melted down. I think we'll wait until they're older to do this part again.
After the trauma of the maze (we never made it to the exit... somehow we found the entrance again... thank God!) we went to the snack bar and gift shop area to take a break. We also grabbed the stroller. It was a bit of a rough ride going off road, but the stroller handled it fairly well.
And Madeline makes a good scary jack-o-lantern thing. Caleb kept saying, "Momma, those are scary pumpkins."
There were rubber duckie races
And a fake cow that you could "milk".
This is obviously not my exact machine. I could take a picture of it, but the bowl is under cover in my (cold) oven. I'm trying a bread recipe from my 1961 Betty Crocker cookbook. It's a "quick" streamlined bread for the busy housewife using a stand mixer. Hehehe. Life was different in the early 60's... at least in Betty Crocker's version. You should see the little illustrations throughout the book. Anywho... outdated or not, I am a fairly busy housewife. My family likes fresh, homemade bread. So I find myself trying yet another recipe. :-) I'll let you know how it turns out if anyone cares. 
As everyone arrived he stood at the door and excitedly told them where to put the presents. It's was hilarious. All of the adults were sitting and standing around talking, and we heard this voice saying, "I'm ready, Momma!" He was sitting in his chair ready to open presents.
And open he did. The only problem was that he wanted to take each toy out of the package and play with it. We had to keep reminding him that there were more to open.
When everyone sang to him he had the most hilarious look on his face. I think he was a bit embarrassed.
Overall he had a great birthday. I can't believe he's already three. Now I have to hustle and find some pink decorations because Madeline turns one in just a few weeks!
And this is the view I'm seeing more often than not these days... her crawling away into the sunset. Okay, so maybe it's the kitchen... but you get the idea.
Have a fast-crawlin', shoe-eatin' day!
We also had a potluck at church on Sunday. These are the cupcakes I made. Chocolate fudge cupcakes with Milky-way minis melted inside, chocolate frosting, white nonpareils around the edges, and words made from melting candy. I also have to mention that the casserole I took was a hit. It was almost entirely gone, and that's impressive for a casserole at a potluck. People tend to be wary of casseroles. They're never sure what will be lurking under the inviting layer of cheese that's inevitably on top. (It was a Mexican Lasagna recipe if you're wondering.)
Have a cupcake-tastic day!
