Treat bombing with the candy ninja knights

Armed with a pillowcase full of homemade cookies and candy, a plastic sword, and a stuffed Stegosaurus, my intrepid band of candy ninja knights and I were dressed in our ninja costumes (black shirts and navy blue shorts) ready to treat bomb the neighborhood. "Stealthy" could have been our middle names as we crept around the neighborhood, dropping bags of treats on doorsteps, ringing the doorbell, and running away. Well, we could have been stealthy if my five year old had not insisted on running in front of the freshly treat-bombed house brandishing his sword.

Let me explain the origins of our evening escapades. A few days ago, I told the kids about my plans to do some yarn bombing this Saturday in honor of International Yarn Bombing Day. My 9 and 5 year olds ran with this idea and wanted to make cookie bombs for some of our neighbors. My 3 year old firmly insisted that we also had to share candy and that we be called the "candy ninja knights". To carry out our plan, we made batches of cookies and candy this morning, then prepared the "bombs" in Ziploc bags and put them in a pillowcase for distribution.

I deeply appreciate the neighbors who pretended not to see us so the candy ninja knights could feel they fulfilled their mission- to make the world a sweeter place.

Sowing the seeds of love. . . and salsa

Since I'm reasonably sure it won't snow for a few months, I've been in the process of planting my garden. Eager for any chance to play in the dirt, my boys have been helping me. After my husband did an awesome job tilling up the dirt (Thanks honey!), the munchkins and I bought some seedlings from our neighborhood nursery and got to work. They decided that the seedlings were babies that we needed to dig beds for and cover them with dirt "blankies". My 3 and 5 year olds really got into it, saying things like, "This one's cranky. He needs a nap." and "Let's cover him up all warm and cozy." My favorite parts were watching my three year old tickling the seedlings, saying "Cutchie cutchie coo!" and singing lullabies to the seedlings. I told the kids that the seedlings were going to grow into tomatoes, peppers, and onions, then I asked them what we would do with the veggies. Their response, "Let's make salsa!" I'm so glad my boys get excited about the creation of food, from the dirt to the table.