If you give a cat a cupcake...

Grandma got Charley this book, which prompted me to get her more in this series (and I found a Scholastic Pack that also came with the DVDs of the audio recordings of each).  They are really fun!  We decided to read the book, then make some cupcakes while listening to it again.

Charley really enjoys helping in the kitchen.  She's always asking to help make supper, and for special occasions she always says "Let's make a cake!"  So, I figured this would be one activity she'd enjoy.

I'd found a recipe for Zucchini Cupcakes with Honey Yogurt Frosting that I'd been wanting to try.

Even Dada decided to get in on the fun!

I know why she likes helping so much - she always wants to "taste"!

Success!

Skating, walking, and bowling

Charley thought it would be fun to get my orthotics and use them as skates...

We went for a walk to the office.  She wanted to push her bunny in the "stroller", and take Rufus's bag (a stuffed animal that my dad gave my mom when they were dating) along to use as a treasure bag.  Of course, as soon as we hit the end of our driveway and got to the gravel, the stroller wouldn't push.  I knew I'd end up carrying it - but no!  My independent girl picked it up and carried it several hundred yards, before she figured out she could drag it behind her, and with the exception of the stairs by the office, she managed it the whole way!  She found 2 rocks, a leaf and a pinecone for her treasure bag.  And upon our return, it was just too much - the tiredness set in and she broke down (see her sad face?).

Bowling in the kitchen.  This lasted about 4 minutes, then she was done - typical for activities we do...

Pasta, anyone?

I found this cool craft in a Family Fun magazine - glad we did it.  It's turned out to be her FAVORITE "project" so far!  She spent for-ever on it!  Which is a RARE thing for Miss Charley!

First, we had to color the pasta

Then she had to rearrange it a few times

Pretty beads!

Now it's time to string up the necklaces!

Thankfully she had lots of beads, because she had many people here on the refuge that she wanted to make necklaces for!

She got the first, I got the second.  :)