Cozy Places for Kids to Rest

My 6 year old son is in the autistic spectrum.  When he is stressed, overloaded, or exhausted, he may hide under tables.  Lately he has been spending hours with his whole body covered under a blanket, playing minecraft on our ipad.  

When I can see he is stressed, I know I need to provide a place for him to feel calm, cozy, and centered.  We used to have a small tent we set up in the basement, although that has been broken for a while. 



I found some nice looking pictures of resting places that I may want to imitate.  This first one uses an old baby mattress and a draped tent to make a nook.

This is a tent theme as well, with some type of frame for support and some comfy pillows.

I have seen this type of set-up as well, with a resting place under a table.  Then pillows or a small mattress can be put under there with flashlights, books, etc.

We all need a comfortable place to rest and regroup, don't we?  These look so inviting.

Cloud Frosting: Dairy Free

I am planning my son's 7th birthday party and he has requested a Lord of the Rings party (more on that later).  He also wants a flat chocolate cake decorated with a Lord of the Rings theme. 

I was thinking that to make the cake more interesting, I would pipe some type of marshmallow or whipped cream mixture into the body of the cake.  I have done this with cupcakes and usually make a hole in the cooked cupcake with an apple corer before piping in whatever mixture I am working with.  

Because my son is gluten free and casein (dairy protein) free in his diet, I am always looking for good nondairy frostings.  I found this recipe for Cloud Frosting that is nondairy (I have seen some dairy versions) on Martha Stewart's website. It is described as tasting like a mix between marshmallow and whipped cream.  I think I will try piping it inside the cake, hopefully in a pattern so that each guest gets some inside treat!

Cloud Frosting Recipe:
2 1/2 cups sugar
6 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 
   Make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, egg whites, water, and cream of tartar. Whisk until foamy. Set bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer bowl to stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 12 to 16 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until combined.