I have a monstrous bag of white rice in the corner of my kitchen. I bought it for some project months ago that I never got around to. I can’t even remember what the project was now! I tried giving it away cause we don’t eat rice and I couldn’t find a taker. So there it sat, taking up space and reminding me of another idea that fell by the wayside.
With dad in the hospital, eating crappy hospital food – I had an ingenious idea. I would bring him a good home cooked meal to lift his spirits. So I made this great meal, and then realized that the hospital is an hour away. And it was 25 degrees outside. HA! I can use the rice!
So I filled an old sock with the rice. Just one of many in a box by the washer because it’s mate had mysteriously disappeared. I tied it closed and microwaved it for 5 minutes. Put the sock in a cooler bag with the meal and it stayed nice and warm until dad ate it almost 1 1/2 hours later. Man did that feel good!
What felt even better was when I got home that afternoon and The Boy discovered the sock. He thought it was the best thing EVER. He swung it around. He held it on his lap. He smashed it onto his back and his shoulders. He spun in circles holding it out to his side. He held it in his mouth and swung his head back and forth.
And he was calmer then I had seen him in weeks.

We have a winner!
So I made him another one. But my Teen grabbed it and asked if it could be his since it ‘was’ made from his sock. Surprised by his request, I agreed and went to get another sock. I mean, I have quite a few to choose from! Then my daughter wanted one. Then the baby. So now everyone has a sock filled with rice to play with. Several actually.
I even started adding essential oils to them so that they would smell amazing. Some are dressed as babies, some are used as fidgets and my Boy – well he is using it as an amazing Sensory Sock.