http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/mothers-day/

Trinity loves to create little special things for me and these coloring pages are just great!

It’s been a great ride…I guess it doesn’t feel very long because we have a great relationship and enjoy our time together (most of the time

I decided to make us an anniversary cake. So I purchased some cake mix (okay for you “homemade folks”…I have a toddler, so I wanted to keep it simple.). I got the Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix and the Coconut Pecan Frosting.

When I went to make the cake, I realized (1) the coconut pecan frosting is super sweet so I only wanted to use it for filling and (2) since I was only using it for filling, I needed more icing.

So, I looked up “Homemade Chocolate Icing” and found this article. This icing was super easy to make. I modified it slightly by only using 2 cups of confectioners sugar which was more than enough and slightly more than 1/3 cup milk. The icing was DIVINE! This is definitely the best chocolate icing I’ve ever had.

I baked the cake in 2 9″ pans, put the coconut pecan icing in the middle and iced the outside of the cake with the homemade chocolate icing…BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE I’VE EVER HAD.

John is still RAVING about it. He even went on and on about it to his dad who had to stop over tonight just to have a piece. He asked for the recipe to share with my mother-in-law (who is a fabulous cook!). Both of them were in love.

It’s a great cake to make and super, super easy. Enjoy!

Read the full article here: http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/danger-playground-riding-slide-toddler-lap-could-break-183100453.html

http://www.girlythingsbows.com/easter_chick_clippie.html

http://www.toddlertoddler.com/todaysabcdposter.htm

I went to make some chicken the other day and looked for a quick and easy recipe. I found an awesome recipe on Hellmann’s website. This was absolutely delicious and super quick to make. I used organic mayonnaise and breadcrumbs and organic chicken breast. The coating comes out gooey and crusty and is very tasty.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
• 4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with cheese in medium bowl. Arrange chicken on baking sheet. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

For side dishes we had freshly steamed asparagus and red potatoes slightly tossed in butter.

My daughter is the absolute most precious thing in my life. She’s funny, loving, cute and has just gotten super demanding.

Trinity has been ahead of every milestone by about 3 months. So, it’s no wonder that she’s hit the “terrible 2′s” about 6 months early. My daughter has now started whining about everything and anything that she wants. And if she doesn’t get it, it’s full on crying, stomping, throwing and even biting.

Sometimes it’s hilarious. Like when she slams her cup down on her high chair tray. It takes all my self-control to not laugh and to just redirect her. But other times, it just wears me down…especially if it’s hours and hours of whining, fussiness and stomping.

I have to admit the biting is a bit funny too.

Today I found myself at wits end…truly exhausted and by the end of the day, I got a little loud.

Then I felt so guilty and was emotionally beating myself up. I never, ever want to feel that way again. Nor do I believe that yelling at my daughter is going to get either of us anywhere. She won’t learn a thing other than to yell and I’ll just feel like a crappy mother.

But what to do? Here’s what I figured out. It seems like Trinity gets the whiniest if I’m trying to do other things, like housework, other than give her attention. I found other moms who had great advice on this one.

In looking at some of the blogs out there, I found some awesome tips.

Life with Toddlers was great in pointing out to identify what causes the “breaking point” – that point where you cross over from heating up to full boil. In my experience, it comes down to where my attention is. I have a lot of responsibilities. I take care of everything in my household other than our dog and the garbage.

Plus, I’m a work-at-home mom with several businesses. It all comes down to when someone is pulling my attention way from my daughter – like too many phone calls are my husband coming in to talk business or finances when my daughter is whining and vying for my attention. It’s in that moment that I lose my cool – I’m trying to have a “serious” conversation where I have to use my brain and I have this little one pulling on me, crying or whining.

My solution? Don’t answer the phone and I’ve instructed my husband to only talk business or finance when it’s my official business hours (during naptime and after Trinity goes to bed).

Oh…I feel so much better already!

I also found a solution for housework. I make it a game. As Trinity puts things away, I to a “happy dance”…she laughs so hard and then puts more things away to see me dance some more. What an awesome solution! She really loves to help so if I’m doing some dusting or cleaning up, I give her a clean rag too and she goes off and wipes up stuff too (my little helper!)

I also eased up on myself a bit. I am a great mom. I’m home with my daughter and I give her so much love and attention that I have to just let it go and forgive myself if once in a while I lose my cool and get a little loud. I’m planning to do everything to avoid it but I’ll remember that 99.9% of the time, I’m amazing

Check out this list of tips from Parents magazine too. It’s very helpful.

This dessert is perfect for bake sales and school lunches and are sure to become favorites in your home. It’s from the The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook: More than 80 Healthy Treats That Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth without Breaking Your Calorie Budget

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients

Butter-flavored cooking spray

3 cups 100% whole grain crispy brown rice cereal (I used Erewhon brand)

¼ cup coconut sugar

¼ cup light agave nectar

¼ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened unsalted all-natural creamy peanut butter

Instructions

Lightly coat an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with cooking spray. Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Place a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and agave and slowly bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and add the peanut butter. Stir until the peanut butter is melted and the mixture is well combined.

Pour the peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the cereal. Using a rubber spatula, mix until the cereal is well incorporated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and, using a piece of parchment or waxed paper, firmly press the cereal into the pan. Allow to cool completely. Cut into 16 squares. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Per serving: 83 calories, 2 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates (7 g sugar), 3 g fat, trace saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, <1 g fiber, 41 mg sodium

Adapted from The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander and The Biggest Loser Experts and Cast with Melissa Roberson. Copyright © 2010 by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP,The Biggest Loserâ„¢, and NBC Studios, Inc., and Reveille LLC. Reprinted on the Prevention.com website by permission of Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098.