When I am in need of a little retail therapy, I don’t usually go for clothes. Just give me a drugstore and forty bucks to splurge on some new lotion and makeup and I am good to go, until the next time I need a pick me up. I remember when my kids were babies and I’d finally get them down to sleep, I’d sometimes head out to the local 24-hour drugstore for some “me” time and just to get out of the house alone. Fun times.

Last week, I attended the Grand Opening preview of the new Walgreens Flagship store located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. These flagship stores (Walgreens has opened 7 others nationwide) have so much to offer, drugstore shopping will never be the same. Let me take you on a little tour:

I was invited to the opening of the Walgreens store opening by Collective Bias®. I was compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias ™ and Walgreens #CBias #SocialFabric. All opinions are my own.

I’m in awe of mothers everywhere. But today, I want to give a shout out to new moms and moms-to-be.

Dear New Moms and Moms-to-be,

You sometimes give me that look of awe,

the one that may or may not come with “I’m not worthy” arm gestures.

You look at me as if I possess a secret,

a key that will unlock the mysteries of motherhood that occupy your thoughts.

And while I want to pass on the wisdom you seek,

I’m telling you,

it’s already inside of you, dividing and multiplying like the life you once grew.

You might not detect it at first.

You may doubt it more than once.

But it’s there.

In the fear, the nervousness, the unknown.

In the wonder, the magic, the dreams.

You might ask me for advice and I may give it,

but ultimately,

you will make the best decisions you can guided by your heart,

Your intuition.

I’ll be there for you when it’s rough, crazy,

and unspeakably not what you thought it would be.

And it’s ok to say so.

You don’t ever have to keep that to yourself.

And those moments when you feel like the happiest, luckiest woman in the world?

When your capacity to love shatter’s yesterdays record of unconditional love?

I’ll relish in those moments you share,

the innumerable firsts,

grateful for your gift that quiets my mind in sweet reminiscence.

Trust me. But more importantly,

Trust yourself.

You were amazing as YOU.

You are amazing as the life you nurture WITHIN.

YOU WILL BE AMAZING when you give birth and, in turn,

receive a life like you never imagined.

On behalf of us “seasoned” moms,

Welcome to motherhood.

New Moms and Moms-to-be,

I am in awe of you.

Last month, I was invited to attend PBS Kids “It All Adds Up” held at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, CA. PBS Kids + a great venue all added up to a Saturday field trip for my family of six. The event was super family-friendly, but I wouldn’t expect otherwise from PBS. While my kids were entertained by a team of caregivers who engaged them in actual books, games and puzzles, I was learning about the latest educational games, apps and offline activity ideas developed at PBS Kids.

We don’t have a TV in our home, but we have computers, so PBSkids.org is a site my kids frequent, especially now that we have discovered Wild Kratts. Thanks to my local friend, homeschooling mom and blogger, Leah at Sandy Toes Creations, we are now big Kratt Brothers fans. I knew the new Wild Kratts Creature Math App, geared toward kids ages 6-8, would be popular with my boys and be a fun way to practice addition, subtraction and multiplication. I’m pleased to know about PBS Kids’ recent focus on math skills because I’ve been looking for more ways to give my kids screen time that doesn’t feel like junk.

The other game that caught my attention was Curious George Bubble Pop for ages 3 – 5. Having a three-year-old in a house with older siblings makes it hard to limit her exposure to what the big kids are doing. She doesn’t just want, she insists that she do everything her older siblings get to do. I appreciate simple game options geared toward her age group so she doesn’t feel left out. Practicing counting with Curious George is right up her ally since we’ve read the entire collection of Curious George in real book form.

Now, I don’t have a single game app on my phone. The kids pretty much know my phone is off limits, but I can’t say the same for any other adult in their lives. In fact, the kids are quite the team when it comes to wrangling a smart phone out of any unsuspecting visitor’s hands, typing and memorizing their password, and playing whatever games they’ve loaded. At least now I can share the PBS Kids info with their dad said adults so they can download some mama-approved options.

After the presentation, we were invited to try out the games with our kids. I have to say, I was slightly self-conscious that my four kids chose to continue playing with the real puzzles and boardgames, and the caregivers themselves. It’s kinda strange when mom is trying to convince them to play video games and they’re like, “Whatever.” Geez guys, stop making me look so good! And why don’t you act this nonchalant about video games at home? They finally did come around about five minutes before we left to explore the museum, and once we were home they returned to their normal ways. 

We don’t have a consistent rule about screen time around here, but lately, with the added stress of house hunting, computer and iPad time has been on the rise. The PBS Kids games and apps offer some feel-good choices when I can’t engage with the kids as much as I’d like.

We spent the rest of the day exploring The Tech which is a very hands-on learning museum so, naturally, my kids had a blast. I love that they are all at the perfect age to make these day trips more often and expand our field trip options. This was a great day for my family. Thanks to PBS Kids, 360 Public Relations, and The Tech Museum for inviting us and hosting such a fun event.

To learn more about all the latest games, apps or activities designed for desktop, laptop and mobile, visit PBS KIDS Lab.

Woohoo! Episode 6 is live and it’s dessert time. Listen, if you have any trouble getting your kids to help in the kitchen, make dessert. There was hardly a moment when my kids weren’t all hovered around the kitchen table, volunteering to measure sugar and butter for the chance to lick their fingers. As you’ll see, the three-year-old actually plopped herself on the table itself.

We started off making pineapple upside-down cupcakes and ended up adding so much delicious fruit, they require a new name. These are so good, my oldest son asked for them for his ninth birthday next month. They are so good, we had them for dinner. Yes, we did.
With this episode, I’ve completed my first season of cooking shows for iVillage and the timing couldn’t be better. No longer in housing limbo, we are packing up and getting ready to move to a new house next month. Know what that means? New season, new kitchen! I’ll have a smaller oven and a completely different stove to get used to, but I can’t wait to continue the fun of cooking with my kids.

By the way, I never heard back from the casting agent regarding the cooking show competition that pits a real home cook against a professional chef. I am, however, in talks with a different casting company about a docu-series that showcases a variety of parenting styles. Will keep you posted.

I hope you enjoy Episode 6, but more importantly, I hope you enjoy these cupcakes!

Episode 5 is live! Not that I even want to watch it. Today I started Day 1 of Dr. Oz’s 3 Day Cleanse, a little something that caught my eye on Pinterest. Warning: If you see this pin on Pinterest, do not, I repeat, do not try it.

I am a lover of smoothies and juicing and I’m telling you, all three of these recipes were gross. I stuck to it all day, but it’s safe to say, there won’t be a Day 2.

Which brings me back to breakfast burritos. Mmmmmm….breakfast burritos. I could really go for one right now because it does not have to be breakfast to enjoy a good breakfast burrito. Best time is probably after a day of celery smoothies. I kept the ingredients basic and kid-friendly in this video, but the real breakfast burrito experts can be found among my Facebook community.

Is your mouth watering yet? I won’t keep you much longer…a few behind the scenes notes:

1. That red apron is the same red apron I’ve been wearing since college. I have quite the apron collection and yet I always come back to trusty old Red.
2. I love the look of determination on my son’s face when cracking the eggs. I love even more that my daughter, who is kindly holding the compost container for the egg shells, is wearing a gas mask because the compost was too stinky for her.
3. In my honest opinion, not enough kids were featured in this video, but hey, I think we’re going to do dessert next episode so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of volunteers.
4. Last but not least, I haven’t heard back from the casting agent I mentioned last post, except that I won’t hear back from them unless I’m chosen. They said to give it two weeks, aaaand given how infrequently I blog these days, I should have an update in my next post.

Be sure to check out Episodes 1-4: Taco Night, DIY Pasta Bar, Mac and Cheese, and the very popular Lasagna Roll Ups!

Episode is 4 here! Lasagna Roll Ups are by far one of my favorite meals to make, especially for a crowd. In fact, I made it last night for our weekend guests…a dad and his FIVE sons! Not only did they wolf it down, the oldest child deemed it “the best lasagna I’ve ever had in my entire life! Seriously, this is iron chef-worthy.” Talk about polite manners! Sure, he’s only 17, but that’s the best lasagna in 17 years. I’ll take that.

Speaking of iron chef, I received a call this week from a casting agent for a new prime time cooking show that pits a home cook against a professional chef. It will be interesting to see if/how this pans out…stay tuned.

Back to the rolls, making them is easier than you might think. And what’s even easier is serving them because no cutting is necessary. Just lift each individual roll with a spatula and you’re good to go. I did add some TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) to give it a meaty texture, and extra pesto because we are pesto-lovers ’round these parts.

As far as behind the scenes…I cut out my 3-year-old saying “Ew” while I mixed the cottage and ricotta cheese. Hope you enjoy the show…these really are fun for kids to help make.

Check out the first three episodes here:
Mac and Cheese
DIY Pasta Bar
Taco Night

You just can’t make this stuff up! These pictures make me happy. They leave me laughing and, oftentimes, scratching my head wondering about my kids. They allow me to easily forgive the messes, toys left out and inaccessibility to my cupboards . They remind me that this is the life I always wanted, one filled with creativity, imagination, humor and straight up weirdness. Here are the latest works of art I’ve encountered around my house. I even gave them titles.

“DOUBLE TAKE”( Because that’s what I did when I went to brush my teeth and found this.)

“jeTPack” (see what I did there? TP…that’s pretty clever for 1:01 a.m.)

“JUST WANNA OPEN MY CUPBOARD” 

“TUPPERWARE SURPRISE, PART 1″

“TUPPERWARE SURPRISE, PART 2″

“YES, I REALLY BOUGHT 4 OF THESE”

“25-CENT-MACHINE GUYS GO FOR A SPIN”

“OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE” (Get it? That’s Tangled down there…and the spiders…weave webs…it’s after 1 a.m. folks.)

“WHO NEEDS A LIVING ROOM?” (I could dedicate a whole post to forts alone.)

That’s all for this round of “Life With Kids.” If you’re hungry for more, just look around your house or check out last month’s 10 Snapshots of Life With Kids. Until next time!

]]> http://www.theaums.com/2013/03/28/more-snapshots-of-life-with-kids/feed/ 16 http://www.theaums.com/2013/03/22/mac-and-cheese/ http://www.theaums.com/2013/03/22/mac-and-cheese/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:37:57 +0000 Christine@TheAums http://www.theaums.com/?p=2227

Hey, a new episode of my iVillage cooking show is live! Here are some behind-the-scenes facts on Episode 3:

1. It has a super cheesy intro…perfect for the homemade Mac and Cheese recipe I share.

2. My daughters prefer dress up clothes to aprons, hence the princess and Dorothy from Oz helping in the kitchen.

3. Warning: this episode contains graphic footage of a toddler with a knife.

4. I learned that there is a term for my method of cooking: mise en place. It’s French and means having all your ingredients prepared and set out on the counter before you cook. I mention in this video why I do this, but I had to cut out the actual interruptions that took place. A shame, really. You might’ve enjoyed seeing my 3-year-old approach me with a live bug, concerned that we shouldn’t put it outside because it was raining. Soon after, a neighbor knocked on our door. Total reality show material here.

5. Originally, this recipe was supposed to be about making individual ramekins of Mac and Cheese, letting the kids customize and healthify it with broccoli or peas. My kids eat their vegetables, but no one messes with their Mac, so I had to put the veggies on the side.

6. Smack to the forehead moment: When I claim that my kids just love cucumbers and carrots, and then my 3-year-old claims she doesn’t. Let’s see, last episode she didn’t like pepper; wonder what she’ll dislike next week?

7. The breadcrumbs…mmmm…still thinking about those breadcrumbs.

What do your kids prefer…boxed or homemade mac and cheese?

Be sure to check out previous episodes: How to make a crowd-pleasing Pasta Bar and Taco Night featuring my recipe for Spanish Rice.

My latest cooking adventures on iVillage, also known as Episode 2, debuted over a week ago. I’ve been so caught up with trying to find housing for my family, and the possibility of having to move by the end of the month, that I’m just sharing it with you now. I loved the feedback I received on the first episode, which featured Homemade Tacos and Spanish Rice. I think the Lego part was everyone’s favorite because it was so real, which is the whole point.

I want to show a real mom* with real kids cooking in a real kitchen…a reality cooking show you can watch with your kids.

And some of you did! Parents who watched it with their kids were pleased to see that not only were their kids entertained, they wanted to help make the recipe. Music to my ears! With this cooking show, I hope to inspire families to prepare a meal and enjoy it together, plain and simple. But it’s not always that simple, is it? I know, I know, cooking with kids can be challenging. Just don’t avoid it or give up. I promise, the more you involve your kids in the kitchen, the sooner they can make you breakfast in bed. Now if that isn’t motivation…

Here are some fun facts about the show.

1. It’s shot in real time, meaning we really do cook the food and eat it for dinner that day. No fakey fake stuff here. No chefs in the background preparing food in advance, and definitely no cleaning crew besides ourselves.

2. I let my kids use knives. The 3-year-old gets a butter knife or blunt serrated knife, but my 5, 7, and 8-year-olds use the next sharpest knives in the kitchen. Each child gets a cutting job that works with their knife and fine motor skills, and I relax about wanting everything cut in uniform size. They do get better with time and practice.

3. My kids really did ask for Brussels sprouts in this episode. How did I get my kids to like Brussels sprouts you ask? I told them that it was the favorite vegetable of their very good friend. I then invited that friend over and served b-sprouts so they could witness and be open to trying them. It worked! I don’t have to do this with every vegetable, but Brussels sprouts were new to our entire family up until recently. And  it’s not a typo…there really is an s at the end of Brussels.

4. I love lentils and they are yummy in pasta sauce, plus they add protein and a “meaty” texture. I make lentil soup from scratch all the time, but I like having the precooked lentils from Trader Joe’s on hand for a quick addition to pasta and salad.

5. A DIY Pasta Bar is pretty similar to Taco Night. I love meals where I can just put everything in the middle of the table and everyone fends for themselves. They may not always choose the healthiest options, but it’s important that those options are there. Continuous exposure to healthy food works and is way more effective than continuous begging them to eat their vegetables.

6. The bracelet I’m wearing is a lovely gift from my friend, Brandi Jeter, who blogs at Mama Knows It All. Brandi has been a huge supporter of this show coming to life so it’s my little tribute to her generous encouragement.

7. *The only thing not real about this episode is me wearing dangling earrings while cooking, but they matched my tank top and I just couldn’t help myself.

Without further ado.

I have a new habit. At the end of the day, when all is said and stick-a-fork-in-me done, I’ve taken to walking around my house and reflecting. It’s much better than lying awake in my bed reflecting in the dark (Hello, deep scary thoughts of motherhood!). I like the visuals of a house well lived-in. Looking past the messes and toys that weren’t put away, I discover evidence of four lives rich with imagination, creativity and humor. I never have to look far. It’s always underfoot, which is quite painful if I’m not looking where I step (I’m talking to you, Legos!).

Here are 10 recent snapshots that made me smile, laugh or just stand there in a tired, confused stupor. The makers of Toy Story need look no further for inspiration.

Went to clip my hair up and wash my face for the night. Found this little guy.

I always wanted to know how much an abelone shell, toy figure, mason jar, toothbrush, 2 toothpaste tubes and a pumpkin weighed.

Just realized the first 3 pics here are all from my bathroom. You could say Barbie’s seen better days. On the other hand, that’s a pretty comfy bed made with ALL our clean face towels.

Now THIS is pretty clever.

How can you not smile at this? Plus, baby sock monkey has an extra blanket compliments of Kleenex.

No, this picture does not need to be rotated. Makes me wonder where my kids get their inspiration for pretend house play.

Leah and Lando clearly don’t have kids.

I see an overloaded electric socket. My kids see a helicopter landing pad.

Hey kid…outta my chair! This Lazy Boy with massage and heat is hands down my favorite piece of parenting equipment at the end of the day.

Found this poor little guy in the morning. I would’ve set him free had I known!

I would love to see snapshots from your life with kids. Please feel free to post one on my Facebook page, or send me a link if you write a similar post.