Mama Gets It Done

Back-To-School: Make Your Mornings Easier

2014-08-22T09:58:00.002-05:00

Three Days. That's how much time I have until my two older children return to school. My daughter will be entering the 3rd Grade, and my son will be going into the 1st Grade! It's crazy to think that our summer vacation is just about over. Gone are the mornings of "sleeping-in," the pajama days, the late breakfasts, and the "do whatever you want" weekdays.

It's time to change our summer habits and get back into the routine of school life. For us, that means rising early, making cute lunches, and preparing what we can the night before a school day. In order to get out the door in time, we had to find ways to make our mornings go smoothly and quickly. These tips may help your family as well.

1. Designate an area for everyone's backpacks, shoes, homework, lunchboxes, etc.

We are fortunate to have a built-in mudroom between our kitchen and garage. (Let's just say that this was a must for this mama when designing our house.) We have hanging hooks, a built-in bench, and some cubbies. Of course, you do not have to have a fancy mudroom for your things. You just need a special place, preferably, one close to your entrance/exit door. If your short on space, find tubs or baskets that can hold your kid's stuff. Install simple hooks or hanging folders/baskets to hold papers or homework. When my kids come home from school their backpacks go directly on those hooks. Shoes should go in their cubbies. (I will admit that we still have to remind the children not to leave them dropped around the house, but at least we have a designated space.) Folders and homework are packed away in their backpacks when they are finished with their homework. I check their folders, sign papers, and file or dispose of flyers and notes as they work on their homework each afternoon. This is the easiest way to stay organized, to get paperwork taken care of, and to ensure that everything returns to school as needed. In the morning, the kids just need to grab their packed backpacks before they leave the house.

2. Lay out clothes, shoes, and other school necessities the night before.

I have my kids pick out what they are going to wear for school the night before. This means they choose the top and bottoms that they want to wear the next day and hang them on their closet door. They stick their socks in their shoes. This eliminates the "I can't find my other sock," and the "I need a shirt to match these shorts," the next morning. Another battled avoided.

3. Prepare lunches the night before.

I know there are tons of parents who find it easier to have the kids' lunches completely packed and ready to go the night before. Some make and freeze sandwiches. This makes mornings easier, especially for working parents. If this works for you, go for it! I make my kid's lunches each morning. That means I have to get up a little bit earlier if I want to make them fresh, bento-style and cute, but I do not mind. With that said, I DO prepare as much as I can the night before, and simply put it all together in the morning. Preparing means cutting up fruits and vegetables, freezing ice packs or yogurt tubes, filling thermoses with water, and dividing snacks or fruits and veggies into individual containers or baggies. I find that putting out my lunch supplies, lunch boxes, bread, peanut butter etc. on the island the night before makes for easy prepping in the morning also.

4. Establish a morning routine.

Parents and children alike need to establish a morning routine. (This can even be practiced the week before school starts to get the children and yourself use to waking up early and getting ready.) Let the children know what is expected of them each morning. Make a list or chart for them to check off if they tend to forget things or need a little nudging in the morning. (i.e. Get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, brush hair, pack your lunch in backpack, etc.)

It's a little easier for myself to get back into the routine of school days. With a little help from my alarm I get up, and get myself completely ready. Then, I make the lunches. Sometimes they are simple and quick lunches. Other times, they are cute and fancy. (It really depends on how much time I have..and how motivated I am feeling.) By this time, the kids are starting to wake up on their own or it's time for me to go and wake them. I get a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I am dressed and ready for the day, and now I just have to guide the children through the rest of the morning.

Ready or not...It's "Back-to-School" time!

Do you have any tips on getting back into the routine of school days? How do you make your mornings easier?

Back To School Chore Chart Feature

2014-07-22T13:34:00.003-05:00

Some of your children have headed back to school already. Others are starting to get ready for those first days of school. My children have about another month till they say good-bye to summer vacation. I am hoping to share some of our back-to-school preparations and ideas this next month.
Until then, I would like to thank Celebrations.com for featuring my chore chart coupons on their back to school organization post. Last Fall, I shared with you printable coupons that you could use to reward your children for helping out around the house. They have worked for us, and I am sure they will work for you, too!
Stop by Celebrations.com to see how this Mama and others are organizing for Back-To-School.

DIY Mickey Mouse Applique Shirts

2014-06-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

We just spent nine awesome days at Disney World! It was amazing! We were able to visit all four parks, and got to thoroughly enjoy each one. Two of those days were spent at Animal Kingdom. I knew that I wanted us to have at least one day of wearing matching shirts. I also wanted to have shirts with the iconic Mickey head. So, I made the girls (my mom, myself, and my two daughters) zebra print Mickey shirts. I made my son a camouflage Mickey shirt also. With the right supplies and a little of your time, you can make your own boutique style Disney World shirts..for half the price!

Materials:

Plain T-shirt (I purchased hot pink craft shirts for the girls, and an orange shirt for my son from Hobby Lobby. Wash and dry before starting your project.)
Fabric of your choice (Zebra print for the girls and camouflage for the boy)
Heat-n-Bond Ultrahold iron-on adhesive (or HeatnBond Lite for sewing)
Mickey head pattern
Sewing scissors
Sewing machine
Matching Thread
Iron
Freezer paper

Directions:

1. Make a Mickey head pattern. You can print and/or blow-up a picture found online, or you can make your own pattern. I simply traced a cup and plate in the shape of Mickey's head. You may need to make a couple of sizes for children and adults.

2. Follow the instructions on the Heat-n-bond package to create your applique. Put the Heat-n-bond adhesive onto the wrong side of the material you are using. (Paper liner should face up.) Iron the adhesive onto the material, pressing until it is completely bonded. Let it cool completely.

3. Trace your pattern onto the liner and cut the pattern out. You will be left with the Mickey head shape. Peel the liner off the back.

4. Add your Mickey applique to your matching shirt. Center or measure where you want your applique to go on your shirt. Iron the applique onto your shirt, pressing for about eight seconds onto each section until it is completely bonded to the shirt.

5. Use your sewing machine to stitch around the applique. Turn the shirt inside out. Iron a piece of freezer paper (shiny side down) onto the inside of your shirt (the applique should be directly on the other side.) This will help prevent your shirt from bunching up when you sew around your applique. Turn the shirt right side out. Make a zig-zag stitch around the applique or use a satin-stitch to prevent fraying. I set the stitch length to zero, and used the highest setting for a zig-zag stitch. (You may need to play around with the settings on your sewing machine and do a couple of trials on some scrap fabric to get the stitch the way you want it.) Simply follow the applique all around when sewing it to the shirt. I made a satin-stitch for the first time, and it was easier than I thought. I really loved the finished look!

6. Remove the freezer paper from the inside of the shirt. After sewing, the freezer paper practically peels off in seconds. Any leftover freezer paper should come off in the wash.

7. Enjoy your new shirts and wear them to the Disney parks...especially made for Animal Kingdom!

I loved the way the shirts came out, and I am so glad I took the time to make them for our trip!

We're Going to Disney World- A Surprise Scavenger Hunt

2014-05-22T05:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's a dream come true for us! I have heard the countless and exciting stories from everyone who has made a trip to Disney World. My husband went to Disney World when he was younger, but I have never even been to Florida. Of course, my three children have not experienced the "World" yet either. My husband and I started talking about going, and then we took the plunge in December. We booked our hotel and flight. Fortunately, we were able to use points that we had earned for the hotel. Because we were booking well ahead of time we were able to get great flight times and routes to Orlando and back.
It was a bit torturous not to tell our children right away...for us, at least. But, we did not want to tell them the news and then make them wait and wait for months. We did, however, want to get them prepared for the trip and help in some of the planning process. So on Easter we gave them a surprise they would not forget!

How We Told Our Children

After we went to Sunday mass, opened Easter baskets, and searched for Easter eggs in our back yard, my husband took our kids for a nice, long walk. I placed eggs and clues throughout the house. Each clue would lead to the next clue and egg. In each egg there were alphabet letters that they would have to unscramble at the end of their scavenger hunt.
The kids were greeted back with a letter telling them how proud we were of all of them. It also explained that as an extra special treat they were going to go on a scavenger hunt around the house.
My kids had no clue that Disney World was even being considered by mom and dad.

We took videos and pictures of their hunt and their reactions. I cannot even explain how happy we were to tell them and how ecstatic they were when they realized where they were going this summer. My six year-old kept "fainting" afterward. It was quite funny to watch them jump up and down, and see the giddiness that followed.

Though I am sure it would have been an awesome surprise to tell them the morning we were leaving on our flight, I am glad we chose to do it ahead of time. Not too early and not too late. They have had time to plan what they want to wear and pack, get even more excited and countdown the days until the trip, research and read about the rides and adventures that they want to experience, and watch lots of Disney movies!

P.S. I know I am a month overdue with this post, but I cannot tell you how busy we have been since then..Disney and many other events have taken over our life. Haha! More Disney fun to come!

Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers

2014-04-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like me I get a little overwhelmed with the amount of candy my children receive on holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations. When my pantry starts to be overtaken by candy I beg for some alternatives. Easter is coming up quickly and there are already a couple of Easter egg hunts planned in our community. I decided to make a list of some of my favorite Easter egg filler ideas. I am sharing this list and including some pictures just for you! Hopefully, others will consider filling their eggs with other fun stuff besides candy...

1. Plastic army men

2. Fake bugs

3. Rings

4. Legos or Lego mini-figures

5. Stretchy or plastic animals, dinosaurs, etc.

6. Erasers

7. Spinning top

8. Mini nail polish

9. Mini Bubbles

10. Rainbow Loom (type) Rubber bands

11. Play money or plastic coins

12. Key chain

13. Magnetic letters or other cute magnets

14. Bouncy Balls

15. Cross, Rosary, or other religious items

16. Stickers (Seasonal and character)

17. Mini Tattoos

18. Stretchy/sticky hand

19. Stamps

20. Crocs "jibbitz" shoe charms

21. Bunny, chick, or other Easter trinket/toy

22. Hair ties, mini-bows, or hair clips

23. Foam Stickers

24. Silly Putty or play-doh

25. Small lipgloss

26. Bracelets

27. Balloon

28. Necklace

29. Dollar bill or coins

30. Earrings

31. Small figurine

32. Disney trading pins or other attachable pin

33. Whistle

34. Mini car

35. Barbie accessories or clothes

36. Mini wind-up toy

*Don't forget to check the party aisles and the Dollar Tree for small toys and trinkets. Party favors are cheap, small, and fun!

Maybe this list of Easter egg fillers will help you when you are staring at a pile of empty Easter eggs. I know I will be referring back to it when I am preparing for our Easter egg hunts and baskets!

Getting your Kids to Eat their Fruits and Vegetables

2014-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

As a mother I want my children to live a healthy lifestyle. I want them to eat their fruits and vegetables. More importantly, I want them to learn to make good choices on their own. Fortunately, getting them to eat their fruit was never a problem. They crave that sweet taste and enjoy many different kinds of fruits. My daughters love vegetables, too! My son, on the other hand, will turn his head away from most of them. But, this does not stop me from putting them on his plate each day.

Do you have this problem? I challenge you to make it a priority to include fruits and vegetables in your family's daily diets.

Serve It Up

Cut up fruits and veggies for easy access. A whole pineapple or an orange sitting on the counter may easily get passed up by everyone. Do a little prep work by cutting up your fruit and vegetables when you return from the grocery store. Store them in see through containers, or snack baggies. Kids and adults can grab and go.

Make your fruits and veggies look delicious. My kids love when I make their fruits and vegetables into different shapes. One of my favorite ways to serve up fruits or veggies is by letting them "eat the rainbow." Offer different colors of fruits and veggies and shape them into a rainbow.

Name It

Make a fun name for a fruit or vegetable. Broccoli is not just broccoli for my kids. Broccoli bites are "trees," and cauliflower is the "cousin."
Pretend you are an animal eating your veggies. Eat carrots and lettuce for your "bunny food."

Dip It

Offer some ranch dip or other dressing. I love carrots. Simple and delicious. My oldest daughter, however, will not touch them...unless I add a squirt of ranch dressing on the side.
Try hummus. Hummus is a favorite dip of mine. I do not buy it as often as I would like to, but I will enjoy a plateful of veggies with hummus.
Enjoy some fruit dip. Make an easy-peasy fruit dip by adding honey to some plain yogurt. Mix it up and get ready for some yummy dipping.

Mix it

Smoothies and milkshakes. Remember my post about our favorite green smoothies? Smoothies are a great way to mix in both fruits and vegetables for your children and yourself.

Muffins and breads. Blueberries, carrots, squash...there are plenty of delicious fruits and veggies that can be added to your favorite homemade breads. Try them in muffins, loaves, and pancakes for starters.
Dinners. I do not have a problem with mixing in vegetables with some of our favorite dishes. Add shredded carrots to sloppy joes or add a layer of spinach to your lasagna. A little addition here or there may help spark their taste buds.

If you have trouble getting your child to eat their fruits and vegetables, do not give up. They will learn to love them eventually. :)

Mix them, hide them, do whatever you have to, but keep serving them!

DIY Essential Oils Carrying Case

2014-02-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

About six months ago I started using Doterra's essential oils. The essential oils come in little, glass vials. My family uses them on a daily basis, and I believe we have all been healthier because of them. :) I have a drawer in my bathroom that houses these oils. Because of their many uses, I found myself needing these oils to treat everyday illnesses, aches, and pains when I was away from home also. (Some oils are even a great alternative to the overused anti-bacterial gel soap that everyone carries around.) I needed a carrying case that I could just drop into my purse, and pull out quickly when needed. Doterra sells carrying cases, but I figured I could make something with what I have on hand just as easily.

(Note: This is a "cheat" DIY bag!!)

So, I rummaged through my zipper makeup bags. You know..the ones that come free when you purchase a certain amount of makeup. I found a pretty flowered one in my closet that I had never even used. I would have liked a zipper that ran up the side, across the top, and around the other side. This would have made sewing with a sewing machine a whole lot easier. Those zipper cases that open flat would have been ideal, but I settled for my simple, zipper top bag that I had received for free. I grabbed a few necessary items and got straight to work

Materials:

Sewing machine
Zipper makeup pouch
Thread (matching color)
Elastic (I used 3/4 inch)
Scissors
Straight pins
Measuring tape

Next, I opened up the zipper bag and turned it inside out. I measured out the elastic. (Give yourself a rough estimate by measuring the length of the pouch, or sew as you go.) I used a thicker elastic band because the vials are round and wide, and I wanted the elastic to have a secure hold on the vials. I pinned the elastic to the inside of the bag. (I ended up sewing only one side of elastic on this pouch because I did not want it to be too bulky, and I wanted to make sure it closed easily. This particular pouch was not incredibly deep.) This is where a free arm attachment on your sewing machine works well because you will really have to get into that pouch and sew at a difficult angle. You have to be careful that you do not sew through to the opposite side of the pouch, too. I sewed a straight line down and back stitched. I repeated this every few inches. I left enough room in each loop to fit each vial. Just remember the elastic will stretch over time so you will need each "loop" a little smaller than the vial or whatever you will be holding in the elastic loop.

Turn the bag right side out, and secure your essential oils in their new home. Now you have a quick and frugal way to carry around essential oils and other necessities! It is a makeup bag after all, so go ahead and throw in your lipstick, lotions and anything else you want, too!

Valentine's Day Lunches and Snacks

2014-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Love packing cute lunches for your little ones? One of my favorite times to glam up their school lunches are for holidays! In the past, Valentine's Day lunches have been made extra special with a few lunch making tools and fun food. Snacks are easy, too!

I LOVE my heart shaped silicone muffin liners. (I purchased them a couple of years ago from Michael's craft store.) I can bake cupcakes or muffins ahead of time, and throw them in with the kids' lunches. Plus, they work perfectly to separate portions of food.

Use a paring knife to make heart shaped strawberries. Cut off the leafy tops by cutting at an angle downward and then at an angle back up again (almost like you are cutting an upside down triangle out of the top of your strawberry.)

If you own any type of cookie cutters, you most likely own at least one heart shaped cutter. I have some of all sizes. The big ones can be used to cut an entire sandwich into the shape of a heart. The smaller ones can be used to make practically anything heart-shaped, including cheeses, fruit, and bell-peppers.

I used my "Lunch Punch Sandwich Cutters, Fairy Set" to make a heart and crown out of sliced mozzarella for the top of my daughter's sandwich.

Sometimes the smallest touches make the funnest difference! Add stickers to fruit cups, plastic bags, or juice boxes.

The kids get a LOT of sweets for Valentine's Day at school. Making fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods "cute" on this day is a must if you want them to eat anything worthwhile that day. Hey, and do not stop on Valentine's Day. I add heart shapes all year long and send my love right in their lunchbox!

Valentine's Day Creation Station

2014-02-01T05:30:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching! I made one comment about Valentine's Day to my kids, and that is all it took. They began ~~asking~~ begging to make Valentine's cards and crafts with me. The good thing is I am always replenishing my craft supplies so we have enough art supplies for such an occasion. The problem is that all the craft and art supplies are scattered in different places around the house.

I thought the best way to kick-start our craft time would be to get a little organized first. I wanted to set up all their supplies in a special way, too. Why not surprise the kids with a Valentine's Creation Station? Everything would be at their fingertips and they could let their creative minds go wild!

I raided my own craft containers, pulled out my leftover Valentine's craft supplies from last year, and went around the house to gather their usual supplies. After I had everything I went on to organize and set up a surprise Creation Station for after school.

Organize your children's craft supplies for easy access.

Here is a list of some of the supplies that can be used to make your own Valentine's Day Creation Station:

Glue
Scissors & craft edged scissors
Crayons, markers, paints
Construction paper
Scrapbook or patterned paper
Valentine's Day stickers
Foam stickers
Valentine confetti
Stamps & Ink pads
Twine, ribbon, lace
Stencils
Doilies
Glitter and glitter glue pens

I found these cute, little tin heart containers with lids on sale last year. They were the perfect sized containers to hold small stickers and all those tiny confetti pieces. We just snapped the lids back on for easy clean-up.

I encourage you to pull out your craft supplies and set up a Valentine Creation Station just for your kids! It does not have to be anything fancy, but they will appreciate some (organized) fun options.

100th Day of School Lunch Ideas

2014-01-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

In a couple of weeks my children will be celebrating their 100th day of school at their elementary. Most of the day will be devoted to 100th Day activities in the classroom (at least, in the lower grades). They can bring a collection of 100 things and wear t-shirts with 100 objects or pictures on it. (Note to self: I really need to get working on my son's 100th Day of School shirt soon.) But, today I wanted to share a couple of ways I made my daughter's past lunches special for her on the 100th day of school.

It can actually be pretty easy to change your regular lunch into a fun, 100th Day lunch!

Make the number "1" with simple food items (Pretzel sticks, carrots or veggie sticks, Twinkies, string cheese/cheese sticks)
Make the number "0" out of everyday foods (Mini donuts, Ritz crackers, cookies, peanut butter crackers, Cheerios or Fruit Loops)
Find snack packages with the number "100" on it (100-calorie snack bags are perfect for this or treat them with a "100 Grand" fun-size candy bar)
Use your cookie cutters, shape cutters, or a knife to shape food into numbers (Sliced cheese, cold-cuts, strawberries & Kiwi slices.etc)
Make a snack mix of 100 pieces of different snacks (Goldfish, marshmallows, raisins, Cheerios, Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, M&Ms or Skittles, Cheeze-Its, peanuts, etc.) Our kids usually do this as one of their classroom activities, so I don't add that to their lunches.
Add a "Happy 100th Day of School" note or make cute cards with the number"100" on it.
Include a treat of 100 mini-stickers for later!

My son has already chosen what he wants to take for his collection of 100 things. We counted it three times! 100 army men. I didn't know he had that many, but that explains why I am perpetually finding army men in the house!

Does your child's school celebrate the 100th day of school? If a 100th Day celebration is in your child's future, don't forget to pack them a lunch and send them off with 100 kisses!

Delicious Green Smoothie

2014-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Some of my favorite drinks to make are smoothies. I love the taste and the health benefits from a good smoothie. The color of your smoothie will turn a bright green once you start blending in a green vegetable like spinach or kale. Personally, I prefer the taste of spinach over kale, but I still try to vary my vegetable and fruit intake. I think the frozen mixed fruit really adds to the flavor, too. Today I made my smoothie using a package of frozen mango, papaya, and strawberry fruit. Here is my own, favorite recipe that I love to make in the mornings.

Ingredients:
1 Cup Almond Milk
1 Ripe Banana
1 Cup Fresh Spinach
1 Cup Frozen Mixed Fruit
1 Tablespoon Milled Flax Seed
1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
1 Teaspoon ground Cinnamon

All the ingredients are approximate because I usually just throw everything in without even measuring. The great thing about homemade smoothies is that you can add in whatever you have on hand. If there is something that you don't like or you are allergic to you can omit it. Blend all ingredients together.

A smoothie is a perfect way to get in your fruits and vegetables each day. Some kids (ahem, my son) find a bunch of spinach leaves intimidating and "yucky." I am still trying to convince my six-year old boy to drink this, but he does not want to try it because it has "vegetables in it." My little boy prefers that I stick to the milk, banana, peanut butter, and cinnamon smoothie. Whatever works..at least, he is a fruit lover! On the other hand, my seven and three year-old daughters drop everything when they hear my blender running. This is one of their favorites! My busy husband is also a fan of this smoothie, and this is a quick way to squeeze in breakfast before work.

What are your favorite add-ins to your smoothies?

FunBites Review and Ideas

2014-01-10T09:03:00.002-06:00

I first saw the FunBites cutter on Pinterest a couple of years ago. I am such a sucker for Bento supplies and tools to make cute lunches for my kids. So, of course, the Fun Bites caught my eye! I emailed FunBites to ask if I can try out a FunBites cutter. FunBites was kind enough to send me the new FunBites Triangles to try out and review. I couldn't wait to see what I could come up with and how I could use this in my lunch preparations.

If you are unfamiliar with the FunBites product, let me tell you a little bit about it. It is a cutter designed to make bite-sized pieces of food. There are two pieces: the "curved blade cutter" and the top puncher to "pop out" the fun designed pieces created by the cutter.

FunBites currently has three shaped cutters. The first is the original cutter that punches out bite-sized square pieces. The pieces are just right for little hands and they make food fun and fancy. The next shape is the heart shaped cutter. I love this design because it can be used year round, but makes birthdays and holidays (like Valentine's Day) extra special. The newest cutter is the FunBites Triangles. Punch your lunch through to create several sized triangle pieces. I was hoping for this design because I think it allows for a grand imagination from parents and children alike. Put the pieces together like a puzzle or make different and fun shapes out of the many triangles.

Use your FunBites to:

Spell out Words
Create faces with your food
Make different shapes
Put your lunch together like a puzzle
Get your picky eaters to eat
Teach your toddler to feed herself
Mix and match different colored foods (i.e. wheat and white bread, cantaloupe and honey dew, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, etc.)
Make your child's meal fun and inviting

Quesadillas

Triangle Quesadillas and Triangle Strawberries

Triangle Mini-Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Triangle Peanut Butter Sandwich Kabobs and Stacked Triangle Bell Peppers on a toothpick

What Did I Think of FunBites?

I was sent a FunBites product to try out for free, but all opinions about this product are opinions of mine alone. I only post and recommend products that I honestly believe in and want to share with others. This post does contain affiliate links to FunBites and a coupon code below for 20% off your entire order.

I was quite impressed with the FunBites Triangles cutter. Here is what I loved best about it:

Easy to use! (Rocking back and forth on the handle ensures your pieces will be cut nicely)
Easy to clean (Hand-washing is best, but it is also dishwasher safe. Yay!)
Safe to use, but sharp enough to slice the food into fun shapes
Food does not get stuck in the cutter (the top popper pops the food right out of the cutter)
Reasonably priced for a great product
Makes meals AMAZING for little hands and little eyes!

I think putting a big sandwich on my three-year old's plate is a little intimidating...and, boring. When I started using FunBites, she was excited about her lunch and she easily cleaned her plate. Happy mom and happy kid!

If you are as impressed with the FunBites cutter as I was I recommend you order one of your own, too.

Click here to order your favorite shape FunBites cutter today!

Use coupon code below for an EXTRA 20% off your entire order!

COUPON CODE: FunBitesValentines

Do you own FunBites already? What is your favorite shape to use? How do you make your kid's meals fun and exciting?

Forgotten Christmas Decorations

2014-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

I spent this weekend putting away boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations. It is my one time of year that I like to go all out and decorate everywhere. Now my house is looking a little bare because I said good-bye to December and welcomed a new year! I am sure many of you did the same. (Assuming you're not the person that leaves their Christmas lights out all year round in order to avoid the "taking down and putting back up again" routine.) Then, you shut the attic door and dusted off your hands. Mission accomplished!

But, wait...what is that hanging on the door? What rolled under the couch? A "Noel" door hanger..a shiny, round ornament that fell off the tree? It happens to everyone. Just when you thought you have put everything Christmas related away, you find the forgotten Christmas decorations.

What do I do with these leftover Christmas decorations? I choose a pretty box that I don't mind seeing all year long or at least until my next trip to the attic. I stick it on the top shelf in my closet so it will be out of the way. (I lost my "under the bed" storage when we purchased our bedroom set. But, those roll under the bed containers work great for this type of storage, too.) It's true that for the next couple of weeks or so I will continue to find small reminders of Christmas throughout the house. But, I don't worry much because now I have a designated spot just for them. I also use this box to house any small Christmas items that I may find on clearance this month.

Find a cute box, container, or even a simple shopping bag to store these forgotten Christmas decorations and save yourself several trips to the attic or basement!

Taco Soup

2014-01-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!! January 2014. I may have to write that a few hundred times before it sticks in my mind. I can't believe another year has passed. And, Christmas Day? I think it came and went way too quickly this year! At least we still have the rest of the winter season to enjoy. This means soups, chili, and comfort foods! I have a few favorite winter recipes, and this is one that I just had to share with you! It's super easy, delicious, and a sure crowd pleaser!

A co-worker gave this recipe to me when I was engaged to get married. I will love her forever for introducing me to this meal. The best part about making this soup is there are no fancy ingredients, and you don't have to slave over the stove all day! (But, it will taste like you did!)

Here is the super-simple recipe for Taco Soup.

Taco Soup

Ingredients

1 can pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn
1 can Rotel
1 can small black olives (sliced)
1 can tomatoes (I use whole, peeled)
1 lb. ground beef (browned and drained)
1 package taco seasoning
1 package (dry) Ranch dip mix
1 cup water (more or less, depending on how soupy you want it)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
Bring to a boil.
Turn heat down to low and allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve in bowls. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and/or any other desired toppings. Serve with tortilla chips.

I told you it was simple! I have doubled and tripled this recipe when I have served it for guests. This makes great leftovers, and it freezes well, too.

Try it out, and let me know what you think! I hope it will be one that you add to your favorite recipes as well!

Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (The Last Week)

2013-12-24T08:51:00.002-06:00

It is a very sad day in this house for today marks the last official day of our visit from Elfie Scout! Well, the kids were sad, but then they also realized this meant it was Christmas Eve. My son talked about the presents that they would get tomorrow. He also remembered that tonight would be the Christmas pageant at our church. All three of my kids will be participating. My seven-year old will be the "light child" who lights the room in the beginning of the pageant. She then hands the light over to the Angel Gabriel. (A very important part!) My son will be a Shepard. He looks so cute in his costume by the way. He was very happy with this role because this meant he would be taking care of my three-year old daughter. She is an adorable sheep :)

Anyway, today it is good-bye to Elfie. He will be back next year I am sure! Here is what he was up to in our final week with him.

Elfie on top of a tree of photo albums.

He found the Christmas pictures in one of the albums.

Elfie and his army vs. the enemy army.

Elfie hiding on the rocking chair and surrounded by lovies and stuffed animals.

Elfie on his last day with us. He built a "Bye" sign with legos.

Good-bye, Elfie Scout! We will see you in 2014!

Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 3)

2013-12-21T07:12:00.002-06:00

This is our last full week with our Elf on the Shelf. It has been eventful, and fun! As I said before this is our first year with Elfie, and I have found that his time with us has really flown by!

Sunday was the day I hosted my annual Cookie Exchange Party. My daughter was convinced that Elfie Scout would do something with cookies on this day. We woke up that morning to find that he had left each child a container of "elf-sized" chocolate chip/mini M&M cookies. He had taken a bite of his own cookie and was sitting on the TV stand with a "Will Work For Cookies" sign.

On Monday, he made it to mommy's Christmas village. He was sitting on top of one of the houses and holding onto the chimney.

On Tuesday, he borrowed a bike from the dollhouse and rode through some of my son's mini construction cones. Apparently, he took a bad fall. We found him on that morning with a bandage on his arm and two tiny Band-Aids. Poor Elfie!

On Wednesday, he took the time to recall the "reason for the season." He found his way to my dresser and knelt before Baby Jesus.

On Thursday, he was quite naughty. He got into my flour in the kitchen. We found him that morning lying on his back where he had made "snow angels" in the flour. The counter and Elfie were a floured mess!

On Friday, he was found in the domino's tin can. He set up the dominos in a swirl or an "e" as my daughter pointed out.

Oh, how this elf has kept my kids on their toes! Just a few more days of his wild and silly ways!

Peppermint Gift Basket

2013-12-18T13:49:00.002-06:00

I bought the gifts that would go into my children's teacher's gift baskets awhile back. But, it took me forever to purchase the stuff I would need to put it all together. So three days before school I make a quick run to pick up the fixings for the gift basket. The good thing about this gift is it can be whipped out in no time. In other words, if you are looking for a last minute teacher gift then here is an easy DIY gift basket.

I found these adorable reindeer hot/cold insulated cups with matching green and white reusable straws last Christmas. I thought they would be a perfect teacher gift. I put some hot cocoa packets inside the cups for those cold days. Then, I added a bag of Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark candy. Yum! (I wouldn't mind getting some of that sweetness!)

Hobby Lobby had some cute peppermint patterned tin cans. I filled these with some of our favorite hot cocoa toppings (marshmallows, peppermint candies, caramel candies, and chocolate chips.) I divided those into mini zipper close baggies that I also found at Hobby Lobby.

I lined an open gift box container (also peppermint themed) with red tissue paper and filled the box with all the sweet goodies. I sprinkled more peppermint candies for fillers. I bought some gift basket wrapping and tied it all up together with a pretty ribbon.

I was short on time so I quickly wrote a tag that read, "You were 'Mint' to be my teacher!"

I like homemade gift baskets because you can fill it with the stuff that you love! You know exactly what is going in there...and, they just look so darn pretty! I put two of these baskets together for my two school-aged children to give to their teachers. But, I think just about anybody would enjoy this sweet and delicious gift basket!

The Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 2)

2013-12-14T07:34:00.001-06:00

Another week has passed with our special houseguest. My family is loving this new tradition. This week we have found him in some fun places again, and one day he even showed us a bit of his naughty side.

Here is Elfie Scout during Week 2:

I know. Darn those night pictures with my camera phone...and the less creative nights when Elfie only flies to the top of our kitchen cabinets. Oh, well. The kids liked it ;)

The kids know better than to play on the laptop. But, maybe Elfie didn't get the memo. Or, maybe he was just trying to fix that old thing!

This is where Elfie showed his true colors. He tied up the bus driver and hijacked his bus.

The bus driver was tied up and his mouth was taped shut. I don't know about you, but I think Elfie Scout looks pretty proud of himself.

Restoring peace with a dinner party?

Elfie borrowed my son's rocket to fly to the North Pole.

Elfie Scout has gone fishing..for our pet fish.

After his long flight to the North Pole, our Elf on the Shelf needed a little midnight snack. Here is Elfie eating cereal in the pantry.

Only about 10 more days till we have to say good-bye to Elfie Scout. He sure is keeping the kids entertained. They can hardly contain their excitement each morning!

Egg Nog Cookies- Recipe Swap

2013-12-13T05:00:00.000-06:00

I was very excited to sign up for a Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap with Julie from White Lights on Wednesday. She and her co-hosts from I Love My Disorganized Life and Real Housemoms organized the swap so that cookie lovers everywhere can exchange cookie recipes online. Everyone that signed up for the swap was assigned a partner. I was partnered with a fellow blogger, Amy from Whipped. I sent her my recipe for Fudge Ecstasies and she sent me a favorite recipe for Egg Nog Cookies. I made them for the first time this week! They turned out great, and I will be making more of these this weekend for my Cookie Exchange party that I will be hosting on Sunday.

Here is the recipe for all to indulge in!

Egg Nog Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup SALTED butter, softened

1/2 cup eggnog

1 tsp vanilla

2 egg yolks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
Cream the butter and sugar together.
Add in the eggnog, vanilla, and egg yolks.
Mix well until smooth.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients until everything is combined.
Drop rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the bottoms turn light brown.
Remove and allow to cool before frosting.

Frosting ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup UNSALTED butter, softened

1/3 cup eggnog

Directions:

Beat powdered sugar and butter until combined.
Slowly mix in eggnog until desired consistency is reached.
Ice the cookies and sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

Love to bake cookies for Christmas? Want to see more recipes?

Links open at 8 am Central.

DIY Gift Bags with Cookie Cutters

2013-12-11T09:00:00.001-06:00

If you're looking for an easy way to dress up a plain gift bag or paper sack this is the way to do it! When I was teaching Kindergarten the children would make gifts (usually like an ornament) for their parents around Christmastime. Then, the children would decorate bags to wrap up their gifts. After all, there is nothing like a homemade gift from a child!

Materials:

Plain gift bag or paper lunch sack
Acrylic or Tempera paint (tempera or washable paint works best for a children's craft)
Cookie cutters (metal or plastic cutters in different shapes and sizes)
Paper plate
glitter or glitter glue (optional)

Directions:

Pour a small amount of paint on the paper plate.
Dip your cookie cutter in the paint. Make sure the bottom edges are well-coated.
Stamp your paper bag with the painted cookie cutter. Slowly lift the cookie cutter upward. (If the shape of the stamp has a void you can slowly reapply the cookie cutter to the paper and try again or you can leave it like that. I think leaving it alone makes it more authentic and homemade looking.)
Continue to stamp with remaining cookie cutters or until your bag is covered with prints. Sprinkle glitter on the paint and dust off for a sparkly look or use glitter glue to add more designs.
Allow to dry completely.
Place your gift in the bag with tissue paper and tie with a cute ribbon.

*This method also works well with craft paper and plain wrapping paper if you want to wrap a box or gift.

This is a quick and simple way to make your own gift bag or wrapping paper. It's also a great way to get your children involved in the presentation of a gift for a loved one!

The Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 1)

2013-12-06T09:16:00.000-06:00

We have survived the first week of having our new guest, Elfie Scout, in our home. The kids have followed the number one rule of "no touching," and he has made it to and from the North Pole each night. Thank goodness he has not forgotten. ;)

I have been documenting the places he has been showing up, and I will continue to do so until Christmas Eve. He has not done anything too crazy yet, but only time will tell. I showed you his arrival last Friday, and these are the rest of the places we have found him.

Elfie on our mantel. Maybe Santa doesn't let him ride the reindeer back home.

Elfie on our chandelier. (Not my best picture, but you get the idea.)

Elfie was found roasting marshmallows by the fireplace on this morning. (He had stuck a mini marshmallow, just his size, onto a stick from outside.) He even left each kid a bag of mini marshmallows! They loved that!

Elfie was found on our Christmas tree. His arms were hooked on our gold ribbon, and he used the ribbon to climb up the tree.

Elfie left a clue on the refrigerator. He had spelled out "Brrr" with magnetic letters.

The kids opened up the fridge to find Elfie wrapped up in a scarf!

Elf found my son's blanket and pillow that I had made for his stuffed animal. He tucked himself right in and took a nap on my son's little couch. He was also wearing an eye mask for sleeping. (He used felt and yarn to make his mask.)

This time Elfie made his way to my daughter's stroller. I think he's been wanting someone to take him on a stroll.

The kids wake up each morning and immediately go hunting for Elfie Scout. They have thought his hiding places have been hilarious so far. Come back next week to see what other adventures Elfie has been on!

The Best Christmas Books for Kids

2013-12-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Christmas season has arrived...and, so have the Christmas books in our home. I will start off by telling you that my family has a bit of an obsession with books. Bring out seasonal ones like our huge collection of Christmas books and the level of excitement doubles! That's exactly what happened this past weekend when I pulled out my collection of our favorite Christmas books. My children started jumping up and down with excitement. I know a lot of other parents are trying to choose good Christmas books for their kids right now, too.

There are a lot of Christmas books out there that you don't want to miss!

Here are 25 of our Christmas favorites!

Elf on the Shelf (Author unknown)
The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
I've Seen Santa by David Bedford
A Special Place for Santa by Jeanne Pieper
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Clopper- The Christmas Donkey by Emily King
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Merry Christmas, Curious George by Margret and H.A. Rey
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
It's Christmas, David by David Shannon
Clifford's Christmas by Norman Bridwell
Pinkalicious Merry Pinkmas! by Victoria Kann
Fancy Nancy- Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O'Connor
How Do Dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen
Peanut's A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz
The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Froggy's Best Christmas by Jonathon London

These are just a few of our favorites, but I hope this booklist will help you on your trips to the library or bookstore! I know that reading good Christmas books in December makes for a great snuggle time with my family. What are your kid's favorite books to read during the Christmas season? What are some Christmas classics that you pull out every year?

A St. Nicholas Tradition

2013-11-30T08:38:00.001-06:00

I love traditions, and a favorite family tradition of ours is one centered around Saint Nicholas!

Our Tradition

Each year my husband’s family took part in a German tradition that celebrated St. Nicholas. All over the world people celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on the 6th of December. Now my husband and I carry on this same tradition with our own children. Our family is Catholic so this is also a good time to learn about saints. The night before St. Nicholas’ Day we like to read the story about this favorite saint. Then the kids create their Christmas lists. The children put their letters to St. Nick in their shoes or boots. They leave them by the front door and hope that St. Nicholas will fill them with fruit, nuts, candy, and treats that night. In the morning, the kids are overjoyed to find their shoes stuffed with some delicious and fun treats.

Who was Saint Nicholas?

St. Nicholas was a real person and a very generous one, too! His parents were rich and when they died, he inherited their wealth. Because he was a devout Christian he knew that God wanted him to help people in need. A famous story about St. Nicholas is one where he helped a poor man with three daughters. The family did not have enough money to pay a dowry for the daughters to get married. St. Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down their chimney to help them out. A sock was hung by their fire to dry. When the bag of gold was dropped, it fell into that “stocking.” (Hence, the tradition of stockings hung by the fireplace.) He continued to drop money down the chimney each night to help the family. The father waited up one night to see who was leaving the gold. He discovered it to be St. Nicholas, who quickly became known for his generosity!

Image Source: To Europe With Kids

If you are looking for a tradition to start with your family this one may be the one for you. It is a tradition of fun mixed in with a little history.

Elf on the Shelf Arrives

2013-11-29T09:14:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is over...and, now it is time to officially move into Christmas mode. Last night we had a new visitor. An Elf on the Shelf scout joined our family for the first time! The kids were so excited this morning when they saw who had arrived from the North Pole! My seven year old had been wishing that he would come to our house this year. She called it a miracle. Haha!

He was sitting in a Christmas cup waiting for them to wake up. A table runner was made with red and green felt pieces. He brought them each their own Christmas cup, the Elf on the Shelf book, and Christmas foam stickers. After going back and forth a while they decided to name him "Elfie Scout."

I cannot wait to see the many adventures our Elf on the Shelf brings this Christmas season!

Is your family participating in the tradition of Elf on the Shelf? What adventures will your elf go on this year?

Travel Activities for Kids

2013-11-22T08:47:00.003-06:00

Are you traveling during this holiday season? More importantly, are there kids in your traveling future? Today I am sharing some of our own ideas on how we keep our children entertained for those long car rides.

First, decide how and where you will put all their junk toys and activities.

These carriers have worked best for us:

Backpacks-Child-size (backpacks work well if you will be walking a lot on your trip or if you are traveling by plane)
Reusable Grocery bags (these sit nicely on an empty seat next to them or at their feet for easy access)
Drawstring or zipper close bags (I liked using these when the kids were smaller. They had just a few small toys that they could carry around and often pack themselves.)
Easy-to-open storage containers (like a plastic shoe box container or a small container with latches and a handle)

When choosing items to pack for your child remember their interests and don’t forget their favorite toys. But, also set aside toys, books, and travel activities that are reserved solely for road trips and time away from home. They will be like “new” toys for them and hopefully, will keep their interest longer.

Find age-appropriate activities for each child ahead of time and pack them in their individual bags.

For your Baby:

Board books, touch-and-feel books
Teethers, baby rings and chains
Rattles and other favorite baby toys
Any toy that squeaks, rattles, or makes noises (great distracters)
Pacifiers or anything that soothes your baby
Baby essentials, bottles, and snacks

For your Toddler or Preschooler:

Board books, Busy books, touch-and-feel books
Favorite stuffed animal or lovie
Mini-photo albums (my little ones loved flipping through photo books and seeing familiar faces)
Stickers and paper (foam stickers work well, too)
Crayons, washable markers, coloring books
a travel lap desk, clipboard, or flat tray for coloring/writing
Magna-Doodle
Magnetic dolls, magnetic letters, and a magnetic cookie tray
Sewing Shapes
Small dolls or toy cars (put in a drawstring bag or Ziploc bag to keep together)
Small flannel board or felt piece with storytelling flannel pieces
Dry-erase board with dry-erase markers

For your Older Child:

Picture books and Chapter books, bookmarks

Crayons, markers, colored pencils, papers
Etch-a-Sketch
Travel games (travel board games, peg board games, and magnetic games)
Go Fish and other card games
Wikki-Stix, Bendables, and pipe cleaners (to make different shapes and “building”)
Magnetic paper dolls, magnetic words, and a magnetic cookie tray or board
“I Spy” books, “How to Draw” books
Coloring and Activity books

Electronics:

Leap Pad, Leapster, or other learning game
IPAD, IPOD (with downloaded Apps for children)
DVD’s and Media or DVD player (pack children’s shows and animated movies that they have never seen or haven’t seen in awhile)
DS or other handheld games (We don’t have these, but I know they are popular with other families!)

* *Don’t forget the extra games, batteries, and chargers

Other:

Travel Pillow and Blanket
Lovies or favorite toy
Snacks and water, handwipes
Tissues
Trashbag or canvas bag (to hang from the seats for trash along the way)
Puzzles, play-doh/mat, and other toys for hotel rooms
Frisbee, jump rope, small ball, or other outside toy for rest stops

These are just a few ways to keep your sanity during the busy travel season. Have a safe and happy trip!

Mama Gets It Done

Back-To-School: Make Your Mornings Easier

Back To School Chore Chart Feature

DIY Mickey Mouse Applique Shirts

We're Going to Disney World- A Surprise Scavenger Hunt

Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers

Getting your Kids to Eat their Fruits and Vegetables

Serve It Up

Name It

Dip It

Mix it

DIY Essential Oils Carrying Case

Valentine's Day Lunches and Snacks

Valentine's Day Creation Station

100th Day of School Lunch Ideas

Delicious Green Smoothie

FunBites Review and Ideas

Click here to order your favorite shape FunBites cutter today! Use coupon code below for an EXTRA 20% off your entire order! COUPON CODE: FunBitesValentines Do you own FunBites already? What is your favorite shape to use? How do you make your kid's meals fun and exciting?

Forgotten Christmas Decorations

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

Ingredients

Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (The Last Week)

Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 3)

Peppermint Gift Basket

The Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 2)

Here is Elfie Scout during Week 2:

Egg Nog Cookies- Recipe Swap

Egg Nog Cookies

DIY Gift Bags with Cookie Cutters

The Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 1)

Elfie on our mantel. Maybe Santa doesn't let him ride the reindeer back home.

Elfie on our chandelier. (Not my best picture, but you get the idea.)

Elfie was found roasting marshmallows by the fireplace on this morning. (He had stuck a mini marshmallow, just his size, onto a stick from outside.) He even left each kid a bag of mini marshmallows! They loved that!

Elfie was found on our Christmas tree. His arms were hooked on our gold ribbon, and he used the ribbon to climb up the tree.

Elfie left a clue on the refrigerator. He had spelled out "Brrr" with magnetic letters.

The kids opened up the fridge to find Elfie wrapped up in a scarf!

Elf found my son's blanket and pillow that I had made for his stuffed animal. He tucked himself right in and took a nap on my son's little couch. He was also wearing an eye mask for sleeping. (He used felt and yarn to make his mask.)

This time Elfie made his way to my daughter's stroller. I think he's been wanting someone to take him on a stroll.

The Best Christmas Books for Kids

There are a lot of Christmas books out there that you don't want to miss!

Here are 25 of our Christmas favorites!

A St. Nicholas Tradition

Elf on the Shelf Arrives

Travel Activities for Kids

Click here to order your favorite shape FunBites cutter today!

Use coupon code below for an EXTRA 20% off your entire order!

COUPON CODE: FunBitesValentines

Do you own FunBites already? What is your favorite shape to use? How do you make your kid's meals fun and exciting?