kid lunch idea

At our house, it is sometimes a chore to get my KIDS to eat. Yes, I said chore. For me, on the other hand, it is a chore to get me to NOT eat too much! I saw this idea online a while ago, so I thought I would give it a go.

My kids loved it! It was so easy and convenient because Maycie is a snacker and is constantly asking me for a snack. I now just tell her to go see what she has left. And she doesn't get anything else until all of her circles are gone.

Try it! I dare...no double dog dare...YOU!

NOTE: I used a mini muffin pan!...Jaxon would probably eat whatever I put in a regular muffin pan...but that would probably break our food budget!

My turn...

I hate feeling left out and everybody else was posting Easter pictures, so I wanted to join in on the fun!


Dying Easter Eggs

Maycie had so much fun dying the eggs. She drove me nuts for 3 days asking if we could color them yet while holding (and sleeping) with the egg dying kit...which happened to be Disney Princess...of course!

She isn't a patient person. So, WAITING for the eggs to turn colors was excruciating for a 3 1/2 year old who couldn't wait to put the princess stickers on!

Jaxon always plays the smart card. He waited until Maycie had them ALL done, then he joined the fun...except he forgot to take the shell off BEFORE he took his first bite!

Ta-DA!



Easter Egg Hunt

It isn't Easter without an Easter Egg hunt. There were eggs everywhere...even hanging from the trees!

Jaxon didn't get too far. He wanted to eat them as he went!

Maycie counting her loot! She will line them up, count them, open each one up, look at what's inside, then put it back. She has hardly eaten any of her treats and candy. She likes them better in the egg! NOTE: this is not a complaint...I quite like the fact that I don't have to worry about HER eating too much candy. Jaxon on the other hand....

....we sure do love that boy!

Multiple Choice: A, B, C, or D

I need help! I can't decide what I like the best.


A. The Before...

B. Spray painted solid...

C. Spray painted solid with metallic knob...

D. -Give up now and purchase new ones!

That's a first...

I am a big idea type of person. I always have these crazy ambitions to create something spectacular. And it's always spectacular...in my head! Sometimes I don't portray the same view when the project is completed. You know the familiar excuse...."it didn't turn out how I pictured it in my head."

Well, I finally conquered my own personal "picture in my brain!" This project turned out better than I had originally planned.

My mom gave me 4 baskets, ranging in different sizes, with different items in them for one of my bridal showers...(a few years ago)! I have disliked them...sorry mom!...and almost gave them away to a local thrift store.

And then, the crafty revelation came:


So, I bought black spray paint at Wal-Mart (.97 cents) and fabric and elastic at Jo-Ann's ($12.50...after using a 50% coupon. I also had a $10 gift card.). My out-0f-pocket expense there was $2.50.


I spray painted the baskets, and sewed liners with elastic. ADORABLE!

Waa-lah!



I usually like doing a project during the Saturday sessions of conference. For some weird reason, I listen better. I wanted this project to be super cheap. I smiled because I was listening to Robert D. Hale's talk on living within our means and not buying things we couldn't afford...as I am creating something great for my home, while spending very LITTLE! (Now I need to go repent for being PROUD of myself!)

And the best of this project is...I got 4 baskets with liners and spent less than $5. I had oodles of fabric left over (I did the measurements in my head...never a good idea)....hhmm...that means another project coming on!

It ain't the size of the dog in the fight....

....it's the size of the fight in the dog!

So, Maycie just picks on him while he is sleeping!

The curse of the last banana

It doesn't matter how big or small the bunch of bananas I buy, the last one or two NEVER get eaten. They sit so lonely on the counter as they turn to a "chocolate banana" as Maycie calls them. You can only make so much banana bread, right!?

Well, you are in luck today because I am going to share a recipe I inherited by marrying my husband...meaning it came from his mom for those of you that are slow....like me! My family LOVES these and they never last more than a day.

Banana Bars...or we like to call them "banana brownies"!

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 med. bananas
Nuts and/or chocolate chips: optional (we like using mini chocolate chips at our house)

Mix together and put in greased cookie sheet. Bake @ 375 for 15 minutes. Drizzle with banana glaze.

Glaze:
1/2 banana
2 tbsp. margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash salt

NOTE: If I only have 1 banana, I usually just half the recipe and put it in a half sized cookie sheet...so I use 3/4 banana for the batter, and 1/4 of the banana for the glaze.

ENJOY! The last banana will now become the best of the bunch!

"I see dead people".....

Who could ever forget that line from the movie The Sixth Sense. We woke up on Friday morning...not seeing dead people....but definitely seeing our breath (remember it always got cold anytime someone "dead" came around). Hhmm, what does that mean? Our heater....busted! Well, not exactly busted...just a little confused! I think it wanted to go on strike. I can only imagine the conversation between the heater and its little heater brain went like this:

"These people don't even appreciate the work I do for them. All winter long I keep there home at exactly 68 degrees...never lower...rarely higher. On the other hand, Mr. A/C gets tons of acclamations of appreciation. When its hot outside, they indulge in the coolness he provides. I know, maybe I should try becoming Mr. A/C and blow cold air...then we'll see if they appreciate me!"

Moral to this post: Never try and be something your NOT!