DIY Super Easy Art Board

Ready for summer? Ready for all the down time? Ready for the "mom, I'm bored" when they just woke up 30 minutes ago?

Well, I am ready for summer, and I'm semi-prepared for the perceived boredom.

This little DIY Art Board is super easy and can accommodate chalk art, crayons, markers, even paint! In other words- I hope it entertains my kids for 45-ish minutes a day.

What you'll need:

Chalkboard contact paper or paint

Medium metal cookie sheet

2 clothes pins

• Either place the contact paper on the cookie sheet, or paint it with the chalk board paint.
• Use the clothes pins to hold down paper any kid of paper you want when you aren't using the chalk board.
• Use your favorite art supplies and enjoy!

I told you it was easy :-)

You can take this outside, curl up in a chair, sit at a table, or use it in the car. It's versatile!

I hope it gets you 45 minutes peace once the "I'm bored" sets in.

Teacher Appreciation Week: DIY Thank You Card

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Let's all take a minute to thank the teachers in our lives. My mom is a teacher and I know how dedicated teachers are to their students. Their work day doesn't end when their students are dismissed and chances are they were hard at work long before the first student walked into their classroom every morning.

Teaching is a calling. It's not a profession that just anyone can be successful at.

I've always had a great appreciation for teachers, this feeling has grown since my own kiddo has started school.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and to celebrate I waned to share this little idea with you. I'm not a big fan of overwhelming teachers with trinkets and candy. I try to make teacher gifts meaningful and with a purpose.

This year, I made cards for the teacher's in our lives. Since my son is in Pre-K they have been working on handwriting and practicing their letters. I had the idea to make a card using his handwriting. Rather than just having him write "thank you" inside a card, I decided to try something different.

Yesterday, I had my son write "thank you" in sidewalk chalk. We added some decoration and then I took a picture:

I went to Walmart.com and used their online photo department to create a 5x7 card. I picked it up the same day and have it ready to go!

My son's school PTA has suggested a different gift for each day of the week- Tuesday is "card day".

Personalized gifts are always so nice. I hope that my son's teachers understand how much I appreciate all that they do!

Other gifts I am giving this week:
Starbucks gift card {"sweet treat" day}
Flower + Seeds {flower day}
Target Gift Card {teacher's favorite gift day}

What are you giving for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Family Dinner Time: Conversation Starters

I've posted before about the importance of "family dinner time". Sometimes it's difficult to start new lines of conversation. We get stuck in a rut of "how was your day?" and "so what do you want to do this weekend?"

There are great games, printables, and other resources to spice up the conversation; but I figured it wouldn't hurt to share a few of my favorites. Since I have a 5 year old and an almost-3 year old I have to keep the conversation funny and super simple.

So here's how I get them talking:

• If you could be any superhero which one would you be? Why? (you can interchange "superhero" for whatever the obsession of the week is- "dinosaur", "animal", "Octonaut" all work, too)
• What do you think the birds are talking about when they chirp? (again, interchange the animal and their "noise")
• Do you think Reggie (our dog) likes to watch tv? What do you think his favorite show is? Why? (or some equally silly imaginative question)
• If you could be in the Lego Movie, which character would you want to be? Why?
• What do you want to build with Legos later?
• How many bubbles do you think are in the bath tub when you take a bath?

Can you see what I'm doing here? It's all about using their imagination to answer questions about things that are important to them. You may not have to ask more than one question because the conversation will start to flow naturally- that's great!

My husband and I love to sit back and listen to the funny responses; and the kids think it's so silly when we answer the questions, too!

The whole idea is to make the meal a special and fun part of the day. There shouldn't be stress or pressure at the dinner table. Sometimes it's difficult when you know you want your kids to eat and they aren't- but you want to create a comfortable environment and then the eating part will come.

There are so many ways that quality dinner conversation can enhance your family- it's good for kids, it's good for parents, it's a family thing.

If you have a question that you love to ask your kids- shout it out! We love comments!!

March Favorites

I'm so glad Spring is here. My house is cleaner, we are spending more time outside, I've gotten my first "Spring pedicure"... good times, friends, good times.

March was a fun month. Here are my favorite posts:

Favorite Recipe Post- Apple Almond Oatmeal::perfect for chilly Spring mornings

Favorite Product Post- Kitchen Canisters::keep the kitchen looking good and keep baking supplies handy

Favorite Kid Post- Sneaky Orange Smoothie Pops::I hope my kids will share these with me

Enjoy the last day of March! I hope, wherever you are, you can open the windows and let in a little fresh Spring air.

Serve Successful Family Dinners

Having dinner together as a family is one of the most important things you can do. There are all sorts of studies showing the benefits of family dinner time. It improves your family's health- mentally, emotionally, and physically. Kids are less likely to be overweight, kids develop better vocabulary, parents are more in touch with their kids, all family members are happier... the list goes on and on!

It seems like dinner time used to be a priority. Nowadays, there are lot of competing activities. Sports, work, clubs, schedules... lots of things try to steal time away from dinner. Even if you can only sit down as a family 3 times a week- it is SO WORTH IT. Even if you didn't make dinner at home: drive thru and bring it home to the table; go into the restaurant and sit down to eat- it is SO WORTH IT.

I cannot stress enough how important this practice is to the health of your family.

In our house, we make it a priority to sit down together 6 nights a week. This doesn't mean I cook 6 nights a week. We might be having leftovers or takeout, but we sit down at the same time and everyone eats their meal together. Here are some of my tips for making family meal time a success:

1. Don't talk about food. Seems odd since you're eating, but this is a great time to talk about anything. Why bother discussing how fluffy the potatoes are? You will actually eat slower and eat less (aka: not overeat) if you are carrying on interesting not-food-related conversation.
2. Eat "family style". 4 out of the 6 nights we sit down together, I put all the food out on the table. This way no one has to get up for seconds, but it also encourages picky eaters to try new things because they are exposed to the foods more often.
3. Turn off technology. It only takes 20-30 minutes to eat a meal. Everyone can go without cell phones, tvs, tablets, and anything else that distracts from the conversation. This is a time to connect with family, not with wifi.
4. Don't get up until everyone is finished eating. Sometimes this is hard with kids who eat really slow. But, for the most part, everyone should be feeling full and finished eating after 20-30 minutes. Stay at the table and enjoy the company. Stick around, it sends the message that you really are interested in your family and not just going through the motions.

Family dinners are my favorite time of the day. I can hear all about what my kids are thinking and doing. Everyone slows down and sits semi-still. It's so enjoyable, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

What's your favorite thing about eating as a family? We'd love to hear from you!

How does my garden grow? {Part 2: Seeds}

If you live in a warmer growing zone, now is a great time to start seeds! See how I've been researching and making my garden plans here.

Last year, I tried my hand at growing from seeds. I'll be honest- my success rate was about 50%. This year, I have learned from my mistakes. Here's how I planted seeds this weekend:

Supplies: 

Organic seed starting mix

Seed pots (the ones pictured here can be planted along with the plant that grows=no waste!)

A scoop (mine is a 1/4 cup scoop)

Seeds (I chose to grown green beans and carrots this year)

A spray bottle

A cookie sheet

Place the seed cups on the cookie sheet. This will make it easier to move them later.

Using the scoop, fill the seed cups with the seed starting mix.

Make holes for the seeds- refer to the back of the seed packet for how deep the seeds need to be planted.

Place 1 seed per hole for larger seeds (like green beans) and a few per hole for smaller seeds (like carrots) *this helps to make sure your little seeds don't get washed away and increases the likelihood that at least one will sprout*

Cover the seeds with the seed starter mix.

Next, you will need to water well. You want to soak the soil, but not drown the seeds.

I have found that a garden sprayer gives you greater control over how much water you are putting in (especially if kiddos are helping) and the pressure is gentle enough that it won't displace your seeds.

Now it's time to place the seeds in a warm, safe place. The cookie sheet is great to keep the seed pots on for easy moving. 

I recommend placing the seeds on top of your dryer. It's a warm, out-of-the-way environment.

I also cover my seeds with plastic wrap for added protection.

Keep the garden sprayer close by and water the seeds everyday or every other day- just enough to keep the soil moist.

With seeds, it's not about getting sunlight, it's about keeping them warm and watered so they can sprout.

Once you start to see the sprouts, then you will need to move the seed pots outside.

Even after seeds have sprouted, it's best to wait until they are a little larger to transplant them. Sprouts and plants need warmth, water, and sunlight!

I went ahead and bought a few plants while I was at the store. I won't plant these for a couple more weeks so I am using a cookie sheet again to keep them together. This way I can easily move them to the garage if there is a chance it will freeze overnight.

How about this for a little St. Paddy's Day green? 

Stay tuned for more gardening very soon!

Springy Posts

The "spring ahead" time change always signals to me that the season is about to change. It might not be time to put away the coats yet, but it is time to think about putting away the coats. Close enough...

Since it's still a little chilly here, I have been dreaming about all the things I need to do in the Spring time. Here's a nice little list for you:

1. Spring Cleaning. It's a good feeling to really deep clean your house, open the windows and let in fresh air and sunlight. Here's how we do it- clean&lean spring cleaning.
2. Iced Mocha. I'm ready to ice down my mocha in the morning! Here's how I make my warm weather morning pick-me-up.
   
3. Closet Clean Out. This is a two fold Spring "must-do". For starters, it's time to get ready for kiddos' Spring wardrobe needs, here's a handy checklist. It's also the perfect time to re-group your closet too- closet clean out feels so good. 
4. Easter Baskets. It won't be long before it's time to hide eggs and fill baskets. Here's our fun and candy free suggestions to help you have a healthier holiday!
5. Bright and Colorful. Let's decorate! Put up the winter and break out the Spring decor. Jess is going to be doing another Spring wreath tutorial in a few days, but here's the wreath she did last year- so cute!

How will my garden grow? Part 1: Inspiration

I have been researching container gardening. Last year I tried a few herbs and some strawberries in a couple of containers and had great success so I'm confident I can expand my efforts this year.

Once again, Pinterest proves to be a great source of inspiration. 

This is not a sponsored post. All picture sources are sited below the picture.

Tomatoes are on my list this year. I like these tips from squidoo.com. Last year I planted Marigolds with my veggies and they burned up- I'm hoping this year the tomatoes can give them a little shade.

I love the idea to use troughs, this pinner uploaded this pic directly. Here's a link to her board. Last year I used a big galvanized bucket and I loved how it looked. Form and function. Yes!

I'm loving this handy dandy chart from thegardencentral.com. 

Here's a list of veggies and herbs I'm planning in growing this year:

Tomatoes

Carrots

Green bell peppers

Lettuce

Broccoli

Zucchini

Strawberries

Basil

Mint

Cilantro

I will be starting seeds in the next couple of weeks! I plan to have 2 galvanized troughs and 2 large galvanized buckets once I transplant outside. I won't grow everything from seeds but it is a great teachable moment for the kids to see, I am excited to get my kiddos involved.

Look for more gardening progress to hit the blog soon!

Fruit & Veggie Pops

This is the winter that never ends... yes, it goes on and on my friends....

Seriously, friends. Here in MN we are in yet another blizzard! Since January, we've had a blizzard nearly every week and I am longing for the days of green grass, wagon rides, iced coffee on my front porch, and sunshine!

In hopes that warmer weather will be on the way soon, I whipped up a batch of fruit and veggie pops for my kiddos. It's a great way to get some good nutrition into the kids without them "knowing" and what kid doesn't love to have a freezer full of popsicles- even in the dead of winter?

Here is the recipe I used this morning- berry cool pops. It's the perfect mix of healthy fat (coconut milk), antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It's also gluten and dairy free!

Berry Cool Frozen Pops
makes about 6 pops

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 generous handful of spinach leaves
1/2 ripe banana
1 cup frozen mixed berries
drizzle of honey to taste

1. Blend coconut milk and spinach leaves until smooth.

2. Add banana, mixed berries, and honey to spinach/milk mixture. For the honey, I usually drizzle a couple turns around the blender.

3. Blend until well combined and there are no chunks of fruit left and the mixture has turned purple.

4. Pour into popsicle molds, freeze, and enjoy!

Substitutions: You could certainly substitute the coconut milk for whole milk. Almond milk would probably work here, too, but might give the pops a slightly nutty flavor.

I got the popsicle molds on Amazon. Click HERE to get all the details on them- they are awesome molds!

I'll be sharing more of my frozen pop recipes soon- there is a whole world of possibilities out there beyond adding greens to your smoothie!

Until then, stay warm friends and visualize the beach! :)

The Secret to Perfect Rice Krispie Treats- without the mess!

One thing I struggle with is always wanting to have a sweet snack ready and waiting on my kitchen counter. This isn't a healthy habit. I try my hardest to make sure we always have fruits and veggies and most of the time they hit the spot when I'm in the mood for a snack. But sometimes, I just need dessert, need.

Enter- Rice Krispie Treats (not a sponsored post, guys). I love these things. So easy, the kids can help (hello, sanity saver!) and they hit the spot without being too sweet or too unhealthy. Only 3g of fat per serving is better than a cookie!

One problem with making these delicious squares is that they can be super sticky to get pressed into the pan. I use this little trick to make this recipe even easier than it already is...

Plastic wrap. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap and use it as a marshmallow shield between the treats and your fingers. 

 That's it.

Super easy, right? The result is perfectly pressed treats with absolutely no sticky fingers. This is great when the kids help out for obvious reasons- no chasing the 5-year-old around the house trying to prevent stickiness on your throw pillows... don't ask me how I know.

Have a sweet and happy Monday, friends!

A Healthier PB & J Sandwich

As a kid, I ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches- who didn't? Heck, I still love to have one for lunch every now and then. PB & J is seriously the perfect marriage of sweet and salty, and I love me some good bread. My parents own a from-scratch bakery and I'm pretty much a bread snob. No shame. Once you've had from scratch bakery bread, you'll never go back, but I digress...

PB & J can be a healthy-for-you lunch, but only if you're making the right choices at the grocery store and not overloading your sandwich with heaping tablespoons of peanut butter (my husband's way to make PB & J).

Want to make a healthier and cleaner PB & J?

Choose 100% whole wheat bread: When reading the ingredient label, be sure 100% whole wheat or whole grain is the very first ingredient. If your bread lists "enriched whole wheat flour", it is not 100% wheat bread. "Enriched" basically means that the nutrients have been stripped from the wheat during while being processed, so you aren't getting the full benefit of eating wheat. Also, look out for ingredients like "high fructose corn syrup", "artificial flavor", and food dyes. You'd be surprised how many of these ingredients may be in your bread!

If you're gluten-free, Udi's makes a great tasting gluten-free/whole grain bread. If you're grain free, try this sandwich bread recipe from Against All Grain.

Use natural peanut butter: The only ingredients listed on your peanut butter should be peanuts & salt. Organic is better, but not necessary- we go through peanut butter so fast in this house that I can't always buy organic. Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter is my go-to.

Sugar and oil are two ingredients found in a lot of peanut butters on the market. Sugar is unnecessary in peanut butter- it will contribute to your mid-afternoon energy crash and provides no real nutritional benefit, as it's added sugar . Peanuts have natural oils, so there is no need to add partially hydrogenated oil (aka: trans fat), which raises your bad cholesterol and lowers your good cholesterol. Trans fats also increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes- no need for that to be in our peanut butter!

Preserves- not jelly or jam: Preserves are best, but be sure to read the ingredient label to be sure there is no high-fructose corn syrup. I like Polaner All Fruit- it's on the top shelf at my grocery store, so you may have to search a little when you hit the jam and jelly section of your store. I think Trader Joe's also carries a great preserve without HFCS.

Portion control: Be mindful when adding your peanut butter- you only need 1-2 tablespoons. I know, I know. My husband is a peanut butter lover and would never go for this, but 2 tablespoons is about 200 calories, so the calories on this sandwich can add up quickly!

In the picture below, I used 1 1/2 tablespoons of preserves and a little over 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. I think it's the perfect amount for any normal and reasonable human-being. ;)

Everything in moderation, of course. Pair this sandwich with some greek yogurt mixed with fresh berries and some carrot sticks and you have yourself a perfectly balanced and healthy lunch!

Looking for other ways to eat clean? Catch up on our Cut the Junk series!

Tip for Tuesday: Wrap Up Your Table!

Earlier this month I hosted a Cookies & Cocoa party, and we had lots of kids getting messy creative with their cookie decorating.

Let me tell you my secret to this clean-up being a cinch-

I wrapped the table with leftover wrapping paper from a year (or two, or three) ago. It was pretty and all I had to do was rip the paper off and throw it in the trash.

So simple, right?

What do you do during holiday gatherings to make clean-up or prep easier? 

Kids Cookie Decorating Party

On Sunday I hosted a "Cookies & Cocoa" party for some of our friends and their families; it was so much fun and really got us into the holiday spirit!

Hosting a holiday party can get kind of stressful- so much prep work, cleaning, and last-minute details to complete. Not to mention, after the fun is over, you get to clean your house again. :)

Here are a few ways I prepped ahead and made clean-up a little easier:

I baked cookies earlier in the week and stuck them in the freezer. This was a game-changer because I wasn't spending my entire Saturday before the party baking cookies! Just stick your completely cooled cookies in a freezer bag- so simple, right? All I had to do on Sunday morning was pull them out and let them thaw a few hours before our guests arrived.

 Sprinkle Bakes has the most amazing chocolate cut-out cookie recipe. You must try it! 

Semi-Sweet Designs roll-out sugar cookie recipe is my favorite! 

I prepped our cocoa bar toppings in advance. I had a few different toppings for our hot cocoa bar that I kept in mason jars. Super easy to pull out and serve, although I did opt to put them in holiday containers for this party.

I set a treat box at each kiddo's spot at the table. These served as "to-go" boxes for all the cookies they decorated, and it worked out great! I didn't have to run around looking for containers for everyone's cookies at the end of the party.

I wrapped the cookie decorating table with wrapping paper. Super easy clean-up!

Gift it Tuesday: My Special Needs Kiddo

Buying presents for my special needs kiddo has always been a challenge. He doesn't play with a lot of toys and can easily become fixated on certain parts of toys- especially toys with flashing lights or spinning parts.

I never thought I would have to think so hard about toys and presents for my kids- I guess it just comes with the territory of being a special needs family. :) I happily accept the challenge though, because when I do choose the perfect gift for Little Dude, it makes my heart smile!

Many of the toys I find for Little Dude are online or aren't even in the toy section at all! Here is what I've come up with for him this year:

1. Body Pillow- this kid loves pillows! This would be great for a kiddo who loves hugs or having objects wrapped around his or her body. LD likes to put pillows on his lap while playing his iPad, or he likes to put one on top of his body when he's sleeping.

2. Ikea Swivel Chair - I think I really nailed it on the head with this gift. LD loves to be in small spaces and he likes to spin. This chair meets both of those needs. He can also pull down the hood and "hide", which he also loves to do! The price tag is $89.99, so this was his "big " gift. He is going to love it and I think it will trump any other kind of toy I could've come up with!

3. Go Go Smart Wheels Train Station - Many times, kids with Autism have a difficult time using their imagination. It doesn't make sense to them, so as they get older and the toys become more imagination-based, it can be really tough to find toys they will understand how to play with and enjoy. This train station set is awesome because it is a cause-and-effect type toy and the train moves on it's own by pushing down on the front of the vehicle. There is a clear purpose and my kiddo won't be left wondering what the heck he's supposed to do! 

Do you have a special needs kiddo you are buying for this year? If so, what are some of your gift ideas? I'd love to hear all about it! 

Stocking Stuffer List

It can be hard to think of stocking stuffers- here are some of our ideas!

For the Little Ones
rattles
little taggies
teether
teether biscuits
fruit and veggie pouches
fabric/soft sided books
bibs
pacifier
baby mittens
sippy cup


For the Toddlers and Preschoolers
kaleidoscope
play-doh
bubbles
craft kits (Target dollar section!)

finger puppets

window markers/crayons

coloring book

toothbrush

bath toy squirters
bracelets/dress-up jewelry
freeze-dried fruit
crayons
flash cards
bubble bath
stickers
paint brushes
little people
cars



For the Older Kids
ornament
mad-libs
nail polish
lip smackers
notebooks
books
gift cards
iPod case
elastics to make rainbow loom bracelets
batteries
gum
watch
jewelry
sunglasses
hats
gloves
scarf


For the Teens
ornament
iTunes gift card
ear buds
smart touch gloves
earrings
chapstick
nail polish
nail files
wallet
key chain
$5 gift cards for coffee or fast food
phone case
cash
watch
sunglasses
scarf
socks

Friday Favorite: Kraft Paper Table Runner

Who doesn't love kraft paper? There are lots of uses for this wonderful roll of creative possibilities, a quick Pinterest search will give you ideas for days.

Today, I'm sharing my favorite way to use kraft paper! It's also a mommy machine secret because it pulls double duty- kiddo distracter and makes for easy clean up!

I keep a piece of kraft paper on my dining table {almost} all the time.  It is great to keep the kids busy when they feel like sitting down and coloring regardless of what time of day it is. It also comes in handy at meal time. I will brush crumbs off, but if we have a messy meal (like spaghetti), I can simply fold up the paper, toss it, and my table is clean! Usually, one piece of paper lasts us a few days- as long as you don't mind a few water rings, small smudges, and lots of doodles.

I like to write things on the paper to give us something to talk about at dinner too. Here, I've written "what is one thing that made you laugh today?" as a prompt. While we are eating dinner we will all answer the question!

This can easily be adapted for holiday dinners and parties- use holiday specific questions like "what is one thing you are thankful for?" and you can even write questions by each plate and the person sitting at that spot has to ask the question and answer first!

There are endless possibilities with kraft paper, but this is my "friday favorite" and one of the best mommy machine secrets in my arsenal, too.