Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Last Week of Flower Fun

This week life has been a bit busy for me, so we kept things a little low key. 




Our weather has finally changed from cold and rainy to warm and humid. We enjoyed a night in the park listening to the birds and exploring the "flowers" and other weeds. I am going to put together a "Park Scavenger Hunt" to do in June. As soon as I have my list together, I will share. 


I like to have a desert or food that accompanies our theme each week. This week I attempted to make flowers out of sugar cookie dough. 



The dough didn't look the prettiest. I used a small circle, glass bowl to cut out my middle. I then free handed a petal and then attempted to use it as a template. I stuck the dough all together and then crossed my fingers when I put it into the oven.




I thought they turned out pretty well for...


1- My first attempt.
2- I'm not a perfectionist
3- I had about 5 minutes to decorate. 


The kids loved them and that is all that matters!

Friday, May 20, 2011

The Importance of Family Traditions


 Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable, and safe in a confusing world. - Susan Lieberman

I believe strongly that creating family traditions helps us create our family identity. One of my many goals as a mother is to create a family who supports and loves each other. I want my children to reflect back on their childhood as one of joy and laughter. I am trying to intentionally create these experiences. If I don't, I believe our lives will pass by with colorless experiences due to getting caught up in our dull life to life responsibilities.

This article is fantastic.  It discusses the importance of traditions and identifies 32 ideas to get started with family traditions. Enjoy!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Spring Decoration

I am so excited, I am getting a blog design! Wahoo! I will be changing my domain shortly, so please look for the notice to update your bookmark.

I LOVE to decorate the seasons and holidays, so much so that I have ran out of storage room for all my seasonal decorations. Will that stop me? Heavens, no! I just need to be a bit more creative in the storage department.


My friend Michelle inspired me with her post here. I basically copied her idea because I loved it so much. 

I am a firm believer in making my house a home. My family needs a place that is peaceful and happy. A place that is warm and lived in. I love to bring the seasons and holidays inside my home. I love seeing Logan's eyes light up when he sees something new and festive. I am savoring these moments when Logan and I are decorating together while Hannah is desperately trying to help us by unloading the bins. Truly, decorating is bringing us closer as a family. :)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

I Am So Excited!



What appeared at my front door, but a gift from Amazon , well a gift that I bought myself a few days ago.


My husband and I have completely changed our eating habits and try to buy locally as possible. Can't wait to try this new cookbook. What I also love about it is the premise that you make your dinners together as a family. The one year old isn't a big help, but the three year old LOVES to help cook. I just need to remember not to be in a hurry to get dinner on the table. Logan has his own time table... sloooow.


I am so excited to finally get my hands on Cake Pops. Experiments with the kids shall be forth coming!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Another Week of Flowers!

This week, we kept it pretty simple. 


I made some delicious french toast (with a sweet potato puree.) So easy! Mix two eggs, some sweet potato, and cinnamon and let the bread soak for a few seconds and cook. 


To get the flower:
  • Cut out the flower on the Cricut, Silhouette, or any paper cutter. If you do not have a paper cutter, you can find any image on the computer. Cut out the image and use the actual paper as your template, not the cut out image.  
  • Place paper over your french toast and gently shake powdered sugar over your template. I don't have one of those nifty shakers, however, I do have a very small strainer which worked perfectly!
  • Serve and enjoy!
 


Our after dinner activity consisted of making a flower on our family wall describing what we love about being outside. It was quick and easy which is sometimes needed for two kids who really need to go to bed!


To make:
  • Fold a piece of paper in half. Cut about 1/4 in from the non-folded edge and cut up gradually going in to a point. This is your template.
  • Choose colors and cut away following the template. 
  • Try many times to cut a circle for the middle of the flower. I could have used my Cricut, but I had already put it away and I was a bit lazy to get it out. 
  • Let the kids color the petals.
  • Let everyone identify what they like about being outside. 
  • Hang away with your older son's help! (This was also a patience lesson for the mom as she realized she needs to help her son listen to directions.)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Friday Flowers: Week 2

Back Story... a few weeks ago I came across cake pops from Bakerella. I fell instantly in love but my first try was a no go. It was terrible, when I tried to roll my cake into balls with the frosting, they kept coming apart. I finally just threw it all away. Fast forward a few weeks... I came across a small brownie mold at AC Moore and knew it was perfect for this week's needs. 


I saw this post from Bake At 350 and knew I must try it for this week's festivities. 

I followed all the same directions except used I used this brownie recipe and used my brownie mold. It was incredibly easy! While the brownies are cooling, add the stick, and let them cool completely. Melt white chocolate by boiling a large pot of water and then placing a second pot with the chocolate on top of the boiling water and constantly mix until melted. Once the chocolate is melted, swirl the brownie in the chocolate and then dip the chocolate into sprinkles. 


Logan is old enough he could have helped me dip the chocolate but he was too busy coloring the flowers. 


Thank you Martha (you know you have made it when everyone knows you by your first name!) for the easy template.

While we assembled our flowers, our family discussed feelings and what we do for people who are sad. Every month as a family, we try to do a service act for someone in need. We decided we would take our flower bouquet to a friend who just had surgery.


I used these faces as part of our discussion. I plan on having the kids color and cut out the faces and attach to card stock.

 Logan enjoyed his own flower pop. 


This is one of my favorite pictures. The son mimicking his mother.