Happy Birthday Clayton!

Last but not least, Clayton turned 9 years old on January 31st!

Snow Day!

Given the option to come into training late and review materials or stay at home and enjoy a snow day, I choose the latter - and better - option!

 The snow was too powdery for a snowman, but still fun nonetheless

My angels making snow angels

Reedy's gigantic snowball

Even Sheba Kitty braved the elements (briefly!)

The boys made snow pies

After fun in the snow, it was back inside for popcorn (our traditional snow day snack) and homemade hot chocolate

Snowflake decorated cupcakes {sort of - Ashleigh & I are still getting the hang of our new decorating pen!}

Cheers to snow day!

Mary Ellen

Happy Birthday Ashleigh!

Sneaky Pete's - BOGO Offer!



While we've been enjoying a nice leisurely summer, it won't be too long before the school year starts again.  And that means packing lunches!  Last school year, I packed well over 150 lunches for the kids (give or take a few sick days!).  I take care to pack lunches which are healthy, filling and will give the kids energy throughout the day.  Thanks to the folks at Sneaky Pete's, I've found something new to add to the kids' lunch boxes that's good for them (which I love!) and tastes great (which the kids love!).





Sneaky Pete's is a refreshing, all natural, wheat-free, certified vegan fruit flavored beverage that packs 3 grams of fiber (as much as a bowl of oatmeal) with only 40 calories.  Sneaky Pete's contain no artificial colors or additives and is naturally sweetened using stevia extract, erythritol and evaporated cane juice.

So, how does it taste?  Great!  We tried Peach and Mango and enjoyed both flavors.  Smiles all around especially from the little ones!



To help you with packing lunches for your kids (or your work lunch!), Harris Teeter is currently offering an amazing 3 for $5 deal on all Sneaky Pete's oat beverages now through December.  For even more savings, enjoy this Buy One, Get One Free coupon courtesy of Sneaky Pete's!   

Enjoy!

Mary Ellen

Disclosure:  I was provided a coupon to sample Sneaky Pete's oat beverages.  All opinions are mine.



     

Patriotic Marshmallow Flags

 

 

 

A fun and festive project for the kids on the 4th - patriotic marshmallow flags!  I came across this cute idea as I was thumbing through an issue of Kraft Food & Family.  Start with the new Jet-Puffed StackerMallows (they're flatter than regular marshmallows).  

 

 

Using blue and red frosting tubes, draw the canton and stripes.  Then, add star-shaped sprinkles! 

 

 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

 



 

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Last Day of Sale! I Can Teach My Child To Read

 

 

Today is the last day to get your copy of I Can Teach My Child To Read:  A 10-Step Guide For Parents for just $1.99.  Read my review here.  It's important to keep kids reading, even during Summer break.  Don't miss out on this valuable resource!

 

Mary Ellen

 

Disclosure

 



{Book Review} - I Can Teach My Child To Read!

Our children love to read!  But, just as their personalities are unique, so to has been their journeys towards reading.  For Ashleigh, she took to reading in kindergarten and quickly excelled.  Clayton really hit his stride towards the end of first grade.  Now, Reed is making those beginning steps towards literacy.  To find ideas for strengthening Reed's abilities, I eagerly turned to I Can Teach My Child To Read!  A 10-Step Guide For Parents by Jenae Jacobson (of I Can Teach My Child).

I Can Teach My Child To Read is not a program or curriculum.  It is a guide which explains the components of reading and how to implement them into the daily lives of your children.  Jenae lays out ten strategies which can be put into practice right away.  She also presents activities which go beyond rote memorization to build reading skills.  In reading I Can Teach My Child To Read, I came away with ideas and strategies to not only help Reed, but to also support Ashleigh and Clayton in their stages of reading.  Like continuing to read aloud (even with my independent readers) and the questions to ask to aid in reading comprehension (which is the most important component of learning to read).

I Can Teach My Child To Read is a great resource for parents. Regardless of where your child is in the process of learning to read (even infancy), you will come away with beneficial strategies and resources to start them on the path of a life long love of reading!

Buy I Can Teach My Child To Read for $3.99  $1.99 through June 7th!

Mary Ellen

Disclosure

In the Kitchen - Red, White & Blue Strawberries

 



The kids joined me in the kitchen for a fun Memorial Day treat - Red, White & Blue Strawberries!  I found the idea and recipe on Pinterest, of course!

 

Ashleigh & Reed dipping our strawberries in melted white chocolate

 

The strawberries set aside to harden after the first dipping

 

I didn't have the blue sprinkles as called for the recipe.  But, sugar mixed with a few drops of blue food coloring work just the same!

 

Clayton adding the blue sprinkles

 

After we finished dipping the strawberries, it seemed a shame to let the leftover melted chocolate go to waste.  So, I took some store bought crème filled cookies and dipped them in the white chocolate!

 

 

Waste not, want not :)

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Mary Ellen

The Momma Bear in Me Is Coming Out! - Kindergarten Bullies

Image credit

Days like this, I wish we were a homeschooling family...

Upon dropping the kids off from school this afternoon, Dave informed me that during recession, Reed was punched in the face and stomach by one of his classmates.  The incident was witnessed by the teacher, who made the offender walk the track for the rest of recess, wrote the child up and contacted the parent(s).  Thankfully, Reed wasn't hurt and doesn't seem the worse for wear.  He even said he had a good day at school!  

But, this Momma Bear is seething.  It's not just the incident today.  But, incident after incident that has been happening since the beginning of the school year.  Usually by the same one or two boys in the class that don't seem to know how to behave.  It started with poking.  Then, pushing while in line.  At that point, we went to the teacher and expressed to her our concerns.  We also spoke to Reed about standing up for himself and going to his teachers when someone pushed or poked him.  But, things really came to a head when Ashleigh happened to witness a group of boys pulling on Reed and pushing him to the ground repeatedly as her class passed by the playground.  Angered and upset, we requested a meeting with both the school principal and Reed's teacher immediately.

The principal was very attentive and took the matter very seriously.  Like us, he wanted to make sure Reed felt comfortable and safe at school.  He also (as tactfully and as PC as he could) stated most of the school's discipline issues resulted from boys in homes without fathers.  He noted those boys seemed to lack the understanding of when roughhousing is appropriate and when it's not.  Dave and I left the meeting very satisfied with the measures the principal and teacher put in place to stop the harassment.  And for awhile, Reed did not report any troubling incidents from school.

But, now this...sigh.  It's just frustrating!  While it's unfortunate this boy comes from a "challenging" home environment, that's not my concern.  My primary concern is for MY child!  I'm sure the teachers are frustrated as well.  They've already placed this particular boy to a table by himself due to his disruptive behaviors in the classroom.  And, I guess in today's world, kids aren't sent to detention anymore.  I guess it hurts their self-esteem or someone might accuse the school of racism. {rolls eyes}

I hate that my baby's first year of elementary school has been like this.  I remember telling Reed when he was in preschool how exciting big kid school would be.  And, that he would finally get to go to the same school as Ash & Clay.  They both had absolutely wonderful, positive kindergarten experiences.  It saddens me that Reed's has not been the same. 

Mary Ellen

Homemade Slime - Frugal Fun for the Kids!

I spent much of Sunday afternoon in the kitchen making among other things, slime for Clayton's upcoming class project.  The entire second grade is creating a "mall" where the students can buy and sell products at their own "stores".  When Ashleigh was in second grade, we made ribbon covered hair clips.  This time around with Clayton, it's slime!

The kids enjoyed the project and it was super easy!  And, exactly like the slime I used to buy as a kid from the bubblegum machine for 25 cents!

Homemade Slime:

Recipe from Dining On Dime Cookbook

Materials needed:

Borax

White glue (the inexpensive glue works fine.  I picked up several bottles of white glue at Kroger's for .69 each)

Food coloring

Step 1:  In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of borax with 1 cup of water.  Stir until the borax is dissolved.

Step 2:  In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup of glue with 1/2 cup of water.  Add a few drops of food coloring.  Mix until smooth.

Step 3:  In a third bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the borax+water mixture with 1/4 cup of the glue+water mixture.  Stir; the slime will begin to form immediately.  Let the slime sit for 5 minutes.  Afterwards, pour off excess water and knead slime until it starts to firm and feels "springy".  

Repeat steps for additional batches.  We were able to make 4 batches of slime with this recipe.

*****

You can find this and other frugal fun recipes in The Dining On A Dime Cookbook!  {currently on sale for 50% off now thru Monday, April 22nd!}  Order by Wednesday to receive a FREE bonus - Menus from Dining On A Dime menu planner (free with any order on Tuesday & Wednesday). 

Disclosure

 

 



Busy Day in the Kitchen

 

 

A busy day in the kitchen....homemade cinnamon rolls this morning for breakfast.  The Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler this afternoon.

 

Currently, making 20 batches of slime (yes, slime!) for Clayton's class project.  And later for supper, Indian Roast Chicken from Bal Arneson (The Spice Goddess).

 

Source: cookingchanneltv.com via Mary on Pinterest



What's cooking in your kitchen today?  

Mary Ellen



{Repost} Decorating Easter Eggs

An oldie but goodie - inexpensive ways to decorate Easter eggs, along with ideas for creating your own natural dyes.  Please enjoy these tips from the ladies at Living On A Dime!

Before decorating Easter eggs, cover the entire table with newspaper. Keep a huge roll of paper towels or rags handy for messes. Have each kid wear one of dad's old (now disposable) tee shirts.

Making Easter Egg Stands

Cut toilet paper roll cores into one inch cylinders and use for egg stands. Decorate with stickers or paint.

Decorating Easter Eggs

Traditional Method

Hard boil eggs. Fill several mugs with boiling water and add 1-2 tsp. vinegar. Place a few drops of desired food coloring in each mug. Place eggs in mugs for several minutes until eggs reach desired shades.

Remove with a spoon. Place on paper towel to dry. When dry, polish with a small amount of shortening on a paper towel. Buff until glossy.

You can draw or write on the eggs with a light colored or white crayon before dipping. The drawing will remain white after the egg is dipped.

To clean out mugs, put a little bleach water in the cups and soak for a few minutes.

Glitter Eggs - Place 1 tablespoon each of glue and water in a cup. Stir the mixture and then paint the eggs with it. Sprinkle with glitter. This can also add sparkle to already dyed eggs!

Decoupaged Eggs - Tear small pieces of wrapping paper, napkins, stickers, or clip art. Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Paint egg with glue mixture. Place paper on top and then cover with more glue mixture. Let dry.

Spotted Eggs - Place 1 tsp. of cooking oil in dye. Dip the egg. The oil will cause the dye to make an irregular pattern on the egg.

Waxed Eggs - Dip a portion of the eggs in melted paraffin or candle wax. Then dip them in the dye. Remove from dye. Dry and peel off the wax. The egg will be white on one half and colored on the other half. You can also dip in dye before waxing to get two colors.

Hollow Eggs - Poke a hole in one end of an egg with a very small needle. Poke another slightly larger hole in the other end. Then blow on the small end and the egg will come out the other side. Decorate Easter eggs as desired.

Natural Easter Egg Dyes

If you would like to try decorating Easter eggs with natural dyes, try the following:

• Yellow-- yellow onion skins, turmeric (1/2 tsp. per cup water) celery leaves
• Orange--any yellow dye plus beet juice
• Red--beets, paprika, red onion skins
• Pink--cranberry juice
• Blue--blackberries, grape juice concentrate, red cabbage
• Brown--black tea, white oak, juniper berry, coffee, barberry
• Light purple--blackberries, grapes, violets
• Green--alfalfa, spinach, kale, violet blossom plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda, tansy, nettle, chervil, sorrel, parsley, carrot tops, beet tops or dip yellow egg in blue dye

Hard boil eggs with 1 tsp. vinegar in the water. Place dying ingredients in non-aluminum pans, cover with water and boil 5 minutes to 1 hour until desired color is achieved. Use enough material to make at least 1 cup dye. Crush ingredients as they boil to extract as much dye as possible. Strain the dye. Most dyes should be used hot. Let each egg sit in the dye until it reaches the desired color. Some dyes will take longer than others to make the desired colored on the egg. Remove the egg and let dry.

*****

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Happy Birthday Clayton!

Happy 8th Birthday to my Sweet Baby Clay!

Snow Day (featuring Homemade Caramel Popcorn!)

Well, our snow day last week turned into more of an "ice" day - bummer!  Our area received just a dusting of snow before the precipitation changed to sleet and freezing rain.  Thankfully, we all made it home safely.  And, luckily the area avoided the havoc of 8 years ago when a similar weather event resulted in complete gridlock on the interstate and kids stranded at school overnight. 

But, even a less than snowy, snow day calls for our favorite snow day treat - homemade caramel popcorn!  It's a tradition in our house to snack on this deliciousness when it snows!

Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Recipe from The Complete Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle
by Amy Dacyczyn

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peanuts (optional)
and popcorn, of course!

Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup over low heat until butter is melted.  Cook without stirring for 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add baking soda and vanilla.  Spread popcorn and peanuts on a baking sheet.  Pour caramel over the popcorn and mix until evenly coated.  Bake 15 minutes at 300 degrees.



Serve warm from the oven.  YUM!

May your snow days be *!~*!~*SNOWY*!~*!~*

Mary Ellen

Disclosure

Happy Birthday Ashleigh!

Happy 10th Birthday to our

Sweet Ashleigh Girl