Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar

Last night I was in charge of doing a Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar. It was so fun and so I thought I would share what I did.

Pour it: hot chocolate

Flavor it: You can find a large assortment of flavored syrups in the coffee isle of the grocery store, you can also add things like Peanut Butter, Nutella, Caramel, or different oils to your hot chocolate.

Top it: Whip cream, spices, shavings, crushed candy or candy bars to add an extra touch. Ice cream syrups like caramel and chocolate, or berry toppings are easy.

Stir it: With all of these add-ins you'll need something to stir with! Chocolate dipping spoons in caramel or chocolate and rolling in crushed candy canes or toffee and then let them harden. Or use candy canes or cinnamon sticks for extra flavor.

Some unique flavor combinations to try:

Holiday Spice: Hot chocolate and pumpkin pie spice. On top: marshmallows, cinnamon sprinkle.

Raspberry Truffle: A couple chunks of chocolate on the bottom of the mug, hot chocolate, raspberry syrup. On top: whipped cream, raspberry syrup, chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Hazelnut with whole milk: Hot whole milk and nutella. On top: whipped cream, chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Hazelnut: Hot chocolate and nutella. On top whipped cream, chocolate shavings.

Caramel Chocolate: A chunk of chocolate on the bottom of the mug, hot chocolate and caramel syrup. On top: marshmallows and caramel sauce drizzle.

Peppermint Stick: Hot chocolate, peppermint extract. On Top: whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Mint Chocolate: A chunk of mint chocolate on the bottom of the mug and hot chocolate. On top: marshmallows and some more mint chocolate.

Canadian Cocoa: add 1/2-1 teaspoon maple extract after removing from the heat

Cocoa Au Lait: serve with a scoop softened vanilla ice cream on top of each cup

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces
6 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-6 cups of water (depending on how sweet you want it)

2 Cups of chocolate chips (milk chocolate, mint, vanilla, peanut butter, or butterscotch).
1. Add whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla to crock pot. Whisk.
2. Stir in milk chocolate chips.
3. Cover crock pot and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring about every 15 minutes. When chocolate chips have fully melted and mixture is combined you may want to reduce your crock pot to the 'warm' setting.
4. Prior to serving whisk mixture vigorously.

Come Unto Christ this Christmas Countdown

Every year we are becoming more and more into the commercial side of Christmas. Instead of doing a Candy countdown to Christmas, I started a couple of years ago doing a service count down that the whole family could do. So print these up, cut them in strips, and put them in your countdown thing, or make a paper chain and attach the nativity picture at the bottom on top. Everyday you get together as a family and read one of the slips. At the end of the day you talk about what results you got or what you did. Its fun and pretty easy.

Do something nice for your dad

Let Heavenly Father know how much you love him

Help your Mom with something she is doing

Take time to think about someone & what you could do for them

Share your testimony with someone

Give something of yours to someone who might need it more

Help someone who is sad

Be obedient every time your mom or dad asks you to do something

Put away your shoes every time you take them off without being asked

Help someone do something

Pray for someone else

Think of something to do for your grandparents

Be a friend to someone you don’t usually play with

Forgive someone who may have hurt your feelings

Share something you like very much

Do something nice for your mom

Say you are sorry if you do something wrong, before mom reminds you to

Write a letter or draw a picture to tell someone how much you love them

Comfort someone who gets hurt or is sad

Do 5 jobs around the house without being asked

Teach someone the things you know about Jesus

Make someone feel special by saying nice things to them throughout the day

Think about having Jesus by your side all day. Would you act any different?

Play nice with your brothers and sisters

Use nice words and be considerate of their feelings

Honor Jesus Christ This Year, By Becoming More Like Him

The Power of Words

This month my mom has continued her 11 year fight of breast cancer, by getting another major surgery to get the cancer out. And to help her spirit go through something again, I came up with a word wall. This was where everyone that loves and knows her could give one word that they think of her and what she is. This is how it turned out. She was touched. Not only does she look at each word and get inspiration from it, but the wall as a whole gives her strength. Looking at the wall you think if you times it by 5 thinking that each person has a family of 5 that is lots and lots of prayers in her behalf. This surgery has gone far better than any other of her surgeries, and I think a major key, might be this wall.

My sister's family takes time every Sunday dinner to spotlight each other during dinner. They start with one person and the first person has to come up with something they love about them, things they respect from them, things they are good at. One thing. Then the next person will say something about that person, until everyone has told that person something nice. Then the next person goes and so on until every family member has had lots of compliments.

My husband knew I was having a really bad day one day and thought if she still exercised when she was having a bad day, then she deserves something special. So hidden in my scriptures on my exercise machine, was a beautiful love note from my husband. It meant so much to me and so I am going to frame it.

I just made a happy birthday board that is a 2x4 and 24 inches long. on the front it says Happy Birthday. On the top it has a place for 3 pictures. This is a place to honor the birthday person. I have decided that in addition each family member is going to write a card or a letter telling that person why he or she is special. I think this will make each child feel person in our family.

How many times do we hear as parents that we need to compliment our kids, that we need to tell them we love them and that we are proud of them. And that if we do, we will have different kids.

I believe in the power of words and I hope this will inspire you to give your family members and loved ones powerful words that will help them grow, be happy, and have a healthy life.

Thanksgiving

The month of thanksgiving is a month focused on thankfulness. On facebook, on our blogs, in our emails, our FHE lessons, at church, etc we talk about things we are thankful for.

But I have found with my children and with other kids that the words, "Thank You" are being said less and less. Why is it being said less? I had a couple of experiences with my kids that reminded me about the importance of saying thank you and in my opinion why it is being said less.

The first was with my daughter. She is only 8 and wanted me to curl her hair before school. I did it and it looked probably the best and cutest it ever has. When I was done, she took one look at it and said, "I can't believe you made me look so ugly". I was crushed. Not only had I taken time to do it, but I woke up early to do it. I felt personally so sad that my daughter not only didn't like it, but she was rude, and didn't even thank me for doing it in the first place. I can't remember acting that way when I was little. She starting ripping out what I had done and messing up the cute little curls.

Her Dad came in and saw what had happened and saw my face. He immediately told her to stop, that he was sorry she didn't like her hair, but it was done and she was wearing it that way. Not only did he help stop it, but then he told her that mom would not be doing her hair again until she apoligized and told me thank you for doing it. She still hasn't and of course I haven't touched her hair. I respected my husband for helping me with this issue. I am grateful that he doesn't let the kids plow over me with disrespect.

The next was with my kids trick or treating. They started out demanding which kind they wanted or saying I don't like that. I was so appalled. Immediately I told them to say thank you. At every house they would get candy and I would make them turn around and say thank you. Soon I didn't need to ask and they would do it.

It got me thinking that the reasons why are kids are saying please and thank you less is because we are not teaching them to do it. We are not expecting that they do it. WOW! I try and teach them respect by teaching them to say Aunt Somebody or Mr. Someone instead of their first name, but do I really have them say please and thank you much? no.

As I watched I realized most of the time I am to busy to mess with it. I am on the phone and they say I want water, so I give it to them and don't wait for a response when they get it.

A couple of years ago a young cub scout came to my door with a thank you note that he had written. What a novel idea to teach your young kids by teaching them to write a thank you note.

I also have a cute little reading tutor that gives a thank you note for anything you ever give her. This fall I have given her lots and lots of produce. Our family was thanked each time with a cute note. That was good for my kids to see how happy it makes you when someone else says thank you.

So this month along with focusing on being thankful, I am going to focus on teaching my kids about SAYING thank you and meaning it. I am going to take the time to teach them this, and I am going to teach them all kinds of manners so they can grow up to be successful, polite adults.

New Cooking Blog

I love love love this new blog I found. It is a cute one and I don't think I have spolighted it before. If you need some good tips, good new recipes, and a great source for more websites, go to www.thegrubery.blogspot.com
Right now she has a Pumpkin chili that I am going to try.

Start Young

I have always believed that if you have an overly picky child, you can change it. I have had two overly picky children and for a couple of years every meal we sat and sat and sat while that child refused to eat it. My husband and I have served Dinner for breakfast because someone wouldn't eat their food at night. I have an extremely skinny and when I got her Malnourished child and I have forced her to sit and eat a good amount for her tender age and her little belly. And now I have 5 great kids that eat anything and everything. (But having said that I must say that everyone of them has one thing that they hate and that's o.k., because it is ONE thing) Here are my tips for curing this annoying behavior:

1. Make them try EVERYTHING on the plate that you are offering. At least two bites per item.

2. Don't make something else for them to eat because they refuse to eat what you made.

3. Don't have a Mom and Dad healthy meal and then mac and cheese for the kids. My kids eat what we eat: Shrimp, Salmon, Vegetables, Curry, Chowder, Spinach, etc.

4. You are the parent, so stay in control. If you are worried that your child has not got enough nourishment because they wouldn't eat your food, do 1 of 2 things. First serve the meal for the next meal, to take away the control that they have in the situation. Eventually they will eat it. 2. If that is too strong for you then buy some ensure shakes and put them in the fridge. When stuff like this happens, then say well because you didn't eat you have to drink this yucky shake. Vanilla is the worst flavor so Vanilla is what you buy.

5. Be a good example yourself. I hate cold slaw. But at restaurant I was served it, and took the opportunity to tell my kids how much I hate cold slaw, but that I would eat my two bites because that is how I roll. If you are telling them to eat a healthy snack and you are eating candy, you are not being a very good example.

6. In the Summer plant a garden and have them help. Get them so excited for the veggies that are growing. Help them harvest the garden and help them make snacks and meals with them. I plant grape tomatoes so my kids will be playing see them and eat them. And of course I plant them close to the play area.

7. Talk about why your body needs certain foods and why.

8. It is o.k. if they don't like a certain thing and you adjust a little. Like my oldest hated gravy forever. Do I care if she has gravy on her potatoes? No. She just ate them plain and loved it. So if it is something like that I did bend a little.

9. Always serve a well balanced meal. My Mom was so good at this. She always had a vegetable, a main course, fruit, and a side salad. Because I lived on a farm, sometimes we would just have vegetables for dinner: Corn, fried egg plant, green beans, sliced tomatoes, chard cooked, and Zucchini Casserole. In a situation like that you learn to like vegetables because that is what is served. I am glad my mom always cooked good food for us to eat.

10. It is a control issue. Keep the control or you will regret letting them have it when you are cooking four meals for dinner to keep up with the demands of your kids.

11. No one at my table is allowed to be mean about what I cooked. You don't have to love it, but you do have to keep your opinions to yourself.

Anyway those are some tips that I have learned. I hope this helps if you are in need of this.

Spelling

So are we getting tired already of doing spelling every night with our kids? Change it up and go to this website and let them do a word search. Totally easy and very fun.

www.puzzlemaker.com

Fall Fun Games

Perfect for the room mother who has to plan some fun games for Halloween!

LEAF BLOW GAME
Have a leaf race! In this, the children blow a leaf across a table with a straw. The first one across is the winner...

HARVEST DASH (Outiside Game)
Set up a fall relay with the kids. Fill large containers with sunflower seed bird feed. Have smaller, clear containers at the opposite end.
Kids fill cup with seeds and race to dump it in the empty container.
They sprint back to the start and hand-off the cup to the teammates.
Goal of the race is to be the first team to fill up the small container with the seeds.
As an extra challenge, give the kids an over-sized soup ladle instead of a cup. Don't worry if the seeds spill; that's part of the fun! The birds will easily find them later.

GOURD ROLL Have each child take a turn rolling a small, round gourd. Try to find one with lots of bumps for extra craziness! The kid with the longest roll wins. Play on a sloped driveway or a small hill for extra fun.

GOURD BOWLING
Set up 'bowling' using empty two-liter soda bottles. If preferred, the bottles can be weighted with seeds or water. Use a round, bumpy gourd as the ball.

LDS General Conference 2011

So last year I found this online and I sent it to Costco and printed it. Then during conference as the speakers spoke, we wrote with a sharpie what they talked about. Then I hung it on the inside of the back door and every time we went in and out of the door, we got a little reminder of what these great men wanted us to remember. Then today I looked and looked on the internet to find it so I could again get it printed and I couldn't find it. So I made my own and that way I can update it when it needs to be updated. If you want the JPEG email me crawleyandrea@yahoo.com and I will email it to you. Costco prints it 12x12 $2.99 and 8x8 $1.49. We have enjoyed our this year and I hope you do too.

Baking With Kids: Pumpkin Pie

NO COOK PUMPKIN PIE (Individual Servings)

Give each child a cup. Into their cup they get to put a big scoop of canned pumpkin, marshmallow creme, cool whip, and pumpkin pie spices. They mix and then spread on graham crackers and eat.

You also can make individual tart sized crusts, or buy the custard size ready to eat pie crusts.

Sorry not for updating much. Lots have been going on with our family and Summer and we just haven't been able to keep up. My Mother has Breast Cancer for the 4th time, we have had vacations, weddings, and missions, death, and sickness. Check back in a few weeks to see some new posts.

Stop Pronography

I got this email from a neighbor and thought it was so great that I would pass it on.

I often wonder how I can help in the fight against pornography and other evils of our society. I was led to this site "OneMillionMoms.com" several months ago and have been very impressed with how they do things.

Approximately 2-4 times a month, I am sent an email. The email explains something that OMM is fighting against and offers you a way to add your name to the list of moms that don't agree (I think it's like signing a petition). I follow a link to a page with an email already typed up ready to go - I just add a subject line and my name and email. That's it. Occasionally, they send out emails like the one below letting us know when we have won a battle! Often we confront advertisers of bad programming asking them to pull their ads from that time slot. Many have been willing to comply and inappropriate shows have been cancelled!

If encourage you to investigate further if this is something you feel you should do!

Thanks!

http://www.onemillionmoms.com/issues.asp

OneMillionMoms.com is Making a Difference - Here's Proof
June 29, 2011

Dear friend,

OneMillionMoms.com is taking a stand by protecting our children from the media in a God honoring way. OMM is one of a handful of groups fighting back in an organized fashion against the exploitation of our children by the entertainment industry, and our voice is being heard.

OMM continues to stand up for Christian values which we have been commanded to do by God. We will not stand on the sidelines while our culture is destroyed. Here are just a few examples of what we have accomplished with God's help:

1. MTV announced there will not be a second season of "Skins" because of lack of advertisers! Praise the Lord! After OMM contacted sponsors for this irresponsible program they pulled their financial support immediately.

2. OMM warned parents of Gay Days at Walt Disney World on June 4. Success was measured by the very low attendance of families in the Magic Kingdom that day. A team from the Florida Family Association estimated that attendance by mainstream families was down approximately 50% to 60% over the average attendance of the last ten years.

3. After OMM contacted the Disney Channel concerning the inappropriate movie "Little Manhattan" being aired on their network, it has not aired again. Since you emailed Disney, there have not been any promotions or commercials for this film to be aired in the near future.

OMM continues to fight for the moral values that served our country so well for so long. We do so without apology. We continue to ask you to forward these action alerts to your friends and family. The more people we can get to join us, the more influence and victories we can have.

Please consider making a financial donation to support our efforts. OMM is one of the few organizations being effective in the culture war. To be successful in this war we need prayer, financial support and supporters who are willing to be the hands doing God's will by taking action and making your voice heard.

In return for your gift of $25 or more, you will receive a gift with free shipping. The DVD "THOU SHALT LAUGH 5" is the fifth in a series that just keep getting better! Christian comedians filmed in Nashville and hosted by the Award-winning "Queen of Clean" Chonda Pierce. THOU SHALT LAUGH 5 presents returning fan favorites Bone Hampton, Gilbert Esquivel, Taylor Mason and the hilariously funny Joey I.L.O., Leland Klassen, and Daren Streblow.

Thank you in advance for your donation to support the work of OneMillionMoms.com!

Sincerely,

Monica Cole, Director
OneMillionMoms.com

Newspaper Delivery Game

Needed:
Three newspapers
Bike to sit on
3 papers
Tape

Tape three papers on the floor with different points on them. Divide into two teams and have the first person on each team sit on the bike and throw each of the three newspapers at the paper targets. Whoever has the most points after everyone on the team has gone, wins.

We did this game at pack meeting, and it was really fun. It was great and the boys loved it.

ksl.com - Read with kids during summer break, expert advises

I read this article on KSL.com and was very impressed. As I talk to Moms this Summer, I am so surprised that some just don't care about Summer Learning for their kids. I really liked this article and the fun ideas they put in.

ksl.com - Read with kids during summer break, expert advises

To take it one step further: They mentioned Utah history, why not go to some of the great Utah history sites. In fifth grade they do US history. Why not go to another state and save pamphlets and info from your state. Such a great idea. I have always loved the cooking and reading with kids. Anyway I hope you like it as well.

Paper Rockets

We have done these in scouts twice and they are sooooooooooooo fun. It is fun if you are old or young. Anyway check it out and we are doing this as a family for the fourth of July! Pictures will be added later.

Needed:
Paper Rocket Launcher (can be made for less than 30 dollars)
Paper Rockets (you can buy them or make your own)
Air Compresser

Paper Rockets:

Make Your Own:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Rocket-with-Launcher/

Buy It:
http://www.itsablast.com/

Launcher:
Make Your Own:
http://www.nasa.gov/ (/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/High_Power_Paper_Rocket_Launcher.html)

Buy It:
http://www.itsablast.com/

Swimming Lessons

Private vs. Public

So every Summer we do Swimming Lessons and I have to decide where I should go. And after years of Swimming Lessons this is what I have come up with.

Private

Pro Private: Better Lessons, Longer swimming, More relaxed environment, Kids seem to get really one on one care.

Con Private: More expensive, You have to wait for each age group to have their lessons-which can be hours if you have lots of kids, Pool cleaning may or may not be up to code.

PUBLIC

Pro Public: Every age group goes at the same time, Trained teachers, lifeguards, pool cleaned and up to code, Cheaper

Con Public: Bigger groups, hectic, smaller area to swim, no individual time,

So I have learned that they are both good, and it really just depends on your schedule, and what you think you can and can't do. This year the thought of just hanging out at a pool for hours, just doesn't sound fun, so we went with public, but overall I think I like Private the best.

Hopefully this helps you decide what to do. And remember Swimming lessons are worth the time and money. Right now as I am writing this and watching the news, they have reported two almost drownings. Swimming Lessons are a must.

Umbrella Ball!

Simple, but fun game. Get 1 umbrella and 5 pairs of rolled up socks. Then take turns throwing all five into the umbrella from about 10-15 feet away. The umbrella rolls, rotates, etc and makes it a challenge to get it in. Another way would be like shuffle board and have white socks 5, and then colored socks 5, and be on teams. That way you can try and knock someone else out. If you are in the umbrella at the end of your turn, 5 points. It is really a fun game.

Water Balloon Dodge Ball!

Have at least 5 water balloons per player. Divide into 2 groups on opposite sides of a line with each side having their balloons in a plastic tub. If you are hit with a water balloon you are out (like dodgeball). Last one in wins.

Shaving Cream Shoot Off!

Here is a new outdoor game to play with your kids, neighbors, family reunion, or just a fun day at the park. Hope you enjoy it!

Items needed: Water guns, shaving cream, water, and clothes to get wet in

Set up as many teams as you would like to have. Each team must have one large water gun filled with water and one team member willing to get wet. Make sure that all the designated targets don't have a shirt that has an iron-on design on the front, this prevents the game from being far. On the willing team member, squirt shaving cream on the front of their shirt. If you do the same design, it makes the amount of shaving cream the same for all teams. Each member of the team will get one squirt from the water gun to try and remove the shaving cream. You will rotate the team line until all the shaving cream is removed. The first team to remove the cream is the cream of the crop or in other words, "The Winners".

Safety!

Four quick notes on safety:

1. Have your kids wear their helmets. I always sit watching the kids come from school and only one or two are wearing helmets. I have started thinking of an idea to get kids to wear them to school for next year, but maybe you should think of a reward for your kids for wearing them this SUMMER. If you have the same problem at your school, my idea is to ask McDonalds or Wendy's to give free ice cream coupons and give them to the cross guard. When she sees a helmet, she gives out a coupon.

2. Another safety note is about cars and drivers. Yesterday a friend's son came home telling her that a toddler had been killed when a car ran over him, backing up. Yes Sensors, rear video cam, mirrors, etc. help this from happening, but it is not 100%. The only thing that is, is walking around your car before you leave and REALLY watching and going slow. You don't want to kill a child, so slow down people and check out how you are driving.

3. Lets be mindful of the amount of water we have right now in the rivers (and I don't mean in just Utah). Also we need to have a big reminder of the dangers of Hot Tubs and Swimming Pools. Commit to watching your children closely. My husband just went camping with my little son, and in the same canyon, on the same day a child drowned. It was so sad and I kept thinking, "What if that had been my son?"

4. Streets. Need I say more. Put out some sort of Safety reminder while your children are riding bikes. It will help drivers slow down and look for your child. Teach your children bike safety and road safety. If you have TEENAGE drivers talk to them about children and how it would wreck their life if they killed one.

I know we are all so busy and stressed as Mothers. But just remember to watch your kids and even if you don't get all the dust in the house, or the dishes aren't done, you will be happy because they will be ALIVE.

UGH!

I woke up this morning in a panic. School is ending in 1 day and 2 hours. I have done nothing to prepare myself for my kids to be home. Well I have bought their Summer school stuff, but that is it. So now I am motivating myself to get on the ball. Past Summer posts have showed lots of ideas of how I am going to organize the troops. Every year I try and change it up, to make it fun for the kids. So check out some of those ideas.

So this year we are doing the chore chart on the computer http://www.myjobchart.com/about_my_job_chart , I did not like this idea the first time I found this, but now that I moved my computer into a central location I really like this idea and my kids love it. It is easy to add rewards and add new jobs and teach the kids how to use a computer. We are also going to start a Summer Reading Chart. I got a poster board at a school supply store, it is pre-laminated with 300 squares on it. I also bought wet erase markers and wrote our Summer reading chart on the top. I also bought re-usuable stickers for it. Every book (or bigger kids so many pages, equals one square). When we get the poster board all filled up, we are going to go see the new movie, Cars 2.

Someone gave me an idea of putting treats, money, dollar toys, etc. in a jar and each day they get all their jobs done, they get to pick something out of the jar.

Anyway those are my new ideas for this Summer.

Beg. Reading

I was hoping this would post better than it did. This is what I start with after my kids know sounds, ABC, abc, and of course basic sounding out principles. Once they know those I start on these. If you want a better copy email me and I will give you the word file. I guess I am too dumb to figure out how to post it as a word file in the first place. Anyway the trick with these, is that you don't go on to the next page, until you are perfect at this one. Re-print this everyday if you have to, until they start to get it. I scanned 3, and I have about 30 of these that I will post another day.

One of my favorites!

Dr. Jean is one of my favorites of kids music! You can see her stuff at her website http://www.drjean.org/ She also has activities, ways to purchase individual songs, or whole cd's, utube links, etc!In Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs, my favorites are: Bubblegum and Katalina Matalina Dr. Jean and Friends has these as my favorites: Tooty Ta, Macarena Months, Days of the Week.

But now I want the Math is fun CD, Nursery Rhyme one, and a few others. Anyway if you are looking for some new music here are some ideas. Also you can get these on I-tunes!

School Book!

When I teach preschool, I always make sure to take lots and lots of pictures. I also think it is important to save their special art work, and writings. (In an older post you have seen how I do writing their name.) I save all school year and then make each child a scrapbook that they can take home and either add with their own scrapbook, or they can keep it like I made it, so they can read it over and over again on their own. I also divide the book into categories, to make it easier to track their progress. This is a small sampling of one I did for my daughter, when she was in preschool years and year ago. Physical:Language:Cognitive:Social:Creative: Affective:

I do this also for my kids. Every Summer I take all the things I have gathered and make them into a school scrapbook. I always add it to their regular scrapbook. When they get old enough, they get to do their own, which also increases their creativity.

Now I know that lots of you now Digital Scrapbook. So my idea for you is that you actually scan your child's papers and art work into the computer, so you can digitally do your thing. Scanning is so fast and I think you will really like the final look.

So you might be wondering how I got little notes on each picture and just in general of her. What I did was I took a notes every day on a clip board and of things each child said through out the day. Then typed them up everyday when the kids left.

For your own kids, you have to come up with some way that works for you in making notes and being the busy Mom. What I do is have a paper on the side of the fridge that has 6 months worth of months. When they do something cute, or say something cute then I just write it under the month we are in and put the child's name.

Before this way, I used index cards in a box and then would actually put the index card in their scrapbook stuff.

My friend Chrissie keeps little note books of each of her children and when they something funny, she stops what she is doing and writes it in their book.

Mother's Helper

I have a friend that for years has employed a older lady to be a Mother's helper to her. Now she said she is not a nanny, because a nanny is someone who takes over. She says that she is right in the trenches with her and that makes her a Mother's helper. So having thought about it and knowing my husband has four companies on the side, I decided to get a Mother's helper. I decided I wanted someone between the ages of 16 and 18 so that I could get help with driving if needed as well. I am paying for a couple of hours a day to do any of the following that I choose: driving, cleaning, tutoring, yard work, babysitting, cooking, or just helping me in anyway possible. I am going to start this week, and continue through the Summer. I am so excited. So if you are in the same place as me, that things are crazy and hectic, think maybe about a Mother's helper. And thanks to the wonderful, cute man that I love that suggested the whole thing. Love you babe.

Birth-Mother's Day

For those who don't know:

Birth Mothers day is the Saturday before Mother's Day and is a special day where we can honor those who gave LIFE!

As soon I adopted I started celebrating this holiday. It is not widely known about, but it is probably one of the most important holidays we can celebrate. This is also not just a holiday for people closely involved with adoption. I feel like it is a holiday that celebrates good women who chose life and didn't abort. But having said that, no one even knows about this holiday. So I am asking you to remember it. Whether you know a birth mother who placed a baby, you know someone who is adopted, you know a mother who has adopted, or you just want to celebrate life, take a minute on the Saturday before Mother's Day to honor them, and to teach your children about life and how important it is.

I have been blessed to adopt four wonderful children, and each one of their birth mothers, had a very real decision to make of whether their child should live, or if they should abort. Each one, in extremely hard situations chose life. I would not have my children if they had not made the choice for them to live, and if they had not made the choice to place them in my home.

They are women that I love. I respect them for those two choices that they have made. They are not perfect, but just for those two choices, it makes them perfect in my eyes. I think of them daily and especially think of them and honor them on Birth Mother's Day. I send presents and stacks of photos to 3 of my birth mother's on this holiday. The 4th birth mother I don't get to have communication with, but I wish I could tell her how grateful I am for her.

Jamie, Felisa, Chakisha, and Angel,

I will always respect you and love you for the gift you gave my children and also our little family. You will always have a place on our family tree and we always hope that life gets amazing for you and that you are happy. Always remember our love for you.

Love,

Andrea

(and if you are a birth mother reading this, I love you too and you can put your name in place of my birth mothers. I pray for you all and hope you find peace and happiness in your lives)

Other than talking to your family and others you know about this holiday, how can you personally help birth mothers get the recognition they should have? Take gifts to a local adoption agency (little somethings), let your children help make them and take them. All you have to do is look under adoption in the phone book and you will find a whole list. Two of the agencies we used, actually bring birth mothers to Utah to have their baby. They get bored, so scrapbook stuff, gently used books, some bring children so car seats, clothing, toys, volunteer to teach a class, getting a special treat that says thank you, or really anything you can think of, would be so great for these almost birth mothers. I have talked before about me being LDS. They have Hugh needs as well and would love volunteers to spoil their birth mothers. I have a wonderful sister in law who let a birth mother live in her house (even while she was trying to find someone to give her a baby). She was paying it forward in honor of her oldest child's birth mother. She got to hold this birth mother and walk her through giving her baby up to a family that she had chosen. It was a wonderful experience for all of us, that we won't soon forget. So show some love and lets honor these amazing ladies next week.

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Origin of Birth Mothers Day:
This day was created by birth mothers in Seattle, Washington. It was first celebrated in 1990.

irthmothers in Seattle, Washington. Most birthmothers will agree that Mother's Day is a very painful holiday and these women wanted to create something that would honor their birthmotherhood.

Life

So I am so sorry that I have been slacking on this blog. This month has been crazy for me. Soccer started with four of my kids, my computer broke, I have been helping my husband with his side business, spring break hit, Easter came, and then my sweet 90 year old grandma unexpectedly died. It has been so stressful. But now life is returning and I am back! I hope you all had a great Easter and hope I hope while you were waiting for me to update, you checked out my fun Easter stuff in the label section.

For me every day is Groundhog Day.

Not in a good way.

Every day I find myself picking up the same person's socks and putting them in the dirty clothes. Every day I hang up the same coats, and put away about 5 pairs of shoes. Every day I find myself putting bowls of half eaten cereal in the sink. Every day I put away every one's toothbrush, hang up the towels, and put about 6 boxes of cereal away. Everyday I find myself in just as much, if not more mess as I was in yesterday. With 7 people in our family, I am constantly doing laundry and never seeing an end in sight of it. Everyday at about 2:15 I become a typical mom and spend the rest of the afternoon and night in the car running the kids places. Every day I find I have at least three appointments that are at the exact time. Every day I become a referee, trying to keep my children in control and not killing each other. Every day I ask my kids to do the same things: Clean you room, put away your clothes, and do your homework! Most of the time I LOVE being a Mom. Most of the time I don't mind the Groundhog part of my life. And sometimes........

I don't.

Sometimes I want to shout, "Mom's Are People Too" So if you feel this way today, know that you are not alone, and know that tomorrow is a new day and will get better. And... of course it might be time to take a mini leave of absence from the kids and family stress to have a bubble bath, some chocolate, some peaceful music, read a good book, and relax. And then when you start your groundhog day again, it seems like you can handle it a little better. I know that some day I will miss the craziness, and you will miss it too, and guess what? We might even be bored.

Art Corner #4: Fish !

Well I will start with the crazy one. Do you see what I see? Yes this is a fish that my preschool kids painted (a real one) and then we took prints of the fish. It was really fun, stinky, interesting, and memorable. This one we did after we read The Rainbow Fish book. We used tissue paper, crayons, markers, colored squares, and of course shiny silver paper. My goal with art is that no ones art looks alike. I think with this you can see how they are able to be creative and create a masterpiece.This one is first a stenciled fish that they colored and then I cut it out for them. Then we glued in on a watercolor page that they had done earlier in the week.

More Conference Websites To Try!

First one is this one:

http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/2011/03/few-conference-ideas-are-on-way.html

The next one is this one:

http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/03/general-conference-treat-buckets.html

Thanks Nicole for telling us about them!

Conference Week!

So it is conference week again! For those of you who aren't LDS, it is a weekend where all our leaders get together with us and teach us and guide us to do what we need to be doing. It also is a time to fill your cup (spirit). More information can be found at http://www.lds.org/

Anyway it is time to plan ahead and get everything copied and ready for conference. I love sugardoodle and she has teamed up with another lady and they make great packets. I like them because they are big enough to last for all four sessions of conference. My kids LOVE them. I actually saved them, because they were so cute. Here is the link for that:

http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7399

Now I have a few ideas that we do, these might make Conference fun and more make lots of memories for your family. Here they are:

1. To say it again: Have packets and make them early in the week with their names on them.

2. Sunday Treats! Always have special treats for each child. I do M&M's or Skittles and place them in baggies for each child. They get one bag per Sunday conference session.

3. Saturday Morning Session: We listen to conference as we up date our 72 hour kits. Each kid and parent has a backpack filled with 72 hour supplies. I rotate them every 6 months. I take out the food and then I let the kids eat all the food, candy, and gum, during the Saturday sessions of conference. I also make a list of what we took out (I do this earlier in the week so I can buy replacements for each kit). Then I have each kid update their backpack with new food, we check the clothes and make sure they fit, replace batteries, etc. Then I know everything is fresh and current.

4. Saturday Night Priesthood Session is a fun time for all. Instead of it being about the men and older boys, it is about the whole family. After dinner and sending the men to their meeting, the rest of us go to Grandma's house. Sometimes the kids play games, or play outside, sometimes we all goof off together, or we just visit. We hang out for those two hours and then have a Banana Split party as soon as the men are back. Some families just have the men have ice cream together after conference. I like my family's way better. I like doing it this way, because even my girls get to celebrate the priesthood. As they grow up and look for companions, they will know what to look for in a man, because they have seen great examples when they were young.

5. Sunday Morning Session for us is a big Sourdough Pancake Breakfast with all the extended family. My Mom sets up lots of tables and we all eat a yummy breakfast. Then we watch conference together until the first session is over, and then we go home to our own houses to watch the last session with just our little family.

6. Another thing I do is put a picture of the prophet up on our magnet board for the whole week. It is a silent reminder of what is coming and helps everyone get excited to hear what the prophet wants to tell us.

7. Reviewing who the prophet and the 12 apostles are is important. You can do this in a FHE lesson or you could put their pictures up one at a time for 15 days with something about them and their name. Also you can teach your kids the Apostle Song found here: www.mormonvidz.com/video/572/New-LDS-Apostle-Song-with-all-12-and-first-presidency you would be surprised at how fast they can pick it up.

8. I found this idea this year and I am going to do it. I found it here: http://creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com/2008/09/kids-general-conference-baskets.html

Anyway that is what we do for Conference. Feel free to share your ideas.

Art Corner, Idea #3

Painting with straws can be oh so fun! Put some paint down on their paper, and then let them use their breath to make the paint spread into nice art work. This art project is perfect for learning how colors mixed will change colors..This is the finished product!

Thai Lettuce Wraps!

So we made these for St. Patrick's Day instead of the other stuff, because of time. We also made Rainbow Jello. It was really a fun night. My kids loved eating their green tacos. I love Cheesecake Factory not for their cheesecake, but for their Thai Lettuce Wraps. So good. Anyway I posted what I was making on Facebook and had a few people want the recipe, so here it is (also I found it somewhere on the internet, but can't remember where):

The Cheesecake Factory® Thai Lettuce Wraps

6-8 BUTTER HEAD LETTUCE LEAVES
THAI SATAY CHICKEN-Recipe Follows
JULIENNED CARROTS
FRESH BEAN SPROUTS
THAI NOODLES
THAI MARINADED CUCUMBERS-Recipe Follows
1 TABLESPOON ROASTED PEANUTS-CHOPPED
Sauces-Recipes Follow

Thai Satay Chicken (I double it except for the chicken, to cover it better)
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons water
4 green onions with tops, cut into 1-inch pieces

Combine soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes in small bowl. Add water to remaining mixture. Pour over chicken; toss to coat well. Cover; marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, stirring mixture occasionally.

Drain chicken; Grill, turning halfway through grilling time. Serve with warm peanut sauce for dipping.

Thai marinated cucumbers
(we ran out of rice vinegar and just used white vinegar and it tasted the same)
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon course ground black pepper
1 large cucumber seeded

In a small pan, combine vinegar, sugar, water and salt, pepper; cook over medium heat, stirring, until liquid boils and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Peel cucumber, chop up. Place in a serving bowl, pour marinade over cucumbers; stir to blend. If made ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
.
Tamarind-Cashew Dipping Sauce, Green Sauce I call it
(We did have cashews and used almonds this time and it worked just fine, Also we didn’t have tamarind pulp or saffron so we left it out)
1/4 cup chopped cashews
2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, quartered
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup honey
4 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon tamarind pulp*
Pinch ground saffron
1/4 cup olive oil

Combine first 7 ingredients in food processor. Blend with short bursts until the mixture is well blended, and the cashews and garlic have been chopped into pieces about half the size of a grain of rice. Combine the honey, vinegars, tamarind, and saffron in a small bowl. Heat the mixture for about 1 minute in microwave then stir until tamarind pulp dissolves completely.
Pour mixture into blender or food processor and mix with cashew mixture (about 20 seconds).
Pour sauce into bowl, add the oil and stir by hand. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Peanut Sauce
1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons water
4 Teaspoons sugar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Teaspoon rice vinegar
1 Teaspoon lime juice
1/2 Teaspoon chili oil

Combine peanut butter, water, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, and chili oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until mixture begins to bubble, then cover the pan and remove it from the heat.
.
Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:
(we didn’t make this one today because of time, but it is good)
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon red chili paste

In a blender, puree the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, hot water, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste until combined.

We have never made this next one, because of time:

Thai Sweet Red Chili Sauce:
3 tablespoons hot ground chili paste
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Combine everything, except cilantro, in a small sauce pan and mix. Once blended, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro

ASSEMBLY
Remove the stem at the bottom of the head of lettuce and separate the leaves into "lettuce cup. Wash and dry leaves. Arrange lettuce on a large serving plate.

Assemble lettuce wraps by spooning fillings into a lettuce cup. We do it like this: Chicken strip, Peanut Sauce, Green Cilantro Sauce, Carrots, bean sprouts, cucumbers, noodles, Red Sauce, and then crushed peanuts. Folding as you would a taco.

So good and so worth the effort. When we make it, we make enough for two dinners. We also freeze the sauce leftovers. It seems like a lot of ingredients, but they last forever. Today I just bought lettuce, green onion, and fresh cilantro.

St. Paddy's Day!

So what are we going to eat for dinner on St. Patrick's Day this year?

I saw online some stews that looked good, but were cooked with Lamb. I have never had lamb.

My Sister always makes corned beef and cabbage. I don't know if I can do that. It doesn't sound very good to me.

Years past I have always just dyed something the color green. I started with Green eggs and Ham. I have tried green mashed potatoes, and I have done green spaghetti with green Alfredo. Then last year I did Green Alfredo Pizza. My kids LOVED this one!

But this year I thought about doing something more traditional. So I might try this Irish Soda Bread. The link for it is http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Irish-Soda-Bread-I/Detail.aspx

I also might make this: It is Irish Chicken and Dumplings

The link for this one is http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Irish-Chicken-and-Dumplings/Detail.aspx

You can look at other ideas on the right side, under labels for more ideas about St. Patrick's Day. I have some games ideas, treat ideas, etc.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Learning to write your name is a very big thing for a kid. I have my boys write their name everyday. When they are little, I give a slip of paper and then I let them color their paper. I tell them they are writing their name. I always keep the first one of every month. Oh and I always have a laminated copy of their name in front of them. As they grow I start to help them do more on their name. When I think they are ready to really start writing their name, I place the laminated version of their name under a tracing paper, and have them trace their name. After awhile I put it back in front of them and have them start writing it for real. After they write their name, I have them answer a question of the day. Are you happy? Did you eat breakfast today? etc. This is my 13 year old's name writings when she was little. I saved them and put them in her scrapbook. I love to save things like this, that show progress.

Not only am I glad I did this with my kids, I am also glad I saved it and scrapbooked it this way.

Art Corner, Idea #2

Crayon Meltings!

I have listed an idea about this before under fall, but this is how it looks with out the fall leaves. You will need Wax Paper, An Iron, Crayon Shavings, A Heavy Towel, and Iron Board.This is how I set it up to let the kids create their picture. Then after they are done creating, I do the heating, but I let them stand on a chair and watch the melting. I like to use an old Iron and towel for this project. I also like to use another old towel to cover my iron board with- just in case. The picture goes on top of the towel on the iron board, and then the other towel goes on top. Then you slowly heat up the picture. It takes lots of heat to go through the towel, so it might be a little slow. This is what it looks like when done.

FHE Website!

I was looking for a specific topic for FHE tonight and came across this website. I really like it and thought I would share with you. I will put it in the LDS section.

www.thegoldenseven.blogspot.com

Have a great day!

Art Corner Idea #1:

I have saved most of the creative art that I have done as a preschool teacher, or that my kids have done. I usually throw away anything that looks like a teacher instructed or that it is something that all the kids have exactly the same way. I think it is so important to train their little brains that their art is from their brain and it doesn't have to all be the same. So from an earlier post I talked about how I am scanning all my scrapbooks so that if there was a fire or flood, I would still have them. So I got to the first year I started teaching preschool, and I decided to start sharing the ideas I have used. I hope you enjoy them. I have enjoyed looking at all my projects I did with my kids. I am sure glad I kept them.

Today's idea is to let your children paint with Washable Paint and Feathers! It looks like this when done.

What can I do fun tonight?

With Silly Putty's birthday today, Dr. Seuss's Birthday today, Porky Pig's birthday today, and Elmer Fudd's birthday today, I think I can come up with something.

After School: A little Seuss music, maybe some cartoons of Elmer and Porky, and making Silly Putty. (recipe below)

Dinner Prep: While I am making dinner, they can play with the Silly Putty we made, Seuss coloring pages, and watch the Sneeches movie, or cat and the hat movie.

Dinner: Of course! Green Eggs and Ham!

Bed Time Reading Time: Of Course! Dr. Seuss!

What a fun little night we can have!

Silly Putty:
1/2 Cup Elmer's Glue
1/2 Cup Liquid Starch
Food Coloring

Slowly Combine the starch with the glue and knead the mass with your fingers. The longer you work with it the better the silly putty gets. Add food coloring to get desired coloring.

Go to this website if you want Dr. Seuss Printables, like this one, http://k2printables.com/seuss.htm