Did you know that cake decorators sometimes use rice krispie treats to mold under fondant for things like, say a giant cowboy hat?It's true! The rice krispie treat recipe can be used as a type of playdough. Once it has slightly cooled, you can mold it into any shape you like.In honor of the upcoming holiday, we decided to make up a batch and shape them into Valentine hearts.You can stop there, or you can really take it up a notch by dipping them in white chocolate and adding red … [Read more...]
7 Skinny Coffee Drinks You Can Make at Home
I'm a morning person. I wake up at 5:00am to work out, I come home and enjoy a cup of simple black coffee. It starts my day out right and I'm packing lunches and making breakfast for the kids like a pro.This leads into my work day where I'm ticking off my to-do list, preparing myself a healthy lunch and picking up the kids from school. That's about the time I hit a wall.It's that afternoon slump that gets my every time. Instead of reaching for a snack that will only … [Read more...]
The 9 Kitchen Hacks I Use Every Single Day
January has us all ready to organize and eat healthier. Every year I try to be more efficient in the kitchen.I'm always asking seasoned moms about how they do things and sometimes I stumble on tricks of the trade on the internet or simply by accident. I wanted to share with you the nine down-and-dirty secrets that I use in the kitchen every single day to make my life easier. Cutting lots of vegetables once a week Every morning my husband and I eat some form vegetables and eggs. … [Read more...]
Free Printable: Like, Wear, Read & Need
Everyone wants Christmas morning to have the wow effect. Which is why shopping for holiday gifts can have a snowball effect.You pick up something here, another little something there, and the next thing you know there's a giant pile of 'stuff' in the closet. This year, we want to help you be more intentional in your shopping.Go for gifts that have meaning and purpose. This means asking our kids some questions.Have you heard of The Four Christmas Gifts Method?It's become … [Read more...]
Parenting Hack: Free Printable Kid’s Coupon Book for the Holidays
Sometimes the best gifts are the unexpected ones. Haven't we all experienced giving a baby the latest and greatest toy... and all she wants to do is play with the box?Simplifying may be just what we all need this holiday season.We created this coupon book for you to print off and use as a stocking stuffer. All you have to do is think about what makes your kids the happiest.Skipping their vegetables at dinner or reading an extra story at bedtime might just elicit as much joy … [Read more...]
Free Printable: Advent Calendar with Jokes for Every Day
Advent calendars have become such a HUGE part of Christmas these days – have you noticed? We’ve tried several variations over the years from our DIY Freezer Paper Stencil Advent Calendar and our Family Activities Advent Calendar to LEGO Advent and our Reading Advent Calendar. This year, though, with three kids including a feisty 1 1/2-year-old, I’m once again opting to go the super simple route.Our free printable Christmas Joke countdown (created last year by our contributor … [Read more...]
DIY Thanksgiving Table Poppers w/ Free Printable
There's a lot of work that goes into Thanksgiving. We can all relate to the hours of pie prep and casserole making that happen days before and that turkey's not going to stuff itself.Even with lots for prep, the big day can be filled with setting the table and getting everything just right.The thing that makes all this work even more challenging is that children are off school. And usually they aren't too interested in peeling potatoes for more than 5 minutes.This year, set them … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: Remember the Best in Your Child and See It In Your Teen
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. All opinions (and memories!) are my own.Then The thing I remember most about Jake's birth was how scared I felt bringing him home from the hospital. There's no guide book for being a parent. I wonder if first born babies sense the way new parents approach every task with uncertainty.The good news is that babies are resilient.They forgive us for putting the diaper on wrong or being a little too over protective … [Read more...]
Spooky Halloween Sandwiches
Maybe it's because of my past life as an elementary teacher, but I love celebrating holidays.I'll take any opportunity to be festive.For Halloween, I have a fun little food activity that will work for little and big kids. You can make this something that you do together on a weekend, or surprise them by packing this spooky sandwich in their lunch. … [Read more...]