Archive for ‘Em’s posts’

Summer Fun with Kids

By Em, 2 May, 2011, No Comment

As summer approaches get those kids outside and have some fun! Plus, You can’t beat the extra family time.

Here are some ideas for the summer that are sure to have your kids begging to play outside.

1. Have a picnic: You can have one in your own backyard, at a local park or for a big time go to the local zoo. Grab a big bag, a vinyl tablecloth and lots of paper goods. Pack a sandwich or make your own lunchables also, you may want to grab some sand toys for the kids. Your kids are sure to love getting out for a relaxed family meal.

2. Play FAMILY sports: (Yes parents this means you play too!) Grab a soccer ball, baseball and glove or football. One of my husband’s fondness memories of his Grandmother is when she would play football with all the kids at family gatherings. Be “that” kind of parent or grandparent.

3. Bubbles, Bubbles and more Bubbles: Every kid loves bubbles. If you don’t want to go buy bubbles or if you would like to make a bubble project you can have your kids make their own bubbles using dish soap,water, a paper plate and coat hangers. You can shape the coat hangers into many different shapes making a range of bubbles.

4. Games: Play a good ol’ game of Freeze Tag, Freeze Dance or I Spy. You can also paint a big Twister Board on your yard if you a brave enough. How many of you spent hours playing these games when you were a child? With I Spy you may want to put together a scavenger hunt type of list and have your child spy and collect things from around your yard.

5. Ride Bikes: Our daughter now loves to ride her bike. We go on a family rides around the block. She loves it and asks for it often. If you think bike safety is important then please have your kids wear an appropriate helmet and guards. What happened to the 80′s when we never wore helmets and we all had awesome gravel scars?

6. Go for a walk: I love going on family walks. We like to walk up to the 7-11 that’s about a half mile away to get slushes. It is a good reward and is cool on a hot day. We also have some land behind our house which will be fun for exploring this summer. Graysen loves collecting rocks.

7. Paint rocks (Outside): Most parents hate letting their kids paint because it’s messy so why not strip them down to their skivvies and let them paint rocks in the backyard. Afterwards you can hose down your painted up kiddo and the work area too.

8. Sidewalk Chalk: Whoever invented this stuff is brilliant! Park your cards at the end of the drive to block it off for a sidewalk art event. Invite the neighbor kids to come help make a masterpiece in your driveway. Good news it washes off! Your kids will have a blast.

9. Get to know your neighbors: Have a cookout on your front porch and invite your neighbors over. Your kids will meet new friends and so will you. It is a great thing to have great neighbors. (Sometimes kids like to play with other kids, go figure!)

10. Let your kids get dirty: Kids love to be creative and play mostly in stuff that they are not supposed to. Why not allow them to play in the mud? Have a special set of toys and clothes just for messy play. Do you remember making mud pies? It’s time to teach your child to make them too. I would advice you to tell your child not to eat the Mud Pies as mine got a nice mouth full of dirt. Guess she will know better next time.

I hope you have a wonderful summer full of fun activities.

Making Paper Dolls for Toddlers!

By Em, 1 May, 2011, No Comment

So how do you make a set of paper dolls for a toddler? I came across this problem when I wanted to make a set of Princess Kate paper dolls that Disney offered on their website. You can find them again here.

Most all paper dolls are made for older kids. They have weird little tabs that connect over the doll to fit. Half the time these don’t work and you end up with a very flustered kid.

I came up with the idea to use candy sticks to make paper dolls work for toddlers. It works great. After we cut out the paper dolls and cut off all the tabs Graysen and I taped candy sticks to the back of the Princess Kate doll and all of her lovely dresses.

Graysen loved the result and has been playing with them non-stop since we put them together. I can’t wait to make some other sets for her to play with.

Blueberry-Peach Cobbler- A Summer Must Have

By Em, 30 April, 2011, No Comment

Ingredients

5 pounds peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
6 3/4 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Place peaches in a large bowl. Drizzle with juice; toss. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons flour to peach mixture; toss to combine. Arrange peach mixture evenly in a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces flour (about 1 1/2 cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and baking powder in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and butter in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in blueberries.
4. Spread batter evenly over peach mixture; sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Place baking dish on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 1 hour or until topping is golden and filling is bubbly.

Julianna Grimes, Cooking Light
JULY 2010

A Royal Wedding

By Em, 29 April, 2011, No Comment

As everyone in the world knows the Royal Wedding of Princess Kate and Prince William was this morning. CST I think it was at 3am.

I like crowns and fairy tales and I love Royal Weddings. Do I wake up at 3am to see it live? Heck no! I will however wake up 30 min earlier than normal to check everything out.

Graysen and I got up this morning to get our glimpse at Princess Kate’s dress. The must see for everyone. I have to say it was well done and Princess Kate looked amazing. A true princess!

Here is a photo of the beautiful gown. I think she is just stunning. I loved the lace on the gown and the simplicity of it all.

Graysen decided she wanted to be Princess Kate this morning so she put on a fancy dress and her Princess crown . She is such a girlie girl and I love it.

After we watched for a bit and the press started talking about the royal wedding cake we decided to have our own ” Wedding Cake” for breakfast. Graysen thought this was the greatest idea ever!!

This afternoon we will celebrate more by making and playing with these Princess Kate Paper Dolls that Disney has for free on their website.

What a very fun and ROYAL kind of day!

What is fiber in food? (Guest Post by Jody Sample)

By Em, 28 April, 2011, No Comment

Are you getting enough fiber? It’s recommended you do, because fiber is an immensely important component in aiding digestion. But before starting any drastic change in your diet, check with your health care provider for additional support and advice.
So what is fiber? To put it simply, fiber is a complex carbohydrate as opposed to a simple carbohydrate. When you eat complex carbohydrates or foods rich in fiber, the release of sugar to the bloodstream is constant instead of excessive. It’s recommended many individuals with diabetes eat a high fiber diet because the constant release of sugar is ideal and helps to not agitate insulin resistance. Diabetes patient or not, simple carbohydrates such as potatoes, white bread, white pasta, creams and soft drinks should be avoided.
In order to avoid simple carbohydrates, you should look for foods where sugars, starches and fibers occur naturally. For instance, sugars occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products. Starches can be found naturally in vegetables, grains, beans and peas. Natural fibers are predominantly found in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. This is a general categorization but it means you can still have the foods you love and be fiber-friendly.
For example, you can make spaghetti using whole grain/wheat pasta and natural tomato sauce. For breakfast, try oatmeal with fresh raspberries or another fruit. Try a fresh garden salad with lots of veggies, kidney beans and hummus for an excellent fiber boost!
It’s important to note that high fiber-foods are often organic foods, because the sugars and starches are occurring naturally, as opposed to being added. As always, natural foods without additives and preservatives are healthier for you. Additionally, foods high in fiber are also recommended prior to a colonoscopy because fiber rich foods move easily through the digestive tract, which helps it function properly. Furthermore, with a fiber diet you may experience increased energy and even achieve weight loss.
According to the Mayo Clinic, women should try to eat at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should try to get around 30 to 38 grams. Much like counting calories, you can calculate your fiber intake to ensure you are getting the right amount. However, if you eat too much fiber it can have adverse effects on your digestive system. As always, if you are concerned about getting the correct amount of fiber for your body type, see a nutritionist or your doctor before starting a fiber rich diet.

Spongeables: Lavender Nectar (Review)

By Em, 27 April, 2011, No Comment

I am always happy to try new body wash. I am not a big fan of bar soaps because they are sticky. However, I do wish most body wash was easier to handle and so I love the fact that this is body wash but it is nicely located in a bath sponge.

In normal situations I end up forgetting to use my sponge or I end up throwing the sponge away. With the Spongeables I can actually see myself using this product on a regular basis. I love the travel size as well as it is perfect for any traveling that you may do. I also think since it is not liquid you may have an easier time getting it on a plane.

The Lavender smell is nice however it is a bit strong at times. Even though the smell was strong it was still a relaxing and refreshing fragrance. Spongebles come in a variety of fragrances and shapes. They have them specifically for your hands, feet and even pets ( How easy would this be for cleaning your dog!). They also have bubble ones for kids. I may have to get one for Graysen. I think she would love the bubble one. It is shaped like a duck and it is super cute. Go check them out!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Marvelous Mom (Guest Post by: Sherry Richert Belul)

By Em, 26 April, 2011, No Comment

Memorable Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Your One-of-a-Kind Mom

I’ll never forget what my mom said to me the day my son was born: “Honey, your heart is now open in a new way and everything can and will fly in.”

My son was only a few hours old, but I already knew what she meant. I really understood at that moment how much heart, work, worry, fear, delight, and love are involved in being a mom.

Whether or not you’re a mom yourself, you probably can imagine what it must be like to be a mother. As children, many of us took the love and care we received for granted. It was just expected that our moms would feed us, protect us, do our laundry, and listen to our woes. We may not have thought twice about how many times mom put her own needs second so she could focus on her kids’ needs. We may even have felt disappointed or deprived in our childhoods. But as adults, we have an opportunity to appreciate our moms for everything they’ve been to us. We can step back and get it that our moms have poured so much of themselves into helping us develop into the people we are now.

I remember clearly the moment I really got this. My mom was turning 50 and at the time that seemed pretty old to me. I started to understand that my mother wasn’t going to be around forever. If I were lucky, maybe we’d have another twenty or thirty years together. Suddenly it was crystal clear to me that I had to make sure she knew how much she meant to me.

One of the best ways I found to do this was by giving her gifts that were unique and really reflected who she was to me. I want to share a few of my favorites with you in the hopes that this Mother’s Day you might give back to your mom something she’s given freely to you for years and years time, attention, and unconditional love.

1. Make a List

Remember I told you that when my Mom turned 50, it was a turning point for me, too? It was when I first got it that none of us was going to be around forever and I needed to let her know who she was to me. I started making a list of all the things I loved about her: how she taught me the value of books, how patient and kind she is to people, how she sews me drop-waist dresses by the dozens, how she always tells me that brownies have no calories and are good for me, how she encourages me to be whatever makes me happy, how she is so cheerful, etc. I started out thinking I would send her 50 reasons and before I knew it, I easily had 100.

You could make this for your mom. All you need to do is set aside a half hour or an hour in a quiet place and think back on all the years you’ve had with her. Think about qualities that are unique to her, things she does for you, or special times you’ve shared together. Your Love List can include big thing sand small things, funny things and sweet things.

If you want some ideas on how to present your love list once you have it written, check out the free video I created. There’s also a free download of a ready-made Love List template all you have to do is fill it in!

These lists are treasures for someone to hear. I swear to you, they are the best gift someone can receive. It is amazing to receive a gift that mirrors who you are. It is a gift to be seen. And unfortunately, people often don’t get to hear these kinds of things in their lifetime. For some reason in our culture, folks wait until funerals to express their love. Love Lists are a way to express your love and appreciation NOW!

2. Get a Present

As we get older, material things become less important to us and old-fashioned quality time with people we loves becomes the real treasure. Everything is so fast-paced these days and we’re all always checking our smart phones or clicking away on the laptop. Why not give your mom a gift of your undivided attention? Make a handmade gift certificate for her that is good for an entire day together, just the two of you. Maybe you could plan an at-home spa day in which you give her a Mani Pedi and cook a healthy lunch? Does she have a favorite hobby that you can join in somehow? What if you went with her to her sewing class and then the two of you bought some fabric together and sat in the park to sew? Could you plan an afternoon picnic and you bring your camera so you can frame a favorite shot later? How about morning bird watching followed by a cup of tea at a local cafe?

Give Mom the gift of your time and attention by planning a very special adventure, designed with her in mind.

3. Straight from the Heart

Remember when you were in elementary school and at Mother’s Day you’d make your mom a photo paperweight or a vase of pretty paper flowers? Remember how your mom would always say, “This is my favorite gift!?” She meant it. Nothing tops a gift that someone specially makes with us in mind. You may think you’re too old to pull off a craft gift for mom, but think again. How about heading to one of those pottery-painting places where you can decorate a coffee mug? Create two of ‘em, one for each of you and then set up a time for a regular coffee klatch with mom by phone or in person. Or, use some of your talents as a photographer, painter, or photographer to create a one-of-a-kind artwork for mom. Sew her an apron with a personalized quote on it. Memorize a couple pieces of piano music and invite her to an at-home evening concert, followed by some wine and cheese. Don’t forget, you’ll always be your mom’s child. And there’s nothing moms like more than something created just for them by their kid!

Need a few more ideas? I’ve got three more great ideas for you on the sample pages from my ebook, Present Perfect: 127 creative, one-of-a-kind, no-to-low cost, wow-em gifts they’ll never forget. Check out the samples and if you like what you see, you can download the book instantly for just $10.

Sherry Richert Belul lives in San Francisco and is mom to a fabulous 10-year-old boy. Also, Sherry is founder of Simply Celebrate, which is dedicated to helping people find more joy, color, connection, and spontaneity in life. Simply Celebrate offers practices and products to turn ordinary days into an extraordinary life! Sherry’s current focus is helping people foster deeper relationships through conscious and creative gift giving.