love helps us grow

I have the opportunity to work with a group of fun little three year-olds. We had a lesson about how our bodies grow and stay healthy through rest, good food, and exercise. As I began, I asked, "What helps us to grow bigger?" One little one raised her little hand and very excitedly answered, "My mommy and daddy love me so much I just keep growing bigger." Many others started to add in also. I smiled to myself because that was a very true answer.
The love from our family does help us to grow.

outfit organization

Having several daughters in our family can sometimes mean a little extra stress in the morning when it comes to getting dressed for school. Several years ago I found a tip that help simplify this problem for everyone and it has worked fabulously ever since.

We created 8-10 special hangers for everyone by tying ribbon to the top and we used a different color ribbon for each child. This was especially important for those who share a closet.

When it is time to put laundry away, I help each child pick out enough clothes for the next school week. We match up tops and bottoms into outfits including belts, tights, etc. and hang them on the special hangers. We have fun with fashion design and we choose clothes that will work well for the upcoming weather. Creating 7-10 outfits ensures that they will always have a few to choose from and extras if needed.

Each morning for the next week my kids get to choose whatever they are in the mood to wear from the special hangers. Even better I get more free time in the morning and less discussions about wearing pajamas, tutus or shorts with snow boots to school.

ghosts and bats for breakfast???

Fun Fall Breakfast

Get out all of your favorite cookie cutters (one of our favorite kitchen accessories). Everyone choose their favorite shape. Butter both sides of a slice of bread and cut out your shape from the middle.

Then place your bread on a griddle or frying pan and crack an egg in the middle. Add salt and pepper if desired. Cook until your egg is done. I flip mine and cook on both sides because I like a well done egg.

Enjoy your simple fall breakfast (or lunch or dinner, which we also do a lot around our house.)
We ended up with a ghost, a bat, a foot, and Winnie the Pooh. My little one laughed all morning about eating a foot for breakfast.

fabric pumpkins

A while ago I purchased a box of scrap material from a local furniture factory. I am not sure if all factories do this but if there is one in your area you might want to check into it. It was very inexpensive for a very large box. Anyway the fabric has been great for costumes, throw pillows, i spy pillows, and many other projects including these fabric pumpkins from The Idea Room.

I changed the size a little on mine to adjust to the scraps of fabric that I had.
I love these because thay were easy, fast, and friendly for little hands (non-breakable).

stuffed cheesy breadsticks

Stuffed Cheesy Breadsticks

2 1/4 cups warm water
2 Tbs sugar
1 Tb yeast
1 Tb salt
2 Tbs oil
About 6 cups of flour
6-8 String Cheese Sticks
Garlic Butter
400 degrees for about 15 mins
16-18 Breadsticks

I made these with my favorite french bread recipe.

2 1/4 cups warm water
2 Tbs sugar
1 Tb yeast
1 Tb salt
2 Tbs oil
About 6 cups of flour

In mixer or bowl combine warm water and sugar and yeast. After this has softened (a couple of minutes) add oil, salt, and begin adding flour 1 cup at a time. Add until a soft dough if formed. Let this rise for about 10 min and then mix and then let rise again. Repeat this about 3 times.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and divide into 16-18 pieces.

I use string cheese sticks to stuff mine. I split my cheese into three pieces but you could also do two. Flatten out a piece of bread and place cheese on top.

Wrap your bread dough around the cheese. Seal it well or all of your cheese will leak out.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place them on a greased cookie sheet and let rise for about 15 minutes.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Brush with garlic butter while warm.
YUMMY!!