Talent Tuesday: Edible birdy nests

   It's currently snowing! Good thing I didn't plant our garden yesterday. Despite the snowy scenery, we are celebrating spring inside, in our jammies. Lately we've been talking about nests, hoping that Mrs. Robin will come back this year to lay her eggs in our plum tree again. 

  We've spent the morning making no-bake cookies and filling them with clearance Easter egg candy. I love spending time in the kitchen with my little bakers. Letting Elsie practice stirring, pouring, placing, and shaping is great for her fine motor skills. Plus she loves choosing which colors of eggs go in which nest. Too bad they can't all be pink like she wants!

Mealtime Monday: Holiday Meals

  It's amazing what a string of lights and some paper straws will do to make a meal exciting. We had an early Valentines dinner last night, and my little girl was just thrilled to drink Cream Soda with a straw. She kept making faces and saying "It's so fizzy!"
  My family ate dinner together every night when I was growing up, and those little touches are what I remember.

Mealtime Monday: Homemade Fruit Snacks

  Little Elsie spotted princess fruit snacks last time we went to the store, and squealed in delight, but corn syrup and red dye #40 are not things I want her eating. So... she'll have to settle for plain, but delicious and healthier fruits snacks while wearing her princess dress and crown.
   This recipe looks easy and delicious. I think we'll try it tonight when dad gets home.

Sacred Sunday: Cookies and Church Lessons

  
   My friend has a fabulous Sunday tradition. Her husband puts all the right ingredients into their bread maker before heading to church, then they come home to the inviting aroma and tasty snack of hot bread. There's nothing better than that! I'd like to take that delicious, comforting concept and add in the opportunity to review church lessons with my family.
  I don't have a bread maker, but can freeze cookie dough for a quick, yummy treat. Kids with happy tummies are much more likely to remember and share their Sunday lessons.

Special Saturday: Sweet Notes

   What makes a child feel more special than love notes? Here are some of my favorites (some free, and some for a few dollars.

                               vol.25

                      Kiki and Company
                                                    designdazzle

Fun Friday: Love Boxes

   Happy February! I love LOVE Valentines Day, and am so grateful for a month-long reminder to serve and show love to those around me.

  I found these little mailboxes in the dollar section at Target. We spent an evening personalizing them using stuff from my scrapbooking stash. (Can you tell which one is little E's?)

  For the entire month, we'll surprise each other with acts of love and kindness. At the store yesterday,
Elsie picked out a pack of gum for her daddy. She was so excited to show him the gift in his mailbox! Then, as we were upstairs, she snuck a piece. Good thing daddy is willing to share!
   For us, this is such a special way to learn about thinking of others, as well as remembering to be a gracious and grateful recipient.

 

Thinking Thursday: TP Roll Upcycling

  It seems like our toilet paper usage has tripled since Elsie became potty trained. Every time I go in the bathroom there is an empty roll! Along with trying to get her to use less, I want to use those cardboard rolls in a few of our many crafting sessions. Look at all the great ideas found here!