Protecting our kids

A friend who works with cases of abuse highly recommended this book to Rodd and I.  It’s “a commonsense approach to protecting children and teaching children to protect themselves.”   I hated the thought of even having to buy a book like this, but I’m so glad I did.  Even though I can’t bear the thought of anyone even looking at my kids the wrong way…it’s the reality these days & I want to be as informed as I can on how to protect them. This book has been really eye opening for us. 

Children as young as Sydney (4) are totally capable of being responsible for their own well-being, should speak up for themselves, and are capable of making judgments about situations and people.  This book gives parents effective and nonthreatening techniques for teaching children how to protect themselves without making them afraid.  It gives practical advice on how to teach your children to speak to strangers & emphasizes that the only person a child can rely on ALL the time is him- or herself. Preschool appears to be the most teachable moment for prevention education to begin.  So…go check it out on Amazon, borrow it from me, or look for it at your library.

It’s a wrap

Tonight wrapped up a great week of VBS!  At the final performance put on for the parents, Sydney & Ann were the only 2 with their backs turned to the audience the entire time–not because they were shy but because they wanted to watch the screen & follow the motions that way.  So–no photo ops there–but here they were earlier this week playing in the pool.   

           

25 healthy snacks for kids

I’m always looking for healthy snacks to feed the kids.  Here’s a list of ideas I found.  There are only a few that I will actually try on my kids, but maybe you can benefit from the list:

 1. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
2. Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins.
3. Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
4. Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
5. Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.
6. Top low-fat vanilla yogurt with crunchy granola and sprinkle with blueberries.
7. Microwave a small baked potato. Top with reduced-fat cheddar cheese and salsa.
8. Make snack kabobs. Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.
9. Toast a whole grain waffle and top with low-fat yogurt and sliced peaches.
10. Spread peanut butter on apple slices.
11. Blend low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana for thirty seconds for a delicious smoothie.
12. Make a mini-sandwich with tuna or egg salad on a dinner roll.
13. Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over a corn tortilla; fold in half and microwave for twenty seconds. Top with salsa.
14. Toss dried cranberries and chopped walnuts in instant oatmeal.
15. Mix together peanut butter and cornflakes in a bowl. Shape into balls and roll in crushed graham crackers.
16. Microwave a cup of tomato or vegetable soup and enjoy with whole grain crackers.
17. Fill a waffle cone with cut-up fruit and top with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
18. Sprinkle grated Parmesan Cheese on hot popcorn.
19. Banana Split: Top a banana with low-fat vanilla and strawberry frozen yogurt. Sprinkle with your favorite whole-grain cereal.
20. Sandwich Cut-Outs: Make a sandwich on whole grain bread. Cut out your favorite shape using a big cookie cutter. Eat the fun shape and the edges, too!
21. Spread mustard on a flour tortilla. Top with a slice of turkey or ham, low-fat cheese and lettuce. Then roll it up.
22. Mini Pizza: Toast an English muffin, drizzle with pizza sauce and sprinkle with low-fat mozzarella cheese.
23. Rocky Road: Break a graham cracker into bite-size pieces. Add to low-fat chocolate pudding along with a few miniature marshmallows.
24. Inside-Out Sandwich: Spread mustard on a piece of deli turkey. Wrap around a sesame bread stick.
25. Parfait: Layer vanilla yogurt and mandarin oranges or blueberries in a tall glass. Top with a sprinkle of granola.

Goin down under this week

Sydney is going to VBS this week at a friend’s church.  She went in a little unsure, but by the end of the night she loved it and can’t wait to go back.  I’m so glad she had fun–and am always so proud of her for trying new things.

 I never had the chance to attend VBS as a kid, but have helped out at several as an adult–and this was always something I could’t wait to send my kids to some day.  Thanks for inviting us Stacy & Ann Marie.

Rethinking company

Phewsh. It was a long day. And all I did was have company over.  I need to come up with a better game plan for having people over for dinner.  We really love having people into our home,  but oh my word!!!  Is it really worth it when I’m “Super Grump” to my kids all afternoon and am hustling and bustling everywhere just so everything can be in tip top shape, food the perfect temperature, floor nicely swept, kitchen clean, Sydney’s hair combed & put up in cute little bows, Logan in something other than just his underwear and Carson fed ?! 

A friend of mine said to me a long time ago, “It’s better to be sweet than neat.”  It’s kind of a silly little saying–but it always comes to my mind on days like today.  So my game-plan isn’t to stop having company over, but to change my mindset & expectations.  I will still  have my house in some semblance of order–but I think in this phase of life, I just need to cook simple meals & be fine with that. 

That being said, I made this Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Tart for dessert and will definitely make it again. Rodd said it’s his new favorite.   He’s hard to please in the dessert category, so when he likes something I always take note of it.

Sydney’s contribution to helping with preparations is making place cards for everyone.  I used to get whining and complaining when I’d ask her to make them, but now it’s her own little thing she takes ownership of and really enjoys doing. 

 

Nim’s Island

We went to our first  free movie of the summer yesterday.  (Do they have these where you live?  If so…you should definitely go.) S & L were so looking forward to it and had a great time watching Nim’s Island.  Sydney remembers her little snack pack from last summer- popcorn, drink and candy, so I told them they could get it this time.    It’s seriously a great way to spend a hot summer morning with friends. It’s cool, free and fun.    The timing was perfect for Carson because I fed him right when it started, and not long into it he was fast asleep. The best part was I got to hold him uninterrupted for an hour & a half. Loved it.

Fathers day Freebies

Just came across these today. Rodd loves Outback but we have other plans already.  Maybe one of these will interest you.

Take your Dad out to eat at Outback Steakhouse.  Each Dad will receive a $10 gift card for his next visit.  An awesome opportunity because he will get the free meal you give him and be able to pay for a portion of his meal next time.

Johnny Rockets will give your Dad a free shake with the purchase of an entree.  Get your coupon here.

TCBY will give Dad a free cone on Father’s Day. For locations click here.

Congrats on 36

My parents are celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary today. Awesome!  They’re such a great example to me of what a loving, committed, godly, gushy & mushy marriage should look like. Congrats, Dad and Mom!! If we’re still half in love as you are at 36 years, (which we have every intention of) I’ll be thrilled.  Here’s a little picture from “Syd.”  She said, “tell Grandma not to laugh at the hair I gave her.”  xoxo

[Oh the beauty of blogging. You forget to send your parents a card but you can kind of make up for it by doing this and it still seems kinda fresh & premeditated.]

Chalk talk

Gotta love sidewalk chalk.

Sydney spent a good hour & a half coloring in footprints that lead from our front door out to the street…all so she could hopscotch back and forth.

Saturday was spent at cousin Madison’s ballet recital. We didn’t get to take pictures of her in her adorable outfit, but she was the cutest ballerina out there.   Here’s Sydney & Madison at lunch–before the recital.

Boys at the pool

Here are the boys–hangin out at the pool.  Carson still sleeps through everything…even Logan poking his nose.