So, our lives are so busy and our schedules are so full that I seem to run on autopilot. The routine that I have established in the house runs itself each day, seven days a week.... This routine is good. Kids thrive on routine--don't we all. They can predict what is going to happen next and find comfort in knowing what is going on in this crazy world they live in. Also, routines set your biological clock and allows one to sleep (or want to sleep) at regular intervals and eat in a sensible manner. Parents loves this as they can predict when their kids eat and sleep and thus can plan activities.
However, this continual routine can also be bad. It runs, and runs, and runs, and then all the sudden a month has gone by...or a year. What happened? The days run together and you find yourself in continuous motion--working only to maintain this routine. And you've been eating the same ten meals for the past three months. And it is exhausting.
What actually made me think about this was a song on the car radio--actually one of my husband's countless mixed CDs. It said--with a great dance beat--"Wake up! You're asleep at the wheel!" And indeed sometimes this is how I feel. I wake up and 'drive around' without even aware of what I am doing--nurse, change diapers, pour bowls of cereal and cups of juice, throw in some laundry......and on and on. I even find myself driving certain places without much thought--I have actually driven to a place and realized I had no real reason to be there, I simply automatically drove there.
So, I have decided to 'wake up'! Yes, I still have to 'drive'. Kids have to eat, play, and be cleaned--so do I. And a basic routine is still a good thing. But we can make things fun and interesting. Change things up! Stop and watch the kids laugh and dance, instead of taking the opportunity to finish the dishes. We can go to the park--even though lunch is supposed to be in 30 minutes. Take the time to enjoy breakfast with the kids and not be thinking two meals ahead. Take a bath or shower with the kids--with bubbles!
And to this end...here's some quick 'wake ups' for regular recipes (basically by adding fresh herbs and favors).
Mint and Lemon Peas
Frozen or fresh peas, cooked
Lemon zest
Fresh mint, finely chopped
Salt and Pepper
Make peas like usual. Add lemon zest and mint. Enojy. (good cold as well!).
Crunchy Green Beans
Frozen or fresh green beans
Dried cranberries
Roasted almonds, chopped
Cook beans like usual. Add handful of berried and almonds.
Chili Corn
Canned, frozen, or corn on the cob
Butter
Chili powder
Lime zest
Salt and Pepper
Cook corn like usual. Add butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chili powder and lime zest.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Books are Back
Yes, I am still here. Sorry. We have been so busy this month...including a great vacation to Colorado. Travelling with the kids is so exhausting but the kids and even I had a great time visiting family, friends, and nature. Then we just have all these things on our calendar. Crazy! So is the life of a family. I can only imagine what it will be like when the kids are in jr. high and high school!!!
Anyways. I wanted to at the very least recommend some more reading--I know we all have tons of extra time to sit down and read, right?! Actually, I read at least 15 mins or one chapter before I go to bed each night unless its super late or I am super exhausted. I just finished R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton and have Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code on my shelf.
The Tao of Poop by Vivian Elizabeth Glyck
This is a funny and interesting book for new and vetern moms alike. Read the whole first chapter before making a judgement. Besides including her personal experience as well as other parents, each chapter includes 'sanity savers' and 'thought exercises'. These give you some things to help out and think about your life.
Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy
This book is the first in a now series of books by the comedienne. It is a funny reflection of her own pregnancy including all the things that other books don't really mention including the unpleasantness of pregnancy and weight gain and loss. Its a fun read for vetern moms and a reality check for new ones.
The Breastfeeding Cafe: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, and Secrets of Nursing by Barbara Berhmann
This is a fabulous collection of stories from breastfeeding parents all over the nation. You'll laugh, you'll cry...what could be better?! A great book for all nursing moms.
The Complete Book of Breastfeeding by Marvin Eiger andSally Wendkos Olds
This is the breastfeeding reference book I own. (Yes, I do occasionally purchase a book). Besides all the usual info, there is a drug list for nursing moms and a great reference section.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
No, this is not a parenting book but its a great book to read with your child--age 9-15 years. I love Hiaasen's books and he has two young readers' books. This is a great book. My daughter and I really liked it. There is a movie that was recently released based on the book--although I have yet to see it.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ok, I haven't read it yet but...this is our first summer read-together book with my daughter. There is also a fabulous movie based on this one. I'll let you know how it is.
What my 2-year-old is reading right now...Sesame Street Magazines, Maisy's Train, Arthur's Valentine Countdown
What my 9-month-old is reading right now...The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Good Night Moon, Barnyard Dance
Anyways. I wanted to at the very least recommend some more reading--I know we all have tons of extra time to sit down and read, right?! Actually, I read at least 15 mins or one chapter before I go to bed each night unless its super late or I am super exhausted. I just finished R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton and have Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code on my shelf.
The Tao of Poop by Vivian Elizabeth Glyck
This is a funny and interesting book for new and vetern moms alike. Read the whole first chapter before making a judgement. Besides including her personal experience as well as other parents, each chapter includes 'sanity savers' and 'thought exercises'. These give you some things to help out and think about your life.
Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy
This book is the first in a now series of books by the comedienne. It is a funny reflection of her own pregnancy including all the things that other books don't really mention including the unpleasantness of pregnancy and weight gain and loss. Its a fun read for vetern moms and a reality check for new ones.
The Breastfeeding Cafe: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, and Secrets of Nursing by Barbara Berhmann
This is a fabulous collection of stories from breastfeeding parents all over the nation. You'll laugh, you'll cry...what could be better?! A great book for all nursing moms.
The Complete Book of Breastfeeding by Marvin Eiger andSally Wendkos Olds
This is the breastfeeding reference book I own. (Yes, I do occasionally purchase a book). Besides all the usual info, there is a drug list for nursing moms and a great reference section.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
No, this is not a parenting book but its a great book to read with your child--age 9-15 years. I love Hiaasen's books and he has two young readers' books. This is a great book. My daughter and I really liked it. There is a movie that was recently released based on the book--although I have yet to see it.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ok, I haven't read it yet but...this is our first summer read-together book with my daughter. There is also a fabulous movie based on this one. I'll let you know how it is.
What my 2-year-old is reading right now...Sesame Street Magazines, Maisy's Train, Arthur's Valentine Countdown
What my 9-month-old is reading right now...The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Good Night Moon, Barnyard Dance
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Recommended Reading
by request
I'll be honest, I don't have a lot of 'parenting' books on my shelf. Since I have studied families, child development, and education, I have read a lot about these subjects. And I have been a parent for almost ten years, so my past experience is enough to write a couple books. Additionally, other parents and the internet are fabulous resources. I do own a few books--mostly reference books on pregnancy and breastfeeding.
But I do have some books that I highly recommend.
Our Babies Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent
by Meredith Small
This book is a must for any new or vetern parent. Read this one as soon as you realize you want to or will be a parent. Small takes the reader through several aspects of parenting (e.g. feeding, sleeping, play) in relation to cultural traditions of many cultures including the US. This book allows you to think critically about your parenting choices and why you make those choices. Its great book to read to reflect upon yourself as a parent.
Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child
by Robyn Gee and Susan Meredith
A good book to help you figure out what to do with that bundle of joy. It answers the question of 'how do I play with my child'. Including developmental information for ages 0-5 years, this book describes numerous activities to do with your child to foster his development. It is super parent-friendly.
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer
by Harvey Karp
This is a nice book to learn how to relate to your child and make her feel good. Written by a pediatritcian, he clearly explains why and how to soothe your baby.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
by Elizabeth Pantley
This book is an interesting perspective on sleep. It includes information on babies' sleep cycles and many options for getting some sleep (including co-sleeping). Be warned, this technique takes hard work--like any sleep training, and strong consistency. It also may work for one baby and not the next (like in our house).
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
by Martha and William Sears
I like Dr. Sears' books and perspective on parenting. He utilizes 'attachment parenting' as his major philosophy. Again, this perspective may not work for your family or every child. His website is www.askdrsears.com.
First Meals: The Complete Cookbook and Nutrition Guide
Annabel Karmel
This is a good book to to guide you through making your own baby food. Although there are some questionable recommendations from my perspective (I don't push solids too much until the babies are 9-12 months old and I avoid dairy the first year); there are a lot of fun and great recipes for all ages.
You should know by now that I love the library. So, I urge you to go and spend some time in the baby book section. There are a lot and you should find books that match your personality and outlook on parenting as well as your baby's temperment. Do not feel obligated to follow all of anyone's advice. Do what you feel is best.
I'll be honest, I don't have a lot of 'parenting' books on my shelf. Since I have studied families, child development, and education, I have read a lot about these subjects. And I have been a parent for almost ten years, so my past experience is enough to write a couple books. Additionally, other parents and the internet are fabulous resources. I do own a few books--mostly reference books on pregnancy and breastfeeding.
But I do have some books that I highly recommend.
Our Babies Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent
by Meredith Small
This book is a must for any new or vetern parent. Read this one as soon as you realize you want to or will be a parent. Small takes the reader through several aspects of parenting (e.g. feeding, sleeping, play) in relation to cultural traditions of many cultures including the US. This book allows you to think critically about your parenting choices and why you make those choices. Its great book to read to reflect upon yourself as a parent.
Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child
by Robyn Gee and Susan Meredith
A good book to help you figure out what to do with that bundle of joy. It answers the question of 'how do I play with my child'. Including developmental information for ages 0-5 years, this book describes numerous activities to do with your child to foster his development. It is super parent-friendly.
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer
by Harvey Karp
This is a nice book to learn how to relate to your child and make her feel good. Written by a pediatritcian, he clearly explains why and how to soothe your baby.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
by Elizabeth Pantley
This book is an interesting perspective on sleep. It includes information on babies' sleep cycles and many options for getting some sleep (including co-sleeping). Be warned, this technique takes hard work--like any sleep training, and strong consistency. It also may work for one baby and not the next (like in our house).
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
by Martha and William Sears
I like Dr. Sears' books and perspective on parenting. He utilizes 'attachment parenting' as his major philosophy. Again, this perspective may not work for your family or every child. His website is www.askdrsears.com.
First Meals: The Complete Cookbook and Nutrition Guide
Annabel Karmel
This is a good book to to guide you through making your own baby food. Although there are some questionable recommendations from my perspective (I don't push solids too much until the babies are 9-12 months old and I avoid dairy the first year); there are a lot of fun and great recipes for all ages.
You should know by now that I love the library. So, I urge you to go and spend some time in the baby book section. There are a lot and you should find books that match your personality and outlook on parenting as well as your baby's temperment. Do not feel obligated to follow all of anyone's advice. Do what you feel is best.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Bring the Restaurant Home
We don't eat out much. But we miss a couple things from restaurants--soup and salad bars. We love to have soup and salad dinners--they are healthy and economical. So here are some ideas to bring the 'restaurant-style' home.
Fake-Out Cream Soups
This recipe is for Cream of Cauliflower Soup or Cream of Brocolli Soup but its a lot healthier and super fast. Pureeing soups gives a creamy texture without adding lots of cream--actually no cream. Simply topping soup with cheese instead of adding it while cooking, reduces the fat as well.
2 tablespoons olive oil or 1 tablespoon oil and one butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 head of cauliflower or 1 bunch of brocolli, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
4 cups broth or water (if using water, simmer extra 10 min)
1 cup shredded cheese
In large pot, heat oil. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sautee five minutes. Add garlic and cauliflower or brocolli, and salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes. Add flour and stir well. Cook 5 minutes. Add liquids. Cook on high and cover. Bring to a boil. Drop heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Using immersion blender, puree soup (or ladle into blender and puree in batches). Leave some vegetable chunks. Ladle servings into bowls and top with 2 tablespoons cheese.
Makes 6 servings.
*You can also make Baked Potato Soup by adding 3 baked potatoes (leftover or made in microwave so save time). And so not puree but use a potato masher to smooth out soup. Top with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
**Experiment with adding spices or fresh herbs to change flavors. Cummin, curry, cilantro...
Great Fruit Salad
Your favorite fruits (we like apples, berries, bananas, melon)
Add chopped nuts--almonds are great!
Add minced mint and ginger
Add the rind of one lemon or lime and its juice
Super Salad
Start with your favorite greens. Add as many fruits and veggies as you like. Here are some of our favorite combos.
*Apples, dried cranberries, almonds
*Carrots, peas, avocado, almonds
*Veggies, nuts, dried ramen noodles
*Pears, nuts, blue cheese, raisins
*Peas, pesto
*Brocolli, carrots, peas, apples
*Beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, green beans)
Fake-Out Cream Soups
This recipe is for Cream of Cauliflower Soup or Cream of Brocolli Soup but its a lot healthier and super fast. Pureeing soups gives a creamy texture without adding lots of cream--actually no cream. Simply topping soup with cheese instead of adding it while cooking, reduces the fat as well.
2 tablespoons olive oil or 1 tablespoon oil and one butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 head of cauliflower or 1 bunch of brocolli, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
4 cups broth or water (if using water, simmer extra 10 min)
1 cup shredded cheese
In large pot, heat oil. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sautee five minutes. Add garlic and cauliflower or brocolli, and salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes. Add flour and stir well. Cook 5 minutes. Add liquids. Cook on high and cover. Bring to a boil. Drop heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Using immersion blender, puree soup (or ladle into blender and puree in batches). Leave some vegetable chunks. Ladle servings into bowls and top with 2 tablespoons cheese.
Makes 6 servings.
*You can also make Baked Potato Soup by adding 3 baked potatoes (leftover or made in microwave so save time). And so not puree but use a potato masher to smooth out soup. Top with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
**Experiment with adding spices or fresh herbs to change flavors. Cummin, curry, cilantro...
Great Fruit Salad
Your favorite fruits (we like apples, berries, bananas, melon)
Add chopped nuts--almonds are great!
Add minced mint and ginger
Add the rind of one lemon or lime and its juice
Super Salad
Start with your favorite greens. Add as many fruits and veggies as you like. Here are some of our favorite combos.
*Apples, dried cranberries, almonds
*Carrots, peas, avocado, almonds
*Veggies, nuts, dried ramen noodles
*Pears, nuts, blue cheese, raisins
*Peas, pesto
*Brocolli, carrots, peas, apples
*Beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, green beans)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Little Things
When people ask me how I am, I almost always answer with either "busy" or "tired". Things get so crazy around here sometimes. Soccer practice, PTA meetings, meal preparation, shopping, laundry, vacuuming... Having three kids different ages is definately a challenge. Each child needs such different things. Our nine-year-old needs to research her science project. Our two-year-old is potty training--enough said. And our baby is learning to use his body to obtain and eat everything in the house.
So through all this chaos, you have to sit back and enjoy it. So here is a list of ten things that happened in between and during the chaos that make it all worth it.
1. Our 8-month-old finally figured out how to crawl and can now smoothly transition from laying down, sitting, crawling, and standing!
2. My husband mistakingly dressed the baby in our 2-year-olds clothes and vice versa. And neither one cared.
3. Our daughter sweetly helped our two-year-old during his first Easter egg hunt.
4. Our daughter played goalie at her soccer game.
5. We have an owl in our yard and we all stop and listen to it.
6. Our two-year-old helped feed the baby cereal.
7. It was nice enough to play outside--so we are out every day!
8. The kids all sat and played musical instruments together.
9. Our two-year-old learned how to say our last name (which is a complicated one!).
10. Our daughter made us a ceramic toothbrush holder in art class. She hid it from us in a gift bag to find with our Easter baskets.
So through all this chaos, you have to sit back and enjoy it. So here is a list of ten things that happened in between and during the chaos that make it all worth it.
1. Our 8-month-old finally figured out how to crawl and can now smoothly transition from laying down, sitting, crawling, and standing!
2. My husband mistakingly dressed the baby in our 2-year-olds clothes and vice versa. And neither one cared.
3. Our daughter sweetly helped our two-year-old during his first Easter egg hunt.
4. Our daughter played goalie at her soccer game.
5. We have an owl in our yard and we all stop and listen to it.
6. Our two-year-old helped feed the baby cereal.
7. It was nice enough to play outside--so we are out every day!
8. The kids all sat and played musical instruments together.
9. Our two-year-old learned how to say our last name (which is a complicated one!).
10. Our daughter made us a ceramic toothbrush holder in art class. She hid it from us in a gift bag to find with our Easter baskets.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Playing with your child on the cheap
Have you been to the toy store lately? There are SO many toys now. I swear when we were kids there were not as many toys and for sure, our household didn't have that much. After the holidays, my kids had so much and I couldn't believe it. To be honest, I don't remember a lot of my childhood toys. I am sure my parents and relatives provided tons of things to play with but actual manufactured items....I had dolls and stuffed animals. I even asked my mother about it and she couldn't remember any of my specific toys either. However, my mom and I can clearly remember my brothers' toys including He-Man stuff (we had the Castle Greyskull and this really smelly skunk-man) as well as a bunch of Star Wars toys. Perhaps I was the forgotten third child or it was assumed I wanted to play with my brothers' things, or perhaps I played with other things such as soup cans, boxes, pots and pans, and books.
My kids have lots of toys. A lot of things that require a lot of batteries (batteries make a good baby shower gift!). My son has dozens of trucks and trains and cars. My daughter has so many Barbies (30 at one point) and little craft kits (beads all over!). Even the baby has a lot--but his favorite toy for awhile was a washcloth. And even though our two-year-old really loves his train set...the kids love the simple things such as paint, blocks, empty boxes, dancing, playing outside, cooking, coloring, and reading. So I have vowed to do a major downsize of your toy stash this spring.
To that end, I thought I would share some of our favorite activities and toys that are fun and inexpensive.
1. Cheesy Sticks
This is a favorite that I picked up from a developmental therapist.
Take an empty and clean parmasan cheese container and 10 or so popsicle sticks. Allow your child to put the sticks into the top of the cheese container. Start with the lid off. Then progress to the large opening side...then the three small hole side. This will work on the child's fine motor skills or hand and finger skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
By using colored sticks or writing letters, pictures, or numbers on them--the child can sort them ('find all the blue sticks'), make a pattern ('let's do a pig stick then a sheep stick'), or count them as he puts them in.
2. Bouncy Ball
Who doesn't like to play ball. Go out and invest in an exercise ball or pilates ball. Make sure to get one that best fits your size. This is a great thing for everyone in the family. My husband prefers to bounce on the ball than rocking in a rocker when dealing with a fussy baby. It is also great to restore your core muscles after the baby (just sit with your baby and make circles with your hips). I love to exercise with it...but that's a different post.
*Sit on the floor with the ball in between your legs.
1. Lay your baby on top of the ball on his belly. Gently bounce the ball. (this will strengthen the baby's upper body and its fun!)
2. Roll the ball slightly so that the baby almost is standing on the floor, you holding his hands over the top of the ball, and then roll him back to the top (like #1).
3. Sit the baby on the top of the ball. Hold either her torso or top of the thighs. Gently bounce the ball (this is help strengthen your baby's core so that she can sit by herself).
4. Have the baby sit in your lap. Pat the ball with your hand. Help your baby pat the ball. Take turns patting the ball. (this will encourage turn-taking and imitation).
5. Sit with your baby close to a wall--a few feet. Roll the ball with your baby toward the wall (it will bounce back). (this is help your child learn to predict).
3. Paint
Most kids love painting.
You can make paint out of lots of things:
Jello (with just enough water to make a thick paint)
Pudding (with just enough milk...)
Powdered tempera paint (you can make it as thick or thin as you want)
Dish or hand soap with food coloring
Yogurt with food coloring
Try painting outside or in the bath tub for easy clean up.
Paint on old wrapping paper, paper bags, construction paper, the sidewalk, bath tub.
4. Box town
We always have boxes around. Let your kids do whatever they want with them. Or help them (for younger kids, you can do it and surprise them one day). Make them into cars, trains, planes, houses, mail box, refrigerator....the possibilities are endless.
I usually limit the lifetime of our box creations to 1 week--that's about how long I can stand to have a big box in the living room or bedroom.
5. Kitchen Fun
By now you realize we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And hopefully by now you have reorganized your kitchen so that it is safe for the kiddos.
1. Pull out the pots and pan and wooden spoons and make a drum set for the kids.
2. Have them organize the pantry for you--soup in one spot, pasta in another.
3. Have them help make a grocery list--have them check the pantry, what's missing, count what you have.
4. We have lots of fun magnets and magnetic toys on the frig and dishwasher.
5. Kids can stack boxes or can to make a castle out of cans.
Some good resources...
Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child by Robyn Gee and Susan Meredith (a great book for 0-5 year olds (one section for 0-2 1/2 years; one for 2 1/2-5 years) including what to use in your house to foster development).
Parenting Magazine--they have a section each month on ideas to use recycleables (e.g. toilet paper rolls, milk jugs, paper napkins).
My kids have lots of toys. A lot of things that require a lot of batteries (batteries make a good baby shower gift!). My son has dozens of trucks and trains and cars. My daughter has so many Barbies (30 at one point) and little craft kits (beads all over!). Even the baby has a lot--but his favorite toy for awhile was a washcloth. And even though our two-year-old really loves his train set...the kids love the simple things such as paint, blocks, empty boxes, dancing, playing outside, cooking, coloring, and reading. So I have vowed to do a major downsize of your toy stash this spring.
To that end, I thought I would share some of our favorite activities and toys that are fun and inexpensive.
1. Cheesy Sticks
This is a favorite that I picked up from a developmental therapist.
Take an empty and clean parmasan cheese container and 10 or so popsicle sticks. Allow your child to put the sticks into the top of the cheese container. Start with the lid off. Then progress to the large opening side...then the three small hole side. This will work on the child's fine motor skills or hand and finger skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
By using colored sticks or writing letters, pictures, or numbers on them--the child can sort them ('find all the blue sticks'), make a pattern ('let's do a pig stick then a sheep stick'), or count them as he puts them in.
2. Bouncy Ball
Who doesn't like to play ball. Go out and invest in an exercise ball or pilates ball. Make sure to get one that best fits your size. This is a great thing for everyone in the family. My husband prefers to bounce on the ball than rocking in a rocker when dealing with a fussy baby. It is also great to restore your core muscles after the baby (just sit with your baby and make circles with your hips). I love to exercise with it...but that's a different post.
*Sit on the floor with the ball in between your legs.
1. Lay your baby on top of the ball on his belly. Gently bounce the ball. (this will strengthen the baby's upper body and its fun!)
2. Roll the ball slightly so that the baby almost is standing on the floor, you holding his hands over the top of the ball, and then roll him back to the top (like #1).
3. Sit the baby on the top of the ball. Hold either her torso or top of the thighs. Gently bounce the ball (this is help strengthen your baby's core so that she can sit by herself).
4. Have the baby sit in your lap. Pat the ball with your hand. Help your baby pat the ball. Take turns patting the ball. (this will encourage turn-taking and imitation).
5. Sit with your baby close to a wall--a few feet. Roll the ball with your baby toward the wall (it will bounce back). (this is help your child learn to predict).
3. Paint
Most kids love painting.
You can make paint out of lots of things:
Jello (with just enough water to make a thick paint)
Pudding (with just enough milk...)
Powdered tempera paint (you can make it as thick or thin as you want)
Dish or hand soap with food coloring
Yogurt with food coloring
Try painting outside or in the bath tub for easy clean up.
Paint on old wrapping paper, paper bags, construction paper, the sidewalk, bath tub.
4. Box town
We always have boxes around. Let your kids do whatever they want with them. Or help them (for younger kids, you can do it and surprise them one day). Make them into cars, trains, planes, houses, mail box, refrigerator....the possibilities are endless.
I usually limit the lifetime of our box creations to 1 week--that's about how long I can stand to have a big box in the living room or bedroom.
5. Kitchen Fun
By now you realize we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And hopefully by now you have reorganized your kitchen so that it is safe for the kiddos.
1. Pull out the pots and pan and wooden spoons and make a drum set for the kids.
2. Have them organize the pantry for you--soup in one spot, pasta in another.
3. Have them help make a grocery list--have them check the pantry, what's missing, count what you have.
4. We have lots of fun magnets and magnetic toys on the frig and dishwasher.
5. Kids can stack boxes or can to make a castle out of cans.
Some good resources...
Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child by Robyn Gee and Susan Meredith (a great book for 0-5 year olds (one section for 0-2 1/2 years; one for 2 1/2-5 years) including what to use in your house to foster development).
Parenting Magazine--they have a section each month on ideas to use recycleables (e.g. toilet paper rolls, milk jugs, paper napkins).
Thursday, April 06, 2006
State of the Household Address
by request
We made the decision for me to stay home with the little ones while my husband works a full-time job. This puts us on only one income. Therefore, maintaining a tight budget is extremely important. Here are some things we do to keep our expenses low.
1. Food
It is estimated that Americans' second largest monthly expenditure is food (after mortgage or rent). (some of these tips are from the Chicago Tribune--although I unfortunately cannot find the article again)
*We don't eat out much. In addition to having three kids who won't sit for more than 20 minutes at a restaurant...eating out is terribly expensive (this includes driving through, ordering in, or stopping by). Additionally, making food at home is faster. By the time you decide on what everyone wants, order, wait, drive home, lay it out on the table...you could have made a simple and healthy meal.
We made the decision for me to stay home with the little ones while my husband works a full-time job. This puts us on only one income. Therefore, maintaining a tight budget is extremely important. Here are some things we do to keep our expenses low.
1. Food
It is estimated that Americans' second largest monthly expenditure is food (after mortgage or rent). (some of these tips are from the Chicago Tribune--although I unfortunately cannot find the article again)
*We don't eat out much. In addition to having three kids who won't sit for more than 20 minutes at a restaurant...eating out is terribly expensive (this includes driving through, ordering in, or stopping by). Additionally, making food at home is faster. By the time you decide on what everyone wants, order, wait, drive home, lay it out on the table...you could have made a simple and healthy meal.
*If you do eat out....don't order drinks. Water is good for you and free.
*Order a meal and only eat half (this will save your waistline too!). Save the rest for lunch.
*Many restaurants offer 'kids eat free' program. Do some research and find which do and don't.
*Also, look in those advertisements you get in the mail (that I often recycle). They often have coupons for local restaurants.
*Be a conservative tipper--unless the service is excellent, don't feel bad to keep it at 15%.
*Don't order food for your 2 year old unless you think he will actually eat it. Otherwise, ask for an extra plate and give him some of yours (this is NOT meal sharing and it should not cost a thing).
*Make it at home!!!
I love coffee but paying $3 for a latte is silly and is now a nice treat once in awhile. Instead I make a cup at home for pennies.
I make our own babyfood, baked goods, pasta sauce, soup, chinese, pizza....
*I am a great shopper.
I love coffee but paying $3 for a latte is silly and is now a nice treat once in awhile. Instead I make a cup at home for pennies.
I make our own babyfood, baked goods, pasta sauce, soup, chinese, pizza....
*I am a great shopper.
*I read through the grocery store's weekly advertisement before going to the store (its online at our store). Most of the items on the ads are at great prices (often a loss to the store). So, stock up. I used to think...why do I need 10 bottles of apple juice. But...if you buy them when they are 10 for $10 and use them as needed....you will save about $1.50/bottle. Cereal is a good one to stock up on as well.
*Try to shop alone. The more people with you, the more requests and impulse buying will occur.
*Buy an extra freezer and buy meat when its on sale and freeze.
*Coupons are only worth it if you would normally buy the product anyways.
*I also almost always buy the store-brand. I am picky about a couple of items (shampoo, mac and cheese) but otherwise, its always cheaper (even when the brand name is on sale)
*Also, I buy reduced-priced baked goods. Our grocery store bakery puts 'old' baked goods half-off after a day. They are still fresh and taste better that they are cheaper. Our store also reduces the rotissary chickens after 7pm (pick one up with your milk and have the next day).
2. Beauty
*Ok, if you know me personally, you know that I am not exactly a beauty queen. I am very simple in my fashion and beauty regime. So, I cut back on make-up, hair products, and perfume (I don't use them really--I do wear make-up but not on a daily basis). I also do not color my hair--which saves me tons of money!
2. Beauty
*Ok, if you know me personally, you know that I am not exactly a beauty queen. I am very simple in my fashion and beauty regime. So, I cut back on make-up, hair products, and perfume (I don't use them really--I do wear make-up but not on a daily basis). I also do not color my hair--which saves me tons of money!
*As for haircuts....I do them at home for everyone but myself. We invested in a set of hair clippers ($15). I cut my husband's hair with the clippers and my son and daughter's with a good pair of hair sissors (that came with the clippers). I go to a hair stylist to get my hair cut a few times a year--and mostly to the discount places.
3. Clothes
*My kids birthdays are in the fall and then its holiday time--so they all get enough clothes to get them through most of the year. But we always have to get summer stuff.
3. Clothes
*My kids birthdays are in the fall and then its holiday time--so they all get enough clothes to get them through most of the year. But we always have to get summer stuff.
*I use any gift cards I get for their birthdays and Christmas in the spring. I also watch out for some good sales at the stores.
*I try to buy clothes that are a bit too big--so they might fit the following year as well. Our poor baby simply wears almost all hand-me-downs from his big brother. I also buy winter coats for the kids every other year and at the end of the winter (for the following year). Around February, stores put everything on clearance (you can do the same in the summer for swimsuits--but those are harder to predict the size).
As for my husband and I, we really don't buy too many clothes for ourselves. Around twice a year, I take an Old Navy shopping spree and my husband's buys a new outfit for work.
Also, don't feel bad asking a friend or family-member for hand-me-downs or shopping at Goodwill. Kids go through clothes super fast! You could probably fill an entire room in your house with all the clothes they will wear in 18 years.
4. The Library!!!
I know I have mentioned it before. Go get yourself a library card. You can get books, movies, music, newspapers, magazines.....for FREE! I used to be a Barnes and Noble junkie--but now I have a hard time spending money on any of that since I know I could get it from the library. Plus its a great place for family fun!
As for my husband and I, we really don't buy too many clothes for ourselves. Around twice a year, I take an Old Navy shopping spree and my husband's buys a new outfit for work.
Also, don't feel bad asking a friend or family-member for hand-me-downs or shopping at Goodwill. Kids go through clothes super fast! You could probably fill an entire room in your house with all the clothes they will wear in 18 years.
4. The Library!!!
I know I have mentioned it before. Go get yourself a library card. You can get books, movies, music, newspapers, magazines.....for FREE! I used to be a Barnes and Noble junkie--but now I have a hard time spending money on any of that since I know I could get it from the library. Plus its a great place for family fun!
5. Gift-giving
*This may sound cruel but...we don't give our baby gifts. He doesn't care if gets something under the tree from Santa or for his birthday. And if we do get the youngest something, it is always very practical. And we don't get our older kids much either. They get a few gifts at Christmas and their birthdays but we have enough family and friends that they get tons of stuff. We try to do more 'experiential' giving--like a special activity or dinner for their birthdays.
*This may also sound bad but...we don't give expense gifts to anyone. Bottom line...we can't afford it. We make a lot of gifts (framed kid art is great!) and try to spend time with people. My husband and I get each other modest gifts or make each other something (like dinner without the kids).
6. Penny-Pinching
I do a couple penny pinching things that I hope save us money but I don't even have time to find out.
*Turn off the lights. If you are not in the room, turn it off.
*Turn off the computer. My husband leaves it on all the time--just in case (of what, I don't know). But if you aren't using it, it will save energy and not give off any extra heat that you don't need.
*In the winter...open the drapes or blinds. Let the sunshine heat the house. In the summer...keep them closed to keep the heat out.
*Run your ceiling fans.
*Take shorter showers or double up (I will take a bath with the babies--hey what other time will you get a chance to soak?).
*In the summer, use your microwave, crockpot and George Foreman grill instead of the oven. It will keep things cool (and thus not cause the AC to charge on).
*Really measure your laundry detergent. Why waste a bunch if you are only doing a small load (like any of us have 'small' loads of laundry!) And wash on cold.
*Buy the cheaper diapers and wipes. Who needs Supreme? Or use coupons.
*Order free samples. If I see a product I already use on TV offering a free sample, I order it. Its FREE! If you are flexible with your brands, you could get a lot.
Let me know what you do to save money! There are always new ideas to try!
Email me at earlychildhoodfun@yahoo.com
next time....fun (cheap) toys and activities with the babies!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Finding Family Fun
You really should leave your house once in awhile--and bring your kids with. But where will you go?
Your community is probably filled with family-oriented activities, and many might even be free!
*Look in the local newspaper (more local than the Chicago Tribune--be specific to your town or neighborhood) or free weekly newspapers. Especially in the summer, there may be some great festivals to go to.
*Our favorite spot for free, family fun....the library. Many offer 'baby time' once a week and other programs for people of all ages.
*Check out your local park district. Many offer programs for families at low-costs (or offer some kind of funding) as well as special free events for families (like an Easter egg hunt, touch-a-truck day, concerts).
*If you live near a college or university, check out their calendar of events. Large universities usually offer open houses and free programs as well as free sporting events.
*Join a Parent Group--Mothers and More or La Leche League are good groups to join to meet other parents with small children. Many of these groups list their meeting times in the local papers.
*Enjoy nature!! Its springtime now so enjoy your local parks, take a walk, go to a nature preserve, visit local arboretums, explore the urban jungle (your kids may enjoy window shopping as much as you do!).
Below are some links for my community:
News Gazette www.news-gazette.com/calendar
Weekly Buzz www.cucalendar.com/
Champaign County www.visitchampaigncounty.org/events/index.html
Champaign Public Library www.champaign.org
Urbana Public Library www.urbanafreelibrary.org
Champaign Park District www.champaignparkdistrict.com
Urbana Park District www.prairienet.org/upd/
University of Illinois www.uiuc.edu
Parkland College www.parkland.edu
Mothers and More www.mothersandmore.com
La Leche League www.lalecheleague.org
Your community is probably filled with family-oriented activities, and many might even be free!
*Look in the local newspaper (more local than the Chicago Tribune--be specific to your town or neighborhood) or free weekly newspapers. Especially in the summer, there may be some great festivals to go to.
*Our favorite spot for free, family fun....the library. Many offer 'baby time' once a week and other programs for people of all ages.
*Check out your local park district. Many offer programs for families at low-costs (or offer some kind of funding) as well as special free events for families (like an Easter egg hunt, touch-a-truck day, concerts).
*If you live near a college or university, check out their calendar of events. Large universities usually offer open houses and free programs as well as free sporting events.
*Join a Parent Group--Mothers and More or La Leche League are good groups to join to meet other parents with small children. Many of these groups list their meeting times in the local papers.
*Enjoy nature!! Its springtime now so enjoy your local parks, take a walk, go to a nature preserve, visit local arboretums, explore the urban jungle (your kids may enjoy window shopping as much as you do!).
Below are some links for my community:
News Gazette www.news-gazette.com/calendar
Weekly Buzz www.cucalendar.com/
Champaign County www.visitchampaigncounty.org/events/index.html
Champaign Public Library www.champaign.org
Urbana Public Library www.urbanafreelibrary.org
Champaign Park District www.champaignparkdistrict.com
Urbana Park District www.prairienet.org/upd/
University of Illinois www.uiuc.edu
Parkland College www.parkland.edu
Mothers and More www.mothersandmore.com
La Leche League www.lalecheleague.org
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Waste Not
Being a stay-home mom, our budget is very tight. Therefore, I don't waste a thing in our house, if I can. We always have bananas that no one will eat once any brown appears. So we eat a lot of banana bread and muffins as well as smoothies.
Dont' have time? Peel bananas, chop roughly, place in ziplock, and throw in freezer. Label the amount on bag. (You can also freeze any berries or peaches that get forgotten)
Here are our favorite recipes.
This is fiber-packed and a great morning snack.
Chunky Monkey Muffins
1 cup sugar (you can do 1/2 white, 1/2 brown)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 eggs
4 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tsp vinegar)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips, optional
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional
Heat oven to 350F. Cream butter, sugar, and 2 bananas together. Add buttermilk. Add flours, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Fold in oatmeal, nuts, chocolate, fruit, and remaining 2 bananas (chopped). Spoon into muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray. Makes 24 large muffins (bake 20-30 min) or 48 mini-muffins (bake 15-20 min) or 2 bread loaves (bake 45-60 min).
*Using a mixer, this is easy to make while holding the baby. Use an ice cream scoop to fill baking cups.
**Kids can help pick out ingredients and taste them (please be aware of choking hazards).
Fruit Smoothies
1 cup frozen or fresh fruit
1/2 cup juice, milk, soy milk or water
1/4 cup yogurt, optional
1/2 cup ice, optional
OR
1 banana
1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup milk or soy milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, optional
Place in blender and blend until desired consistency.
We also have leftover pasta and rice often. Here is a great recipe to use it up.
Speghetti Pie or Rice Casserole
1 cup veggies--leftover or fresh (onions, carrots, squash, whatever)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk or broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (throw in the microwave for 3 mins and squeeze out in paper towels)
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2-2 cups leftover pasta or rice
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Heat oven 350F. In large skillet, heat butter or oil. Add veggies, sautee 5 minutes. Add flour and stir. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add milk, stir. Bring to boil. Add tomato sauce and spinach. Add pasta or rice and egg. Top with cheese. Mix until well combined. Pour into 9x9 pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. While baking, make a salad or veggie (try making frozen green beans with a handful of dried cranberries).
*You can make this ahead of time and put it in the oven when you get home (cook for 45 minutes).
Dont' have time? Peel bananas, chop roughly, place in ziplock, and throw in freezer. Label the amount on bag. (You can also freeze any berries or peaches that get forgotten)
Here are our favorite recipes.
This is fiber-packed and a great morning snack.
Chunky Monkey Muffins
1 cup sugar (you can do 1/2 white, 1/2 brown)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 eggs
4 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tsp vinegar)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips, optional
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional
Heat oven to 350F. Cream butter, sugar, and 2 bananas together. Add buttermilk. Add flours, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Fold in oatmeal, nuts, chocolate, fruit, and remaining 2 bananas (chopped). Spoon into muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray. Makes 24 large muffins (bake 20-30 min) or 48 mini-muffins (bake 15-20 min) or 2 bread loaves (bake 45-60 min).
*Using a mixer, this is easy to make while holding the baby. Use an ice cream scoop to fill baking cups.
**Kids can help pick out ingredients and taste them (please be aware of choking hazards).
Fruit Smoothies
1 cup frozen or fresh fruit
1/2 cup juice, milk, soy milk or water
1/4 cup yogurt, optional
1/2 cup ice, optional
OR
1 banana
1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup milk or soy milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, optional
Place in blender and blend until desired consistency.
We also have leftover pasta and rice often. Here is a great recipe to use it up.
Speghetti Pie or Rice Casserole
1 cup veggies--leftover or fresh (onions, carrots, squash, whatever)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk or broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (throw in the microwave for 3 mins and squeeze out in paper towels)
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2-2 cups leftover pasta or rice
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Heat oven 350F. In large skillet, heat butter or oil. Add veggies, sautee 5 minutes. Add flour and stir. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add milk, stir. Bring to boil. Add tomato sauce and spinach. Add pasta or rice and egg. Top with cheese. Mix until well combined. Pour into 9x9 pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. While baking, make a salad or veggie (try making frozen green beans with a handful of dried cranberries).
*You can make this ahead of time and put it in the oven when you get home (cook for 45 minutes).
Learning from Lasagna
Its been awhile, I know. But that's what happens in families. Kids get sick, teething, soccer practice, and all the sudden weeks have gone by and you didn't even notice. But in the chaos we call parenthood, I did manage to get some good food on the table.
Here is a great lasagna to learn with....
Learning Lasagna
1 package no-cook lasagna noodles
1 package italian blend shredded cheese (or 2 cups grated mozerella)
2-3 cups tomato sauce (see recipe below or use store-bought)
2 portions of lasagna fillings (see below)
Here is a great lasagna to learn with....
Learning Lasagna
1 package no-cook lasagna noodles
1 package italian blend shredded cheese (or 2 cups grated mozerella)
2-3 cups tomato sauce (see recipe below or use store-bought)
2 portions of lasagna fillings (see below)
Heat oven to 350F. Prepare sauce and fillings as desired. Coat bottom of 9x9 pan with sauce. Add one layer of noodles (about 3 noodles--you will probably have to break them up to fit). Cover with sauce. Add one layer of filling. Add layer of noodles. Cover with sauce. Cover with layer of shredded cheese. Add another layer of filling. Add layer of noodles. Cover with sauce. Cover with remaining shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Take foil off and bake additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool 15 minutes.
(This freezes well. Line the pan with two layers of foil, then assemble. Cover with foil. Freeze in pan. Once frozen, take out of pan and wrap with plastic wrap. You can bake from frozen, add 20 minutes).
Lasagna Fillings
1. Mix one small container of ricotta cheese with one clove finely minced garlic, 1/4 tsp basil, salt and pepper. (You can also add one package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained well).
2. Brown 1 lb. ground beef or italian sausage. Drain excess fat. Add one cup tomato sauce.
3. Sautee fresh veggies in pan with garlic and basil. You want about 1-2 cups when finished. I suggest mushrooms, zuchinni, carrots, spinach, peppers, or any mix (leftover veggies work well too!). Add one cup tomato sauce.
4. Grill or sautee one eggplant--sliced thin.
Easy Tomato Sauce
(its better and WAY cheaper than jarred sauce)
1 large can crushed tomatoes or about 5-10 fresh tomatoes, chopped and seeded
1 medium onion, chopped
at least 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil or a bunch of fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
(you can also pump up the veggie in-take by adding 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped ribs celery, 1 chopped bell pepper, or fresh or frozen spinach)
Heat a medium pot on high. Add olive oil, onions (and any other veggies except spinach), and garlic. Sautee for five minutes. Add basil, tomatoes, and salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer ten minutes. (Add spinach at end).
*I sometimes puree the sauce--to hide the veggies.
(its better and WAY cheaper than jarred sauce)
1 large can crushed tomatoes or about 5-10 fresh tomatoes, chopped and seeded
1 medium onion, chopped
at least 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil or a bunch of fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
(you can also pump up the veggie in-take by adding 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped ribs celery, 1 chopped bell pepper, or fresh or frozen spinach)
Heat a medium pot on high. Add olive oil, onions (and any other veggies except spinach), and garlic. Sautee for five minutes. Add basil, tomatoes, and salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer ten minutes. (Add spinach at end).
*I sometimes puree the sauce--to hide the veggies.
What the Kids Can Do!
*Select fillings (one kid can pick one, another can pick another)
*Break noodles into 1/2 Can you make this noodle into 2? This piece is called 1 half. How many halves do you have now?
*Count noodles
*Measure ingredients Let's scoop 1 cup of sauce into pan.
*Spread sauce and cheese
*Help make the pattern of the lasagne Sauce, noodles, filling...what comes next?
*Cut veggies (older children only!)
*Put foil on top
*Measure different pans to select right one
*Identify shapes for right pan We need a square pan, which of these is square?
*Count corners on pan How many corners are on this pan? We need one with 4 corners.
*Grate cheese (older children only!)
*Identify colors of food What color is the tomato sauce? How about this noodle?
*Taste different ingredients Do you like that taste? Does it taste sweet or sour?
*Mix sauce or fillings
*Read recipe Identify title, words, sentences, number, fractions, symbols.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Who are you?
If you are reading this blog, let me know!!
Introduce yourself!
Please let me know what you think or what you would like to hear about? Any questions I can answer? Looking for a good recipe?
Email me at:
earlychildhoodfun@yahoo.com
Introduce yourself!
Please let me know what you think or what you would like to hear about? Any questions I can answer? Looking for a good recipe?
Email me at:
earlychildhoodfun@yahoo.com
Keeping Up with the World
With the passing of the Oscars last night, award season is now over. This year I was at the point where I only really knew the nominees in the children's categories (e.g. best children's album, best animated film). Thank goodness for the Daytime Emmy's--at least I have seen those shows at least once. Being a stay-home mom, especially in the Midwest where its supercold in the winer and hot in the summer, we spend a lot of time inside--not even talking to other people outside the immediate family. Some days I feel so out of touch, that I can't believe what's happened to me. But I have found some ways to combat this isolation and feel like other adults in the world.
--The Latest News
First, I keep up with the news. I try to watch the local news at least a couple times a week. I also check on the daily news online. Even if I only read the headlines, at least I know there is something happening. I check the national and local websites once a day.
I like msnbc.com and cnn.com (as well as chicagotribune.com).
--The Gift of Gossip
Secondly, I give myself the gift of celebrity gossip. I subscribe to People Magazine. Its a bit expensive, since it is published weekly but you could share the subscription with a girlfriend. Or I read Us Weekly at the gym. And I even check eonline.com once in awhile. In our American world right now, celebrity news is as almost as important as 'real' news, so if you are in the know you can relate to other adults--should you come in contact with any.
(at least the crossword in the back should keep your brain working!)
--See Adult Movies
We try to see 'adult' movies at least once a month. I don't mean porn--although there is nothing wrong with that, if you like. I mean movies made for people over 13 years old. Movies are expensive to go to--especially on a date with your honey (dinner, movie, popcorn, babysitter=$100 easy).
Here are some tips:
(1) go to a weekend matinee--some theaters reduce the price even more from 4-6pm. Sitters are easier to find since they don't have to devote their whole evening to babysitting.
(2) rent a DVD--there are only $3-4 which is half of one ticket at the theater. Pop some popcorn at home for another $1. Too tired at the end of the day? Pop it in your laptop and watch it in bed or watch half one day and half another.
(3) Pay-per-view. It can be the same price as renting and you don't have to return it.
(4) Rent from the library. Our library is getting movies faster than before and you can borrow them for a week for a small fee (ours is $1).
(5) If you really watch a lot of DVD's, try a service such as Netflix or Blockbuster Online. They mail them to your door. If you are really going to watch a lot, it is definately worth it economically. You could also share a membership with a friend.
Also, since you probably won't be able to see every movie out there. Make the experience worth it, glance at reviews (rottentomatoes.com is great, you can see how a movie rates without reading through all the reviews and ruining the surprise endings) or ask friends for reviews.
--Read a Book or Watch TV.
--Eat like an Adult
It is so easy to find yourself munching on macaroni and cheese with a side of chicken nuggets. But once in awhile, you need to eat gourmet. Make a separate meal for you and your honey (if the kids are having chicken nuggets, make a big salad with spinach, greens, veggies, apples, cranberries, nuts. Then slice up the chickken nuggets and add it to your salad). We also like to keep some of our favorite restaurants kid-free, meaning we only go there alone. It becomes a special place that we can feel like adults and not parents for a hour or two. Eat slowly and stay late for dessert and coffee.
--Get Out of the House!!
Finally, get yourself out of the house (and not to the grocery store!). I find that to only places I go are the grocery store and the gym. Although, I use the gym as my retreat, I also need time to go something alone and not practical. You don't always have to multi-task. Go to the movies, have coffee with friends, go out and talk on the phone for an hour--without interruption, read in the park, shop for clothes for yourself, treat yourself to lunch, go for a walk. Do something without the kids or even your sweetie and try not to think about them--as hard as that is. You probably have a cell phone, so if they are truly in need of you, they can call.
It is so easy to fall into the seculsion of your house and role as a mother or father. But you have to remember that you are also a woman or man, wife or husband. Take the time to be that adult. It will allow you to be a better parent.
Happy person=Happy parent!!!
--The Latest News
First, I keep up with the news. I try to watch the local news at least a couple times a week. I also check on the daily news online. Even if I only read the headlines, at least I know there is something happening. I check the national and local websites once a day.
I like msnbc.com and cnn.com (as well as chicagotribune.com).
--The Gift of Gossip
Secondly, I give myself the gift of celebrity gossip. I subscribe to People Magazine. Its a bit expensive, since it is published weekly but you could share the subscription with a girlfriend. Or I read Us Weekly at the gym. And I even check eonline.com once in awhile. In our American world right now, celebrity news is as almost as important as 'real' news, so if you are in the know you can relate to other adults--should you come in contact with any.
(at least the crossword in the back should keep your brain working!)
--See Adult Movies
We try to see 'adult' movies at least once a month. I don't mean porn--although there is nothing wrong with that, if you like. I mean movies made for people over 13 years old. Movies are expensive to go to--especially on a date with your honey (dinner, movie, popcorn, babysitter=$100 easy).
Here are some tips:
(1) go to a weekend matinee--some theaters reduce the price even more from 4-6pm. Sitters are easier to find since they don't have to devote their whole evening to babysitting.
(2) rent a DVD--there are only $3-4 which is half of one ticket at the theater. Pop some popcorn at home for another $1. Too tired at the end of the day? Pop it in your laptop and watch it in bed or watch half one day and half another.
(3) Pay-per-view. It can be the same price as renting and you don't have to return it.
(4) Rent from the library. Our library is getting movies faster than before and you can borrow them for a week for a small fee (ours is $1).
(5) If you really watch a lot of DVD's, try a service such as Netflix or Blockbuster Online. They mail them to your door. If you are really going to watch a lot, it is definately worth it economically. You could also share a membership with a friend.
Also, since you probably won't be able to see every movie out there. Make the experience worth it, glance at reviews (rottentomatoes.com is great, you can see how a movie rates without reading through all the reviews and ruining the surprise endings) or ask friends for reviews.
--Read a Book or Watch TV.
I also love to read. After being in grad school, I longed to read anything that wasn't a textbook or research article. So, I became a library junky. I find a series of books or a particular author and read as much as I can. Right now I am reading books by Sue Grafton (her alphabet series, A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar...). They are great with a super female lead. Check it out at www.suegrafton.com
(**Also, by seeing you read, your children will see the importance of reading for themselves!)
By the time we get all the kids to bed and clean up a bit, its late and we are tired. Sometimes, I am just too tired to read coherently. So, I try to watch one 'adult' television show each week. I make the time. Usually, I prefer CSI but if I miss the beginning, I opt for ER. Something about watching something without dance numbers makes me feel like an adult again.--Eat like an Adult
It is so easy to find yourself munching on macaroni and cheese with a side of chicken nuggets. But once in awhile, you need to eat gourmet. Make a separate meal for you and your honey (if the kids are having chicken nuggets, make a big salad with spinach, greens, veggies, apples, cranberries, nuts. Then slice up the chickken nuggets and add it to your salad). We also like to keep some of our favorite restaurants kid-free, meaning we only go there alone. It becomes a special place that we can feel like adults and not parents for a hour or two. Eat slowly and stay late for dessert and coffee.
--Get Out of the House!!
Finally, get yourself out of the house (and not to the grocery store!). I find that to only places I go are the grocery store and the gym. Although, I use the gym as my retreat, I also need time to go something alone and not practical. You don't always have to multi-task. Go to the movies, have coffee with friends, go out and talk on the phone for an hour--without interruption, read in the park, shop for clothes for yourself, treat yourself to lunch, go for a walk. Do something without the kids or even your sweetie and try not to think about them--as hard as that is. You probably have a cell phone, so if they are truly in need of you, they can call.
It is so easy to fall into the seculsion of your house and role as a mother or father. But you have to remember that you are also a woman or man, wife or husband. Take the time to be that adult. It will allow you to be a better parent.
Happy person=Happy parent!!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sickies
So, this week we are all sick. I can't remember a time when we were all sick at once. It really is unpleasant. At least my husband wasn't as bad as the rest of us--he made us a big breakfast on Saturday--thanks, hun.
So, I sit here--in my extreme exhaustion, staring at the line up of vaporub, tylenol (four types), saline drops, kleenx, bulb syringe, vitamins.... I washed everything possible--toothbrushes, all the doornobs and light switches, the remote, computer keyboard, toys, pacifiers, everyone's hands. We rented videos and got books from the library. We have shared our only humidifier among the bedrooms. We have eaten ice cream, pudding, donuts, applesauce, pizza, and speghettios. And drank gallons of fluids among the five of us. I have changed my clothes three times a day--due to spit up and snot. And we sleep when we can. Well I think four out of five of us are doing better. A trip to the doctor will get the last of us on the road to recovery--missing three days of school helps too. It will probably take us a week to get back on schedule and working again on potty training, sleep routines, and school work. But oh well. Maybe fate made us take a break from our busy schedules and focus on ourselves for once (I slept almost three hours without interruption on Saturday!!).
And it reminds me share one of my favorite recipes...chicken soup.
Basic Chicken Soup
3-4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, if desired
1 medium onion, chopped
5-6 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
6 cups chicken broth or water
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper
In a large pot, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken breasts in hot oil. Cook until lightly brown. Flip over. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until other side of chicken is browned. Add basil. Add liquid. Bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 minutes. Take chicken breasts out of soup. Using two forks or a knife (or your fingers!), shred chicken. Add back to soup. Add peas. Cook five minutes. Enjoy.
Variations:
Add any veggies you want. Play with your food!
You can add noodles the last 10 minutes of cooking. We like alphabets or fat egg noodles.
Asian-Style
Add 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger and one 4 oz can chopped jalepano peppers with liquid. While shredding chicken, add 1/2 package thin rice noodles. Omit peas.
Tortilla Soup
Add 1-2 chipotle peppers or one 4 oz can chopped jalepano peppers, 8 oz tomato sauce, 1 tsp chili powder. While shredding chicken, puree soup with immersion blender. Top soup with crushed corn chips and shredded cheese. Omit peas.
So, I sit here--in my extreme exhaustion, staring at the line up of vaporub, tylenol (four types), saline drops, kleenx, bulb syringe, vitamins.... I washed everything possible--toothbrushes, all the doornobs and light switches, the remote, computer keyboard, toys, pacifiers, everyone's hands. We rented videos and got books from the library. We have shared our only humidifier among the bedrooms. We have eaten ice cream, pudding, donuts, applesauce, pizza, and speghettios. And drank gallons of fluids among the five of us. I have changed my clothes three times a day--due to spit up and snot. And we sleep when we can. Well I think four out of five of us are doing better. A trip to the doctor will get the last of us on the road to recovery--missing three days of school helps too. It will probably take us a week to get back on schedule and working again on potty training, sleep routines, and school work. But oh well. Maybe fate made us take a break from our busy schedules and focus on ourselves for once (I slept almost three hours without interruption on Saturday!!).
And it reminds me share one of my favorite recipes...chicken soup.
Basic Chicken Soup
3-4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, if desired
1 medium onion, chopped
5-6 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
6 cups chicken broth or water
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper
In a large pot, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken breasts in hot oil. Cook until lightly brown. Flip over. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until other side of chicken is browned. Add basil. Add liquid. Bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 minutes. Take chicken breasts out of soup. Using two forks or a knife (or your fingers!), shred chicken. Add back to soup. Add peas. Cook five minutes. Enjoy.
Variations:
Add any veggies you want. Play with your food!
You can add noodles the last 10 minutes of cooking. We like alphabets or fat egg noodles.
Asian-Style
Add 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger and one 4 oz can chopped jalepano peppers with liquid. While shredding chicken, add 1/2 package thin rice noodles. Omit peas.
Tortilla Soup
Add 1-2 chipotle peppers or one 4 oz can chopped jalepano peppers, 8 oz tomato sauce, 1 tsp chili powder. While shredding chicken, puree soup with immersion blender. Top soup with crushed corn chips and shredded cheese. Omit peas.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Busy Days
Yesterday was a terribly busy day for us--although upon reflection, I suppose it was normal for our lives. Besides the fact that we had just gotten back from travelling, which meant everyone was tired and a bit off, we had to be in three different places at once. Our daughter is taking a class which happens to be at the same time my regular exercise class and it was PTA night. It was also bath night for the kids. Not willing to give up my hour to myself at the gym, we have organized a somewhat elaborate system to get us all where we need to be. (Did I mention we only have one car?)
First, we eliminate things we can't or don't want to do. The PTA meeting was a child-parent activity, so since our child couldn't be there, we eliminated PTA. I fed our older son dinner now--at 430pm so that at least its a possibility he will be in a good mood. So, I put on my workout clothes, pack my gym bag, change the boys' diapers, and get everyone with shoes and coats to the car. We pick up my husband from work. Then we drive to the gym where I and our older son get out. I drop him off at the childcare and I go to kickbox. Meanwhile, my husband drops our daughter off at class. Then he goes home, takes care of a few things with the baby. After about half an hour at home, he packs the baby up and begins to retrieve us. He picks up me--freshly pumped and showered (the gym is the only place I can shower without anyone coming and asking me questions, using the toilet, or trying to get in with me) and our son. At this point, both kids are crying. Our older son had a miserable time at the gym since he was forced to leave a Bob the Builder toy there and then put on his coat. Our baby hates the car and was hungry since my husband didn't have time to feed him while home. But we have to keep going. We pick up our daughter and head for home. At this point, it is about 730pm. Kids' bedtime is at 8pm. We resort to survival mode. Skip baths for the boys--they can do it in the morning. Any homework not due tomorrow can be left undone for our daughter. The girls eat dinner and the boys get ready for bed. After dinner, the girls enjoy some ice cream and strawberries--shhhh! Our daughter can't skip showering even though its late but we keep it short. By 815pm all the kids are in bed and we are sitting down for the first time since 5pm. A quick putting away of dinner--the dishes can wait. And we collapse to watch the Olympics.
Now reading that, it is pretty typical. I guess it makes the time pass quickly.
So onto another mommy survival tip....
The Crock Pot
Every family must have one. On nights like this--when time is short and eating all together is unlikely, a crock pot meal is great. Plus, these meals take minutes to prepare and are healthy (since you aren't using any oil, etc. to cook with). You can throw the meal together the night before or when you have some down time in the morning. Even husbands can make great meals using it (hint, hint darling husband!). The extended cooking also acts as a nice air freshener--the house and even outside smell great (if you like the smell of pot roast or soup, that is).
Funny story--my cousin got married last year. She registered for a nice and big crock pot. Well, she ended up getting 6. We all told her to keep at least 2 for herself but she didn't believe us and only kept one. Oh well.
*I don't usually involved the kids while cooking with the crock pot because there's no time. It only takes a couple of minutes--usually of chopping, which I obviously don't do holding a baby or toddler.
Beef Stroganoff
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 lbs stew beef
1 tablespoon tapioca
1/4 cup water
1 small package mushrooms (about 6), sliced
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
Add onion, garlic, sauce, basil, beef and tapioca to crock pot. Add salt and pepper (1/2 tsp each to start). Mix together. Add water. Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours (or according to manufactures instructions). Add mushrooms after 5 hours or so. Before serving, add sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Serve over egg noodles.
*can be left on 'warm' setting after 6 hours until reading to eat.
Barbeque Chicken
Chicken breasts--up to 12 fit in a standard pot
1/4-1 cup prepared barbeque sauce (about 1 heaping tablespoon per breast)
Put ingredients in pot. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. With two forks, shred chicken. Serve with buns and extra sauce as sandwiches.
Leftovers are a great filling for tacos or burritos. You can also make BBQ chicken pizza (lightly toast a tortilla, top with chicken, BBQ sauce, and cheese. Heat until cheese is melted)!
First, we eliminate things we can't or don't want to do. The PTA meeting was a child-parent activity, so since our child couldn't be there, we eliminated PTA. I fed our older son dinner now--at 430pm so that at least its a possibility he will be in a good mood. So, I put on my workout clothes, pack my gym bag, change the boys' diapers, and get everyone with shoes and coats to the car. We pick up my husband from work. Then we drive to the gym where I and our older son get out. I drop him off at the childcare and I go to kickbox. Meanwhile, my husband drops our daughter off at class. Then he goes home, takes care of a few things with the baby. After about half an hour at home, he packs the baby up and begins to retrieve us. He picks up me--freshly pumped and showered (the gym is the only place I can shower without anyone coming and asking me questions, using the toilet, or trying to get in with me) and our son. At this point, both kids are crying. Our older son had a miserable time at the gym since he was forced to leave a Bob the Builder toy there and then put on his coat. Our baby hates the car and was hungry since my husband didn't have time to feed him while home. But we have to keep going. We pick up our daughter and head for home. At this point, it is about 730pm. Kids' bedtime is at 8pm. We resort to survival mode. Skip baths for the boys--they can do it in the morning. Any homework not due tomorrow can be left undone for our daughter. The girls eat dinner and the boys get ready for bed. After dinner, the girls enjoy some ice cream and strawberries--shhhh! Our daughter can't skip showering even though its late but we keep it short. By 815pm all the kids are in bed and we are sitting down for the first time since 5pm. A quick putting away of dinner--the dishes can wait. And we collapse to watch the Olympics.
Now reading that, it is pretty typical. I guess it makes the time pass quickly.
So onto another mommy survival tip....
The Crock Pot
Every family must have one. On nights like this--when time is short and eating all together is unlikely, a crock pot meal is great. Plus, these meals take minutes to prepare and are healthy (since you aren't using any oil, etc. to cook with). You can throw the meal together the night before or when you have some down time in the morning. Even husbands can make great meals using it (hint, hint darling husband!). The extended cooking also acts as a nice air freshener--the house and even outside smell great (if you like the smell of pot roast or soup, that is).
Funny story--my cousin got married last year. She registered for a nice and big crock pot. Well, she ended up getting 6. We all told her to keep at least 2 for herself but she didn't believe us and only kept one. Oh well.
*I don't usually involved the kids while cooking with the crock pot because there's no time. It only takes a couple of minutes--usually of chopping, which I obviously don't do holding a baby or toddler.
Beef Stroganoff
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 lbs stew beef
1 tablespoon tapioca
1/4 cup water
1 small package mushrooms (about 6), sliced
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
Add onion, garlic, sauce, basil, beef and tapioca to crock pot. Add salt and pepper (1/2 tsp each to start). Mix together. Add water. Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours (or according to manufactures instructions). Add mushrooms after 5 hours or so. Before serving, add sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Serve over egg noodles.
*can be left on 'warm' setting after 6 hours until reading to eat.
Barbeque Chicken
Chicken breasts--up to 12 fit in a standard pot
1/4-1 cup prepared barbeque sauce (about 1 heaping tablespoon per breast)
Put ingredients in pot. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. With two forks, shred chicken. Serve with buns and extra sauce as sandwiches.
Leftovers are a great filling for tacos or burritos. You can also make BBQ chicken pizza (lightly toast a tortilla, top with chicken, BBQ sauce, and cheese. Heat until cheese is melted)!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Traveling
This past weekend, we packed up the kids and went to visit the family for a wedding. It was a delightful weekend full of family and friends. It was great to see almost all of my mother's family (and that's a lot--almost 60). It was especially amazing and a bit strange to see our younger-baby cousins (we officially have to stop calling Jim who is graduating from college Baby Jimmy!) all grown up and enjoying the wedding. It is great to celebrate with four generations together. I will gladly pack up the family and drive a couple hours to see them!
As usual, it was a lot of work just getting out of the house. The preparations begin a week in advance. Besides, planning our week's meals with the existing food in our house--so we use all the parishable foods before we are gone, I shop for anything we might need for the trip (e.g. medications, birthday cards, snacks). Then I try to keep the kids on their schedules until we leave--meaning sleep and eating. I plan to do laundry a day or two early and start pulling things out to pack the night before. We go out of town often enough that it is pretty easy to pack up but it always takes us what seems like forever to leave. We always leave at least one hour later than what I had planned. Then we get in the car and my husband inevitably says he needs to run some kind of errand before we leave town. Our family has learned to expect us at least two hours after we say we will arrive.
Once we are finally there, the adventure begins. I used to get extremely stressed out when we travelled, especially up to Chicagoland to see family. I would always be sick by the time we got home. So over the years I have changed my perspective and tried some strategies to reduce the stress.
*Pack lightly.
If we are staying with people (instead of hotel), I only pack half of what need and do laundry. When travelling with five people, there are a lot of clothes. Plus kids get dirty--you want to wash those right away. I almost always do laundry when visiting my mom's before we come home--that way you come home with mostly clean clothes and you don't have to worry about doing it when you get home. Also, we often stay with my parents so I stock her house with a lot of items (e.g. shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotion, baby cereal, sippy cups, toothbrushes). We also keep a pack-n-play there. She also has a stroller.
*Take care of yourself and your kids
Do not overschedule yourselves. Of course your mother-in-law would like to see you as does your grandmother, and aunt, and brother, and best friend. But you can't see everyone at every visit and you can't see them all in one day. I try to plan only one major event/visit each day. Plan to stay an extra day if possible. Try not to feel obligated to see everyone. Remember people can come visit your home as well.
SLEEP!!! If possible I try to plan things around the kids usual sleeping times and meals. Try not to skip a nap more than one day. Sleep yourself. I love talking with my siblings but I really shouldn't stay up past midnight to do so--especially when I will see them in the morning. Also, get back on schedule as soon as you get home.
EAT!!! We have found that people without kids do not eat like people with kids--most commonly, they eat dinner when your kids are usually asleep and sleep when your kids want to eat breakfast. Try to keep your kids and your own bloodsugar under control. Pack good snacks (e.g. cereal bars, bags of cereal, dried fruit, applesauce, juice boxes, pretzles). Kids will most likely not eat at big family meals like Christmas dinner--besides the fact that the food may not be familiar, they will be overstimulated with presents and new people and places. Feed them before you leave. I also feel like as long as they eat something, we're doing good. For example, our son didn't really eat dinner one night because he didn't like any of the food offered (he's a picky eater to begin with). So, I let him eat a piece of cheesecake and some jello anyways. At least he got some calories in him, right?
*Meltdowns
Someone in your family will have a meltdown while travelling--whether its you or your kids. Its ok. People won't think you're a terrible mother if you kids throws himself on the floor because he's exhausted and doesn't want to share his toys. This past weekend, our kids were so tired. We were having dinner with my grandmother and two out of three of the kids left the table in tears. I just let them happen. Both kids took a couple minutes to cry and pout and then returned to the table and ate and the rest of the visit was pleasant. If you protect your sleeping and eating you can try to avoid meltdowns but...
*Diaper Bags
Although I try to be minimalistic with my kids and travel....I do pack a good diaper bag. Besides the obvious diapers and wipes, I pack an extra set of clothing for all the kids in diapers and an extra set for me (since we are still nursing--FYI my kids are notorious for getting off their nursing schedules while travelling). I also have toys, books, snacks, extra pacificers, and diaper cream. Since most homes without kids won't have toys for the kids to play with, the kids pack a bag of things to do including books and favorite toys (they also use them in the car). Warning!!! Don't pack your kid's favorite favorite toy unless you will be very good about remembering to bring it home. My son loves his Thomas the train but I bring other trains in his bag--besides the fact he would be really upset if we lost it, he will not share it with other kids.
Travelling with Your Toddler
http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/btravel/0,,423r,00.html
Have a Good Trip
http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/btravel/0,,423r,00.html
As usual, it was a lot of work just getting out of the house. The preparations begin a week in advance. Besides, planning our week's meals with the existing food in our house--so we use all the parishable foods before we are gone, I shop for anything we might need for the trip (e.g. medications, birthday cards, snacks). Then I try to keep the kids on their schedules until we leave--meaning sleep and eating. I plan to do laundry a day or two early and start pulling things out to pack the night before. We go out of town often enough that it is pretty easy to pack up but it always takes us what seems like forever to leave. We always leave at least one hour later than what I had planned. Then we get in the car and my husband inevitably says he needs to run some kind of errand before we leave town. Our family has learned to expect us at least two hours after we say we will arrive.
Once we are finally there, the adventure begins. I used to get extremely stressed out when we travelled, especially up to Chicagoland to see family. I would always be sick by the time we got home. So over the years I have changed my perspective and tried some strategies to reduce the stress.
*Pack lightly.
If we are staying with people (instead of hotel), I only pack half of what need and do laundry. When travelling with five people, there are a lot of clothes. Plus kids get dirty--you want to wash those right away. I almost always do laundry when visiting my mom's before we come home--that way you come home with mostly clean clothes and you don't have to worry about doing it when you get home. Also, we often stay with my parents so I stock her house with a lot of items (e.g. shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotion, baby cereal, sippy cups, toothbrushes). We also keep a pack-n-play there. She also has a stroller.
*Take care of yourself and your kids
Do not overschedule yourselves. Of course your mother-in-law would like to see you as does your grandmother, and aunt, and brother, and best friend. But you can't see everyone at every visit and you can't see them all in one day. I try to plan only one major event/visit each day. Plan to stay an extra day if possible. Try not to feel obligated to see everyone. Remember people can come visit your home as well.
SLEEP!!! If possible I try to plan things around the kids usual sleeping times and meals. Try not to skip a nap more than one day. Sleep yourself. I love talking with my siblings but I really shouldn't stay up past midnight to do so--especially when I will see them in the morning. Also, get back on schedule as soon as you get home.
EAT!!! We have found that people without kids do not eat like people with kids--most commonly, they eat dinner when your kids are usually asleep and sleep when your kids want to eat breakfast. Try to keep your kids and your own bloodsugar under control. Pack good snacks (e.g. cereal bars, bags of cereal, dried fruit, applesauce, juice boxes, pretzles). Kids will most likely not eat at big family meals like Christmas dinner--besides the fact that the food may not be familiar, they will be overstimulated with presents and new people and places. Feed them before you leave. I also feel like as long as they eat something, we're doing good. For example, our son didn't really eat dinner one night because he didn't like any of the food offered (he's a picky eater to begin with). So, I let him eat a piece of cheesecake and some jello anyways. At least he got some calories in him, right?
*Meltdowns
Someone in your family will have a meltdown while travelling--whether its you or your kids. Its ok. People won't think you're a terrible mother if you kids throws himself on the floor because he's exhausted and doesn't want to share his toys. This past weekend, our kids were so tired. We were having dinner with my grandmother and two out of three of the kids left the table in tears. I just let them happen. Both kids took a couple minutes to cry and pout and then returned to the table and ate and the rest of the visit was pleasant. If you protect your sleeping and eating you can try to avoid meltdowns but...
*Diaper Bags
Although I try to be minimalistic with my kids and travel....I do pack a good diaper bag. Besides the obvious diapers and wipes, I pack an extra set of clothing for all the kids in diapers and an extra set for me (since we are still nursing--FYI my kids are notorious for getting off their nursing schedules while travelling). I also have toys, books, snacks, extra pacificers, and diaper cream. Since most homes without kids won't have toys for the kids to play with, the kids pack a bag of things to do including books and favorite toys (they also use them in the car). Warning!!! Don't pack your kid's favorite favorite toy unless you will be very good about remembering to bring it home. My son loves his Thomas the train but I bring other trains in his bag--besides the fact he would be really upset if we lost it, he will not share it with other kids.
Travelling with Your Toddler
http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/btravel/0,,423r,00.html
Have a Good Trip
http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/btravel/0,,423r,00.html
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Valentine's Week
This week was Valentine's Week. I hope everyone had a loving and special day. Having three children, it took us a couple days to complete our Valentine's date--dinner one night, movie the next.
With Valentine's, my daughter had a party at school. Being the crazy mother that I am I baked up a storm (Heart-Shaped Cookie Pops, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and a Coffee Cake for the teachers and staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences). Did I mention, she also did a report on Poland and asked me to make some good Polish food for her class? (So, a batch of raspberry kolockies, sausage, pierogies, and sauerkraut).
I love to cook, so today I have included some easy and kid-friendly recipes from my week. Additionally, I have some educational ideas to use as well. The coffee cake you can make with one hand (e.g. holding a baby)*. I will try to feature at least one 'One-handed Recipe' every few weeks. I cook every day--yes, every day. So, I have figured out many ways to involve the kids in cooking and get a homemade dinner on the table every night (plus cookies for the bake sale, brownies for my husband's office, birthday treats for a party...).
*Please take extra care while cooking with a baby. Never hold a baby close to burner, oven, or while working with a knife.
Cookie Pops
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
lollipop sticks--available in craft or baking sections
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Add flour, soda, powder, and salt, beat well. Dump dough onto plastic wrap and work into ball. Pat dough into disk-shape. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 10 minutes to overnight. Roll out on floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place lollipop sticks into shapes--about half way up. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375oF.
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup water
Food coloring, if desired
Combine and spoon over cooled cookies.
(You can top with sprinkles or other decorations while glaze is still wet)
Sour Cream Coffee Cake--A one-handed recipe
From Betty Crocker’s Cookbook (1991)
Cake
1 ½ cups sugar
¾ cups butter, softened
3 eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla (or other flavorings)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
1 ½ cups sour cream or yogurt
Filling
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup finely chopped nuts
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350oF. Grease tube, bundt, or 2 loaf pans well. Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture alternating with sour cream (about three additions of each). Combine filling ingredients in small bowl.
Spoon half of cake batter into pan (if using 2 loaf pans, spoon ¼ batter into each pan, etc.). Sprinkle batter with half of filling mixture. Repeat. Bake for 45-60 minutes. Cool completely and remove from pan.
*You can add other fillings into the middle layer such as 1 cup of cranberry sauce, chopped apples, blueberries, any leftover pie filling, chocolate chips, sweetened cream cheese….
This cake freezes great and stays fresh for several days with well covered.
With Valentine's, my daughter had a party at school. Being the crazy mother that I am I baked up a storm (Heart-Shaped Cookie Pops, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and a Coffee Cake for the teachers and staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences). Did I mention, she also did a report on Poland and asked me to make some good Polish food for her class? (So, a batch of raspberry kolockies, sausage, pierogies, and sauerkraut).
I love to cook, so today I have included some easy and kid-friendly recipes from my week. Additionally, I have some educational ideas to use as well. The coffee cake you can make with one hand (e.g. holding a baby)*. I will try to feature at least one 'One-handed Recipe' every few weeks. I cook every day--yes, every day. So, I have figured out many ways to involve the kids in cooking and get a homemade dinner on the table every night (plus cookies for the bake sale, brownies for my husband's office, birthday treats for a party...).
*Please take extra care while cooking with a baby. Never hold a baby close to burner, oven, or while working with a knife.
February Recipes
Cookie Pops
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
lollipop sticks--available in craft or baking sections
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Add flour, soda, powder, and salt, beat well. Dump dough onto plastic wrap and work into ball. Pat dough into disk-shape. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 10 minutes to overnight. Roll out on floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place lollipop sticks into shapes--about half way up. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375oF.
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup water
Food coloring, if desired
Combine and spoon over cooled cookies.
(You can top with sprinkles or other decorations while glaze is still wet)
Sour Cream Coffee Cake--A one-handed recipe
From Betty Crocker’s Cookbook (1991)
Cake
1 ½ cups sugar
¾ cups butter, softened
3 eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla (or other flavorings)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
1 ½ cups sour cream or yogurt
Filling
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup finely chopped nuts
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350oF. Grease tube, bundt, or 2 loaf pans well. Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture alternating with sour cream (about three additions of each). Combine filling ingredients in small bowl.
Spoon half of cake batter into pan (if using 2 loaf pans, spoon ¼ batter into each pan, etc.). Sprinkle batter with half of filling mixture. Repeat. Bake for 45-60 minutes. Cool completely and remove from pan.
*You can add other fillings into the middle layer such as 1 cup of cranberry sauce, chopped apples, blueberries, any leftover pie filling, chocolate chips, sweetened cream cheese….
This cake freezes great and stays fresh for several days with well covered.
What kids can do?
Unwrap the butter Let's count the sticks of butter!
Crack the eggs--into a separate bowl first
Measure ingredients How many half cups do I need for 1 cup?
Roll out dough
Cut out shapes What shape are you using? What shape is this? What is your favorite shape?
Mix glaze
Glaze cookies What color is the glaze?
Sprinkle cookies with sprinkles
Spoon dry ingredients and sour cream into mixer
Sprinkle filling
Other ideas:
Read recipe with child aloud--run your finger along words as you read
Ask child to find the numbers on the page
Ask child to find letters, words, and sentences on page (Can you find a W on this recipe?)
If child can read, ask child what to do next after a step
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Welcome to Early Childhood Fun....the blog!
As a former early childhood professional, and now a stay-at-home mom, I have decided to start a blog to discuss everything early childhood. I intend to spend time talking about my life as a mom as well as give ideas about early childhood topics (e.g. activities, website links, good books) to anyone who reads.
So please check back and see what I can do.
As a former early childhood professional, and now a stay-at-home mom, I have decided to start a blog to discuss everything early childhood. I intend to spend time talking about my life as a mom as well as give ideas about early childhood topics (e.g. activities, website links, good books) to anyone who reads.
So please check back and see what I can do.
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