Cooking : Meatless Monday/Mystery Dinner

We like to have a little adventure and let the kids make their own dinner...sometimes.

Last night, I wrote a bunch of ingredients on different pieces of paper and the kids chose what we were having.

They chose: Mushroom, Garlic, Spinach, and Pineapples.

(We had pineapples on the side)

We made quesadillas.

 I sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and spinach and put them all in separate bowls.

The kids then built them.

 The kids were pretty happy with their creations.

 It was a fun family night, and made a perfect meatless monday!

Easy Science : Bubble Making

Kids love making stuff, especially if its cool, and something that they know you have bought before but can make yourself!

 Coat Hangers, Straws, Joy, Glycerin, measuring cups, large container (to put everything in) and smallish container (i used mini pie tins)

Coat hangers are for making wands:

Straws are for wands too!

Mix 2/3 cup Joy, with 1/3 cup glycerin, and 1 QT water.

See how those Hospital Jugs come in handy? :)

We also use them for the bathtub. :)

Ready, Set, Blow!

 I couldn't help myself!

PS - these are not edible!

 oh dear!

These stay good for one week in the fridge!

Have fun!

Kitchen Time : Fall Mix 1 & 2

We try really hard to eat healthy foods in our house.

I am not crazy about it, but we try. :)

I love fall baking, and my children love to make anything - so it worked out that the first cold snap was a baking day!

We made Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix

 And, Halloween Crack.

Taking time out of our busy schedules and spending time in the kitchen with our children teaches them so much. Yes, it requires patience, extra clean up, and loads more time, but it is worth the effort.

Did we do a full organic meal? No. 

Did we teach them advanced techniques? No.

But, we made something together, and this is something they will remember. 

Take some time and make a fun easy treat with your kiddos. :)

Here is something interesting I found on the web.

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

Indeed, cooking with kids can be the gift that keeps on giving; it has both short-term and long-term payoffs.

Some of the short-term benefits:

• It encourages kids to try healthy foods.
• Kids feel like they are accomplishing something and contributing to the family.
• Kids are more likely to sit down to a family meal when they helped prepare it.
• Parents get to spend quality time with their kids.
• Kids aren't spending time in front of the TV or computer while they're cooking.
• Kids generally aren't eating junk food when they're cooking a meal at home.

Some long-term benefits:

• Learning to cook is a skill your children can use for the rest of their lives.
• Kids who learn to eat well may be more likely to eat healthfully as adults.
• Positive cooking experiences can help build self-confidence.
• Kids who cook with their parents may even be less likely to abuse drugs.

 Awesome!

Growing : Plant Pansies

Did you know Pansies are great winter flowers?

The best part is that they are cheap!

So, if they die (early)...no biggie!

Hehehe.

We took advantage of our last nice afternoon before we start hitting 50 degrees.

It is amazing how much children love to be outside and touch real living things.

My kids jump at the chance to plant, get dirty and make/do.

Even the babies love it.

We chose halloween colors. :)

Children are curious, they learn by doing, and most of them love playing in dirt.

Working, cultivating, and experiencing what comes with gardening, helps children learn about the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time.

Gardening gives kids a chance to learn important life skills and teaches environmental awareness by exploration.

It is so fun, and anything outside is worth the time, in my book. :)

Date Night : Picnic Dinner at the Lake

My kids always get jealous when we have our date nights. 

They love their sitter, but love to go out too!

Each kid in our house gets one night a month with Daddy to go somewhere special.

The next month it is a night with Mommy.

We do silly things like go out for an ice cream cone, or ride bikes, or play a game.

This was one of our family resolutions to strengthen our relationships with each other.

So far it has been EXCELLENT!

Tonight's Family Fun Activity was a Family Date!

We packed sandwiches and went to the lake.

It was so nice to be "unplugged."

We enjoyed listening to the sounds of the outdoors.

 Then my husband took the kids to the other side of the lake to teach them how to skip rocks.

Quiet, Fun, Peaceful.

Just what the family needed.

Free Field Trip : Pet Store/Pound

My kids (minus one) love animals. Since we will never have a pet, visiting the pet store was a better option for us. I called ahead and when we got there, the owner taught my kids all about pet safety, pet care, and about all the animals she had in her shop.

She then let the kids pick one to take out and pet.

All of the cages were at their level, and the kids were able to play and enjoy the dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and rats.

She said all of the playing was good for the animals and good for the kids too. I would agree.

The total cost of this field trip was $0.  We were there for 2 hours and my kids wouldn't stop talking about it at dinner time.

I'd say success! 

Dramatic Play: Costumes Box

Every year, on September 30th I pull out the Halloween decorations (because my hubs won't let me do it earlier) and I pull out the old costumes and let the kids play with them for the whole month.

They are in great condition and a great change from the normal princess and police dress ups my kids play with all year.  This is also the time I go through the regular day dress ups and repair and wash them.

We went in the back yard and let the kids enjoy the first day of their Halloween Costume Box.

This also gave me just enough time to put everything out while they were busy "playing."

Even my 9 month old had some fun!

Happy Fall everyone!