Lap Trays

Yesterday, the boys & I took a trip to Michael's. They had their lap tray tables on sale for $4.99. We also found a really cute pirate stamp set with paints included. With my 40% off coupon the whole set ended up being $6.00.



We had a lot of fun doing this project. Kaden did his all on his own (including his name). Preston & I worked on stamping together. I did put some tape over the part where I wanted to write his name because I knew that it would get covered if I had not done that. I did outline the shapes after the paint started to dry, just to make the shapes stand out a little better.

The boys are really excited to use them, but the paint is still a little bit sticky. I will post a picture of them using their cute trays tomorrow.

It's International Pancake Day

Well, I know what we are having for dinner. We are always fans of "brinner" in our house, but what better day than....International (or National...it depends on what you look at!) Pancake Day. Get your whisk & heat your griddle & cook up some pancakes tonight. In honor of International Pancake Day, I will share my FAVORITE pancake recipe. I have always been a fan of bisquick until I made this recipe. It is really easy & beyond yummy! It is worth the extra time (which isn't too much!) This recipe is from www.allrecipes.com (with a few of my changes).

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Pancakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour
6 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
2 Tbsp vanilla

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, & sugar. Make a well in the center & pour in milk & melted butter; stir until butter is incorporated & then add eggs. Mix until smooth (I like to use a wire whisk).

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides & serve hot.

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If you try them, let me know what you think. They are super yummy & the kids LOVE to help!!! Have a great International Pancake Day!!!!

Something Valentines...FINALLY!!!

I have been a slacker. It is Valentine's Day & I am just barely posting Valentine's stuff. I saw this super cute idea for napkin rings on another website. You take a toilet paper tube & cut it into the size you want. I was able to make 3 rings out of 1 tube. After I cut the tube up...I painted each ring red. While the paint dried, I cut hearts out of cardstock. Once the paint was dry, I glued a heart to each ring. I can't believe how easy it was to make these. I am really happy with how they turned out!

Here is the finished product. Now all I need is a cute red tablecloth & it will be perfect! My placemat is just a sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper.,

Cutting Practice

A little while ago I posted some cutting practice pages. Well, we have come up with the BEST practice ever! Kaden sits down & cuts out the coupons from our Sunday paper. I have noticed such an improvement in his cutting.

Octo Dogs

I got this out of a cookbook for kids a long time ago, but the boys just love it. You just make Mac & Cheese (we use Kraft) & cook a hot dog. I prefer to boil them because then the ends don't get all funny looking. You cut the hot dogs lenghtwise just below the halfway point. Then you roll it a bit & do it again...so you end with 4 arms for your octopus. You could make cute eyes out of mustard, but my guys don't like mustard, so this is what you get!

Cooking with Kids

The boys & I love to bake & cook together. I try to get them involved as much as possible. I try to let them add ingredients or stir when I am making something. One of my favorite things is to give them their very own project. I have found these awesome mini cookie sheets. We have used them for cookies & mini pizzas.

For the sugar cookies, they got their own ball of dough. They rolled it out, cut the cookies, & put them on their very own cookies sheet. Then, I layed out bottles of sprinkles & they went to town. It was even more fun because they had their very own cookies that they could decorate anyway they wanted.







The pizzas were about the same, just a little different. I took frozen bread dough & let it defrost & rise. I gave each of the boys a bit & we rolled & stretched it. I put a small spoonful of cornmeal on the bottom of the pan, so that the dough wouldn't stick. They each had an array of toppings to choose from. We did pepperoni, tomato, & bacon. I helped Preston (2 years old) put the sauce on his pizza, but Kaden (4 years old) was able to do it on his own. Then they put the cheese & toppings on their pizza.

~CARS~

This isn't related to any holiday, but I am always on the look out for something fun & cute for boys. I found this super cute "roadway" made out of Rice Krispie Treats & Fruit Loops on Martha Stewart.com. This could be really cute for a birthday party. Here is the link.