Handmade games

I have been searching for some fun activities for toddlers that can be done independently. 

The first idea I liked was using a tube as a drop for Pom poms. I originally taped it to a door but Amilia kept pulling it off. That is when I came up with this 

The tube was reinforced with duct tape and taped to the inside of the can. She enjoys repeating the simple cause and effect of this game.

I wanted something she could do with her hands that wouldn't be messy, so I found this idea on Pinterest. 

The paint is inside the bag. I sealed the top so it can't be opened and then you can draw on it and the paint moves around.  I made a few in other colors. This keeps the kids occupied while I cook dinner. 

This is a reading game I made up called "Middle Sound Mixup". I wrote each vowel on a separate clothes pin and made several CVC word sticks by writing an initial and and final consonant with a space in between for the vowel clip. The game is played by clipping a different vowel clip in between each set of consonants and reading the word and deciding if it is a real word or a nonsense word. So out of c and b you can make cab, cob, cub, and nonsense words ceb and cib.  This game could be modified for initial sounds with word families. 

I poked holes in the lids of these containers. One is for pushing little pom poms and the other for small pieces of pipe cleaners. 

These are discovery bottles I made to give to the nursery kids at church. I hot glued the lids on so nothing spills. You can put anything inside the water like glitter, beads, shells and add a few drops of food coloring to tint the water. 

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can make fun and educational activities using things on hand or recycled materials!

Savings and menu for the week

I love three day weekends, but it seems that the four days of work are always exhausting!

I ran a few quick errands and met a friend for lunch Saturday and used the rest of the day to clean and bake. That gave me a little time on Sunday to take a nap. I napped so hard I drooled all over my pillow!

Accomplishments:

*Made a batch of granola bars

*Made 2 loaves of whole wheat bread with a mix and recipe from my cousin. I finally made a decent loaf of bread!

*Made an apple crisp for Sunday dinner with some Granny Smith apples I needed to use up. 

*Attended a DoTerra essential oil class and got some free gifts. I signed up for their membership program and discussed becoming a product consultant with the teacher. I am taking the first steps toward this goal!

*I did some research on a good oil to help with the recurring warts Austin has been getting on his thumb. I've been to the dr multiple times and the creams (which are quite expensive) only cause the skin to rapidly regenerate and does not actually kill the virus. Oregano oil has been found to kill viruses so I added 5 drops to 1 tsp of olive oil to spread on his thumb twice a day.  It's looking better so far. 

*I also mixed some of the stronger oils with olive oil and put them in roll-on bottles.  I use an oil blend called Breathe quite often when the kids get stuffy. Allergies are bad here now, so I've been rubbing the oil on Austins feet, chest and nasal bridge and also diffusing it at night. I'm hoping this will help so he won't need to take Singulair. 

*I diffused a blend called On Guard to fight germs and boost the immune system. I added some drops of it in a spray bottle of water to sanitize the table and counters. I put some in a roll-on bottle to rub on the kids' hands. There is a stomach virus going around Austins school, so hopefully this will protect him. 

*Ryan and I were able to attend the Temple this week. 

*I made some handmade games for the kids and made a reading game for Austin to practice decoding CVC words. 

Menu:

Monday: lasagna roll ups and salad (I made these last week with the leftover lasagna ingredients and froze them). 

Tuesday: baked chicken strips, boiled potatoes, salad

Wednesday: I am going out with a friend, so I have frozen cooked beef for Ryan to do tacos with the kids

Thursday: broccoli cheddar soup and bread (I will use my dry cream of chicken soup with some broth as the base and add some shredded cheddar cheese and steamed broccoli and carrots)

Friday: eating out with my sister for her birthday with the family

Saturday: eating out again with my sister for her girls night on her 30th bday

Sunday: tangy crockpot chicken and salad

This is an eventful week. At some point I will also be making Kimi's cake and making a banner for her party. 

Three day weekend savings!

I ended up staying home most of the weekend as Amilia got sick so I didn't want to travel. Austin was bummed he didn't get to go to Cali, so Ryan's parents offered to take him to Disneyland with them. The 2 day park hopper was worth the price so I could actually clean the house without him messing up every other room!  I also did a major cleaning in his room too! Amilia took some nice, long naps so I had plenty of uninterrupted time for cooking, cleaning, and laundry. 

My accomplishments this week:

*Baked a double batch of pumpkin muffins for breakfasts

*Made chili and cornbread with enough leftovers for a few lunches. 

*Made lasagna for Sunday dinner and an extra pan plus some lasagna roll ups to freeze. 

*Ryan and I went to a free comedy magic show downtown with my house seats membership for a date. 

*Ryan finished the tile in the hall and bathroom!

*Made a double batch of laundry soap. 

*Made pancake mix and cooked a dozen to freeze. 

*Made cream of chicken soup mix

We had a fun Valentine's Day! I brought the kids each a balloon and got Ryan a quart of his fave Golden Spoon yogurt. 

My roses from Costco were gorgeous, but the best gift was a list of the 14 things that my husband loves about me. 

What's cooking this week:

Tonight: buffalo chicken wraps 

For a quick meal, boil a frozen breast and shred and mix in seasoning or a sauce. Add cheese and lettuce in a tortilla. 

Tuesday:  Citrus Chicken and salad

This is from Kraft recipes and is so moist and yummy. I have one more box of Stovetop from the Thanksgiving sales to use up. Butterfly 2 chicken breasts in a pan. Melt 1/4 c butter and add 2/3 c OJ and 1/2 c brown sugar, pour over the chicken. Add 1 1/2 c hot water to the Stove Top and pour over the chicken mixture. Bake 350 for 30 min

Wednesday: meatless night, one pot pasta with veggies

Thursday: hamburger stroganoff with grilled asparagus (I will freeze 1/2 of the cooked beef for another meal)

Friday: chicken teriyaki with veggies and quinoa 

Saturday: BBQ chicken pizza

Another crazy week

The living room and kitchen tile is done! Ryan just needs to put up the baseboards and change the hinges out on the pantry door. My man has worked every spare minute to get this done. Next weekend he will finish the hall and guest bathroom. 

I was still able to do some baking this week in the evenings and used Saturday to catch up on laundry and do Valentine crafts. 

Here's the accomplishments of the week:

*Made pancakes and banana oat muffins for the week

*Made granola bars

*Made choc chip cookies for my Primary Sunday school class

*Made Vday gifts and Valentine box for Austins class party, all with things on hand

*Enjoyed a girls night out with some coworkers Saturday night while Ryan and the kids went to dinner with his parents

*Got my first delivery from Winder Farms, so I did not need to go to the store this week, I got several items free or at a discount for my first order

*Ryan found a deal on an inversion table. I've wanted one for several years, so hoping it helps my back. 

Austin is loving his daily heart on his door and started one for me. Too cute!

Menu:

Monday: I'm making a big batch of creamy one pot pasta with veggies to take to my monthly card club potluck. I will make some chicken for the portion set aside for the family

Tuesday: beef pot roast with vegetables 

Wednesday: taco salad with leftover beef

Thursday: chicken Parmesan with salad

(I got several delicious pears in my Winder Farms fruit box, I've been adding them to my salads)

Fri-Sat: I will be going to visit my gram with the kids

Have a great week and Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine Crafts!

We have been busy getting ready for the big heart day! Valentine's Day is such a fun celebration for kids and my Austin was very excited to make his own Valentine holder to take to school next week. 

This is a Valentine ladybug. We limited our creations to what we already had on hand at home. 

We made these cute matchbook style Valentine sticker books. I wanted to go candy free this year, so I bought some Mickey Valentine stickers that we placed inside with three sheets of white paper.

  Instructions: cut paper 3"x10.5" and score at 4.5 and 9.5. I designed the front logo on Photoshop. The white paper behind the sticker sheet is 2.5"x4.25"

I made some cute heart wall hangings for teacher gifts this year. I cut a whimsical heart from a thin cardboard box and Decoupaged patterned paper over it. I sprinkled glitter all over and made a border with glitter glue. I hot glued a button that was finished with thin ribbon and thick ribbon on the back for hanging. 

I thought they turned out adorable! I was excited to use this coral colored chevron ribbon that I bought on sale a few months ago from Stampin Up!

Whatever you do this Valentine's Day, I hope you are filled with love and happiness! 

Accomplishments and menus

Ryan was able to finish the tiling in the living room throughout the week and on Saturday, he grouted the living room tile and got most of the kitchen done. So the kids and I were displaced most of Saturday. I set out food in the living room for breakfast since the way to the kitchen was still drying and then we ate out for lunch and dinner. We also had an afternoon birthday party to attend so that helped fill our day. 

Here's the rest of the weekly run-down:

*Took Austin to the free Home Depot kids workshop to make a wooden car Saturday  morning. 

*My sister watched the kids while I went to a free kickboxing class at Golds Gym. They are letting teachers workout free on Saturdays during the Well-Fit program.

*I baked 2 dozen breakfast muffins during the week since I didn't have access to the kitchen all weekend. 

*Started working on Valentines crafts. I also made a sign for Austin and Ryan and will be putting a heart with a reason I love them for each day in February until Valentines Day. 

Of course, Austin LOVES this!! 

Menu:

Monday: corn chowder and salad

I found a copycat recipe I'm going to try

This will give some leftovers for lunch too!

Tuesday: Buffalo chicken pita pockets 

Shred some chicken and mix in some buffalo sauce, put in a pita pocket with shredded lettuce, ranch, and a little Parmesan. The kids don't like the spicy sauce so I will leave it off of theirs.

Wednesday: chicken teriyaki stir fry with quinoa  

Thursday: lasagna from the freezer with grilled asparagus

Friday: pita pizzas with turkey pepperoni and salad

Saturday: 

Breakfast: pancakes

Lunch: out

Dinner: crockpot beef roast with carrots and potatoes

Sunday: 

Breakfast: eggs and toast 

Lunch: nachos with the leftover shredded beef 

Dinner: in laws

Hope everyone has a great week!