The double pacifier

This is one of the best tips ever...and it came from Daddy.

It's the double pacifier.  YES!  

A still likes her pacifier and she especially likes to switch them out.  I was getting so tired of having her throw her pacifier on the floor of the car and ask for another one.  Not giving her one after she threw it did NOT work...she just cried...loudly.  So...Daddy suggested we use a pacifier clip and put TWO pacifiers on it.  That way, A can have one in her mouth and one to hold/switch out.  It has been such a great thing for us when we are in the car. Now...if only we could figure out how to get RID of the pacifier?

Getting those veggies in.

I know I've mentioned before how A is a picky eater.  Well, one of the ways we've been able to get veggies in her body is through the green smoothie.  It's so easy to make and really good for you.  I found the recipe through this blog.

The original recipe calls for:
ice
one banana
handful of frozen strawberries
handful of frozen blueberries
fresh spinach (about 10-15 leaves)
1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
water (about 1 1/2 cups)

Throw all ingredients in blender.  That's it!  It might seem weird not to add milk or juice, but you really don't need it.

You can go anywhere with this recipe.  I've used carrots, pureed pumpkin, frozen mango, frozen raspberries, etc!  I also don't use ice since I use all frozen fruit.  A drinks it up every time.


*TIP--I only use 1/2 banana.  I slice up bananas and freeze them so I always have them on hand.

We don't live in Florida

Snow has fallen in 49 of the 50 United Stated (well, at least it did last week.)  We took full advantage.  Although I'm not a fan of frigid temperatures, I'm a sucker for snow and blizzards.

A is a pretty big fan too.  We even slid down that little hill in front of the house a few times.

I hope everyone enjoyed their snow and stayed safe!

Giving Thanks

This week we made thank you cards for some friends and family who gave A Christmas gifts.  I had blank cards and just had A color on the front of them with two different colored markers.  She had a lot of fun, and  I think they turned out great!

Valentine crafting, anyone?

If you're anything like me, you are thinking weeks and months in advance for something perfect to make for your little one.  OR, maybe you wish someone would just give you the ideas so you didn't have to go looking for them! 

I saw these adorable Valentine chair backers on an episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 one year and LOVED them!  Pottery Barn used to sell them, but not anymore.  I searched the internet and found the perfect pattern and here it is!

I followed their non-ruffle design and put A's name on the flap between the two buttons.  I cut them out of fabric, used wonder-under and then sewed to reinforce the letters.  It's very durable and oh, so cute!  I put this on the back of A's dinner chair and stuffed it with a few goodies for Valentine's day.  I plan to make it a tradition.

Creative snacking

When I got this ice cube tray at IKEA, I wasn't exactly sure what I'd be using it for.  Well, it can be pretty tough to get A to eat.  This sometimes comes in handy.  This photo just shows cereal, but I've also done deconstructed trail mix, where I put a different type of snack in each row.  Sometimes, presentation is everything...sometimes.

Go make these now.

Oh...this picture just doesn't do these peanut butter balls justice.  No, really.  They are SO good.  You know the peanut butter eggs that come around Easter time?  That's what these are.  

Now, before I give you the recipe, I must tell you, they kind of take a while to make.  I mean, you have to make a lot (I mean, a lot) of these balls out of crumbly peanut butter dough...THEN you have to cover them in melted chocolate.  I suggest having help and maybe waiting until the kiddos are in bed or out of the way to do it.  

The original recipe is
here, but I did a llittle tweaking after reading some of the reviews.  Here is the recipe I used:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (I used the whole jar)
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
•   2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pancake syrup
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Combine the butter, peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and maple flavoring. Cream well and knead well.
2. Melt the chocolate chips over low heat. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls. Dip into melted chocolate chips.
3. Refrigerate overnight (or at least for about 15 minutes) on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.