Father's Day Breakfast - French Toast Kebabs

Father's Day is June 19th, which is quickly approaching!  I am going to try to get some ideas posted for gift ideas from kiddos.  But I'll start with this bit of breakfast goodness from marthastewart.com!

Ingredients

• 8 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup nonfat buttermilk
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 loaf (one-pound) unsliced dense white bread (such as pullman), crusts removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 pint fresh blueberries
• 1/2 pint fresh raspberries
• 2 bananas, sliced
• Maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven to warm. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, salt, and vanilla. Stir in bread.
2. In a large saute pan set over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Place half of the bread mixture in pan; cook, turning occasionally with a spatula, until browned on all sides. To keep warm, transfer to the oven. Cook remaining bread in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter as before.
3. Thread bread cubes onto skewers alternating with blueberries, raspberries, and banana slices. Serve immediately with maple syrup, if desired.
   
   
   Of course, preschoolers can totally skewer the pieces and arrange their own patterns!  

back to the grind

Well kids, even the long weekends come to an end.  And this one did.  And I'm still tired.  I spent most of my night trying to mend a zipper on a dress-turned into a skirt.  The zipper won, although I put up a lengthy fight.  The zipper needs replacing, which means my sewing skills are going to be tested even further.  Wish me luck!  It means at least another late night.  :)  I will win this one.

Dress - Gap, belt - F21, shoes - JCP, curls - a brand new ceramic curling iron from Walmart!  Ceramic is the bomb!

Today's outfit was a spontanious choice.  I have never belted this dress before, but when I went digging through my pajama drawer (because that's where belts are stuffed too!) I pulled out this fancy little belt that matched so nicely with the dress.  How is it I have never noticed this before.  I better be careful, my creativity is showing.  :)

questioning shorts and heels

 

 

 

shorts - Gap, top - Orchid Boutique, heels - Macy's, purse - Dakine, hair - 2 small clips and a little twisting.

The other week, Andrea was asking about the rules/preferences of wearing shorts with heels and I pondered the same thing as I put this outfit together this morning.  Before today I never would have paired a short short with a heel, but then again, I think it all depends on the total outfit.  These shorts are not entirely short, my heels are not entirely high, my top is entirely modest, and I am entirely short.  So, I feel okay about pulling this off and not looking like well, somebody less modest than I.  And even more daring, I am wearing stripes with stripes.  This is a first.  But that's what Monday's are for, when you're linking up with Clothed Much - Rule Breaking Monday.  And I am.  Because I'm cool like that.  :)

Would you wear shorts with heels/wedges?

fruity peanut butter dip - edible preschool activity

I'm sneaking in another post before bedtime!  I dedicate this foody idea to Emilie at Eat. Live. Smile.  She prefers that my activities involve food... and moon sand just wasn't cutting it.  :)  So, here you go Emilie!

 

Fruity Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Ingredients(Makes 6-8 servings):

• 1/2 cup fruit-flavored yogurt*
• 1/2 cup natural runny peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• Fruit/veggies for dipping

So easy, a preschooler can do it!
For complete details, check out The Wannabe Chef!

happy 12th birthday to my son!

You really are something to be celebrated!

Dear Mr. Man,

You are really looking so much older these days.  No more baby-face.  It amazes me how fast time goes, the older I get.  But for you, I hope the minutes feel like forever and that you continue to enjoy your time with your friends and at school...and at home.  We sure do love you here at home.  Your passion for life and excitement for so many things, it shows and makes us smile.  You are a good person, Jackson.  Caring, friendly, outgoing, passionate.  You make me so proud.  Keep dreaming big.  I have no doubts about what you will accomplish in your life and I won't ever be a bit surprised if I look up at the moon one night and see you up there.

I love you.

Mom

homemade moon sand - preschool activity

It's a long weekend and for parents that can mean entertaining children!  Here is a recipe for homemade moon sand, which is pretty expensive in stores.  If you're heading to the beach this holiday (lucky you), bring home some sand, add cornflour and water, and you're set!

(Source)

Mix together:

4 cups sand

2 cups cornflour

1 cup of water.

grateful for friday!!!

It's Friday!  And that means it's time for me to write about stuff that nobody else reads.  But I'm doing it anyway, because this is my time to focus on what I am thankful for in my life!  So, here I go with my gratefuls for this week...

Saturday:  A simple day of play for my kids.  Which meant a simple day of carpool for me, but it's worth it to see them having fun with good friends.

Sunday:  Cheat day.  So awesome.  I ate whatever I wanted and it was delightful.

Monday:  Happy meals with chicken nuggets and apple dippers.  I am thankful for thee.  I am on a carb-free diet (yes, I'm one of those crazies), and it's amazing how hard it is to eat healthy on the go.

Tuesday:  I am thankful for my crazy, loving parents who offered to drive 6.5 hours up and 6.5 hours back home in one day, just to see my daughter's choir awards concert.  Of course, we said no way.  That's crazy.  And they decided against it, but I could feel their love and support.  :)

Wednesday:  Totally grateful for an awesome husband who purchased me and my daughter tickets to Wicked.  What a sweet surprise.  Love that guy.

Thursday:  I am thankful for another route home from school, because the usual freeway route is down to one lane.  And I am deathly allergic to traffic that doesn't move.  

Friday:  Tonight we host 8 12-year old boys for my son's birthday party and I am so very thankful my hubs chose to work from home, meaning that I could put him to work also!  Now if I can get through tonight with my sanity, I will be extra grateful as well.  :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

let's analyze my facial expressions, shall we

There are just days that I have to laugh at myself and this is one of those days.  At times I wonder how it is I came to start this blog and  how I ever decided that I would post pictures of me and my clothes just about every stinkin' day.  It's fun, that's why.  And I get a good laugh on days like today.  Let's take a look at today's facial expressions...

This is my determined walk toward the camera.  I think I'm trying to smile with my eyes - Smize (borrowed from Kendi).  Nice try.

 Here, I'm looking up and smiling at my roof, trying to avoid looking into the camera.  I wonder what my neighbor thinks of me smiling up at my roof?

 It's all about my wrists in this picture.  I'm sure my hands were on their way somewhere???  Chicken dance, anyone?

 This is my up-to-no-good look.  I look pleasantly pleased with myself, don't I?  Like I know something you don't.  I probably do.

skirt - Banana Republic, blouse - The Loft, cardigan - Costco, flats - JCP

I really only take a few shots because I literally have 5 minutes to do it, so what you see is what you get for the most part.  One of these days I'll have to post the "out-takes" and then we can share some really great laughs.  Because I do enjoy laughing at myself.  I'm hilarious.  Aren't you?

recognize this shirt?

Yesterday I wore this shirt's cousin, Miss. Pink Stripes.  If I had more colors I'd just keep wearing them.  They are so comfortable.  It would make my life a lot easier too.  But I'm not one to do things the easy way, am I?

top - Banana Republic, pants - Gap, belt - Nordstrom, boots - Born

Today I'm linking up to Wear *it Wednesday's white pants challenge.  I love a good challenge.  Speaking of challenges, it's time to vote at Everybody, Everywear!  Right now lace is ahead in the polls. Lace?  Lace?  What?  The other choices are colored pants, pleated skirts, shorts and wedges.  So get on over there and vote.  Not for lace.  Please.  (It's going to be lace.)

cute food ideas for kiddos

Meet the Dubiens.  Jill Dubien is so creative and crafty.  How could a kiddo not like cucumber when it comes served as an owl and a tree???

And what child wouldn't want a taste of green pepper when it's served as the handle to an apple umbrella???

Click the pics to see more creative food ideas!  I promise you'll be amazed and inspired!

Let's Play with Our Food!

hot pink stripes

I do love this skirt.  However, we are constantly at odds with one another.  It rides up, I pull down.  All.  Day.  Long.  You can see it trying to work its way up in the second photo.  Sneaky, sneaky. 

top - Banana Republic, skirt - Banana Republic, wedges - JCP

My camera was dead, but worked while it was plugged into the wall.  So, genius me, I propped the camera on my open window sill while it was plugged into the wall below and took these pics.  That's how stubborn I am.  I'm sure my kids must think I'm crazy.  Or that I really really like taking pictures of myself.  Oh wait.  I am.  And I do.  :)

no bake cookies - edible preschool activity

I LOVE these things!  So delicious.  These are perfect for when it's just too hot to bake ( I am so looking forward to those days) or when I want to cook with preschoolers, but just don't want to wait to bake!

(Source: One More Moore)

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

1/2 C Butter

2 C Sugar

1/2 C Milk

4 Tbsp Cocoa

1/2 C Peanut Butter

3- 3 1/2 C Quick cooking Oats

2 tsp. Vanilla

Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. Let cool until set. 

*For peanut allergies, use SunButter instead!

black & brown & blue all over

I broke another fashion rule.  At least I think it's a fashion rule.  Anyway, it's a rule that really bugged me until today.  I'm a liar.  It still bugs me.  But I did it anyway.  I'll shush already and tell you.  I wore my brown sandals with my pitch black cardigan.  

maxi dress - Gap, sandals - JCP, cardigan - JCP, feather necklace - Nordstrom

Don't fret though.  It's not like I have time to waste doting on frivolous details like thus.  I tossed the tan feathers around my neck to help match the sandals and was satisfied (sort of).  Because I just had to wear these sandals because I really, really wanted to.  And I just had to wear the cardigan for the same reason.  So, call me a stubborn rule-breaker.  I'm okay with it.

And today, I'm linking up this post to Clothed Much - Rule Breaking Monday to once again show the world that I know how to take great risks in life.  :)  See other risk-takers here!

heart cinnamon rolls - edible preschool activity

Wow.  Easy.  Yummy.  Just roll refrigerated cinnamon rolls into heart shapes.  Bake.  Frost.  Enjoy.

I'm thinking Valentine's Day or Mother's Day tea.  

For the source and tutorial on how to roll, click here!

pinky swear

Today was a beautiful day.  I took my daughter and her friend to the park, but the nearest they would let me stay to them was on these bleachers, waaaaay on the other side of the field from the playground.  But it really was the perfect place to do homework.

And to take pictures of myself doing homework.  With both pinkies up.  Because that's how I do everything.  By exclusion of pinky.  

The sky was amazing.  I think I got a new freckle or two.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

sombrero cookies - edible preschool activity

Yay!  I did it!  Numero 20 outta 20 edible activities for preschoolers!  Finding edible activities was harder than I anticipated, but well worth the research!  I have 20 new ideas under my teacher belt!

This activity really pertains to Cinco de Mayo, which is way behind us at this point...but May 5th is not the only time we can celebrate Mexico, sillies.  Muliti-cultural experiences should be happening everyday in a preschool classroom!  :)  So, in the spirit of Mexico...sombrero cookies!

Allow the children to put the ingredients together for sugar cookies, then bake.  Then cool.  Then let the children squeeze frosting around the edge of the cookie and a put a nice big dab in the middle.  Plop on a gum drop and drizzle sprinkiles onto the frosting.  Let the kiddos place the sprinkles as they choose.  Some will want to make them rain down on their cookie.  Others might use the piece-by-piece, more methodical approach!  Either way, it tastes the same!  Delicious!

Happy Cinco de Mayo (or just whenever)!

pinterest preschool inspiration

Have you joined Pinterest yet?  I am absolutely hooked.  I found these photos that I fell in love with.  I hope I have the chance one day to see bits and pieces of these ideas in my own preschool classroom.  :)  

Aren't these windows lovely?

 What a beautiful area to find some alone time or play with others.

These simple shelves were made using rain gutters. 

A place for dress-up clothes, hats and shoes! 

 This was made from a nightstand!

 An amazing indoor treehouse!

 Very cool way to measure growth!

 This will be painted on my wall, for sure.

 Easy to put up, easy to remove.  Not to mention way cute.

 Very cool dinosaur chalkboard!

And I don't think I have seen a cooler staircase.

A wonderful place to store shoes on a rainy or snowy day.  Genius.

Creative people never cease to amaze me.