kids painting

Little ones are always wanting to paint in my house.  It isn't that I mind the painting, it's that I mind the mess afterwards.  I buy the washable paint (duh), lay down newspaper, and make sure they have on an old shirt, or a trash bag over their good clothes.  Well, let's be truthful here....the clothes thing is just one more step that I don't have time for. 

It seems like every 3 out of 5 times they paint, someone spills the cup of brush water.  It soaks right through the newspaper and you know the rest.  So, I am happy to report to you that this method has worked every time and no more soggy newspaper mess.

Take a pizza box and break it in half.  Like so.....

best tortilla chips

These are the best tortilla chips!  They have the perfect level of saltiness, crunchiness, and they taste like they just came out of the kitchen.

Reading List

If you have children, please follow along. This is a no brainer!

 

In our home, we have more than one child that is reading age and, well, it is basically impossible to keep up with what book each child is currently reading.  When they were younger, we all read together, so I knew what information they were getting.  I wish I could tell you that I kept up with all of it until they were teenagers reading novels.  This is not the case, however, I was left in a cloud of dust just after they passed picture books.  How was I supposed to keep ahead of these little reading maniacs?  To be a good mom, I was sure that I needed to pre-read everything before handing it over to their little spongy, naive minds.  How in the world was I going to get ahead of them?  Was I supposed to start reading at 3 a.m. for crying out loud?!  I didn't want to hand over a book that would disturb them for life. 

 

I also wanted them to know and read good literature, not just a bunch of words on paper.  According to Gladys Hunt, a good book is always an experience containing spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions.  Sounds pretty good to me! 

 

Sure, I could give them each any random book from the library, but that doesn't mean it is quality literature, or even appropriate.  "Honey for a child's heart" is a compelling, essential guide to finding the best books for your children.

In this book, Gladys Hunt has done all of the hard work for us!  She has compiled reading lists for various age groups (ex. age 0-3, 4-8, 9-12), as well as special interests lists (ex. animal lovers, fantasy novels).  This is super easy.  All you have to do now, is open the book, go down the list and reserve your picks at your local library.  You no longer have to worry  about whether the book your child is reading is "okay" with you or not. 

 

You can use this amazing resource however it best fits your family.  I go through and pick 2 books per child each week and reserve them at the library.  Then as we make our visit to library, I pick up the books I have on hold and then also let them pick a few more books per child.  I know when we leave that each of my children have at least 2 books that are good stories.  Quality literature is a high priority.  This will be a book that you truly utilize every week.  You can purchase this book at any bookstore.  Enjoy!

Menu Planner

Fix the "What's for dinner?" conundrum with this effortless meal plan system! 

A menu planner that works!!  I have tried time and time again, different ways of menu planning.  I love to cook, but sometimes, I am not in the mood to come up with what we are having for dinner.  This is the best meal planning idea that I have seen.  This idea comes from Better Homes and Gardens.  My family loves it.  Everyone can now get involved in what's for dinner.  

You will print out labels of the foods that your family enjoys.  Then, everyone can simply place the labels in your weekly meal planner that they would like to have.  There are categories for breakfast, meat, veggies, fruits, breads, seafood, and salads.  My family immediately noticed there wasn't a "dessert" category....so I solved the crisis and printed them on a separate color.  You may not be as psychotic as I am about organization, but this is super pleasing to me.

You can choose to put your labels directly onto your refrigerator.  I have this one on a magnetic board, which is then hooked to our RV refrigerator.  Also, I drew the weekly calendar with permanent marker.  You can use any magnetic calendar that you have.

Here is how it works. 

Purchase "gloss white magnetic paper" from any office supplies store.  There are 4 sheets per package for about $10.  These magnetic paper sheets feed right into any ink jet printer.  I promise, I have ran 8 of these through my printer and it hasn't hurt it at all.  This is the coolest stuff to use.  Once you see how neat it is, you will start using it for other things like pictures, etc.

Now, go to bhg.com/foodlabels to download the label templates for free.  You can either type in your food items and then print, or you can print and then write them in with permanent marker.

Now, simply cut each label out and stick to your fridge or magnetic board. 

Seriously, you must give this one a try.  My kids and my husband now stand at the fridge and move items into meal spots.  I don't have to wonder what my family wants for dinner anymore.......I just have to look at the menu board.