What To Look For In A Home Child Care Provider

Over the years, I have worked with children in a variety of ways from teaching preschool to doing in home care, and obviously, being a mother to my own girls.

Often, I am asked by other moms who are looking for childcare, what they should be looking for, what questions to ask etc.

Here is a list of things to consider when looking for in a home child care provider:

1.  What kind of experience does your provider have?  I know this seems basic, but it's an important question.  Do they have any education or early education classes under their belt?  Have they worked with children, (other than their own), before?  Do they have references you can speak with?

2.  What is The Home Environment like?  This is a BIG deal.  Is it child friendly?  Do they have plenty of toys and play equipment to entertain the children?  Is it clean?  Is it safe?  Are there animals in the house?  Do they, (or anyone else in the house), smoke?  All are things you should know before making a decision.

3.  Who else will have access to your child?  For example, does the husband work from home?  Will he be present when your child is there?  Or are there older children that will be in the home?  Basically, what and who is your child going to be exposed to?

4.  What kind of discipline does the provider use?  You would be AMAZED at how many parents don't ask this question!  Make sure that you are both on the same page when it comes to discipline!!

5.  Is she/he willing to submit to a background check?  It may sound extreme, but these are your children that you are entrusting to someone.  You want to know for sure that they have nothing to hide.  And if they were working in a daycare, it would be required under law anyhow.

6.  Do they have insurance?  Again, another question that parents often forget to ask about.  And don't forget about car insurance, (and a driver's license too!).

7.  Do they have an absence or payment policy?  Most providers have some kind of policy that allows for a certain number of days for vacations/sickness etc.  Make sure that you are both clear about the terms.

8.  What will your child be doing while in their care?  Do they have lesson plans or is it more laid back?  Are there structured activities, or will your child be watching TV all day?

9.  Will they be providing food for your child?  This seems like an easy thing, but it can quickly become a big deal.  For example, if you expect your provider to provide meals, but your child is a very picky eater or has a lot of dietary restrictions, you may need to provide your own meals, (especially is she/he is cooking for other children, too).

10.  Does your child feel comfortable?  This is the most basic, yet maybe the most important thing of all.  Even if everything else on the list checks off, if your child doesn't feel like it's a fit, it won't be good for anyone.  Take your cues from your child, and you'll probably make a good decision.

Do you have any other suggestions of things to look for or questions to ask?  If so, please share!!

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family for WFMW.

Ten Ways To Give A Gift Without Spending Money

I LOVE to give gifts.

I have said before that it is a gift to me to be able to give someone a gift that they really love.

And often, we think we have to spend a lot of money to make someone happy.

But often, the best gifts cost us nothing at all.

Here are Ten Ways to Give A Gift Without Spending Money:

10.  Offer to Babysit!  If you have children, you know what a treasure it is to have a date night and know that you won't have to pay a babysitter.  And don't just put it out there and offer, actually have them give you a list of dates that work, and choose one (or more) that work for you!

9.  Make a Meal!  Sometimes it's nice to get muffins or cookies.  But what really helps out is when someone delivers an entire meal to your door.  No cooking and no having to pay for dinner.  Awesome!

8.  Do some Housework!  Oh the luxury of having a housekeeper!  That is something most of us can't afford.  BUT, if a friend would be willing to come and do it for you, that would maybe be the best gift ever!

7. Write a Note!  Sometimes, the people we care about just want to hear the words.  Take time to sit down and write a letter and tell them what they mean to you and why.

6.  Become a Photographer!  Everyone loves great family photo's, but photo sessions can be pricey.  But with a decent camera and good editing software, almost anyone can capture at least a few great pics.  Offer to accompany them and their family on an afternoon outing and be their own personal photographer.

5.  Get Crafty!  Knit a scarf, repaint a frame to look pretty, or put together a really cool wreath.  We all love those cute little things we see on Pinterest, but we rarely have time to do them.  Try doing one of them for a friend!

4.  Give a Lesson!  Maybe you know how to sew, but your friend doesn't.  Or maybe you're a really good cook and she can barely boil water.  Whatever skill you have that your friend may want to learn, (but maybe is afraid to ask you about), is a great opportunity to give of yourself!

3.  Coupons!  This one is a no-brainer.  It has been around a while, and for good reason...it works!  Write a coupon book that the receiver can exchange for items.  We did this with our girls one year for Christmas and they loved it.  Some of our coupons were for: 30 minutes of staying up later, ice cream for breakfast, having a friend spend the night, and getting to choose what we have for dinner.

2.  Make a Scrap Book!  This one is great for anyone, but especially family members.  Collect old photo's, write down memories, and be creative.  We did this for my Father-In-Law's Birthday one year and I think I loved it as much as he did because I got to learn so much more about him while I was putting it together.

1. Give them Your Time!  If the receiver is anything like me, it's your time that means the most to them.  Take a whole day and spend it doing fun stuff with your friend.  And it doesn't have to cost a lot (or anything!).  Hiking, cooking together, watching TV movies, or just sitting and chatting are great bonding activities.  OR, if it's a guy your giving to, let him have a day just to watch sports or listen to his favorite band.

Do you have any other good ideas for ways to Give without spending Money??  If so, Please Share!!

I will be linking up with Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings and WFMW at We Are THAT Family!

Don't Be {THAT} Mom

School is starting, and you have a choice to make.

What kind of mom will you be this year?

Here are some Moms you DON'T want to be!




1.  The Hooker Mom.  No one wants to see you prancing into school with the words "Juicy" or "Pink " on your behind.  It's a school, not a meat market.  And by the way, it's also inappropriate to send your six year old to school with anything across her behind too.

2.  The Over Achiever Mom.  Other mom's don't like her, because she makes us look bad.  Don't volunteer for every.  single.  thing.  And at least ONCE, send in something that is NOT homemade!

3.  The Clueless Mom.  Teachers hate this mom.  They send home all those information packets for a reason.  Try reading it. 

4.  The Gossip Mom.  It's a quick way to lose friends and get a bad rep.  Unless of course you are gossiping about celebrities.  In which case, Gossip On My Friend!

5.  The Mom whose Kids are ALWAYS right.  No kid is perfect and every kid has issues.  Little Johnny did hit that girl.  And for no good reason.  Accept it.

6.  The Bragging Mom.  We know your husband is a doctor.  And you're building your dream house.  And you just got back from Fiji.  And you bought a new Mercedes.  And you lost 15 pounds.  And your nanny is the best.  Yay for you!  Now quit telling us about it.

7.  The Slacker Mom.  You know, the mom who never helps at the dreaded classroom party, or worse yet, volunteers and then never follows through?  Or the mom who can't even send in a bag of chips on teacher luncheon day?  Yeah, don't be her.

8.  The Green/Whole Foods Mom.  It's all well and good that you buy raw milk, save rain water in a barrel, and plan to save the Earth one sheet of saved paper at a time.  But please, for the love of parents everywhere, stop insisting that the entire classroom participate in your projects.  When I'm ready to make my kid's clothes out of grass, I'll let you know.

9.  The Bad Mood Mom.  Grumpy is not a lifestyle.  Even if you have to fake it, try acting happy every once in a while.

10.  The Sales Mom.  We don't want to buy your Tupperware, or your Avon, or your energy/diet drink that will take off 100 pounds in three weeks and make me feel like a new person.  (Okay, if you *actually* sell something that promises that, call me!).  The classroom is not your new sales territory.  Quit asking!

Here's hoping for a great year of wonderful teachers, well behaved children, and sane parents.

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family for WFMW.

10 food Blogs Every Mom Needs To Read!

Meal planning is one of the toughest things for me.

And it's not because I don't like to cook.

It's because I have four different people to please, and I hate making the same things all the time.

AND because the crazier our schedules get, the harder it is to think of healthy, fast, and tasty meals.

So I rely heavily on the food blogs I read for new ideas and recipes.

Here are the Top Ten Food Blogs I think every mom should be using as a resource!

1.  Once A Month Mom:  This is a GREAT site for freezer meals.  (And I am NOT just saying that because she is a real life friend!).  I would use her site even if I didn't know her, (but I'm glad I do!!), because of the HUGE variety on her site.  Everything from Whole foods, Diet menus, Gluten and Dairy Free, and Traditional foods.  And don't get scared by the words freezer cooking...she breaks everything down for you into simple and easy steps.  Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!

2.  The Pioneer Woman:  If you haven't heard of Ree Drummond by now, you probably are living under a rock.  She has taken the world by storm, and for good reason!  While she's not just a "food blogger", her recipes are fabulous, and generally easy to make.  I use her site often!

3.  Eat At Home:  I met this gal at Blissdom last year, and after I got back, I decided to check out her blog.  Sooo glad I did!  Easy Peasy recipes that my kids like and are budget friendly.  Plus, she has menu lists that has printable grocery lists too!

4.  Crcokpot365.blogspot.com:   This is a great site for slow cooking.  I use my crock pot at least once a week, so this site has come in handy more than a few times when I want to make something different than the usual.  They even have slow cooker dessert recipes!

5.  KevinandAmanda: Speaking of desserts, this is one of the VERY best dessert sites I have ever seen!!  Again, not just a food blog, but my favorite recipes are these fabulous desserts that are sure to raise your cholesterol and increase your weight, but oh so worth it!

6.  Our Best Bites: This is a great site for a little bit of everything.  Plus, they always have really great kitchen tips!  For example, if you want to know how to pick out and cut a watermelon...Check it out here!

7.  Real Mom Kitchen:  This is another great site for those of us who need normal, every day, no nonsense recipes.  Everything on her site is pretty simple and easy to understand.  It quickly became one of my favorites!

8.  Plain Chicken: The name might suggest that it's just a chicken recipe site, but that's not the case. They have lots of other good recipes. BUT, I must admit that I use it mostly for the chicken recipes, (because we eat a lot of chicken around here..cluck cluck!). They are tried and true

9.  Skinny Taste:  This is a blog I found via Pinterest.  I realized that i was pinning a lot of the recipes/ideas and decided to start following the blog.  She has a lot of great recipes that are low fat and healthy.  And she also has a lot of great switchout ideas using better/healthier ingredients in traditional recipes.

10.  Cooking With My Kid:  The title is pretty self explanatory.  This site has great recipes that are also kid assistant friendly.  I use this one on days that the girls want to help me in the kitchen and I want to keep them busy!

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family for WFMW.  Check em' out!



Back To School 2012: 10 Last Minute Things To Do With Your Kids BEFORE School Starts

I had Grand Plans for our summer this year.

No vacations, but lots of fun things to do around here.

Remember my Summer Bucket List?

Ummm, let's just say a few of those things didn't happen.

(And by a few, I mean several...or most.)

BUT, there's still a little time left, and we can make the most of it!

Here are 10 Things you should definitely try to fit in BEFORE the madness of school begins!

10. Go To The Drive In!  I LOVED the drive in when I was a kid, but my kids have yet to experience this fun summertime tradition.  We.  Will.  Make. It.  Happen.

9.  Have a Yes Day!  My friend does this with her kids and they love it.  It's a day where the answer is always yes, (within reason).  Ice Cream for Breakfast?  Yes!  Spending The Day on The Wii?  Yes!  Staying up late?  Yes!

8.  Nigh time Fun Run!  This is a fun little tradition I heard about last year.  After you put the kids to bed, wait about 30 minutes, and then run in and tell them it's "fun run" time.  You all load into the car, pj's and all, and drive to do something fun like ice cream, or a park, or maybe even the drive-in :)

7.  Camp Out In the Backyard!  This was something I did every year as a kid, and it was so much fun!  Let the kids invite a few friends over and make your backyard your own little camping ground!

6.  PJ Day!  This is actually one of my favorite days, but the kids enjoy it too.  Spend the ENTIRE day in pj's doing fun stuff around the house.  Snacks, movies, board games, whatever!

5.  Water Park Day!  Soon, all the water parks will be closed.  So take advantage of them now before homework and fall sports take over.  If visiting a Water Park isn't in the budget, you can visit a spray ground, or even make your own water park at home!  Check out this great site for ideas!

4.  Hiking!  A family hiking day has become a tradition of ours, and we love it.  It's a great time for family to reconnect and talk about nature, what's going on in their lives and get some great exercise!

3.  Garage Sales!  I have said it a million times, but kids love going to garage sales!  Give them a budget and set out to let them find their own little treasures.  It teaches them about money, value and it's a great time for the whole family.

2.  A Park Tour!  Our city has about 4 million public parks (okay, I might be exaggerating a little, but it's a lot!), and we haven't even come close to visiting them all.  I'm betting the area you live in has more than you would have thought, too.  Take the kids on a tour of parks for an entire day and discover what your city/area has to offer!

1.  A Lemonade Stand!  no summer is complete without one!

Do you have any other great ideas for last minute Summer Fun?  Share!  Share!  Share!

I will be linking up with Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings!

Ten Things You Should Do NOW To Prepare For Christmas

It's no secret that Christmas is my ABSOLUTE favorite Holiday!

And every year I like to start a little earlier on my planning.

This year, I am starting now...

And you should too!

Here's Ten Things You can do NOW to help you get a head start!


10.  Buy Stocking Stuffers!  This is a GREAT time to buy lots of stocking stuffers because of the back-to-school prices!  You can get markers, crayons, note pads, stickers, and other goodies for almost nothing!

9.  Start Saving!  This is a good time to start deciding what the big items on the Christmas lists will be and start budgeting for them.  For example, if your kid wants an ipod touch and you know that will be around $200, start saving $40 per month aside for that now and you won't have to come up with the cash all at one time in December, when there are lots of other expenses.

8.  Plan Your Christmas Break!  This is the time to start making travel plans for the Holidays.  If you think you're going to go out of town, decide if you'll fly or drive.  Start pricing flights and hotels, and don't forget to think about weather conditions etc. and plan extra time for them. 

7.  Fill Your Calender!  If you're anything like me, December fills up quick.  Before I know it, I have a gazillion commitments and I realize I'm not getting to do the things I really wanted to do with my own family.  Sit down with your spouse and kids and decide what fun activities you want to do as a family (looking at lights, seeing a Holiday movie, Christmas parade etc.), and write those things down on your calender so that when friends ask about getting together, you already have days marked off for your own family and can plan around them!

6.  Find New Traditions!  Maybe it's time to start Elf on The Shelf, or maybe you want to start an annual Christmas party, or maybe you want to start doing an Advent calender with the kids.  Whatever it is, start researching some fun things to celebrate the season with your family now, so that you won't be running behind when the time comes.

5.  Try New Recipes!  Nothing is worse than finding a recipe that sounds fabulous and you serve it at your Holiday feast only to discover that it's horrible.  Or, maybe it takes twice the time to cook than you thought it would.  Or maybe you need to substitute ingredients.  Trust me when I say it's better to start trying these "amazing" recipes out on your family now to know what works and what doesn't.  That way, your feast will be exactly what you want it to be.

4.  Go through Your Decorations and Lights!  Now is the time to find out if your lights etc. are working and if your decorations are in need of an overhaul.  That way, you can watch the department store sales, search garage sales, and look online to catch the best deals.

3.  Get Crafty!  If you think you might want to actually make some of the gifts you'll be giving, now would be the time to start those projects.  Whether you're sewing a quilt, refinishing a piece of furniture you found a yard sale for someone, or making a scrap book, this is the perfect time to get started so you'll have plenty of time to finish without feeling rushed.

2.  Make Some Lists!  Start preparing a list of people you'll be sending cards to, gathering addresses, setting a budget, making lists of people you'll be buying for, etc.  This will help you to be more organized as the time gets closer.

1.  Pay Attention!  Now is the time to start paying attention to what your family and friends talk about.  Listen to your husband when he says he really likes a new magazine and think about getting him a subscription.  Or, when your friend mentions that she can't find the right necklace to go with her dress, you can be on the look out.  This will keep you from that, "oh no!  I have no idea what to get them" crisis that always takes over holiday shopping!  And the best key is to WRITE IT DOWN!!  I promise you, if you don't, you will forget!

Hope that this helps you to start thinking ahead.

Because after all, Christmas is only 153 days away! :)

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family For WFMW.  Be sure to check them out!



Garage Sale Tips

This week I am preparing for a garage sale.

Aren't you jealous??

Especially because it's in the 90's here and really, what sounds like more fun than going through boxes of random, old junk in your sweltering garage??

It's a party over here!

Actually, even though it's hot, I am glad to do it.

We have a TON of stuff to get rid of.

Between my parents stuff and mine, there is a pleasant mix of burp clothes that are 8 years old, onsies, naked Barbies, mauve decorative pillows, faux flower arrangements, and decade old appliances. 

I know, hot items!

And for those of you who also want to experience the thrill of having a Garage Sale, I have a few tips that might help.


10.  Advertise in the Paper.  I have sometimes chosen not to advertise in the paper thinking that posting it on my Facebook page and on Craigslist was enough.  But it really DOES make a difference in the amount of traffic you get.  It's usually around $30-$40, but you'll definitely make that back.

9.  Post Clear Signs.  People need to be able to find you.  There's nothing more annoying than driving around looking for a garage sale and there's no clear directions.  People usually give up after a few minutes of looking.

8.  Coordinate with neighbors/friends.  I don't always do this, but when I do, I usually have much more success.  If your neighborhood or city does a Garage Sale date, try to do yours then, too.  If not, get together with a few friends and do a multi-family one.

7.  Sell Refreshments.  Kids love to get involved and this is a great way for them to do it.  Let them sell Lemonade, Water, Cookies, whatever.  People almost always buy from kids, and on hot days, you may make more on drinks then on your old junk :)

6.  Don't Price too high!  I know that you think great grandma's quilt is worth millions, but to someone else, it's just a dusty, old quilt.  Be reasonable, and be willing to negotiate.  After all, the goal is to get rid of things you're not using.

5.   Have Change!  Be sure to go the day before and get plenty of Quarters, One's and Fives.  I can't tell you how many sales I've been the first person to, and the seller can't make change.  Annoying!

4.  Be Organized.  Your stuff will sell better if it's laid out in an organized and clear way.  Pile/Hang clothes by size, put house decorations on one table, Put all the tools in one bin...basically make it easy for your buyers to find what they would be interested in.

3.  Clean Your Stuff!  I once found a Janie and Jack dress at a Garage sale that I KNEW was worth $50.  The seller was asking $20.  Only problem was, there was a small stain on the front.  When I showed her and offered her $5, she took it because she didn't know if the stain would come out.  Fortunately for me, it did.  My daughter wore it and I resold it on ebay for $50!  Bottom line:  Wash and clean your stuff and you will bring a higher price!

2.  Have Bags.  Some buyers want to load up on stuff, so make it easy for them by having bags that they can put stuff in.

1.  Let it all go!  As I said, the main goal is to get rid of stuff.  If it's the last day, make it clear that everything has to go, so tell them to make an offer!  THEN, have a plan to immediately take anything left to Goodwill.  (In some area's, Goodwill will bring a truck to you and collect the stuff). 


Do You Have Any Other Tips For a Successful Garage Sale??  If so, I'd LOVE to hear them!!

Insomnia: Stuff To Do When You're Not Sleeping

Insomnia and I have become close friends.

Not by my choosing.

But I'm guessing that I'm not the only one she is stalking.

So, in case you, too, are failing at avoiding her, I have some suggestions for stuff to do while you hang.

10.  Ask Your Husband If He's Awake.  And if he's not, go ahead and wake him up.  Just to chat.  Husbands love having heart-to-hearts in the middle of the night.

9.  Peruse Pinterest.  If you're lucky, you can find some great DIY projects to keep you busy the next night when you're not sleeping.

8.  Do A DIY Project.  See #9.

7.  Watch Infomericals.  I am in awe of the sheer amount of Ah-Maz-Ing products out there that I never knew existed.  For instance, how in the world have I lived my whole life without using InstaHang?  I mean, I have spent years hanging pictures with a plain old hammer and nails.   Never again my friend!  And I really think the Hypnosis Weight Loss program is going to be what finally does the trick for me.  Seriously, those 'actual customers' said it really worked for them.  I'm a believer!

6.  Read.  Since you're sleepy, you won't be able to focus on anything heavy, so stock up on People, US Weekly, and anything else that has a Kardashian on the front. 

5.  Check out AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com  I promise you won't be disappointed!

4.  Eat.  There is no one around to witness you consuming the ENTIRE half gallon of ice cream AND/or the leftover pizza.  And if no one saw it, did it ever really happen?  I didn't think so.

3.  Give Yourself a Mani/Pedi.  I have learned from experience that if you are a parent of young children, this may be the ONLY time that you can get by with painting your nails without the risk of them being immediately ruined by the urgent need for juice or a snack or bathroom assistance.

2.  Clean.  Oh wait, did you think I was serious with this one?  No way!  Not even insomnia and the extra hours she brings are enough to make me want to do actual housework.  I'm still me after all...

1.  Write A Blog Post. If you haven't started a blog yet, this is a great time to join in. Plenty of time to write and not a soul in the world to interrupt you. If you're already a blogger, go ahead and write a post about your insomnia. As you can see, this is riveting stuff.

Linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday.  Go check them out!

Top Ten Sides to Take To A Cookout

One of the reasons I love summer is the food.

Because let's face it, corn on the cob isn't the same in November.

Nope, summer brings on some of the best food there is.

And the very best thing is to get invited to a cookout where you get to sample all kinds of calorie loaded yumminess. 

And you don't have to feel one bit of guilt for it either because it would be impolite to not try everything.

Some things must even be tried twice to make sure no feelings are hurt.

{I am such a people pleaser...}

And of course, you can't show up without some yumminess of your own to share.

That's where I come in.

Here are 10 dishes that you can't go wrong with!

10.  Baked Beans!  My mom always made the very best baked beans, and I still use her recipe to this day.  Here it is:

2 large cans of beans, (any variety will do...I usually use the store brand)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 TBSP of ketchup
2 TBSP of yellow mustard
2 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP of Tabasco Sauce

Mix it all together and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until onions are soft.  Allow it to cool for about 15 minutes before serving so that the sauce can thicken.

9.  Macaroni and Cheese!  I always use this recipe from Paula Deen.  It's my absolute favorite, and truly southern.

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8.  Crack Potatoes!  They have a gazillion different names, but it's basically the hash brown casserole that becomes completely addictive.  Here's my recipe:

1 bag of frozen shredded hash browns
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of cheese (or more if you like them really cheesy!)
1 TBSP of Onion Powder
1 TBSP of salt

Mix it all together and cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

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7.  Fruit Salad!  Someone has to bring something healthy, right?!  I opt for fresh fruit, and this recipe looks really delicious!

6.  Taco Dip and Chips!  I think I've shared this recipe before, but it's super easy and always a hit.  So, I'll share it again!

1 Can of Refried Beans
16 oz. sour cream
1 packet of taco seasoning
shredded lettuce
2 Cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato, diced

Mix the sour cream and taco seasoning.  Layer in a 9X13 pan: Refried beans, sour cream mixture, shredded lettuce, cheese and diced tomatoes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

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5.  Ranch Pasta Salad!  I like a Pasta Salad with Italian dressing as much as the next gal.  But my mom made this ranch version and it has become a favorite, too.

1 16 oz. box of macaroni noodles, (or any pasta!), cooked and drained
2-3 carrots, chopped into small pieces
1 cucumber, chopped
1 packet of ranch dressing mix, prepared.
1 Cup of shredded cheddar

Mix all the ingredients together and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least one hour.  Note: You can get REALLY creative with this and add any veggies you like!  Sometimes we have added frozen peas, red or green peppers, ham, etc.  And if you want a southwestern flair, try adding corn and black beans.

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4.  Pulled Pork!  If you're going to a gathering where a heartier dish would be appreciated, try this slow cooker recipe.  It is my go-to pulled pork recipe and the whole family enjoys it!

2-1/4- to 3-pound pork shoulder roast
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin or chili powder
3 cups bottled barbecue sauce
12 to 16 hamburger buns

Trim the fat from the roast. Cut roast, if necessary, to fit in your slow cooker. Add water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin or chili powder. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.
Remove meat from the cooker; discard cooking liquid. Using two forks, pull the meat apart and return it to the cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce. Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through. Transport in slow cooker and serve within 2 hours.  Makes 12 to 16 sandwiches.


3.  Corn on The Cob!  I haven't tried this method yet, but I certainly am going to as soon as I get a chance!

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2.  Loaded Potato Salad!  This is the recipe that my husband always requests. 

4-5 baking potatoes, diced and boiled until semi-soft
16 oz. sour cream
1/4 cup of mayo
1/2 lb. of bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 cup of diced green onion. (or you could use red onion...or none at all.  Your call!)
1 TBSP of salt

Mix all the ingredients together and chill at least two hours.

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1.  Coleslaw!  I am NOT a fan of traditional coleslaw, so I would opt for this Crunchy Asian version!



I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday!  Be sure to check them out!





Summer Bucket List

School is almost out around here, (11 more days!!), so as usual, it's up to me to come up with a plan for keeping the children from driving me bonkers happy.

I will probably try to do a daily plan like I did last year, but I want to do a few special things, too.

BUT, because we just bought a new (used) van, and now have a car payment, we will need scale down on activities that cost a lot of money.

{Read As: No beach vacation, no Disney vacation, no fun...}

And we've all seen those Summer Bucket Lists on Pinterest that have like 125 things to do on them. 

Well that's just ridiculous. 

There is absolutely no way that I am trying to come up with 125 different things.  I think if I get out of bed, and we make it to the pool, we've achieved success.

But I thought that ten was reasonable.  So here is my summer bucket list for stuff I want to do with our girls that I'm pretty sure we'll be able to accomplish!


10.  Columbus Zoo!  I have only ever been to the Cincinnati Zoo, but I have heard a gazillion people say how much better the Columbus Zoo is, so I really want to see for myself.

9.  Go Camping.  If you know me, you know I HATE CAMPING!!!!  But, my girls have been begging for several years now to go, and to be honest, pure guilt is my only motivation here.  I don't want to deprive them of something they might love, just because it's not my thing.  But rest assured that this will be a one night camping trip and it will be local.  I want to know that my bathroom and bed are close by.

8.  Go Hiking!  While I don't like camping at all, I LOVE hiking!  This year I want to do it more, and explore some places that we haven't been to before.

7.  Teach the girls to ride their bikes, without training wheels!  I know, it's actually embarrassing that we haven't taught our girls to do this yet.  We kind of earn the 'worst parent' award on this one.  But this is our year.  I feel it!

6.  Indianapolis Children's Museum!  We try to go here once a year, too.  My girls think this place is AMAZING...and they are kind of right.  They are always changing exhibits, so it's like a new experience each time. 

5.  Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati! I remember going here when I was younger, and while it's no Kings Island or Cedar Point, it's still a fun place for kids. Plus, it's a lot less expensive than the other/bigger amusement parks.

4.  Have lots of bonfires and roast lots of marshmallows!  We have a fire pit, but we don't use it near enough.  This year, I am making it a priority to use it more often because the girls love it and it cost nothing!

3.  Have a Slumber Party!  Summer is lots of fun, but it's sad that the kids don't get to see their school friends as much.  So this year, we'll plan a big slumber party night for both girls and they can invite some of their school friends over to catch up.

2.  Make Homemade Ice Cream!  We actually got an ice cream maker as a gift when we got married, (almost 10 years ago).  It's still in the box.  Soooooo, the plan is to dig it out, and amaze my kids with the magic of homemade ice cream.

1.  Have a Lemonade Stand!  This one is actually already being planned.  We have some friends who are going to Africa to serve orphans and our house church is going to help the kids have a lemonade stand and bake sale to raise money for them.  I'm actually pretty excited about it!

What are some of the things that are on your Summer Bucket List??

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessing for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family for WFMW.  Be sure to check them out!

DO'S and DON'TS for Mother's Day

Last week I wrote about my Ultimate Mother's Day.  I *think* my husband looked at it, but if not, I'm giving him another shot with this post.

And for the one other male that reads this blog, I am writing a list of things he SHOULD and SHOULDN'T do for Mother's Day.

1.  DON'T buy your wife an appliance or anything weight or exercise related!  Even if she asks, don't do it.  I promise you it's a trap. 

2.  DO let her sleep in.  After all, she has spent YEARS listening to you snore all night and has lost countless hours of sleep.

3.  DON'T ask her to plan her own day.  She pretty much has to plan everything else in your family's life, and this is her one day off.

4.  DO make reservations for breakfast/lunch/dinner!  You don't want to end up at home eating pizza for lunch.  I have learned this one the hard way :(

5.  DON'T leave her alone to take care of the kids.  For ANY reason.  For ANY amount of time.  She loves her kids, but on this particular day, she doesn't want to care for them.

6.  DO get her flowers.  I know that some women say they don't want flowers, but they're lying.  They'll say things like, "don't spend money on something like that", but you should know that the appropriate response is, "you are totally worth it!".

7.  DON'T complain or make the day about something else.  She doesn't want to hear about your sucky boss, or your car that isn't working, or that you're tired.  Again, this is her day.

8.  DO tell her what a great mom she is.  Be specific and make sure she knows you are paying attention to the hard job she does.  Because let's be honest, most days you aren't.

9.  DON'T get her a #1 Mom Mug...or any Mug for that matter.  Or any #1 Mom thing.  They're tacky, and she'll never really use it. 

10.  DO make sure she feels pampered all day long!

Any other things Men SHOULD or SHOULDN'T do for Mother's Day?  Let's hear them!

I'm linking up with Many Little Blessings and We Are THAT Family! 

10 Things To Do With Your Kids This St. Patty's Day





For those of us with kids, St. Patrick's Day isn't usually about getting wasted on green beer.  But sometimes, it's hard to think of 'family friendly' ways to include the kids in on this fun holiday, beyond wearing green. 

Here are 10 ways that you can celebrate with your kids that will have everyone feeling Lucky!


1. Catch the Crazy Leprechaun!  Legend has it that the Leprechaun always comes during the night on St. Patty's day.  It's fun to let the kids make a trap for him and try to catch him.  (At our house, though, the tricky leprechaun manages to never get caught...)

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2. Wake Up to a Green Mess!  When the Leprechaun comes in the night, he always makes a complete mess of the house!  Some things he might do are: leave green toilet water, turn the furniture around, leave toys all over the floor, hang socks up on the walls, and turn pictures around.  I'm pretty sure the leprechaun can get very creative!

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3. Show Your Shamrock Pride!  It's always fun to find creative ways to wear green.  Sometimes it's with hair accessories, sometimes a green shirt, pants or socks.  Or you could go all out and wear all green on this fun day!

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4. Have a Top O' The Morning Breakfast!  This year, we're going with Lucky Charms and green milk, (this idea I found on Pinterest!).  You could also do green colored eggs, green pancakes or even green sprinkled donuts. 

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5. Find Your Treasure on a Scavenger Hunt!  You can start by giving them the first clue at breakfast.  Then have the kids follow clues until they find the treasure, (maybe chocolate coins or a special toy!)

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6. Make a Clover Craft!  There are a TON of crafts all over the web for this fun day!  I think we are going to try this one.  Be sure to check out my Pinterest Board for lots of craft ideas, (as well as recipes etc.!)

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7.  Dance a Jig!  Find some fun Irish music, (think Riverdance), and have a family dance party. 

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8.  Watch a Lucky Movie!  A few movie's that are family friendly for St. Patrick's day are: Leapin Leprechaun's, A Very Unlucky Leprechaun, The Magical Land of Leprechauns, The Luck of The Irish, and The Secret of Roan Inish.

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9.  Have a Potluck Supper!  Everyone gets to pick one dish to include in the evening meal.  You might end up with all desserts, but it'll be a fun time for everyone!

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10.  Tell an Irish Tale!  This is a great way to end your Lucky Day!  Find a great St. Patty's Day story to share with your kids, and they'll be dreaming of Rainbows and Treasures for the rest of the night!

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I hope you all have a great St. Patrick's Day Celebration with your family!

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.  Be sure to check it out!