Sweet lil’ monster

June 7, 2011Kim2 Comments

See the water balloon?

You get the idea.

Healthy Summer Snacks!

June 6, 2011Kim5 Comments

What do you feed kids when they are starving? My younger two are growing like weeds these days & really need some extra food to keep them going. What do YOU reach for when the energy levels are low? Healthy or not?

1. Full meals I try to make sure they are putting away meat, vegies, carbs & good fat at each meal. This helps them make it to the next meal if we cannot snack without getting really cranky!

2. Fruit This is my first question to them. Have you had some fruit today? We don’t eat a lot of fruit at meals so they need to get this through snacks. Apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, pineapple etc Elizabeth loves apples & can go through a couple a day!

3. Trail mix Peanuts, raisins, & m&ms(a few) I think Joshua would live on this stuff. Daddy lets them add other stuff—like marshmallows.

4. Nuts We always have almonds in the house. Not everyone likes them but this is my little snack I have before fixing supper(when I am starving) so I don’t start snacking!

5. Yogurt & peanut butter dip We don’t do this often but is sure is good. Apples are delicious dipped in this.

1 cup Stoneyfield French Vanilla yogurt

1-2 T smooth peanut butter

6. Smoothies Nothing better on a hot day!

7. Popcicles Well maybe this is better. Freeze your smoothie recipe for a healthy alternative to frozen sugar.

8. Sandwiches Sometimes a little snack won’t do it. When we go for a bike ride or a long walk. I will pack peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Also peanut butter & crackers or cheese & crackers are crowd pleasers.

9. Popcorn Regular or Kettle corn---mmmm love it!

10. Cheese sticks or slices of regular cheese Mix it up.

11. My favorite snack right now—Apple cut in to 4 pieces, topped with peanut butter & sprinkled with sunflower seeds. Nothing better!

Linked up at Tasty Tuesday, Delectable Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, What’s On YOUR plate, & Fun with Food Friday

Working on the old home place

June 6, 2011Kim1 Comment

Some weeks are just difficult. We had one of those last week.

Difficult meetings.

Our suburban started making a funny chicken noise. An expensive noise.

We are dealing with a 2 car situation for 3 drivers.

Michael’s schedule wasn’t lining up with our weekend trip out of town.

I had to change my attitude.

We work with wonderful people who love our children.

We OWN 3 vehicles. No debt. We have an emergency fund for just this situation.

Michael was in Joplin giving of his time & energy to those who right now have NOTHING.

It helped to spend time with my mother-in-law & father-in-law. They are so giving, loving & fun to spend time with.

We traveled up to the farm where Suzanne grew up & spent the weekend there.

So here are the highlights of our trip.

First we all worked hard at building a new fence.

Elizabeth is an expert post hole digger.

After the little people & grandma & I went inside the guys kept working & got more done. There was some definite napping going on after lunch. Along with soda drinking, snacking & games!

Since we were hot--there had to be a water gun/balloon fight!

And Root Beer floats! Yum!

This was a trip I wasn’t so excited about. I am feeling behind, overwhelmed & in need of some quiet work time. It is hard to get away & relax when you feel that way. I am so thankful that I went. My husband & kids had a blast. It was fun to see them let loose & enjoy being together. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Building Perennial Flower Beds

June 6, 2011GardenKim11 Comments

We have a ton of trees which makes our yard nice & shady but challenging to plant perennials. I like to do some annuals but truly I love the ease of plants/flowers coming up year after year without a lot of work on my part. I have carved out one spot of sun to have a flower garden. And you guessed it—there are perennials in it.