Camelbak has our back

Some of you know I am a coffee addict   There are times I want to cut it out, I have tried to only limit a number of cups and  go cold turkey. Not a good thing, I have to say that coffee gives me patience.  I guess that sense of security.  Anyway, I had to figure out how to get my water in.  I was not that I did not like it.  I just liked coffee more.  I might add it is half the caffeine or mostly decaf.  I trick myself.  

So I pulled on the Camelbak my mom had gotten me. Throughout the day I would drink, I noticed my kids were guzzling it. Prince Charming and I were amazed, well because kids only drink things with "taste" So I pulled out their Camelbak cups filled them up first thing and left them on the table.  Within reach for Mini Me (R) who is three and my super hero (C) who is 5. We have been doing this now for almost two months. I am amazed how much water we consume!  I still drink my coffee but I have a goal to drink 24oz during the time it takes for school drop off, pick up and one if not two in between.  That’s at least 72oz no problem.     Prince Charming has one too, he leaves his at work.    

Ok why does this water bottle stand out?  It is spill proof!!!   I allow my kids to use this water bottle around the house.   Side-note: There is a house rule, only water in this bottle.  Did not want milk(gross), juice, or even flavored water left in these.    They also have this valve that you bite gently and sip just like you would a straw.  Their site states, that a recent study by Pepperdine University found that people who drink from Camelbak drink up to 24% more water than people who drink from other reusable or disposable bottles.  I believe this to be true with our family. My super hero even takes his in his lunch. 

I know in the end it comes down to cost.  Depending on where you purchase it ranges in the $10 to $20 range.  We got ours at Target. Here is their website http://www.camelbak.com/ .   It looks like they have all kinds of stuff there, filtered bottles, glass, stainless steel, and even replacement pieces.  If you haven’t tried out a Camelbak water bottle yet, I would HIGHLY recommend it!

Now with the daycare everyone can have water at any time.  They know where the cups are and how to fill or they ask.  I am working on getting them each their own Camelbak water bottle. 

Disclaimer: I was not paid or given this product by Camelbak.  My mom does not work for Camelbak. The review on this product is mine and how it works for my family..

Glow sticks in the bathtub

Thanks to a post at Play at Home Mom I got the idea to bring glow sticks in the bath tub.  I got these at Dollar Tree they are the necklaces/bracelets so you get more, I think we ended up with 12.  I am still learning how to take pictures in the dark.  Check out hers they are much better and give you how truly and exciting the it is.  C and R stayed in for about a good hour if not longer.  With the lights off.  I don't think any cleaning got done, just a whole lot of fun!   Sometimes we need that more then being "clean".

Taco Bowl

 The kids think these are so cute. I just took tortillas, heated them in the microwave between moist paper towels.  So they were more pliable. I then formed them in the largest muffin pan I had.  Don't forget to spray the pan with cooking spray. I spray the shells too and sprinkle a little salt on them.  Put them in the oven 350 for about 10 mins.  Check them if they are golden brown they are ready.    Just add your filling and serve.

Lunch-able made at home

 My kids love the Kraft Lunchables.  It is a bit costly if I would get it for all the kids and they always want more.  Here is our version: I let them cut the cheese.  This was the first time they did this.  They did not want to stop we did two bricks of cheese while they were learning.  It was a great time.  The older kids cut some and gave to the younger ones.

C was singing a song about how yummy this was.  They made sandwiches and mixed in the veggies.

I did let them pick out of the veggies we had, its always different, but they eat them better when they are in sticks.

 I have even served it with a juice box for the added excitement.

Kool- Aid Playdough

Found this recipe on DLTK.com ( really enjoy that site)

The kids had a great time making this.  It is a keeper!   I have been taking a step back with the older ones and letting them take over while we work in the kitchen. They have been reading and matching the measuring cups up.  They are even helping and teaching the younger ones.  I like recipes like this because they are able to see what happens if they don't add the ingredients correctly and easily.   

Also like it as R still tastes everything.  Give it a try! Let me know how it goes!

Kool-Aid Playdough
Ingredients:
 • 1 1/4 cup flour
 • 1/4 cup salt
 • 1 pkg unsweetened Kool-aid ( powder)
 • 1 cup boiling water ( they put it in the microwave about 2 min, I took it out )  
 • 1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Directions:
 1.  In a bowl, mix the dry 
 2.  Stir in water and oil ( I had them make a valley in the middle and watch the color it changed)
 3.  Knead with hands.
 4.  Store in ziploc bag for up to 2
 4.  months.
 5.  Use like playdough.
 6.  Smells wonderful and takes on the color
     of the koolaid. 




Do you have any recipes that work well at your house, let us know we love to create and explore! 

Exploring the great outdoors

Learning to walk with hundreds of acorns all over.

How should we get in the creek?

Waking in the creek. Dry creek that is and listening to leaves.

Now how do I get out?

Getting the " alligators". Their favorite game to play lately.

Checking out the leaves. The had a great time throwing them in the air and jumping with them.

More exploring.

Pillow course

Running out of things to do on a rainy day.  

Why not set up a pillow course. I have always been nervous about the kids getting hurt. I over came that today and here is what fun was had.  

Check out the popcorn :)  

C decided to come and join the fun.

I did have the girls stop and watch while the older kids played. I did not get any pictures of that because I was keeping the younger ones safe.

What indoor gross motor activities have you done that they kids enjoyed?

Family Traditions

As we begin the holiday seasons. I thought I would post the family traditions we have acquired. My first year as a mom I searched for things that I would like as family traditions and was worried we would have none if I didn't get them all lined up and started them his first year. I remember worrying about that when we got married to, but changed when we had kids.

Since then I have learned they just happen and some years they just don't happen, but they are still traditions. We seem to have traditions most of them in the fall and winter then in the spring and summer. Is that same for you?

I am going post a series of our family traditions. I hope you will join me and post yours.

• Banana Bread

Family Traditions: Banana Bread

Every year my mom would make breads, Banana Bread was one of them that we have turned into a tradition to bake at Christmas time. Christmas Eve or around then we make many loafs using the little loaf pans usually. Unless I know there is a big family, then we use the bigger ones. Together we make a list of the people we want to give them to, we give to all the neighbors on our block and then friends that are close. But it started with just neighbors.

We wrap them in foil and sometime a holiday gift bag and add a Christmas Card or a note that C made. ( It will be fun this year to see R get in on the action) I like to drop them off on Christmas Eve but sometimes we are too busy, so planning is helpful. We load all the bags in the car and head out.

When dropping off we don't stay or even go in. We just say Wishing You a Merry Christmas or just a simple Merry Christmas. If we have something more to say we add in the card as this is a busy time for everyone.

So here is the recipe my mom gave me. I am not really sure where it came from. My guess would be a Betty Crocker Cook Book from years ago.

Banana Bread

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup ( 2 med) mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cups nuts (optional if you don't know about allergies leave out)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

What to do :

• Preheat oven 350.
• Grease bottom of loaf pan
• In a large bowl blend the first 6 ingredients for 1 minute on medium speed
• Stir in the rest of ingredients until dry ingredients are moistened
• Pour batter in to loaf pans
• Bake for about an hour (check in center with toothpick if it comes out clean you are good to go)
• Cool for about 5 minutes and remove from pan

I line them up on cooling racks.

This makes one of the larger loaf pans.

This is a great family tradition since it is simple, inexpensive and meaningful.

What kinds of family traditions do you have or remember from childhood?

Best Bubbles

What you need:

1/2 gal of water

1/3 c liquid soap

1/3 c corn starch

1tsp baking powder

What you need to do:

Just them mix together

This made some really big bubbles.

I sent the kids around to gather things they wanted to try. They came back with...

Fly swatter: very cool when they spun around fast and bubbles landed cool

slotted spoon: worked great

spatula with holes: not so well

circle ring: big bubble but did not form to float away

team work. Love it when they work together to figure things out!

pipe cleaners made in a circle: not to good

bubble wands: worked but not as fun

cookie cutters: worked well

Apple slicer: fun

F really like it when they popped on her hand or she was able to hold them.