Make Monday: Bandanas for the 4th!

The heat is bad here in Iowa. And it is supposed to be bad over the 4th of July festivities. If you are looking for a creative way for your kids to beat the heat indoors and then again for for the parades, then make some patriotic bandanas.

Your kids will love participating in this project as well as wearing them for all your activities this week. And on the side you keep their head protected from the hot sunshine. As a plus, all the grandparents will think they are so cute sporting their creations with their star sunglasses, parade beads, and Popsicle mustaches.

To get started, purchase a fabric square of washable white cotton from a hobby or fabric store. We actually found ours from Oriental Trading Company that had "USA" designs a while back. Find some Elmers washable glitter paint pens or washable fabric paint pens.

Find a location safe to paint and paint the cloth with the glitter paint pens. Lay flat to dry. Flip over and do the other side if desired. Once dry, wear to the 4th of July parade to block the sun.

We learned a few things The paints do leak through until they dry. Also, Q-tips work well to spread out globs of paint onto other portions of the design. Small dots work the best.

Happy Independence Day! Have fun letting your child shine their independence through their bandana creations.

Tip Tuesday: Special PARTY Favor Ideas!

Now that spring is upon us, many people are gearing up for parties of all kinds. Baby Showers, wedding showers, weddings, birthdays, and Easter to name a few spring occasions. And if you are like me, you are looking for party ideas that are original and special for such special occasions.

I was cleaning out the back of my freezer recently and discovered I had saved some packages of M&M's. These were not ordinary M&M's though. These were special packages specifically ordered to be used to celebrate different life events.

I still had some blue and green ones from when my husband proposed to me. I love peanut M&M's, making them probably my most favorite candy. As a back up plan to the carriage ride we took, my husband had ordered directly from the company, M&M's that said (in our favorite colors) "will you marry me" and our initials on them. He then took these and carefully added them to a package of peanut M&M's before skillfully repackaging the bag back together. I was surprised and of course I said, "yes."



The theme stuck. So for our wedding we ordered as part of the cake table, M&M's in our purple and green wedding colors, M&M's to celebrate the special day. Then later on, we again ordered pink and blue M&M's to hand out to the prospective grandparents to tell them we were expecting a baby.



When I cleaned out my freezer, I did finally throw away the M&M's after five plus years. My son snatched a few while I took pictures of them to remember them. The special sentiment though will last forever in my heart and memory.

If you are looking for an original idea to share with someone special, consider customizing your own M&M sayings. Order a short, clean saying in colors of your choice to be shipped to your house for your special occasion. It is easy, fun, and definitely original!

Food Friday: King Cakes for Mardi Gras

When I worked at Principal, I always volunteered to be the floor coordinator for the JDRF fundraiser. As a fundraiser, we would make King Cakes, serve them on Mardi Gras and raise money for a great cause. Plus it was always fun to see who got the baby and was the King or Queen of Mardi Gras. The traveling crown and scepter was a hoot.

I learned how to make the King Cakes (and would make them ahead of time the weekend before) and needless to say, my first attempt did not turn out the greatest. My cake pieces sold last (but they were still super tasty) because they weren't the prettiest cakes ever made. My kitchen was covered in flour, powdered sugar and our small dining room table had been taken over by King Cakes.

I used this recipe from Emeril and was surprised at how easy it was...the second year. Always make sure you add the cream cheese filling (strawberry cream cheese is my favorite) to make it not as dry and super tasty.

Enjoy on Tuesday, but remember...Ash Wednesday is the next day. Make sure you're not on a sugar high and can make it to Mass.

Tip Tuesday: Packing up the Christmas Decorations

I think I am getting smarter when it comes to packing up the Christmas decorations. I mean at least it has become easier over the last few years to find things the next Christmas just by following a few storing tips.

1. Choose clear plastic bins for storage. Personally, I have a few clear plastic containers with green and red lids clearly marking them Christmas. Being clear allows you to peek at the contents inside.

2. Put things in order. I have learned to reserve one bucket for items that are needed at Thanksgiving time, labeling them, "open me first." These items include advent items, Christmas music, and other things that you tend to need right away. Easy access allows you to find these items when needed the most instead of stumbling upon them after the fact at a later date.

3. Group like items together. Again, I group similar items in the same bucket. One bucket is for all the Christmas tree decorations alone while the other bucket stores decorations for around the house. This way I only have to get the tree bin down when I am decorating the tree.

4. Label as much as you can. Instead of digging through each box, try labeling items for easy access. This will ensure successful and stress-free decorating.

5. Utilize items from around the house you for added storage. Visit Resourceful Ways to Store Decorations.

Happy packing! That is what I am doing.

Wash Wednesday: Resourceful Ways to Store your Christmas Decorations

At our house we leave the Christmas decorations up until mid-January. Since we do not get our get our live tree until the second week in December, we like to enjoy it a little bit longer. You know keep the magic of Christmas around as long as possible or at least until the trash pick up is scheduled.

Most people though like to take the Christmas decorations down the day after Christmas suggesting the season is over (and in my opinion too soon). Due to crazy mothers from kids taking down the ornaments, some just have had enough. My neighbor friend even took hers down a week before Christmas because the cat kept eating the tree needles and puking up the remains.

Well for whatever reason, the tree comes down and the decorations get put away for another year. And the stores stock the shelves with expensive storage containers.

I was racking my brain for some simple storage containers to store our ever-increasing Christmas decorations. Here are a few ideas to more frugal with Christmas storage:

Have a lot of Christmas ball ornaments? Try placing them in a leftover egg carton. Egg cartons separate your balls to keep them safe and nice looking. The cartons then stack up on top of each other reducing the pain of rolling balls. Wrap some bubble wrap around the container for glass balls.

What do you do for those small wreaths that do not fit in those large plastic wreath holders? Utilize your leftover plastic party trays with lids. Wash them up after serving cookies and use it to house your wreath for the year. You could even wash the tray out and use it again to serve cookies next year.

You have many other loose ornaments? Recycle those pretty gift boxes or those boxes you made out of wrapping paper to store additional decorations. Wrap these items in the leftover wrinkled tissue paper to keep secure.

There is no reason to buy those expensive plastic totes to store Christmas decorations. Think outside the box and use what you have around the house. And please share your ideas!

For more frugal tips, please visit Learning the Frugal Life.

Merry Christmas!

In light of our post earlier this week regarding electronics, Mommys Recess is going off line for Christmas this weekend, the first in the history of the blog. Instead, join us in enjoying our family and friends and celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus.

From our families to yours may you have a Merry Christmas! Sarah and Emma

Food Friday: Vanishing (Raisin or Cranberry) Oatmeal Cookies

This oatmeal recipe is one of my mom's cookie recipes that we used to make for Christmas cookies. This recipe not only tastes great but you can make a large quantity of dry ingredients ahead of time and add the wet ingredients when cookies are needed. That is exactly what we did as my brother and I mixed up the lump of real butter into the dry ingredients. Then on another day my mom would pull out the , add the egg and vanilla, and finish the baking.

Cream together in a large bowl:
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated white sugar

Add:
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

Set aside.

Sift together:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

Add:
3 cups of oats
1 cup of your choice of raisins, cranberries and white chocolate chips, or chocolate chips

Store dry ingredients in cool, dry place for up to several weeks. When ready to bake, combine dry ingredients with creamed sugars and eggs. Then drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool 1 minute before removing to a rack. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Salvation Sunday: The Smells of the Manger Scene!

Yesterday, we set up our Christmas tree. Judah was so excited to get out the ornaments as he asked to get them out all afternoon. He even has played with ornaments non stop since on and off the tree.

In the middle of decorating the house, however, Judah had this awful dirty diaper that was pretty rank in comparison to the Christmas smells of of candles and real pine trees. So we stopped for a break to change the diaper which I just did right next to the Christmas tree on the floor.

As I was changing the mess, the thought came to my mind. This is probably more the smell that filled the manger scene with all those animals nearby. The nativity certainly was not ginger and spice by any means. Imagine a newborn being born in a so called barn scene with the smell of manure. Humbling beginnings for sure for anyone but especially for a king, a Savior.

What a picture this paints. A Savior, a king, God himself in flesh, coming to earth in the midst of sin, dirt, and messy filth. His presence at birth for all permeated freshness and a sweetness from the stench, pain, and sorrow of life to that of Christmas joys and peace. Christmas came down right next to the filth of everyday sin.

And yet he came to do just that. "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

And again: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

Shuffle Saturday: Prepping For A Holiday Party

We're having a housewarming/Ugly Christmas Sweater/Debate watch party tonight. I (with the help of my husband) made two different dips, a chocolate chip cheeseball and melted snowman cookies. All this morning.

The house? Yeah. I've learned my lesson. We won't be cleaning until AFTER the kids leave with Grandma for a friend's birthday party.

I used to clean the day before (or the morning before) a party only to have it completly destroyed by the time the guest came. And that made me one crabby hostess.

Here are a few tips:

1. Prep as much as you can ahead of time. Have dips that you bake? Mix them up and put them in the fridge. Bake them about 30 minutes before the guests come. That way you're pulling them out of the oven just before they come in.

2. Get Grandparents (or friends) to watch the kid(s) in the afternoon before the party so you can clean/organize/tidy up. There's really no point in cleaning while the kids are around...because if your kids are like mine, they'll just walk behind you making messes as you go.

3. Enjoy yourself. People really are not going to notice if there's a toy or two in the living room. You DO have kids after all. And if they're good friends, they'll understand.

Food Friday: Snickerdoodles

Need another batch of Christmas cookies and clueless as to what to make? Try these mouth watering, family favorites. From my experience, I guarantee you will not be able to eat just one cookie. So roll up your sleeves, get out your baking gear, and team up with the family to make a batch while listening to Christmas music in the background.

Ingrediants

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups of sugar and the eggs. Blend in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls.

Mix 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon; roll balls in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from baking sheet.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Toy Thursday: Wrapping Presents with Toddlers can be a Game!

If you have a toddler in the house then chances are you are going to go through a lot of wrapping paper, bows, tape, and stickers this Christmas season. Unless you happen to only wrap gifts after toddler hours.

A while back I wrote about how I like to set up a wrapping station. This will allow me to wrap Christmas gifts as I get them (or have them delivered, rather) to save time later wrapping at the last minute.

This concept works great except when you want to wrap daddy's gifts during the day while he is away at work. Not only do you run into the problem of your toddler spilling the beans on his every gift (sorry dad, no surprises), but you run into the problem of managing your little elf helper.

So the other day, I did just that. I got out the wrapping paper and tape to spread out on the floor below my wrapping station. I also got out the scissors trying to keep these out of reach of little hands. And we started wrapping.

Judah was my big helper if you can only imagine. He unwrapped the roll of paper and proceeded to jump on it crinkling it all up. Next, he wanted to help with the tape and by helping I mean one very long piece of crumbled up on the gift box. He then found some stickers in with the gift tags. So I started him on decorating a gift box while I finished wrapping the other gift. This lasted until he stuck all the stickers on the box and because I was not finished, he wanted to move the stickers over to another box. And now you guessed it, we have remnants of Christmas stickers all over the house. Still he was excited about his sticker decorations, showing dad when he came home all the while telling dad what the contents of the box were.

And now days later, Judah walks around with little scraps of wrapping paper with rolled up objects. He pretends to give them to you as your present. Your part is too act excited and of course surprised (perhaps it is to find something you have been missing in the process).

It is all in good fun I suppose. Kids are what make Christmas memorable including the chore of wrapping gifts. Just turn the chore into a game and a fun activity. And forget about perfect looking wrapped gifts knowing that the time spent is more important doing it together. I may be wrapping twice as long and cleaning up more after the fact (not to mention the floor needs vacuumed now), but it is fun to have my little elf be my helper.

Salvation Sunday: Keeping Christ in Christmas

We all know that saying and we know what it means...but do we really?

Quite often I see people too wrapped up in their Christmas shopping, decorating and baking that they're doesn't seem to be a glimmer of Christ in their CHRISTmas.

Someone fired shots outside of Valley West Mall on Black Friday. Someone was choked at the 8th Street Wal-Mart over a video game. Two teens got in a fight at Jordan Creek mall. Would Christ be involved in any of that? I don't think so.

We need to remember what's important...that HE is the reason for the season. We're celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The man who came to Earth, the man who died for our sins. The man who is more than just a man, but the Son of God.

It's not about who has the "right gifts", who has the "house with the most lights" or who has the "perfect" decorations. It's about that "Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces baby Jesus, new born, not even spoken a word yet."-Ricky Bobby.

And now that you're laughing, keep sweet little baby Jesus in mind. Because, it is about his birth.

Shuffle Saturday: Mommy (Parents) Knows Best for their Kids!

Tis the season for Christmas and all through the house you find family and friends. The Holiday season brings a lot of family and friends whether at your house or traveling on the road. That means a whole lot of conflicting information for a kid from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

At our last playgroup the topic of "knowing what is best for our kids"came up for discussion among us moms. With so many extended family and family friends around, kids often are shuffled from one command to another. Do this, do that, do not do this, do not do that....and on it goes.

A big parenting frustration of mine is when mommy or daddy is standing in the room trying to give orders, correct their kid, or see to their kids' needs, and a third party interrupts them offering their own advice and/or their own instruction. For example, I can be telling Judah something important (to his well being) and have someone else interrupt me midway through conversation to tell him something different. Excuse me.

I have also experienced people who do not listen to the parents' wishes and instructions by ignoring them or choosing simply not to listen. Sometimes mommies have specific instructions as to to the care of the child only to have these wishes seen as obsolete by a third party. There is a reason perhaps mommy says.... "you need a hat." The kid is getting over an ear infection...."do not nap with them." Just like last time, the kid will never fall asleep from the extra stimulation. Not cool.

Now I am no exception to the rule. I have been known on occasion to tell another mom's kid no only to have to stop midway to apologize for superseding their authority, especially in front of them. And so I just simply have this conversation with my mommy friends if it OK to say "no" to their child. And we all agree that if their safety is in jeopardy, then go ahead and by all means say "no." I have also learned that if their mommy is present, it is better to hold my tongue. After all, I would not want them to question my authority in front of my kids, making life more difficult for all parties.

At the end of the day, parents know what is best for their kid. Sure, someone else like a grandparent may overall have more experience as they have been there, done that with their own kids. However, these loved ones do not have THAT experience with MY kid....in which times, personalities, and circumstances can be different. Moms (and dads) knows best to what makes their kid tick, get tired, get sick, be tempted. Perhaps that is why we are the best candidate to take care of our kids. And the best ones to tell them what is what.

Toy Thursday: Surviving The Holiday

There are SO many toy commercials. Honestly, I was expecting more political commercials than toy commercials, living in Iowa one month away from the caucus. But I couldn't be that lucky.

Woah. Wait. Did I just call myself lucky to sit through political commercials? I did. I must be losing it. And Mattel must have a larger advertising budget than Mitt Romney.

But every time my kids see a commercial for something the TV tells them they need...they want it. The toy commercials have even infiltrated my evening news.

24 days until Christmas. We'll be watching a lot of IPTV (commercial free) and less Nickeloden between now and then. I'm done toy shopping for the boys and I don't want them to decide there's something they need between now and then.

And then there's the Pampers "Silent Night" commercial that never fails to make me weepy. And even though they scream and fight and yell for toys, they're my little angels.

Make Monday: Gift wrap your own Box!

Now that Christmas season is upon us, it will soon be time to start wrapping presents. Many people wrap presents as part of their Christmas festivities while some simply check off this chore from their to do list.

Personally, I like to wrap my presents as I get them. Setting up a wrapping station for the month of December eliminates the stress and hassle of waiting at the last minute. My parents on the other hand enjoyed wrapping everything together before Christmas day. I can remember waiting with anticipation as they would bring one wrapped gift after another from their room every few minutes. As they put it under the tree, us kids would try to guess who it was for and keep track of how many we had.

Looking though for a different way to wrap gifts. This year I have a whole lot of finger painted banner pictures from our many projects to use as wrapping paper. In the past I have enjoyed using recycled paper bags for an antique look with giant fabric bows. Colored cellophane also is fun to use to wrap odd looking shapes. And of course, recycle cards to use as gift tags.

Here is one of my favorites though that could involve a family craft....I discovered this delightful, pretty way to wrap a shoe box from a friend who gave us a box of Christmas cookies once. I even liked hers so much, I store Christmas decorations inside.

As you wrap your regular presents, save all your small Christmas scraps of wrapping paper. Then recycle an old, empty shoe box by decorating the scraps onto the box as a collage. Use clear tape to overlap different pieces (shapes and colors) onto the box . Decorate the lid so that the box can still close. Line the inside with tissue paper and store the gift contents inside.

Happy Gift Wrapping!

Shuffle Saturday: Sixth Birthday (Green Bay) Surprise

My big boy turns six today. How is that even possible?? It feels like yesterday I was in the hospital having trouble with his delivery. And he's already six years old???

Later today we'll be having a birthday party for him. He's requested a Green Bay Packers Birthday party. I found this great idea on Pinterest and had to try it. We pulled it off. As one of his gifts, we got him a (SUPER SOFT) Green Bay Packers blanket and put it on his bed after he went to sleep. We filled 20 Green and Yellow balloons and took them into his room--hoping that he wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night and turn on his fan. We also got him a really cool Green Bay Packers cup and set it at his spot on the dining room table.

When he woke up this morning, he came into my room and said, "Mommy! I already saw my blanket and balloons. THAT WAS AWESOME!" Daddy has to work this morning so he was somewhat sad that he was going to miss Liam's reaction.

Liam then ventured out to the living room/dining room and said, "Oh COOL! A Green Bay cup!! This is like a Birthday-Egg Hunt!"

He still has a few more gifts to open from us and guests are scheduled to arrive around 2. Daddy doesn't get off of work until 1. I hope I can get a shower/make all of the dips/decorate/maintain my sanity before the guests show up.

But so far, it's been a success. Happy Birthday, Liam. I can't believe you're already six.

Thankful Thursday!

On behalf of the authors of Mommy's Recess, we wish you and your family a blessed day.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his,

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Make Monday: Happy Halloween!

We went Trick or Treating last night (beggar's night here in Des Moines) and half way through, the five year old was begging (no pun intended) to go home and go to "B-E-D" (since we're into spelling things when we mean it).

The baby however, LOVED it. It was cold and thankfully, their costumes were big enough we could fit their winter coats on UNDER the costumes. Although we joked that the baby was a spring Robin, because he looked so fat.

Yes, he didn't want to hold still for a picture. And someone else was holding his bucket of candy.

But they got SO much candy. SOOOO much candy. I do need to have a talk with my kids about picking and choosing, though. Believe it or not, we went to houses that were giving out FULL SIZED candy bars (and I thought that was just a myth). And do you know what my kids chose out of the FULL SIZED bowl? Fruit by the Foot. Granted, they may have picked the "healthier" choice, but at the second house with FULL SIZE candy bars? They picked the Scooby Doo granola snacks. Really, guys? Really?

And now I understand why my parents followed, and then much of my candy was missing the next day...Trick or Treating ISN'T so much about the kids, but the parents.

I'm hoping that I can find a good food recipes for everyone to use up all of the candy...because we all hate to have candy go to waste!

Happy Labor Day!

On behalf of Sarah and myself, we wanted to wish you and your family a special Labor day. Enjoy this brief stopping of time to enjoy your family - before all the craziness of the school year and fall take over. Enjoy the beautiful weather. Have fun grilling with friends. And cherish the memories you are making. And take a recess for yourself.

Sarah and Emma

"In God we Trust:" Happy Independence Day!

Looking at our nation's history, which we celebrate today on this Independence Day, we are surrounded by God's many blessings. Our founding fathers, in their discernment and wisdom, gave birth to a democratic republic with godly ideals of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Americans uphold freedoms of religion, press, and the right to assemble. Our Lady Liberty represents a mixing pot of all earth's peoples who live out these ideals. Our vast land remains safe in between oceans and contains numerous natural resources, fertile soil, and majestic scenery. Our history is full of entrepreneurs, heroes, and inventors. Truly fellow Americans, we are blessed.

Perhaps this blessing comes from a long history of "trusting in God." These words written on our currency has been written on our hearts through depression, wars, discovery, exploration, and prosperity.

This blessing is NOT guaranteed though!

I like the story of Uzziah (II Chronicles 26) in the Old Testament. He followed God's commands, living in obedience and total trust. And God blessed him with peace, wealth, and honor.

The Bible says a few verses later, "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall." How true this rings, especially so close to home.

World history shows nations rising up with purpose and strength, only to turn away from God and fall into ruble, never to rise again. Similarly, as individuals we often have everything going for us and in that moment of success we become prideful of our OWN capabilities and abilities, forgetting our God.

Let us not forget this 4th day of July our Independence as a nation as well as our liberty found in Jesus Christ. He has made us rich beyond worthiness. Let us put our "trust" fully back into Him. Perhaps only then we will continue being blessed.