Happy Birthday Mallory

Mallory's birthday was back at the end of September and I am just now getting her party pics uploaded.  I'm so glad I started planning over the summer. Going back to school takes up ALL of your time (just about)!  I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to pull it all together, but I got pretty lucky.  It turned out super cute.  

Making all the food took some time. I stayed up pretty late the night before.  It also helped that my parents kept Mallory and I scheduled her party for late afternoon.  The birthday girl loves some cake pops! Who can resists! She gobbled up some cupcakes too like a child who has been deprived of sweets!  

Thanksgiving Craft 2013

We love our crafts, but how to change it up?  Well this year we went for something a little more rustic.  All you need to recreate this cute craft is..orange construction paper, a role of burlap (found at your local craft store for around $4.00), finger paint, ribbon, and stamps.  I hot glued the burlap to the construction paper by placing a small glue dot in each corner.  Be careful when pressing the burlap down as the glue will go through and can burn your fingers. Next, I painted Mallory's hand and pressed it down on the burlap.  Once it was dry I used my stamps to spell out Happy Thanksgiving.  You don't need to run out and buy colored ink pads.  Just use your finger to apply finger paint to the stamp.  Once your finished wipe the stamps with a wet cloth.  Hot glue a bow and you are all set! Gobble Gobble!  

Happy Halloween

Halloween this year was so much fun! Mallory is old enough to really understand what to do and say - TRICK OR TREAT! She was so cute climbing up stairs and running up to doors to ring the doorbells.  She couldn't quite reach, but I helped her out.  Our little Minnie Mouse was a huge hit! Of course she scrapped her new shoes before we even made it past our house, but other than that we returned unscathed.  She even managed to convince us to let her eat not one but two lollipops on our outing.  Her first lollipops ever...that I know of....Yikes! She is turning into a candy fiend!

DIY Finger Paint

I'm always a tiny bit paranoid about the things manufacturers put in their products. and  some would even say I'm a kind of ubber protective when it comes to Mallory.  I'm sure washable paint is fine and I have used it for crafts with Mallory before, but if she's going to be covered all over in something and possibly ingest it, I want to know for sure there is nothing that could hurt or irritate her.  That said, I decided to make my own finger paint.  It was so simple.  Mallory loves vanilla Greek yogurt. Stir in some food coloring and you're all set.  She used paint brushes instead of her fingers.  She was a mess by the time it was all over.  She painted on construction paper and I had to change out the sheet about 3 times as they kept getting soggy.  Of course, if your painting with a food product you probably aren't going to be able to hang your masterpiece on the wall so take lots of pictures. 

Minnie Mouse Party Planning

I am super excited about Mallory's second birthday.  I will have to say I never knew how much time and planning goes into a child's birthday party.  I am obsessed.  I spin all my free time on pinterest pinning Minnie Mouse party ideas and practicing to see what I can make myself and what should be bought! Of course with the amount of time and money I have put in to practicing I might as well have saved myself the trouble and paid someone.  My first practice session was with the Minnie cupcakes.  I have seen tons of them on Pinterest, but I have decided these are the cutest and the simplest as well.  I got the party cups at the Hob Lob.  I learned from baking this batch that you should not fill them up over half way.  A little less is best because you don't want the cupcake puffing up over the top.  If you happen to fill them too full just cut off the top to make it flat.  Be sure to pipe your icing to cover the entire cupcake top.  I used yellow cake this time, but will use vanilla when I make them for the party.  The icing is cream cheese with a little neon pink gel food coloring.  I am going for the Preppy Minnie look.  Check out these free printables on Whimsically Detailed.  I piped the icing on twice, meaning that after piping one time I went back and did the same thing again not always starting at the outside and working in.  I just started my second piping where I thought it needed it most, but the goal is to make it fuller and higher.  You will need at least 2 tubs of icing. Once the icing is on I sprinkled on the pink pearls (Pearl Nonpareils - $4.49 at Hobby Lobby) and stuck in 2 chocolate melts for the ears.  These are just the regular chocolate ones that can be bought the cheapest at Walmart.  I'm thinking about using the black ones for the party, but you can't find those everywhere.  Well there you have it Minnie Mouse cupcakes and I actually told you what I used to make them.  That's my problem with all this pinning.  No one ever tells you where they got there supplies or what they actually are using.  I have scoured over the pictures trying to figure out what people used for the ears and how or where they bought the edible bows.  I like how these turned out.  They weren't too hard and I'm pretty sure the other ones were much more work!

Next week cake pops! Stay tuned for more practice sessions as I narrow down the party menu.  Mallory will be TWO soon.  She will be so excited with all the Minnie themed food!

Foot Print Crafts

A few weeks ago I started planning for Mallory's 2nd birthday party.  It is going to be a Minnie Mouse bash.  There are so many neat ideas on Pinterest and I want to try them all! It's hard to know what I can do myself and what I need to break down and buy.  So I started practicing.  Practicing you say..what does that mean?  Well, I am going to try making everything I want to have at the party to see if I can really do it or not.  So far I have had success with the cupcakes and cake pops.  I will post more on those later.  I also made a paper wreath out of Disney paper, which brings me to my latest craft.  I had a few sheets of paper left over.  The sheets without designs going all the way across the page.  I didn't think I would use them, but the Pluto page was perfect for a butterfly.  Mallory and I  had a few cards we needed to make so we set to work.  Next time I think I might add a ribbon to the top or maybe a bow.  We will be making a get well card tomorrow, but we are out of Pluto paper.  Time to think up something else. :)

Be sure the place feet on the opposite side, not how you would normally stand.  That way they are facing outward and resemble wings.  Then draw the body of the butterfly and add in the flight pattern with a sharpy. 

I used washable paint for the footprints and also for my stamps.  I just brush the paint on the stamp with my finger.  It wipes right off when your finished.  Using paint instead of stamp pads gives you more options as far color and stamp size. 

Cheesy Squash Casserole

Mallory loves to eat outside at her picnic table.  (It was a yard sale find for only $5.) She would eat every meal there if it weren't for the rain and my insistence that we occasionally sit at the table.  I figure the summer will be over soon so we better enjoy it while we can.  Today's lunch was chicken, squash casserole, and apple slices.  Mallory is all about cheesy squash casserole.  It's healthy (well it has squash in it) and pretty easy to make.  Best of all it makes a lot and I like it too! 

     Cheesy Squash Casserole 
*slightly adapted from the posting on Little B Cooks: Chronicles from a Vermont Foodie

olive oil 
6-7 medium squash

1 medium onion diced

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup light sour cream

1-2 tbsp butter 
4 tbsp breadcrumbs or panko (enough to lightly coat the top of the casserole)

Salt & pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 and grease an 8 x 11 casserole dish.  In a skillet over medium heat, drizzle olive oil to cover bottom of pan. Add the onions & squash and saute until tender, stirring frequently (for about 15 minutes). While cooking, season with some salt and pepper.

Drain squash & onions in a colander. Press down with a large spoon or back of spatula to get as much juice/water out as possible. (This step can be skipped depending on how much water you squash retains.  Just dump in a bowl, press with the back of a spoon and pour off any liquid.) Transfer the squash & onions to a large bowl, and  add both cheeses, sour cream, and salt & pepper. Stir well to combine, then pour into casserole dish.  

Top with bread crumbs and dab small slivers of butter on top.  Bake (uncovered) for 20-30 minutes, or until edges of casserole are bubbly.

More toddler meals

1. First up we have steel cut oats and blue berries paired with a biscuit topped with peanut butter and banana slices.  It's really not that much work.  I make enough oatmeal to last all week.  Whenever Mallory wants some I pop a few spoonfuls in the microwave and then stir in some milk.  I made the biscuits earlier in the week and thought, hmm..peanut butter and banana, that might work.  The biscuits were pretty simple to make as they only had 3 ingredients.  No time? Try a bagel or English muffin.

2. It doesn't get much easier.  Mallory has been eating tofu since she could have solid food.  Trader Joe's sells two different flavors.  All I do is slice it up into cubes.  No cooking or heating required.  It makes a quick, easy snack.  Pair it with blueberries and strawberries and enjoy!

3.  We always go to the local coffee shop for bagel sandwiches on the weekend.  When you just can't wait till then, you have to make your own.  I used a whole wheat bagel and topped it with egg and cheese.  Serve with a side of honey dew and you are in business.  It's no coffee shop bagel, but it will do.

4.  Sunday Harris Teeter has their rotisserie chicken on sale.  Of course you can pick one up anytime almost anywhere, but I'm cheapen it! I'm not a fan of green beans and honestly, I didn't make those, my grandmother did, however, Mallory does like the frozen ones as well.  I try to stay away from vegetables in cans.  If I can't do fresh (which is always my first choice) I'll do frozen.  The carrots were also bought pre-cooked.  They are honey glazed with some herbs.  I picked them up at Harris Teeter in the meat section. They are the ready to serve.  I don't know that I will buy them again.  Mallory liked them, but I would rather steam my own.  Buying a bag of baby carrots and steaming half of it will give you several toddler servings.  

5.  Again with the tofu, but this time served with fresh cherries and parmesan roasted zucchini.  I love cherries, but refuse to buy them unless they are on sale.  Somehow I think this saves me money, but I buy more than I can eat and then end up having to throw half of them away.  For Mallory, I cut them in half and take the seed out.  I also watch her like a hawk as she eats them, because dropping a cherry will stain! The zucchini came from my parent's garden.  My first baby one in starting to grow.  It's only taken all summer! At least my parents have plenty.  I found the zucchini recipe on Pinterest.  Yes, I'm addicted as are we all!  Anyways, it's super easy and quick to make so check it out.

6.  Organic white quinoa and carrots.  If you haven't tried quinoa this is your chance.  It's gluten free and a good source of protein.  You can get a bag or box anywhere.  Mine was from Trader Joe's.  Just a word of caution, a little goes a long way.  If you don't want to eat it all week don't use more than a cup.  I used 1/2 a cup and that made several toddler servings.  Just follow the directions on the bag.  I substituted chicken stock for water and then stirred in some parmesan cheese (about 1/4 a cup.) It was pretty tasty!  Add any vegetable and your meal is complete.  Carrots, peas, broccoli, Mallory likes them all.  As I said before I really suggest cooking your own carrots.  These were frozen and the texture was kinda chewy.  It took me just as long to boil them as it would have to boil a fresh bag.  

Happy Fourth of July!

As you know I love hand print crafts.  The other morning Mal and I made American Flags.  We used crayola paint and a bathroom tile.  I love using tiles for paint crafts because if you don't like what you made you can just wash it off.  Our tiles started out white.  Then we painted our fingers placed them on the tiles and stamped out the date. Unfortunately, the white fingers did not show up very well on the white tile...who would have thought right...so I washed off the tiles and we started over.  This time I painted to tiles light blue first so that there would be more of a contrast.  Mal was such a good sport.  We made three in all and they turned out great.  The finishing touch was hot gluing a ribbon to the back so we can hang the tile somewhere in the house.  These also make cute gifts..I'm thinking Grandma....

You can pick up tiles for just s few cents at a hardware store.  The rest of your supplies you can get at Walmart - paint, ribbon, stamps.  Quick, fun, and cheap crafting! 

Mother's Day Photo Book

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Happy Father's Day

 

I live for hand print crafts! Thank goodness Mallory finally likes them too!  I use Crayola paint all the time.  I like how it is washable.  Of coure it never seems to come out of the wash cloths I use to wipe her hands with.  I use my finger to paint her hands and then quickly place them on the paper before they are all over her clothes or the couch.  We might should move our painting activities outdoors, but so far so good.  I use stamps for the rest.  I think it turns out cuter than having my sloppy handwritting all over her masterpiece.  We made one for Pap Pap and Grandpa Bob too!

 

 

Happy Father's Day!

End of Year

 

The end of the school yesr is quickly approaching.  Mustaches have been hugely popular with the 3rd grade students so I decided to stick with the theme for their end of year gift.  These cups turned out so cute (Walmart - 6 for $1.00 - then add mustache decal.)  I filled them with candy, placed them in a bag, tied it off with mustache ribbon (how cute!), and added a gift tag. I can't wait to give these out tomorrow.

 

 

I have the best room mom.  I was lucky enough to get her son in first grade and now again in third.  She has done so much for me and the school.  This can in no way thank her enough, but hopefuly it will show her how much her time has been appreciated.  I got the clay pot at Walmart, painted it white with a sponge brush, and then stamped out my message.  I used a mustache stamp from Hobby Lobby for the rim.  Next, I added the thyme plant I bought at Walmart and viola!

 

Breakfast Favorites

 

Here are a few of Mallory's breakfast favorites. 

Nothing beats freash fruit.  Mallory loves to dip hers in vanilla yogurt.  Add some eggs and breakfast is complete.

Feeling adventerous?  Try this healthy pumpkin banana bread.  I found the recipe on Pinterest and then jazzed it up a little.  Here's what I did.

2 very ripe bananas
1/2-1 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup sugar (or less)
2 Tbsp. canola
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour (I used a cup of all-purpose and 3/4 cup of Trader Joe's MultiGrain Baking and Pancake Mix)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Spoonful of chia seeds

Spread into a buttered 8”x4” loaf pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Mallory also like the banana quinoa rice pudding.  It is made with coconut milk.

 

Mallory eats steel cut oats every other week.  One batch will last all week.  I even freeze it on occasion so I can pull it out when I am running short on yummy breakfast ideas.  We use Alton Brown's recipe.  Sometimes I leave out the brown sugar and just add a little Agave.

 

I love summer time and all the fresh fruit. My parent's have several fig trees.  Mallory will eat them whole! Luckily, she also likes cottage cheese.  I just add a little agave and she will eat it up.  Stiring fruit in works as well.

 

 

 

Mudpies-n-Fireflies

Check out our new business - Mudpies-n-Fireflies.  We have the cutest dresses for sale!

 

 

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day at the Columbia Zoo.  It was so much fun! The weather was nice, our family was altogether, and I got to use my new present - The Canon REBEL! I've been wanting a nice camera since Mallory was born. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Easter Craft

I found a cute fingerprint design on Pinterest and tweaked it a little to include daddy.  Now the family is complete.  Next year, I'm painting clay pots white and adding bunny and chick prints to them.  How cute would that be with a tulips planted inside?!