Summer (In) Sanity: How to Keep Busy this Summer and A Family Activity Calendar

It's 4 whole days in to summer break and already the kids are bored out of their skulls. By 9:00 a.m. we've already had breakfast, gotten dressed, gone to the park or for a 'nature walk', been swimming and made a craft.   Now what do we do for the remaining 12 hours of the day?!!   Cue me to exit the house and go to work where I find dealing with demanding and pretentious spine surgeons and taking care of sick patients a relaxing getaway. Normal thing for a mom to feel on occasion, right?

In fact, when my husband came home from work tonight and asked if I would mind running to the store to grab a couple of things if he did the dishes and put the kids to bed in exchange I was out the door so fast I don't think he knew what happened.

If that doesn't sound depressing enough I found myself joking with some friends who were complaining about jury duty about how nice of a break it could be if they just looked at it with the right attitude, one of a mom of 4 for instance. I mean really, sitting around all day long reading a good book, how often do I get that sort of deal?

Don't get me wrong, I loooooveee my children, the little darlings, the lambs. But it is constant commotion around this joint even when everyone is behaving and by the end of a normal day of feeding, clothing, playing and basically just keeping 4 mischievous children alive and unscathed I'm  exhausted  by ALL means of the word.


So, this summer I am taking matters into my own creative little hands. It gets pretty damn hot here in Phoenix, so hot that when it is below 110F in July, we celebrate with glee and talk about the weather with each other like it's a new phenomenon. And when it actually rains in July, well, we run around half naked outside laughing out loud like crazy people. So being cooped up inside with 4 cranky, hot kids means you need a plan.


Plan A:
Stay inside all day and watch t.v. and eat ice cream.

Plan B:
Swim all morning. Watch t.v. Swim in the evening. Watch t.v.

Plan C:
Keep the kids busy and active while saving my sanity.




First, make a list of places in your neighborhood that might have things to do for kids or as a family.

• Library: Get signed up for the summer reading program to win cool prizes and discover new books. Libraries also have many free summer games and activities like Lego Building contest and visitors from the local Zoo and Puppet Theatres.
• Schools: Check your local schools for summer programs like Karate, art classes and sports programs.
• City Parks and Rec.  Besides an assortment of activities your city may have a rec center, free evening movies and concerts in the park and classes to attend.
• Many Churches offer activities for kids whether you belong to the church or not
• YMCA
• Google "free things to do with kids insert name of your city  I found a FREE 3 week long clinic at the Ice Arena near our home offered by the Phoenix Coyotes
• Visit "MeetUp.com" or a similar organization for tons of meet up groups in your area
• Splash Pads are wonderful fun and usually free. There are several in my neighborhood, ask around or Google where they are in your area.
• If there aren't any Splash Pads in your area, sprinklers, water toys and squirt guns make for a fun and cool afternoon.
• Museums. I have lived here in Phoenix my entire life and didn't know there was a Science and Aircraft museum in Peoria, just a few miles away from our house! In fact, many museums offer discounts and fun summer camps/packages. Also, many libraries have FREE passes to local museums!

Many resorts offer discounts during the summer and have amazing swimming pools

photo source: Arizona Foothills

Next, create a calendar of your activities so your summer is stress free fun!

I created this simple calendar at  Keep and Share.

(note this is just an example of our summer activities)

When all else fails, MAKE HOME MADE ICE CREAM!!!

What are you doing this summer???

Golden Glittered Poinsettas ~ Home Made Gift Giving

Usually this time of year I'm completely stressed out, cranky and worn to bits. The endless 'To Do' list is insurmountable and catches me off guard every year. I decided to take a different approach this year and make things much simpler for myself and my family. While I can't say I've completely succeeded, I am definitely feeling happier and full of the Christmas spirit for the first time in a while.

Usually, in the weeks preceding Christmas I spend most of my time worrying about buying the perfect gifts and then end up forgetting what I've actually purchased and end up frantically running from store to store in the days before Christmas buying junk that will be tossed aside in the matter of minutes.

No more I say! No more. All of my friends said I wouldn't stick to my convictions, but not only have I managed to not buy oodles of things and masses of prettily packaged rubbish but I have found a way to keep things simple and personal with small, home made gifts from the heart.

People just want to feel loved and cared about. I know I do. Even if you don't have lots of money you can probably find a way to let the people you care about know it with a simple gift from the heart.

Do you bake? Drop by a neighbors home with a small batch of cookies and make their day.

Are you crafty? No? Me neither. Pick up a poinsettia and  spray a bit of Gold Glitter on the tips of the leaves  and watch it transform into a beautiful Holiday centerpiece.

This falls under the category  "SEAMO4CDI"!

{So Easy a Mom of 4 Can Do It}

What the Heck am I Supposed to Do with these Kids All Summer Anyway?

It's only been two weeks since school let out for the summer and I'm already going bonkers. Bonkers I tell you.  We live in the desert and it's already 100+ degrees outside. That's hot. {if anyone says 'but it's a dry heat' I'll scream} The parks, bike trails and golf courses are all deserted and dusty. The animals in the zoo have retreated to their respective caves. And here at my house we have our very own zoo of sorts going on front and center. The kids are already acting like caged, wild animals. I'm pretending I don't hear the tantrums and fighting as we speak.

So, what the heck am I supposed to do with 4 extremely energetic kids all summer long anyway? We can swim and read and play X-Box but then what about the other 15 & 1/2 hours of the day? Crafts are great. My kids love crafts. They keep them busy for longer than any other thing. I used to hate them due to the mess and the fact that I seemed to do 99% of the work and would often be sitting there all by myself finishing a craft intended for the kids amusement. Here is a fun list of very doable crafts I've found on the blessed internet. I hope you visit each site for the directions and for more creative ideas.

Check back in a few days because we made something very, very cool here at our house that the boys are still crazy about after a whole entire week! Wow.

Home Made Puffy Paint from Sandy Toes and Popsicles

Make a Puppet Theatre

picture from Cool Spaces for Kids

Head to your local Library.

Sign up for a summer reading program and go to fun classes.

Going to the Library will be even more fun with this cute book bag.

sewing pattern from Shiny Happy World

My boys love doing this.

picture from Martha Stewart

Beat the Heat! Have a Water Party!

Simple and Cute Sponge Ball tutorial from One Charming Party

Mini Cheddar-Dill & Saffron Scones and Get Happy Tea: A Home Made Gift for a Friend

My friend Azmina over at Lawyer Loves Lunch posted these wonderful scones not to long ago on her blog. I knew right away they were the perfect thing to make for a friend of mine who recently lost her mother. I also would like to send them to my dear friend Monet in Austin who as many of you know recently lost her sister and nephew in a horrible accident. These two people have both touched my heart in different ways and I can only hope to send them a bit of comfort and love in this gift.

In my heart I know that while scones in and of themselves may be insignificant to most, the act of thinking and caring about someone and then sharing something personal with them, whatever it may be is one of the most significant things you can do. So thank you for the recipe Azmina, I hope that my friends found some happiness in  receiving them.

Believe it or not, I have never ever made scones before. They've never been one of my favorite things at coffee shops and bistro's since they are usually dry and bland and well, not worth the calories in my opinion. These Cheddar Dill Scones however, tempted  my taste buds and  invaded  my dreams right from the get-go.

Not only do they have sharp cheddar cheese and oh-so fragrant dill weed in them, but what almost sent me into a genuine frenzy was the golden  saffron  threads hiding ever so daintily near the bottom of the ingredient list.


Interesting side note: 

Maybe dainty doesn't exactly do  saffron  justice. When I  think of saffron, I think of exotic Spanish meals at big family tables under the moonlight. I think Paella, I think yellow rice, I think shrimp, wine, salsa dancing, savory seafood and I think  Sexy.  In actuality, saffron has been used by the French, ancient Greeks, Indians and Egyptians in both cooking and medicine. It is also widely used in Moroccan and Asian cooking. Besides cooking, saffron has been used medicinally to reduce fever, to regulate the menstrual cycle, to combat epilepsy and convulsions and to treat digestive disorders. Use sparingly! When used in large amounts saffron takes on a medicinal taste and effect and can even be toxic in very large amounts.

I happen to simply be in love with the flavor, plain and simple. So these scones, with all of their wonderful flavors made me very, very happy. I so hope my dear friends find them comforting as well.

This line of tea from  Republic of Tea which I have mentioned before is one of my absolute favorites. There are such wonderful things in their variety of teas like organic rooibos, soothing chamomile, passionflower, calming lemon balm, St. John's wort, rhodiola and the mellowing properties of valerian to name a few. Pick a tea and cure all your woes. ;)

I chose to send along with my scones, the naturally decaffeinated "Be Happy" red tea to my friends. I know that these teas have done wonders for my attitude, my energy and naturally soothing me to sleep quickly (no small wonder). I love them. You will too.

Onto,

The Scones.

The key players:

 Real Wisconsin, Extra Sharp Cheddar. Amen.

Fresh Dill {weed} Not just for fish. Who knew?

 Last but not least.... Saffron.

 Known as the World's most expensive spice {actually the stigma of a flower},

 saffron's rich and savory flavor is used to flavor many exotic and wonderful foods. 

A very little goes a long way! Use with care or it takes on a medicinal effect.

My 'Spanish Mancha' Whole Saffron Threads.

This is how much I got for $9.47, worth every penny.

{I only used a small pinch of this.}   Next up, Paella!

Adapted very slightly form A Lawyer Loves Lunch: Cheddar and Dill Scones:

TIME   20 MINUTES      YIELDS  8-10 scones or 18-22 mini scones

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper medley
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 TBSP fresh dill
1/4 tsp of saffron threads
1/2 cup medium or sharp cheddar, grated
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small chunks
3/4 cup half and half (I used fat free)
Place rack in middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.



In a large bowl, mix together the first eight ingredients. Crumble the saffron threads in your hand and add them to the dry mixture. Add the butter to the bowl and, using two knives or a pastry blender, cut into the dry ingredients until the butter has mixed in.  Add the cheddar cheese. 

Slowly add the half and half to the dry ingredients, whisking to make sure it is fully incorporated. If the dough looks like it is moist enough, you can leave out a little of the liquid.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a couple of times. Flatten the dough out until it is about 1 1/2 inches thick (should be about 8 or so inches wide). Cut into 8 to 10 triangles and transfer the wedges to a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

Brush the top of each scone with a little bit of half and half. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Let cool on wire rack and enjoy!

Originally from  A Thought for Food's Chocolate Cherry Scones with Saffron.

My poor whisk. Does anyone own a pastry cutter, thingy?  I need one.

The Packaging.

Some fluffy-stuff. IDK what it's called. You can get it at any craft store.

 A cute tin box or a woven basket will do.

 Personalize.

Add some color.

 Wrap.

Voila.  Make someone happy.



This post is linked to:

Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday's at La Bella Vita
Fun with Food Friday's
Friday Potluck

DIY~ Children's Tea Towel Aprons

I've been looking for cute, affordable aprons for Jack and Nolan, my 4 and 5 year olds, for some time. They love to help me in the kitchen almost as much as they love personalized gifts. I was in JoAnne's Fabric last week and saw what I thought were children's apron's. As I  unfolded one and looked closer I found that they were actually cute little tea-towels for the Holiday's. The bottom of each towel was trimmed with  gathered fabric making them look like aprons to me. Each towel had a different embroidered Christmas picture on it and so I grabbed the cutest ones and set off to sew my boys and
my nieces some aprons for their Holiday Cookie Baking!

This defiantly falls into the " If I can do it, Anyone can do it" category. Sewing is NOT my forte'! This took me all of an hour to make 4 aprons and that's with baby Mona 'helping' me........

So here is a little photo tutorial I put together to show you how simple it is,

and how cute my son's and nieces are! ;)

1. Find cute Holiday Tea-Towel's on sale for $1.99 at craft store.

2. Turn towel over, fold down top to create desired length.
Fold over sides to make a steep triangle.
Iron

3. Sew along very top edge.

4. Sew 1"-2"  from the side of apron, leaving enough room to slip in your ribbon.

5. Slip ribbon into slot (just an inch or two) and sew on securely.
Sew ribbon onto the sides of the apron.
I found it helpful to have my 4 year old nearby to measure the lengths for the ribbons.

6. Embroider names on chest of apron. You could also use iron-on letters.

Voila! Aren't they cute?

I sent them to my adorable nieces in New York just in time for Holiday Cookie Baking!

My boys couldn't wait to put on their Christmas Baking Aprons and make Peppermint Chocolate Cookies!

Edible Crayons

I saw these fun edible crayons on Kitchen Corners and just had to share them! So cute and creative, and if your feeling super industrious you could try making them ( it's on my 'to do list' ) !
I'm not sure if this is the best solution for little kids who eat crayons since it won't discourage them from eating 'real' crayons in the future, but they sure are cute regardless! Maybe for fun party favors/party activity for kids old enough not to eat real crayons.The best part is, most of the ingredients are made from dried fruits and veggies, healthy!

Other healthy ingredients in each color are bee pollen which is thought of as a fountain of youth for it's numerous health benefits.

The green crayon ingredients: peas, green beans, dried kiwi, green fruity pebbles, dried pumpkin seeds!

 Bee pollen

Marshmallows keep them 'glued' together!

Original idea and pictures found at luxirare.