Fun for Kids Friday Linky is Back! ~ All New Kid's Crafts, Recipes and More

 * It's Fun for Kids Friday *

 with co-host, Smile Monsters!

Once again, we're looking for your latest and greatest kid friendly projects:

1. Link up your best kid crafts, kid related projects or family friendly recipes.

2. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Jo1971/combinedbutton4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br />

3. Link directly to your post.

4. Become a follower of  Local Fun for Kids and Smile Monsters if you want to be extra sweet.

 By entering your link, you are giving Smile Monsters permission to highlight any part of your post including pictures in a Fun For Kids Finds feature with proper credit going to you, all you.

Thank you bunches to all of you that link up, we appreciate each and every one. Now get to linking!



How to make healthy brownies - no recipe needed!

 

My sister shared a secret to EASY healthier brownies, and I was so impressed. But, before I tell you what the secret ingredient is, I have to tell you how easy and yummy these brownies are.  And, by making one easy substitution, you cut a significant amount of fat and calories, and they taste excellent.

Calories = 116 for my version / 170 if you follow the directions on the package

Fat =  3 g for my version / 9g if you follow the directions on the package

Plus, with these brownies there is less cholesterol, more protein and more fiber. 

They are really moist, have a great texture and the kids LOVED them!

Here's the trick:

One box of Family Size Brownies.

One 15.5 ounce can of Black Beans.  If you're anything like me, you're probably thinking, um... no thanks, I think I'll stick with good old fashioned brownies.  But, you have to try it! 

When my sister first mentioned this to me, I completely shrugged it off. But, I'm glad I kept an open mind.  You cannot taste the beans at all - not even a little bit.  I would bet that you could serve these to anyone and they would NEVER GUESS your secret ingredient.

It's super simple:

1) Just empty the can of black beans into a colander and rinse them thoroughly with water. 

2) Pour the black beans back into their original can and fill it with water.

3) Puree the beans and the water.  My sister has a immersion blender that we used.  But, you could also use your blender to puree the mixture.

4) In a bowl, combine your pureed black bean & water mixture with the entire package of brownie mix. 

5) Once it's all thoroughly mixed up, pour it in your greased brownie pan & bake according to the directions on the box.

I know lots of moms (myself included) want to make healthier meals and snacks for our families without spending lots of time in the kitchen.  Making brownies like this is so easy.  My two kids and my sister's son enjoyed these brownies so much they all had a second serving.   They are kid tested and approved!

Will you give this a try?

Totsy Deal Site for Moms

Have you heard of Totsy yet?  Totsy offers Moms access to brand-specific sales, up to 70% off retail.  Each sale lasts only 48 to 72 hours and features unique items for kids, ages 0-7, and their Moms.  

Continue here to read two things I love about this company and I think you will love too!

Let's get to it.... Fun for Kids Friday!

Welcome Back to 

 * Fun for Kids Friday *

 with co-host, Smile Monsters!

I hope you're all having a wonderful week!  Once again, we're looking for your latest and greatest kid friendly projects:

1. Link up your best kid crafts, kid related projects or family friendly recipes.

2. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Jo1971/combinedbutton4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br />

3. Link directly to your post.

4. Become a follower of  Local Fun for Kids and Smile Monsters if you want to be extra sweet.

 By entering your link, you are giving Smile Monsters permission to highlight any part of your post including pictures in a Fun For Kids Finds feature with proper credit going to you, all you.

Thank you bunches to all of you that link up, we appreciate each and every one. Now get to linking!



Grilled Cheese with Apples and Carrots

Do you know how many fruits and vegetables you need daily?  According to a handy online calculator by the  CDC, I am supposed to have 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables every day.   Even though I try to eat healthy and I'm on a constant mission to lose reach my goal weight, I'm sure there are days where I'm not getting enough fruits & veggies in my body.  I remember hearing about a grilled cheese sandwich with shredded apples and carrots, and thought it sounded tasty.  Yes, I know that grilled cheese is not necessarily low fat or low calorie.  But, I figured If I could add some apples and carrots in place of some cheese, it has got to be a step in the right direction.  And, if the kids would eat it, that's even better, right?

You just shred up 1 or 2 carrots and an apple. 

Traditional grilled cheese is fried in a pan with some butter.  But, in order to save fat & calories, I broiled this version.  I used a fresh seeded bread, which I love.  On one side of your bread, put some of the shredded apple and carrot on your bread and top with cheese. Put some cheese on the other piece of bread. 

 Then, broil it in the oven until all of the cheese is melted.  Sprinkle on some Italian seasoning & serve.   The Italian seasoning is actually key to enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients, so don't overlook it.

And, the verdict?  I'd definitely make it again for myself.  It was a super easy way to get in some extra fruits and vegetables. But... I think I put too much of the carrot and apple for my kids' taste. So, if you want to use this recipe to sneak more veggies into your kids, I would start out with a little bit of the shredded mixture, and gradually add more over time.

Both of my kids actually love eating raw carrots and apples anyway.  So, I think, when it comes to the kids, I'll be sticking with plain carrots and apples for now.

Cindy Orley is America’s Favorite Pillsbury Crescent Cook!

Back in early December, I wrote about Cindy Orley who is the founder of popular mommy blog, www.AkronOhioMoms.com.  (Here is my post about her award winning recipe for Chocolate Cheesecake Bars)  She was one of the top finalists in the Pillsbury Crescent Cook Contest.  We would like to congratulate Cindy on her big win as she is officially America’s Favorite Pillsbury Crescent Cook in the nationwide contest!  Way to go, Cindy!

She is very excited to begin her kitchen remodel with the prize money. You can read all about her plans here: 

Cindy Orley is America’s Favorite Pillsbury Crescent Cook and Looking for Kitchen Sponsors

Also, check out her blog, www.AkronOhioMoms.com, where you can find great national giveaways and  information on family friendly Ohio attractions, events, and activities.

How to Make a Leprechaun Trap

I love how children believe they can do anything they set their minds to.  Their imaginations run wild as they explore.  An empty brown box can become a race car.  A plastic fireman helmet can instantly turn a boy into a firefighter. And, an area rug can become a stage for America's best little dancer.  No matter how many temper tantrums you deal with during the day it's moments like these that make it all worth it. 

For me, it's one of the best parts of parenthood, because my kids love letting me into their imaginary worlds.  One day I am the drummer in the marching band.  The next day, I am helping them build a Leprechaun Trap. 

Did you know you could catch a leprechaun?  I didn't, but thanks to my kids and their friend I became a believer.  You just dig a small whole in your yard.  Then, carefully find the most perfect sticks and cover it up so the Leprechaun can't see it.  You might even want to sprinkle some gold glitter around your trap to temp the leprechaun.  Here is ours:

For me, this is what being a parent is all about. 

Not just watching my kids grow and explore, but doing it with them...

even if the chances of catching a Leprechaun are pretty darn slim.

If you want to do a kid's craft for an INDOOR leprechaun trap you should read my other post here.

If you like this... check out: A Leprechaun came to visit (Evidence he was in your house)

All new Crafts & Recipes from our Favorite Mommy Blogs

Welcome Back to 

 * Fun for Kids Friday *

 with co-host, Smile Monsters!

We're looking for your latest and greatest kid friendly projects:

1. Link up your best kid crafts, kid related projects or family friendly recipes.

2. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Jo1971/combinedbutton4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br />

3. Link directly to your post.

4. Become a follower of  Local Fun for Kids and Smile Monsters if you want to be extra sweet.

 By entering your link, you are giving Smile Monsters permission to highlight any part of your post including pictures in a Fun For Kids Finds feature with proper credit going to you, all you.

Thank you bunches to all of you that link up, we appreciate each and every one. Now get to linking!



Mr. Sunny Eggs - Easy Breakfast for Kids

Everybody wants to start the morning with a smile.   Here's an easy way to serve your kids a healthy breakfast and make it fun. 

Just place some scrambled eggs in the center of your plate, place your toast 'rays' around the sun, and add ketchup eyes and smile.  Enjoy!

Easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

During my first pregnancy, I had a love affair.  It was the only thing I craved. Hot sauce.  I don't know how many bottles of hot sauce I went through during those nine months, but I'm sure I added it to something at least twice a day.  It's no surprise that both of my kids enjoy spicy foods.  When my son was 2, he even requested Buffalo chicken pizza for dinner one night.

I still love anything with hot sauce, and, recently, I wanted to make Buffalo Chicken Dip for a party.  However, all of the recipes I found were were small portions, and I wanted to fill up my medium sized crock pot.  So, I created my own easy recipe for Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip, and it was amazing! 

Here's what you need:

Three Chicken Breasts - I just bought a pack of 3 Purdue Chicken Breasts, and it weighed about  1 & 3/4 pounds

Two 8 oz. packages of Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

One 12 oz. bottle of Ranch Salad Dressing

Two packages of Kraft Shredded Cheese with a touch of Philly - Three Cheese

1/2 cup to 2/3 cup of Hot Sauce.  My favorite is Franks RedHot Sauce.  You can start with 1/2 cup of hot sauce and add more until it's to your desired taste.  For me, 2/3 cup was spicy, but not over-the-top.

Directions:

1. First, you'll need to poach/simmer your chicken breasts.  Boil water in a pot, then add your chicken breasts and cook them uncovered for about 25-35 min.  (The Purdue website says that to ensure "doneness", the internal temperature should be at 170° F at the thickest part.)

2. Once your chicken is thoroughly cooked, take the chicken out of the pot and discard the water.  Then, shred the chicken into small pieces.  Also, break up the blocks of cream cheese into smaller pieces

3. Put all of the ingredients into the crockpot and stir it up the best you can.  Cook on high for 1 hour.Stir some more.  Then cook on low for the 2nd hour. Stir again.  After 2 hours, it's ready to eat.  You can garnish with Crumbled Blue Cheese if you want.  Serve with Celery sticks and tortilla chips or crusty bread.

This dip is full of shredded chicken, the perfect creamy texture, and just spicy enough. 

Giveaways from 'Local Fun' Mommy Bloggers

I hope by writing this post I don't jinx myself, but ever since 2011 started, I've been a little luckier than usual.  Part of my good luck has included winning a few blog & facebook giveaways. Blog giveaways are easy to enter and extremely winnable. It's so simple - just click and comment. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Here are a few to get started with:

***********************

The Akron Ohion Moms blog is always chock full of fun National giveaways! Here are a few that you might want to enter: $25 Publix Gift Card (ends Feb. 28th), Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air Infant Car Seat & Clic It! Stroller (ends March 1st), Case of POM Wonderful (ends Feb. 25th)

***********************

Chambana Moms blog is hosting a giveaway for a $50 credit to Erica Elliot’s Etsy shop!  Click here to learn more about Erica Elliot and enter the contest. The winner will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 25 (for U.S. Residents). Enter their giveaway here.

***********************

La Jolla Mom and Munchkin teamed up to give away an Easy Close Safety Gate AND a $50 American Express Gift Card to help with nursery design. Just go to La Jolla Mom's blog to enter (Ends March 4th for U.S. Residents only).

***********************

GIVEAWAYS FOR LOCAL FUN

Are you thinking of heading to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA this summer?  Win a family four-pack of Sesame Place passes ($200 value) from Jersey Family Fun (enter here) & Mamas Little Helper (enter here). Both of these contests end Feb. 28th.

***********************

Whether you live in Washington DC or are thinking of heading there for a day-trip, you won't want to mis this contest.  Enter to win four tickets to see ANY show playing at the National Museum of Natural History’s Johnson IMAX Theater, the National Air & Space Museum’s Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, the Airbus IMAX Theater at the Dulles location, or the Albert Einstein Planetarium with Kid Friendly DC.  Enter the contest here.

***********************

Free Fun in Austin, TX is giving away two Family 4 Packs of Tickets to see the The “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions on Sunday, March 13th at the Frank Erwin Center.  Here is the blog post where you can enter. The winners will chosen on Monday, March 7.

***********************

There's just one catch... If you win, please come back and let me know. I get just as excited when my friends win as when I win myself!  Good Luck!

Fun for Kids Friday is Back!

Welcome Back to 

 * Fun for Kids Friday *

 with co-host, Smile Monsters!

We're looking for your latest and greatest kid friendly projects.

1. Link up your best kid crafts, kid related projects or family friendly recipes.

2. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/alb

3. Link directly to your post.

4. Become a follower of  Local Fun for Kids and Smile Monsters if you want to be extra sweet.

 By entering your link, you are giving Smile Monsters permission to highlight any part of your post including pictures in a Fun For Kids Finds feature with proper credit going to you, all you.

Thank you bunches to all of you that link up, we appreciate each and every one. Now get to linking!

Blog Round-Up from 'Local Fun' Moms

Celebrity Wines: Dave Matthews’ Blenheim Vineyards - by LaJollaMom - Until I read this blog post by LaJolla Mom, I had no idea that Dave Matthews and his family own a Virginia based winery that produces great tasting wine.  See... You learn something new every day!  LaJolla Mom is extremely well informed about wine.  If you want to read the rest of her review and check out her other posts about a beverage that many mommies love (wine), you'll want to continue here to her blog.

Feeding Healthy Families: Going Global - by Stacey Krawcyzk / Chambana Moms - At my house, we definitely eat globally.  My kids don't have a choice.  I love all types of cuisine and on any given night we could be eating a meal inspired by India, Thailand, England, China, or Germany.  Last night, I made a Chinese inspired dinner and placed it in front of my little guy (who just turned 3).  He took one look at it and said "Yuck".  I told him to try it and then I just walked away. The next thing I knew, half of his dinner was gone.  I didn't feed into his first impression, and he loved his meal.  This blog post, Feeding Healthy Families: Going Global,  on Chambana Moms, talks about what Moms can do to broaden their children's palette and experiment with new foods at home.  Plus, there is also a recipe for Mexican Green Chile Pork Posole which I definitely would like to try. You can find it all here.

Letter From A BronxMama: Winter Blues - by Nadia Moxam / Bronx Mama - It's mid-February, and chances are you've already been hit by at least 1 snow storm (maybe 4 or 5). But, this short post is a reminder from one Mom to another, not to let the 'Winter Blues' get to you.  If you could use a reminder to perk up a bit, smile, and enjoy your kids, take 30 seconds to read this post.

Join in the Great Backyard Bird Count - by Sounds Fun Mom -  Kids, get ready to count some birds!  Seriously... Feb 18th through Feb 21st is the "Great Backyard Bird Count" and Sounds Fun Mom has the scoop.  This is an annual even that anyone can do.  It's a fun way to teach the kids about nature and science, and it can be a good activity if you're stuck at home sick since you don't even need to leave the house. Check it out here.

Chocolate Milk Bath Recipe

Do you have a growing bucket list of fun things you want to do when you finally have the time & money?  If you live anywhere near the The Hotel Hershey, in Hershey PA, I highly recommend going to their Chocolate Spa.  Even if you only get there once in your lifetime, you have to do it!  It is the BEST spa I have ever been too.  You can get rubbed in chocolate, wrapped in chocolate, drink & eat chocolate, inhale the scent of chocolate and even bath in chocolate. And, it's not just for women - men can go too. I've been there two times and it is the perfect escape.  The hotel architecture is beautiful, their grounds are filled with exquisite flowers, and sneaking to the bar for a Death by Chocolate Martini is a must! 

Going to the spa is not in my budget at the moment, so I wanted to make a Chocolate Milk bath at home.  It's an easy way to do something different, treat yourself (especially if your Valentine let you down), and get a bit of much needed relaxation.

Here are the ingredients:

• 1 Cup of dried Nonfat Powdered Milk
• 2/3 Cup of Unsweetened Hershey Cocoa Powder
• 2 tablespoons of Corn Starch
• A couple cap-fulls of unscented Bubble Bath.
• Ideally, you should also have a Chocolate scented candle, or some type of candle that smells like dessert.

Directions:

1) Make sure you're in a kid-free zone so you can really relax.

2) Clean out all of the kids' boats, duckys and other toys out of the bath tub.

3) Light your scented candle.  Even though the bath is VERY chocolatey,  it's nice to have the extra aroma in the air from a 'desserty' candle.

4) Start running your bath water, and pour all of your ingredients into the tub.  You should pour the bubble bath under the running water.  But, all of the other ingredients can just be sprinkled on top of the water, since they will naturally mix in.

5) Relax in the bath as long a possible. Enjoy!

Does bathing in chocolate seem over-the-top OR Do you love this idea?

A Very Special Valentine's Day

This morning, I was lucky to receive sweet Valentines from all three of my special guys. 

 " Here's a Valentine to tell you,

in case you haven't guessed -

Of all the Mommies in the world,

You're the Sweetest and the Best! "

~ from the American Greetings card that my son gave to me

The greatest gift anyone can receive is unconditional love.

 Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Fun for Kids Friday is Back!

  Welcome Back to 

 * Fun for Kids Friday *

 with co-host, Smile Monsters!

Link up with a creative post about an Easy Kid Craft, Activity or Family Friendly Recipe.* Become a follower if you want to be extra sweet.  Then, check out as many posts as you want and be sure to leave comments so they know you're visiting from Fun for Kids Friday link-up!

Grab a button so other bloggers know where you're partying!

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Jo1971/combinedbutton4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br />

 *Please link directly to your post (not your main blog URL) in the linky below*



A Poem about Shopping with Two Preschoolers

Dear Kids:

I know you don't like shopping, but Mommy needs shampoo and new pants.

You'd rather be home watching Dora, and I'd rather be in a bubble bath.

Sometimes you cry and whine.  There are moments that Mommy wants to do the same.

My goal is to look cool, calm & collected, but you're driving me insane.

I turn away for a second, and you're licking the water fountain.

In the big picture, I know it's a mole-hill, so I try not to make it a mountain.

Then, we're in the public restroom.  You touch everything and put your hands in your mouth.

Really?  That seems like a good idea? This little shopping trip is quickly going South.

Come on!  It's just a walk around the mall. Stop laying on the floor and playing dead.

It will only last another 15 minutes and my patience is hanging from a thread.

I think we've all had had enough.  It's definitely time to go.

Let's walk as fast as we can to the exit, and hope we don't see anyone we know.

Love,

Your Mommy

Local Fun for Kids Mom

Homemade Valentine Ideas from 'Local Fun' Moms

For my husband and I, Valentine's Day used to be a night out to a special restaurant, definitely some chocolate and watching a good romantic comedy together.  But, now that we have two kids, it's usually a little bit different.  Valentine's day is all about love, and, it would not the same to celebrate without our little guys. 

Jersey Family Fun has a cute post called Be Your Kid's Valentine. I love this concept because it includes the entire family on this special day.  The post shares some wonderful ideas on how to celebrate Valentine's day with your children, such as: Breakfast in Bed, Valentine-themed meals, daytime family adventures, and bed-time stories about love. 

Kids on the Grand has two fun ideas for homemade Valentines.  The first one is a "Bubble Valentine"  which is a wonderful candy-free alternative.  Plus, it's great for kids of all ages.   Their other idea is an "Airplane Valentine" which is a unique little homemade candy airplane that the kids will love playing with. 

Mile High Mamas has a blog post with creative, science inspired Valentine ideas for kids. Their test tube Valentines are colorful and kid-approved.  They also feature a fun craft using Goldenrod paper which changes shades of red and yellow when the kids

swab them with different mixtures. 

Ultimately, you can make Valentine's Day as simple or elaborate as you choose. Just have fun and enjoy the day with the ones you love.

Photographer: Sura Nualpradid http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Weekly Highlights: Blog Posts from 'Local Fun' Moms

Disneyland Beignets - by Just Spotted - Just Spotted caught my attention when they posted the recipe for the beignets you'll find at Disneyland.  Even if you're not headed to Disneyland anytime soon, you can still treat yourself with this little piece of sugar covered heaven. They must be a billion calories, but they look amazing.  And, If you're not ready to indulge just yet, keep this recipe book-marked, because Fat Tuesday (March 8th, 2011) is just around the corner!

Carseats for the CarFree: Travel Vest vs. Backless Booster - by CarFree with Kids - This blog post really surprised me because I had no idea that a "travel vest" even existed.  It's basically a vest/harness for 4-8 year olds to be used in place of a booster seat which slightly resembles a sturdy life jacket (in my opinion).  It's probably something I wouldn't use because my husband and I are huge supporters of 5 point harness car seats (even for bigger kids too). But, this is a really interesting post that tells you the pros and cons of a travel vest vs. a backless booster.

Broccoli Cheese Vegetable Soup Recipe - by Akron Ohio Moms - This morning, I took a peak out the window and saw it was another cold, dreary day where you just want to stay-home-in-your-jammies and cuddle up with the kids.  And, it seems like this type of weather is exactly what most of the country is going through right now.  Akron Ohio Mom's broccoli cheese vegetable soup sounds like the perfect soup to warm you up on a cold winter day and give you a nice dose of vegetables.  I don't have all of the ingredients, but I might use what I have in the kitchen and cook up a batch of this soup today.

Of Metal Rabbits and Wood Dragons - by Albany Kid -  I love this article because it quickly sums up everything you need to know about: the Chinese calendar, your animal sign, Ying and Yang and your Heavenly Stem.   If you want to stay in-the-know and don't want to search the web forever, this is the article for you.  Learn something new!

Valentine Rice Krispie Treat Pops

As if Rice Krispie treats weren't good enough... when you put them on a stick, cover them in chocolate and add Valentine sprinkles they get even better!

Just follow the basic recipe for rice krispie treats:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter

6 cups of mini marshmallows 

8 cups of rice krispies cereal

Microwave the butter in a large microwaveable bowl (this is the same bowl you'll be mixing up the marshmallows and rice krispies, so it has to be big).  Melt the butter high for 45 seconds, or until melted.  Then, pour all of your marshmallows into the bowl and coat with the butter. ADD cereal and mix well. Once it's all combined, you need to firmly press the mixture into a 13x9 inch pan and let it cool.

They are amazing plain.  But, if you want to make a fun Valentine's Day treat...

Once they have cooled and become firm, take a heart cookie cutter and make a nice heart shape.  Then, just add a Wilton Popsicle stick.

 Dip your rice krispie treat pop into melted chocolate.  And decorate with some Valentine sprinkles.

If you are making them for your kid's school, you can wrap each one up some cellophane and tie it with a ribbon.  I love this idea because it's so quick and easy, yet it looks gourmet.