December Bucket List

                                                   December 2012 Bucket List 

1. Bake Cookies (break-n-bake not allowed) Here's an easy sugar cookie recipe. Kids can decorate these bad boys for hours! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-sugar-cookies/

2. Take a walk. It's hard not to go into hibernate mode from now till April- so this month I want to bundle everyone up and go for a long walk. Get some fresh air! 

3. Make cinnamon/applesauce ornaments. I used to do this with my classroom when I taught, and now I would love to do it with my kiddos!
 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scented-applesauce-cinnamon-ornaments/


4. Christmas Movie Day! I'll admit this is a selfish one, but I would love to lay in bed one morning and watch Christmas Movies. Hubby- can you make this happen? :) 

5. Take the kids shopping for someone in need. Great lesson in giving!

6. Go on a night drive to see the Christmas Lights...and perhaps a window shopping trip at the outlets. Michigan City has a great light display and shopping right next to it! ;) 

7. Color Christmas pictures to mail to family...sweet and simple bonding time. 

8. Game Night! 

Stocking Stuffer Ideas- Preschool & Toddler Age

It's that time of year- holiday hustle and bustle! I've been racking my brain to think of some practical (and cheap!) stocking stuffer ideas for the wee ones. Here are my thoughts:

1. Crayons (the glitter ones are pretty snazzy!)

2. Lush Brand Soap/Play Dough- (pictured left) kids can mold and sculpt and wash all at once! 

3. A Veggie-Tales movie- who doesn't love Christian Vegetables!? http://veggietales.com/

4. Flash Cards-From shapes to multiplication, there are flash cards for nearly everything! And, if you wanna get creative Santa could "make" special flash cards for your kiddo's individual needs :) 

5. Fun Bandaids- I don't know about you, but my children go crazy for printed bandaids! And, it's a plus for me b/c it helps restock the boo-boo stash!

6. Food Coloring- Random, I know. Those little bottles can provide plenty of winter fun, tho. Take them outside and let the kids squeeze and make multi-colored snow creations. 

7. A Magazine- My two-year old will spend 30 minutes looking at a monster truck magazine. 
And as parents, we all know, a lot can get done in 30 minutes! Ranger Rick and Highlights are great choices if you want a child-specific choice. 

8. A Bird Feeder- Whether you pick one the can paint themselves, or a plastic one ready to go, it's fun to let little ones pick their own spot to hang a feeder for the birdies this winter. 

9. Glow Sticks- They make a good nightlight and a fun tub toy- for a super cheap price! 

10. A Gift Card for your child's favorite place- the ol' stand by. Claires, Bath & Body Works, Barnes & Noble and Noodles & Company are popular at our house. 

Hope this helps get your shopping juices flowing! 

PuMpKiN SeEdS

I Scream! You Scream! We all scream for....PUMPKIN SEEDS! 
(well at least you might after you try one of these delish recipes!)

Salty/Sweet Variation #1 (my personal fav!)

- Seeds from 1 pumpkin

 - 2 tbs canola oil

- 1 1/2 tbs brown sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

- pinch of salt

Sweet/Salty Variation #2

- Seeds from 1 pumpkin

- 2 tbs unsalted butter 

- 2 tbs sugar 

- pinch of salt

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Buttery 

- Seeds from 1 pumpkin

- pinch of salt

- 2- 2 1/2 teaspoons butter

Basic Salty 

- Seeds from 1 pumpkin 

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- as much salt as desired 

 Garlic 

- Seeds from 1 pumpkin

- 1 tbs canola or olive oil

- 1/2 tsp celery salt

- 1/2 tsp garlic powder

- 1/2 tsp seasoned salt or regular table salt

FOR ALL VARIATIONS: 

-Rinse seeds and set them on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Let them dry for 6-7 hours (or longer).

-preheat oven to 300 

-mix seeds with whichever mixture you choose. 

-bake for 40-45 minutes (until golden) You can stir them a time or two while baking so that they don't stick. :) 

My kids go crazy for seeds every fall! We often carve more than one pumpkin, so it is nice to have a variety of ways to bake those little things! Enjoy!  

Happy Pumpkin Carving and Happy Halloween! 

Fall Wish-List!

SAHM fall fashion finds! I am hitting up the Mall of America soon- so I have been busy scoping the internet for all of my musts!

#Uno- Lululemon Serenity Sweater Wrap ($148.00)
I know this is a PriCeY little wrap- but it can be worn right side, wrong side, upside down and every other way! It is super comfy and really multiple sweaters in one! Buy one- or ask for one for Christmas!!!


#2- Fossil Vintage Re-Issue bag ($168-$198)
This bag in the black & brown is a perfect *go with everything* carry-all! Wear it with black...or brown...and it matches! When you are busy with kiddies all day there isn't time to be constantly switching purses- so this one is perfect-o! No switching required!

#3- Sonja Kashuk Eye Shadow Quads ($13.69 each)
I was introduced to these by a friend and they are fab and affordable! There is a quad for pretty much any skin type and they really glam up an everyday outfit! Bonus- you buy them at Target so it's easy to pick one up while you're buying groceries!

#4- L'Occitane Verbena Shea Soap ($7-$10)
When someone once told me to invest in a $10 bar of soap, I laughed...LOUD! Until I tried it! This soap is A-mazing and I purchase a few bars every fall when the weather starts to change. I prefer Verbena but there are multiple yummy scents!


#5- Asics Gel-Noosa Running Shoe ($124.95)
This shoe is so ugly- it's cute! It makes me want to go running! If this particular shoe is to flashy for you- you can't go wrong with any pair of Asics! Perfect for going on the trails or to the preschool!

Stop Pinning and Start Doing!

Picture it--- 3 am, sitting in a rocking chair, feeding an infant and *pinning* on an iphone. That is how I spent most of my summer and, believe me, it was glorious! 

Well folks, it is now time to get productive! I have created a Fall Pin-Conquest that I am going to complete. Time to pick my top *pins* from the summer and put them to the test...*Stop Pinning and Start Doing!* :)

1. Buy a onesie for Kekoa that says, "I am just a studmuffin looking for my cupcake!" There are really cute options on Etsy. (I know this one is super easy- but I gotta start slow and work my way into the more detailed pins!)

2. Create a new and improved work-out playlist. Fitness Mag has a great link to the top 100 workout songs! http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/music/popular-playlists/the-fitness-top-100-workout-songs/

3. Put shower rings on a hanger to hold all my scarves! Brilliant! 

4. Make a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie! 1/2 a banana, 1/3 pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt, 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, a few shakes of pumpkin pie spice, and 4-5 ice cubes! Delish! 

5. This link lists 50 wines that are popular, party ready and most importantly CHEAP! It's time to branch out from Oliver Wines and sample at least 2 of these. http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/50-wines-you-can-always-trust

6. Hang a hook and shower caddy on the opposite side of the shower! Simple and def. doable- this will help keep all of my product from getting wet and gross from the shower head. 

7. Line the fridge shelves with press n' seal for easy cleaning later! 

8. Last but not least, learn how to french braid! I have at least a billion *pins* that involve some sort of braided hairstyle. Gotta get this French Braid mastered so I can sport some fresh styles! :) I'm thinking youtube is gonna help me out with this one! 

Hope my list has inspired you to get crackin' on your Pinterest! Please share with me some of your favs! I'll *pin* them and get to doing them by about...oh next fall! ;)