Family Fun
Book: “The Grasshopper Trap” by Patrick McManus
The girls love it when we have a few extra minutes in the evening to read to them. This past year we started reading more “chapter” books to them, however, sometimes Jake reads to them and other nights I am the one reading to them. We each picked out the book that we are currently reading to the girls. I am reading a horse book but Jake picked out The Grasshopper Trap by Patrick McManus. The nice part about Patrick McManus’s books is each chapter is a short story and they are hilarious. Many times all four of us are laughing at the silliness. It is a great way to wind down, laugh a little, and relax together after a busy day.
This book is also perfect to read on camping trips. A few of the stories the girls really enjoyed were “The Skunk Ladder”, “The Grasshopper Trap”, “The Human Fuel Pump”, and “Mean Tents”. The book we have is the older version with the red cover but the contents are still the same. If you like outdoor adventures and funny short stories this is a great book to check out.
Recipe: Hamburger Pasta Bake
Now that school is going full throttle as well as all the after school activities it has been my mission to find quick, easy, and healthy meals that I can make for my family. I have been doing a lot in crockpot lately so I decided it was time change it up a little bit and try a casserole. The challenge was that it has to be ready in a limited amount of time. By the time we get home from activities we have about 1 to 2 hours to finish homework, give the kids a bath, eat supper, do devotions, and spend a few minutes together before the kids hit the bed. The schedule is tight therefore dinner needs to be ready on time.
Hamburger Pasta Bake
- 1 pound lean Ground Beef
- 16 oz Pasta (I used Bow Tie pasta, but any will work)
- 1 can Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese (I used a mix blend of cheese, but you could use just mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup Pepperoni – optional
- 1/2 cup Mushrooms – optional
Preheat the oven to 350. Spray 9 x 13 a pyrex casserole dish. Boil the pasta in a large pot until pasta is tender. Brown hamburger in a skillet. Drain pasta and place into casserole dish. Add the spaghetti sauce, meat, pepperoni, mushrooms, and stir. Top with shredded cheese and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Our family loved this recipe. The only thing we added to it after trying it once was the pepperoni and mushrooms for extra flavor. It tastes awesome either way just add what your family likes to eat (or have on hand) and enjoy.
Tips to help make dinner prep more efficient when you have tight evening schedule:
Ground Hamburger – cook up your ground hamburger in advance and freeze it cooked in measured out portions. My favorite way to cook it is to get a large pack of hamburger (several pounds) put it in the crockpot and heat it on low stirring occasionally to break up the meat. Once it is cooked pour the hamburger into a strainer (over a bowl) drain, and blot with a paper towel. Allow it to cool them put into baggies or containers. I typically do between 2 to 4 cups per bag which is approximately 1 to 2 pounds of hamburger. This allows you to pull the meat out prior to dinner and make your meal. Cooking the hamburger in advance eliminates a lot of time, prep, and mess.
Cook the Noodles – if I will not have time to cook the noodles right before dinner I will cook them the night before or earlier in the day so they are done and ready to go.
Assemble in Advance – when it is going to be a busy evening schedule I will often put together the entire casserole in advance and store it in the fridge until it is ready to go into the oven. If I am really prepared when I make up a batch I put one in the fridge to bake that night and do another one to stick in the freezer for a later day when we are really tight on time.
When you have an section of the day that has a really tight schedule like ours the key is to utilize the parts of the day when you can prep for dinner. If you have a few extra minutes in the morning or after the kids are in bed for the evening prep for the next day. Lay out any items that you know you will need and do what you can to make sure those tight schedule times go as smoothly as possible.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Karlie and Brina’s lunches all packed and ready to go for school.
With the school year in full bloom we have once again started the lunch box routine. Every evening before going to bed we put together all the lunches for the following day including school and work lunches. After everything is all packed the lunch boxes are put into the refrigerator so in the morning all that we need to do it pull them out, stick in an ice pack, and go. The mornings are busy enough with activity so prepping the night before saves us a lot of time. We try to pack a protein (sandwich / meat), fruit, vegetable, diary (yogurt or cheese stick), drink, and snack in each lunch. Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.
Fresh plums, garden tomatoes, and other goodies
Lunch Box Meal:
- Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwich
- Fresh Red Plums
- Blueberry or Mixed Berry Yogurt Tubes
- Garden Red Cherry Tomatoes
- Ritz Cheese Crackers
- Strawberry Fruit Rollup
- Honey Ham Stick
- Mini M&M’s
- Reduced Sugar Cherry or Pineapple Juice
The cupcake sandwich container and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.
While it may look like a lot of food the items packed in their lunch boxes have to get them through the majority of the day including school lunch and an afternoon snack. We have activities after school every day of the week so whatever they don’t eat for lunch they will eat as a snack on the way to the activity for the day. Since we have started doing the school lunch boxes they have had more energy because they are eating a more balanced meal and snack plus we know exactly what they are eating. Do you pack lunches everyday for your kids? How do you keep it exciting for them?
Travel & Vacation: Traveling to Orange County Kabini, India
Our fancy ride in the “Scooby Doo Mobile” arrived early to pick us up. It only took us a few minutes to load up our bags before blasting off to Kabini! We made a 7 hour trip from Bangalore to Orange County Kabini with Jake’s cousin Matt and his family. It was a fun adventure traveling together. We were able to see a lot of the countryside of India which both shocked and amazed me. Makes me appreciate the many blessings in my life.
Rachel all ready for the road trip, wearing her panda bear just in case she decides to sleep.
Sweet Erica!
The reason why we couldn’t watch a DVD was because it was the WRONG REGION! The funny thing is we had a DVD from India and it still wouldn’t play, but the driver’s pirated version played fine.
There’s even a McDonalds on the way to Orange County
A lot of trucks full sand
We listened to the drivers music on the way to Orange County
Rickshaw full of people and a donkey pulling a cart…..always something interesting on the streets of India.
Traveling on the roads with the livestock.
Homes in India
Not only are there people hanging off the bus it might be a little off balance!
Beautiful church
Wagon full goods going down the street
Laundry hanging out to dry. You see a lot of colorful laundry drying on lines as you go through small villages.
Leading his cattle down the road
Small village, notice the tent homes in the front. You see these often along the sides of the roads in India.
A home made out of tarp and various items on the side of the road. Sad to think that this is the only home people may have.
Traveling through the countryside of India. Love the thatch roofs.
I saw a lot of really amazing sights while trying through India, however, I also saw things that brought tears to my eyes. So many people…some who are living in small tents with dirt floors. It makes me realize how blessed I really am. I have so much to be thankful for in my life yet often I find myself being selfish and ungrateful. Most of the people we met along the were extremely kind, generous, and hospitable. I don’t know if I will ever be the same after traveling through the country of India. Most of these pictures were taken through the van window so I apologize for some of the glares. I hope that some day I will get another opportunity to visit India, it was an experience that I will never forget.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Travel & Vacation: Little Notes of Love
Hidden I love you notes on the DVD shelf
I love my girls to pieces…..and then a little more. It is important to me that they know how much they are loved and treasured. One of the ways I spread the love is by writing surprise notes for them. When I go on a trip or at random times throughout the week I put a note someplace that they will be sure to see. It is worth investing a little extra time each week to show my family that I am thinking about them. Several of these notes were from a trip I took earlier this year. Here are a few other little notes of love I have shared with my kids. Although most of the notes are simple they have a huge positive ripple effect on my kids making it worth every second I spend doing it.
Love note to my girls.
This particular note is posted on the hallway wall outside their bedroom door.
Little Love Note to Karlie on the inside of her new notebook
Brina’s Little Love Note on her new notebook
Just in case she forgot this was on the wall next to her bed!
Note to Brina posted right next to her bed!
Little Love Note written on the inside of a white box and sat on the ping pong table (with a little treat for each kid.)
There are those days when we all could use a bear hug! When “Mom’s” not there to give a hug a sister is a great substitute! This sign was posted on their bedroom door.
Pampers Gifts to Grow – 10 Free Points
You can receive another 10 free points from Pampers with a new Gifts to Grow code!This code is different from the previous codes I have given.
- Use Code: FB9TLABDAXB3912
(Expires 9/9/12 at midnight CST)
You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts!
For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The girls did great on their first full week of school. Everyone is doing well but still adjusting to the school schedule (Mom included). On top for all the school fun we had doctor appointments, after school activities, and surgery keeping us busy this past week. The good news is we have today off of school and work to catch up on items around the house and to spend some extra time together as a family.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meGreenville Drive Baseball Game with Family– the girls earned their tickets from the library by reading books this summerDaily School Activities & Homework Completed– homework is more time consuming with them being in different classes but we managed it pretty well this week.Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDoctor AppointmentsAfter School ActivitiesENT Surgery & Recovery
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t stay on top of this one
- Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over. It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – I started it again! 🙂
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – hoping to get to this next week
Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- Get caught up on blog items – getting started
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Alms & Legs Team Meeting Notes
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4– only got a few items this week- Payoff the Van – working on it
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Go to the Upper South Carolina State Fair
- Work on items around the house & yard together on Labor Day
- Spend quality time together on Labor Day since everyone is off work and school
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over. It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Get caught up on blog items
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Book – “Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know” by Kate Boehm Jerome
On our last trip to Charleston, South Carolina we picked up a fun book to read with the kids during our stay called Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know by Kate Boehm Jerome. The book is short, sweet, and entertaining. The first section of the book is on Charleston, but the rest of the book talks about the state of South Carolina. We enjoyed it because it highlighted one of our favorite places to visit Charleston and it gave even more details about our state. The only drawback is if you are looking for a book only on Charleston this has parts that cover other areas of South Carolina as well. The book is only 30 pages long but it does have some neat tidbits about Charleston and South Carolina with colorful pictures.
Another awesome book that I highly recommend on Charleston is the Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler.
Recipe: Indoor S’mores
During the summer months we spend as much time as possible outside playing, mowing, picking up fallen tree branches and of course one of the favorites building a bonfire and making S’mores. Since it has been so wet and we have been traveling a lot over the last couple of months we haven’t had an opportunity to build any bonfires. The girls are determined to have one this fall. A couple weeks ago we were hanging out together as a family inside because it was raining and one of the girls mentioned eating S’mores around the fire. Instead of going out in the rain we made indoor S’mores and ate them while watching a movie together.
I have done these a variety of different ways with the S’mores maker, in the oven or toaster oven. Since we were only making a couple at a time I choose to use the toaster oven to make our indoor S’mores on this particular night. The girls love watching the marshmallows “grow” and turn dark!
Indoor S’mores:
- 1 box Grahams Crackers
- 1 bag large Marshmallows
- 1 package Hershey Chocolates
Take a whole graham cracker and break it in half. Put one half in the toaster oven (or on cookie sheet) and set aside the remaining half of graham cracker. Stack a piece of Hershey’s chocolate and a marshmallow on top of the graham cracker. Turn the oven or toaster oven on broil for 3 to 5 minutes or until the marshmallow has started to melt and turn dark. The chocolate will start to melt as well. Carefully remove the graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow out of the oven and transfer them to a platter or individual plates. Put the remaining half of the graham cracker on top and press down lightly.
Put on the top graham cracker and you’re ready to ENJOY your delicious Indoor S’mores!
Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit
I was super excited to receive the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit set in the mail. It came at the perfect time with school beginning. The girls take lunches to school and Jake takes a lunch to work almost every day so these are really handy. Here’s a picture of the set we received below:
The Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit includes a sandwich container sized for regular and specialty breads, two snack containers (great for yogurt or nuts) and a side container (perfect for fruits, vegetables, and chips). I love that they have the measurements marked on the outside of the containers too!
Product Features:
- Modular containers snap together in multiple configurations
- The containers stack compactly, saves space, and stay organized in lunch bags
- Holds a wide variety of basic or specialty breads
- Includes a Blue Ice keeps lunch cool on the go
- Secure lid seals
- Containers are perfectly portioned for lunch foods commonly carried away from home
- Microwave, Dishwasher, and Freezer Safe
- BPA-Free
- Each Sandwich Kit includes 1 Sandwich Container (2.6 cups |615 ML), 2 Snack Containers (0.5 Cup |118 ML), 1 Side Container (1.2 cups | 283 ML), and 1 Medium Blue Ice
I encourage you to check out more information on Rubbermaid’s LunchBlox Sandwich Kit if you are interested in finding nice containers that stack compactly, saves space, stay organized and cool in your lunch box. Individual containers are sold separately from kits so you can configure a different way everyday. Check out all the other great Rubbermaid LunchBlox options. The Rubbermaid Lunch Blox can be purchased at Rubbermaid’s website or at Target, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie, HEB, other grocery stores and select Wal-Mart stores.
More information about Rubbermaid and the Clean & Dry Plunger can be found:
I was given this product for free to write an informed review. The product, specific product information, and pictures were provided by Rubbermaid, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was not paid to write this post. A special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing a LunchBlox Sandwich Kit to review!
