Lessons Learned from a Child

Yesterday the whole family went for a walk. My husband and I walked while pushing our infant and my two older daughters rode their bikes in front of us. As we were walking along, the two girls took off in a race on their bikes. They stayed on the side of the road which was loose gravel. My 6 year old is still new at riding a bike without training wheels and was going a little too fast. The gravel caught her wheel and made her spin out. Panic came over me as I saw her fly off the bike and across the gravel using her chest as a skid board. As I ran to grab her, I saw big tears rolling out of her eyes and blood on her arm. She skinned up her elbow, arm, belly and leg. We brushed her off, wiped the tears and walked home to clean her up. She cried the whole way home, and no doubt it was a painful fall.

After cleaning the wounds and applying a big bandage (the bigger the better!), she started to feel better. A little chocolate chip ice cream also helped!!! This morning she woke up and announced her arm and leg hurt. Yes, I knew it hurt but we have to wait for it heal. On the way to school she started laughing about the incident. "Mom, did I skid far when I fell?" "Yes, you skid a little bit." "Cool!!!!"

What I learned from my 6 year old daughter... When you take a hard fall that really hurts, you need to get up, brush yourself off and move on. Everything and everyday is a learning experience and she learned not to ride so fast on gravel.

What did you learn today?????

Family Favorite and Kid Friendly Banana Chip Muffins

These are a HUGE favorite in my house when I have extra bananas past their prime. My kids eat these for breakfast and snacks and can't get enough of them.

Banana Chip Muffins

1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup sugar
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Beat egg, oil and sugar until smooth. Stir in bananas and mix well. Combine dry ingredients and stir them into the banana mixture until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins test done. Makes 1 dozen.

NOTES:
I have used regular sized chocolate chips without a problem.

I make mini muffins for the kids and bake them for 8 to 10 minutes.

Check muffins 5 minutes before the done time as the actual baking time varies based on altitude and wetness of the batter.

Great Values on Breakfast Items

So this morning I stopped at the grocery to use my coupons on double day. We have one store that will double up to 5 coupons that are $1 or less on Wednesdays only. They had a deal if you buy 7 boxes of cereal at full price you get $7 plus 3 coupons for a free gallon of milk... here's how my shopping played out...

I purchased 7 boxes of Kelloggs cereal.... all the flavors the family likes.
plus 2 boxes of go-gurt
plus 3 pound bag of apples
plus 1/2 gallon strawberry milk

Coupons I had:
3 coupons for $1 off Kelloggs cereal... doubled for $6 off
1 coupon for $1 off fresh fruit when I buy one box of cereal... double for $2 off
1 coupon for $1 off any size milk when you buy one box of cereal... double for $2 off
1 coupon for $.80 off gogurt

I got the $7 off plus $10.80 in coupons and ended up paying $16.XX. PLUS... 3 coupons to get a free gallon of milk with my next purchase. PLUS... $.10 off in gas up to 20 gallons.

I was thrilled. Name brand cereal and yogurt plus fruit and flavored milk.

Happy Easter. I wanted to share some new sewing blogs I have come across and enjoy reading. Now that baby number three has been born, I am slowly trying to get back into sewing and crafting custom clothing and accessories. All three girls are great testers and enjoy having their own "samples".

Sewing blogs:
http://sewchic.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://scientificseamstress.blogspot.com/

I will be doing a craft show on April 24th at the Key to Life Community Center in Weston, WI. I plant to have a few new items to showcase, such as a tooth fairy pillow and activity bag for kids. Message me if you need information on the location.

Cinnamon Bun Bread

I fell upon this recipe for cinnamon bun bread and just had to give it a try this morning. OH YUM! I hate making from scratch cinnamon rolls as they are time consuming, however this recipe was SOOOO EASY! It really was. The whole family loved it, even the girls. I whipped it up in about 20 minutes, maybe a little more with the letting the dough set a bit. After 30 minutes in the oven they were done. Yummy sweat cinnamon bread in less than an hour. Now this recipe is more like a coffee cake than cinnamon rolls, however the taste is there and that is what counts!

The recipe is located at Baking Bites: http://bakingbites.com/2008/09/quick-and-easy-cinnamon-bun-bread/


Give it a try!

The Blog is BACK!!!

Yes I took quite a bit of time off from blogging. Mostly because I was going through a lot at the time and needed to re-group and find myself. I think I am found now and ready to get back in the game!!!

What's new...
I am PREGNANT! Yup, since I am a work at home mom now, we decided to have that one more child we always wanted. Both girls are so excited and old enough to understand what is going on. I am currently 16 weeks, and due January 12, 2010.

Second, I started freelance writing and it is going really well. I enjoy it so much and am making more than I was at my previous job (mostly because of cutbacks). I am less stressed and have A LOT more time to spend with the family.

So that's a start to the re-starting of my blog!!!

Whoops... what happened?

Where have I been??? Well, I have a totally new aspect on life as I am no longer working full time. Big changes have happened and have kept me from keeping up on my blog. But I am back now, so keep checking in!!!

I will upload some new "catch up" pictures soon!