Tutorials for Treasure Chest Activies

Last week I shared ideas on how to make your kids feel extra special and entertained when you bring home a sweet new baby. A Treasure Chest full of activities. I thought I would show you what to do with some of the items that were in the chest.

Lets start with the button board:

 

What You Will Need:

1 piece of felt

1 roll of string

9-10 buttons (or whatever you want!)

1 piece of cardboard (cut to fit the piece of felt)

1 needle and thread

 

Instructions:

Cut the cardboard to fit the felt piece exactly. Sew the buttons onto the piece of felt. Wherever you think looks the best. Glue the felt onto the cardboard (I used hot glue and it has held just fine) I also painted the back side of the cardboard pink just to make it look cuter. It's as simple as that and you have a fun game to entertain your kids for quite some time. Brynlee likes to create different shapes and pictures.



 

What to do with the POM POM Balls:

Identifying Colors

 

What You Will Need:

1 bag of colorful pom pom balls

1 muffin pan ( I bought Brynlee one at the dollar store that can stay in her treasure)

 

Instructions:

Place one colored pom pom in each muffin spot. Then have your kids identify each color and put the remaining colored pom poms in the right spot.
 

 

 

What To Do With Pipe Cleaners and Beads

Identifying Colors & Counting

What You Will Need:

1 package of colorful pipe cleaners

1 package of colorful beads

 

Instructions:

Have your kids thread a colored bead onto a pipe cleaner to match colors.

You can also do counting with this activity (have them count how many colored beads are on pipe cleaner or ask them to put so many beads on the pipe cleaner)

 

 

I hope this gives you a few ideas on what you should put in your kids Treasure. It really is such a fun and inexpensive way to let your kids create while learning!

 

If you missed my Treasure Chest Full Of Treasures post click here

 

As always thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave any comments. I love reading them!

 

 

 

XOXO Brooke

 



 

Secret Sugar Cookies

I am about to tell you the BEST Sugar Cookie recipe you'll ever find! I PROMISE! Every time I make these cookies they instantly become someones favorite cookie! I love to make sugar cookies with my family because my little girl loves helping roll out the dough, cut different cookie shapes, frosting (choosing the colors) and sprinkling the cookies.

 

What You Will Need

 

Cookies:

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup milk

 

Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

 

Preheat oven to 425*

 

Cream shortening and sugar. In separate bowl beat eggs, mix vanilla in and pour into shortening/sugar mixture. In separate bowl combined flour, baking powder and salt. Mix dry ingredients and milk slowly into shortening/sugar bowl and mix well. Spread flour across counter top, roll out dough over the flour so the dough doesn't stick to the counter and cut your favorite cookie cutter shape. Spray baking sheet with Pam and bake for 9 minutes

(don't leave in any longer or they will burn)

 

To make the frosting pour powdered sugar into bowl. Heat milk and butter in microwave until butter is melted completely, add vanilla and slowly pour into bowl. If the frosting is to thin add powdered sugar, if its to thick add more liquid mixture. Add your favorite food coloring if desired. Sprinkle right after frosting so the sprinkles will stick! 

 

 

I hope you ENJOY as much as every one else does!

 

As always thanks for coming by. Feel free to leave comments, I love reading them.

 

Today I am featured on Mommy's Memorandum click here to see!

 

 

XOXO Brooke

DIY Mother's Day Fruit Bouquet & Lemon Fruit Dip

With Mother's Day coming up you might be needing a fun new gift idea... well I have the perfect idea. A DIY Mother's Day Fruit Bouquet (you could make for any occasion!) I have made these the past few years for both my Mom and Mother-in-Law and they absolutely love them! You might be thinking this sounds way too hard for me, but I promise its not!

 

Lemon Fruit Dip

 

 What You Will Need:

 

Fruit Bouquet

8-10 Strawberries

1 Bag of Grapes

1 Pineapple

1 Cantaloupe

Box of Dots Candy

Giant Hershey's Milk or White Chocolate Bar

20 Kabob Sticks

Flower Cookie Cutter

(if you don't have one you can always carve out a flower design in the pineapple)

 

Easy Lemon Fruit Dip

1 cup cold milk

1 package of lemon pudding (3.4 oz)

1 cup sour cream

 

Instructions:

Fruit Bouquet

 

Dots... they are used to put under each piece of fruit so that your fruit doesn't slide down the stick. Slide the dots on before you slide on the fruit.

I use dots because they are a colorful treat and match the colors of the fruit.

 

Cut the ends off each strawberry and put them on the end of a stick. You'll need a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Break up your chocolate bar and put it in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on 10 second intervals until chocolate is melted. Dip your strawberries in the chocolate and lay them on your baking sheet. Place baking sheet in fridge for a few minutes so the chocolate can harden.

 

Next you'll want to cut your pineapple in half. One of the halves will be your base for the fruit bouquet. The other half you will slice 3-4 1 inch thick pieces. Place the cookie cutter down on each slice of pineapple and you'll have your flowers. Slide pineapple pieces to the top of the stick leaving 1/2 inch for your flower center.

 

With the cantaloupe you will need to cut in half and ball out enough centers for your flowers. Place on the top of the pineapple flowers. (If you don't want to bother with this step you can always place a grape as the center of the flower.

 

Grapes are used as a filler. There are lots of grapes in a bag of course so don't be afraid to use as many as you need to make the arrangement look complete. Put as many grapes on each stick.

 

Start by adding a few strawberries to the front of your bouquet. You may need to cut the sticks to the length it looks best. You'll want different heights in your arrangement. You be the judge, add the other fruit where you think it looks best (the good thing is you can always re-arrange if necessary!)

 

Wrap your yummy fruit bouquet up in cellophane and tie a bow around to make your gift look complete.

 

Instructions:

Lemon Fruit Dip

 

In a small bowl,whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes (mixture will be thick). Whisk in sour cream. Chill until serving.

Lemon flavored goes perfect with this assortment of fruit. So refreshing! I like to get a cute bright colored container to put the dip in with my fruit bouquet.

 

 

Make your Mom, Grandma, Sister or Friend feel extra special this Mother's Day and challenge yourself to make this refreshing treat!

As always thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave any comments, I love reading them.

Also today I am featured on Mommy's Memorandum click here to check it out!

 

XOXO Brooke



 



Cinco de Mayo Dinner... Baked Chicken Taquitos with Avocado Dip

I was so excited yesterday when I had a great excuse to make a delicious Mexican dinner, celebrating Cinco de Mayo! I made Baked Chicken Taquitos with an avocado dip... can you say YUM!? It's so good you can make it any day!

 

What You Will Need:
Taquitos
1 deli rotisserie chicken
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, undrained
30 corn tortillas
1 tablespoon vegatable oil

 Avocado Dip

1 Avocado

1/2 cup of plain yogurt

1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice

dash of salt

Preheat oven to 400*

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper

Shred chicken to make about 4 cups.

In large bowl toss chicken, cheese, onion, chili powder and green chiles.

In skillet heat tortillas until they are warm (wrap in a kitchen towel to stay warm)

Spoon about 2 tablespoons chicken mixture onto one side of tortilla. Wrap tortilla over filling and roll up. Place taquito seam side down on cookie sheet, gently pressing flat with palm of hand if needed to make sure taquito does not roll around. Make sure to leave space between taquitos so they crisp nicely during baking.

Brush tops of taquitos lightly with oil.

Bake for 25 minutes rotating pan half way through baking.

While the taquitos are baking, cut avocado in half; remove pit. With spoon, scoop avocado into large bowl. Mash avocado well with fork.  Fold in yogurt, lime juice and salt until thoroughly combined.

The best part: These make about 30 and they are so easy to freeze (and last up to 2 months!)

 Freeze unbaked taquitos in a single layer on a cookie sheet until frozen solid. Remove them from the cookie sheet and place in a freezer bag. 

When ready to serve, bake frozen taquitos 2 to 3 minutes longer.

ENJOY!

Click Here to see all of my recipes in one place!

As always thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave any comments, I Love to read them!
Have a great day!



XOXO Brooke
                            

Family Favorite... Cowboy Cookies

I figured since this week has been mostly about getting to know me and my family I would share our favorite family cookie recipe. It doesn't matter (rain or shine) these cookies will light up your life! They are so yummy, something everyone enjoys, and definitely most requested dessert at our house. A secret family recipe that has never been revealed, until NOW! 

Cowboy Cookies:

 

What you will need:

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick oatmeal
1 package chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream sugars and shortening. Add vanilla and eggs. Add dry ingredients.

Add oatmeal, and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350* for 10 minutes.

Try them this weekend and let me know how much you enjoyed them!
YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!

As always thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it! Please feel free to leave any comments I love reading them! Have a great weekend!

If you missed getting to know my family this week...
Click here to get to know me and Justin.
Click here for Brynlee.
Click here for Ellie.

 



XOXO Brooke



Treasure Chest Full of Treasures

Ok so I am pretty much... OCD! I like to plan, have everything in order and know exactly what is going on. When I had Ellie it was no different. I had freezer meals done, everything planned out for Brynlee while I would be in the hospital (including outfits ironed and laid out for each day, and everything in between.) I am going to share what I planned for Brynlee to make her feel special and keep her busy when I had Ellie. As I mentioned in my getting to know us post that I had a c-section with both of my girls. I knew when I was having Ellie I would need all the help I could get especially with Brynlee. If you have had a c-section before you know how extremely painful they can be! I decided to put a treasure chest together full of "treasures" to keep Brynlee entertained as much as possible. I also think it's important to make the big siblings feel special when you bring a new baby into your home. When Brynlee came to the hospital to visit we surprised her with a Belle doll and ABC book from Shutterfly (one of my most favorite places!) She loved it!

First I was able to find the cutest treasure chest container at Wal-Mart.



 

Next I filled the container with arts and crafts. Learning books and cards.
(mostly found at the dollar store)

 

 

I made this felt board with buttons to wrap string around making different shapes and pictures

(I will do a tutorial on this soon!)

 Beads, pipe cleaners, and pom pom balls to help learn colors

( I will do a tutorial on this soon)

 

 

Brynlee enjoyed her treasure so much! It really did keep her busy for at least an hour everyday. She still gets it out and plays with it all the time. If you think its just an idea for girls, you are wrong. Brynlee has boy cousins and friends that love creating with her treasure.

 

 Brynlee getting her Belle doll and ABC book at the hospital

 (look at that happy surprised face!)

 

ABC Book...Anything I do with Shutterfly turns out so nice!

 

Brynlee also got spoiled by grandma's. Books, jammies, and color wonder.

 

 

 

As always thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed! Please feel free to leave any comments, I love to read them!

 

 

XOXO Brooke

 





Getting To Know Us... (Ellie)

As you know this week I have been telling you more about our family. Today is Ellie's lucky day. Ellie will be nine months old soon. She is a silly and spunky little girl full of energy... LOTS of energy! This mommy can barely keep up.

Lets start from the beginning. We started trying to get pregnant with our second baby right before Brynlee turned one, because as I said before I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis and we just didn't know how long it would take. This time I started out on fertility and a little over a year later we found out I was pregnant. I forgot to mention with both my babies I missed a month of my fertility and surprise those were the two months that I got pregnant. I am a firm believer that it will definitely happen when it is supposed to. I know sometimes it is hard to think that way because trying for a baby with no results gets disappointing really fast, so sorry if you're going through that but DON'T give up.

Of course Justin, Brynlee and I were so excited to be having a baby. Again little did I know what this pregnancy had in store for me. I started out with morning sickness again that lasted until I was about 7 months along, I passed out several times, and had pre-term labor starting when I was about 14 weeks until I was 36 weeks and that's when I had Ellie. I had to be extremly careful. I was put on bed rest and I received 2 steroid shots to help develop Ellie's lungs. (and was totally unaware that sometimes the steroid shots don't always help the baby's lungs!) I was actually still working during all of this which made it that much harder but I tried to be as careful as I could. My doctor was so suprised how far I ended up making it. After being in labor for about 27 hours with Brynlee I never dilated and that is why I ended up having a c-section. With this pregnancy it ended up being a blessing that I didn't dilate because I was dilated to a 1 for a couple months but never dilated more.

On August 11, 2012 I went in to have baby Ellie. This time we planned for a c-section and I knew what to expect. Within 2 hours of checking in at the hospital we had our baby girl. 6 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 inchs long. This time I saw Ellie for a split second (and of course was instantly in LOVE!) before they took her to the nursery to get cleaned up... little did I know I wouldn't be seeing my sweetie for several hours. Ellie's lungs were not pumping right, she was not getting the air she needed. Justin came in my room and told me they were admitting Ellie to the NICU. I was so sad because we had been preparing Brynlee for her big day to meet her baby sister and if you don't know only a few adults can go in the NICU. I had to wait several hours until I could sit up in a wheel chair to go down and see Ellie. I tried doing it as soon as possible, I was dying to get down and see her. Justin wheeled me through the hospital until we got to the NICU. I wasn't sure what to expect and when I saw my little baby with an IV in her head, tubes in her nose, and her tummy hooked  up to moniters all I wanted to do is cry. That is never how you want to see your baby (trust me!) I FINALLY held Ellie for the first time and it was heaven. She was so tiny but so SPECIAL! If you have ever had to visit a NICU they have certain visiting hours. It was so hard to leave Ellie every day. After a couple days of Brynlee waiting to meet her baby sister the NICU nurse told us we could show Ellie to Brynlee through the glass of the nursery. Brynlee was so excited and the first thing that she did was give Ellie the "I love you" sign through the window. A moment I will never ever forget! The third day I was at the hospital we talked to the doctor to see if Ellie would be ready to come home with us the next day. They were really unsure of this and on day four when it was time for me to come home Ellie wasn't ready. It was such a hard day leaving the hospital without a new baby to bring home. I cried all the way home. If you have ever had a c-section you know they are extremely painful. Which made it even harder to go to the hospital 4 times a day during our visiting hours with Ellie. During this time that was the last thing I was thinking about. Ellie was on my mind 24/7!! Finally 8 days after Ellie was born I got the best phone call I have ever received. It was the NICU nurse letting us know that Ellie was ready to come home. WAHOO!! The three of us grabbed our shoes and went out the door as fast as we could. We finally brought home our little girl. Now weighing 5 pounds she really was just a little sweetie! I was more nervous bringing Ellie home, worried about her breathing and other things she struggled with but she did great! I just have to say the NICU was amazing to us. I never thought about how hard it was when I heard of someones baby being in the NICU until we were there. They made us feel so special and took such great care of Ellie. I will not forget all the special babies that were in the NICU a lot longer than Ellie and continued to be there after her. We were still really blessed even though some days it was hard to think that way.

Ellie was and is such a good baby. Even when she was in the NICU all the nurses wanted to be with Ellie because she was so easy (just woke up to eat then went back to sleep!) She continued to be that way when we brought her home. I remember I didn't want to put Ellie down and of course she had to cuddle next to me for the first few nights! Ellie brings so much happiness into our home. Ellie loves everyone especially her big sister. She loves playing whatever Brynlee is playing. Ellie also loves when daddy gets home from work and can't wait until he picks her up. She is so SPECIAL to all of us!

 Holding Ellie for the first time

Kisses

Visiting Ellie

Cuddled up to daddy in the NICU

Leaving the hospital.. Finally Brynlee can touch Ellie

First day home Brynlee wouldn't let her go

2 Weeks Old

4 Months Old

6 Months Old

8 Months Old



Hope you enjoyed learning more about Ellie. To learn more about me and Justin click here. If you want to learn more about Brynlee click here. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave comments I love to read them. Especially if you have any questions about all the things we went through, don't be afraid to ask! Tomorrow I am going to share some great ideas to do for your other kids if you are getting ready to have another baby.

XOXO Brooke