Courage to Change GIVEAWAY

Super excited to kick the year off with a giveaway on LB,BO.  When I saw that Shell, from Things I Can’t Say, was looking for bloggers to test out and giveaway board games from Courage to Change, games designed for kids with special needs, I knew that it was an opportunity I should jump on.  All the games that I was able to chose from were tempting….but I focused on one that I thought would help and be fun for my special little man.
One of the things that we (Aiden’s Preschool teachers and I) are working on with him is routine and rules. We are planning on putting him in all day kindergarten next year, knowing that it could be tough, to get him use to those routines and rules that go along with being in school ALL day.  So that when he gets to first grade, he has them down pat and can focus on the learning.  So….when I saw “The Classroom Behavior Game”, I knew that would be a great one to work on these skills with him to prepare him for next year.  I also thought that it would be a fun game to take into the school so that his classmates could enjoy it and learn some of the rules as well.

After watching the video about the game and who it caters to, I knew that it would be a fantastic game for Aiden.  And for Jakob!  It will be a fun way for Jakob to teach Aiden how to behave in school, and maybe remind Jakob too!! :)
I am REALLY looking forward to getting the game – my stalking the tracking number says it will be here in three days.  You could have a chance to win one too! a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Be sure to check back here next week for a review of the game itself, after the boys and I get to play it a few times and take it into Aiden’s class for his friends to give it a whirl.

Wordless Wednesday

I adore Fall….it is my favorite season, bar none.  Living in Georgia there really wasn’t a fall season.  Last year at this time the boys were still running around in t-shirts and shorts.  Thank goodness Washington has seasons…and has THIS season.  Yesterday was a perfect fall day.  Slight crisp. Clear sky. Sun shining.  And what better thing to do on such a day then take the boys to the park afterschool to play with their friends.  Perfect.

Monkey and Military Monday

A couple of weeks ago, Jason’s Platoon was helping put on a field day at a local elementary school, including bringing a few of their vehicles for the kids to climb on and explore.  Jason invited me to bring the boys so they could see the new vehicles that Daddy was working with (Jason is no long on the M1A tank)…..of course I said YES!  They would love it.  It was the perfect day, warm – not hot, sun was shining – not a cloud in the sky, though of course we forgot the sunscreen.  The boys ended up with red cheeks, and Mama ended up with one heck of a sunburn.  Oh well, was almost worth it.

Here are some pictures of our afternoon. 

Please make note of the name of the MGS….CUPCAKE!!!  Perfect right?

It was a great afternoon and the boys and I really enjoyed seeing who and what Daddy’s working with.  Now to see if I can get them to come to Jakob and Aiden’s school next year….

Monkey Monday

 

I got my “craft on” yesterday.  I use to be a big crafter.  I would obsess over scrapbooks, card making, knitting (failed miserably), attempted to crochet, quilting, stamping….you name it – I have the supplies for it.  Seriously, I have enough crafting supplies to open a small store.  When we lived in CT I would visit the JoAnn Fabrics so often they knew Jakob by name!   But baking and cooking have temporarily taken over my creative brain.  I really should sort through all the crafting supplies and sell some of it…to pay for new baking pans and sprinkles. 

I saw a picture of this on Pinterest (if you love to be inspired by all things beautiful you must check out pinterest) and thought it would be a fun thing to make for the students in Jakob’s class.  A cute little incentive to do some reading.  And it involves gummy candy…come on, we all love gummy worms.

So easy.  I took little cellophane bags (the same ones I use for my cookies), put in three gummy worms, and staple on the cute little tag.  I downloaded some free tag templates, glued onto red card stock and folded it over the top of the bag. 

Jakob was SO excited to take them to school and hand out to his friends.  And they were all pretty happy to receive them.

Are you allowed to take in treats like this to your child’s class??  If so, what do you like to take in for a special treat?  Ideas and links always appreciated!

Monkey Monday - School Shopping

Jason and Jakob did some school shopping this weekend. Jason will be leaving for NTC (training) before Jakob starts school....so he and Jakob had some bonding time getting all he needed for school. Way to go Daddy! You did good!

Take Care,
Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

My First Taste And Create

So this is my first time participating in Taste and Create. It is basically a blog event where you are matched up with another blogger and you each bake/make something from each other's blog. Simple, right? Not so simple. I was matched up with Laura and her blog "The Spiced Life", and let me tell you choosing just one recipe to make wasn't easy. There are so many recipes on her blog that tempted me....Thai food, pasta dishes, bread, cookies....etc.... But I finally saw this one and knew that I had to make them with the boys! Aiden didn't really want to participate and Jakob was really only interested in the M&M's...but these are awesome. I, too, was a little skeptical of a recipe that came from a Sesame Street Cookbook....my boys love these...and so did all the gals and their kiddos at the playgroup where the pan of them was devoured!

I managed to get a couple of photos before everyone snatched them up, and I was able to bring a couple home to Jason to try, and he liked them too!

I give you.....Sesame Street M&M Oat Bars....

Sesame Street M&M Oat Bars

Adapted from Sesame Street Yummy Cookies: Baking With Kids

1 cup (126 g) AP flour

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg

1 T water

1 1/2 t vanilla

1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 1/4 cups total of chocolate chips, chunks and/or M&Ms (I used mini M&Ms and mini chocolate chips and topped with regular M&Ms)

Preheat the oven to 375 F with a rack placed in the center. Grease and then line with parchment paper a 9 inch square baking pan. The grease will help the parchment paper stay down.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.Beat the sugar and butter until creamy (it will not get fluffy). Add the egg, water and vanilla and then beat until well blended.Add the oats and the flour mixture and stir in. Add 3/4 cup of the chocolate chunks, chips or M&Ms into the batter and mix in. Do not over-mix.

Spread the batter--it will be stiff--into the prepared baking pan with a spatula. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chunks, chips or M&Ms.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is set.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Try these - they are easy to make, fun to make with your kids, taste delicious, and they aren't terribly bad for your kiddos!

And I think I will participate in Taste and Create again....what better way to find new blogs, make new friends, and try new recipes?!? Be sure to stop by Taste and Create and see what everyone else has been making....

Take Care,
Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Oshkosh B'Gosh House!

Around Christmas Oshkosh B'Gosh had this deal on where if you spent $50.00 you could buy this cardboard house for $10.00. Not a bad deal... I thought it was a great purchase. We had been waiting for a rainy day where I would remember that we had it, and that never happened. Today when Jakob came to me and asked him to look for a cardboard box that he could fit in to play in, it popped into my head....the cardboard house! I mentioned it to Jason and he found it tucked behind some stuff in the garage. It took us no time to put together and the boys played with it for a very long time. I now have this great big cardboard house that will not fit through the door to go back into the garage and that takes up a quarter of the living room. I am not sure how long it will last....but for now this house will stand where it is and bring lots of giggles and fun to the living room! Thanks Oshkosh.....and it's not even raining!

Take Care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

I am addicted...

I want to sew all the time. The cuter the aprons come out, the more I want to sew them. I have made three already and I have so many new fabrics that I cannot wait to make more and more and more. Awhile back I found this book, at Michael's:

And I HAD to have it. I didn't even own a sewing machine, but I bought it as I was sucked in by the amazign aprons and beautiful prints. Also the way the patterns looked so "simple" and basic. I knew I could do it. So I bought it - months ago!

I bought myself a sewing machine with our tax refund. A lovely little starter Singer. It is awesome. Perfect for a beginner like me....but with enough variety of stitches for me to have some fun. I didn't want to go all crazy if it wasn't something I could get good at or enjoy.

Anyway....here are the cute little aprons I made over the past week.....the blue one with apples and pears I made this afternoon - start to finish. So much fun!

So what do you think? Leave me a comment and let me know. I am putting together a couple of giveaways and am thinking about including one of these. Which would you want to win?

Take Care,
Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Easter Egg Hunt!

Today was my little baby boy's first Easter Egg Hunt, and Jakob's real first one with other kids. Jake has done others in our house the past couple of years, but nothing like this. I am not sure if it was just put on by one of the churches, or if it was the city association, but it was huge! Lots of business in the neighbourhood sponsored it, and they needed that sponsorship. There were SO many kids there. It was a mob scene! And Jason overheard someone comment that they had laid out 25,000 eggs! Crazy, right? They had it pretty organized. They divided up the park lawns and spread out eggs everywhere. Each area was for a different age group, 1&2's, 3&4's...etc, etc. So Jason went with Aiden and I took Jakob. What a mad house. The boys weren't phased at all, they were loving it. It was a beautiful sunny day, probably in the low 80's, with a slight breeze. (yes, low 80's in April- I will surely melt this summer!)

Jakob blew through the field at an alarming pace, filling his bucket very fast. So we were able to quickly head over to the younger kiddo's field and see Aiden figure out what to do with the eggs!! He did a great job. Daddy carried the bucket and Aiden toddled around grabbing a few eggs.

Jakob would not stop for me to get a good photo - this is the best I got!

Aiden and Daddy hard at work....

Big Brothers are good helpers.....

More Easter Extravaganza tomorrow.... egg hunt at home, brunch out (thank goodness), egg hunt with friends, and then yummy dinner at home with all kinds of yummy treats - pics and recipes tomorrow!

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Take Care,

Tania Love Big, Bake Often

Froggy Fixation Friday

I am sorry to say that today's fixation is not chocolate. I have another fixation. Every since I was a very small child I have been collecting FROGS! My wonderful Aunt Karen nicknamed me Toady when I was very little, and it stuck. So for every birthday, Christmas, holiday of any kind, I received gifts and cards related to frogs. And I love it. And luckily Jason doesn't mind all the frogs in our house.

I was so excited when Jason told me that we have frogs hanging around the house. All different kinds; green ones, brown toads, tree frogs....it's super cool! So tonight as we were wrapping things up outside after Jason worked so hard to clean up the backyard and mowing, he pointed out this little guy...

Here he is clinging for dear life...

It was really cool to see this little guy hanging out on the side of the house. And the boys thought it was awesome. Aiden ran over and started "ribbiting"... when I got around to trying to tape it he ran away, but trust me it was super cute!

So this is my fixation for today...finding all the different frogs around our new home!!

What is your fixation for the day?

Take care,

Tania, Love Big, Bake Often

Quick and Easy

This has to be a quick post. I am juggling many things tonight and was hoping to give you a nice long blog about sex and "the talk"...more on that soon, I promise.



For today you get a video of my boys playing Elefun! Jakob got it from a friend for his birthday and loves playing it. The object of the game is to catch the butterflies as they are blown out the elephant's trunk. Very Exciting - to Jake...not so much to Aiden!

Hope you enjoy!

Take Care,

Tania Love Big, Bake Often