Author: Sarah Marshall

Easter Basket Goodies Without the Sugar Crash

Posted on by Sarah Marshall

Easter Basket Goodies without the Sugar Rush

Since becoming mom, I’ve become less than a fan of “candy” holidays. And now that I think about it, it seems every holiday has become a candy holiday. When Brooke was little, it was a little easier to avoid candy because for one, she didn’t know what it was and B, she didn’t know to be expecting anything.

It’s gotten a little more challenging as she’s gotten older and the influence from TV, other kids and remember years past but I’ve come up some ideas to keep your kids’ Easter baskets from being a sugar crash waiting to happen.

Dot Paints

Play Dough & Accessories
Melissa and Doug Shape, Model & Mold Clay Play

Stickers

Cookie Cutters

Matchbox Cars

Playing Cards & Card Games
Melissa and Doug Smarty Pants - Preschool Card Set

Hair accessories

Bandages

Child’s Bible or Easter books

Movies

Sidewalk Chalk & Bubbles
Melissa and Doug Tootle Turtle Bubbles

Jump Rope, Frisbee or other Outdoor Toys
Melissa and Doug Clicker Crab Toss & Grip Game for Kids

Kid-sized Garden Tools
Melissa and Doug Blossom Bright Kids' Gardening Tote Set

Seed starter kits or seed packets

Bath Time Fun

Stuffed Animals

What other ideas do you have? Leave me a comment with some of the things you’re planning to put in your kiddos baskets this year!

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Linked to: TheBetterMom.com

St. Patrick’s Day Snack Mix {Recipe}

Posted on by Sarah Marshall

UPDATE 2016: Check out the video of Brooke, Leah and I making this fun St. Patrick’s Day snack mix!!

St Patrick's Day Snack Mix

We made this St. Patrick’s Day snack mix for the first time in 2011 when Brooke was 2.5. I happened across the recipe last week and thought it would be fun to make with her again. It will also be a great addition to Pajama Day and Leprechaun Hunt at her school today!!

If I look at these pictures too long, I just might cry. She’s so grown up!!

M&Ms    Sorting M&Ms w/ watermark

As you can see, sorting the green M&Ms is a great job for all ages of kiddos as well as crushing the pretzels and measuring out the cereals. This year Brooke was also a big help making the sugar/butter/syrup mixture and spreading the finished snack mix onto the wire racks for cooling.

St. Patrick's Day Snack Mix

Print Recipe
Course Snacks & Dips
Servings 20

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Lucky Charms cereal
  • 2 cups Corn Chex cereal
  • 1.5 cups broken mini-pretzel twists (about 65 twists)
  • 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 Tbsp corn syrup
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup green M&Ms

Instructions
 

  • In a large microwavable bowl, mix the cereals, pretzels & peanuts; set aside.
  • In a 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup on High about 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth.
  • Stir in baking soda until dissolved.
  • Pour brown sugar, butter, corn syrup mixture over the cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
  • Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl every 30 seconds, just until cereal begins to brown.
  • Cool 5 minutes; stir in M&M candies.
  • Spread on waxed paper to cool; break into bite-sized pieces.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Do you cook or bake anything special for St. Patrick’s Day?

Currently – Pi Day

Posted on by Sarah Marshall

Watching – Archer, We just got into this show this winter and breezed through the 1st and 2nd season on Netflix before the 4th premiered. The 3rd season just became available on Netflix and Keith and I have watched at least an episode a night since. It’s not PC in the least so be prepared to laugh at things you know you really shouldn’t.
Archer
Craving – Pie, thanks to scrolling through my Instagram feed (Happy Pi Day!) I’m not usually a huge pie fan but right now, I want my mom’s chocolate chip pie (w/ ice cream on top, of course), some banana cream or maybe lemon meringue…wonder if Keith will be mad at me for bringing a pie home tonight??

Looking – Out the window behind my desk anxiously waiting for Spring! Last weekend’s weather was so nice that I’ve totally got the itch for warmer weather. I’m ready to pull out my flip flops and capris and feel some sun on my skin!

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Still looking a little brown but we’re getting there!

Loving – Cloth Diaper Deals & Giveaways, It’s true – buying fluff gets addictive but one of the reasons we do it is to save money so I gotta be smart about it. So I’m constantly on the hunt for a good deal and entering giveaways and actually having fun doing it!

Planning – Our Garden, I say I’m going to every year but this year, we’re doing it! I kinda want to plant all.the.veggies! but am going to remember to start small. Looking forward to some tomatoes and green peppers, maybe some peas for Brooke…yum!

Joining the Currently Link-Up cohosted by Ot and Et and Harvesting Kale

HK