Teacher Gift Troubles?

Anyone in the same boat as me?  Having trouble putting together an end-of-the-year gift for all those much loved teachers?

I really adore my kids' teachers and I want to be able to thank them appropriately for all their hard work.  I just couldn't handle going to one of my old stand-by gifts this time around.  Nothing says, "Thanks for all your dedication" like a candle or antibacterial soap...blahhhhh!  I had to get out of my rut!!!

I decided to take a quick spin around the Christmas Tree Shop (and when I say quick, I mean two crabby kids in tow and an ice cream cake turning into soup in the car).   Well, I scored!!!!  I found these adorable printed pitchers, picnic sets, napkins, and hot dog and hamburger holders.  I threw in some ice tea K-Cups and mini paper umbrellas and Ta-da!  We are set!

As you can see by the price tags (don't worry, I removed them) this was not a pricey gift by any means.  By my calculations, each gift cost about $7.00.  Also, it works for both male and female teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

It's like a picnic in a pitcher!  How cute!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, guess what?!?!  I don't even need a gift bag!  Just throw on some ribbon and a gift tag and it's complete ;)

 

 

 

 

Any great suggestions?  Let's hear them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mo Summer, No Problems!!

If you're anything like me, you have mixed emotions about summer break.  Don't get me wrong, I love having all three gremlins cherubs home 24/7, but its quite a bit of work!  Mine seem to require constant stimulation, always needing to be wow'd with new and exciting activities.  I'm trying, really I am!

Here are a few of my tips for making summertime run a bit smoother.  Anything helps, right?

1.) Scour all your local websites for free or low cost events.  We're talking malls, libraries, parks and recreation, townships, movie theaters...ANYWHERE!  You'll be pleased with what you find, $1 movies, free outdoor movie nights, story times, etc.  I take out my calendar in late spring and start filling it up.  It feels good to see those little squares full with activities ;)

2.) Emily and I both keep a small convenient store in our cars.  It seems as if these little boogers are constantly "starrrrrrving."  It doesn't matter if we've just eaten a meal, if they see, smell, and even hear the sound of a food wrapper, they're instantly hungry.  Keeping non-perishable snacks and drinks in our car drastically cuts down on costs, especially when you're visiting an amusement park.

3.) I keep a basket in our laundry room of beach towels and bathing suits.  The fellas love water activities, especially our inflatable water "oasis."  It's great that they enjoy outdoor activities, but on a warm day they are in and out at least 3 times.  Keeping a stash downstairs keeps me from running up and down the stairs a million times (not that I couldn't use the exercise).

4.) Keep a bottle of sunblock here, there, and everywhere.  I keep some in my purse, car, and in my laundry room.  It's a great reminder to always slather it on the kiddies.  Plus, you never know when the mood will strike you for outdoor fun.

5.) Ask teachers for summer work to cut down on "summer slack."  I also pick up workbooks at the dollar store to supplement.  I make sure to set aside a half an hour 5 days a week for the boys to do school work.  At first they complain (no surprise), but eventually it becomes routine.

6.) I try to set aside an envelope of "Summer Fun" money.  Our neighborhood has a yard sale in the spring.  Any money I make from the sale goes into an envelope to use towards summer activities.  Having this money set aside helps me with budgeting.  Before heading off to an event I estimate how much we'll need.  This alleviates over-spending on food, souvenirs, etc.

Any tips?  Please share!

Here's to a HAPPY and low stress summer ;)

Get Better Soup

Things have been really gross around our house for the past week. I've dealt with a plethora of bodily fluids from my kids this week and our entire house needs Lysol'd. So, if you've missed hearing from me.....and I know you have ;).....that's why.

As I mentioned the last time you and I chatted, I'm using this time to brainstorm. While I love imagining new projects around the house, I've mainly been thinking up and testing new recipes. Here is my $3 "Get Better Soup" recipe that can feed your entire family.  It's soooo good!  

Keep this in mind before getting your ingredients together....  The amount of ingredients I'm calling for is because I made this for lunch. However, you can easily make this for dinner and just add two extra potatoes, carrots, celery, and more meat. 

Ingredients you'll need:

Two russet potatoes - peeled and cubed

Two large carrots - peeled and diced

One large parsnip - peeled and diced

Two celery stalks - diced

Before you begin chopping your veggies, add about twelve cups of water to a stockpot and bring to a boil. Then add 4 beef or chicken bouillon cubes. After a ton of testing out bouillon, I swear by the Knorr brand. 

If you use a different brand of bouillon you'll probably need to add a bit more because they may be a smaller size than Knorr's. 

Next ingredients:

One cup of chopped beef or chicken - this doesn't have to be added, but if you have some leftover from the night before, by all means, add it. :)

1/2 lb pasta - I used farfalle, but only because that's what I had on hand. If you have rotini, egg noodles, macaroni, etc., feel free to use it. 

Preparation:

Here's the deal with how easy this is to cook. Once the water is boiling and the bouillon is dropped in the water, add all of your veggies and meat, if you're adding meat. Let it cook at a boil for about ten minutes. 

In the meantime, cook your pasta in a separate pot according to the directions on the box.  Are you wondering why I cook the pasta in a different pot?  To me, if you cook the pasta in the soup it gets too starchy and tastes more like a gravy-ish soup.  Gravy-ish isn't a real word?  Well, it should be.  :) 

Once everything is cooked, add some pasta to your bowls then ladle some of your delicious broth and veggies over the pasta. 

Taste it quick. Do you like it?!?