gray.

Everything is just gray. Not so fun after our almost 60 degree day yesterday. The girls are finally still and calm. Finally. Veggies Tales is playing, popcorn has been popped and Lauren is napping. sigh. It's been kind of a rough one here but I wanted to share a few things...

First - the best resource for cheap, healthy recipes - HillbillyHousewife. Obviously chew the meat and spit out the bones, but for the most part this is a great resource for those of us who live on a budget.

Second - the recipe for chewy granola bars. They are great for hiding healthy stuff your kids won't eat, cheap to make and completely delicious. Here it is:

  • 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (I use less than this, probably closer to 1/4 cup.)
  • 2 cups of raisins, dried fruit, nuts, flax seeds, chocolate chips, etc.
Mix flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter , honey and brown sugar until smooth. Slowly add in oats, mixing until all are incorporated, then add your raisins, etc. Pat into lightly greased 9x13 pan and bake at 325* for about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, cut into bars. Then allow to fully cool before removing from pan. I keep mine in the fridge so they stay moist.

Third - This recipe needs some work I think but still made good teething biscuits. Lauren liked them but I was thinking they'd be a little harder. Maybe more flour? Hm. We'll have to see. Here's the recipe - 1 c. baby cereal, 1 c. flour, 1 c. fruit juice. Mix all and refrigerate for 1 hr. Roll out of floured board to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into rounds. Then bake on greased cookie sheet for 40 minutes at 350*.

And last .... Would anyone be willing to share their cleaning schedules? I haven't kept mine up for longer than I'd like to admit and need some inspiration. Also what chores do your kids (or did you do) as young children? I need more ideas for the girls, as they need things to occupy their little hands in the afternoons.
Lael is pretty capable to do most jobs - bathrooms, dishes, laundry, sweeping, etc. But Alyssa isn't there yet and I have to come up with something besides dusting. Even though she is one great duster! Any thoughts?

Comments

  1. You know what I love for babies is those baby feeders. They have a plastic handle and a mesh part where you can put any food in it you want and they can chomp on it through the mesh. It can get a little messy if what you put in is too soft but no choking hazard and dishwasher safe! I know they sell them at Target and sometimes at Toys R Us. When I find a link I will let you know. Because of this new feeder/teether Josiah never had to eat gerber. He just ate what we were eating through it!
    -Randi

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  2. I am the queen of chore charts, just ask my kids. E-mail me if you want to talk more about it. :)

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  3. http://www.babysafefeeder.com
    I have this one which I found at the Toys R Us store and I also found another type from a different company at Target. I think I prefer this one better, it's easier to clean than the other kind I have.

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  4. 401 Ways to Get your Kids to Work ARound the House - has great charts and lists in the back recommending chores for all age groups. Love it.

    A few ideas:
    - emptying dishwasher
    - setting table
    - emptying garbages
    - making organized shelves orderly again
    - folding simple laundry (washcloths, play t-shirts, etc.)
    - wiping cupboard fronts
    - wiping baseboards
    - tidying closet floors

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  5. I came here this morning to tell you about "Darlene's" book, after remembering it last night. I see she beat me to it. :)

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  6. hmm. I just commented, but now I don't see it. So, here it is again...

    Kate does a lot of stuff around the house to help me. Her regular jobs are:
    -feeding the cat
    -unloading the silverware
    -taking care of her dirty clothes
    -taking care of dirty napkins after each meal

    Sometimes she helps me clean lightswitches and doorknobs, and will clean anything with a baby wipe. I like to have her wash the doors, doorjams, and cupboard fronts. She can straighten the shoes by the front door, and is learning to help set the table.

    This site has some good ideas too. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PreschoolersandPeace/136910/

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  7. the rest of that link says: "/136910/"

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  8. I tried to think through things I have Bronwyn do that Alyssa could do, too. Bronwyn's daily chores are:

    -tidy shoes by front door
    -put away silverware (from dishwasher)
    -dust
    -sweep kitchen (she uses the small hand broom and dustpan)
    -set breakfast and dinner table
    -putting away her clean laundry (sometimes this results in drawers that are a bit less tidy than I like, but I figure it's more important that she's learning-- and she does do well with keeping shirts, pants, tights, socks, underwear, etc. separated!)

    She also does her morning and bedtime chore routine, which includes putting dirty clothes in the laundry room and putting clean clothes away, tidying her room, and making her bed (in addition to getting dressed, brushing teeth, washing face & hands, etc.).

    Daniel bought me 401 Ways... for Christmas and I read it in 1 day! It had some great ideas in it. I highly recommend at least getting it from the library; personally, I think it's a worthwhile book to purchase so that you can keep it on your bookshelf and re-read it as you need fresh inspiration!

    As far as a cleaning schedule goes, I should probably just e-mail you my new and revised one. It seems like I have to change it up every new season since different areas of the house get messier depending on the outdoor weather-- and also just to get myself back on track.

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