Spring Activities

Since it's officially Spring, I'm going to put up my list of activities to-do with the kids. Right now, we're more focused on Easter crafts, but next week we're going to start back checking things off our list! Some of these activities are completely obvious and others not so much. But maybe it'll help someone with their "what to do" dilemma. And the list makes a useful point of reference for me. 

1. Park
2. Roller Skating /Biking/ Skateboarding. ...you know, feet on wheels?
3. Bubble Play
4. Pool Play (I actually blogged about this, you can read that here. It's definitely something we're going to do again this year! )
5. Walks/Jogs
6. Milkshakes/Ice Cream
7. Painting Outside . Let the kids paint the yard in washable paint, it'll rain eventually!
8. Spring Photos
9. Rainy Day Outdoor Play - it's the perfect whether to play in the rain! We jumped puddles and danced in the rain the other day during our walk.
10. Cookout- the kids can help prep the food and you can enjoy a dinner under the stars/clouds/sun.
11. Field day. This is me reliving my childhood and giving them one all at one time. One leg races, bobbing for apples, tug of war, dodgeball; our family is gonna play it all!
12. Star Gazing ...or take it a step further with backyard camping or just go camping
13. Hiking. I wouldn't do this, because I'm not one with nature, but my husband plans on doing this with our boys.
14. Fishing. Again, another one I won't participate in.
15. Shopping Spree. It's nice to just let the kids blow $25 at Dollar Tree every once in a while. And letting them help pick out their much needed Spring/Summer clothes is a must do!
16. Chalk. Bring back hop scotch!
17. Slip n Slide. This is more fun than a pool, because you get muddy.
18. Sports. It's a good time to play some football, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. Or to practice flips and cheers.
19. Water balloon fights.
20. Nature Exploration. Find bugs and plants, observe and discuss them.
21. Outdoor Interactive Story Time. Change of scenery.
22. Gardening.

I'll probably add to the list if I think of anything else they want to do, or if they think of anything else they want to do.  But for now, we'll have tons of fun focusing on the 22 items already listed. 

Kitchen Creations: Buttaaa Chicken

Seriously, ya'll there's nothing butta than this chicken.  (I had to share one of my many puns I dish out when making this chicken.)

There's a whole lot of healthier things to eat, but we put our butter chicken on top of salad so that kind of balances it out, right? 

This is my husbands favorite chicken recipe, but I only use it with salad. And since chicken salad is one of our weekly go-to's, as you can probably tell (I have at least 4 posts mentioning salad).  I probably cook this once or twice a month.  

Like I said the recipe isn't for the health conscious, but it is delicious and super easy.  And it's so perfect on top of salad.  

I  take a cup/one stick of butter, 3 chicken breasts cut into chunks, and my choice of seasoning, and throw them in a iron skillet on medium.  I stir every 3 to 4 minutes, and the chicken is done in 15-20 minutes. It's not a lot of work at all.  

If you're wondering, my seasonings of choice are: basil, onion powder, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, lemon pepper, pepper, and a little bit of spice (hot sauce, pepper flakes, etc.).  I skip the salt on this one because there's so much butter.  But I change my seasoning occasionally, and the butter chicken always comes out perfect.  So if you ever try it, just season to taste and do what's comfortable.

Deliciousness is butta few steps away.

  

The Number Train

Today we "rode the number train".  Well, we actually just completed a counting/pattern activity I randomly decided to do with the boys.  But it was referred to as the number train.

I printed out different rail cars that I found on clip art and the numbers 1-14.  

I then cut out and pasted the cars together (Why didn't I just print out one long train?), and I cut out and put tape on the back of all the numbers.  

I let my boys do the rest. They counted the rail cars and took turns finding and placing the correct numbers unto the cars. 

And once they were all numbered, we discussed the patterns and reviewed counting and number recognition.  (I also get bonus points for remembering to ask color questions).

My train was way bigger than I intended it to be, so we ended up throwing it away when we were done.  But my boys enjoyed the train enough that I made a self vow to make it again, in felt or with Velcro. They definitely want to do the activity again, and it's pretty flexible so I can add different things to it, like letters or sight words.  

The number train may soon be "the educational train".  I will share the reusable version once it's made, but for now I will just reprint the paper one...just way smaller.

Kitchen Creations: "Homemade" Croutons

Quick kitchen creation today! 

I had the displeasure of overcooking the garlic bread the other week. I've been having a lot of those kind of days lately.

Well, one man's trash can be the same man's treasure.  

My overcooked, but not quite burnt garlic bread may not have been the best bread, but it became the perfect croutons for our salad.  

Seriously, y'all we all loved the bursts of flavor; I'm never buying croutons again! 

Simply bake garlic bread until the top and bottom is hard, but not burnt. (I think it took me like 30 minutes to do this. I'm not completely sure, because I didn't over bake the bread on purpose.) 

Then cut it up, and toss it on top of a salad.  

Easy & you can add that you make the best homemade croutons to your list of cooking accomplishments! 

Black History Month

I know March is here! But my kids did a presentation for Black History Month, and I am still a little obsessed with it. 

Their grandparents, aunt, and uncles came over and my boys put on quite the performance! 

While I am not sharing the video of their presentation, I can't help but share the slideshow they made. 

They picked the slides, the pictures, and the placement and size of the pixtures.  And they recorded their lines.  The sound isn't the best, but the slideshow is just a gem.  

So I decided to share it with the world! 

Kids, Music, & Education

Yesterday, I was in mood.  It was one of the worst days I have had in a while.  

Today was better, but I was still not completely my sunshine-and-rainbows-self.  But life goes on, and I have to roll with it whether I feel like it or not.  We have a Black History Month Presentation that we're doing on the evening of the 28th; I really needed to get some work done with the boys today.  

So I sang.  

Singing lifts my mood, and my boys learn quickly through song.

And today, I happened to catch the attention of little Miss Noelle. 

That's 4 birds, one stone.  

Skyland and Noelle are karaoke people, they sing dance and clap along.  Azariah is my music appreciation guy, he sits listens and smiles; Sometimes he may hum or sing lowly, sometimes.  But they were all interested and participating in ther own way.  

Randomly throughout the day, at 5 to 15 minute intervals we sang.  We reviewed what they already knew, and they learned a lot of new things.  They even had a few Black History Facts to tell Daddy this evening.  

Songs are how they are/were taught the days of the week, months, how to spell their names, counting, the alphabet (obviously), continents, and now history.  Next it'll be the periodic table! (Well, maybe in some years...after I learn it myself).  And if there isn't a song for what I teach, I pick a familiar melody and put together a few lines that rhyme or kind of rhyme.  

Today I made a song about the old cowboys.  It's not a great song, but it's informative and the kids loved it.  Good enough for me!

To put it simply, music is art. Art sparks creativity, originality, and individuality.  

Music is fun, and it can be educational.  It is one of the strongest and most effective teaching tools, especially for younger minds.  And utilizing it makes me feel like I'm not only bonding with my kids, but giving them a head start. 

Kitchen Creations: Chicken & Potato Casserole

Ever had one of those days where you just don't care? 

Well, today I'm sharing my I dont care enough to care meal! It's also my I ran out of grocery money meal.  So this dinner isn't just easy and one-pan, it's frugal! 

The meal isn't the cutest thing on the planet, and I am usually in a mood when I make it, so I don't have any photos of it... 

You need: 
Butter
Cut up Precooked Chicken (Yes, use those leftovers! But if the chicken isn't precooked, it will still work, just make sure it is in little bits.)
Potatoes
Broccoli
Cheddar
Salt
Pepper
Parsley
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder

1. Cut the potatoes into chunks.
2. Throw the potatoes chicken and broccoli into a skillet, pan or crockpot.
3. Season and add butter to taste.

I do not use measurements with this recipe, but they aren't really necessary...Everything is pretty much to your need and preference, which is why this is my "I don't care meal".  I'm literally throwing stuff into a pot. 

4. Bake at 400 for about an hour.
Or cook in the crockpot on low for 4 hours.
Or add a little water and cook in the skillet on medium for 45 minutes, stirring occassionally.
(It's done when the potatoes can easily be stabbed with a fork, and the chicken is cooked through.)

5. Add the cheese 10 minutes before the meal is done, or after the meal is done.

And that's it. Easy, not-so-fast, but definitely easy. It's not the most delicious homemade meal, but no one will go to bed hungry! It's a loaded baked potato in casserole form, I don't think anyone will complain. (Assuming everyone is a baked potato fan.)