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.)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Things have been crazy over here, we've been dealing with fevers, attitudes, ear infections, and everything in between! 

So I have been M.I.A.  

But it's Valentine's Day, and I am back.  I just want to wish everyone a happy valentine's day! 

Spread a little love and enjoy the day. 

There's nothing wrong with giving extra love to your valentine, whether it's a sibling, friend, child, parent, or lover! 

I love seeing love! And I love giving love.  

So take the selfies, eat the candy, give the flowers...

Enjoy the day! 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! 

I will see ya'll tomorrow, I'll be back with a recipe. 

Kitchen Creations: Beef Teriyaki & Rice

There's a restauraunt nearby that serves Korean Beef Teriyaki over a spicy rice.  Well, it is delicious! It is also $13.  Which isn't very expensive, but it still isn't a price I am willing to pay every time I have a craving for it.

So I made it myself, and it's pretty delicious.  Now I'm going to share it, so I have a reference if I go a while without making it.  And because it's pretty good and cheap, and ya'll may like it, too! I've made this recipe twice for $7 - $10, and it feeds about 4 people.

The rice is super easy. I buy two boxes of jambalaya and follow the directions.  I just don't add any meat.

Then there's the beef: I buy whatever is on sale stew beaf or any steak.  If it's stew beef, make sure to cut it into small pieces, so the teriyaki flavor is in every bite.  Different cuts will have different flavors.  But if you're not a meat connosour, it isn't a big difference.  I season the beef with garlic powder, onion powder, and werchestershire sauce.  Just enough sauce that it's on every piece of meat, but not enough to wear the meat is swimming in it.

In a seperate bowl I make my own teriyaki sauce. I used to make teriyaki chicken a lot, so I have this down to a science.  I basically combine soy sauce and brown sugar until I reach my desired taste.  (If you don't have brown sugar, you can use a little honey and regular sugar.) You can make it to your own taste preference, so it won't be too sweet or too bitter.  You can also just use teriyaki sauce.

Then I drown the beef in the teriyaki sauce, and cooked it on medium in a skillet for about 30 minutes; I let the edges get slightly charred.

Plate the rice.  Top it with beef.

And it's an easy 30 minute dinner, that tastes like you went out to eat.

I made this scrumptious-ness twice in a week, and I am making it again next week.

Give A Little Love

Can you believe it is February already? 

Can you believe that Valentine's Day is in two short weeks?

With the holiday of love right around the corner, I just wanted to encourage everyone to spread a little extra love.  Any excuse to spread love is a good excuse.  So why not do some good in the name of Valentine's Day?  

My boys will be kicking off the two weeks of spreading love by carrying around rolls of stickers.  They are going to give the stickers away (or keep them), at their own discretion.  This gives them something to give, and the option to give.  My boys are sweethearts (usually), so I think it will be cute to see them give. They will secretly be earning stickers, for every good deed they do. Whether it's handing out stickers, or going out thier way to help another. And on Valentine's Day they will get a piece of candy for every sticker they have earned.  

We are also spending the next two weeks giving in another way. We are starting at home by sharing and donating Any items we don't use like toys, books, clothes, shoes, furniture, pots, etc. are all being given away to those that may need them. We will also be doing some things locally. On my to-do list is: give cards to nursing homes, visit nursing homes, participate in Project: Beautiful, send candy to local foster homes, make goody bags for the homeless, volunteer at soup kitchens, and give toiletries to local shelters. Obviously, we aren't going to get all this done, but we are going to try to check off as many as we can! 

One little thing can make a big difference to someone. And if our kids witness us trying to put good into the world and caring for others, maybe they will grow up and do the same! So try and spread some love this Valentine's Day.