Fantasy Magic and Fun in your living room

On rainy days like this, there is nothing I would rather do then sit around with my husband and watch movies.     The Not so perfect House wife is giving away a Disney movie called The Black Cauldron.

 Giving away a movie?!  Oh the thought of winning it and watching it today makes my heart flutter!

 Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the movie, Disney re-released it on DVD.  I vaguely remember watching with my younger brother, but I am tempted now to go and rent it to relive my childhood!I  Stop by Not So Perfect Housewife's site and check it out!

Monday monday

The dreaded B word. I loathe the word. I'll whisper it to you know what I mean...I hate the word bored. AH. I hate even typing it! I am as a child, I may have tossed that word around a time or two, but I am finding that more and more kids can not seem to occupy themselves! What gives?!

This summer I am hoping to get alot of projects done that perhaps fell by the wayside this year. We also have planned a lot of fun day trips, but certainly not one for every day! Therefore, it is up to Little to occupy himself when we are not entertaining him with circus events, fairs and carnivals, and museum trips. Following me around the house looking mopey is NOT a friendly experience!

What I like most about this is that some of the activities are clearly CHORES.

And I don't know what is stopping a child from just picking again till they get something they want to do.....like play video games. hmmm. This is something I need to think about.Somewhat Simple created a "Bored Jar" and I really like its presentation (which is everything!).

The idea is to come up with a list of things to do, fun and not-so-fun, so when the child is feeling bored, they can entertain themselves. The list that I came up with has over 20 activities, though some of them are repeated (like dusting and cleaning!). Below is an example of the lists I am using for the jar.

Another blog that had a fabulous "Bored Jar" was KMcKay Designs. The fonts she uses are so darn cute! She also has a ton of other fun activities for kids to make - if you want to check it out!

Summer has never been so crafty!!

The World Spins On

Another spins out of this world. Corey Haim. He was someone I remember when I was younger, and thought was just adorable. I found out this morning - that he has passed away. I don't know why I am saddened by this, but I am.

It could be that I secretly was obsessed with vampires, as I had memorized (and probably still could recite) the entire movie of Buffy and the Vampire Slayer. With that being said, Lost Boys came in as a close second.

Other movies Corey Haim starred in:

License to Drive - This was an amusing movie about boys getting their license at 16 (which in my state of NJ - is unheard of!), and all the trouble that comes with it. I love that Heather Graham is in this, as I didn't even realize it until I went back and watched it again.

Dream a Little Dream - I haven't seen this movie in years. But I remember it better a romance comedy - something I am a sucker for. A little elder/young soul body switch-a-roo? I may have to rent it and take a watch again.

Though I am not surprised by his death, in fact - I was surprised he was still alive. But it blows my mind how fragile people are, and most people don't handle their lives with care.

Here's to those that are gone. May they be in a better place, without pain, without sorrow. May others learn from their mistakes.

Muffin Tin Me

I don't know how I have survived 28 years of living, and never heard of Muffin Tin Lunch. How wonderful for someone who doesn't like to make choices, and wants a little bit of everything. I think it's more advertised for kids, but I don't see why adults can't have this too! It not only is fun, but also can help with portion control....something I am lacking. completely. I'm thinking about the variety, and all the fun ways to display. Since this isn't a new concept (except to me!) I posted all the neat-o pics I found on the subject. Probably the most appealing aspect to this way of eating are the themes. Women have created a muffin tin lunch based on holidays, favorite books, movies, hobbies.....again, so many choices!!

Sycamore Stirrings based the muffin lunch on the book Mouse Mess by Linnia Riley. It is a story of a mouse (eek!) who creates a mess snacking and munching his way through the kitchen. The creator of this muffin tin picked the food mentioned in the book.

Another book/muffin tin lunch I found is based off of Goodnight Moon. I remember this book because as a kid, my younger cousin would read this religiously! Life in Gator Land created moon sandwiches and cheese stars.
My brother's favorite book as a child was The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar - and perhaps this muffin tin lunch would have gone a long way in his eyes! My Little Gems did a fabulous job listing the foods included on the menu. Thanks!!

THE MENU: chocolate cake, a go-yogurt, pickle, string cheese, ham, applesauce muffin, tomato wedges, and some peaches (had to eat something healthy with all that junk!)
Probably my favorite tin meal is based on the book, Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kahn. It's adorable, pink and so very cute! This is an amusing book about a girl who eats too many pink cupcakes (perhaps was this me as a kid?), and turns pink. I just love all the treats in this muffin tin - and I especially like the heart shaped tin. It definitely adds character to an already fun meal!

If you want to join in on the fun, you can join Sycamore Stirrings and be part of the Muffin Tin Mondays. I think if I find the time, I just might join :) Though I may be the only one without children on the site. hehe

First Birthday Par-tay!

What do you do when you want a big blow out for a one year old?

To throw a proper party, you need the following:

Balloons

Party Banners

Cookies

Party Hats

and lastly....The birthday boy/girl!

Balloons

To celebrate a beautiful baby's first birthday, I am helping create a balloon arch. Who knew there were so many different designs?? If you wanted to be technical, here are some directions.

http://www.balloons-galore.net/balloon_arch_info.cfm

At Balloons Galore, they give you very specific directions how to create the arch of your dreams. The only arch I am familiar with his the golden arches of McDonald's.

Birthday Banner

I downloaded the font of Circus so it closely resembles that of a circus from the early 1920s - and I just love it! I plan on making a Happy Birthday sign out of paper. Hopefully, the end result will look something like this:

All you need is a printer, paper, scissors, and a creative mind!

Cookies

What screams a birthday more than a colorful cookie? nothing. This recipe below is sure to make all the kids at the party scream for more....

Directly from the M&M Baking website, here is the recipe that MMMars feels is worth your while.

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup M&M’S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Beat sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Stir in 2/3 cup M&M’S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press several additional M&M’S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candiesinto each cookie. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.

According to the recipe, it makes about 5 dozen cookies 2 1/2 inches big.

yum yum!

Party outfits

So I don't really know how I feel about "birthday" shirts or outfits. However, I find this dress incredibely adorable. I think if they had one in size 12 women, I would wear this for my 30th.

I found it on Sophia's style.

I love this shirt for a boy - and whooo doesn't love owls? Though, I personally think the pants are a little too much for my taste.

Whatever your reason might be to throw a party, nothing is as fun as preparing for a kid's birthday party!! Happy Early Birthday Aiden!!

Fish eggs? Marshmallows? What?!

Wikipedia's definition of sushi:

Sushi (寿司, 鮨, or 鮓^?) is vinegar rice, topped with other ingredients, such as fish.

Kara's definition of sushi:

a ricey goodness that I unfortunately crave once every ten days.

Things you don't need but if you had a place for it would definitely find comfort in your home:

Sushi Service for Two: Adorable serving set for enjoying sushi at home

I think what wins me over with this set is the little men. They are adorable!

Sushi on my brain? Also found this clever recipe for cookies...

I stumbled upon this website Cake Batter and Bowl!

Ingredients

8 chewy fruit rolls

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (10-ounce) package miniature marshmallows

6 cups crisp rice cereal

16 worm-shaped chewy candies or 24 fish-s

haped chewy candies

Preparation

Unroll fruit rolls, and place, with plastic sheet down, on cutting board.

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add marshmallows, stirring until melted; remove from heat. Stir in rice cereal until blended.

Spread about 1/2 cup cereal mixture quickly over each fruit roll, leav

ing a 1-inch border on 1 long side. Arrange 2 worm-shaped candies or 3 fish-shaped candies lengthwise down center of cereal mixture.

Roll up, starting at side without border. Press to seal securely. Repeat

procedure with remaining fruit rolls, cereal mixture, and candies.

Cut each roll into 4 slices. Serve with chopsticks, if desired.

Okay....so if you don't like sweets, this isn't the recipe for you :) But for me, its heaven! Though I still enjoy soy sauce and shrimp in my sushi!!!

As a student of mine says it- Sue-seeeeeeeeee!!!

In addition to candy sushi, real sushi men sets, there are also wooden sushi sets! How wonderful! Now you can introduce your little Mini Me to sushi at an infant age!

This wooden sushi set, created by Melissa & Doug (my favorite toy maker!), is absolutely adorable! Utilizing the magic of Velcro, the included chopsticks allow me er, I mean Baby, to pick up sliced off sushi roll pieces. The sushi roll pieces Velcro together to form a sushi log that Baby can chop using the included wooden knife (!). This is one way to raise a lil Foodie!

Mortimer should be all mine

Picture Pages,

Picture Pages,

Time to get your Picture Pages,

Time to get your crayons and your pencils!

Picture Pages, Picture Pages,

Open up your Picture Pages,

Time to watch Bill Cosby do a Picture Page with you!

Now that you know the words, you can sing along - Picture Pages. Expect the song to happily stick in your memory.

Picture Pages was a short, educational TV show where Bill Cosby would interact with you, the viewer, doing fun activities in an activity book. Picture Pages originated on Captain Kangaroo in the 1970s and then it spun off to its own show. You could get your Picture Pages puzzle booklets from local supermarket chains or send away for them. It was fun working with silly Bill Cosby (and his Mortimer Ichabod marker) as you completed each activity together. The way he interacted with you as you went through the activity book was like he was on the same page with you and in fact he was - Picture Pages.

You can play with Picture Pages,Fill your day with Picture Pages,‘Till Bill Cosby does another Picture Page with you!

If you were lucky enough to have experienced this show first hand, wasn’t it great?

I just wish I could have a Mortimer of my very own!

Where have I been? only one zip code matters

life has a funny way of creeping up on you then biting you square in the bottom and I feel that I have been gone for too long! I missed writing. I missed reading. I missed searching for things to report on...

Now that work is back in session, I shall have more time to report :)

Also - with this week brings all the new shows like 90210. Now, compared to the 1990 version which I hold in high standards and for one reason only -
luke perry.

no zipcode competes with one that has this face.

Where have I been?

Last week was a crazy time - finishing finals and grading....and the weekend was a time of rest/caos. I start work again tomorrow (Summer School!) so this post is deticated to children. I will be teaching four precious 4/5 year old boys with severe disabilities - 3/4 of the class have no speech - it will be, at the very least, a quiet experience! :) I am excited, yet nervous.

I LOVE European toys - I grew up on Ravenburger games. Still, to this day, they are my favorite. I feel they are well designed and fun. They are timeless.

My favorite recent toy company is HABA. Currently, I am obbessed with the knight theme - for anything. I love this game - Castle Knights. I think cooperative games are most important - it's not always about winning!

Quack Quack is cute enough to hold its own! The pieces all fit inside a drawstring bag, so this game can go anywhere with you. By the company Blue Orange , wooden games seem to be their thing

This strategy game is supposed to improve brainpower - which is something I could definitely use :) Pixel is a game that offers fun right away. The directions are not difficult, and up to four people can play. I feel this is alot like another game I used to play when I was younger....but the name escapes me!