Zucchini Carrot Muffins

I found this recipe on About.com . I made a few modifications and they turned out awesome!!

• 2/3 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce (instead of the oil)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (changed amount from original)
• 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed (changed amount from original)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole wheat flour (instead of white flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
• 1 cup finely shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup of raisins

Preparation:

Heat oven to 375°. In a mixing bowl, beat the oil with eggs, sugars, and vanilla extract.
Combine the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; add to the wet ingredients; stirring until blended. Fold in the shredded zucchini and carrots.
Fill greased muffin cups about 3/4 full; sprinkle. Bake for 20 minutes. Makes 12.

Grocery Shopping Sanity!

As of late, grocery shopping has become a bit of a chore. I have to make sure I am saddled with food, and toys before setting out in order to maintain my sanity.

Today I decided enough was enough, and I came up with an idea that worked miracles. First of all, I separated the two girls. The littlest is on top, and the oldest is in the bottom of the cart. Then I created a grocery list just for her. I copied pictures of items that we generally use every week into a word template. Then I created a check list on the side. I cut out the front page of a binder that has the plastic sleeve on the front. I stuck in the grocery list, and gave her one of her Crayola Dry Erase Crayons. It was awesome, and she had a ton of fun. She had to show everyone in the store! They were as good as angels, hooray!!

Link to Crayola Dry Erase Crayons

Dressing Practise Boards

My toddler loves to fasten things all by herself. So I decided to make some dressing practise boards. I wanted to do something quick and easy. I also wanted to recycle things from around the house.
I fully intend on doing more than two, but this was my first attempt. I have to say the first two took me around 3 hours of precious nap time!!

For the jean zipper and button, I used the zipper section, and part of a paint leg from some old painting jeans.

I first cut up the jeans, and used the leg as the covering for the board. I then cut out the zipper and used the applique stitch on my sewing machine.

The second board which is the snaps, was from an old baby sleeper that was ripped. I cut out the snaps and the back from the sleeper for the front, and sewed them together.


I learned a lot about myself in this project, between swearing and cursing.

1. I really don't like sewing - it is a means to an end.
2. I usually dive in, without thinking about what I need to do. Which in the long run takes a lot more time!
3. I don't read instructions
4. I am a danger to machinery - my poor sewing machine. I hope it will be okay.

I hope my daughter will enjoy these!!

Cool Colander Alien

I borrowed this idea from the Blog Home Learning From Birth. We started the project this morning using pipe cleaners and a colander. The object is to lace the pipe cleaners through the holes of the colander. When she was done, she told me it needed ears, eyes, and a mouth! I got out the craft stuff, and she just went with it. So this is now her new alien hat. She is excited to show daddy.

Singing on the Brain

I think it is instinctive that when a baby is tired, or sad, we sing to them. As they grow we use this wonderful technique less and less. I starting singing to the girls in the morning and at night from the time they were babies. Now it is a part of our routine. In the morning, we sing:

Good morning, good morning, good morning,

 It's time to rise and shine.
Good morning, good morning, good morning,
I hope you are feeling fine.
Come on, get up, get out of bed,
It's time to raise your sleepy head.
The day is calling out to you,
Hello, hello, hello!

Then at night my husband and I usually sing:

Lullaby, and good night.
Little "name of child" sleep tight.
Rest from your big busy day
And tomorrow we will play.
Close your eyes, rest you head.
Get tucked into bed.
Say your prayers, count some sheep,
And go softly to sleep.

For the baby, when she is sad I always sing Edelweiss.

Then I found once my daughter was a year and a half, she wanted to sing more and more. I also found singing a very useful tool to divert her attention, especially when she had to do something she did not want. For instance, when the weather was getting nasty, she started fighting me on our daily walks (we have a large dog who requires walks - so this was a non-negotiable). I started singing with her for the whole walk. Now it has become our routine, and she is learning a lot of songs!

At first I was embarrassed when my neighbours would stare, but I have found that singing makes everyone feel good. Only problem was, that I never remember the words. So I made up a song book for my daughter for Christmas. I found most of the words at either  Teacher's Guide  or Bus Songs . I included little pictures with the words so that when she flips through she can identify the songs.When we find a new song, we just add it to the binder. I have also given this as gifts, and it is always well received.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing. ~William James