Being a Soccer Mom

Well, with another boy on the way, I figured I need to get settled into my role as a soccer mom. We signed up Owen for soccer at our local Rec center and boy was that a hoot to watch. There's no rhyme or reason to three year-olds running down the field, but boy was it cute!

Easy Apple Cake

I came across this recipe for Easy Apple Cake on the Bakerella web site when it was first posted back in September and I finally used it for the first time this weekend. It was my contribution to our Ward's Much & Mingle today and it was a HUGE hit! I must have had at least 5 sisters seek me out and comment on it and ask for the recipe. Even a sister who was not there today had heard about it before dinner time! ;-) So, I thought I'd share the goodness. I have to admit it was good. And I'll also admit that it arrived with a corner missing - well, I had to check it was okay! ;-)

Enjoy! :-9

(Picture from Bakerella)

The 15 Money Rules Kids Should Learn…

Rob, being a finance guy, sent me this article and I felt that it was blog worthy. 

The 15 Money Rules Kids Should Learn (link to full article)

 

Do the potty dance…

I had a request for a potty training post so here it is.

So, it wasn’t my idea to try to potty train James again before he was three but Rob wanted to.  It was a weekend and he was home so I figured what the hey, let’s try it.  Many of you might know that I tried potty training James once before for a day and it didn’t end well.  He just wasn’t quite ready.  This time went much better and here are a few things that I did differently then last. 

1.  I decided I wasn’t going to push it.  If he showed me he wasn’t ready I was ok with that. 

2.  I didn’t do the whole day in underwear because I wasn’t ready to deal with pee on my floor ALL day.

3. I bought a little potty (the other one we have sits on top the big toilet)

4. “Elmo’s potty time” video

5.  In the mornings we turned on “Elmo’s potty time” and sat James on the potty in front of the TV.  This way he learned what it felt like to go pee into the potty. 

6.  When he got sick of sitting on the potty we just put him back in his diaper.

7.  After a few days of doing this we took the kiddy poos to a doctor appointment and while we were there James told us he needed to go potty.  So, Rob took him to the bathroom and HE DID IT!  It was all very exciting. 

8.  After he showed us he new when he needed to go potty we started leaving him in underwear longer and also bought some pull-ups.

9.  He does have accidents but it’s just all part of the learning process.  I tend to put him in pull-ups if we have to go out somewhere.  But most of the time he does really well, letting us know when he needs to go.  It’s harder for him when he’s playing with other kids to remember to tell us but we’re getting there.

10.  He also likes watching this song Do the Potty Dance.  We let him watch it after he goes potty sometimes.  Just a little encouragement for him.

11.  I made this potty chart as well and had in laminated.  We use an erasable marker to make smiley faces when he makes an accomplishment.  He really enjoys it.  Giving him treats didn’t work very well.  I think because he gets treats for other things as well.  But I think he connects the potty chart and the “Potty Dance” song better with going potty then he did with treats. 

I can go Potty like a big kid!	Wake up	Snack	Lunch	After-noon	Dinner	Bed time
I tried to go potty.
I went pee in the potty.
I went poo in the potty.
I flushed and washed my hands.

 

This is how we’ve been potty training James.  Don’t get me wrong.  We’ve definitely had some set backs but he knows how to do it and he likes it.  So far, I think the hardest part about potty training James has been getting him to remember to tell us he needs to go when he is having too much fun playing with other kids outside of the home.  

If you have any of your own tips let me know.

Honey Pork Ribs

 

I have been making this recipe quite frequently.  It’s a favorite in our house.  Here are two recipes I found at allrecipes.com that I use as a base but I’ve changed them up a bit.

Recipe 1

Recipe 2

One big difference is that I put it all in the slow cooker.  I throw the meat in and then I just throw all the ingredients on top.  I kind of just eye ball the measurements for everything too.  It always turns out good. 

This recipe was delicious over some brown rice with corn bread!

Fresh Apple Cake

Needless to say I’ve been pretty busy with two little munchkins that I haven’t found a lot of time to blog.  I haven’t really been in the mood either.  But I just couldn’t pass up posting this recipe.  It is soooo delicious and easy too!  I wish I had a picture to share but I don’t.  It always gets gobbled up before I can take any.  I guarantee if you need a dessert for a party, church activity, get together, or just for you; this one is a huge crowd pleaser!

 

1 cup sugar

½ cup shortening

1 large egg

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 cups grated apples

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp soda

¼ tsp salt

Cinnamon

brown sugar

Beat with a mixer the shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy.  Add apples which have been grated on a medium grater.  Mix flour, soda and salt together.  Add to apple mixture.  Put mixture in a greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top.  Bake at 350º for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Serve with or without whipped cream.

Note: I just mix the  brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it evenly on top (however much I want). 

A New Twist on Better Than ? Cake

Most of us have all eaten, if not made the "Better Than ? Cake"  If you're not a chocolate fan but still looking for something rich or if you're just looking for a new twist on this classic cake, here's Paula Deen's recipe!  Enjoy!

 

 Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 (3.4-ounce) box French vanilla pudding, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup flaked, sweetened toasted coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.