There is a great giveaway going on over at Mommytalk right now. And all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered!
P.S. More blogging coming soon. Life happened.
Fall Breakfast September 18, 2008
Start the fall off right with autumn oatmeal. Simply mix pumpkin pie filling in with your kids’ oatmeal. Yum!
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Dandelion Day – Cowboy Cookout September 17, 2008
Nothing marks the start of fall better than a bonfire. Of course, with fire restrictions so high, most of us will have to settle for a gathering at the chimenea or a family-huddle around the backyard grill. Add a cowboy theme and a Dandelion Day is yours- Yee-Haw!
Gather:
- Jeans, Overalls and Bandanas – you definitely want to look the part.
- Your old camping gear. Tin plates will make dinner feel rustic and the camp chairs will keep everyone comfy.
- A bucket each of sand and water… just in case.
Menu:
- Bicuits
- Baked Beans
- BBQ Chicken
- Lemonade
- My Great Grandmother’s Southern Pound Cake (recipe following)
Activities:
- In the tradition of old cowpokes on the lonely range, tell stories with your family. You could take turns making up stories or share some real accounts of your own. Try letting one family member start a story until someone else yells “Stop!” Then the next person adds to the story until someone else stops them and so on. Or write down conversation starters like “What toy would you create if you were Santa?” or “What is the weirdest food you have eaten” and let everyone drawer a started out of a bowl and answer.
- Roast marshmallows and make smores.
- If someone in your family plays guitar, enjoy a family sing-along. Or you could borrow a tape of cowboy songs from your local library and learn some new tunes.
- Check out National Geographic’s online star charts and challenge your family to find constellations in the night sky. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/stars/chart/index.html
A cowboy cookout has the potential for family bonding. With a lack of distractions and an outdoor environment, everyone can relax enjoy the company of their family… the perfect Dandelion Day.
Great-Grandmother Clifton’s Southern Pound Cake
Mix:
1 c. Crisco
2 c. sugar
Add 3 eggs and beat well.
Add 1 c. flour and beat.
Add 3 eggs and beat.
Add 1 c. flour and beat.
Add 1 tbsp. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. vanilla and beat.
Pour into a greased and floured bunt pan.
Bake for 1 hour at 325. Yumm!
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Biscuits
Baked Beans
The Great Crayon Caper September 17, 2008
The girls over at Whats Hot For Tots have an awesome project going on right now that you will all want to be part of. They are collecting old and broken crayons and melting them down into chunky toddler crayons that they will donate to hospitals, schools and care centers. Recycling and supporting a good cause all at once. This is a project the little ones can get in on too. Head on over to their site http://www.whatshotfortots.com/crayoncaper.html and they will send you two free crayons and a coloring book with more information on how to get involved. Check it out!
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Home is Where Your Mom Is… September 15, 2008
We are buying a house! We close in two weeks and I am so excited! It is small, but move-in ready which is more than could be said for all the other homes we looked at. I love the front and backyards.. there are rose bushes outside my bedroom windows! And the best ever… the only non-landscaped spot is a raised garden box outside the bay window in my kitchen. Perfect! I haven’t yet decided what the plant this spring and I am open to suggestions (remember… I live in the desert). Right now, I think it will either be french filet green beans and lavendar or a butterfly garden. We shall see…
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Accidental Dandelion Days September 11, 2008
Boy, do I owe you you guys some serious blogging! I have been a true slacker-blogger. I really did fully intend to blog while on vacation… it just didn’t work out that way.. here we go!
Logan and I are visiting my parents while Josh is on a business trip and the two of us have discovered the joy of the accidental Dandelion Day. I am so impressed with the activities and thrills that a small town in the middle of the desert can offer a nine month old while I am working my bottom off to entertain him in the bustling metropolis of Phoenix. Who knew? We’ve explored a childrens’ museum with a special play place for toddlers. It was giant padded room that he could climb and crawl all over. We’re making our third trip there this afternoon. The local aquatic center has a miniature water park that is open only to toddlers on Friday mornings. Logan loves splashing in the water and trying to follow the other babes. He hasn’t quite figured out that I won’t let him crawl underwater. Down by the river is a nature center that offers a picnic, story and nature walk for toddlers only. We were late to this event but still had a picnic and walk of our own. Logan loves being outside so this was a great afternoon for him and I got some exercise! The library here has a drop-in “Tots and Tunes” class that we are going to try tomorrow morning. And this is all free! Saturday night we – along with the rest of the town- went down to the ballpark to enjoy a picnic dinner and watch little girls parade around in princess dresses before a screening of Disney’s Enchanted. I let Logan sit in the grass and expected him to dart off in pursuit of one of the princess girls, but he stayed right by me. Wonderful! We’ve been having a great time but are ready to go home to Daddy. See you Saturday, Josh!
And the winner is…. September 1, 2008
Megan!!
Congratulations, Megan. Check you email to see how to claim your prize. More updates from Dandelion Momma coming soon, probably tonight. Until then…
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Make a Wish…. August 23, 2008
Anyone else see the awesome Letters and Numbers Trays featured in this months Parenting Magazine?
They are great for fun ice (make alphabet soup in the bath by dropping them in the tub) and also for jello (spell your name and have a snack!). Since you can also bake with them, the possibilites are endless…
You want them? (So do I!) Well make a wish, mommy, it might come true! Spoonsisters.com (My all-time favorite store. Think funky/cool online gift boutique) has given us a set that you can win! Keep reading today’s to see how you can score ‘em.
The Spoon Sisters show the trays being used to make jello birthday wishes to decorate a cake and now I am inspired. Too many birthday ideas for little Logan’s first are running around in my head so I need your help. Vote for your favorite by leaving me a comment and you will be entered to win the Letters and Numbers Trays. Sound like a deal?
Logan is #1 A classic game day cheer easily becomes a first birthday twist on a sports theme.
Menu- Homemade peanut butter energy bars. No, I am not Martha Stewart; these are surprisingly easy to make. I’ll post the recipe when I remember where I put it… Orange slices are always a half-time favorite and everyone loves Gatorade.
Cake- A jersery shaped treat with our last name… and the number 01 of course!
Activities- Oriental Trading has an inflatable referee that bounces back when you punch him like the old Bozo Clown toys. This could be fun… 
Music- Jock Jams would get everyone in the party mood. This CD series is also child friendly and reminds me of a very fun halftime show.
Extras- Guests donning their favorite team colors will add to the festivities. Little One can wear the colors of a team favored by someone special who can’t be there – I am thinking Logan’s Uncle Bubba, an Army soldier. This might be a problem though, since he loves Bama and I went to Auburn. Grrr…
Animal Crackers Animals and snacks… what more could a toddler want?
Menu- Tortilla roll-ups sread with cream cheese and a variety or fillings- olives run through the food processor, salsa and guacamole, marmalade, etc. I would also set up a snack buffet with animal crackers, sliced apples and peanut butter, bananas rolled in puffed rice cereal, cheese cubes, mandarin oranges and any other family favorites.
Cake- A round 3-tier cake with animal shaped sugar cookies ringing each layer like a carousel. I like the idea of a small tier cake for a first birthday because it really emphasizes the single candle on top. Plus, you can use the small top tier as baby’s messy photo-op treat.
Favors- Luckily, animal crackers are stinking cute by themselves. Instead of sending guests home with the expected, fill an animal cracker box with a variety of treats. Guests will be pleasantly surprised when they look inside!
Extras- The traditional animal crackers box is designed to look like a circus train car, so consider adding a circus element to the party if you try this one yourself.
Happy First Birthday! Ok, I know. This is not the most creative of themes. But who says a birthday has to be elaborate? There are plenty of themed parties to come, so maybe we should start with something traditional?
Menu- Toddler Munch: an addictive combo of Goldfish crackers, Cheerios and animal crackers. Mac-n-Cheese would please all age groups. Peanut butter and jelly “sushi” is easy. Layer both spreads on a single slice of bread and roll it up pinwheel style. Slice the roll about every inch and serve on its side with spiral showing.
Cake- Again, I like the idea of a tier cake. For this party, I imagine three star shaped tiers smothered in yellow tinted whipped cream icing and dusted with colored sugar for sparkle.
Activities-Little ones can try fingerpainting with chocolate pudding. Bubbles will be fun and – bonus- will add to the party atmosphere.
Favors- Bakerella.com has a very clever recipe for miniature cupcake treats that strike me as a modern petite four. Cupcakes are a basic requirement of the quintessential American birthday. Four of these cake bites in a box tied with string would be a delight to send home with guests.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite first birthday party for Logan and be entered to win a treat of your own.
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
P.S. Don’t forget to check out Spoonsisters.com for birthday gift ideas!
Contest Details:
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Leave me a comment with your birthday party vote (or a new idea!) for an entry in the drawing
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Contest ends at midnight August 31st
Silly Song: Nap-aroo August 19, 2008
Ever since we got married (why not before, I don’t know) my husband has found in funny to change the words to songs and make them about me. He especially loved to do this while I was pregnant with Logan. The Lion Sleeps Tonight changed with lyrics like “In the tummy, the mommy’s tummy, the baby sleeps tonight.” I think you get the drift.
Now that we actually have a cuddle bug to sing silly songs to, I have gotten caught up in the silly song creation past-time. An appreciative audience is inspiring. Here are two of my favorites so far.
Nap-aroo (to the tune of The Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann)
“I went to my crib, looking for a toy,
Saw my teddy bear, now I’m a sleepy boy
Nap-Aroo, Nap-Nap Nap-Nap-Aroo
Nap-Aroo, Nap-Nap Nap-Nap-Aroo
You’ve got me Sleeping and a Dreaming,
Cuddling and a Snoring.
Nap-Aroo, Nap-Nap Nap-Nap-Aroo”
The Stinky Stinky Baby (to the tune of Itsy-Bitsy Spider)
“The Stinky Stinky Baby layed on the changing pad.
Down came his pants, and it was really bad.
Over came the momma who wiped up all the (fill in the blank)
and the Stinky Stinky Baby went out to play again.”
I would love to hear some of your own creations!
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie – Dandelion Momma
Olympiad Day August 13, 2008
As I sit watching the womens’ gymnastics competition of the Olympics with my own dear daddy I imagine having a mock Olympics in the backyard for the kiddos. Let’s make it a Dandelion Day!
Gather:
- Tons of water bottles and snacks
- Whatever you need for a date night at home (I am thinking this Dandelion Day will wear the little ones out… take advantage!)
Menu:
- Wheaties- “The Breakfast of Champions”
- Disney sponsored Familyfun.com has a great recipe for “Balls of Energy” http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50410 This snack does contain nut products.
Activiies:
Oh, the options here are limitless. Consider this: compete together as a family instead of against each other. You could set goals together (let’s complete this relay in less than five minutes!). For each goal or challenge that you meet as a family, add a dollar to a communal pot. At the end of the day, use the money to take the family for ice cream or some other treat!
- Hula Hoops- How many times can you hula? Lay them on the ground and have the kids run through them like the tires at football practice. Arrange five together to resemble the Olympic rings. Dive through them into a swimming pool.
- Set up obstacle courses or relay races.
- Challenge family members to watermelon or pie eating contests.
- Make a ribbon stick with a dowel and 5 feet of ribbon. Let little ones create their own dance ala rhythmic gymnastics.
- Ping Pong is an Olympic sport!
Really, you could adapt this to your kids and your style. You could get silly with made up competitions or you could arrange games more along the lines of the actual Olympic sports. Be inspired… this could be the start of a new traditionl.
Have a Dandelion Day!
Stephanie- Dandelion Momma
