Life Lately Weekend Edition - Liam's Hospital Visit, The World's Largest Candy Store & St. Patrick's Day

Happy Monday! Our entire weekend was busy, and there was no time to rest. It kicked off with a VERY long day at the hospital, included a trip to the World's Largest Candy Store, was filled with St. Patrick's Day fun, and ended with a day full of errands. I feel like I need just one more day to recover from the weekend!

Deliciously Irresistible Vanilla Bean Shamrock Shake

With St. Patrick's Day just a few days away, I figured it was time to whip up a festive treat for my family! Milkshakes are always a quick and easy option! My family loves Shamrock Shakes, but I'm not a big fan of mint flavored milkshakes, so I made a milkshake that we all would love. Vanilla Bean was the winner!

St. Patrick's Day Snack & Play {A Year of Color: Green}

Happy St. Patrick's Day, my friends!!!

We are wearing our festive green clothing and we will be spending our day snacking on lots of green food! That's pretty much the extent of our celebration. With four kids, that's how we roll!

The "A Year of Color" Link Party fell on the perfect day this month! 

On the third Friday of each month,  I co-host a monthly linkup called A Year of Color with Little Dove, Macke Monologues, and Work It Mommy. Each month focuses on one color and you can link up any post that revolves around that particular color: Fashion, Recipes, Activities for Kids, Crafts...ANYTHING is welcome! The link will be open for a month, so you can link up any time. We hope you will join us!

The color for the month of March is fitting for today!

This month, I'm going to share a few of our favorite green desserts and green sensory play activities in honor of St. Patrick's Day, along with an adorable craft that we do every year on the holiday! 

St. Patrick's Day Mint Cookie Shakes

These green shakes, made with vanilla ice cream and mint cookies, and topped with whipped topping and peppermint patties, are a hit with my kids! 

INGREDIENTS:

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Mint Cookies
• Milk or Cream
• Frozen Whipped Topping
• Peppermint Patties

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill blender halfway with vanilla ice cream.
2. Crush 10 mint cookies and sprinkle into the blender.
3. Add milk or cream until the blender is about 3/4 full.
4. Blend until shake is only slightly thick. Add more milk or cream or more ice cream if necessary, and blend again.
5. Pour milkshake into cups.
6. Top with a scoop of frozen whipped topping and a mini peppermint patty candy!

St. Patrick's Day Creamy Jello

This creamy jello dessert is a staple at every holiday dinner. It's usually a different flavor, but I break out the lime jello in honor of St. Patrick's Day!

INGREDIENTS:

• Two 3 oz boxes of lime jello
• 16 oz frozen whipped topping

DIRECTIONS:

1. Sit the whipped topping on the counter for 15 minutes to soften.
2. Prepare jello according to the quick set method on the back of the box. 
3. Stir in 16 oz whipped topping and continue to stir until it melts.
4. Pour into small cups or bowls and refrigerate for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Homemade Glitter Play Dough

My kids love sensory play and one of their favorite things to make is play dough! A little bit of green food coloring and gold glitter make it perfectly festive for St. Patrick's Day!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• green food coloring
• gold glitter

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the flour and salt, add a few drops of food coloring to the water, and slowly pour the water mixture into the flour mixture while stirring. Add more flour as needed until the mixture isn't sticky.  Sprinkle in some gold glitter and knead with your hands to blend.

Give your child some shamrock cookie cutters, a rolling pin and a plastic child-safe knife, and let them create!

Homemade Green Slime

Making slime is another sensory play favorite! Green always seems to be the preferred color!

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz white school glue
• 1 tsp Borax (laundry detergent aisle)
• 1 cup warm water
• Green food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

STEP ONE: Empty glue into a large bowl. 

STEP TWO:  Fill glue bottle completely with 1/2 cup warm water, shake, then pour into the bowl that contains the glue.  Stir. 

STEP THREE:  Add several drops of green food coloring to the glue mixture.  Stir. 

STEP FOUR:  Mix 1 tsp Borax into 1/2 cup warm water. Stir until the Borax dissolves. 

STEP FIVE:  Slowly pour the Borax solution into the glue solution while stirring. Keep a close eye on this process!  This is where the science aspect of it begins.  You will see the glue solution almost immediately begin to form into a solid as it meets the Borax solution!

STEP SIX:  Dig in and knead the slime!

STEP SEVEN:  Store in an airtight container or a storage bag.

Thumbprint Shamrocks Craft

This is a simple craft/keepsake that we make every year! I'm sharing last year's version since we didn't make the 2017 version yet. I absolutely love pulling these out each year and adding them to our decor!

SUPPLIES: 

• White paper
• Green paint
• Sharpie

DIRECTIONS:

Have your child/children make a four leaf clover with their thumb. Carefully paint on a thin stem to each shamrock. Write the name(s) underneath each shamrock, and add the holiday and the year to the finished project!

These are just a few of our favorite ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! St. Patrick's Day books and movies, green shamrock pancakes, Lucky Charms, and green muffin pan meals are also part of our holiday fun. Maybe, just maybe, you will be able to use one of these as a last minute idea!

Feel free to link up your "green" posts on the widget below and start planning your posts for the upcoming months!

April 21st

May 19th

June 16th

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you and yours! How will you be celebrating?

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Rainbow St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes {Tuesday Talk}

Happy St. Patrick's Day week! I'm not the least bit Irish, but my husband and children are, so we celebrate!

My kids and I are hard at work making lots of St. Patrick's Day themed recipes and crafts this week. But let's be completely honest here. *I* am the one who is doing most of the work while they run circles around me! #keepingitreal (Check back on Friday for more fun ideas and feel free to link up your green St. Patrick's Day posts that day for the "A Year of Color" link party!)

Yesterday, we (I) whipped up some fun Rainbow St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes to kick off our week of celebrating!

Just like everything that I bake, these cupcakes are very simple to make, and kids love them! Now, if you want to channel your inner Martha Stewart and make these cupcakes from scratch, go right ahead. I, however, chose to save time and energy by making our favorite boxed cake mix and adding a few drops of green food coloring to make them more festive! Because in the spirit of keeping things real, my kids only eat the top half of the cupcakes anyway!

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES:

• Boxed Cake Mix or Ingredients for Homemade Recipe
• Green Food Coloring
• Classic White Frosting
• Rainbow Licorice
• Baking Cups
• Muffin Pans
• Gold Coins (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the cupcakes according to the directions on your box or the directions on your homemade recipe. Add a few drops of green food coloring to the ingredients before mixing to give them a festive touch.

2. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.

3. Cut each piece of Rainbow Licorice in half length wise. I was able to cut a small notch in the top of each one, then slowly peel it apart.

4. Stick the end of a piece of red licorice into one side of a cupcake, form an arch, and stick the other end into the other side of the cupcake. You may need to trim off a few inches before sticking the opposite end in, so the rainbow doesn't flop. Repeat with Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple.

5. Once all the rainbow arches are formed, carefully ice each cupcake using white frosting. Ice inside the arch, then go around the outside of the cupcake. Add a little extra frosting around the sides of the rainbow for extra support.

6. That's it!  If you have gold coins, add one to each cupcake. I couldn't find any this year, but we did use them last year!

This recipe is so easy to make. I keep the cupcake recipe very simple and just focus on what's on top! These cupcakes make my kids smile every single time I make them!

If your kids are anything like mine, these cupcakes will be gone in no time. Then again, I do have a rather large crew! Snacking on these fun cupcakes was a great way to start our St. Patrick's Day celebration, even if they did disappear rather quickly! (Sneaky little leprechauns.)

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The Kids Behind the Blog: March Edition

One of my favorite things about blogging is being able to write about life with Dylan, Lexie, Lily and Liam. So many memories, thoughts and milestones have been documented on this little space. Their childhood has been captured forever on these pages, and I just love the idea of being able to look back on all of these memories one day!

That's exactly why I love sharing these monthly interviews! It gives me a glimpse into what is going on in their minds, and I love to see how their answers change as they grow. Now that Dylan is 12, he is a very reluctant participant, but he's a good sport. And you better believe that I will keep asking him questions until he flat out refuses, and walks away from me. Although moms are usually in denial about their kids growing up, we all know that the likelihood of that actually happening one day is very real!

March's interview was all about St. Patrick's Day and Spring. As usual, some of the answers made me laugh! Lily is always very, ahem, descriptive, and can I just say that Thanks Patrick's Day is probably my favorite answer EVER? I just love asking them these questions and listening to their replies every month!

Dylan-12, Lexie-10, Lily-5 & Liam-3

What’s at the end of the rainbow?

Dylan: “WHAT?!? I don’t know!” {Laughs and rolls his eyes.} (Obviously, my sneak attack isn’t working.)

Alexandria: “Sunshine!”

Liliana: “A cloud.”

Liam: “Hi!” {Tilts his head to the side and flashes me a huge grin.} (I can tell that this interview is going to go well!)

What do you like to do when it rains? Jump in puddles or play inside?

Dylan: “Play inside.” (Typical tween answer.)

Alexandria: “Play inside.” (Ditto.)

Liliana: “I like to go inside, get my things on, and go outside to jump in puddles. Like in MUDDY puddles!” (Now there’s my free spirit!)

Liam: “Ouside! Jump jump!” {Runs to the door.} (I should have known better than to say the “O” word.)

If you found a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow what would you do?

Dylan: “I would capture him, put him in a class case and keep him in my room. You know. If there really were leprechauns.” (I suppose we reached the reluctant acceptance stage in our monthly interview.)

Alexandria: “Ummm. I would chase it. Ha!” {Cue diabolical laughter.} (I swear, she’s the sweetest kid!)

Liliana: “I would just run to you and say, ‘MOM! Take a picture of that!’ Then I would climb on it and take it!” (Take a picture. This kid knows the way to my heart!)

Liam: “Doh Know.” (This just might be his favorite new phrase. But, hey, he's verbal, so no complaints here!)

Tell me three ways you know it’s springtime.

Dylan: “It’s warmer, it’s sunnier and leaves start growing back on the trees.” {Followed by a big sigh.} (It’s most definitely the acceptance stage. Almost done, buddy. Hang in there.)

Alexandria: “When it’s raining, when flowers are growing, AND…when there are bees.” (Bees?)

Liliana: “Because when the little animals see their shadows it means it’s Spring. And it’s getting really warm. And the last one is that some flowers are growing. And that’s the last way.” (I guess Groundhog Day had an impact!)

Liam: “One, Two, Fwee!” (Well…I did say three!)

Do you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? What happens if you don’t wear green?

Dylan: “Yes, because if not, I’ll get pinched. I can’t wait to pinch people who aren’t wearing green.” (He, however, is a diabolical tween boy.)

Alexandria: “Sometimes. I get pinched.” (I don't think Lexie cares about St. Patrick’s Day.)

Liliana: “Yes. It doesn’t be Thanks Patrick’s Day if you don’t wear green. Come here. MOM! I know what to wear on Thanks Patrick’s Day! Come see!” (Thanks Patrick’s Day?!? She just killed me with the cuteness. Best ever!)

Liam: “No! Dop it! I wub eww.” (Irritation followed by an I love you. Well played, Liam. Well played.)

There you have it! Dylan, Lexie, Lily and Liam's take on March. And if anybody ever corrects Lily and tells her that it's ST. Patrick's Day, I will be seeking revenge!

*I'm linking up this post HERE for The Kids Behind the Blog. 

The Absolute Best St. Patrick's Day Ideas for Kids

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! 

I had so many things planned for the holiday, but sometimes parenting four kids and the busyness of life just takes over!  Needless to say, we only conquered half of our list.  I love making holidays special for my kids, so we had to accomplish a few things before the big day!

{EAT}

I made these Fruit Loop Rainbows for Lily's class on Friday and they were a hit! I didn't add the Rolos for her class, but I did add them to the bags I made up for Dylan and Lexie's lunches this week.

I saw something similar made with skewers, but skewers mixed with preschoolers didn't seem like the best idea.  Pipe cleaners are a safer option, and you can mold them into a rainbow!

They are every bit as easy as they look. All you need are marshmallows, fruit loops cereal, Rolos,  pipe cleaners, and clear favor bags.  Slide a marshmallow onto one end of the pipe cleaner, thread the fruit loops in a pattern, then slide another marshmallow onto the other end of the pipe cleaner.  Fill the bottom of a clear favor bag with Rolos, slide in the rainbow, and you're done!  Easy and fun!

{READ}

We don't have very many St. Patrick's Day books for kids, but the two we read over and over again are:

• The Littlest Leprechaun 
• The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

The Littlest Leprechaun is a new purchase.  I absolutely had to buy it because the leprechaun's name is Liam! 

{WATCH}

Grant and I struggled to come up with family-friendly movies to watch with our kids for St. Patrick's Day.  We ended up watching our usual Disney favorite tonight for Family Movie Night: Darby O'Gill and the Little People!

{DECORATE}

There aren't as many options for St. Patrick's Day decorating as there are for other holidays, but I tried to add little touches throughout the house!

Shamrock Plants, Pots of Gold and Chevron Bow-Michael's

Table Runner, White Tray, Shamrock Mason Jar and Pillow-Target Dollar Spot

Wooden Sign-TJ Maxx

{PLAY} 

I had big plans to make a St. Patrick's Day themed sensory table, but didn't have the time. SO. Homemade green glitter play dough was an easy alternative!

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup warm water
Green food coloring
Gold glitter

Mix the flour and salt, add a few drops of food coloring (I used neon green) to the water, and slowly pour the water mixture into the flour mixture while stirring. Add more flour as needed until the mixture isn't sticky.  Sprinkle in some gold glitter and knead with your hands to blend.

Toss in some shamrock cookie cutters or show them how to make a shamrock, and you will officially have a few moments of peace and quiet!

{CREATE}

One of my kids made a card with a thumbprint shamrock in school a few years ago.  It was such a cute keepsake that we try to make one with all four kids' thumbprints each year!

With green paint for the thumbprints and a green marker to for the stem, it's a really easy craft that my three older kids can do on their own.  Liam needed a little assistance (and tried to paint everything green in the process).

I plan on finding a frame and hanging it up as part of our St. Patrick's Day decor!

We're having fun getting ready for St. Patrick's Day! In just a few days, we'll be wearing green and attempting to trap leprechauns!  How will you be celebrating?

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St. Patrick's Day

As a mom, I try to make every holiday special.  Even the little ones!

Prior to having kids, St. Patrick's Day was just for wearing green, and maybe going to a party. My husband is Irish, so he's definitely more passionate about the holiday than I am!  Then I had kids. The drive to celebrate every holiday started when my oldest was 1, and only increased over the years!

While I don't go over the top, I do try to decorate and add little touches that make the day extra special!

St. Patrick's Day fell on a school day this year, which didn't leave much time for a special breakfast.  I usually make green shamrock pancakes, but with our 20 minute wake up and go schedule, all we had time for was St. Paddy's Day Lucky Charms! Lexie, of course, refused to even try them, but Dylan said they were delicious!

The big kids put on their green and headed to school!



Shortly after they left, Lily and Liam woke up.  Lily's eye was looking rough from her injury the evening before, but she was in a great mood.  She immediately spotted the new Lucky Charms, and asked for some.  I decided to give some to Liam, too, but he was disgusted by them.  They didn't stand a chance against his beloved bananas!



I got them dressed for the day, and readied the house for Liam's Physical Therapy Session.  Even though it was a (little) holiday, he still had to work!



Liam is happy most of the time, and only gets fussy when he's sick.  Fussy Liam is even mild.  He was teething yesterday, and was not thrilled with his PT session.  It was funny to watch, though.  He kept going from grinning to screaming and back to grinning! His pout is just as epic as his joyful smile!



After the session, I gave Lily her "Taste The Rainbow" sweet treat that I prepared the night before.  I sent them in Dylan, Lexie, and Grant's lunches, too! 



Lily kept saying, "Thank you, Mommy.  Thank you so much!" I'm assuming they were a hit!  They were super easy, too!

All you need is small cellophane favor bags, rainbow Twizzlers, Skittles, and Rolos.  Fill the bottom of the bag with a handful of Skittles and a few Rolos.  Cut Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple Twizzlers in half, then form a rainbow over the Skittles and Rolos.  Tie bag.  SO easy!

Liam didn't have his usual speech therapy session, but Lily did have Storytime.  She is going to do so well with preschool in the Fall.  She goes in without me, participates happily for an hour, and runs out with her craft at the end of the session.  When I try to go into the room to take pictures during craft time, I get THE look, and she tells me to leave the room. Okay, Miss Independent!



When we returned home, Liam napped, and Lily snacked.



After his much needed nap, Liam was back to being a happy leprechaun!  Or mischievous.  You decide!



We didn't have much time before Dylan and Lexie returned home.  As soon as they did, we attempted to reenact our St. Patrick's Day picture from last year!  I tried...




After that, the kids got their St. Patrick's Day treat (charm bracelets for the girls and a green mustache for Dylan), and Liam teethed some more!




We ended our fun day with our annual St. Patrick's Day dinner!



The kids were so excited about their special dinner!  Grant chose potatoes, ham, and baby lima beans.  For dessert, we had a incredibly easy, but oh so delicious pudding parfait!



When I say easy, I really do mean easy. I used 1 large box of vanilla pudding mix.  I mixed it with skim milk and green food coloring.  I softened a tub of Cool Whip, and spread it over the top.  A sprinkling of Skittles added a festive touch! Easy, and they LOVED it!



We had a great St. Patrick's Day!  All of those little touches, which didn't take up much of my time at all, made the day so special!

It's hard to believe, but another St. Patrick's Day already came and went!  My little leprechauns are growing much too quickly!

Their first St. Patrick's Day together as 4...



...and one short year later. (And, yes, Liam WAS sticking his tongue out at me.  On purpose!)



Happy St. Patrick's Day!