Works for me Wednesday: Keeping the kids craft drawer organized!

I wish I had taken "before" pictures of my kids craft drawers because they were so bad that we couldn't so much find a coloring book. (Then again maybe I am glad that I didn't take any pictures :) )

Things get out of control quickly with little excited hands throwing things in a drawer in a rush to get to the next thing.

With me nesting, I tackled these drawers and I have to say its working for us!!

All the coloring books, paper and work books are in a drawer.

In another drawer I threw all crayons and pencils in a large box that the kids can easily get to ....and dare I say throw back in when done? I also put all the painting supplies in a a large 2 gallon zip lock baggie (Hello, no more hunting for those skinny paintbrushes) All the Color Wonder markers and special paper goes into another bag. Then the bain of my existence, markers, go into a final bag.

I can monitor what they are playing with better. They can do art more often now because they just grab the baggie they want and then throw everything back in.

I see clearly if they have a purple marker out in the family room....near the new TV.

And that works for this mama!!

For more great WFMW ideas, visit We are That Family!!!

Menu Plan Monday:

Happy Valentine's day !!! We always stay in onthis day of looooove. You know we get wild and crazy with a dinner that the kids will refuse to eat, followed by baths :) I have several recipes that I am excited to try this week. The garlic herb pork roast looks like a great recipe. I plan to keep it in my recipe file for summertime when I can grow my own herbs. (Although many times I can find herbs on manager special) Happy Eating y'all!!!

Monday: Grilled steaks, baked asparagus with basalmic butter sauce, twice baked potatoes

Tuesday: Mediteranian Chicken over whole wheat pasta, garden salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- If its in the fridge.....

Thursday: Grilled cheese, tomatoe soup, baked fries

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Beef vegtable soup in bread bowls

Sunday: Garlic herb pork roast, mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans

The Princess Problem

I HATE entitlement!! Its my biggest pet peeve. When I encounter someone who feels like they are entitled to something in life, I let out a little growl under my breath. (( I am related to some of these said people....... More irritation ensues!))

So you can understand how I am conflicted with the princess problem.

My daughter follows in the line of ten stinky, rough, tackling, fishing, pretend gun toting cousins and brother!! (Not one girl in the whole extended family!) The first time I saw her sweet little face after so many boys my first thought was that she was sure to be a tom-boy. BOY....was I wrong!

She could not be more girly.

She is in love with play jewelry, wants to play dress up, pretends to put on make up, wears play heels around the house, wants to pick her own cute clothes, and loves the colors pink and purple. She is ALL girl.

Lately she has really been into anything princess. It makes me worry a little bit. My vision starts getting cloudy with visions of "toddlers and tiaras" and demanding things from her "throne"!

I am exaggerating of course, its all fun right now. Its my role in it that I am worried about. How should you handle the princess problem?

I have no concern with her watching the movies, dressing up and pretending. She could wear her Cinderella dress to mall for all I care.

Everywhere you turn its pictures of tiaras, castles, wall hangings that state " I'm a princess" or "spoiled". Not exactly the message I want to send to my little girl!

I have been pondering which way I should go with this for a while now. I have landed upon a conclusion that I can live with.

My daughter is a princess.

Because she is a child of the King.

I tell her often. "Do you know that you are a child of the king???" She nods knowingly that yes, of course she is.

He sees her, thinks she is lovely and wants her to act like royalty.

I am called to raise her as a royal child.

To show her that she is beautiful on the inside and out. To live up to her royal calling by putting others before herself, serving where it is needed.

By giving herself the highest of standers. Acting as princess should. Not by demanding her own way but by listening to the King, obeying and serving.

Its a tall order. One that I as her mama have been called to do. "Yikes"...comes to mind.

So I don't mind the tiaras, dress up clothes and princess wall art because the truth is that she is a princess.

But like a true princess its more about a royal calling than what is coming her way.

Works for me Wednesday: Kid Friendly dinner

Hubs has been working alot of overtime and that means that I have been trying to discover kid friendly dinners. (That doesn't take much effort to make!) I am running out of ideas....

The other night I got out some hamburger and fried it up not sure what I was going to do with it. I found a tube of crescent rolls and some cheese and decided that I would would try my hand at cheeseburger squares.

I just unrolled the crescents and filled the center with a little bit of cooked meat and good amount of cheese. I folded the crescents over and pinched them shut and then baked until golden.

I have to tell you that my kids dipped them in ketchup and then gobbled them up....it was a hit!!

I thought I would share in case you were looking for a quick kid friendly meal !!!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!!

Central Ohio Readers - Coupon and free tickets to the Sports, Vacation and Boat show!

If you are like me, you are about done with this winter weather!! (And living in Ohio you know that we probably have much more ahead of us :) )

We can always dream about warmer weather though, right? The Columbus Sports, Vacation and Boat show is coming to town!! It will take place Feb 10th- 13th at the Ohio Expo Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. (Kids under $13 are free!!!)

I was just sent this great coupon for $3 off admission to the Columbus Sports, Vacation, and Boat show! You can print it off here!!!

If you leave a comment about what you would like to check out at this fun show, you could win a pair of free tickets!! I will be posting the winner tomorrow evening...good luck guys!

Menu Plan Monday: Comfort classics

This week I am wanting classic comfort food. (It could be all the snow and ice we have been dealing with!) I am excited to try a new stuffing and chicken recipe...I hope its as yummy as it sounds! Happy eating y'all!! (And stay warm!!)

Monday: Baked chicken and stuffing, green beans, corn

Tuesday: Baked lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftover - if its not movin.....

Thursday: Pork roast with sauerkraut, broccoli, mashed potatoes

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Black bean, rice, corn, cheese and chicken grilled wrap, re fried beans

Sunday: meatloaf, twice baked potatoes casserole, mixed veggies

Works for me Wednesday: Start Valentines day off right!

This week WFMW is to share a Valentines Day tip so here is one of mine that both my hubs and kids love!

My love bugs wake up on Valentines day to red heart pancakes!!

I just add some food coloring to my pancake mix and carefully place two blogs together until it forms a heart :) It makes my family feel special and fills their tummy so that works for this mama!!!

For more great WFMW tips visit We are That Family!

Menu Plan Monday: Fishy and Fried

Hey all!!! We all are FINALLY starting to feel better which is a blessing after being sick for so long!!! I think my little kicker inside is hitting a growth spurt because I am eating like a linebacker :) I am craving fish and fried foods so that is how I planned our menu this week. Happy Eating y'all!!!

Monday: Mexican Lasagna , re fried beans, chips and salsa

Tuesday: Talapia in cornflake crumbs, perogies, green beans

Wednesday: Leftover's- if its not movin....

Thursday: Slow cooker meatballs (meatball subs), baked fries, mixed veggies

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Garlic chicken fried chicken, corn, baked beans

Sunday: Beef roast with roasted carrots and mashed potatoes and green beans

$10 dinner kick off !!!

I have been wanting to feature some of my favorite cheap and yummy recipes for a while now! I want to not only share the recipes but to also give you a grocery list and some tips to help stretch your budget a little further.

As you know, different stores have different great deals on a weekly basis. (And sometimes they are not that great of deals :) ) For this reason, I will be featuring whatever store looks the best that week and it will give a good variety since we all share in different places. I will also let you know when the item is on sale in combination with a coupon and provide a link where you can go and print off the coupon. (Thanks Stretching a Buck!!)

Tell me what you like, what you don't like and feel free to share recipes!!

Grocery list at Giant Eagle this week

1 lb of ground beef- on sale $2

1 package of taco seasoning- generic $1

1 can (28 oz) of Red Pack diced tomatoes- on sale and with coupon $.67

1 package of Old El Paso tortillas- on sale $1.25

1 jar of Chi Chi's salsa- on sale and with coupon $1

1 package of Kraft Cheese shreds- on sale (2) with coupon $1.50

Breakstones Sour Cream - on sale and with coupon $.40

1 head of lettuce- (usually can get a head of lettuce for $1)

Total Grocery Bill: $9.82

Total cost for this recipe: $6.24

Mexican Lasagna

1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (14 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
10 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 cup prepared salsa
1/2 cup shredded Colby cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, and stir in the taco seasoning and tomatoes.

Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with half the tortillas. Spoon the beef mixture into the dish, then top with the remaining tortillas. Spread salsa over the tortillas and sprinkle with the cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

See the original recipe here.

(You will have 1/2 head of lettuce left, 3/4 jar of salsa, 1/2 container of sour cream, 1/2 can of tomatoes and 3 cups of cheese left)

Use these to make another taco dish, late night superbowl nachos or grab a box of pasta on sale for $1 this week and make a pasta dish and side salad!!

Menu Plan Monday: Back to the Kitchen!

Is it spring yet?!?! We all have had the 10 day flu and we got it 5 days apart! (Meaning someone has been sick in this house for the last three weeks.) I am so ready to be done with sickness, tissues, fevers, chills and anything else sickness related!!! That being said, I need to get back in the kitchen and start cooking some good foods. I have some great recipes I am dying to try...hope they are yummy as they sound!! Happy Eating y'all!!!

Monday: Quick Chicken and noodles, fresh bread, green beans

Tuesday: Johnny Marzetti, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin..you can eat it !

Thursday: Chicken fajita quesedillas, refried beans with fresh tortilla chips and salsa

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Make your own baked potato bar with chili, cheese, veggies..you name it!

Sunday: Fra Diavolo Sauce With Pasta, sourdough bread, spinach salad

We interrupt this blog for the flu!

Sorry in the pause in blogging...My house has been struck with the flu. I mean chills, fever and body aches and I am pregnant...no fair!!

Hope to be back this week :(

Works for me Wednesday - house rules!

We have a house rule in our home...well several of them. This has to do with eating dinners together and trying to get our kids to expand their horizons.

I am not into the clean platter club. You stop eating when your full. Period. (My mama used to tell me that my body is not a trashcan and somewhere along the way I forgot that because I continue to eat after I am full! :) ) I will gladly wrap your plate up and stash it away until you are hungry...at which time I will produce the uneaten plate of goodness. I'm sneaky like that....

One thing I am adamant about, however is our rule.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it....BUT YOU HAVE TO TRY IT !!!"

I would say 80% of the time my kids end up liking the item they swore they found totally disgusting and end up asking for seconds. If they don't like it...not a biggie! As long as they tried it, I am happy.

And everyone knows a happy mama works for everyone!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

A GREAT deal at Target this week!

I am slowly moving my daughter in with my son....that means combining toys, books and clothes. No easy feat, I tell ya!

I have had my eye on a toy organizer for her side of the room at Target but absolutely refuse to pay the full price of $69.99!!

This week I found it on sale at my Target for $38 !!!! I found that this is even cheaper than other stores that have similar cheaply made toy bins.

Just wanted to share with my girlfriends in case clutter is creeping up on you too :)

Menu Plan Monday - Around the World in a week!

So I was talking to my girlfriend the other day and she commented about how dinners were totally wearing her out. She was tired of the monotony. She said she was ready to try something new. When I asked her what it was, she said "themed" dinners. Each day of the week, she would have a different themed dinner.

I took her cue and I am trying it this week! Italian, Greek, Mexican, Chinese and of course Polish! I am hoping that it gives my little eaters some new things to try and helps them see there is more to the world than sloppy joes and tater tots. Happy Eating y'all!!

Monday: Johnny Marzetti Casserole, garlic bread, salad

Tuesday: Turkey pitas with fresh veggies, Greek oven roasted potatoes, Greek salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin, you can eat it...but mama is not cookin!

Thursday: Quick and Easy Mexican chicken, chips and salsa, re fried beans with cheese

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Shrimp fried rice, egg rolls, fortune cookies!

Sunday: Polish meat and potatoes skillet, pierogies with cheese