Creating a Crafty Easter Basket with Disney

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyEaster #CollectiveBias

Hi friends!

I have mixed emotions about Easter baskets...

I actually don't stress about the whole "what does that have to do with Jesus?" aspect of things. We celebrate Easter because He came and gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life in Him. However, that is really big and really abstract for little ones. What we talk about is how Jesus gave us a great gift, even better than our favorite FAVORITE presents! We give because He gave. We talk about love, and generosity, but we also talk about how no gift on Earth is as big as the gift of Jesus.

Gifts are one of my love languages, so I love any chance to shower the ones I love. However, having 2 kids, we are fighting the "stuff" battle full force! I don't want to fill our home with kitschy things just for the sake of gift giving. That doesn't help anyone, especially not the one who does most of the picking up!

Disney to the rescue!

Berry Cultured Butter with Lifeway Kefir

This shop has been compensated by #collectivebias, Inc. and its advertiser. 
All opinions are mine alone.

Hi friends!

I am usually all about simple recipes. I love quality food that doesn't take a long time. However, some things are worth waiting for.

Cultured butter is one of those things.

The creaminess of butter with the tanginess of yogurt. Yes, please! It gets even better when you use something delicious like the flavors that Lifeway Kefir offers. Throw in some fresh berries and now you really have something amazing!

Get Ready for Kindergarten with LeapFrog!

This post is sponsored by Leap Frog. All opinions are 100% my own.  

Hi friends!

At this point it's pretty much common knowledge that we're big LeapFrog fans around here. When I learned about the new Get Ready For Kindergarten series I knew it was going to be fantastic! The new series includes a game cartridge for the Leap Pad, as well as books and activities for the Leap Reader pen. Both series center around four students, Chris, Pilar, Daniel and Grace, who are starting Kindergarten. Throughout the games the learn new skills, explore their new classroom and have lots of fun!

Picky Eaters & Family Fun Pizza Night

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

Hi friends!

Do any of you do family pizza night? We do, every week! It is a great way to spend time as a family and reconnect after a long week. Even now that most of us have moved out of the house, we still do our best to get together at my mom's house every week. Sometimes we order delivery, and sometimes we pop something in the oven. Pizza is a great way to feed a large group, but it can get expensive! I'm so glad that there are yummy choices like #DiGiorno in the freezer section!

Who here has a "cheese only" kid? Everyone, right? Aren't we always hearing that getting kids involved in making their food will help with picky eating? Well, DiGiorno nailed it! These #designapizza kits will get your kids excited to put all sorts of things on their pizza. Pepperoni? Yep. Chicken? Yep. Veggies? Bring 'em on!

So, we headed off to Walmart and grabbed a couple pizzas from the freezer section.

I think she's a little excited, what do you think? Excited about peppers? That's a start! 

Here's what we ended up with. Two pizza kits, and a plain cheese (just in case!)

All of the toppings come in these little trays. No dishes! Woot!

Then you get to decorate. Is there anything a newly 5 year old girl likes to do better than decorate things? She started out wanting to make flowers...

Then Noni jumped in to help make a smiley face, complete with hair and cheeks!

Now, pop that artwork into the oven. While you wait, cut up some fruit and veggies. Pizza night should be easy! We love having fresh choices to pair with our pizza.

Ding! Pizza's done!

Now, the moment of truth...

She looks happy with her pizza, but this wouldn't be the first time that she changes her mind at the last minute...
Side note: Do you see Owen eyeballing that pizza? This kid.

:deep breath:

Success!! She ate the entire piece, complete with pepperoni, sausage and peppers! I call it a win!

Thanks, DiGiorno and #collectivebias!

How do you encourage your kids to try new foods?

Be blessed,

Heather

Caprese Paninis

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gro-ables for SocialSpark.
All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey there friends!

Remember when I posted about Miracle Gro Gro-ables and gave you all sorts of yummy caprese ideas? Well, I have another one for you!

Caprese Paninis!

So easy, so delicious. Here's what you need.

• Crusty bread
• tomatoes
• fresh basil
• balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• marinated fresh mozzarella
• salt & pepper

Start by dicing up your tomatoes and basil. Toss them with a little of the vinegar and oil, then add some salt and pepper. If you have one near you run, don't walk, to your closest Trader Joe's and get the garlic salt grinder. It will change your life.

Brush some oil on your bread. Layer on your tomatoes and some big fat slices of mozzarella. This marinated mozzarella had some red pepper in it which gave it a really great kick. Plain mozzarella would be fine too, but not as much fun!

Now, top it off with another piece of bread and put the whole kit & caboodle onto your panini press/skillet/george foreman grill and get it all toasty and gooey.

Yum! Pair it with a salad and you're all set! The only thing I can think of that would make it better would be making it with tomatoes and basil straight from the garden.

I waited a little too long to plant my Gro-ables, so they haven't sprouted yet. Here they are hanging out with my new flowers.

They were seriously so easy to plant. Those two pots have tomatoes and peppers. The basil pod will be going in my new herb garden!

You know what else goes great with fresh from the garden veggies? Dip! This one from Sprout It sounds amazing! I mean, can you really go wrong with feta cheese? I don't think so.

I seriously love these little pods. You can learn more about Gro-ables here:



What is your favorite way to eat veggies?

Be blessed!
Heather