The Healthy Snack Basket

...is AWESOME!! It seems silly, but it saves room in the pantry and gives my kiddos some independence in the kitchen! We buy a lot of snacks...fruit snacks, yogurt covered raisins, granola bars, etc. and all of those boxes were wearing me out! They took up a lot of space...and I hate to admit, but I often found empty boxes each time I cleaned out the pantry. SO...in an effort to STAY organized we added the healthy snack basket to our lowest pantry shelf. When we get home from the grocery store, we empty all of the snack boxes and immediately take them to the recycling bin in the garage. When the kids ask for a snack, I simply tell them that they can choose anything from the healthy snack basket!! THEY LOVE IT! And I love having the extra space in the pantry!!

Got chicken???

I am so excited about today's Etsy purchase!! Gracie loves to cook in her play kitchen and I keep finding the cutest felt food! We have waffles, fruit, sanwiches, pasta, pancakes, etc. I even made some cookies myself!! Today's big find...a chicken leg, ravioli, snap peas, broccoli and a baked potato!! THIS IS TOO MUCH FUN!!

Etsy's BeckyM has THE CUTEST FELT FOOD!!!

December is a DAILY CHALLENGE!!

OK...so since my last post, I went to lunch with the neighborhood divas for my birthday lunch, helped Mason's class make gingerbread houses, slipped in the garage, dropped and caught the gingerbread house, pulled lots of muscles, made a scrapbook for my hubby, threw a surprise birthday party for him, spent 3 hours at Walmart (at one time), addressed our Christmas cards (big props to the hubby for helping me lick the envelopes), addressed my grandfather's Christmas cards (BTW: I think envelope glue should be flavored with the fabulous taste of yummy cake!), sent out book exchange letters, sent a book, collected lots of books for Mason's Project, wrapped gifts to send to our fam in Massachusetts and planned our meals for next week (with my awesome menu planner list from Etsy).

Etsy Menu Planner: search seller 'jotitdown' on Etsy. She is taking a break for the holidays, but you can make a special request!!

December is such a challenge. We are so busy with birthdays and the holiday season that I barely have time to slow down to enjoy it all! I have simmered down a lot with big hopes for this year and the years ahead. I really want to make sure that I take it all in!! My dear friend Rhonda is participating in a December Daily challenge...post something each day for the month of December to give your readers a glimpse into your family's Christmas. I missed a couple of days, but I'll start today - I think it's a great way to reflect on the joy of each day and it's a great reminder to not let the hustle and bustle get in the way of the good stuff!! Thanks Hauney!!

I just realized that today is not today anymore!! It's 12:04! I was about to let you in on my plan for tomorrow, but I guess it's today's list: PTA Christmas party and auction in the morning...post office madness in the afternoon. Later Skater!!

My new obsession...FELT FOOD!!

That's right...food made out of felt! I began my addiction with an expensive purchase from Pottery Barn Kids. Grace (and Mason) LOVE to play at the pretend kitchen and I sometimes worry about the lead in plastic food (NERD)...Grace likes to really take a bite every once in a while! The food at PBK is so cute - we have waffles with a side of strawberries, bacon and eggs with a side of toast, a lunch bag with a sandwich, chips, apple and juice box (thanks Libby!)...and SHHHHHH, I bought the Farmer's Market bag of fruits and veggies and some cupcakes for her birthday. I started looking online and found some of the cutest things...

Takes me back to the good old days when I played kitchen with mom's Tupperware, styrofoam plates and an old milk carton!! I think I'll attempt to create my own...I'll let you know how it goes!! (pictures: Sweet Shoppe)