Busy bag swap!

A few weeks ago, I signed up to be apart of a Busy Bag swap with some local Mama's.  It ended up being a big group -- 14 women!  If you're unfamiliar with what this is, it's basically a "bag" full of activities for your kids to play with or work with quietly.  No batteries needed, just activities to keep their fingers busy and minds working.

The swap itself is a genius idea.... you make "x" amount of the same activity, then go to this get-together and come home with that same amount of new busy bags for your kids.  I think the key to all of the activities is using them "sparingly" so they don't get tired of them.  Ours are kept in a closet unknown to the boys, and I pull them out when we're bored of regular toys.

Lucky for me, 14 women participated in this particular swap, so I have a good amount of things for the boys to work on and play with! 

Here's what we came home with... 

Sponge Towers

A lot of fun!  We sort by color, count them, build towers, and of course... knock it all over. 

Felt board with shapes 

Cohen really likes this one.  His houses are always very... ahem, creative.  :) 

Jar lids to push through the hole in the container

One of the boys' favorites... the girl who made these saw the original idea in Parents magazine. 

The Clothesline

Cohen can't quite do this one yet, but that makes it extra fun for Jaxon :) 

Button snake 

Challenging for both boys, in a good way! 

Pizza Factory 

This is the bag I brought.  Not to toot my own horn, but so far, this has been the most played with.  The boys love to pretend to make a pizza for "Grandma" or "Papa" and follow the instructions on each card.

Busy Bag Roadways... designed by Life Well Lived

This was clearly the boys' first pick, straight out of the bag.  They love anything cars and roads! 

Letter tracing

Love the cards, they are printed on 3x5 picture paper!  Such a good idea.

Pom Pom Mats

Another fun one - it keeps both boys occupied for a long time! 

Paint chip matching

I was amazed that Cohen could do this one by himself... Mom fail, I didn't even realize he knew his colors! 

Popsicle Puzzles

This one is over Cohen's head but is challenging for Jaxon.  Great activity! 

Pom Pom Sorting

Another favorite for both boys!  Sort by color and dump it all out... fun for all! 

Playdough mat with homemade playdough

We haven't done this one yet, but the boys love playdough so I know they'll enjoy it! 

Mr Potato Head - made out of felt

Oh man, I love this one!  So cute, and I can't imagine how long it took this Mama to make 14 sets!  Both of the boys really enjoy this one too.  It's lots of fun! 

Threading stick

We also really like this one!  Jaxon prefers the string, and Cohen likes to do it with the straws.

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I am also in the process of organizing a swap for some blogging friends... I can't wait to start getting them in the mail, and of course I'll be back to show you more once that swap is over.

If you're looking for something to do with friends, this is a great idea and fairly easy to organize.  You get to spend time with Mom's, PLUS come home with activities for your kids!  Have fun :) 

Recipe love.

Unfortunately cooking each night is a mandatory thing, so to help keep it spicy in my kitchen, I love to try out new recipes.  My goal is to try 1-3 new dishes a week... it keeps us on our toes so we don't fall in the routine of eating the same thing.

I love when people do things like this, so here are a few recipes from Pinterest that we've tried and really enjoyed.  

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Megan on Pinterest

We LOVE these... one of my favorite things to throw in the crock pot before church and come home to. So easy!

Source: recipe-diaries.com via Megan on Pinterest

A yummy weight watchers recipe... even my hubby liked these.

Source: afarmgirlsdabbles.com via Megan on Pinterest

One of my favorite Pinterest finds... I accidentally doubled the pasta the first time I made it, which made the soup VERY thick, which made Tyler happy since he's not a huge soup lover.

Source: tidymom.net via Megan on Pinterest

Not much to say, other than yummy.

Source: whataboutpie.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Another one of our favorites... these are EASY and good.

Source: pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Oh my, another good one.  This also makes a very large batch, so I could easily cut this in half for our family... but we love the leftovers.

Source: melskitchencafe.com via Megan on Pinterest

I think I've only made these once, but we liked them.

Source: recipegirl.com via Megan on Pinterest

Ahhhh... my "go to" breakfast when we have guests.  SO rich, but SO good.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Megan on Pinterest

Another "go to" of mine... if I ever bring you a meal, this is what it will most likely be.  It is easy to double and keep half for our family, and give the other half to someone who needs it!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Megan on Pinterest

Not for the vegetarians or dieters.  :)  We add pepperjack cheese and mushrooms to this, and LOVE them.

Source: goo.gl via Megan on Pinterest

A fun twist on Mexican/taco night.  I loved these, Tyler thought they were just okay... but he doesn't really like tacos to begin with.

Source: tandriantastytidbits.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Really really really enjoyed this one.  Next time I'll cut the recipe in half, because the leftovers weren't great.

Try out some of these recipes and let me know what you think!

What about you... have you found anything good to eat lately?  You know me... always on the look-out for something new!  Ha!

Snippets.

It's been a while since I talked about what's happening in our neck of the woods, so for anyone who is wondering, here ya go!

The weather has been amazing lately, hasn't it?  While I do love a nasty snow storm, these higher temps that have allowed me to let the boys run and play outside are lifesavers. Am I the only one who hates having to bundle up their kids just to run an errand?  Big bulky winter coat... hat... gloves... shoes... check!  Summer time is so much easier.  Shoes... and, let's go.  :)

I finally uploaded the pictures off of my iPhone recently.  I took 4,657 pictures over the last year and I'm amazed at how much faster my phone is running now... ha!  Who knew...

This post has been pinned on Pinterest and brings in almost 25,000 hits on my blog a day.  It makes me wish I would have taken the post a little more seriously (with directions I gave) ... I was a bit sarcastic in my writing of the post, which is a little embarrassing now, especially when I receive so many emails asking for "real" instructions.

I can't believe Jaxon will be 3 next month.  He has hardly left his train table's side since receiving it for Christmas, which makes me so happy.  

Tyler is working 7 DAY work weeks until Mid-February.  It's going to be a long month so I'd appreciate your prayers!  I am so thankful for the gym membership we have, and how it's an hour and 15 minutes (that's my max time I'm allowed to leave them) of ME time!  I have also really been digging into the Word again in the mornings, so I hope between the two of them, I can keep my sanity the next month-ish.  My Mom was SO great to remind me recently that at least he gets to come home each night, unlike last year when he was working in Denver for 4 1/2 months.  It really put things into perspective for me.  Things can always be worse.

Speaking of the gym, I went to this 20/20/20 class this morning.  20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of strength, 20 minutes of arms/abs.  I almost died.  We ran 1 mile for the cardio (plus 6 times up/down 4 flights of stairs) and the instructor said "these 20 minutes of cardio go SO fast, we gotta push ourselves..." all I could think while she said that they go fast, was "fast? this is the slowest 20 minutes of my life."  Hopefully I can find the strength to return next week.


My friend Grace and her family are adopting a sweet boy from Thailand this coming year.  Along with every adoption comes the need for financial support, but more importantly, prayer. You can read more of their story here, and if you feel led, I know they'd greatly appreciate any help you can provide... whether that's financially OR as a prayer partner.

We are in the process of negotiating a new vehicle.  We've had our Rav4 since 2006, and it has served us extremely well... but we need something with more space. (and no, this is not a pregnancy announcement!)  If you have any recommendations for a roomy SUV with a 3rd row option, please pass it on!  At this point, we have our eyes set on a Chevy Traverse but we'll see what happens.

Cohen is now 14 months old and he is finally starting to TRY and walk!  We've always joked that he's a really lazy baby, but I know that the reason he hasn't even tried is because of his ears.  Up until getting his tubes put in, he would hardly even stand unassisted.  Seeing him try and walk is so exciting... I scream almost every time, which is probably part of the reason he topples over... ha!

I have a really really really great giveaway planned for next week... so stay tuned.  I think it's even good enough for all of you lurkers to come out of hiding.  :)

In my head.

i had a fun weekend with a surprise visit from my sister!  it was the perfect amount of work and play, with a little grey's anatomy rerun thrown in.

did you hear about the big debate about some people in california trying to implement a law against circumcision until the age of 18?  absolutely crazy... it's fine if you're against circumcision, but seriously, do what's best for your family and leave it alone. i just don't get it.

i won a giveaway on a blog today... a gorgeous quilt!  i can't wait to share it with y'all when i receive it. 

jaxon started swimming lessons today.  i hope it will help calm some of my nightmares...seriously.

i am over this heat. and over my house not being able to vent the heat properly. after living in texas, i feel like this is the summer that will.not.end.

i go in phases with my love affair with pinterest. sometimes i wish there wasn't a "re-pin" option, i just get tired of seeing the same image so many times. 

my husband started a new schedule, working 1pm until ...well, it's supposed to be 10pm, but it's usually closer to midnight.  nights are so lonely and it's an adjustment having him home in the morning now.

i've been busy around the house and am excited to share the updates with you!

i finally upgraded to an iPhone 4. in white. i'm in love!

cohen has officially been an "outside baby" longer than he was an "inside baby".  haha, sorry i just had to use that silly term. time is flying by.

next week the boys and i are headed on another mini-vacation with my parents.  leah, part of me wishes you weren't on maternity leave because i would be calling you. 

happy monday! 

Sunday inspiration.

Just a few of my favorite images from pinterest this week... I'm in spring & easter mode!

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I'm trying to decide if I'm brave enough to do egg coloring or not with Jaxon this year...... I'm thinking I might be asking for trouble, but but but..... it's Easter, how can I not!

Excited for this week... what about you?