Cereal Necklaces

Trader Joe's started stocking a new fruit O's cereal (without corn syrup or food coloring) and it seemed perfect for fun necklace making. The children were pretty good about only eating the broken cereal pieces, then stringing the rest for afternoon snack time.

Picture of the Day: Flying High

This was great exercise for all of us. The wind seemed great but for some reason I couldn't get the kite much higher than 15-20 feet from the ground. Even then we were all running back and forth furiously to keep it up. A fair amount of the time it was just being pulled by the children across the grass.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

I have learned over the years that high fructose corn syrup is particularly dangerous for people battling weight and blood sugar diseases. I read an article a few years ago written by a pediatrician who thought high fructose corn syrup is as addictive as many illicit drug and should be available by prescription only for children who are not able to maintain a healthy weight (!).  So, I found this article interesting; a study shows that HFCS "alters your brain's ability to learn and remember information." Just another reason to avoid it (except maybe for once yearly homemade caramel indulgences.)

4 Thumbs Up Smoothie

-1 cup frozen organic strawberries
-1 cup frozen mangos
-1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries

-1 big handful of kale, washed with stems removed

-add Trader Joe's organic orange juice (tastes like a fresh orange, double yum) until the contents of the blender are covered completely.

{Everything above is just about an estimate. We also love frozen raspberries and peaches.}

When the kids asked, with their noses wrinkled, "What are those greeeeen things?"

I was really relieved that 'sparkles!' came to mind and was approved. Phew. They love these sparkly drinks!

And as a side- I think the blender makes a difference. We get to test drive the BlendTec for a month. Love it! It will be hard to part with.

Lemons

We made strawberry lemonade freezies for morning snack today. We had everything we needed: free meyer lemons from a neighbor and constant inspiration for pink snacks from our favorite Pinkalicious books.

Refresh with the Online Skills Center

The American Red Cross has an amazing interactive skills refresher course online. With many different scenarios, these courses will help you refresh and prepare for a busy (and hopefully hazard free) summer. With over 10 years of experience teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding at community pools I never expected to use my skills for the first time at a family gathering. I am glad I was prepared.

http://www.redcrossrefresher.com/

Picture of the Day: Twinsies

This is what happens when you go to Target for glitter glue and milk after gymnastics class with two adorable three-year-olds! I am so weak at Target, especially when the girlies use their sweetest manners. ("Look at this beautiful shirt, Jessica!") We could have easily come home with puppies, had those been for sale.