Family Fun Night Recipes

August 30, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

We are gearing up for our Family Fun Night with Mickey Mouse and the gang, so I thought I would share a few more games and some recipes with you to help make your night even more special.

There are tons of recipes on the Playhouse Disney website, but here are a few of my favorite.

Mickey’s Markers

Ingredients: 1 cup canned low sodium garbanzo beans, drained 1/4 cup roasted red bell peppers, drained and coarsely chopped 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream Pinch ground black pepper 8 slices whole wheat bread, crusts cut off.

Directions: • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. • Place garbanzo beans, red bell pepper, lemon juice, sour cream, and pepper in the work bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. • Place bread on a flat work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll while pressing firmly to compress bread to 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 1-inch and 2-inch circles. Spray both sides lightly with spray oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. • Serve with hummus dip.

Mount Mistletoe Slushy

Ingredients: 4 cups zero calorie or sugar-free sports drink, green 3 cups honeydew melon, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks 1 1/2 cups ice.

Directions: • Pour green sports drink in ice cube trays and freeze. • Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

And our favorite, the Rescue Truck Cake that we are going to make together the night before.  

Ingredients: 1/4 sheet cake, about 7×12 inches, any flavor 1 (16 ounce) can white frosting 4 (4.25 ounce) tubes red decorating icing 12 round chocolate sandwich cookies 4 shortbread cookies 8 licorice whips 8 white disc-shaped candies 6 red or yellow disc-shaped gummy candies.

For directions on making the cake and other great recipes, visit the Playhouse Disney website.

As for the games, my kids can’t wait to make the Craft Stick Racers, and if time permits, Goofy’s 3D Rescue Truck.  Also, Don’t forget to tune in to the premiere of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally, September 7th at 7/6c.

*While Playhouse Disney supplied me with the placemats, sticker sheets, Family Night calendar, and compensation for this post….the opinions and views in this post are of my own.*

Images from PlayhouseDisney.com

Filed Under Family, Food, Product Reviews

Mamavation Monday

August 30, 2010 By Trista 10 Comments

UGH!!!!! Could this cold last any longer? I’ve had it for about 2 weeks now (which is why I didn’t post last week, I was too drugged up to remember) and it’s getting a little old.

I’m so congested and snotty at the same time that I have no energy to workout or do anything, but I did manage to lose 1 1/2 lbs. somewhere. Probably b/c I’ve been too sick to eat a whole lot, but hey, I’ll take it.

Once this goes away and I get my other child in school (she starts tomorrow), I’m hoping to have a few hours everyday to devote to just me and working out.

How have you been doing?

Filed Under Happier Me, Healthier Me, Life, Mamavation Mondays

Family Fun Night with Mickey Mouse

August 26, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

Now that our lives are settling down and everyone seems to be on a schedule again, we have started implementing “Family Fun Night” again. At least one night a month, we eat dinner together and/or watch a movie or play a game together.

This month (well, the first of September) we are going to be having dinner and watching the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally.

Mickey Mouse Road Rally helps kids learn that friends help friends, and that with teamwork, we can overcome challenges and solve problems. When Mickey announces that we’re all going on a Road Rally, we learn that a rally is a race where everyone wins!  As you follow the Road Rally Map, get ready for special surprises along the way and celebrate the awesome ride.

My kids absolutely LOVE Mickey Mouse (and if I’m being honest, so do I), so they are going to love what I have planned. We have activity placemats and sticker sheets so that we can celebrate the new show, which premieres at 7pm/6c on September 7th.

You and your family can join us in planning an extra special family night by downloading some great printables from Playhouse Disney like Clarabelle’s Map Puzzler, Road Rally Bingo, their very own Road Rally placemat, and much much more.

I believe that Family Night should be a permanent staple in every home as it brings families closer together, so please join us in celebrating Mickey’s new adventure. I may even be back in a day or so to share some recipes with you to help you make the night extra special and fun.

*While Playhouse Disney supplied me with the placemats, sticker sheets, Family Night calendar, and compensation for this post….the opinions and views in this post are of my own.*

Filed Under Family, Life, Product Reviews

Wordless Wednesday: First Day of First Grade

August 18, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

PS-When did I get old enough to have a 1st Grader?

For more WW posts, visit www.5minutesformom.com.

Filed Under Daily Meme's, Kids, Life, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

Mamavation Monday (LATE)

August 18, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

So last week wasn’t a good week. We had school meetings, late football practices, getting ready for our beach trip, etc and I fell off the wagon. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Things got way out of hand and with not getting home til 30 minutes before bedtime, dinner became something convenient instead of something healthy.

Fortunately, I only gained 1 1/2 lbs. with all of that and our vacation at the beach where ALL of our meals were paid for. Not that I ate bad, I just didn’t eat well.

I’m getting back on the wagon this week, so if you see me online, hound me about the exercising and water…I need some of my mojo back.

Goals for the week-

  • Lose the 1 1/2 lbs. I gained
  • One soda a day
  • 3 days on the elliptical
Filed Under Daily Meme's, Mamavation Mondays

Mamavation Monday

August 9, 2010 By Trista 14 Comments

The past two weeks have been completely insane (I even forgot to post last week).

After being with Mark for two straight months, it took some time to adjust being away from him again. The good news is that I didn’t gain any weight, but the bad news is I didn’t lose either. I guess maintaining is good when you are struggling with missing your husband, trying to get ready for back to school, dealing with family visiting, and getting into a routine with football practice.

Thankfully, school starts back this week so now that I have to get up earlier, I’m hoping to get in a few walks at the park each week, as well as working out on the elliptical and to the new Jillian Michaels DVD my Mother-In-Law bought me.

Goals for this week-

  • Drink 100 oz. of water a day
  • Get in 10 miles on the Elliptical
  • Work out 3 days to the Jillian Michaels DVD

BIG congratulations to Julie Mansfield @jamnsfld76 for being the Sista of the Week! Also, thanks to Lori @gutimom for sponsoring this week’s blogging carnival with her Avon giveaway.

Filed Under Daily Meme's, Happier Me, Healthier Me, Life, Mamavation Mondays

Overwhelmed

August 5, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

The past two days haven’t been easy for me. NOT.AT.ALL. I seem to be in this horrible funk and all I wanna do is sit around and pout. Unfortunately, I can’t do that.  With Mark being gone, I have a full plate and then some.

I’m trying to take care of our kids, keep the house clean (HUGE FAIL!), pay the bills, take Zach to all 5 football practices each week, get things ready for school, post here, manage my website, build my photography business, worry about how we will make ends meet once Mark isn’t traveling and bringing in that extra income, do the laundry…all of this while I try to keep us fed, bathed, and spend a little time with the kids.

All of that is hard enough. But when your in a funk, it’s even harder.

There’s one thing I have gained from this whole out of town business and it’s UTMOST respect for Army Wives and people who go months without seeing their spouse. Two weeks at a time is miserable, I just can’t imagine going any longer.

Fortunately, it will all be over soon and Mark will be home in 48 hours…..but that still doesn’t make me feel any better.

I want him here now!

Filed Under Life, Love, Rambling

Wordless Wednesday: A Dream Come True

August 4, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit 5MinutesForMom.com.

Filed Under Kids, Photography, Sports, Wordless Wednesday

33 More Days…..

August 2, 2010 By Trista Leave a Comment

Filed Under Roll Tide, Sports

Tips to a Happy Marriage

August 2, 2010 By Trista 1 Comment

I saw this on a friend’s Facebook page and thought I’d share!

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Have you ever wondered “what is the secret to a long and happy marriage?” Our collection of tried and true marriage advice tips will help you answer that very question! These secrets to a happy marriage come straight from the horse’s mouth — those who are happily married!

Never assume.

Compliment more than you criticize.

For each time you vent about your husband/wife to your friends, tell three positive stories.

Remember that it is ok to do things differently (e.g. there is more than one way to peel a potato or fold the laundry).

Always make time for the two of you.

Marry someone that you enjoy listening and talking to.

Remember that marriage is sometimes a bed of roses and sometimes there are thorns.

Remember that the best gift that you can give your children is to love their mother/father.

Be fair! Split the housework, spending money, etc evenly. This way you are never resentful of your partners contributions (or lack of) or expenditures.

Never go to bed angry. (Unless it’s 3a.m. and you’re exhausted, angry, and not thinking straight.)

Remember that people do fight. It’s how you do it that matters.

Before starting an argument, consider if it’s really worth it.

Fight naked. ;)

Agree to disagree.

Never, ever mention the “D” word (divorce).

Do you want to be right or do you want to be married?

Respect each other’s privacy.

Remember that “love is like childhood. You need to learn to share.”

Marriage is not 50/50, it’s two people giving 100/100 all of the time.

Surprise each other now and then.

The secret to a happy marriage is two TV’s!

Have date night!

Never pass up an opportunity to say “I love you”.

Hold hands.

Hug & kiss every day (several times a day actually!).

Always believe that you got better than you deserved.

Be quick to say “I’m sorry”.

Choose the one you love, then love the one you choose.

Keep the in-laws out of your marriage!

Love isn’t always a feeling, it’s a decision.

Hang in there. It’s worth it.

Play nice, play often, love much.

Never air your dirty laundry as a couple in public.

Never keep secrets from each other.

Be each other’s champion. No matter what, take your husband or wife’s side first!

Communication is the key!

Always respect each other.

Never underestimate the power of a good belly-laugh and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

It’s the little things that matter most.

Never use the words ‘Always’ and ‘Never’ in a fight.

It’s ok to argue, but never use curse words to express your anger.

Never compare your marriage to others. What you see on the outside is not always what it is on the inside.

Don’t make love in the same place/position everytime. Variety is the spice of life!

Filed Under Life, Love
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