April Fool's Cake Pops

My family doesn't necessarily try to prank our kids on April Fool's Day, but when I saw my cousin share this post on making cake pops out of brussel sprouts, I knew I had to bring these to Easter! 

These definitely look a lot like a cake pop, and even my dad didn't know there was something wrong with these.  They were really easy to make.  I just cut the bottom off the RAW brussel sprout and kept pulling away leaves until they were the size of a traditional cake pop.  Then I melted some chocolate (I bought this kind at my local Walmart) and dipped each one in.  I added some candy sprinkles and then placed it in a Styrofoam rectangle to keep it standing upright.  

I don't know what was funnier...the kids who took a big bite right away, or the ones who just kept eating the chocolate off it?!

Summer Electronics Rules

I'm sure you've seen something similar to this list floating around facebook and pinterest.  I know that's where I first saw this idea...and loved it.  So I created a "must complete first..." summer chore list before the kids can watch tv, use an iPad, or listen to their music on their iPod/phone (old phone, only plays music and some apps).

Of course, Brian and I like to go to the gym after lunch and I personally like to take a nap, so if it's before 8 am (please let me sleep!), or between 1-3 pm, they can do whatever they want.  I hope this works...

Summer Rules

If it’s before 8 am…go ahead and watch tv or use an iPad.

If it’s after 8 am:
Did you:
Eat breakfast
Make your bed
Brush your teeth
Get dressed

Now choose 3 more things to do (without whining, arguing, or fighting with your siblings!):
Read for 20 minutes
Write or draw for 20 minutes
Play outside for 30 minutes
Complete at least 3 pages from your workbooks/summer packets (needs to get checked)
Play a game with Matthew (or each other) WITHOUT arguing
Write a letter (with drawings) to someone.  (You actually have to mail it).  It needs to be at least 8 sentences.
Clean up a room in the house (not your bedroom)
Build with legos or rainbow looms for 20 minutes
Play an educational game (i.e. IXL) for 20 minutes on the computer…if it’s available
Work on learning your new prayer
Vacuum the kitchen
Emptied upstairs garbage cans
Made mom and dad’s bed

A Day on the Farm

My father-in-law told us about an event going on near them called "A Day on the Farm" where kids could explore the farm and the equipment that they have.  We love keeping our kids busy, so we decided to take a ride about an hour south to go see this farm.  After the kids got off the pony ride, a woman asked if she could ask me some questions...and I got interviewed for the local newspaper.  :)  Thank goodness she didn't take any pictures.  She did however ask how old I was, and thankfully left that out of the article.  (I told her she could make up a younger age!)  The kids had so much fun and I am so glad we went.   Here is a snippet of the article...but if you want to read the whole thing, you can click here. 

 

Sunday marked 1-year-old Matthew Hitchins’ first ride on a pony. For his sisters Allison, 6, and Chloe, 4, it was their first time petting a baby pig and sheep.

“We’re always looking for fun things to do with the kids,” said Tracy Hitchins, the mother of three from Bloomington. “We try to expose them to new things.”

Hitchins, her husband and three children spent the afternoon at the second annual “A Day in the Country” on Sunday at the Beaty Farm near Rochester.

Chloe and her sister Allison were excited to move on to other fun things like climbing the tractors and honking the horns.

“Allison says she wants to be a farmer someday,” Hitchins said. 

About 400 people were expected at the Beaty Farm for the event. Attendance was about the same as last year, according to organizers. The farm is located off Illinois 29 about five miles southeast of Rochester.

Larry Beaty, president of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau, owns Beaty Farms with his wife, Diana. He said the event is designed to show people what life is like for farmers and to raise awareness about the practice. Beaty said he gets a lot of questions from people, but the most frequently asked is the cost of farm equipment. Many are amazed by the answer, said Beaty.