This one WORKED!!!  I saw this video and couldn't believe it!

You'll need...

container(s) of soda - individual size or 1.5 ltr which we used.

Place in the freezer along with some mugs for 3 hours and 15 minutes exactly.  The first time I tried I missed my take out time because I had gotten busy with something else, so I had to let it thaw and start over. :(  Once the time is up, take out the mug/s and soda.  Release the inside pressure by taking off the top of the bottle very slowly.  Then simply pour slowly into a frosty mug and it becomes a slush before your eyes!!!  REALLY!

The boys and I had a lot of fun with this pin.  I had originally pinned this to make for my classroom to help my students work on gross motor skills, but decided to go ahead and make it now for the kids and I to use over the summer.

You'll need...

pool noodles (don't pay more than $1 each for these, you can find them many places for $1) (I used 6 but had originally bought 8.  Not sure if I'll add two more or not.)
duck tape

This is another pin I've seen floating around a LOT lately.  "Pancakes" made from bananas and eggs and nothing else.  So good for you... just like pancakes... no carbs.... yada, yada, yada.

Well, they DO look like panckaes.  They look pretty darn good actually.  BUT... I did NOT like these!  They taste just like what they are... cooked eggs and bananas...  blech!

No thanks, I will not make these again!








Original recipe HERE.

Well, if I haven't mentioned it before, we have a Ranch-a-holic on our hands.  Liam will dip literally ANYTHING in Ranch...
Carrots? .......yep
Pizza? .......of course
Chicken? .......why not
Gummy Bears? .......oh.... not so common is it? yep, he'll do it!
Apples? ......yes, sure!
Grapes? .......you betcha...
And I could go on and on....

So today's Pin was inspired by and found for... Liam! :)

Here's a common sight when we go out to eat, yep, that's RANCH!


For one canning jar full of delicious ranch dressing you'll need...

one packet dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (I used the buttermilk kind)
one cup (2 individual containers) of Dannon Oikos plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk (the original recipe called for 1%, I used skim)

That lovely jar totals a calorie count of 205... for the WHOLE jar!  And it's delicious!
Now... mine was a bit runny, especially since it's mostly used as a dip for the boy, so I would maybe delete a bit of the milk next time, but this was seriously good!  He had two chicken legs for dinner tonight and picked them CLEAN, dipping each bite in ranch... ranch that's much healthier than any he's had before, AND eating two chicken legs which he's never done (He is VERY picky).  That's a bonus for me!

This is another pin I've seen A LOT of recently!  Using Listerine to soak your feet and have them silky smooth for summertime!  Might as well try, right?!

You'll need...

Listerine
vinegar
water
some kind of tub (sadly I used a glass baking pan)

Mix together one part Listerine, one part vinegar, and two parts warm water (I did one cup, one cup, two cups).
Pour into container and soak those tootsies for ten minutes. 

It. Felt. Great. !!!  I definitely saw results after one soak, and plan to do it again tomorrow!

Of course the boys were VERY intrigued and wanted to try themselves too! (Olivia left for a week at camp today).  

The pained expression has ONLY to do with the fact that mom made him turn away from the tv for a silly picture!  Ha!

This was amazing!  I have seen this post so many times on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect to try... a mix you create, can store, and then just use sporadically to have a little cake treat now and then.  Plus, so easy a child could do it... perfect!  And it works!!!

You'll need...

one angel food cake mix
one regular cake mix - any flavor (we used strawberry)
water
mug

First, mix together the two cake mixes...


Once mixed, place 3 Tbs of mix in a mug.  Add 2 Tbs of water.  Place in the microwave...


Set it for one minute...

This day was a bit different from the others I've done.  Rather than finding ONE pin to follow, I've seen MANY awesome Dis.ney countdown calendars I've loved on Pinterest.  This summer, in 20 days to be exact, Braeden and I will be headed for a very special trip to Dis.ney.  When each of my kids turn 10 I take them for a one on one trip with mom to a destination they help choose.  Two years ago it was Olivia's turn and she ended up picking a stunning four days in NYC!  Braeden turns 10 this year, and since summer is the best time to do a trip like this, this summer it's all him.  And he chose Dis.ney!  We have some awesome plans in store, things we wouldn't ever get to do as a big family, and it's all right up his alley (I think I'm more excited than he is!).  So... with all of the great countdowns I've seen, I knew I had to make my own during this 31 days!  BUT... I searched for many ideas and then used those plus what I found locally and created my own!



There are yellow, black, blue, and red numbers.  The final 6 are red.  I used a simple cup hook for hanging the numbers which are mounted on paint sample colors from Dis.ney!

Before we begin... Don't let the word "salad" fool you!  NOT HEALTHY! LOL :)  Of course there IS fruit... but who are we fooling??? :)

I wasn't a big fan of this... shocker as it's chock full of goodies... but the kids ALL loved it!

You will need... (I made half of the recipe and it still made a TON.)

8-10 green apples (smaller size, use less if they are large)
1 8oz container cool whip
1 instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup milk
2 bags snack size snickers

Mix the pudding and cup of milk in a small bowl and place in fridge.
While that is chilling, cut up the apples and snickers into small cubes.
Mix the apples, snickers, and cool whip with the pudding mixture in a large bowl.
Serve and enjoy!  Easy!

Yum!  And so fun!  Of course Liam, the crazy boy who doesn't care for pancakes, pulled his bacon out after bite one and just ate that, but otherwise we LOVED these!

You'll need...

pancake batter (mix or homemade recipe - we used bisquick)
bacon (I used turkey bacon)
squeeze bottle (you can get a set of yellow and red - typically for ketchup and mustard - at a dollar store for $1!)

Make your pancake batter and put it in the squeeze bottle. 
Cook your bacon and set aside on a plate.
Squeeze on a long oval shaped amount of batter on your heated pan, set one piece of bacon on top, add some swirls of batter on top and cook.  When bubbly, flip to cook on the second side.
Serve with syrup and enjoy!!!

Such a GREAT summer treat for kids!!!  And healthy to boot!  Can't beat it!

You'll need...

one container Greek yogurt (I used vanilla)
1 Tbs honey (may want more if you want a sweeter covering)
fruit - enough for 12 "chunks" (I used strawberries and mango)
small toppings (chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, etc)
12 popsicle sticks
wax paper

Mix together your yogurt and honey.
Place in the freezer for five minutes to thicken up.
While it's freezing, place each piece of fruit on one popsicle stick.
Using a spoon, coat the fruit with yogurt.  Sprinkle on one topping of choice and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.


Place into the freezer for a couple of hours.  Remove and let stand 1-2 minutes before eating.  Any leftovers can be put in a freezer bag back into the freezer until you're ready to eat.

My first complete FAIL this year, not too bad actually.  This pin is what I was following...

PIN HERE

Which links you to the recipe they used HERE.

So we also tried to make our own "Magic Slush.ies" - just like the ones on tv that you spend a small fortune on buying the special equipment.

FAIL!

The first step is to make your special salt ice packs the night before and let it freeze overnight.  It. Never. Froze.

I've had people tell me on FB that with the added salt it won't ever freeze in a regular freezer.  That you would need a deep freezer.  Well, we don't have one.  And in the pin it mentions nothing about using a separate freezer so I'm not sure WHAT she did to get her pack to freeze.  But ours were in the freezer over 3 days and still NEVER froze. :(  So this was a FAIL for us! :(

Stop.  Do NOT make these!  Especially if you are like me and are TRYING to eat healthier, to get healthier, yeah, this is NOT the recipe for you... because they are SO stinking GOOD!!!  I'm not even going to post the recipe here.  If you REALLY think you need these... you can go HERE and get the original recipe!  Ha!

Another delicious recipe!!!  And another EASY recipe!  We will definitely be making these again and again!  (I was way wary of the chili powder, but we all loved these!  ALL of us!)

You'll need...

about 4 small sweet potatoes
2 Tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp sea salt

Cut the sweet potatoes in half length wise.  Lay one half on cutting board and cut into approximately one inch segments.  (I cut mine in half and then half again and loved the bigger fries than this recipe shows.)

In a small bowl mix the oil, chili powder, and salt.  Brush the segments with the mix and lay each onto a roasting pan.  (I improvised by using a cookie cooling rack on a baking sheet.)  

Cook for 10 minutes at 425, turn once, and cook 10-15 minutes more.

Enjoy!

I have a secret... today was my birthday.  Shhh!  No, really, it's not that big of a deal... as an adult it's more of a no-big-deal kind of day.  But the kids love celebrating.  And they were so cute about getting me gifts when I took them to Target, gave them some money, and set them free (what's a single mom to do?!).

Their finds...