Sunday, April 29, 2012

Save the Earth: Recycling Project

A while back, I organized all of Isabelle's DVDs. You can check out that blog here. While I love the new method of keeping track of all the movies, I cringe every time we get a new one and we have to throw out the cases. We of course put them all in the recycling, but I thought there had to be something fun we could do with them. I turned to my favorite friend Pinterest and came up with this fun little project.

DVD Case Notebooks 

What you will need:

Empty DVD Case
Notebook { mine were to big and had to be cut to size} or loose paper.
Construction paper, Scrap booking paper, Fabric or any other decorative cover of your choosing.
Glue or spray adhesive 
Shears 

First, start with the fun part and make a cover for your notebook. I made mine in a grocery theme and Isabelle colored her own pictures and added stickers to give hers a fabulous Hello Kitty look.

Isabelle working on her notebook cover

We used scrapbook paper and coloring book cut outs

I found a cute grocery bag clip art photo online

Then attached it to some blue paper


Then, you want to take your dvd case and remove the part that holds the disk in place...



Next, cut a piece of cardboard {or card stock if you have it} the size of the right side. This is another great opportunity for a little recyling. {We used a used microwaved meal box}


Cover the cardboard in your scrap paper and add a little pocket.


Pocket for pencils and coupons 

Glue your pocket page into place on the right side. Then glue your notepad into place on the left side {unless you are using loose paper}.


List on one side

Coupons and pencil on the other

Ready to grocery shop

Isabelle's ready for a road trip

This was a fun and easy project for us to do. Keep an eye out for a couple more recycling projects in the next couple days :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Fun at The Our Kids World Expo

Yesterday we had some family time at the Kids World Expo at the South Florida Fairgrounds. This is the 3rd time we have been to this event!! It's crazy to think we have been here that long! I went back and checked out last years blog and saw how much Isabelle has grown since then and of course we have another member in our party. I was happy to snap some of the same pics as last year since I had a hard time getting a good one then.


Isabelle was very excited to meet a few of the Disney princesses and had to wear the perfect dress to have her picture with them...


Giving snow white a big hug!

So excited

Cinderella was next


Showing Belle how she twirls her dress...Belle then twirled with her :)

Isabelle and Belle


Up next we spied another favorite of Isabelles...


There's Strawberry Shortcake

She was so excited to see Strawberry Shortcake since she, of course, was her best friend Blueberry Muffin for Halloween this year!



We saw a few favorites from last year and got several goodies from all of the different booths...




She always loves these puppets 

Isabelle and Jude

Jude, taking it all in


Isabelle and I went into the petting zoo portion of the event, where she fed some baby goats, a baby pig, some larger goats, and what I believe is a lama?


Isabelle loved the baby goats

They were pretty cute!

Hi there guy



Let's take turns guys!

Having so much fun


Mom, nervous

Isabelle, loving it!


After we had signed up for ever sort of give away, checked out all the attractions, we were all hungry. Not a fan of the food there, we decided to head out and stop at Denny's on the way home. Luke has been studying all week and is back at it again but it was nice to have a little time for some Sweet family fun!

What We Have Been Eating 4


Lately, I have been trying my best to remix leftovers into something slightly different. We have a bit of a problem around here with picky eaters. Isabelle is getting much, much better but the hubs is not an eater. I love to cook so this leaves us with an ever occurring problem. Lots and lots of leftovers. I have a hard time eating the same thing over and over, days at a time so unfortunately a lot gets thrown out. Being a child from a "clean your plate there are starving kids in Africa" family, it KILLS me to waste food. So..I have been doing my best and here are some of the results...
Left over steak becomes a steak nacho lunch






Left over mac and cheese with a little ham becomes Ham and Cheese Cups for Isabelle's lunch...


Line muffin tin with 2 slices of ham

Isabelle adding the mac and cheese

Bake at 350 for about 20  minutes



In case you missed it, I made jalapeno chicken  on the grill and then used the leftovers to make some quick wraps..


Jalapeno chicken take one


Jalapeno chicken take 2
I used the chicken a 3rd time in some more nachos! We had some yummy sliders on the grill, but forgot the picture and ate them all..No leftovers there :) Then of course there is everything else...


Fresh baked blueberry muffins, my fav


I was a bad girl that day




Purple flower and butterfly pancakes





Regular pancakes

Sprinkle pancakes....maybe we are eating too many pancakes?


Egg whites, rye toast, granny smith apple

Isabelle's maple brown sugar oatmeal


We had a little fun with spaghetti and hot dogs. Another fun find courtesy of Pinterest...


A good way to sneak in the good pasta




Isabelle LOVED this and had fun helping make it


I talk a lot about what Isabelle eats, but there is a new eater in the house. Mr. Jude drinks a lot of these bad boys...




He is also taking a stab at holding it all by himself...





And he had rice cereal for the first time. Before I know it I will be getting to try making baby food {please share anything you may know about this particular project}


Sometimes I get hungry and jump the gun, eating before I can take a pic so here is a little something I am calling...Aftermath...


A demolished baked potato  

Steak from t he grill

Carrabas inspired olive oil and herbs


So that's it, for the most part. Please share..What have you been eating?