The funny things kids say...

Isaac: Hey, Emma. Want to have a Lego war?

Emma: Well, only if they have a peace treaty and there's no fighting.

New Disney Promotions!

I don't have my Disney blog up and running, and I promise not to overload this blog with too much Disney talk. But, this news is just too good not to share!

Disney has extended their FREE dining promotion through September 2011 for most travel dates. In addition, they are also offering gift cards valued at up to $500 when you purchase select packages. Click on the following link for more details:

GIFT CARD PROMOTION

FREE DINING PLAN

For your FREE, no-obligation quote you can visit 3D Travel Company.

If you're interested in joining hundreds of homeschool families for The Ultimate Field Trip, you can visit our Ultimate Field Trip page.

Busy Weekend…

It’s been a busy weekend (and week leading up to this weekend). I have lots going on, but in just a few shorts weeks things will slow down.

I’m working on a new blog for my new job with 3D Travel Company – a travel agency that specializes in Disney destination vacations! My new blog – Goin’ to the Mouse House – will be a place where I can chat about all things Disney! And, I’m in the process of opening a Goin’ to the Mouse House store on Etsy where I can offer all of my Disney-themed creations for sale.

I’m working on some promotions for 3D Travel’s upcoming Ultimate Field Trip (UFT). I’m embroidering backpacks that will be given away to all of the homeschool families who are attending our field trip in September – at WALT DISNEY WORLD!!

I’m gearing up for our new school year. I wanted to start two weeks ago, and even gave it a good try. But, I wasn’t as ready as I wanted to be so we waited. Tomorrow, we will re-start our new school year. I’m ready and prepared. The kids are ready for some structure, as well. Can’t wait to see what this year holds for us!

So, I’ll remain this busy until after UFT (early September). Then things should slow down…until our new 3D Travel promotions kick in and I start booking Disney vacations that is!

Menu Plan Monday – 8/9/10

Hubby has meetings most nights this week, so we have an easy menu planned. On top of that, he even gave me a gift card to take the kids out to dinner one night! Yay!

Sunday:

• breakfast – cereal
• lunch – sandwiches or left overs
• dinner – pineapple ham steak, pineapple casserole, roasted asparagus

Monday:

• breakfast – eggs, toast
• lunch – PB& J
• dinner – taco salad and cheese dip

Tuesday:

• breakfast – pancakes
• lunch – hot dogs, mac-n-chz
• dinner – homemade pizza
• dessert – Rice Krispie treats

Wednesday:

• breakfast – blueberry muffins, yogurt
• lunch – ham sandwiches
• dinner at Chili’s

Thursday:

• breakfast – banana bread
• lunch – quesadillas
• dinner – spaghetti, steamed veggies, garlic bread
• dessert – homemade cookies

Friday:

• breakfast – cereal
• lunch – tacos
• dinner – chicken tenders, oven fries, green beans

Saturday:

• breakfast – sausage gravy and biscuits
• lunch – sandwiches or left overs
• dinner – grilled chicken, veggies, couscous
• dessert – peanut butter pie

Nothing too exciting. I’m trying to get back to menu making and meal planning as we gear up for a new school year!

Apple Cranberry French Toast

Back at the beginning of June, I visited a beautiful scrapbook retreat for a 3D Travel Company training weekend. During that weekend, we were fed so well! One morning we are this delicious Apple Cranberry French Toast. I made it this week to feed my family. The kids did not eat the fruit, but loved the french toast. Hubby and I loved the whole meal!

  Psssttt…Don’t look at my ugly dishes…

Focus only on the lovely breakfast!

Apple Cranberry French Toast

by The Sisters’ Hideaway

• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• 3 t. cinnamon
• 3 tart apples (Granny Smith) peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries (Craisins)
• 1 loaf Italian or French bread cut into 1” slices (I bought a pre-sliced loaf of Italian bread.)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 c. milk
• 1 Tbs. vanilla

Combine brown sugar, butter, and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a 13x9 dish. Add apples and cranberries, toss to coat well. Spread apple mixture evenly over bottom of dish. Arrange slices of bread on top.

Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining 2 tsp. cinnamon until well blended. Pour mixture over bread soaking completely. Cover and refrigerate 4 – 24 hours.

Bake covered with foil at 375 for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve warm with syrup.

Movie Marathon

There was a Pirates of the Caribbean movie marathon 4th of July weekend. My guys settled in to watch the trilogy together.

 

Emma was quite perplexed! She couldn’t understand why the guys kept watching Pirates over and over again. Every time she went through the living room – all day long – they were still watching Pirates. I had to explain they were watching 3 different Pirate movies throughout the day. Her face lit up as she said “Oh”. I think she thought they were a bit weird watching the same movie over and over again all day long.  =)

A girl and her dreams…

Exactly why did we decide to get two guinea pigs? Well, I’ll tell ya a little story about a girl and her dream…

When Emma was little (like 2 or 3) we visited a pet store to just look around. She fell in love with the bunnies. She loved petting them and decided she wanted one. NOW! Well, I wasn’t buying that toddler a rabbit that I had to take care of (in addition to the three kids, dog, and hubby)! So, to put her off I said, “We’ll talk about it when you’re 8.”

Has anyone ever told you about a child’s memory?!? I knew that children remember the odd things for a VERY LONG time. “Mom, remember that day 200 years ago when we xyz?”  “But Mom, last Thursday at precisely 2:16AM you said I could xyz!” (How they can remember oddball comments/facts/etc. but can’t remember to change their underwear or brush their teeth is beyond me!!) Anyway, Emma remembered that comment. And, she reminded me of that comment about every month (at least) for the next 5 years!!  No kidding! She really did! She could frequently be heard saying “I can’t wait ‘til I’m 8, because I get a rabbit.” Really! I’m so.not.kidding!

So, for her 7th bday (in June), we decided she could have a rabbit. So, we headed to Petsmart to look at rabbits and to determine how much said rabbit would cost. Well, guess what…Petsmart doesn’t sell rabbits. But, they do sell guinea pigs. After holding several, Emma changed her mind and decided that she wanted guinea pigs instead.

See yesterday’s post about her dream come true…