What To Make…

I need some help making up my mind. Next week is our MOPS Spa Night, and the Steering Team is in charge of the goodies. I have no idea what to bring, but I have 3 recipes that I have wanted to try out for awhile. One recipe is for Oatmeal Raspberry Bars, another is for Peanut Butter Bon Bons, and one last one is for Raspberry balls. I could always make my Nana’s Coconut-Orange candies, they are good too. So many to choose from, I might just make all four.

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Even More Cookies

As promised there are even more cookies coming out of the kitchen today. Tomorrow is our MOPS Christmas meeting. There is a big breakfast, present exchange, and a cookie exchange too. So I needed to make cookies for the cookie exchange, and a little something for breakfast. Everyone is bringing breakfast tomorrow, so I decided to make one more batch of peanut clusters.

At the MOPS meeting we are also putting together cookie trays for the nursery workers. They work so hard at every meeting to give us moms a much needed break.I know they will appreciate the sweet treats as much as we appreciate their help.

I made up a batch of Candy Bar Cookies for the exchange. These are my most requested cookie that I bake, and one of Dylan’s favorites too. I only needed two dozen, so there were plenty left over for my family.

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MOPS Adventures

At almost every MOPS meeting we have a bit of time to share a Mom Adventure. At every meeting we need a few volunteers to share a story. I decided to raise my hand and volunteer for the most recent meeting, even though I’m super shy in public, and turn bright pink at the notion of speaking out loud in front of a crowded room.

Since I can’t bring along all of my buddies from the blog-universe, I thought I’d share my “adventure” on my blog…

So here goes….

Hi, I’m Nicole. I’m super-shy, and I talk way too fast, and I don’t really go on many adventures, so I’ll share a little about my family and a few of my interests that you might not know about.

I’m married to this good looking guy James, and we just celebrated our 8th anniversary.

Together we have 3 kids…

Agnes is our youngest. She will be six weeks old, next week.

Dylan is our youngest son, and he will be three next year. He is a lot of fun!

Thade is our oldest son. He is a part-time crime fighter, and full-time awesome! He’ll be six in January.

We also have two spoiled kitties.

Loki is our 10 year old Tabby.

Maddie is our four year old kitty.

I have one sibling.

My super-rad brother Rob!

Just in case you didn’t know, I love to cook. I really love to bake, if the kids will let me.

Here is a Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving.

A Peach Pie that I made for my Brother’s birthday.

A sweetheart Cherry Pie for Valentine’s Day

A Halloween themed Cherry Pie for our anniversary.

For the last few years I’ve attempted to garden. I haven’t been super successful, but this year the corn and okra survived.

I really love the okra blossoms.

Dylan loved the okra, it is his favorite veggie!

More okra in bloom.

I thought the sweet-corn was too cute.

I also run a website called Nicostuff, where I like to share my home projects, crafts, and daily journal.

I’m obsessed with NASCAR!

and I collect vintage jewelry, although I don’t wear much of it.

I also play Bass

and I really like to go bowling, but I’m not too good.

When I get the chance, I get out my sewing machine, and work on a few projects.

You’ll never see me without my camera. I take it everywhere, and snap random pictures wherever I go.

Sugar Maples downtown

Summer flowers after a rain shower.

When I can, I take the kiddos to K.C. to visit my brother, and get some pictures. K.C. is one of my very favorite places to visit. Maybe one day, we’ll move up there.

The art deco buildings of the Plaza are some of my favorites.

You can’t beat that skyline.

So that’s me and my family, in a super speedy manner, and when I type it, I don’t turn bright pink…

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Boredom Busters from MOPS

Today was MOPS, and we had several speakers on the topic of Boredom Busters, or how to keep your kids happy in the car during holiday travel. I was the last to speak at the meeting, and I thought I would share my tips for keeping the kids happy in the car with all of you too.

If you find yourself spending extra time in the car, and the kiddos are getting restless, here are a few tips that have helped be out.

• Pack along a small tote or small back-pack filled with your child’s favorite toys, and rotate the stockpile of toys often. You can purchase a small plastic container to keep in the car at all times inexpensively at your favorite store. We like to bring along picture books, travel sized magna doodle, and travel sized aqua doodle. All of these items store well, and aren’t too messy either.
• If your child has a favorite noisy toy that they insist on bringing along, locate the speaker on the toy, and cover it with painter’s tape. The tape is low tack, and won’t leave a sticky residue on the toy, but it will muffle the sound.
• The car is also a great place to practice learning colors and spotting letters. We like to play “I Spy” while waiting in the car. Dylan likes to look for something orange, and something that starts with the letter B. The game keeps kids busy in the car, and enjoying the scenery too.
• Bring small snacks and juice boxes for your car trip. Taking the time to pack healthy snacks for the kiddos will save you time, money, and a trip through the drive-thru.
• If a long car trip is on the horizon, I like to use Google Maps or Map Quest to help plan the fastest route of the trip, and also spot some much needed rest stops along the way.
• If the weather is nice visit a park that you haven’t been to before, and have the kids pick up some leaves for a craft project. Making sure that the kiddos get out of the car often to stretch their legs will make for a happier car ride, and the fresh air just might bring on a much needed nap too.
• If your kids are older let them be the “navigator” of your car ride. Print off an extra map for them, and let them help with the directions.
• Bring your camera and extra batteries, so you don’t miss out on any photos of your adventure.
• Don’t forget the music. Pack along some of your favorite cd’s and your kiddos too. Let them sing along, and play “car-trip Karaoke”
• Always plan for the unexpected… If your kiddos are anything like mine, and car rides can bring on some tummy troubles, you need to be prepared. Pack an extra change of clothes (or two) for each of your kids, along with plenty of diapers and wipes too. I also keep a small trash can lined with plenty of plastic bags (just in case), and a roll of paper towels in the car too. You never know when you are going to need them.
• Have your child bring along a favorite stuffed animal or blanket for the car ride too. Having their favorite bear might just calm their little worries.
• If the weather is going to turn cold, I bring along a few extra blankets, just in case there is car trouble. I also like to keep an emergency kit in the trunk during the winter months. Always make sure and have your cell phone charged and ready just in case their is an emergency.
• Don’t forget to remind Grandma, or whomever you are visiting to put away the breakables and baby-proof if you have small children that are crawling or toddling.

I hope these tips make your holiday travel a little more peaceful this holiday season.

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