Explore the world...with your kids

Ever wanted to travel...with your kids....around the world? Count me in! It sounds so crazy but exotic but the best way for a kid to really learn about life. Read this story of a family of 8 who travels the world and how you can start living your legend. http://liveyourlegend.net/travel-the-world-with-family-of-8/

World's Best Norwegian Sweet Waffles - Vafler

I'm a bit of a waffle snob. I won't eat Belgian (really thick and crispy) and I don't like Eggos. I like my waffles sweet, soft and fluffy and heart shaped. Norwegian style.

My friend Darlene received this delicious recipe from her Norwegian born mother-in-law. The key ingredient? No baking powder or soda. No yeast. Just 9 whipped egg whites.

Then there's the sweetness. Like a cup and a half. Enough sugar to make your kid zip around the house frantically, way too much for a diabetic and so much that you won't reach for syrup or jam or lingonberry or whipped cream or Nutella.

Think heart shaped, fluffy pound cake. I have searched the web and have not seen a recipe like this.

Be patient. It will take 45 minutes to prep and cook all 20 waffles. For me it takes 10 minutes cuz I have four irons. See, I am waffle obsessed.

World's Best Norwegian Sweet Waffles
9 eggs
1.5 c sugar
1 stick melted butter
3 c flour (gluten free flour works too)
2 c milk
1 tablespoon vanilla sukker (vanilla sugar, available at Scandinavian specialty shops) or pure vanilla extract

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes 
Yields: 20 waffles 

Turn on your waffle iron. Preferably heart shaped or a classic one. Don't use a Belgian waffle maker as your waffles will come out crispy and not fluffy.

Separate the egg whites and beat to stiff peaks and set aside. Mix the yolks with the remaining ingredients. Once batter is mixed, fold in the egg whites lightly. Butter your iron and add an ice cream scoop of batter to the iron. Put on your favorite Pandora station. This could take you another 30 minutes to make your stack of vaflers. 

Serve immediately with butter and jam or just pop them in your mouth. Refrigerate or freeze left overs and reheat in a waffle iron or a toaster. 
 

 
Search for more yummy breakfast ideas.

My new earrings

Hey moms! Ever wish you had your own personal stylist? Now you can. And for only 20 bucks. Fill out a profile and in a few weeks you receive 5 new pieces of clothes and accessories by mail. Learn more here http://bit.ly/1F90JWZ

Rainbow science jar

Rainbow science! Easy project with household items. http://www.playdoughtoplato.com/rainbow-jar-st-patricks-day/

Stitch Fix

Just received my first shipment of clothes hand picked by my personnel stylist. Loving my silver chandelier earrings. This is the perfect service for the busy mommy who needs some new clothes but isn't sure what to buy. Just fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and a personal stylist will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. Buy what you like and return the rest. Learn more here http://bit.ly/1F90JWZ

Umpqua oatmeal

Have been sharing Umpqua oatmeal with my friends. This is so much better than instant oatmeal packets. #umpqua

TV is a reward

When we get home from school, before the TV is turned on... I have the girls clean up a section of the house that they have destroyed. Set the timer and they move quicker. 

Kids and dishes

Yes she can. And you don't have to do it all. 7 year olds can put away dishes. #kiddieresponsibility #havethemhelp

TV and laundry

TV is a reward. And they watch, have them fold some laundry. #kiddieresponsibility

Eating more veggies. Intentionally.

Summer break is upon us. Girls are home with a shared nanny. And it seems, they are always in the fridge. Starving and searching for food. My oldest has a huge aversion to green things. My battle has begun. She does like cucumbers and celery. So I bought a celery stalk and cut it up in "ready to eat" bites. And she loves chocolate. Nutella and peanut butter with cucumbers or celery? Yup. Now it all sits in the fridge ready to grab for a car ride or quick snack. 

Bye bye toys

If you have ever tried to give away or organize your kid's toys, today is your last day of cleaning up their messes. Drun roll please. This article will change you. I promise. One of my fav sentences is at the end of the article where Ruth says that her girls like not being overwhelmed by toys and it makes it easier to clean. Aha!! Read on...then get your black trash bags out and start filling it up. http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/

10 things to tell your daughter

Good reminders! 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lindsey-mead-russell/ten-things-ten-years-olds-should-know_b_1553134.html

Play date eggs

The girls had some friends over the other day and we dyed a dozen Easter eggs. Cheap and fun. Before dying the eggs, I had them color and write on the eggs with crayons. We also dipped some of them in blue cupcake sprinkles. 

Get inspired to declutter

Tired of clutter in your home? I am. Too many toys? Too many clothes? Need more time with your kids and less moving paper and barbies around? Time to declutter. Read more here http://www.yourmodernfamily.com/day-2-of-decluttering/

Quality time

As the night wears on my eight-year old gets sad, defeated and cranky. So lately, soon after dinner, we have a daily 1:1. This is unstructured mommy time where she creates the agenda and leads the discussion. I only take myself. No laptop and no cell phone. She needs it.  I need it.

READ to your child

Never stop reading to her. Even when she can do it all on her own. I admit, I kinda slowed down on reading with my girls over the last few years but my oldest just got Charlotee's Web the other day and she asked me to read it to her. And I loved it. She loved it.  The story and spending time with each other. Perfectly needed.

Dr. Laura asks  "But why give up such an important time to connect with each other emotionally?  Why give up the chance to read books that trigger good discussions about values and choices and hardships and hope?   Don’t stop till she fires you." Read more here http://www.ahaparenting.com/Default.aspx?PageID=1280625&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7650494&ObjectID=1280625&ObjectType=1

Check lists

If you check it, they will come. My girls Love lists. So this week I created one for the morning routine and another for the evening.

This has helped us keep track of all the tasks and activities that need to occur so we can make the bus and get to bed. It's also a great way for them to be more independent and manage their time. 

I also made a quick one today of some chores. I let them decide on the consequences if they didn't finish by 130pm. Here's my hastily written list.

They have a few hours to do all of this and I am not going to micro manage them. I promise. Let's see how the do!

Peaceful parenting

I first stumbled upon this parenting coach on Pinterest. The article was about strengthening your relationship with your child. In it, Dr. Laura Markham provides a list of things you can do to connect with like hugging your kid 12 times a day and turning off your technology. My favorite is Show Up. You only have 900 weeks with your kid before they leave the house. Be present, be engaged. Inspired? Read more here: http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/10_Habits_To_Stay_Connected_To_Your_Child/

Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw

Balance Feels Best. What you role model and teachI:  take care of my body by eating right, exercising and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.  All the 7 habits - http://www.theleaderinme.org/the-7-habits-for-kids

Habit 6 — Synergize

Together Is Better

Here's what you teach and role model: I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.