June 11, 2010

Warm Fuzzies


I'm not claiming this as an original idea, but it's something we've been doing at our house to try and help with the sibling relationships. We have a large jar we call the "warm fuzzy jar" which the kids are trying to fill up with pom-poms. Each time I hear them say nice things to each other, or treat each other patiently, or share nicely, or let someone else take the first turn, or anything I tell them makes me feel "warm and fuzzy" inside, they get to put in a pom-pom. Whenever someone hits or gets in a big fight, or yells, etc . . . they have to take out a warm fuzzy. Once the jar is full, we are going to take them out to Gatti Town for dinner and games. I only use it for how they treat each other, not how they respond to their parents.

It was a struggle to get going at first, and it took about a month before I noticed an improvement, but I would say it has definitely helped the kids be more aware of how they are treating each other. We do have really bad days where we end up taking out more than putting in. But then there are days where they get on a roll, and I'm hearing lots of compliments and lots of "you go first", sometimes followed by a glance at me to see if I'll reward them for it. I tell them they definitely don't get to put one in if they ask to put one in, and so they just stare at me for recognition sometimes. It's not a perfect plan, but it's helped.

June 6, 2010

Mint Brownies


This is one of my favorite desserts to make and it's super easy, so I thought I'd share in case anyone wanted to have some.

First, I start by making the brownies. I just use the fudge brownie box mix from betty crocker, because it's easy and I like it, but I know some people like to make them from scratch. So, just make your favorite brownies and let them cool.

Second, make peppermint frosting. Here's the recipe I like:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup crisco
1 Tbls. milk
peppermint extract to taste (2 tsp? about)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbls. meringue powder (optional)
Mix together the butter and crisco well, then add milk and flavorings. I then add the powdered sugar a cup at a time, mixing well between each, and also add a little of the meringue powder each time. When all the powdered sugar is mixed in, beat it on high for a while until it's a nice fluffy consistency. Then I add green food coloring. I usually add a bit more milk than if I was frosting a cake so that it will go on the brownies more easily. Also, I find that if I think the peppermint flavoring is too strong then it is probably about right since the chocolate in the brownies makes it less noticeable.

After I spread the frosting on the brownies, I melt some chocolate to spread on top. I fill up my glass measuring cup to the 1 cup line with semi-sweet chocolate chips, add maybe a 1/2 Tbls. of crisco and melt it in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir, then 15 and stir, etc . . . until it's nice and smooth. Then I drizzle it on and spread it out with a knife and put it in the fridge. I usually take it out and serve it right out of the fridge. Yummy!

June 1, 2010

A very merry Half-Birthday


One of our family's favorite traditions is the half birthday cake. When one of us has a half birthday, we bake a cake and sing "happy half birthday to you". That's it. Nothing else special; no presents, no games, no nuthin'. But the kids love it and then they know when they can start telling people they are their age AND A HALF. Plus, the way things work out now, it means we get to bake a cake either for a birthday or half birthday every month except January and July. So if we ever have another child (which isn't likely) we'll have to aim for one of those months.



Here's Maren with her half birthday cake. And yes, it did eventually fall over, but it was yummy!