Displaying Kids Art

I've been wanting a way to display my kids art they create. I've always hung stuff on the fridge but with 4 kids that really clogs up the fridge and they're always falling down. So today I got huge 2 gallon ziploc bags from the dollar store and some cool looking duct tape at Wal-Mart. I decided to put them on the walls of the stairs. We are frequently going up and down the stairs so I think that's a good place for them and we'll see them often. I just duct taped around all the edges and then the zipper edge I duct taped as well but I didn't put any of the tape on the wall, only the bag so that it couldn't stick to the wall. That way we could still open it and put stuff in.

 I told all the kids to go and get something they've done that they wanted displayed. Levi went to his memory box and grabbed a picture from when he was in preschool 5 years ago, a picture he made 2 years ago and another picture from last year. I'm glad he wants us to see so many things.

 Fisher wanted to display the penguin he made and a picture of Jesus Christ.

 Skylar, putting her picture inside.

 Her art never lasts very long so she created this today to display. I'm surprised she didn't just put tiny little circles all over the whole thing, that's what she's been doing every time she colors or draws for the past 2 weeks.

 Kadin wanted to display pictures that he's had in his drawer from a friends mom and a previous scout leader.

 There are all 4 of them staggered down the stairs.

 Here they are going up the stairs.

Basically whatever they want displayed could be in these, art, awards, pictures. I was planning on putting another set on the other side of the stairs for school work and school papers they bring home but I think with how often they would be removing and putting things into them that they wouldn't last very long at all.

7 Layer Bean Dip Bar

Yesterday for the super bowl I made 7 layer bean dip, but instead of just putting it all in one dish I decided to have a little 7 layer bean dip bar. That way everyone could have their own servings and there would be no double dipping into a dish everyone else was dipping from and everyone could choose what and how much they wanted of each item. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever because they could keep all the gross stuff out (which I had no idea they didn't like, they normally just eat it all). Here are some pics of it. Oh and a tip from me, do not fill your cups up to full, trust me! Filling them too full makes it hard to get to the bottom layers. I think next time I do it we'll use small plates for the layers. Recipe below.

Recipe:

Jennifer Black's Bean Dip
1st layer: 1 can (16 oz) re-fried beans, 1 can Frito Lay bean dip
Mix and spread on a plate.
2nd layer: 3 or 4 large avocados mash and spread over bean mix.
3rd layer: 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 sm. container sour cream, 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
Mix and spread on avocados.
4th layer: Cheese
5th layer Tomatoes, diced
6th layer: green onions, chopped
7th layer: olives, sliced
You can also add whatever else you like.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

I had something else planned for today but that didn't happen. Kerby and Fisher were gone ice fishing and Kadin and Levi didn't get to go because they had basketball so while running errands they asked if they could go to a movie. We went to see what was playing and they wanted to see this. I wasn't excited about seeing it but they were and that's what mattered. So, Kadin, Levi, Skylar and I saw it. Ya know what? I liked it! It was really fun and cute and I'm glad we saw it. Even Skylar sat really good and watched it. I wish I had my camera with me because afterward Skylar started dancing to the music. She even put her head down on the floor and tried to spin around like she was break dancing. Not sure where she learned that from.  I know what you're thinking friends from work and she didn't learn it from me, I wish I could do that! Maybe that will be my new challenge, to learn how to do that. HA! Anyways back to the movie, I liked it and the kids liked it. I love the little chipmunk/chipettes music clips.

17 Again

I borrowed 17 again from my friend Julie and finally watched it. It's a pretty cute movie, really like how it ends and the moral of the story. This movie shows how important family is and that family is the most important thing in your life and that marriage isn't something so easily chucked away, that it's something that deserves a shot to be worked on. The movie was better than I thought it would be and it was funny too. Zac Efron's acting was really good, am I a fan the way Julie is a fan? No, but he did impress me.

Popcorn For a Purpose-Please Read

If you read nothing else I post please read this. My friend Laurie's sister was tragically burned at work and needs help. Please click here for details. If you'd like any bags of popcorn for $5 feel free to let me know or you can comment on her post. Also my friend Tamaree is donating white chocolate popcorn as well so if you'd like White Chocolate instead of caramel chocolate popcorn you can let me know or click here to send her a Facebook message. You all know where to find me so you're welcome to let me know.

Lemi Shine

So, I've heard lots of great hype about Lemi Shine, The Hard Water Expert! Sometimes I get hard water build up in my dishwasher and it leaves white film on tons of my dishes. So, I decided to try this. I used it for about 5 days and I do have to say it did help the hard water issue. The white film is no longer on my dishes, however it did bring on another issue. The powder from it (and tiny food particles) end up in all my bowls and a few other things after it's all completely done washing and drying. Sometimes there's more powder left than other times but there is always some powder left. So, for me and my experience I have decided this. When my hard water build up gets bad again I will use the Lemi Shine in my empty dishwasher (that's what you're supposed to do at first), then I'll do a load of dishes and see if the hard water build up is gone. If not I'll do another empty load with the Lemi Shine then try it again. That way there isn't powder (which doesn't make me excited to eat out of my dishes) ending up in my dishes and I'm not having to re-rinse everything. So, this product gets rid of the hard water like it says and I'll continue to use it.

 

 There are 2 steps to this detergent. 1 is to first put it in and run your dishwasher empty, this will clean your dishwasher. 2 is to fill your main compartment with Lemi Shine and your pre-wash with your normal detergent and run your dishwasher with a full load. I will no longer be doing step 2.

 Gross right?

 And this was one of the better days.

 

 I think this one was the worst today.

French Fried Onion Casserole

Today I made up another recipe. It was pretty good, not my favorite but I'd definitely make it again because it was really easy.

French Onion Casserole

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

2 cans drained green beans

2 small cans cream of mushroom soup

Fiesta Blend Cheese (or whatever you have)

French Fried Onions

Salt & Pepper

Cook ground beef then add green beans and soup, mix together and heat till warm. Pour into a 9x13" baking dish, sprinkle cheese and french fried onions on top, then bake at 375 for 15 min.