tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58400317731565630872024-02-07T23:44:12.053-08:00Blossoming Bud's BlogBlossoming Buds Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422697066340812663noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-34084975054807002792017-07-26T09:59:00.000-07:002017-07-26T09:59:30.720-07:00Treats to keep cool this summer! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Hello! we're midway through summer when the sun is blaring! Here are some treats to keep the kids cool and hydrated this summer!<br />
<br />
Go-Gurt Bites!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>use go-gurt pack (or any yogurt you like) </li>
<li>make dot ball on a cookie sheet</li>
<li>freeze and enjoy! </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eatingonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/frozen-yogurt-bites-facebook-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="frozen yogurt bites facebook image" border="0" class="aligncenter wp-image-6272 size-full" data-jpibfi-indexer="5" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-title="Easy Frozen Yogurt Bites" data-jpibfi-post-url="http://www.eatingonadime.com/easy-frozen-yogurt-bites/" data-jpibfi-src="http://www.eatingonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/frozen-yogurt-bites-facebook-image.jpg" height="400" src="http://www.eatingonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/frozen-yogurt-bites-facebook-image.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<a href="http://momsmessymiracles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/7-Delicious-Homemade-Popsicles.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="7 Delicious Homemade Popsicles - Check out these 7 different flavors of popsicles that you can make yourself to help your kids to cool off this summer!" border="0" class="aligncenter wp-image-9166 size-full" data-jpibfi-indexer="0" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-title="7 Delicious Homemade Popsicles" data-jpibfi-post-url="http://theshirleyjourney.com/7-delicious-homemade-popsicles/" data-jpibfi-src="http://momsmessymiracles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/7-Delicious-Homemade-Popsicles.png" height="640" src="http://momsmessymiracles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/7-Delicious-Homemade-Popsicles.png" width="283" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /> <br />
<header class="entry-header"><h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
Homemade Popsicles</h1>
</header><br />
First you will need to get a <a href="http://amzn.to/1U7FhHz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">popsicle mold</a>. They are sold in various shapes and sizes at most stores. You can find a lot of <a href="http://amzn.to/1WB7oRJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">different varieties on Amazon</a>. Once you have a mold you can start making the following awesome flavors:<br />
<h1>
Strawberry Banana:</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 banana</li>
<li>4 strawberries – stems removed</li>
<li>1 cup of water or almond milk for a creamier popsicle</li>
</ul>
Mix all ingredients together in a blender and pour evenly into the
molds. Freeze the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover
mixture.<br />
<h1>
Honey Lemonade</h1>
<ul>
<li>½ cup honey</li>
<li>Juice from 6 lemons</li>
<li>1 cup of water</li>
</ul>
Stir all ingredients together and pour evenly into the molds. Freeze
the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover mixture.<br />
<h1>
Chocolate Strawberry</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 cup of almond milk</li>
<li>6 strawberries stems removed</li>
<li>½ cup of chocolate syrup</li>
</ul>
Mix all ingredients together in a blender and pour evenly into the
molds. Freeze the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover
mixture.<br />
<h1>
Mixed Berry</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 banana</li>
<li>½ cup of frozen berries</li>
<li>1 cup of water or almond milk for a creamier popsicle</li>
</ul>
Mix all ingredients together in a blender and pour evenly into the
molds. Freeze the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover
mixture.<br />
<h1>
Chocolate Banana</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 cup of almond milk</li>
<li>2 bananas</li>
<li>½ cup of chocolate syrup</li>
</ul>
Mix all ingredients together in a blender and pour evenly into the
molds. Freeze the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover
mixture.<br />
<h1>
Cherry Vanilla</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 cup of vanilla almond milk</li>
<li>1 cup of cherries</li>
<li>1 tbsp of vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
Mix all ingredients together in a <a href="http://amzn.to/1UCeS39">blender</a> and pour evenly into the molds. Freeze the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover mixture.<br />
<h1>
Orange Dream</h1>
<ul>
<li>1 cup vanilla almond milk</li>
<li>1 cup orange juice</li>
<li>1 tbsp vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
Stir all ingredients together and pour evenly into the molds. Freeze
the mold for at least 8 hours and refrigerate any leftover mixture.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>Cherry ICEE </b></h2>
<h2>
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-822090" height="266" src="http://www.passionforsavings.com/content/uploads/2017/04/1-Homemade-Cherry-Icee-Recipe-for-Summer-2.jpg" width="400" /> </h2>
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this Cherry Icee:<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<span class="autogrow-textarea ">2 Cups Cold Water<br />
1 Cup Sugar<br />
1 Package of Red or Blue Kool-Aid<br />
4 cups of ice</span></div>
Here is how you make this delicious<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<span class="autogrow-textarea ">Place all ingredients in a Blender and Blend until smooth!<br />
Serve immediately</span></div>
You’ll love this amazing icee recipe and it wil become one of the kids favorites, so you don’t want to miss out!<br />
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-88871768672200092272017-04-25T07:53:00.000-07:002017-04-26T07:22:34.893-07:00Kid Friendly Fun Snacks! Hello everyone and happy May! I cant believe it's crept up on us so fast! Sometimes getting kids to eat at any point in the day can be difficult here are some fun kid friendly snacks they'll love to eat!<br />
All these recipes are super easy as you can see and you can modify to your child's liking! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xro_JXekQFI/WP9fVag3wjI/AAAAAAAAAoA/awqW6iR6jjc0hknR6LA24sIWp5EBjmx3gCLcB/s1600/sand%2Bskew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xro_JXekQFI/WP9fVag3wjI/AAAAAAAAAoA/awqW6iR6jjc0hknR6LA24sIWp5EBjmx3gCLcB/s320/sand%2Bskew.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
These <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">peanut butter</span> and jelly kabobs look so fun and pretty. Can't have peanut butter in your school? Swap out that and the jelly for some lunch meat and cheese and it's still healthy and fun!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 3em;">
<div class="d-all">
<h2>
<b>Ingredients
</b></h2>
<ul>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient">6 ounces fresh raspberries</li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1/2 cup Greek yogurt</li>
</ul>
<h2>
<b>Directions</b>
</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQm1-1mScHk/WP9fZjxwAQI/AAAAAAAAAoE/Vru7Ci_ImFkZ2fN8mGrm6gBRqTMM5sTWACLcB/s1600/frozen%2Brasp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQm1-1mScHk/WP9fZjxwAQI/AAAAAAAAAoE/Vru7Ci_ImFkZ2fN8mGrm6gBRqTMM5sTWACLcB/s320/frozen%2Brasp.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<ol itemprop="recipeInstructions">
<li>Fill a piping bag or ziplock back
with yogurt (your choice of flavor). Freeze for a few minutes to an
hour, checking every 10 minutes. You want it to solidify a bit without
becoming solid.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, rinse raspberries and allow to dry a bit. Once the
yogurt is frozen, fill with piping bag or cut off the tip of your
ziplock.</li>
<li>Gobble them up! Even top with poppy seeds for "sprinkles," if desired.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
Ingredients</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qyerj5TJig/WP9fhQ4TIeI/AAAAAAAAAoM/7r6oMDpEBUIx5AdsQQPydv0D11Df6ivpgCLcB/s1600/monster-sandwiches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qyerj5TJig/WP9fhQ4TIeI/AAAAAAAAAoM/7r6oMDpEBUIx5AdsQQPydv0D11Df6ivpgCLcB/s320/monster-sandwiches.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<ul class="ingre">
<li>2 slices whole-wheat bread</li>
<li>1 slice sharp cheddar cheese</li>
<li>2 slices Land O’Frost oven-roasted turkey</li>
<li>2 pimento-stuffed green olives </li>
<li>Mayonnaise or mustard (optional)</li>
<li>Toothpicks</li>
<li>Round cookie cutter</li>
</ul>
<div class="content-left-first boxinc recipe-instructions" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
<h3>
Instructions</h3>
<ol class="metstep">
<li>Cut bread slices with the circle cookie cutter.
</li>
<li>Spread mayonnaise or mustard on the bread.
</li>
<li>With a knife, cut little triangles out of the edges of the cheese to resemble teeth.
</li>
<li>Lay the lunch meat on the bottom of the sandwich, followed by the cheese and top slice of bread.
</li>
<li>Insert toothpicks into the side of two green olives and stick into the top of the sandwich. Serve!
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredients-container">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1K2weDn8xo/WP9gMsesVRI/AAAAAAAAAoU/MENoSTcocyckTcyiu668KM9r1DMcIS0lgCLcB/s1600/Healthy-Monster-Cookie-Bites-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1K2weDn8xo/WP9gMsesVRI/AAAAAAAAAoU/MENoSTcocyckTcyiu668KM9r1DMcIS0lgCLcB/s320/Healthy-Monster-Cookie-Bites-2.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<h3 class="wprm-recipe-header">
Ingredients</h3>
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group">
<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients">
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient">
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount">3</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit">cups</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name">old-fashioned oats</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes">gluten-free</span>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient">
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount">1</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit">cup</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name">peanut butter*</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes">smooth and slightly runny</span>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient">
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount">1/2</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit">cup</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name">pure maple syrup</span>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient">
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount">1/3</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit">cup</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name">mini M&Ms</span>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient">
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount">1/4</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit">tsp</span>
<span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name">salt</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instructions-container">
<h3 class="wprm-recipe-header">
Instructions</h3>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group">
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction">
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until well mixed.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction">
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Scoop
1 ½ - 2 tablespoons of mixture at a time. Press mixture between your
hands multiple times to get it to stick together. Roll into a ball and
place on a cookie sheet.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction">
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Repeat with remaining mixture.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction">
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Refrigerate healthy monster cookie bites for at least 30 minutes before serving.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction">
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Serve at room temperature and enjoy!</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-notes-container">
<h3 class="wprm-recipe-header">
Recipe Notes</h3>
*You can heat peanut butter in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make it a little easier to work with.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_92D-nCZf74/WP9ip3VQ6GI/AAAAAAAAAos/0pnyKxAlXEc7dP5AEsiwfjcNgM89-44yQCLcB/s1600/corn-dog-nuggets-1-e1481786672151-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_92D-nCZf74/WP9ip3VQ6GI/AAAAAAAAAos/0pnyKxAlXEc7dP5AEsiwfjcNgM89-44yQCLcB/s320/corn-dog-nuggets-1-e1481786672151-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">5 hot dogs</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 can crescent rolls</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">ketchup and mustard for dipping</li>
</ul>
<div class="ERSInstructionsHeader ERSHeading">
<h2>
<b>Instructions</b></h2>
</div>
<ol>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Begin by preheating you oven to 400 degrees.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Slice your hot dogs into thin pieces (ours were about half inch each). Set aside.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Roll out your crescent dough and press the seams together.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Cut into 8 strips. Then cut lengthwise into 8 more strips. You should end up with 64 1.5 inch x .5 inch pieces.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Wrap the hot dogs in the crescent pieces and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Serve warm. ENJOY!</li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-50651325964072182142017-03-10T07:44:00.000-08:002017-03-10T07:44:51.414-08:00Spring means NEW! Tips oon organizing around the house Spring is almost here, and you know what that means out with old and in with the new! Here are some tips on getting on top of spring cleaning and organizing around the house!<br />
<br />
<br />
Start with the places you don't think about on an everyday basis:<br />
<br />
Dishwasher- put some baking soda in it on high temp wash to disinfect and clean<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqgIJjY0uMM/WLRxG9qwn1I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/jP8OkJkH-fkKhuwv2QncOjDfxUkUelTkACLcB/s1600/dishw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqgIJjY0uMM/WLRxG9qwn1I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/jP8OkJkH-fkKhuwv2QncOjDfxUkUelTkACLcB/s320/dishw.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Garbage disposal- putting some vinegar and lemon can help clean and take away the smells in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gMhCDxBMpI/WLRxkWMGGLI/AAAAAAAAAnU/qHIE4OG_w3USy9c6nedZRmJKFwNGFRUkQCLcB/s1600/dispos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gMhCDxBMpI/WLRxkWMGGLI/AAAAAAAAAnU/qHIE4OG_w3USy9c6nedZRmJKFwNGFRUkQCLcB/s320/dispos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Organizing drawers- Get rid of things you haven't worn in the last 6 months and make a commitment to putting away laundry each week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRw-KHk2Vu8/WLRyRDM1AHI/AAAAAAAAAnY/RsqrCEdQlyUuCz5ERWxi7cEBNB17GQY4gCLcB/s1600/laun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRw-KHk2Vu8/WLRyRDM1AHI/AAAAAAAAAnY/RsqrCEdQlyUuCz5ERWxi7cEBNB17GQY4gCLcB/s320/laun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
They key is keeping up with the mess! A deep clean should be done at least once a month and keeping up with the clutter can help those deep cleans be less of deep cleans. Stay organized, make a list of things you need to do weekly to do so! If you want more tips on staying organized and cleaning check out our Pinterest board! <br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-217953663841375332017-01-02T11:00:00.002-08:002017-01-02T11:00:28.316-08:00Indoor Winter Activities!With winter here the time spent outside is limited so here 4 fun things you can do with the kids during those cold winter months!<br />
<br />
1. Bring them to the Cottage!<br />
<br />
We have a huge open play area with lots of toys, books, puzzles and climbing structures there's never a dull moment here! Monday's Mr. Ryan our music teacher comes, Wednesday and Thursday we have a dance and movement class and on Fridays we have show and tell! Not to mention everyday the kids make and take home very fun art projects reflecting the theme of the month! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeSpvh59WOk/WGqeqspAl2I/AAAAAAAAAmI/-WOopI47opkQXb18eTYG8HOgDnvs2y8pQCLcB/s1600/cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeSpvh59WOk/WGqeqspAl2I/AAAAAAAAAmI/-WOopI47opkQXb18eTYG8HOgDnvs2y8pQCLcB/s400/cottage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
2. Let them help out in the kitchen!<br />
<br />
Kids love feeling apart of whatever mom and dad are doing, letting them help with meals or even just planning a special treat to make together would make them feel like important helpers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQV7zrhpWvc/WGqhpOeMDbI/AAAAAAAAAmU/8Oc9tmcxtVowKi9sWGgo8T01H7xNKaVkgCLcB/s1600/cooking-with-kids_612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQV7zrhpWvc/WGqhpOeMDbI/AAAAAAAAAmU/8Oc9tmcxtVowKi9sWGgo8T01H7xNKaVkgCLcB/s400/cooking-with-kids_612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
3. Read together!<br />
<br />
Snuggle up on the couch and let the pick their favorites! You'll have some qt:)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLbudBPo77g/WGqiaz7O_3I/AAAAAAAAAmc/-YhOd445FTUwPmsS1T9HQ4zuaQrWO9ENACLcB/s1600/rea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLbudBPo77g/WGqiaz7O_3I/AAAAAAAAAmc/-YhOd445FTUwPmsS1T9HQ4zuaQrWO9ENACLcB/s400/rea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Indoor Scavenger hunt!<br />
<br />
Create a indoor scavenger hunt, by using pictures let them find those things and have a fun reward for them when they find everything!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVDt7imafWM/WGqjLiC447I/AAAAAAAAAmk/i7ojqgtkW3E_61chV6i3e0Rvx_0Ms_DFwCLcB/s1600/scavenger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVDt7imafWM/WGqjLiC447I/AAAAAAAAAmk/i7ojqgtkW3E_61chV6i3e0Rvx_0Ms_DFwCLcB/s400/scavenger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-70862083217060864862016-12-01T08:20:00.000-08:002016-12-01T08:20:42.627-08:00Easy Homemade Holiday Decor!Looking for some fun, cute, inexpensive homemade decorations! Look no further, here are 5 DIY crafts you can do with the kids to spread that Holiday cheer!<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>1. Holiday Shakers</b></u></span></h2>
<br />
You can get the salt shakers from the dollar store along with figurines and turn your salt shakers into a winter wonderland!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy07tNo765A/WD8MKGq1_oI/AAAAAAAAAlM/_4oRtF8TuX02PZOgCK_mJkG2nG3EjTG0QCLcB/s1600/salt%2Bshake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy07tNo765A/WD8MKGq1_oI/AAAAAAAAAlM/_4oRtF8TuX02PZOgCK_mJkG2nG3EjTG0QCLcB/s400/salt%2Bshake.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><u><b>2.Advent Calendar</b></u></span></h2>
<br />
Use tiny paper envelopes and decorate, and count down the days till Christmas with special treats, candies and toys!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pE2b4GKeDuE/WD8Mk223neI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/MjdDOjNhc-EE_o3UFUMmeZK9hutvDYtpwCLcB/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pE2b4GKeDuE/WD8Mk223neI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/MjdDOjNhc-EE_o3UFUMmeZK9hutvDYtpwCLcB/s400/advent.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: red;"><b><u>3. Coffee Filter Garland</u></b></span></h2>
<br />
Use filters and randomly put them together to get this beautiful garland!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTdKV0MMutM/WD8ND6wHRSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/f-url06eNhMdN1uDG4ZkErBHDvBwqkVAwCLcB/s1600/coffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTdKV0MMutM/WD8ND6wHRSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/f-url06eNhMdN1uDG4ZkErBHDvBwqkVAwCLcB/s400/coffe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><u><b>4. Pine Cone Ornaments</b></u></span></h2>
<br />
Let the kids creativity go wild with paint and glitter make keepsakes to cherish for many Christmas to come!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur2RhKFRJsc/WD8NgKb1L8I/AAAAAAAAAlY/PsgDAUVWT4MVj92KdretJM1x8SZBiaFHQCLcB/s1600/pine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur2RhKFRJsc/WD8NgKb1L8I/AAAAAAAAAlY/PsgDAUVWT4MVj92KdretJM1x8SZBiaFHQCLcB/s400/pine.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>5. Photo Wreath </b></u></span></h2>
<br />
Get some hot glue and loved pictures of family and friends, make copies in black and white put along on a wire and you get this amazing wreath of memories!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qos_SPakR1c/WD8OCGcHhoI/AAAAAAAAAlg/RNkAuH3l6Joev0cLVxWpgZweATsJcK5IwCLcB/s1600/wreart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qos_SPakR1c/WD8OCGcHhoI/AAAAAAAAAlg/RNkAuH3l6Joev0cLVxWpgZweATsJcK5IwCLcB/s400/wreart.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-10072092558252808942016-11-02T07:42:00.000-07:002016-11-02T07:42:26.104-07:00Thanksgiving Recipes the kids can help with! It's already mid fall and November is here, which means that Thanksgiving is upon us! Which also means the chaos of cooking Thanksgiving dinner! This year get the kids involved with simple recipes that will keep them occupied and out of trouble as well as getting to spend quality time with them making a meal for the family they wont forget!<br />
<br />
Here are 5 Easy meals the kids can help with:<br />
<br />
1. The staple of all Thanksgiving dinners Mashed Potatoes <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dwLivnOXTs/WBEPSK2A3cI/AAAAAAAAAj8/dBnqo7rnZZQsOF3LkYUWXSpMvFHGB0pmgCLcB/s1600/mashed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dwLivnOXTs/WBEPSK2A3cI/AAAAAAAAAj8/dBnqo7rnZZQsOF3LkYUWXSpMvFHGB0pmgCLcB/s320/mashed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Boil the potatoes, peel add the milk butter and seasoning let the kids smash away!<br />
<br />
2. The classic dessert Pumpkin Pie<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE-FO6eh5ko/WBEPx2BJq0I/AAAAAAAAAkA/kFK1foM75rcz3VKDpDHKO45Ra-lC7MtVgCLcB/s1600/PUMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE-FO6eh5ko/WBEPx2BJq0I/AAAAAAAAAkA/kFK1foM75rcz3VKDpDHKO45Ra-lC7MtVgCLcB/s320/PUMP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Let young and older children alike mix all the ingredients together.
They will love adding the spices and seeing how the ingredients come
together to make a delicious dessert.<br />
<br />
3.Turkey Stuffing<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Q7W2wD7RA/WBERBO5RYBI/AAAAAAAAAkM/PyIzFTUQDP0YfnYtaUmmGErS7uMrALAHgCLcB/s1600/stuff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Q7W2wD7RA/WBERBO5RYBI/AAAAAAAAAkM/PyIzFTUQDP0YfnYtaUmmGErS7uMrALAHgCLcB/s320/stuff.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Let them mix all the ingredients into a boil.<br />
<br />
4.Veggie or Fruit Platter<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibBORrtQSvc/WBERgfFEHWI/AAAAAAAAAkc/37JS-KXXMSkvS1C5-0K-3js1badq9TMmwCLcB/s1600/veggie-tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibBORrtQSvc/WBERgfFEHWI/AAAAAAAAAkc/37JS-KXXMSkvS1C5-0K-3js1badq9TMmwCLcB/s320/veggie-tray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Cut up all the fruit or veggies and let them set it out on the platter.<br />
<br />
5. Thanksgiving themed cupcakes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25RQv1ciwlo/WBESbTiBsII/AAAAAAAAAkk/CA2pA39HzEYtJm4okwMV8XR5ds0cSHFsQCLcB/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25RQv1ciwlo/WBESbTiBsII/AAAAAAAAAkk/CA2pA39HzEYtJm4okwMV8XR5ds0cSHFsQCLcB/s320/cup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Have them help bake the cupcakes and supply all the decorations and let their creativity take control!<br />
<br />
For more Recipes or Ideas check out or Thanksgiving Board on Pinterest<br />
https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/thanksgiving/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-26413891640949473502016-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:002016-10-04T08:07:58.062-07:00Trick or Treating Alternitives!Trick-or-treating is fun but, Halloween night
can be too cold, too much walking and too much sugar for the kids. They’ll likely want to be involved in the big day on October 31,
but you might want to keep their fun in check and age-appropriate. Here are some alternatives!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<u><b><span style="color: orange;">Back Yard Trick or Treating!</span></b></u></h3>
Instead of going around town, have your kids trick-or-treat in your own backyard with a scavenger hunt<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nld4f56ZHTw/V9mlcvAxqqI/AAAAAAAAAjA/s8CI67VdH1wwFSqKXh8bFhMn-EQ-umndgCLcB/s1600/back%2Byardt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nld4f56ZHTw/V9mlcvAxqqI/AAAAAAAAAjA/s8CI67VdH1wwFSqKXh8bFhMn-EQ-umndgCLcB/s320/back%2Byardt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<b><u><span style="color: orange;"> Pumpkin Hunt!</span></u></b></h3>
If you’d rather keep sweets to a minimum, choose to go scavenging for craft pumpkins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16CNoYAJh5E/V9mmeUsWzMI/AAAAAAAAAjI/_nRCzQSNA18W-9gNf7aq3nc-1MYrn7W9wCLcB/s1600/pumpkin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16CNoYAJh5E/V9mmeUsWzMI/AAAAAAAAAjI/_nRCzQSNA18W-9gNf7aq3nc-1MYrn7W9wCLcB/s320/pumpkin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 class="async-gallery__title">
<u><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Decorate Mini Pumpkins</span></span></u></h3>
<h4 class="async-gallery__title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">No need to carve Jack-o'-lanterns. Arts and crafts are more fun for little kids</span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vsH3VdFvl8/V9mm4W482sI/AAAAAAAAAjM/ubXNrXw58nIbnZAEeOCT44CLDD787k6wACLcB/s1600/mim%2Boui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vsH3VdFvl8/V9mm4W482sI/AAAAAAAAAjM/ubXNrXw58nIbnZAEeOCT44CLDD787k6wACLcB/s320/mim%2Boui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="async-gallery__title">
<u><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Make Baked Good!</span></span></u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<div class="async-gallery__title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Forget the candy spend time with the kiddos and bake cupcakes and cookies. Jazz them up Halloween Style!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fc1PemVT6s/V9mn3LAuMvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/H5Oj8oKLpykh_lz2qs8juaDDHGAOyiZywCLcB/s1600/cook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fc1PemVT6s/V9mn3LAuMvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/H5Oj8oKLpykh_lz2qs8juaDDHGAOyiZywCLcB/s1600/cook.jpg" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OH3OWNdbzM/V9mn0-K1y6I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/9L6EUYmYE0UfcqKZ0BujmkBlPXncXjd1ACLcB/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OH3OWNdbzM/V9mn0-K1y6I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/9L6EUYmYE0UfcqKZ0BujmkBlPXncXjd1ACLcB/s1600/cup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 class="async-gallery__title">
<u><span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">DIY Carnival!</span></b></span></u></h2>
<div class="async-gallery__title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="async-gallery__title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have Friends and Family come over turn your backyard into a Halloween carnival with pinatas, bobbing for apples, face painting and other games! With festive decorated treats and snacks! For more ideas to theme this party check out our Pinterest board "It's Halloween!"<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/its-halloween/" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/its-halloween/</a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MtIyOYl0mk/V9mo4J8uXwI/AAAAAAAAAjY/OwEj9qwZsrs4tCHLBNjQwVXtXNGMCDWPQCLcB/s1600/halloween.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MtIyOYl0mk/V9mo4J8uXwI/AAAAAAAAAjY/OwEj9qwZsrs4tCHLBNjQwVXtXNGMCDWPQCLcB/s320/halloween.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="async-gallery__title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-18731092931617598782016-08-22T15:37:00.001-07:002016-09-01T07:43:37.319-07:00Let's get organized! 7 Tips for organizing now that school is back in session!Believe it or not, it’s back to school<span class="vm-hook-outer vm-hook-default"><span class="vm-hook" style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 153, 0); color: #009900;"></span></span>
time. It’s a time of excitement and new beginnings—oh, and rushed
mornings, lost library books, and mountains of school paperwork for mom
and dad to fill out.<br />
Feeling overwhelmed yet? If so, commit to making this year your family gets organized for back to school. These awesome back to school organization tips are the perfect place to begin!<br />
<br />
Make a checklist of everything that needs to get done between now and the first day of school, invest in a planner they are life savers!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Fill in your calendar now with all important dates for the school year. Mark days like enrollment, open house, PTA meetings,
and other upcoming events. Go to the school website to get a calendar
for the upcoming year and write down all dates that pertain to your
child so that you don’t have to juggle and reschedule later on.</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul>
<li>Ease everyone back into the school schedule by slowly going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. Getting into routine at least 2 weeks in advance will make the transition an easy one! You can also make the transition smoother by creating charts of things they need to accomplish in the morning before school and in the evening before bed.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j_zoH1z_qg/V7t75txOhCI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Fwx4CryEtKkIu1e6NDcT2Y3Z0aRE11CDwCLcB/s1600/chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j_zoH1z_qg/V7t75txOhCI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Fwx4CryEtKkIu1e6NDcT2Y3Z0aRE11CDwCLcB/s1600/chart.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Pick a time of
day to do homework, when it will occur and try to stay consistent with the time! Set up a homework station or study spot in your
house where all the supplies your child will need are handy in bins. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUWa2lQjAOk/V7t0_C5yXQI/AAAAAAAAAhw/mICgHkcTkWIUQtDYNd-zZlePBvkSVnCjACLcB/s1600/hw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUWa2lQjAOk/V7t0_C5yXQI/AAAAAAAAAhw/mICgHkcTkWIUQtDYNd-zZlePBvkSVnCjACLcB/s320/hw.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li> Set up a area by your door where your child can store anything that needs to be taken to school the next day; to minimize the last minute rushing to find things.</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul>
<li>Start labeling everything with your child’s name!</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul>
<li>Figure out ahead of time how you’re going to store your child’s
artwork, projects, and school papers; otherwise they’ll quickly start
piling up! </li>
</ul>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrxiAuB5NuM/V7t8pL8TRpI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/5y-p8j6m6HkNxTS7R2RA6aYiKw28UN9wwCEw/s1600/organize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrxiAuB5NuM/V7t8pL8TRpI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/5y-p8j6m6HkNxTS7R2RA6aYiKw28UN9wwCEw/s320/organize.jpg" width="251" /></a> </div>
<br /><ul>
<li> Packing lunches can get stressful! Planning ahead is KEY! Check out our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/back-to-school/" target="_blank">Back to School</a> Pinterest Board for lunch ideas and more organization tips! </li>
</ul>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-76136699561968702742016-08-01T12:01:00.000-07:002016-08-01T12:01:40.210-07:00Swimming and Water Safety!It's always so beautiful this time a year! Who wouldn't want to spend all day cooling down by the water? Make sure your whole family stays safe and has fun while you enjoy the
water this summer. Enrolling your kids in swimming lessons, learning CPR
and educating yourself about water safety are three excellent steps. <br />
Keep kids safe this summer when swimming in the pool or splashing by some waves with these tips!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzDx4Qyb8-s/V45mGVJJMCI/AAAAAAAAAhM/swIyzUcfoQYzKAc4Y1XhtQx29rmUuLZuQCLcB/s1600/ws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzDx4Qyb8-s/V45mGVJJMCI/AAAAAAAAAhM/swIyzUcfoQYzKAc4Y1XhtQx29rmUuLZuQCLcB/s320/ws.jpg" width="242" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSmBR1ld-yY/V45b-28YJoI/AAAAAAAAAe8/80wu2BzIUV4UkTS6NRpLZhVQTQ4Z6JMcwCEw/s1600/water%2Bsafety%2Btips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSmBR1ld-yY/V45b-28YJoI/AAAAAAAAAe8/80wu2BzIUV4UkTS6NRpLZhVQTQ4Z6JMcwCEw/s320/water%2Bsafety%2Btips.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Get your children Enrolled in swim classes:</b></u></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="_iPk">
<span class="rllt__details"></span><br />
<div>
<span class="rllt__details"> Swim Guru </span></div>
<span class="rllt__details">
<div>
Address: 10545 Aurora Ave N</div>
<div>
Phone: (206) 200-9449</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faC1ASAKHXE/V45eCAIrknI/AAAAAAAAAfE/cXLTHLFJgqg-rlPYfYvD5FEWMeRbRLioQCLcB/s1600/swim%2Bgu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faC1ASAKHXE/V45eCAIrknI/AAAAAAAAAfE/cXLTHLFJgqg-rlPYfYvD5FEWMeRbRLioQCLcB/s320/swim%2Bgu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table class="_B5g"><tbody>
<tr><td class="_X4g">Evans Pool</td><td class="_X4g"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="_X4g"><div class="_tN _IWg mod" data-md="1002" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQkCkIESgDMAM" style="clear: none;">
<div class="_eFb">
<div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" data-dtype="d3adr" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQghwIEigAMAM">
<span class="_xdb">Address: </span><span class="_Xbe">7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_tN mod" data-md="1006" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQkCkIEygEMAQ" style="clear: none;">
<div class="_eFb">
<div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" data-dtype="d3ph" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQ8I0BCBQoADAE">
<span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><span class="_RCm">Phone:</span><a class="fl r-idU7D4GMkny0" data-number="+12066844961" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="idU7D4GMkny0" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQkAgIFTAE" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Call via Hangouts">(206) 684-4961</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5EJpcUK8OI/V45dkYj--9I/AAAAAAAAAfA/xRA9wTxQvEEY0Wh9n6kn4JuuknQhqyuTwCLcB/s1600/evan%2Bpoo%253B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5EJpcUK8OI/V45dkYj--9I/AAAAAAAAAfA/xRA9wTxQvEEY0Wh9n6kn4JuuknQhqyuTwCLcB/s320/evan%2Bpoo%253B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" data-dtype="d3ph" data-ved="0ahUKEwidyaPzgIDOAhUPS2MKHWX9CLsQ8I0BCBQoADAE">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 6px;"></span></span><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="rllt__details"><div class="rllt__wrapped">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Know CPR:</b></u></span></div>
</span></h2>
<h2>
<span class="rllt__details"><div class="rllt__wrapped">
<span style="color: red;"></span></div>
</span></h2>
<h2>
<span class="rllt__details"></span></h2>
<span class="rllt__details"></span><br />
<div class="rllt__wrapped">
<span class="rllt__details"><span style="color: red;">CPR Seattle</span></span></div>
<span class="rllt__details">
<div class="rllt__wrapped">
<span style="color: red;"></span><span class="bold">(206) 504-3280</span>
<br />
4222 Stone Way N
<br />
Seattle, WA</div>
<div class="rllt__wrapped">
</div>
<div class="rllt__wrapped">
<span style="color: red;">American Red Cross</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="rllt__details"></span></div>
</span><span class="rllt__details"><div class="rllt__wrapped">
Mail: PO Box 3097 Seattle, WA 98114-3097
<br />
<div class="module-content">
<div class="location">
<div class="locality">
Office: 1900 25th Ave S
</div>
<div class="region">
Seattle
,
WA
98144-4708
</div>
<div class="phone">
Phone: (206) 323-2345 </div>
<div class="phone">
</div>
<div class="phone">
<h2>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Create a process your child/children must go through before entering
a pool, such as:</b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: red;"> Putting on a swim diaper, a swimsuit, a life jacket or
floaties </span></b></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2ElmC9CYF4/V45hzKVko0I/AAAAAAAAAf4/p71fjK_9CXU_5GvfKPA_O7z1qdfW68m5ACEw/s1600/kids%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2ElmC9CYF4/V45hzKVko0I/AAAAAAAAAf4/p71fjK_9CXU_5GvfKPA_O7z1qdfW68m5ACEw/s1600/kids%2Bs.jpg" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tk_q3URWls/V45hVQI3O5I/AAAAAAAAAfw/j5AB-sHGWdAGtLKZ3ZZLnM5GdUXsTlpEgCEw/s1600/sd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tk_q3URWls/V45hVQI3O5I/AAAAAAAAAfw/j5AB-sHGWdAGtLKZ3ZZLnM5GdUXsTlpEgCEw/s320/sd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYhKjELeFgo/V45inQRwGlI/AAAAAAAAAgM/OX4cTcP4nRcrR94MNOLe9tcsVMZuERh5wCLcB/s1600/lifej.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYhKjELeFgo/V45inQRwGlI/AAAAAAAAAgM/OX4cTcP4nRcrR94MNOLe9tcsVMZuERh5wCLcB/s320/lifej.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfMQgxRaUIg/V45ijXRa0NI/AAAAAAAAAgI/9Ey-6qGqJcAC6HKgbG2Wv4MJLpTs-rZoQCLcB/s1600/flo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfMQgxRaUIg/V45ijXRa0NI/AAAAAAAAAgI/9Ey-6qGqJcAC6HKgbG2Wv4MJLpTs-rZoQCLcB/s200/flo.jpg" width="186" /></a> </b></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="rllt__details"><h2>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Applying sunscreen</b></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hT-tZ8jdfTo/V45jLT5V8GI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rdFpkFVsMXsr9QxFsl-95WuY59htJSVQgCEw/s1600/ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hT-tZ8jdfTo/V45jLT5V8GI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rdFpkFVsMXsr9QxFsl-95WuY59htJSVQgCEw/s1600/ss.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="rllt__details"><span style="color: red;"> Always keep your kids under constant supervision!</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="rllt__details"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqmrmz7oGNg/V45j8w5xzBI/AAAAAAAAAgo/N4HITaggifgwrjTlSCMw-rXxpTh93KGaQCLcB/s1600/super.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqmrmz7oGNg/V45j8w5xzBI/AAAAAAAAAgo/N4HITaggifgwrjTlSCMw-rXxpTh93KGaQCLcB/s1600/super.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J18pI91o1U/V45j6KXLm9I/AAAAAAAAAgk/ZqB3BcetBykDx7a6Sf11IAK8LevVNm1LACLcB/s1600/watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J18pI91o1U/V45j6KXLm9I/AAAAAAAAAgk/ZqB3BcetBykDx7a6Sf11IAK8LevVNm1LACLcB/s1600/watch.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jut3NwzMfv8/V45kCrVdLoI/AAAAAAAAAgs/q3ms_WQv8qs7MXAU5kGn23Xi5424koicgCLcB/s1600/jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jut3NwzMfv8/V45kCrVdLoI/AAAAAAAAAgs/q3ms_WQv8qs7MXAU5kGn23Xi5424koicgCLcB/s1600/jump.jpg" /></a></div>
</span><span class="rllt__details"><h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b> <span style="color: red;">Most importantly ...</span></b></span></h2>
</span><span class="rllt__details"><h2>
<span style="color: lime;"><b>HAVE FUN:)</b></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THyKpJM_Cug/V45kpeCQ0MI/AAAAAAAAAg0/w3dpk-sR4a8qb7TbpsGeVKN2ATzctRHswCLcB/s1600/fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THyKpJM_Cug/V45kpeCQ0MI/AAAAAAAAAg0/w3dpk-sR4a8qb7TbpsGeVKN2ATzctRHswCLcB/s400/fun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></h2>
</span></h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-9719651103195840552016-07-01T09:39:00.002-07:002016-07-01T09:40:53.320-07:00Favorite parks in Seattle!<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="https://img1.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer has begun in the Pacific
Northwest! This means longer days, summers in Seattle are so beautiful; with the fresh air
and sunshine you can’t help but want to spend all day outside. We put together
our favorite parks in the city that we’ve enjoyed spending with our families
and hope you and your family can explore and love too!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carkeek</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Park</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>950
NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle, 98177</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re looking to spend some time at the beach, go on a
hike, play at the park or slide through a huge salmon shaped slide Carkeek is
it! The park also offers a large grass field with picnic tables and BBQ grills.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnDYaTv-okk/V3aaS_A4r7I/AAAAAAAAAds/z2ep2bHucI07mrAohmSf5M4AXc-fOnF1gCLcB/s1600/salmon%2Bside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnDYaTv-okk/V3aaS_A4r7I/AAAAAAAAAds/z2ep2bHucI07mrAohmSf5M4AXc-fOnF1gCLcB/s200/salmon%2Bside.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32UnVzdoskQ/V3aar3_Bx7I/AAAAAAAAAdw/cOBI6yfPlCwXxmajcW0wa7nfReautMzagCLcB/s1600/carkeek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32UnVzdoskQ/V3aar3_Bx7I/AAAAAAAAAdw/cOBI6yfPlCwXxmajcW0wa7nfReautMzagCLcB/s320/carkeek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="colorbluenavy000099"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rose Garden <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></b></span><span class="xbe">750 N 50th St</span><span class="xbe">, Seattle, WA
98103</span><span class="xbe"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="colorbluenavy000099">I rate the Rose Garden as
one of the most beautiful places in the Seattle
area in the summer. Allow yourself a little while to just stroll around
and savor the wide diversity of roses and other plants that are displayed so
well.</span> <span class="colorbluenavy000099">There is no admission fee to the
Rose Garden but there is a parking fee in the Zoo parking lots when the Zoo is
open.</span></div>
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="colorbluenavy000099"></span></div>
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="colorbluenavy000099"></span></div>
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnzISBaV0i8/V3abBy8jjjI/AAAAAAAAAd0/9u0KhUeVtv4Q7MAsQ2xIrYBtvYhqos9GwCLcB/s1600/rose%2Bgarden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnzISBaV0i8/V3abBy8jjjI/AAAAAAAAAd0/9u0KhUeVtv4Q7MAsQ2xIrYBtvYhqos9GwCLcB/s320/rose%2Bgarden1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv_OtiynC1k/V3abEIv-XpI/AAAAAAAAAd8/U-zfu4I8SZ0sB4EM2SGvZp0gz5ODoXbxQCLcB/s1600/rose%2Bgarden%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv_OtiynC1k/V3abEIv-XpI/AAAAAAAAAd8/U-zfu4I8SZ0sB4EM2SGvZp0gz5ODoXbxQCLcB/s320/rose%2Bgarden%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="formattextmaincontent" style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="https://img1.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<b>Greenlake<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>7201 E Greenlake Dr N, Seattle, 98115.<br />
With a 2.8 mile loop path for wheels and feet; ample green spaces to play
on; a full playground; basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts; an indoor
gym; and a superb wading pool, Green
Lake’s got it all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucSTBPzeTtw/V3abyd-DizI/AAAAAAAAAeE/kaMdK4ETxKM3NOzgysQbOLHEKHiyc2riwCLcB/s1600/green1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucSTBPzeTtw/V3abyd-DizI/AAAAAAAAAeE/kaMdK4ETxKM3NOzgysQbOLHEKHiyc2riwCLcB/s320/green1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vBP2KEnbMk/V3acAOrtbrI/AAAAAAAAAeM/uZlBxCh3GOcLDEmwN6Ny44MnQtJ1nHj4gCLcB/s1600/gree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vBP2KEnbMk/V3acAOrtbrI/AAAAAAAAAeM/uZlBxCh3GOcLDEmwN6Ny44MnQtJ1nHj4gCLcB/s320/gree3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span class="colorbluenavy000099"></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Golden Gardens <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle,
98117.<br />
Golden Gardens park is nestled next to the
beach. The park has an ultra-modern playground with a cool rope structure where
kids can practice climbing skills, as well as wetlands that lets
little ones get up close and personal with nature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8Wr5wedX6Y/V3acUI1UJNI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/d0c_rlOEs2QHo1_3VZqN49GmMfk3paWcACLcB/s1600/gg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8Wr5wedX6Y/V3acUI1UJNI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/d0c_rlOEs2QHo1_3VZqN49GmMfk3paWcACLcB/s320/gg1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OAig9uBpyY/V3acVrEJEyI/AAAAAAAAAeU/mVw-D4Cn1nEu3Lba0wGXjVMUpBQFROgrQCLcB/s1600/ggp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OAig9uBpyY/V3acVrEJEyI/AAAAAAAAAeU/mVw-D4Cn1nEu3Lba0wGXjVMUpBQFROgrQCLcB/s320/ggp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-77015054540836293032016-06-03T10:08:00.000-07:002016-06-03T10:08:12.868-07:003 Boredom Busters for the Summer! <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->Summer is right around the corner! School is almost out and
my oldest daughter is graduating from Preschool this year which means a
Graduation Party and Kindergarten in the fall. I can’t believe how the time
flies. My youngest is starting preschool in the fall too, but for now, the
bliss of summer! Time slows down a little in the summer; the hustle and bustle
of the school year is just a memory. And then about halfway through…the summer loses
its luster a little and the “I’m bored” comments begin. This year, I found a
few ideas to keep my girls busy and engaged through the summer. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer Reading
Program with the Library </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each year the library offers a special Summer of Learning
program with fun themes and free programs all summer long! Check out the
<a href="http://www.spl.org/audiences/all-ages/summer-of-learning">Seattle Public Library’s website</a> for more information! <br />
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAh8-vvpsYk/V08THBTV70I/AAAAAAAAAdA/gvZnwK1g6bY56SpFgFbTLvJlc_S0yMc1ACLcB/s1600/read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAh8-vvpsYk/V08THBTV70I/AAAAAAAAAdA/gvZnwK1g6bY56SpFgFbTLvJlc_S0yMc1ACLcB/s320/read.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer Camp</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer Camps are a great way for kids to keep engaged and
busy with something they’re interested in. We signed up for 2 summer camps this
summer, one for each summer month. With so many options for themes and
activities, it’s easy to find a great option for every child. <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/about-2/#dailyschedule">Blossoming Buds Cottage</a> and <a href="http://blossomingbudspreschool.com/programs/summer-camp/">Blossoming Buds Preschool</a>
both have summer camps with cool themes this year!<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4lzDhRU9i0/V08TNLzh5uI/AAAAAAAAAdE/GIMwezNZFrAKR4f0MFlDjWEl7pFynK-4ACLcB/s1600/summer%2Bcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4lzDhRU9i0/V08TNLzh5uI/AAAAAAAAAdE/GIMwezNZFrAKR4f0MFlDjWEl7pFynK-4ACLcB/s1600/summer%2Bcamp.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer time Bingo</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Create a bingo board of fun activities to do during the
summer. Then check them off as you go. Some fun ideas could be: </div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make
an outdoor Chalkboard</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make
your own puppets then have a puppet show</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Nature
scavenger hunt</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make a
homemade treat and deliver it to friends or neighbors within walking
distance</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Have a
water balloon battle</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go on
a nature walk at the Arboretum </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Have a
picnic lunch in the park or in your backyard</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">visit
a local museum </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Tugboat
Story Time! For more info on this, check out our blog “<a href="http://www.seattlepreschoolblog.com/2016/04/spring-has-sprung-indooroutdoor.html">Spring has Sprung! Indoor/Outdoor Adventures with the Kiddos!</a>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make a
birdhouse and bird feeder </li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3s8fCMM8pRQ/V08TZCA8OyI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ry4Eha_PsWIvUW7MfXrFR-6U-AK75RFoQCLcB/s1600/bingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3s8fCMM8pRQ/V08TZCA8OyI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ry4Eha_PsWIvUW7MfXrFR-6U-AK75RFoQCLcB/s320/bingo.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I’d love to hear about how you keep your kids busy during
the summer!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-58905546742935646052016-05-23T10:55:00.000-07:002016-05-23T10:55:11.432-07:00Gardening with Kids: Easy to Grow Plants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Spring has definitely sprung, which means it’s past time to
plant our garden. It’s been such a beautiful spring this year with lots of
sunshine and warm weather! I love planting a garden. It’s such a fun way to get
kids involved and learning about where our food comes from. And fresh veggies
from the garden are delicious! Some plants are definitely easier to grow than
others. I rarely have luck with carrots, and corn always looks fun while it’s
growing, but is so hard to grow cobs with all their kernels that I’ve given up
on them. Here are a few plants that I’ve had continued success with in the
past.
</div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pumpkins</b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Who doesn’t love pumpkins? Pumpkin plants get huge and
although they have slightly pokey vines, they are so fun to watch grow. We like
to guess how many pumpkins we’ll get from each plant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjCLYbhnfwY/V0M6rWtz5KI/AAAAAAAAAcM/fnCj9izFe3snsJ3B5hgcJ1w7wbuSIDfOQCLcB/s320/pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sunflowers </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I love planting sunflowers with my kids. They are quick to
sprout, grow really fast and produce beautiful flowers. And if I’m feeling
ambitious, we harvest the seeds from the flower to grow the following year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVGw1y-hcco/V0M_0eduqiI/AAAAAAAAAck/qrCjQY7M0WsTBsoin9R2lUrLDaTILVdaACLcB/s1600/sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVGw1y-hcco/V0M_0eduqiI/AAAAAAAAAck/qrCjQY7M0WsTBsoin9R2lUrLDaTILVdaACLcB/s320/sunflower.jpg" width="271" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Peas and Beans</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh peas and beans from the garden are delicious. I always
buy the bush variety instead of the pole variety so I don’t have to string them
up. But I’ve seen lots of super cute <a href="http://artfulparent.com/2016/04/how-to-make-a-bean-pole-teepee.html">teepees</a> on <span id="goog_1263120691"></span>Pinterest <span id="goog_1263120692"></span>made from the pole bean variety, a few poles tied together and seeds planted at
the base of each pole. I’ve been very tempted to try this out, but bush beans and
peas are super easy to grow and require very little maintenance. The Blue Lake
type is my favorite! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFP_-aF8gQw/V0M_4vWb6UI/AAAAAAAAAco/tWlGLXKdnJALchJCqijMLcIautiRX7z2wCLcB/s1600/bean%2Bteepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFP_-aF8gQw/V0M_4vWb6UI/AAAAAAAAAco/tWlGLXKdnJALchJCqijMLcIautiRX7z2wCLcB/s1600/bean%2Bteepee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you like to plant with your kids? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more ideas on how to garden with your kids, check out
our Pinterest board “<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/gardening-with-kids/">Gardening with Kids</a>”.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjCLYbhnfwY/V0M6rWtz5KI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/dR9zTB3KwpsLfChLCWdLKIg60Fnpp_B8QCKgB/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-70708329058576104702016-04-29T15:34:00.000-07:002016-04-29T15:34:02.117-07:00Spring has Sprung! Indoor/Outdoor Adventures with the Kiddos! <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve had such a wonderful April! The weather has been
gorgeous and we’ve had just enough rain. Spring is such a fun season in the Pacific Northwest. Flowers are starting to bloom and the sun
is up longer in the evening. It’s the perfect time to get outside and explore.
I’m sometimes a little less inclined to bundle up the kids on a rainy day to
get outside, but then there are the days where I’m so thankful I did because we
all needed to get out of the house. Here are a few indoor and outdoor
adventures we’ve been on and really enjoyed! </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Walk through the <a href="http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/">Arboretum </a></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Explore nature at Washington Park Arboretum, count budding
flowers, stomp in mud puddles and hunt for insects. Located near UW campus,
kids can have a great time with a scavenger hunt or simply exploring this
beautiful park.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sly18gFkz-w/VyPfNdbitTI/AAAAAAAAAbo/uhW1WJyodRgPiKjBgq4PcprY28Qzh2YHgCLcB/s1600/arboretum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sly18gFkz-w/VyPfNdbitTI/AAAAAAAAAbo/uhW1WJyodRgPiKjBgq4PcprY28Qzh2YHgCLcB/s320/arboretum.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://cwb.org/classes/tugboat-storytime/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tugboat Storytime</b></a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hop on board this 100-year-old tug boat and get ready for
Tugboat Storytime! The stories are geared toward ages 2-8 years old and feature
stories about kids, boats, and the sea. Check out their calendar for up to date information.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cW3a58JiI10/VyPfLxywPaI/AAAAAAAAAbk/i43qDAnqV9oFkLJsjDeahjB9DxhjwhINQCLcB/s1600/Tugboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cW3a58JiI10/VyPfLxywPaI/AAAAAAAAAbk/i43qDAnqV9oFkLJsjDeahjB9DxhjwhINQCLcB/s320/Tugboat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Take
the <a href="http://www.seattlesouthside.com/getting-around/878-water-taxi">Water Taxi</a> to West Seattle
</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a boating adventure, check out the Water Taxi which
leaves from Pier 50 and arrives at Seacrest Park in West Seattle. It’s only $4.75
for a 15 minute ride and kids 5 and under ride free. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Everett’s <a href="https://www.imaginecm.org/">Imagine Children’s Museum</a> and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/forest-park-everett-2">Forest Park </a></b></div>
The Imagine Children’s Museum in Downtown Everett is a
blast. Every third Friday, the museum has free admission from 5:30pm-9pm. Then
check out nearby Forest Park
has a fantastic water-spray playground and a free animal farm. Fun for the
whole family!<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLWXHIVgoiQ/VyPfgsiYkmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/fNfGoSI4bS8C05bLvxywzTy9oc4_ULPcwCLcB/s1600/Forest%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLWXHIVgoiQ/VyPfgsiYkmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/fNfGoSI4bS8C05bLvxywzTy9oc4_ULPcwCLcB/s320/Forest%2BPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d love to hear about your spring adventures too!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-78649203207130509222016-03-24T10:07:00.000-07:002016-03-24T10:07:13.515-07:00Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas!<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5840031773156563087" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5840031773156563087" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5840031773156563087" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Spring is finally here, which means that Easter is right
around the corner! This year it’s earlier than usual, which means there is not
much time to fill those baskets. In a constant effort to encourage healthier
choices, I decided to skip all the treats in our Easter Baskets this year. In
the past, I usually included one or two sweet treats, since I know how much
they enjoy the treats, but I also know that special toys are a delight too. This
year I decided to theme the baskets for what the girls are super interested in.
Here are some other non-candy ideas I found and loved for Easter Baskets!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Art basket</b>: For
the budding artist!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Paint smock, new water colors, coloring book, colored
pencils, and sidewalk chalk</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqka75IHmBk/VvQdUfbZ5NI/AAAAAAAAAbA/oFs7YNeJLUAC15WywNyQVidu6PCl2mr0Q/s1600/art%2Bbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqka75IHmBk/VvQdUfbZ5NI/AAAAAAAAAbA/oFs7YNeJLUAC15WywNyQVidu6PCl2mr0Q/s320/art%2Bbasket.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
</div>
<span id="goog_1908979040"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Beach basket</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an upcoming trip to the beach!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beach towel, sunglasses, sand toys and flip flops</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Gardening basket</b>:
For those who love to dig in the dirt! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seeds, character gardening gloves, bug catching box,
gardening tools, watering can</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXI2ye_OPTw/VvQdcbgHBaI/AAAAAAAAAbE/px5Xy3YS8oEFxYodHnsBA7zjsFlNmb1hg/s1600/easter%252Bbasket%252B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXI2ye_OPTw/VvQdcbgHBaI/AAAAAAAAAbE/px5Xy3YS8oEFxYodHnsBA7zjsFlNmb1hg/s320/easter%252Bbasket%252B2.png" width="212" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Spa basket</b>: For
the girly girl of the family!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bubble bath, nail polish, lip gloss, small purse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 247.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Inspiring Chef basket: </b>For mom’s little baker!<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Play food, cookie cutters, sprinkles, apron, cute cupcake
papers</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34iNvWRpYfo/VvQdiGcQgAI/AAAAAAAAAbI/v5wi4IFA2zIEY8UfhM5aiA304fVjcQ6zw/s1600/baking%2Bbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34iNvWRpYfo/VvQdiGcQgAI/AAAAAAAAAbI/v5wi4IFA2zIEY8UfhM5aiA304fVjcQ6zw/s320/baking%2Bbasket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Racing basket</b>:
For the kid that loves things that go!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cars, small race track, book about cars, toy train</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. Mishmash basket</b>:
For kids that love all sorts of fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giant bouncy ball, play dough, bubble gun, Frisbee, board
game</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other ideas: </div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">a new book</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">stickers
</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">puzzles
</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">water
bottle or sippy cup </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">fun
and colorful socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7Lq1czzboU/VvQd23ppnHI/AAAAAAAAAbM/hz4QGTTpYyY4waSUOMAiM-x7z_KYYhkMg/s1600/toddler-pals-socks-ladybug-and-caterpillar-zoom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7Lq1czzboU/VvQd23ppnHI/AAAAAAAAAbM/hz4QGTTpYyY4waSUOMAiM-x7z_KYYhkMg/s320/toddler-pals-socks-ladybug-and-caterpillar-zoom.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What fun things are you filling your child’s Easter Basket
with this year? Do you tend to lean toward food or toys or something else?</div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-14225666913037716622016-02-04T15:08:00.000-08:002016-02-04T15:08:22.070-08:00Easy Activities for a Classroom Valentine’s Day Party<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
It’s that time of year again! The time for red and pink,
hearts and too much candy. I am forever trying to figure out non-candy treats
and in years past have found some adorable ideas on pinterest! (Check out my previous blog for some <a href="http://www.seattlepreschoolblog.com/2015/02/homemade-valentines-whats-not-to-love.html">non-candy valentines</a>).
Now that my oldest daughter is in Pre-K, I am looking for a few easy
Valentine’s themed activities that would be great for a classroom party.
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Science Experiment: Dancing Hearts</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mnDBjK9rHQ/VrPY3s11H5I/AAAAAAAAAaY/c1_qpvIQcrA/s1600/valentines%2Bscience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mnDBjK9rHQ/VrPY3s11H5I/AAAAAAAAAaY/c1_qpvIQcrA/s320/valentines%2Bscience.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For this cute science experiment from <a href="http://www.playdoughtoplato.com/dancing-conversation-hearts/#_a5y_p=3141941">Playdough to Plato</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all you need is four alka seltzer tablets, a
glass, a box of conversation hearts and 1 cup of sparkling water or tap water. Drop
the tablets into the water. Let them fizz and bubble a bit and then add a few
conversation hearts. Watch them dance and wiggle in the glass. To take it to
the next level, you could also try a variety of combinations. In one glass put only
sparkling water and conversation hearts, then in another use alka seltzer
tablets, tap water and conversation hearts and in the third put alka seltzer
tablets, sparkling water and conversation hearts. Then see which hearts dance
the most. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Art Project: Shake it up: Valentine Painting!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQCIGESN_aI/VrPYxT3I1nI/AAAAAAAAAaU/u_6DNtB_Rz4/s1600/shake%252Bit%252Bup%252Bhearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQCIGESN_aI/VrPYxT3I1nI/AAAAAAAAAaU/u_6DNtB_Rz4/s320/shake%252Bit%252Bup%252Bhearts.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is such a great for a no-mess painting art project from
Sunny Day Family! By collecting a jar per child, you could easily have a dance
party and make this art project at the same time! All you need is a clean,
empty jar with a lid that fits, washable paint, a few candy hearts or dried
beans or marbles, and cardstock. First cut out a heart from the cardstock to
fit in your jar. Then add a few drops of paint to the bottom of the jar. Add
the dried beans or candy hearts close the lid and let your kids shake it up!
Once they are done shaking, pull out the hearts and let them dry. Then add them
to cards or use them as decorations. For more ideas on what to do with the
dried hearts, check out <a href="http://www.sunnydayfamily.com/2016/01/shake-up-hearts.html">this website</a>.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Giving Back: Valentine’s Day Food Drive</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZl3bS3YcAQ/VrPYl00trsI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OvyjTALfxdY/s1600/Fill%2BYour%2BHeart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZl3bS3YcAQ/VrPYl00trsI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OvyjTALfxdY/s320/Fill%2BYour%2BHeart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another idea that to help spread the love through the
entire month is to give back to the community. This February, we are
participating in the Fill your Heart and Food Driving Box Campaign. It’s a
great way to teach kids about food insecurity and to give back to the
community. We will collect red packaged food at the Cottage for the entire
month of February. Then at the end of the month, we will donate the food to our
local food bank. To learn more about this wonderful program and to join in the
fun, check out <a href="http://fooddrivingbox.org/"><u>fooddrivingbox.org</u></a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more ideas like these, check out our pinterest board
“<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/love-is-in-the-air-valentine-s-day-ideas/">Love is in the Air: Valentine’s Day Ideas</a>”! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d love to hear about your valentine’s day party activities
too! We wish you a happy Valentine’s Day and a month full of love! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-84046335553606685162016-01-28T09:47:00.001-08:002016-01-28T09:47:55.179-08:00A Fresh Start to using Non-toxic Products for the Family<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Happy New Year! How are
those resolutions going? One of my goals this year was to find better non-toxic
household products. I recently downloaded the Think Dirty App to scan all my
products. It’s a great app that tells me how the products I’m using rate on
their “Think Dirty” scale. I’ve been scanning everything in my house including
shampoo, cleaners, lip balm, bar soap, lotions…everything. Once I scan a
product, the app gives a rating of 1-10, 10 being most toxic. I was so
surprised to find that a lot of products that I thought were great still have a
lot of toxic chemicals in them. I like to stay around 3 or under on the Think
Dirty ranking. </span>
<br />
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Here are a few of my
favorite brands and products:</span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Seventh Generation hand
soap in Citrus and natural all-purpose cleaner</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgSHwrdDP8/VqpNwHKgddI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/eY6WDlCD9RE/s1600/7th%2Bgen.%2Bsoap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgSHwrdDP8/VqpNwHKgddI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/eY6WDlCD9RE/s320/7th%2Bgen.%2Bsoap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Desert Essence Coconut
Shampoo, Conditioner and Detangler</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtgjSwzULfQ/VqpNb0mC3GI/AAAAAAAAAZw/NEeuzAAYLVk/s1600/desert%2Bessence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtgjSwzULfQ/VqpNb0mC3GI/AAAAAAAAAZw/NEeuzAAYLVk/s320/desert%2Bessence.jpg" width="172" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">California</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Baby Body Wash
and Shampoo and Calendula Body Cream for Kids</span></div>
<div align="center" class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wLRQkLaCo4/VqpNXPs4BLI/AAAAAAAAAZo/5xwNevTJdYg/s1600/cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wLRQkLaCo4/VqpNXPs4BLI/AAAAAAAAAZo/5xwNevTJdYg/s320/cream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For more inspiration on
clean, non-toxic products, check out our Pinterest board “<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/best-non-toxic-products/">Best Non-toxicProducts</a>” <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/best-non-toxic-products/"></a>
</span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’d love to hear about your
favorite non-toxic products in the comments below! </span></div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="msolistparagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-53203754111410566272015-12-10T10:49:00.000-08:002015-12-10T10:49:17.939-08:00Ready For Holiday Parties? Quick and Delicious Potluck Dishes<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s that
time of year again, the time for tinsel, trees, holiday parties and...potlucks.
Every December we are invited to at least one potluck and I am always short on
time to figure out what to bring. This year is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m hoping to be more prepared by having
some tasty recipes ready to make! Here are a few recipes that look delicious, super easy and quick. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Appetizer: Tortilla Pinwheels from
Taste of Home</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I love the
look of these <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/appetizer-tortilla-pinwheels">Tortilla Pinwheels</a>! The combination of olives, green chilies, cream cheese, and tortillas sounds
delicious! Prep time for these is 20 minutes and then they chill for several
hours leaving you with time to get everyone ready or prep another dish. If you
have kids at your potluck, you could make some Peanut Butter and Jelly Pinwheels
for a kid-friendly appetizer option to go along with these!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjupkJq0ivw/VmnH0EQDqcI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_uShzEEWvXE/s1600/pinwheels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjupkJq0ivw/VmnH0EQDqcI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_uShzEEWvXE/s400/pinwheels.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Side Dish: Easy Cheesy Tortellini
Bake</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">This <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/132801/easy-cheesy-tortellini-bake/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1536&referringContentType=recipe%20hub">Easy Cheesy Tortellini Bake</a> is so easy to throw together! 15 minutes of prep time
and 15 minutes in the oven and it’s done. You could even add some cooked
Italian sausage to make it a main dish. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5P30oQrKaE/VmnH4BgSlBI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jagJ8X8OuQs/s1600/tortellini%2Bbake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5P30oQrKaE/VmnH4BgSlBI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jagJ8X8OuQs/s320/tortellini%2Bbake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Main Dish: Make Ahead Fajitas </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">from Mr. Food
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">How about
these <a href="http://www.mrfood.com/Beef/Make-Ahead-Fajitas-1447">Make Ahead Fajitas</a> if you are in charge of a main potluck dish? They are
easy to whip up and have a cook time of 35 minutes. They look delicious and are
a nice change from a typical casserole. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxpLR6pqkOY/VmnH605jQlI/AAAAAAAAAZA/5UxddB9KCi8/s1600/Make-Ahead-Fajitas_Large600_ID-1083847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxpLR6pqkOY/VmnH605jQlI/AAAAAAAAAZA/5UxddB9KCi8/s320/Make-Ahead-Fajitas_Large600_ID-1083847.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dessert: Hello Dollies</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> from allrecipes.com
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">This rich
dessert is delicious and a family favorite of mine! <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11259/hello-dollies-i/">Hello Dollies</a> combine
coconut flakes, graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips in a gooey bar. It
takes less than 15 minutes to throw together, 25-30 minutes to bake and they
are fool proof!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLERTyVsITQ/VmnIIDoG_yI/AAAAAAAAAZM/_rOg9W4CVKo/s1600/Hello%2BDollies.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLERTyVsITQ/VmnIIDoG_yI/AAAAAAAAAZM/_rOg9W4CVKo/s400/Hello%2BDollies.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I’d love to
hear about your favorite quick and easy potluck dishes too!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">For more
ideas like these, check out our “<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/easy-potluck-dishes/">Easy Potluck Dishes</a>” Pinterest Board! Happy
Potlucking! And Happy Holidays! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">To learn
more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s
best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-67259760940980805552015-11-19T10:48:00.000-08:002015-11-19T10:48:11.756-08:00 Thanksgiving: Getting Kids Involved!Thanksgiving is just a week away! It’s one of my favorite holidays. Halloween and all the candy and costumes are behind us and there’s no need to buy presents! I have started trying is get my kids involved with the Thanksgiving preparations. While it’s hard to have them help with everything, I love getting them involved with the things they can do. And they love it too! Here are some ideas we are thinking about trying out this year! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thanksgiving Themed Craft Table</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the idea of a kids table during dinner, but what about the times where the adults are still talking around the dinner table and the kids are done and ready to play. We started setting out a table with art supplies and a craft that the kids can do by themselves and it was a hit! I like to line the kids table with paper and add crayons at the very least. And if I have more time, then prepping an art project is definitely a great way to get kids involved with celebrating Thanksgiving! Mess for Less’s has <a href="http://www.messforless.net/50-turkey-thanksgiving-crafts">50 Turkey Thanksgiving Crafts</a> for the craft table! I also really love the idea of this cute <a href="http://hoosierhomemade.com/thanksgiving-kids-table/">turkey crayon holder</a> from Hoosier Homemade!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNK7IhZ-iHw/Vk4Rr_7uPJI/AAAAAAAAAYM/dCMRWGmBgdU/s1600/Thanksgiving-Kid-Table.FEATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNK7IhZ-iHw/Vk4Rr_7uPJI/AAAAAAAAAYM/dCMRWGmBgdU/s320/Thanksgiving-Kid-Table.FEATURE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Making Table Decorations</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Table decorations are great to make for some pre-Thanksgiving art projects! Handprint table runners using fall colored paint, <a href="https://craftgawker.com/post/2011/11/21/26497/">turkey place cards</a> or this cute thankful turkey can make any table more festive! And they are a great way to get the kids involved and excited for Thanksgiving! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TZqVK6KInVo/Vk4RSRaZfeI/AAAAAAAAAX8/FD-Xc6lpMaQ/s1600/table%2Brunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TZqVK6KInVo/Vk4RSRaZfeI/AAAAAAAAAX8/FD-Xc6lpMaQ/s320/table%2Brunner.jpg" width="214" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOlYE3IOGr0/Vk4Rc5f3BTI/AAAAAAAAAYE/SpP0Ll7nStk/s1600/table%2Bpieces.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TZqVK6KInVo/Vk4RSRaZfeI/AAAAAAAAAX8/FD-Xc6lpMaQ/s1600/table%2Brunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Easy Thanksgiving Recipes That Kids Can Make </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love having my kids help with a couple of dishes during Thanksgiving! So many great recipes out there are kid friendly to make! My kids love to help stir and create a dish that they know our friends and family will enjoy. With Pinterest just a click away, it’s easy to find kid-friendly dishes that kids can easily make! These <a href="http://chefmom.sheknows.com/articles/822593/thanksgiving-recipes-the-kids-can-make">Pumpkin Cups</a> from Sheknows Chef Mom are a great option for a quick and healthier dessert option that kids can easily help with! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dGVstitUtM/Vk4RGdgO-DI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Go6TJg2wKec/s1600/pumpkin-cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dGVstitUtM/Vk4RGdgO-DI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Go6TJg2wKec/s320/pumpkin-cups.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more ideas like these, check out our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/thanksgiving/">“Thanksgiving!”</a> Pinterest Board!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/thanksgiving/"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m always looking for new ideas! I’d love to hear about your ideas for getting your kids involved with the Thanksgiving preparations too! What do they love to help with? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a><br />
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-40845734991704133212015-10-20T10:57:00.000-07:002015-10-20T10:57:26.723-07:00Easy Crock Pot Meals!Fall is officially here! Which means that it’s time to break out my favorite fall dinners! I love using my crock pot on chilly fall days. It’s so nice to have food ready by dinner time that you don’t have to spend tons of time prepping right before serving it. Sometimes, if I’m feeling very ambitious or if I know the next day is going to be super busy, I’ll prep the next day’s dinner the evening before in the crock pot dish, except the main liquid, and then pop it in the fridge. Then, in the morning I’ll add the liquid and put it in the slow cooker and it’s ready to go by dinner time! It makes dinner so much easier and smells so great as it cooks! Here are three of my favorite recipes: <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/220910/slow-cooker-easy-baked-potato-soup/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Easy Baked Potato Soup</b></a> <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/220910/slow-cooker-easy-baked-potato-soup/"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is one of the easiest recipes and it is so delicious! I like to add carrots to the soup for some extra veggies too. It is quick to throw together and then you set the slow cooker on low for 7-9 hours. So easy!</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ieJWUWXFdb8/ViZ_kuT94KI/AAAAAAAAAXc/F_SCuV-DnbU/s1600/potato%2Bsoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ieJWUWXFdb8/ViZ_kuT94KI/AAAAAAAAAXc/F_SCuV-DnbU/s1600/potato%2Bsoup.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://flouronmyface.com/family-recipes-easy-crock-pot-pulled-pork-sandwich-recipe/">Pulled Pork Sandwiches</a> </b><a href="http://flouronmyface.com/family-recipes-easy-crock-pot-pulled-pork-sandwich-recipe/"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These delicious pulled pork sandwiches are a cinch to make and a nice alternative to soup in the fall. After cooking on high for about 4 hours, the meat simply falls apart with a fork creating juicy and delicious pulled pork sandwiches. Just add a bun and some coleslaw and you’re set for dinner!</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWs8r4JvfL8/ViZ_bH6Z4gI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xupwNXjUfQs/s1600/Pulled-Pork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWs8r4JvfL8/ViZ_bH6Z4gI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xupwNXjUfQs/s320/Pulled-Pork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/perfect-pot-roast-slow-cooker-239829"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Awesome Pot Roast</b> </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is my go-to recipe for pot roast. It’s easy and all inclusive so I only have to dirty one dish for making dinner since you can cook the vegetables and potatoes with the roast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOBUmOupaKo/ViZ_fW_kPOI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/GMBxgoL-FSo/s1600/roast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOBUmOupaKo/ViZ_fW_kPOI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/GMBxgoL-FSo/s320/roast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d love to try out your favorite slow-cooker recipes too! Please share them in the comments! And happy slow cooking!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a><br />
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-26653273025895298842015-09-15T15:16:00.000-07:002015-09-15T15:16:29.381-07:00Easy and Fast Kids Breakfast Ideas: Featuring CHIA!Now that we've had a week or so of the kids being back in preschool, (and hopefully school will be starting soon for Seattle Public Schools!) I decided that it’s time to get serious about a nutritious breakfast in the morning for these growing bodies. No more unhealthy, sugary bars on the way to school! This summer I have been loving Chia and all its healthy benefits. It’s high in fiber, calcium, protein, omegas and so much more goodness! It’s awesome! Why not pass on this nutrition to our kiddos?! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are three super fast breakfast ideas my kiddos love (and I do too)! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.superhealthykids.com/sunburst-energy-smoothie/">Chia Sunburst Smoothie</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love adding spinach (sometimes kale) and chia seeds to a smoothie with pineapple, frozen mango, a splash of orange juice and a banana! It’s a great way to get those veggies in early!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a85oHkYlkA/VfiVv9f85vI/AAAAAAAAAWc/dfHgJn8GUqc/s1600/smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a85oHkYlkA/VfiVv9f85vI/AAAAAAAAAWc/dfHgJn8GUqc/s320/smoothie.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yogurt Parfait </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I start with Greek yogurt which has tons of protein in it, then I add some high fiber granola, sometimes some toasted coconut, and raspberries (another high fiber food). Then I sprinkle some chia on top for a little more crunch! Delicious!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gblWEghi0w/VfiV-7PrfnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/R0g-ax-r6PQ/s1600/parfait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gblWEghi0w/VfiV-7PrfnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/R0g-ax-r6PQ/s320/parfait.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/03/chewy-dark-chocolate-cherry-protein-granola-bars-with-chia-seeds/">Homemade Breakfast Bars</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made 2 dozen of these delicious bars on Sunday and we eat them throughout the week! So tasty and full of great protein, nutrients and fiber!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTnJ-5hZuOw/VfiWIL7sRHI/AAAAAAAAAWo/3gSTx7Ff0U0/s1600/granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTnJ-5hZuOw/VfiWIL7sRHI/AAAAAAAAAWo/3gSTx7Ff0U0/s320/granola.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more tasty recipes like these, check out our pinterest board “<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/berry-good-recipes/">Berry Good Recipes</a>”! I’d love to hear about your favorite breakfast recipes too!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare </a>programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-62762252211744413612015-08-26T11:35:00.000-07:002015-08-26T11:35:27.566-07:00Tasty Summer Treats!<!--[if !mso]><br />
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><br />
<![endif]-->With the end of summer just around the corner, I have many mixed emotions. I’m looking forward to getting back in a more regular routine with my kids, but I will also miss the care-free summer days and gorgeous weather. In an effort to try to soak up as much of the last few weeks of summer as possible, my kids and I have been experimenting with some tasty (and healthy!) homemade summer treats in the kitchen! Here are some of our favorites!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://wizzley.com/healthy-and-delicious-fruit-and-yogurt-cones/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fruit and YogurtCones</b></a> from wizzley.com </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtE7mCw7bY4/Vd36bJOkbZI/AAAAAAAAAVk/QkwfzH3e_dc/s1600/fruit%2Band%2Byogurt%2Bcones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtE7mCw7bY4/Vd36bJOkbZI/AAAAAAAAAVk/QkwfzH3e_dc/s320/fruit%2Band%2Byogurt%2Bcones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We love this healthy take on an ice cream cone! With fresh fruit and yogurt, it’s always a winner! Sometimes we add the slivered almonds for a bit of crunch! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.justataste.com/5-minute-healthy-strawberry-frozen-yogurt-recipe/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Strawberry FrozenYogurt</b></a> from Just a Taste </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHbVuQF-Dec/Vd36gj9oNAI/AAAAAAAAAVs/6hsMr9atHhY/s1600/best-frozen-yogurt-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHbVuQF-Dec/Vd36gj9oNAI/AAAAAAAAAVs/6hsMr9atHhY/s320/best-frozen-yogurt-recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This delicious recipe only takes 5 minutes to make! It is quick to make and has simple ingredients too. It has the perfect combination of strawberries, agave nectar, yogurt and fresh lemon juice. We’ve also been experimenting with other berries and fruits. We’ve tried adding mangoes and oranges and sometimes I’ll even add a couple of carrots to the fruit! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/06/20/breakfast-banana-pops/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakfast Banana Pops</b></a><b></b> from Chocolate Covered Katie </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3zv4I4nCs0/Vd3609_C5jI/AAAAAAAAAV0/7lkKHPlXSC4/s1600/breakfast-banana-pops_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3zv4I4nCs0/Vd3609_C5jI/AAAAAAAAAV0/7lkKHPlXSC4/s320/breakfast-banana-pops_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These tasty treats are really fun. When we are making them as treats, we like to dip the bananas in vanilla yogurt then roll them in crushed cookies and mini chocolate chips! I know, they say breakfast in their name, but they are so delicious as a special treat. Sometimes we make them with granola and raisins and have them for a special breakfast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more ideas like these, check out our Pinterest Board “<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/berry-good-recipes/">Berry Good Recipes</a>”! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We always love finding new recipes! What are your go-to summer treats? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare </a>programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-2154049239918905392015-07-22T15:03:00.000-07:002015-07-22T15:03:42.774-07:00It’s Berry Pickin’ Time!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer has been so beautiful this year! We have been keeping cool during these hot days by visiting spray parks and other nice shaded parks with a lot of trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to pick fresh berries. I love visiting one of the many U-Pick berry farms we have in this area. Here are a couple of tips for U-Pick Berry picking that I have found helpful as well as a couple of farms that we have really enjoyed! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Helpful tips for berry picking:</span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Call ahead to make sure the farm is open and that there are berries.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find out if the farm is cash only or if cards are accepted. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arrive early, fields can be picked over by noon and the sun is much hotter in the afternoon.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring sunscreen and hats. Berry patches are usually in full sun. </span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxgDVwul2ug/Va_vfNvBAjI/AAAAAAAAAU0/zM8d_zmeWF0/s1600/healthlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxgDVwul2ug/Va_vfNvBAjI/AAAAAAAAAU0/zM8d_zmeWF0/s1600/healthlines.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">U-Pick Farms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/blueberry_farm.htm">Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm</a></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2380 Bellevue
Way SE</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">,<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Bellevue,
WA</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></strong><span class="baec5a81-e4d6-4674-97f3-e9220f0136c1"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">425-499-5322 or 425-260-2266</span></span><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Located in nearby Bellevue, this U-Pick Farm has blueberries
and a great food stand with fresh and local produce! They are open mid July
through Mid September 10am-6pm except Wednesdays. Cash or check only. </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://remlingerfarms.com/">Remlinger Farm</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">32610 N.E. 32nd Street</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Carnation,
WA 98014</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
425-333-4135</span><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">
ext 250</span></strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Remlinger Farm is located in
Carnation and has lots of fun for the entire family including a little roller
coaster, a train and lots of farm animals. Raspberry fields at Remlinger Farm
just opened up. They also have u-pick strawberry fields earlier in the summer. Check
out their website for more information. </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h3>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPs9E8PudaI/Va_vnTX0isI/AAAAAAAAAU8/9PdTwzNEk08/s1600/Remlinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPs9E8PudaI/Va_vnTX0isI/AAAAAAAAAU8/9PdTwzNEk08/s320/Remlinger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://biringerfarm.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Biringer Farm</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></b></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">21412 59<sup>th</sup> Ave NE</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Arlington,
WA 98223</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <span class="uficommentbody">425 259-0255 </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This farm
is a little farther north and has strawberries between mid-June and mid-July
and raspberries in late July. You can take the Jolly Trolley out to the fields.
They have a cute playground with a climb-on tractor and a great picnic area for
lunch after berry picking. Be sure to call their berry hotline to find out what
is available before you go. </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></h3>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3wN8TZqhUc/Va_vwhaejHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/li7iPYl_jcY/s1600/biringer-elisa-murray-jolly-trolle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3wN8TZqhUc/Va_vwhaejHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/li7iPYl_jcY/s320/biringer-elisa-murray-jolly-trolle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For some inspiration for what to do with your buckets of berries, check
out our Pinterest board “Berry Good Recipes”! Happy berry picking! </span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a>
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-36346424345815996492015-06-23T11:28:00.000-07:002015-06-23T11:28:36.384-07:00Affordable Seattle Summer Fun! Summer is officially here! I love everything about summer; time just seems to slow down a bit since we aren’t rushing everywhere. But with the slower pace, also comes the long summer days that can sometimes be hard to fill. We signed up for a couple of summer camps, but besides that, I’ve been looking for a few cheap or free activities to fill in around the summer camps, library story times and swimming lessons. Here are some of the activities and events I’ve found that I’m super excited to check out this summer as well as some activities we’ve been to in the past and loved! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer Concerts in the Park</b></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><br />
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"><br />
</w:LatentStyles><br />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /><br />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style><br />
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><br />
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style><br />
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I feel so lucky to live in an area that has such a wide array of kid-friendly summer concerts. Seattle<br />
has a lot of family-friendly concerts in nearby parks in Seattle and on the Eastside. And for a lot of<br />
the concerts, admission is free. Check out <a href="http://redtri.com/seattle/seattle-summer-kids-concert-line-up/">Red Tricycle’s</a> website for a list of locations, artists, dates and times!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlKwRe0rj_s/VYmh_IneTII/AAAAAAAAATw/OzM20Plx5yw/s1600/kids%2Bconcerts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlKwRe0rj_s/VYmh_IneTII/AAAAAAAAATw/OzM20Plx5yw/s320/kids%2Bconcerts.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spray</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Parks</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> and Wading Pools</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seattle has such a great array of parks! On those really hot days I love taking the kids to splash around in the spray parks. Our favorite is the Willis D. Tucker Spray Park in Snohomish, although it’s a little farther away, it’s so much fun and has little bits of shade to splash in as well as a great playground and some nice picnic spots. Visit <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/parks/wadingpools.asp">Seattle’s website</a> for a list of other wading pools and spray parks open this season. Or check out <a href="http://www.parentmap.com/article/great-spray-parks-in-the-seattle-area">ParentMap’s list</a> of spray parks for more places to check out! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGO7UAVDiiI/VYmkGiFKYkI/AAAAAAAAAUM/u-ktmOEH-fM/s1600/willis-tucker-spray-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGO7UAVDiiI/VYmkGiFKYkI/AAAAAAAAAUM/u-ktmOEH-fM/s320/willis-tucker-spray-park.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Family Friendly Activities</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems like each weekend there are festivals of some sort going on. From <a href="http://www.seafair.com/">Seafair events</a>, including the Greenlake Milk Carton Derby and Pirates Landing on Alki, to Thomas the Train Rides in Snoqualmie and so many other festivals, we could really attend a different festival each weekend. We typically just go to one or two each summer. Our favorite is the Greenlake Milk Carton Derby where kids and adults build boats out of empty milk cartons and then race them. So fun! This year we will check out a couple of other festivals too. <a href="http://www.events12.com/seattle/july/">Events12</a> has a great list of activities all over Washington by month.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.events12.com/seattle/july/"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-selrZlau9o4/VYmj7yDYCnI/AAAAAAAAAUE/gy3U6s0Ve6E/s1600/milk_carton_derby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-selrZlau9o4/VYmj7yDYCnI/AAAAAAAAAUE/gy3U6s0Ve6E/s320/milk_carton_derby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d love to hear about what you like to do during these summer months too! Happy summer!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a><br />
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-2557693961754312182015-05-19T10:13:00.000-07:002015-05-19T10:13:43.349-07:00Spring Cleaning: Tackling the Toy Room!I’ve really been on a spring cleaning kick lately. Especially on those rainy days when it’s too wet to go outside. For my most recent project, I’ve been working on cleaning and organizing my girls’ rooms and the play room. Both of my daughters’ birthdays are in the spring too, which means they receive toys and clothes and trinkets in the spring time. As I’m sure with most of you, I like to keep an organized house, but I don’t always have gobs of time. However, when the toy baskets are over flowing and the closets are too full, I know it’s definitely time to clean out and donate those things that the kids don’t play with anymore and don’t wear. The trickiest part I think is knowing what to keep and what to get rid of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I find that once I actually get started sorting, it’s easier to decipher what my kids really play with and what gets left on the shelf every play time. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some tips I’ve found that have really helped me get started sorting! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Spend 15 minutes per day<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
I find that if I set a timer for 15 minutes, I can get a lot of sorting done and make pretty good headway. Knowing I have an end time for sorting often helps me get started without dreading it so much. Sometimes if I’m on a roll, I’ll continue working after the timer goes off. But knowing that I have set out to work just 15 minutes on one area then can move on to whatever is next in my day really helps! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc-NzDWej6Y/VVtshp81hPI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Qvp7m4Xlitg/s1600/minutes-or-seconds-timer-psd-template-45699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc-NzDWej6Y/VVtshp81hPI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Qvp7m4Xlitg/s320/minutes-or-seconds-timer-psd-template-45699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. What to keep, what to donate? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve learned over the past few years that finding the right balance for how many toys to keep in the bedroom can be tricky. When in doubt, I move the majority of the toys to the play room and keep just a few toys in their room. When sorting toys, I try to get my kids involved. While my youngest isn’t quite ready to be a part of this, my almost-4-year-old definitely is. When we’re working together to clean and de-clutter, we play the “Stop Clutter Game.” (I know, it’s a super creative name for the game, but it works!) I pick up a toy and ask her if it’s something we want to keep, put away, give away or throw away. I like to use boxes that are labeled “keep”, “trash”, and “donate”. She’s pretty good about playing the game and helping me sort. We only play in 15 minute increments and then at the end of the 15 minutes, we work together to put the toys back in their home and find new homes for the toys that didn’t have a home before. Some toys that my oldest has chosen to donate I’ll tuck away in those convenient plastic tubs until my youngest will be ready to play with them.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b9Lq5uVaB8/VVttDlTMXTI/AAAAAAAAATE/9rISIPl51mk/s1600/box%2Blabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b9Lq5uVaB8/VVttDlTMXTI/AAAAAAAAATE/9rISIPl51mk/s1600/box%2Blabels.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Find the right organization: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finding the right organization for things is as important as removing clutter. I’ve turned to Pinterest many times for help finding the right organization for toys, art supplies, clothing, etc for our play room and the kids’ rooms. Check out our Pinterest board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/blossomingbuds/lets-get-organized/">“Let’s Get Organized"</a> for some other ideas too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it can be time consuming, labeling each bin is the best thing I have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it’s time to clean up you will never hear, “I don’t know where i<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">t goes…” </span>brilliant!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can keep the labels pretty basic, such as: Baby Doll Items, Games, Building, Animals, etc.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sy4yNoMj1H4/VVttTGMZ5AI/AAAAAAAAATM/e_SYi5OAIuk/s1600/howtocreatetoybinlabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sy4yNoMj1H4/VVttTGMZ5AI/AAAAAAAAATM/e_SYi5OAIuk/s320/howtocreatetoybinlabels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d love to hear about your tips for getting organized too! Happy spring cleaning! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare</a><br />
programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5840031773156563087.post-68240845573819785552015-04-30T10:46:00.000-07:002015-04-30T10:46:56.655-07:00Read! Read! Read! The Importance of Reading!I have really enjoyed this sunny weather lately! But when the weather turns cold and rainy, as it inevitably does during spring in Seattle, there’s nothing more I like to do than snuggle up with my girls and read stories. We enjoy reading all sorts of books, silly books, search and find books, story books about ballerinas and ponies and also about new topics that we want to know more about. When we grow tired of the books we have, I love taking a trip to the library with my girls to explore other subjects and find new books that interest them.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
Reading together is so important especially for young children. It teaches vocabulary and helps<br />
children learn how to connect words together to make sentences; a very important process as children<br />
are developing their language skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading books together can help open up communication about<br />
lots of different topics and help develop a child’s imagination. Books can teach children about the<br />
world around them and can expose them to new ideas and other ways of life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
Sometimes we read before bed, during snack time, or just whenever the mood strikes. Here are some<br />
books we’ve really been enjoying! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Boogie Monster </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">by Josie Bissett </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
This cute book is about a loveable Boogie Monster that loves to dance. It comes with a set of fuzzy<br />
boogie legs that kids can put on to turn into the Boogie Monster and dance and wiggle! Josie Bissett<br />
also writes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tickle Monster </i>about a monster that has just flown in from Planet Tickle. This book is<br />
so fun to read aloud and comes with “Tickle Mitts” to inspire laughter and fun while reading. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SruQE9QijKc/VUJkKXPTn_I/AAAAAAAAASQ/AP-tUcIuytM/s1600/Boogie-Monster-by-Josie-Bissett1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SruQE9QijKc/VUJkKXPTn_I/AAAAAAAAASQ/AP-tUcIuytM/s1600/Boogie-Monster-by-Josie-Bissett1.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have You Filled a Bucket Today? </i></b>By Carol McCloud </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have You Filled a Bucket Today? </i>is a wonderful story with vivid illustrations that encourages positive behavior by showing how easy it is to use kind words and express appreciation daily. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnd3aRov5q8/VUJkUAx1UmI/AAAAAAAAASY/Sm26wUFwK9M/s1600/have%2Byou%2Bfilled%2Ba%2Bbucket%2Btoday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnd3aRov5q8/VUJkUAx1UmI/AAAAAAAAASY/Sm26wUFwK9M/s1600/have%2Byou%2Bfilled%2Ba%2Bbucket%2Btoday.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story of Cherry the Pig </b><span style="background: white;">by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=Utako+Yamada&search-alias=books&text=Utako+Yamada&sort=relevancerank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Utako Yamada</span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">This is my 4-year-old's favorite book and has been for the last couple years. It’s a book that teaches </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">how not everyone perceives things the same and that’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherry the Pig loves to bake and some </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">mice try her cake and don’t like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This causes her to feel nervous and scared to enter it in the bake-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">off but she does and wins!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is such a great story about never giving up on your dreams even if </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">others don’t agree.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53AM8gLjRdA/VUJkjYnSjYI/AAAAAAAAASg/M7u0IPs9MbU/s1600/Cherry%2Bthe%2Bpig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53AM8gLjRdA/VUJkjYnSjYI/AAAAAAAAASg/M7u0IPs9MbU/s1600/Cherry%2Bthe%2Bpig.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
Blossoming Buds and Starling Agency Nanny Placement are teaming up again this year to support <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program.</span> Page Ahead is a wonderful foundation that builds awareness about the importance of early literacy in under-served/high-risk populations. On behalf of Page<br />
Ahead, we will be hosting a book drive throughout the entire month of May. The books collected<br />
will be delivered to low-income schools, shelters, and outreach programs throughout Washington<br />
State. Many of the books will be given to children who have never owned their own book. We are<br />
excited to be able to help support other early readers throughout the community! Feel free to share<br />
the news of the book drive with your friends and neighbors! The more we collect for Page Ahead,<br />
the more children will become engaged in early literacy. For more information on Page Ahead visit: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.pageahead.org/index.php">Page Ahead</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
If you would like to participate in the book drive, please feel free to deliver new/unused books<br />
(ages 0-6) to Blossoming Buds during the month of May. If you bring them to Blossoming Buds<br />
Cottage, you can enter to win a $20 Cottage gift card! Thank you for your help supporting such<br />
a wonderful foundation! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about one of <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">Seattle’s best preschools </a>and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">drop-off childcare </a>programs visit <a href="http://www.blossomingbudspreschool.com/">www.blossomingbudspreschool.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingbudscottage.com/">www.blossomingbudscottage.com</a>.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1