Recipe Of The Week: Zebra Cake

Last week was our homeschool Science and Art fair. One of the categories that my oldest daughter, Audrey (age 6), wanted to enter was baking. She made a Zebra cake and received a blue ribbon (top rating). I am sharing her recipe with you this week for my Recipe Of The Week post.

Cake Ingredients:
2 cake mixes - we used two white cakes mixes so that the color would show. But, if you want traditional "zebra" colors use one chocolate and one white. Another option would be strawberry and white.
Coloring of choice (we use Wilton's gel coloring so that we are not adding much extra liquid to the cake mix)
Frosting of choice (or see recipe below)
decorations of choice.

Homeschool Weekly Wrap-Up: Picking right back up where we left off!

As I finished up last weeks "Weekly Wrap-up" we were loading up and heading out to our first livestock show of the season. We had a great time and made many new friends. Audrey showed her goat, poke-a-dot, for showmanship. I showed Brownie and Poke-a-dot for the judging. We didn't do the best but came home with some new goals and a revived excitement to work with them more often. 

We returned home on Sunday and had a very relaxing day celebrating Mother's day with my mom.

Before I was A Mom!

Top 10 Things I Took For Granted Before I was A Mom!

1. A clean floor...or house in general! When you are picking up the toys for the 15th time this morning...Stop and remember what it was like before you were tripping over the legos, baby dolls, stuffed animals, etc... Then remember all the smiles and laughs you witness when those toys are being thrown around.
2. Sleeping in...Ok, so truth is I never really slept in but the option was nice!!! But all those up and early mornings and late nights redeem themselves as soon as those little arms wrap themselves around you and say good morning mama!
3. Clean clothes (or self in general)...Those days when you were able to walk out of the house in clean clothes and have them stay that way! But I wear my spit-up stained, snot covered outfits with pride! Only a mom can have limited edition toddler designed outfits! And who knows, maybe someone will one day discover that peanut butter and jelly has anti-aging properties and you have a head start on your beauty care routine by not noticing that your covered with the stuff.
4. Audience-free bathroom breaks...It doesn't matter where they are or what they are up to...As soon as you sit down on the white thrown of glory they are right there to witness! Even more, they have used the last smidgen of toilet paper on their last visit and left you hanging to drip dry. Ok, I can't think of a positive to counter act that! haha Just another perk to the title I guess.
5. An un-interrupted phone call...again all is quiet and calm until your on the phone and then you are transported to the middle of a tropical rain forest once the ring a ding ding is heard. Monkeys are swinging from the ceiling, tigers are leaping from the couches, birds are squawking from the dining room. But really those little guys are much more entertaining and interesting then most of the people (or elevator music) on the other end of the line! To soon they grow up and all will return to quiet and you'll be begging for that tropical adventure.
6. Tiger strip free belly...Speaking of tigers reminded me that I now look like one! haha Pre-baby body is long long gone! But I wear my stripes with honor. So many are denied the privileged of having a tiny life growing inside of them. I am thankful that I was able to experience those kicks, hiccups, pushes and rib jabs.
7. Having a plate of food without some chewed up and spit out mystery on it...It never fails that you sit down and your child eats something that they don't like. they turn to you with this look of disgust and out it comes the mystery food onto your plate. On the flip side...you can't get a better diet plan then that! Once you see the yucky mess your appetite seems to disappear.
8. Grown up TV...If your are like me you can sing every theme song to every kids show past or present. Not sure how many times I catch myself humming "I'm the map. I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the MAP"  But I guess I can count it as "Continuing Education"! Just think how much science, spanish, art appreciation, music lessons, etc.. would cost if you took them as adult education classes!
9. Snack time...more specifically chocolate! I know I'm not the only mom who has a secret stash of her favorite chocolate or other treat. You wait until they are off doing something (anything) else and you quietly sneak into it trying to unwrap it with out them hearing the crunch and crinkle of the wrapper. But then you fail and they come running and you quickly shove the entire thing in your mouth. When they ask what you have you mumble "nothing" as you drool it all down the front of you. 
10. Alone time/Quiet time...time to cuddle up with a good book, watch a chick-flick movie, take a hot bath, anything for a little peace! To soon the pitter patter of little feet will disappear. The days of peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, silly dance off's, funny face competitions, & finger painting will be gone. All that will be left are the memories of the "good'ole days" when you were covered in kids and all that goes with them. Then, and only then, will you appreciate all the duties (good & bad) that come from being a Mom! I am so thankful that God chose me to watch over these three little precious lives. I love them with all of myself. I know that only through His grace and strength can we make it through each day. I am so incredibly and indescribably blessed. I can't think of any other name that I'd rather have then MOM!  I have the privileged to watch these three little ladies grow and develop into women after God's own heart.. May he guide me each step of the way!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there with that same name! May God bless you as he has blessed me!

Weekly Wrap-Up: Calm Before The Storm, Maybe!

Usually this time of year is like the calm before the storm. Our usual yearly extra curricular activities are winding down and summer ball/show season isn't up and going yet. It is like a deep breath time. But this year one of the shows was moved up and some of our other commitments are still in full swing. Leaving us scrambling and running around like crazy people! haha We spent every evening this week either out of the house or getting ready or this weekends show.

Monday was parent observation night at dance and then we celebrated their year by taking them out to eat. Only a few more weeks before the big recital!

As I ended last week's post, we were getting ready to do our annual May Day baskets and delivery. We had to wait until the weekend to do our delivery because of the busy week we had. I was surprised at how many comments of appreciation that the girls received. Our recipients are always grateful, but several made comments about us not coming on Wednesday and how they were looking forward to our visit. I am so glad that we can be a part of bring them joy! We made deliveries to eleven different shut-ins or elderly from our church. Here are some images of the "basket making factory".

Mother's Day Crafts - 3 projects, same supplies!

Mother's day is almost here and as a stay at home mom I get to pick the craft that the kids make for me haha! With multiple kids you have to get a little creative or you'll end up with three of the same craft or have to buy lots of supplies for three totally different crafts. I usually pick a theme that is easy to adapt for different ages but still has a unique flare about it. This year I chose a handprint craft with a flower/nature theme.

Supplies:
Assorted coordinating scrap book paper
Assorted color finger paint
Markers
Glue
Dollar store 8x10 frames

Cut and glue paper so that it will fit into frame. Assist the children with painting their hands and placement of "stamping". Let them get creative. Most importantly have fun!

Alyssa chose a flower pot.
Audrey drew a bunch of flowers and then "stamped" her hand like she was holding them.
Ashlee ties it together with a rainbow butterfly!

Here is a set that I did for brothers that attend my daycare...I used feet for the baby since it is sometimes difficult to do hands with infants.

Spring on the Triple-A-Farm

We have had some cold and rainy weather the past few weeks. But it looks like we are finally getting some sunshine and spring weather which is giving birth to some beautiful blooms! I thought I would share some of those spring images with you today.

Spiraea

Dandelion

Iris

Lilac

Homeschool Weekly Wrap-Up: WOW, What a Week!!!!

WOW, What a Week....You know when you have weeks that are boring and hard to get through...Those weeks where you are begging for Friday to be here and it is only 11am Monday...The weeks where nothing goes as planned and the productivity level is so low that you start checking pulses to make sure your kids are still breathing as they slump over their school work...Well this was NOT one of those weeks!!!!!

We have had one of the most productive and adventurous weeks!!!! I think the weather had a lot to do with it. This was the first real Spring weather that we have had. But yesterday it turned back to winter with sleet and snow...yes, snow in Kansas and it is May!!!! It didn't stick thankfully and hopefully it will warm back up soon!!!!

Sunday was a jam packed day...I taught the Cherub (preK &K) church class a lesson on "What is Faith" comparing faith to the air around us. We then made kits out of paper bags and had a great time trying to fly them!

After church we headed out to the campground where my Mom and Dad had been camping all week. We enjoy a nice relaxing time in the sun followed by a Cajun cookout. On the menu was crawfish boil with corn and potatoes, fried okra, homemade coleslaw, dutch oven roasted potatoes and homemade dutch oven yeast rolls! I know your drooling!!!!!