Sunday, June 24, 2012
ChiIL Mama: Beauty and The Beast at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Giveaway
ChiIL Mama is one of my favorite local blogs and she ALWAYS has some pretty awesome giveaways! This one is no different, so of course, I want to help promote it (and yes, to be completely honest, I want to win these tickets!)
You have one day to enter to win 4 tickets to see Beauty and the Beast at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (one of my favorite theatres by the way!) So, head on over here to enter! (And if you happen to win, share the tickets with me. Just kidding! Well, sort of!)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Foster Family Fabulous Feast-Mystery Night
Oh, how I have missed FFFF!!! The last one we did was April 1, and we had to wait to do this one because of busy weekends (and one thing I had to buy for it). It worked out perfect because we were able to share it with friends, which really makes it all that more special!
This month's Foster Family Fabulous Feast was Mystery night! I found the idea on Pinterest of creating a menu of 20 items with random names. Notice I am saying items, instead of food. That's because they had to get their utensils, napkins, and beverages also this way! Although lots of people described it as a good April Fools dinner, I knew it would be perfect for mystery night! The meal was served in 4 courses, but everyone had to pick which 5 items they would have during each course from the get go. There was to be no repeat of items and no discussing what they thought each item was. Items had names such as Titanic's Demise (ice), polka dots (peas), and round and round (Ritz crackers). I'm so thankful for my friend Beth who was my partner in crime in actually serving the food. I had 20 slips of paper laid out on my kitchen island and we placed the designated item next to the numbered slip. It made the serving part so much easier! (And in case you are wondering, we had our family members pick our foods, so that it could still be random to us.)
To cap off the night we played Clue Jr. (which I found at the Winnetka rummage sale for $1!!!) It is the item that I needed to wait to get before we could have this month's FFFF.
Can you guess what some of these items are?
Here's an answer key:
1. ice
2. mashed potatoes
3. gravy
4. goldfish crackers
5. ritz crackers
6. ham
7. pineapple slices
8. peas
9. fork
10. napkin
11. water
12. marshmallow
13. knife
14. apple
15. chocolate syrup
16. ice cream
17. lemonade
18. meatballs
19. chicken noodle soup
20. spoon
Me giving the directions for the meal. Notice the blanket I hung up to keep the kitchen private?
The kids busy making their selections.
Some of our lovely guests!
Foster child #1 is all smiles because she got ice cream during her first course! Fortunately she had a spoon to eat it with!
Poor Foster child #2, only got a pineapple slice to eat in the first course! There wasn't too much complaining though!
Foster dad was smart and used his crackers to eat his mashed potatoes since he didn't have any utensils!
Foster child #2 digging in. Remember he had his fork and spoon during course 1! The best quote from the night came from Beth's oldest son, who asked "Mrs. Foster, do I have to use my best manners to eat tonight?" I asked him if he had any silverware (he didn't) and I said, "I guess not! You need to eat! " He then dug his face right in similar to Foster child #2 here. Beth didn't know what was in store for tonight except that it was FFFF. She had told her kids to use their best manners, which they did, despite the circumstances!
In course 3, Foster dad helped Foster child #2 eat his soup with his knife.
No utensils or napkins made this course a rather messy one for Foster child #1 as she enjoyed chocolate syrup!
Foster child #3 was too young to understand and appreciate the meal, so we just gave him his favorites. Here, he is enjoying his last course - ice cream!
Clue Jr. with our guests. It was Mrs. Peacock who ate the cake at 1:00 pm with chocolate milk!
This month's Foster Family Fabulous Feast was Mystery night! I found the idea on Pinterest of creating a menu of 20 items with random names. Notice I am saying items, instead of food. That's because they had to get their utensils, napkins, and beverages also this way! Although lots of people described it as a good April Fools dinner, I knew it would be perfect for mystery night! The meal was served in 4 courses, but everyone had to pick which 5 items they would have during each course from the get go. There was to be no repeat of items and no discussing what they thought each item was. Items had names such as Titanic's Demise (ice), polka dots (peas), and round and round (Ritz crackers). I'm so thankful for my friend Beth who was my partner in crime in actually serving the food. I had 20 slips of paper laid out on my kitchen island and we placed the designated item next to the numbered slip. It made the serving part so much easier! (And in case you are wondering, we had our family members pick our foods, so that it could still be random to us.)
To cap off the night we played Clue Jr. (which I found at the Winnetka rummage sale for $1!!!) It is the item that I needed to wait to get before we could have this month's FFFF.
Can you guess what some of these items are?
Here's an answer key:
1. ice
2. mashed potatoes
3. gravy
4. goldfish crackers
5. ritz crackers
6. ham
7. pineapple slices
8. peas
9. fork
10. napkin
11. water
12. marshmallow
13. knife
14. apple
15. chocolate syrup
16. ice cream
17. lemonade
18. meatballs
19. chicken noodle soup
20. spoon
Me giving the directions for the meal. Notice the blanket I hung up to keep the kitchen private?
The kids busy making their selections.
Some of our lovely guests!
Foster child #1 is all smiles because she got ice cream during her first course! Fortunately she had a spoon to eat it with!
Poor Foster child #2, only got a pineapple slice to eat in the first course! There wasn't too much complaining though!
Foster dad was smart and used his crackers to eat his mashed potatoes since he didn't have any utensils!
Foster child #2 digging in. Remember he had his fork and spoon during course 1! The best quote from the night came from Beth's oldest son, who asked "Mrs. Foster, do I have to use my best manners to eat tonight?" I asked him if he had any silverware (he didn't) and I said, "I guess not! You need to eat! " He then dug his face right in similar to Foster child #2 here. Beth didn't know what was in store for tonight except that it was FFFF. She had told her kids to use their best manners, which they did, despite the circumstances!
In course 3, Foster dad helped Foster child #2 eat his soup with his knife.
No utensils or napkins made this course a rather messy one for Foster child #1 as she enjoyed chocolate syrup!
Foster child #3 was too young to understand and appreciate the meal, so we just gave him his favorites. Here, he is enjoying his last course - ice cream!
Clue Jr. with our guests. It was Mrs. Peacock who ate the cake at 1:00 pm with chocolate milk!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Foster Family Fabulous Feast-April Fools Day!
We had a crazy, silly Foster Family Fabulous Feast in honor of April Fools Day!
It wouldn't be silly without some disguises!
I also purchased whoopie cushions that were waiting on the chairs for when the kids and Foster Dad came in! (This was the only time they were allowed to say fart at the dining room table!)
Our meal consisted of cheeseburgers, cupcakes and juice.
Or did it?
Foster child 3 trying in vain to drink his juice out of his silly straw!
It was red Jello.
Foster Child 1 was not fooled at all with this dinner! She knew the cupcakes, which were served first, were really meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting (which I added yellow food coloring to, to make it a tad more frostingish.)
Foster Child 2 chowing down on the sweetest cheeseburger he's ever had! This idea came from my sister and was yellow cake mix made in 8 oz pineapple cans for the bun, with sesame seeds sprinkled on top too, with brownie as the meat, and frosting dyed yellow/orange for cheese.
Foster Child 3, who would not touch any of his meatloaf cupcake, shouted "Burger, burger!" when I brought them out. He probably couldn't understand why I wouldn't let him have any, not realizing it was dessert. Since it was a special occasion, I did give him a small bit, to which he then shouted, "Cake! Cake! More cake!"
We ate dinner while telling knock knock jokes thanks to the Land Of Nod's website, which has knock knock jokes by their product descriptions. One of our favorites:
Knock, knock?
Who's there?
Cows go
Cows go who?
No, cows go moo!
We also played Cootie, a game I bought this week at Target for $1.79, thanks to coupon stacking! I figured it would be perfect, since the object of the game is to create silly bugs.
We ended the night by watching the Ultimate Silly Song Countdown DVD featuring the Veggie Tales. We all had our favorite Silly Songs, but the best quotes came while watching the "I Love My Lips" video and Foster Children 1 and 2 both proclaiming, "But he doesn't have any lips!"
It was a very silly night with lots of laughter, joy and silliness!
It wouldn't be silly without some disguises!
I also purchased whoopie cushions that were waiting on the chairs for when the kids and Foster Dad came in! (This was the only time they were allowed to say fart at the dining room table!)
Our meal consisted of cheeseburgers, cupcakes and juice.
Or did it?
Foster child 3 trying in vain to drink his juice out of his silly straw!
It was red Jello.
Foster Child 1 was not fooled at all with this dinner! She knew the cupcakes, which were served first, were really meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting (which I added yellow food coloring to, to make it a tad more frostingish.)
Foster Child 2 chowing down on the sweetest cheeseburger he's ever had! This idea came from my sister and was yellow cake mix made in 8 oz pineapple cans for the bun, with sesame seeds sprinkled on top too, with brownie as the meat, and frosting dyed yellow/orange for cheese.
Foster Child 3, who would not touch any of his meatloaf cupcake, shouted "Burger, burger!" when I brought them out. He probably couldn't understand why I wouldn't let him have any, not realizing it was dessert. Since it was a special occasion, I did give him a small bit, to which he then shouted, "Cake! Cake! More cake!"
We ate dinner while telling knock knock jokes thanks to the Land Of Nod's website, which has knock knock jokes by their product descriptions. One of our favorites:
Knock, knock?
Who's there?
Cows go
Cows go who?
No, cows go moo!
We also played Cootie, a game I bought this week at Target for $1.79, thanks to coupon stacking! I figured it would be perfect, since the object of the game is to create silly bugs.
We ended the night by watching the Ultimate Silly Song Countdown DVD featuring the Veggie Tales. We all had our favorite Silly Songs, but the best quotes came while watching the "I Love My Lips" video and Foster Children 1 and 2 both proclaiming, "But he doesn't have any lips!"
It was a very silly night with lots of laughter, joy and silliness!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Fess Up Friday
It is 10 pm on Charlotte's last day of school before spring break and I just now found her homework on my desk! It is completely my fault she didn't turn it in today as I have to sign her homework packet for the week (which I did) but failed to put it in her backpack or ask her to put it in her backpack. Of course, her homework folder was in her backpack.
This was probably due to the fact that last night while enjoying my weekly Thursday night treat (caramel popcorn) I bit a kernel and cracked a tooth. I had to call my dentist early this morning to schedule an appointment, which was considered an emergency because he doesn't work on Fridays. According to him, "I went to school a long time to be allowed to pick the days I want to work, and I don't want to work on Fridays." (Must be nice!) Anyway, I had to fess up to him (and now to you all) that I have not been wearing my night guard (which he could tell, by the way). Of course, if I had been wearing my night guard all along I would not have cracked my tooth. Yes indeed folks, a very expensive lesson learned there!
This was probably due to the fact that last night while enjoying my weekly Thursday night treat (caramel popcorn) I bit a kernel and cracked a tooth. I had to call my dentist early this morning to schedule an appointment, which was considered an emergency because he doesn't work on Fridays. According to him, "I went to school a long time to be allowed to pick the days I want to work, and I don't want to work on Fridays." (Must be nice!) Anyway, I had to fess up to him (and now to you all) that I have not been wearing my night guard (which he could tell, by the way). Of course, if I had been wearing my night guard all along I would not have cracked my tooth. Yes indeed folks, a very expensive lesson learned there!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
ChiIL Mama: Give Away-McKenna Doll! American Girl Doll of Th...
I posted about this before but wanted to remind everyone you can still enter! This contest is open nationwide and you can enter EVERYDAY! The giveaway for the American Girl doll ends on March 14!
ChiIL Mama: Give Away-McKenna Doll! American Girl Doll of Th...: ChiIL Mama's beyond excited to be giving away a McKenna American Girl Doll of the Year collector doll/book set ($105 value)! Enter he...
ChiIL Mama: Give Away-McKenna Doll! American Girl Doll of Th...: ChiIL Mama's beyond excited to be giving away a McKenna American Girl Doll of the Year collector doll/book set ($105 value)! Enter he...
Friday, March 2, 2012
Foster Family Fabulous Feast-Dr. Seuss' birthday!
Back in January when I decided to start having Foster Family Fabulous Feasts, I knew right away that Dr. Seuss' birthday, today, March 2, was going to be one of our feast nights. All of my kids love Dr. Seuss (They each have their favorites-Foster Child 1-Hop on Pop, Foster Child 2-Ten Apples Up on Top, and Foster Child 3-Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?), and I, as a reading teacher, love celebrating Dr. Seuss, the author of over 60 books!
Just some of the books in our Dr. Seuss collection. We couldn't fit them all on the sideboard!
Our celebration started early as before dinner we made Cat in the Hat hats. These were made with paper plates and I got the idea from here
I also purchased some eyeliner for us to create cat whiskers and Cat in the Hat's black nose.
What I love about my children is their eagerness to take the excitement and fun to the next level. Having hats and whiskers weren't creative enough for them as they scrounged through their dress up bin, winter gear bin and closet to complete the Cat in the Hat look (notice the gloves, tail, cat ears, and umbrella in the below photo). Foster child 1 even said, "Mom, we should use that pen and take off our clothes, and draw fur on ourselves so we can really look like him! You know, like a cat!" (She was dead serious by the way.) When I gave her a strange look, she said, "Well we'd keep our underwear on!" (Yeah, that whole idea was nixed!)
Our dinner consisted of Green Eggs and Ham, and sliced apples. But before dinner we had a Ten Apples Up on Top contest, but only using 1 apple per person, although Foster Dad, since he's an adult tried to get 2 up there!
The family consensus for green eggs and ham-
Say!
We like green eggs and ham!
We do! We like them, Sam-I-am!
All except Foster Child 3
Who we let be
Eating his fruit
Cause he's so darn cute!
Of course, we had to read Green Eggs and Ham during dinner.
After dinner, and before dessert Foster Child 1 and I read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, before partaking in our Red Fish, Blue Fish cupcakes.
Aren't these cute? The scales and eyes are M&M's and the mouths are gummy Life Savers cut in half.
And we ended the night snuggled together watching Horton Hears a Who, except for Foster Child 3 who was in bed already.
This night totally exceeded my expectations. The kids were hilarious. Foster Child 1 was just like a teacher as she read to us, and she even said, "You know, you can laugh, cause this is funny stuff! And if I had a dollar for every time Foster Child 2 said, "I like Dr. Seuss Day!" I'd be a millionaire, but wait, after tonight, I feel like a million bucks!
Just some of the books in our Dr. Seuss collection. We couldn't fit them all on the sideboard!
Our celebration started early as before dinner we made Cat in the Hat hats. These were made with paper plates and I got the idea from here
I also purchased some eyeliner for us to create cat whiskers and Cat in the Hat's black nose.
What I love about my children is their eagerness to take the excitement and fun to the next level. Having hats and whiskers weren't creative enough for them as they scrounged through their dress up bin, winter gear bin and closet to complete the Cat in the Hat look (notice the gloves, tail, cat ears, and umbrella in the below photo). Foster child 1 even said, "Mom, we should use that pen and take off our clothes, and draw fur on ourselves so we can really look like him! You know, like a cat!" (She was dead serious by the way.) When I gave her a strange look, she said, "Well we'd keep our underwear on!" (Yeah, that whole idea was nixed!)
Our dinner consisted of Green Eggs and Ham, and sliced apples. But before dinner we had a Ten Apples Up on Top contest, but only using 1 apple per person, although Foster Dad, since he's an adult tried to get 2 up there!
The family consensus for green eggs and ham-
Say!
We like green eggs and ham!
We do! We like them, Sam-I-am!
All except Foster Child 3
Who we let be
Eating his fruit
Cause he's so darn cute!
Of course, we had to read Green Eggs and Ham during dinner.
After dinner, and before dessert Foster Child 1 and I read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, before partaking in our Red Fish, Blue Fish cupcakes.
Aren't these cute? The scales and eyes are M&M's and the mouths are gummy Life Savers cut in half.
And we ended the night snuggled together watching Horton Hears a Who, except for Foster Child 3 who was in bed already.
This night totally exceeded my expectations. The kids were hilarious. Foster Child 1 was just like a teacher as she read to us, and she even said, "You know, you can laugh, cause this is funny stuff! And if I had a dollar for every time Foster Child 2 said, "I like Dr. Seuss Day!" I'd be a millionaire, but wait, after tonight, I feel like a million bucks!
Fess Up Friday
When I'm home by myself I usually keep such good watch over my children never letting them slip out of my eyesight. (Can you catch my sarcasm there?) Foster Dad was home one day, so I wasn't in tune to what my kids were doing, or where they were, assuming that Foster Dad was watching them. Then Foster Dad says, "Honey, I don't know where Foster Child 3 is. I haven't seen him in like 5 minutes." And just prior to Foster Dad saying this, I do recall him calling out to Foster Child 3, but to no avail. So we both start calling out to Foster Child 3 and I rush upstairs to look for him. No Foster Child 3. As I come down the stairs I can see that the pantry light is on between the stair treads. Right away, I go to the pantry, open the door and see Foster Child 3 stuffing his face with Trader Joe's Yogurt Star cookies.
And of course, before we disciplined him for not answering us, I had to grab the camera and take a picture!
And of course, before we disciplined him for not answering us, I had to grab the camera and take a picture!
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