Every Saturday I take either all the boys or all the girls garage saling with me. Before we had so many children, I used to take one at a time.

That technique allowed me time to spend one on one time with each of the kids. We’d go get bagels and orange juice, and I’d map out our route. It was a lovely few hours.

The downside was that each child only got to go once a month. So I started pairing them up. Now that my youngest is almost four, everyone wants to go.

This morning is boys turn, and I’m sure we make quite the sight as we unload from our 12-passenger van. I get out. John gets out, and then out tumble all five boys – from oldest to youngest.

It is so funny to see what they gravitate to and what types of things interest them. My oldest loves electronics, the next one down likes to dress up in cowboy/army hats and the other three enjoy finding junky toys.

If you go yard saling by yourself, think about taking your kids or spouse sometimes. You may just learn something about their interests that you never knew!

I hope you try it! Diane

So when I found this recipe I was so excited:

Eggless Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups powdered sugar (yes – powdered!)
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1/4 c. skim milk
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 t. cream of tartar
• 2.5 c. self rising flour

Directions:

Mix ingredients together until well blended. Refrigerate for 2 – 3 hours. Roll out cookies, decorate, and bake for about 10 – 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Here’s what it looked like when we made them:

The mixed dough was just like regular sugar cookie dough. Yummy and no eggs!

The oldest and youngest boy helped me cut out the shapes.

The other five kids decorated the cookies.

Here’s the finished product – don’t you wish this was “tasteable” right through the computer screen? They really are good. They freeze well, and make great gifts if you can part with them. You will notice that some of the cookies are a little strange looking. That’s what happens when a four year old has free reign with the sprinkles!

Enjoy!  Diane

Sometimes I feel like a total failure. I look at my little guys and realize I haven’t painted with them in absolutely ages. With my older three we seemed to always paint, do play-doh, and make crafts. The little boys play so well together that sometimes I forget to plan structured activities for them to go along with their daily play and school.

Last week I was reading my favorite kids activity book, Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun. It’s an amazing book full of information and ideas on keeping kids busy, happy, and learning at the same time. WITHOUT the television! (Not that we watch much at all, but just to have some ideas is wonderful.)

Anyway, I decided to set up the kitchen table so the little boys could paint. They had such a great time. And the best part? It was totally easy. It took two minutes to get out all the supplies, another two minutes to get them ready and covered up, and two minutes for them to be done! Just kidding – they really enjoyed painting and I enjoyed watching them explore their world further.

Supplies you need:

• Children – helpful but not totally necessary I suppose!
• Paper
• Paint
• Water
• Brushes
• Individual plates so they don’t have to share, because sharing is terrible. Awful and terrible!
• Patience and some fun spirit!

Who out there paints with their kids? Were you at all like I was, and feeling like it took too much time? I hope you do it more often than I did – I know I will!!   Diane

I have to admit that I shy away from making breakfast and usually opt for cereal, but in an effort to save money and work on building up the nutritional level, I’ve been making a hot breakfast a few times a week. Here’s my whole wheat pancakes:

First, I assembled the ingredients. (Note the fabulous Vermont maple syrup!)

Then I made buttermilk since I NEVER have any! You just pour a bit of lemon juice into the bottom of your measuring cup and add milk to the proper amount. Then let it sit for a few minutes until it gets lumpyish! Cheap and easy.

Next, cook on your preheated griddle. I bought the biggest griddle I could find. As you can see I can do 12 pancakes at one time! Also notice the chocolate chips!

Finally, serve them to your family who will show their appreciation for all your hard work by looking at picture books and reading the newspaper!!

Well regardless of whether they appreciated it or not, no one needed a morning snack because they were totally full!! They should have been since I made 54 pancakes and only had 12 left.

Recipe: Whole Wheat Pancakes

Summary: Really nice recipe for whole wheat pancakes the whole family will love!

Cooking time (duration): 5

Diet (other): Reduced fat

Meal type: breakfast

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

My rating: 5 stars: ★★★★★

Are these the biggest ornaments you have ever seen? We couldn’t wait to show them to John. When we walked in the house we all started singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas. . .” He loved them. We immediately took them outside to see how they’d look hanging from our bird feeder tree! How fun.

I love yard sales, and we go every week during the season. Today I also found 4 brand new coloring books that I’m going to stick in the boy’s stockings, a new backpack for N. to store his medical equipment in, and a whole brand new set of astronaut guys. Does anyone else like yard sales?  Diane

And here’s his bigger brother!

This is why girls rarely go to sleep with damp hair. The morning result isn’t pretty.

This is also what happens when you tell little guys to smile! It’s not always a pretty picture is it? Just now our nine year old can smile without looking totally strange.  Diane

When it came close to recital day, we all realized that she didn’t have an appropriate dress to wear. She didn’t want to wear her black orchestra gown, and didn’t have anything else that wasn’t strapless. We decided against strapless due to the fact it was in a church. So she and John headed off to David’s Bridal where she found a really beautiful gown on clearance for only $49.99! We just cut up the wrap that came with the dress, and turned in into sleeves.

She and her sister played a duet, as did she and I. It was so much fun to turn the whole recital into a family affair. Even the oldest boy got involved, as he and G. played their duet to give her a few minutes to rest before the final piece.

 She played very well, and had about 40 people in attendance. We hosted a reception afterwards, and everyone seemed to enjoy the food. We had handmade cake balls, homemade mints, cranberry punch and nuts. It was a wonderful, wonderful day, and we were all very proud of her.

The kids gave him some really nice presents, and Stephen and Christian tried to help him open all of them!

Here he is with all the kids!