Free for Me Friday - Planning the Party Celebration!

This October my husband has a milestone birthday (30) and I want to "do it right!" I want to plan a trip somewhere. For my 30th - a few years back - he planned a trip for us to the Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was GREAT! He even coordinated with my best friend and her husband, whose birthday is just 5 days after mine.

So now it's his turn. What do I do? Any recommendations? We live in sunny South Florida and would want to travel anytime between mid-September through Turkey day. We would prefer to take our nearly 2 munchkin.

Smiles,
Caroline

PS - To top it off my husband and I have the same birthday. We're both October 16th - but different years!

Free for Me Friday! - A First Aid Kit in the Making!

I have a Smarty Pants Mama goal for the day - put together 2 first aid kits. Right now I have tons of supplies, but they are scattered between three bathrooms and a linen closet. I want to organize my supplies and have a kit for upstairs and one for downstairs. With my stinkin' knee it isn't so easy for me to "run" up and down the stairs, so I figure with a munchkin who will be turning 2 in just a few months, accidents are bound to happen, so, why not be prepared!

Here are some of the things I plan on having in each:

• band aids
• neosporin
• thermometer
• Vaseline
• tweezers
• cotton balls
• Q-tips - adult and baby size

By the way, the sudden interest in this has to do with my spending 30 minutes the other night frantically searching for the thermometer and Vaseline for my feverish munchkin!

Do you have a self-made or store bought first aid kit? What's in it?

Free for Me Friday - She's a Swimmer!

I'm so proud of my muchkin. Today she received her 1st certificate - not counting her birth certificate! She received her Little Swimmers Certificate for completing a week of swimming lessons! She's just 20 months and can already save herself in the water. Through this intensive week of lessons she learned how to swim underwater to the wall and pull herself up. It was emotional - she cried for me everyday. She was understandable scared, however as the days went on she enjoyed it more and more. At the end not only did she get the certificate - but much more importantly she learned to defend herself if she were to fall into the pool! I couldn't be prouder!!



Over the coming weeks I will devote a number of postings on the importance of swimming and pool safety.



Have a great weekend!

Caroline

Love Hate Relationship with My Computers!

Well it's been quite a frustrating computer day here!

I'm usually so good about posting early in the AM however, today both my laptop and desktop are "sick." My laptop pretty much is a lemon. From the day we bought it we've had problems with it. I sent it in to the manufacturer to get it repaired and they sent it back to me with the same problem. LOL! Today I spent an hour on the phone with them trying to get the info on how to send it in AGAIN to get fixed. The customer service person was HORRIBLE! Where has customer service gone?? Wasn't the customer always right before?

Then, my good ole desktop that I love dearly decided to get super moody last night. It is crazy slow and acting all funky <- don't you love my technical terms! Anyway, I actually care more about my desktop than my laptop, so my determination has been with it this afternoon.

Ok, so that was way too much info on my horribly frustrating day! Have a great weekend and see you next week as I announce the next Smarty Pants Product of the Week and Giveaway! I promise you'll really like this one! It's an excellent product that moms, especially now when it's tis the season for family travel, should have for their kiddies!

See you Monday!!!

Smiles,
Caroline

Free For Me Friday - Week in Review

Happy Friday!
It's been a great week here at Smarty Pants Mama! I have seen an unexpected number of entries into this week's Smarty Pants Product of the Week Giveaway! I guess I can't be too surprised given what a great gift it is - THANK YOU to Huggies Little Swimmers for providing the giveaway!!!

I hope you had a chance to look at this week's recalls - Recall Wednesday. They were quite a number that were kid related. I have already received 3 more recall notifications for next week! Scary!

Don't forget to email your nominations for Smarty Pant Product of the Week and Munchkin Monday!
Have a WONDERFUL weekened!
Happy Father's Day!!!

Friday - At last!

Wow, what a week!

The first week of Smarty Pants Product of the Week was a HUGE success. I was utterly shocked with the tremendous reaction I have received from both veteran and new readers! How exciting! This Monday I will be highlighting a new product - it's a summertime essential! Be sure to come by and find out exactly what it is and join in on the giveaway!

The deadline for this week's raffle/giveaway is Sunday, June 8th at 12:00 PM EST. That afternoon, I will the use Random.org Interger Generator to pick the winner! On Monday morning I will post the winner and contact him/her! Kate Quinn Organics will mail the item as soon as I have received the mailing info.

Don't forget!

1. Enter your munchkin for chance to be Munchkin Monday! Simply email me a photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes. Email: SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com


2. Enter this week's Smarty Pants Product of the Week raffle!

Free for Me Friday - Memorial Day Recipe!

Can you believe that it is already Memorial Day? Where has this year gone??!!
Anyone have any great Memorial Day BBQ plans? We're still underdevelopment for our weekend plans.

I wanted to share a great recipe that is perfect for BBQs or other get-togethers!

Sesame Noodles
3 1/2 tbsp - seasame oil
3 1/2 tbsp - soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp - white vinegar
2 tbsp - sugar
1/2 tbsp - hot chili oil
4 tbsp - chopped scallions
3 packages - Top Ramen Noodles - any flavor (you are not going to use the flavor packet)
Mix all ingredients, except noodles. Set sauce aside. Cook noodles and rinse in cold water. Toss noodles in sauce. Mix well. Serve at room temperature.
Tastes best when made the day before.

Don't forget to enter your munchkin for chance to be Munchkin Monday! Simply email me a photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes. Your munchkin will have some 15 minutes of fame as you get to share the posting with friends and family.Email: SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com

Friday! Family Tree-ing?!

Smarty Pants Mama Move of the Day - Buy genealogy software!!!

One of the items on my "list" is to digitize our family tree. Years ago, a distant cousin in Germany gave me a family tree that he had done. It was written in pencil on a long bulletin board paper. I've had it rolled up in the poster holder since then with the idea to buy a family tree software and enter in what he had done and add more. I've been forever excited with this but have not yet found a moment to begin!

I'm super inspired to start! I spent some time yesterday searching for what's the best application out there. I'm stumped. I've read good and bad reviews on what I beleive to be the 2 top competitors - Family Tree Maker and Legacy. What I'm searching for is real true advice from people who have used either, or another, applications.
Please share!!!

Don't forget to enter your munchkin for chance to be Munchkin Monday! Simply email me a photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes. Your munchkin will have some 15 minutes of fame as you get to share the posting with friends and family.Email: SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com

Free for Me Friday - Happy Mother's Day!

Friday!!!!!!!! Gotta love it!


We don't have too much planned this weekend, with the exception of Mother's Day. On Saturday I hope to spend a little time at the pool. My daughter LOVES it, as does my husband, plus it's great for my therapy. (By the way, I was able to bend my knee to 90 degrees this week at the doctor's - I'm so excited!!)


On Sunday, we'll be going out to an early brunch with my parents. It's tough now with Isa and her nap schedule to coordinate things. If she misses or is late in having her nap it completely impacts her mood! Don't want that!!! So, we're going to be eating a little earlier than we would normally.


I'll also head to the supermarket on Sunday to keep up with the Grocery Game. I'll let you know on Monday how well I do! I've started a ticker on the farthest right column on my blog to track my savings. Check it out!


What are your plans for Mother's Day weekend?

To all the mommies out there, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! I hope it's super special!



Smiles,
Caroline


Don't forget to enter your munchkin for chance to be Munchkin Monday! Simply email me a photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes. Your munchkin will have some 15 minutes of fame as you get to share the posting with friends and family.Email: SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com

Free for Me Friday - Loveable Labels and a Yummy Salad!

Happy Friday!!!

I have two things to share today!!! First, Loveable Labels - a must have for mommies! Then, a Strawberry Walnut Salad recipe - yummy!!!!

Loveable Labels

For many years I spent my days, and even nights, as an elementary school teacher. I enjoyed the moments of reading with children, and watching them grow into mini-adults! However, one thing, a stubborn thing, happened too frequently for me to want to think about. A child would lose something - a backpack, a pencil, a lunch box, a coat, a mitten, a you name it, it was lost! The search would begin and would end with the argument between classmates of "That's mine!", "No, it's mine", "No, mine!" I think you get the picture!

A few months ago a good friend of mine, a teacher of little 3 year olds, told me the story of these really cool labels that a students' mom was using in her son's sneakers. These labels, created by Loveable Labels, stick, and stay stuck to nearly everything. They are microwave safe. They are dishwasher safe (think labeling sippy cups or water bottles)! Sure beats the horrible black permanent marker that I have seen many mom's use to try to label their munchkin's belongings!

It's a great way to get ready for summer camp season, or even a SUPER head start on the coming school year!

My friend that I mentioned above, now sells the labels (can you imagine what a fan she must be!) Please visit her Loveable Label site to see the cool designs and styles that are available!

http://www.alexis.lovablelabels.ca/

+++++++

With the warm weather creeping in, I wanted to share a GREAT springtime salad!

Strawberry & Walnut Salad

1 lbs. strawberries - hulled & halved

1/2 cup of canola or vegetable oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp sugar

1 cup feta cheese

1/2 toasted walnuts

1 bag salad greens or fresh spinach

Mash enough of the strawberries to make 1/3 cup. In a medium bowl, whisk mashed strawberries, oil, vinegar and sugar to create dressing. In salad bowl, pour salad greens/spinach. Add remaining strawberries, feta and walnuts. Mix. When ready to serve, drizzle in dressing. Toss. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Don't forget to email your Munchkin Monday nomination!!!

Free for Me Friday - The Best Dip Ever!

I'm starting to realize that this is becoming a bit of a theme...I've posted a recipe for 3 Fridays in a row!

This week I wanted to share a super yummy dip that I have shared a parties at home and brought to friend's homes. It's easy as can be to make and everyone always LOVES it!

BLT Dip
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 jar of Hormel Real Bacon Bits
1 container of cherry tomatoes - finely diced

Mix all ingredients and allow to chill for at least 3 hours. Stir well and serve with chips or veggies. How easy is that!!!

I've done this dip with low fat sour cream and mayo and it still tastes super!

Don't forget to enter your munchkin for chance to be Munchkin Monday! Simply email me a photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes. Your munchkin will have some 15 minutes of fame as you get to share the posting with friends and family. See last week's munchkin: http://smartypantsmama.blogspot.com/2008/04/munchkin-monday-meet-munchkin-amelia.html
Email: SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com

Have a great weekend! Stay safe!

Free for Me Friday - Yummy Cuban Black Beans!!!

Happy Friday!!


As last week's recipe was such a success - thank you to the many comments and emails - I have decided to share another favorite! This week's recipe is Cuban Black Beans. I make this dish about once a month. My munchkin is a super slow chewer so I have tried to find other, less chewing needed, sources of protein. Beans have been a hit.


On the side, I am a 1st generation Cuban-American, so this recipe has been shared and put together by the best!


Cuban Black Beans

• 1 lb of dried black beans
• 10 cups of cold water
• 2 green peppers
• 2/3 cups of olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of dry white wine

Rinse beans in tap water. Place rinsed bean in large pot with the 10 cups of cold water. Quarter 1 green pepper and place in pot. Soak overnight.

In the same pot, bring water to a slow boil. Allow to cook for 45 minutes to soften the beans. Pour olive oil in a warmed fry pan. Saute diced onion, minced garlic and remaining chopped green pepper. Take about 1 cup of black beans and pour into fry pan. Mash the beans well. Pour mashed bean mixture back into the pot. Add salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaf and sugar. Allow to simmer for approximately 1 hour. Add vinegar and wine and continue to simmer at a low heat for at least 1 more hour. If beans are very watery, keep pot uncovered. Enjoy!

I would love to get some reviews! Please let me know what you think!!!

Don't forget to participate in Munchkin Monday! Email your Munchkin's photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes to be featured in a coming week to SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com ! To see a previous Munchkin click here: http://smartypantsmama.blogspot.com/2008/04/munchkin-monday-baby-david-gabriel.html

Free for me Friday - Yummy Chicken!!

As you read earlier this week, I received a recipe box for a wedding shower gift. The box was chock full of recipes written by friends and family. Much to my surprise I received 2 identical recipes! Two cousins (sisters of each other) who were not able to attend, sent me with their gifts the recipe for Pollo Tete (Tete Chicken). They had no idea that they had written up the same exact yummy dish that they had learned from their aunt!

With two recommendations for the dish, I made it and LOVED it! It's perfect for family dinners, dinner parties, storing as leftovers! Here's the recipe!

Ingredients

• 8 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
• 8 slices of Swiss cheese
• 1 cup of dry stuffing
• 1 stick (1/4 cup) butter cut into squares
• 1 can of Campbell's Chicken Mushroom soup
• 1 cup of dry white wine
• salt & pepper

Directions: Preheat over to 350. Salt & pepper chicken and arrange in glass 9x13 pan (pyrex.) Place one slice of cheese on each piece of chicken. In a bowl, mix soup and wine. Pour mixture to cover chicken. Sprinkle stuffing on top of everything. Place butter squares on top.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

I've tweaked the recipe before based on ingredients I had available - different cheese/soup...and it ALWAYS comes out so yummy!

I would love to get some reviews! Please let me know what you think!!!

Don't forget to participate in Munchkin Monday! Email your Munchkin's photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes to be featured next week to SmartyPantsMama @ gmail . com !

To see last week's Munchkin click here:
http://smartypantsmama.blogspot.com/2008/04/munchkin-monday-baby-david-gabriel.html

Free for Me Fridays - Morning Routine

Happy Friday!

Do you follow a schedule with your munchkin at home? Are you strict or do you allow lenience?

Many Smart Moms follow schedules to the tee while others just go with the flow of the day.

In our home, I like to keep my daughter on a schedule. In my experience as a former elementary school teacher is that children thrive on a routine. They learn sequence, what comes 1st, 2nd 3rd... and learn to prepare for and anticipate events.

I'm very interested to learn how you use or don't use schedules at home. Please share!!!

Don't forget to participate in Munchkin Monday! Email your Munchkin's photo, 1st name, birthday, likes and dislikes to be featured next week!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Sorry for the no real post today! Had a doctor’s appointment for my knee, followed by physical therapy where I think they wanted to rip my knee out of its skin!

See you Monday for Munchkin Monday! Don’t forget to nominate your munchkin to be featured! To get the details of what to mail me, click here, to read last Monday’s post.

Smiles,
Smarty Pants Mama

Free for Me Friday - Dad Confessions!?!?!?!

For this week’s Free for Me Friday, I wanted to share a very random and strange website I came across. It’s called TrueDadConfessions.com. The intent of the site is to allow husbands/dads a place to get things off their chest. They can post whatever they would like, about whomever they would like. Most if the confessions are left anonymously. I consider this site one of those train wreck sites, where you don’t want to look, but for some reason you keep doing so!
There are actually other confessions sites:

• truemomconfessions.com


• truebrideconfessions.com


• trueofficeconfessions.com


• truegreenconfessions.com


• truemilitarywivesconfessions.com


• truehookupconfessions.com
  

I can’t say that it’s a Smart Mom idea to check out these confessions, but I have a feeling a few of you will! No worries, no one will ask how long you looked – or if you post a confession!

Have a great weekend!

PS – This Monday will be the 1st Munchkin Monday! Stop by on Monday to find out who will hold the crown as the Munchkin!