DIY: Convert a Standard Kid’s Bike Into a Balance Bike

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Not to brag, but I really love teaching kids to ride their bikes, and most of the kids love learning too!
One of the quickest ways to teach them to ride without training wheels is to first teach them to balance on two wheels.

In order to learn balance, they need to be able to reach the ground.  Remember that when buying a bike.  That’s super important.  Don’t buy a bike too big for your child, or you’re just asking for trouble.  Yes, I know it’s tempting to save a few bucks by buying a larger one they can use for a little longer, but it’s usually not worth it for their safety, and for their comfort level.

We have a tiny blue bicycle I picked up from a garbage pile a few years ago.  It was actually pink at the time, and maybe even from the 70’s.  Even though it clearly looked like garbage, my heart whispered that it was special.  So I brought it home, and with the help of my brother and my husband, we refurbished it.

I think I’ve taught 7 kids to ride without training wheels on that bike.  The first day or so we work on balancing by just using their feet on the ground, no peddles.  Then once they get going pretty smooth that way, we incorporate the peddles.  Works every time!

I’m sure you’ve heard of the craze with Balance Bikes, right?  I personally love them, but think they are WAY over priced.  Now to be honest, we did just get a  Strider No-Pedal Balance Bike for our youngest daughter, because we couldn’t modify one on our own to be short enough for her.  And because we got a crazy good deal on it that I just couldn’t refuse (Thank you Strider and Amazon!).

But just for fun, we made one for our son!  He’s 7 and has been riding the neighbor girl’s balance bike every chance he gets for a year, so I knew he would actually use this.

We converted his old $40 Wal-Mart bike into a balance bike in about 15  minutes, using a super helpful YouTube Video.  You can find used bikes EVERY WHERE.  Facebook, thrift stores, garage sales, etc.

I could try to write up steps for you, but honestly this guy covered it so well that I’m just going to direct you over to him:

Mom Needs Shoes

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So there we were, a family of 5, hauling butt through a parking lot so I could make an impromptu stop at the shoe store, and still get everything done on my errands list.
In our Circus Operation we had:
  • A dad head up, looking forward, strutting his stuff with a new haircut.
  • A preteen holding her phone and glancing down to check it every few seconds
  • A toddler in a stroller trying to pull her socks and shoes off.
  • A frazzled mom (me)
  • A carefree little guy who shouted out:

“Hey MOM! Do you want to take a picture of me sitting on this rock?”
I took a breath, smiled and choose to say “Of course I do!  Hop up there!”
He did, I snapped they picture with my cell phone, it was over in 10 seconds and we kept moving along.  His fun tank had been filled and he was SO HAPPY.
I recently became aware of the alternative to “Fake it Until You Make it” & that’s this: “Fake it Until You Become it”.
5 years ago, actually even 3 years ago, or perhaps just 1 year ago I was a very different person than I am today.
I’ve been realizing how much I like who I’m becoming through these little changes and moments of saying “yes” and choosing “patience” and “grace“.
Surround yourselves with encouragers, choose to say yes, and above all, just keep breathing.
Mothering isn’t easy or picture perfect, even when you’re the type that nurturing comes naturally to.  I can assure you this though:
 There are no moments of ease and glimpses of picture perfect.
I’d love to hear your happy moments, if you’re willing to share.

How to Wash Your Oven Racks

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It’s Spring Cleaning time!

Here is a quick tip for cleaning your oven racks.  Wash them in the tub or shower!

I like to soak mine with a little soap in the bath tub, then stand them up and spray them off.

You’d be surprised what a great job that alone does.  If you have tougher spots, do that plus give them a little scrub with some steel wool.  They’ll look like new!

For the inside of the oven I use a baking soda and water paste to scrub away the icky spills that have been baking into place for months (oops!).

I’ve never used the self cleaning feature on my oven, because 500 degrees for however many hours just freaks me out.  Maybe it works well though?  Have you used it?

Do you have any homemaker tips you’d like to share?

Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 2.

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I used to use my bulky mandoline slicer all the time to make our zucchini into pasta.  You can read about that by
clicking here.
I really like my mandoline, but once I got my Zoodle Slicer, there was just no going back!  I’m using smaller sized zucchinis than I was with the mandoline, which I’ve found I actually like better!  The flavor is more pleasant and the seeds aren’t even an issue in these little guys.
Once the garden comes in I’ll have to remember to pick my zucchinis
before they get giant (which can happen the matter of a day)!
 
What makes the Zoodle slicer so
great? 
·
This little thing takes up a tiny fraction of cupboard space.
It makes nice firm ‘noodles’.·
It’s easy to use.
If you’ve been around here awhile you know that when I fall in love with a product I want everyone I know to know about it so they can experience the awesomeness too!

That’s why I’m hosting
a giveaway for a Zoodle Slicer.

You can win by visiting my Facebook page and liking/commenting on the “Giveaway Time” picture, or by commenting on a blog post last week or this week!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR MORE GIVEAWAYS, TIPS, AND INSPIRATION***

Yummy Zoodles!
After you have a bundle of zoodles cut, put them in a pan with a jar of spaghetti sauce and heat them up.  Delicious!

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

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This Ranch Dressing Mix is SO easy peasy.
Those little packets of dry mix are super expensive; considering you can make your own with spices you probably mostly have on hand.  If you don’t have all of these on hand, I’d suggest getting them and making it anyway, this is pretty easy and leaves you feeling super accomplished!
I mostly use this in my taco soup recipe, which I just realized I don’t have a blog post up for that. I’ll add that to my to-do list!
Ranch Dressing Mix
2 TBSP. Parsley
1 tsp. Dill
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Onion Flakes
½ tsp. Basil
½ tsp. Black Pepper
For Dressing: Whisk 1 TBSP. of ths Ranch Dressing Mix in with 1/3 C. Mayo and 1/4 C. Milk.
For Dip:  1.5 C. Sour  Cream per  1 TBSP of Ranch Dressing Mix.  Add salt to taste.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

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Armed with a bunch of spices, some measuring spoons, a big mixing bowl, and my mother-in-law’s recipe, I set out to make up a long time family favorite.  Taco Seasoning Mix!
We order enough beef to fill our deep freeze each year. When my husband and I got married and first started ordering beef the only thing I knew how to do with it was put in Hamburger Helper (deep cringe).  After that I learned how to make tacos.  The more I settle into my homemaker role the more I learn to do with a basic pound of hamburger, but this is still a family favorite.

Taco Seasoning Recipe:
1/4 C  Dried Minced Onion
1/4 C Chili Powder
3 TBSP. Salt
4 tsp. Cornstarch
1 TBSP. Dried Minced Garlic
1 TBSP. Ground Cumin
1 TBSP. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
2 tsp. Beef Bullion Granules
1.5 tsp. Dried Oregano
I mix it all up and store it in an air tight container in the fridge.  Use 2 TBSP. of the mix in each pound of hamburger with 8oz tomato sauce.  You can add a little water if it’s too thick.
Tip: Taco meat is easy to make up ahead of time and store in Ziploc bags in the freezer.
My late MIL, Dorothy, who would probably think this blog is ridiculous, but have tons of tips to pass on to all of you anyway.  She is so deeply missed by all of us! ♥

YOUTUBE: The History of Thomas Edison – a Short Story

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Yesterday I shared the story of Saint Patrick on my Facebook Page.  Today I want to share with you this video we found on Thomas Edison.  I’m loving these videos and feel so thankful for the people who put these together!

Here’s what works for us:

  1. I play the video straight through for the kids. 
  2. Ask them to tell me what they remember.
  3. Then we play it again, stopping after each couple of facts to talk about it. 
  4. Finally we play it straight through again. 
  5. In the evening they tell daddy all about it, then we play the video for him too!
 

My kids learn very well from YouTube videos.  I use to be very anti-screens, but I’m learning to use them more as a tool for teaching/learning. 

“I really regret not embracing technology more our first year of homeschooling.”
 

I do not let my children have free reign over what to watch on YouTube, Netflix, or any sort of TV.  Nope, not even my mellow, well-behaved, middle school girl.  I set up playlists for the kids, or watch with them.  They’re young and it’s my job to protect their minds from the craziness of the world.  I find that even many Disney shows are modeling disrespect for our children.  I’m NOT cool with that. 

We go in spurts here, sometimes watching YouTube for a few days in a row, and then not watching anything for a week at a time.  I love that it’s always there when we need it, and that it’s FREE! 

Have you watched any good YouTube videos lately?

Through The Dish Water

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“Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” —P.J. O’Rourke

Tonight after my brother’s birthday dinner, I dried a few dishes while my mom washed them.  Mostly I just stood there admiring her hands as they scrubbed the plates.  Her hands are so familiar to me, but tonight I really saw their beautiful.  My mom is truly an amazing woman, and I think I just fully realized that a few hours ago.
I wish I could undo all the yelling I did at her during my teen years, but I can’t.  I guess I’m going to have to spend the rest of my days loving on her that much more!

How to Make Your Own Shell Ice Cream Topping

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Did you know you can make your own hard ice cream topping?
Let’s get a little old fashion and give this a try, okay?
Now we don’t really have this often (ice cream, YES.  This topping though, no), I’d say maybe once or
twice a year.  It is nice to be able to make it yourself for two reasons:
1.     Less junk goes into it.
2.    We don’t have an extra bottle lying around taking up space in the cupboard. Do you see the label peeling off that thing?  I should probably chuck it!
I chose not to use fancy organic ingredients for this, but just to show you the bare bones of this recipe. Baby steps, right?
If you aren’t making it often, you certainly don’t need specialty items for it.  If you do however make your own peanut butter, buy the better coconut oil, and good dark chocolate, by all means, use those!  It’ll be delicious either way.
This tutorial is ridiculously easy.  Ready….
Mix Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chips (or whatever chocolate you have around), and Coconut Oil in a pan
on low-med.  Any higher and you’ll burn it.  Keep stirring until it has reached a nice liquid-like consistency.
Then drizzle it over your ice cream.  DONE!
 I wish I could show you a picture of this step, but folks, after stirring and smelling this peanut buttery goodness, I
set my camera down so I could indulge!  We also had friends over.  I didn’t want to seem TOO obsessed.
You other foodie type bloggers know what I’m talking about, don’t you?  You set the bowl down, snap a picture, give it a quarter turn, snap again.  Decide to move to the table, same drill, then realize it’s melting.  Give up, put the camera down and eat it before it’s a total waste.
*If you have a peanut allergy, ran out of peanut butter, or don’t like peanut butter {GASP}, it’s alright to just leave it out of the recipe.*
How it works?  The coconut oil gets hard as it hits the COLD ice cream, causing the mixture to take on a hard
consistency.
If you’re one of those people that need ratios, here it is:
1 C. Chocolate chips
1/2 C. Coconut Oil
1/4 C. Peanut Butter
I hardly ever measure this anymore though.  I just scoop out whatever amounts I feel like, being sure to use plenty of coconut oil and it always turns out perfect!
This is a fun treat for family nights, birthdays, etc.  It’s also an easy little kitchen project to do with kids.  It’s totally science and foods class in one, right?
The clean-up is a breeze!  Hot water melts the leftover chocolate right out of the pan.

Psalms 119:103 – How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

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