Mommy Octopus

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Meal Plan Monday

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Sorry, no picture this week.  Honestly I haven’t taken many pictures at all this week because it’s been so busy.  It seems like each week is going faster than the previous one.  This week, we learned that my husband’s car was totaled from the hit and run he was involved with.  Someone hit him and left the scene.  So now we are on the hunt for another decent car for him to use.

The kids are doing great.  They spent Saturday playing with their cousins and we even managed to get a date night in on Friday night.  Woo hoo!  Here’s what is on the menu for this week:

Monday: Leftovers or Make Your Own

Tuesday: One Pan Mexican Quinoa 

Wednesday: Instant Pot Chicken and Brown Rice Soup, cheese toast for the kids

Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas, salad

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Burgers, veggies, salad

Sunday: Taco Bar

Review: Brinkman Adventures

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Brinkman Adventures

Before this review, we hadn’t heard of Brinkman Adventures.  Through the Homeschool Review Crew, we were introduced to their missionary stories when we received Brinkman Adventures Season 4 to review.

About the Product:

Brinkman Adventures Season 4 features 12 episodes of adventures, each a little less than 30 minutes each.  Over 5 hours of audio entertainment on these 4 cds!  What’s neat about The Brinkmann Adventures is that most of them are based on a true story from a real life family.  The adventures on this set take place in Cambodia, Russia, the Middle East, and more!  You can head on over to their website to find out more about the stories behind each of the episodes.

Also on their website, you can purchase either the physical copy of the adventures or download the audio dramas.  Downloads are $25.99 and physical copies are $31.99 for the 12 episode sets.

Brinkman Adventures

Our Thoughts:

When the CDs arrived, my 10 year old son took off with them.  He loves listening to books or audio dramas and was eager to get started with The Brinkman Adventures.  We actually had never heard of these adventures before!

 

The kids really liked listening to Brinkman Adventures Season 4 during their afternoon free-time.  They would have an episode going while they were building with their blocks or playing cars.

My son liked “A Paradise Lost” best.  He said he liked that the kids were doing activities to imagine what it would be like to be a missionary.  He found this one the most intriguing because he has always wanted to be a missionary or go on a missionary trip.  I think that will be definitely in his future.

I found “Aisha’s Fear” incredibly inspiring.  The amazing strength that Aisha possessed from God was absolutely fascinating to me, given her situation.  God used Aisha in an incredible way to change so many people’s lives.

Although we listened at home, these would make for wonderful car trip material.  I would recommend stopping in between each episode and discussing what was heard and how it can be applied.

I think we will be watching for more of these audio dramas in the future and possibly getting a few more for the children for Christmas.  They are inspiring, encouraging, uplifting, and help us to remember what all is going on out there in the world and I especially like that they are based on true stories and that I can read the story behind the story.

For More Information:

For more information, you can visit the Brinkman Adventures website.  You can also find out more on Facebook.

To read more reviews on this product and others, please click the banner below.

Brinkman Adventures Season 4
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Meal Plan Monday

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It’s Monday again and I’m so glad.  My husband has worked the past 7 days and FINALLY has a day off.  It’s exhausting when he works long stretches!

For the “Make Your Own Dinner” on Thursday, it’s as simple as it sounds.  You can heat up leftovers, make a grilled cheese, have a bowl of cereal, heat up a frozen pizza, fry an egg, or whatever.  The kids love having a day when they can make whatever they want (within reason, of course) for dinner.

Hope you all have a fantastic week!  I love this time of year – just wishing it were a little bit cooler!

Monday: Steak and veggies

Tuesday: Catfish or chicken and veggies (I hate fish – hubby loves it)

Wednesday: Black Beans and Rice

Thursday: Make your own dinner

Friday: Burgers and veggies

Saturday: Fettucini alfredo with chicken and broccoli

Sunday: BBQ pork, chips, beans, salad

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins – Low Carb, Sugar Free, THM

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A few years ago, I developed one of my favorite recipes – Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins.  Today as I try to follow the Trim Healthy Mama plan and cut out most sugars and wheats, I decided to remake this delicious recipe.  I think I hit it out of the park!  I tested them out on a few friends and my kids with winning results.  A lot of trial and error, but I think it’s perfect!  I’d love to hear feedback from you guys!  Presenting my Trim Healthy Mama Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins!

Simply add in all the ingredients and mix well with an electric mixer.  For mine, I used Pyure Stevia Blend but it measures the same as Trim Healthy Mama’s Super Sweet Blend.  You can use whatever you have on hand.

For the chocolate chips, you can use Lily’s chocolate chips, 85% chocolate from Aldi smashed into tiny pieces, or a sugar free chocolate chip that you find.  I used Lily’s chocolate chips.

When you fill up your muffin tins, I find it easier to clean up and easier to remove if you use cupcake liners.  You can gently spray them with a nonstick spray if you prefer, too.  Be sure and fill them up generously as the cupcakes will not rise much.

I would consider this an S for Trim Healthy Mama, even with the pumpkin since it’s divided up so many times.  Just don’t overdo it and stick to about 2 muffins at a time!

I store mine in the fridge to keep longer and then pop them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to have it nice and warm when I want to eat one or two.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins – Low Carb, Sugar Free THM
Author: Mommy Octopus
Ingredients
  • 2 cup of Almond Flour
  • 1 TBSP Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup Pyure Stevia Blend or Trim Healthy Mama Super Sweet Blend
  • 2 cups fresh pumpkin
  • 1 package Lily’s Chocolate Chips or Sugar Free Chocolate Chips or 85% chocolate bar broken into tiny pieces
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl using an electric mixer. Once combined, add in the morsels.
  2. Scoop the batter into a lined and sprayed cupcake pan
  3. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
  4. Allow to cool before enjoying.
  5. Makes about 24 cupcakes

 

Halloween Candy Alternatives

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Halloween will soon be upon us, loading the kids up with all sorts of delicious candy.  If you’re like me, you like the kids to sometimes get a treat other than just candy.  I’ve put together a fun list of candy alternatives that your kids are sure to enjoy receiving in their Trick-Or-Treat bags that won’t cater to their sweet tooth and are friendly on the budget.  They are also great to have on hand if you want to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project and provide allergen free treats.

As a kid, remember going to fall festivals and getting all these fun treats and thinking they were the best thing ever!  We have also used the vampire teeth to make fun Vampire Doughnuts to surprise our kids and my husband’s coworkers.  They were a hit.

You can view the entire line of Halloween toys on Amazon and find your favorite candy alternatives.  There are tons more than I could fit into the post, so I definitely recommend looking around for more.  Many are at great prices considering the number of items included.


Halloween Stamps- 50 Count

500 Halloween Stickers


144 Plastic Spiders

600 Piece Halloween Assortment


100 Glow Stick Bracelets

Vampire Teeth

Halloween Bouncy Ball

 

More Halloween:

Spooky Spider Cookies

How to Make Creepy Crawly Bug Soap

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Treats

Make Cookie Monster Brownie Sandwich Cookies

Meal Plan Monday

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Well, our weekend started out great.  We went to the mountains with some dear friends, then church Sunday and community group.  After community group, my husband, one of our daughters, and a friend were going to pick up another daughter from youth group and were hit by a likely drunk driver.  They are all ok, but it scared us all for sure.  Unfortunately, the driver ran off the road a few more times and then drove off and they were unable to get a tag, but got a decent car description.  My husband will be out looking for that car, I’m sure.

I’m just so thankful everyone was ok and no one was badly injured or killed.  My husband is on a mission to find the person that did the hit and run.  Hopefully we will.

Now that I can breathe again a little, here’s what is on the menu:

Monday: Creamy Cajun Chicken from the THM Cookbook, broccoli

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Taco Pie, salad

Thursday: Quinoa and veggies

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Breakfast for dinner

Sunday: Poppyseed Chicken Casserole, salad, green beans

What are you having this week?

Review: The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls

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My kids are avid readers.  Almost anytime that they have a moment free, a book will be in their hands.   We recently received The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls from WorthyKids/Ideals to review for you guys and my kids have been reading them like crazy.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls      The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls

About the Books:

Written by M.J. Thomas and geared toward readers ages 6-9, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls are sure to be a favorite in your house.  There are currently two books in the series – The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning (Book #1) and The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark (Book #2).  In the books, characters Peter, Mary, and dog Hank go on adventures through the Bible and back in time while they learn history in a fun way.

Interested in a sneak peek inside the first book?  Head on over to their website and put in your information to receive a preview! I always like doing sneak peeks so I can get an idea of how the book will flow.

Our Thoughts:

As I mentioned before, my kids love to read.  My 10 year old son picked up book 1 and could not put it down!   When I asked him about his thoughts on the book, here’s what he said:

“These books are great!  I like that the kids are able to go to the past and I like Hank.  I like that it followed along with Bible stories that I know.  My favorite was book 2 because I was wondering if they would get the ark done in time and trying to get all the animals ready. I can’t wait to find out if they are going to make more books.”  

The books were a little easy for him, but he enjoyed them nonetheless.  I plan to read them with my younger kids soon as a bedtime story.  They’ve been eagerly waiting their turn to read through The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls.

The first book talks about the beginning of the world at creations and the second book is based around Noah’s ark.

For More Information:

For more information, you can visit their website.  You can also find out more on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  You can find the books on Amazon and also at Barnes and Noble.

You can also read more reviews on this product and others by clicking the Homeschool Review Crew banner below.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls. {WorthyKids/Ideals Reviews}
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Fall Decorating on a Budget with At Home

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I received an At Home gift card and compensation for this post.  All opinions are my own.

Fall is my favorite season.  Watching the leaves change colors, all the wonderful smells, the crisp fall air, it’s all so wonderful.  Since we host a community group at our house each week, I wanted to go ahead and start decorating for fall.  I decided to try out a store that I haven’t been to before called At Home.  I’ve heard that At Home offers home decor with everyday low prices to fit in most budgets.

Upon looking around, I fell in love with the At Home store.  So many items to choose from and the prices!  They were lower than I’ve seen elsewhere!  Plus there was a fun clearance section where everything had an additional 50% off!  I will definitely be going back soon!

Anyways, I decided to decorate our beautiful farm table with my finds from At Home.  I grabbed the following for under $50!

  • Table Runner
  • 2 Candle holders
  • Pumpkin Spice potpourri
  • Cornucopia

Very pleased with my finds and they seem to be great quality, too!  Adding tea lights to the candle holders gives off a soft glow and makes it even more festive.  I love the intricate details on every item, but my favorite of all is the table runner!  It is a beautiful color and has a nice pattern of inspirational words throughout.  These items will be perfect for fall and all the way through Thanksgiving.

Once set up, my table looks simple, inviting, and smells absolutely fantastic with the addition of Pumpkin Spice Potpourri!  Now my table is “fall ready” and waiting for company!

To find an At Home store near you, visit their website.  You will be glad you did!

Meal Plan Monday

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Whelp.  It’s been a week.  Kids were irritable, the AC went out, the toddler drew on nearly everything with permanent market, etc. However the hubby and I did get a nice date out at Cirque du Soleil and we took the older kids to their first concert.

With the AC being out, we are utilizing the grill more than ever.  It’s sooooo hot in the kitchen.

Monday: Brats, zucchini, green beans

Tuesday: Sandwiches or create your own dinner

Wednesday: black bean burritos

Thursday: Meatloaf, salad, mac and cheese

Friday: Grilled Chicken Salad

Saturday: Eggs, bacon, biscuits

Sunday: Burgers, hotdogs, chips, beans, salad

Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA at Atlanta Station

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We received tickets in exchange for sharing.  All opinions are my own.

 

Last night my husband and I had the great privilege of going to Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA show at Atlantic Station in Atlanta.  If I had to describe the performance in words, it would be BREATHTAKING.  SPEECHLESS.  INCREDIBLE.  AMAZING.

Those words don’t even begin to describe the wonders that we saw!  You can see some sneak peeks in the official LUZIA trailer below.  The contortionist was beyond amazing!  I’m still baffled on how in the world he was able to move like that!  I definitely recommend this show for the entire family!

115 performers in LUZIA represent 25 different countries in the show and have quite an array of talent.

Huge thanks to our Cirque du Soleil friends for inviting us in for a view!

For Tickets and Information:

Cirque du Soleil’s newest show LUZIA will be opening on September 14 and runs through November 19 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, with plenty of shows that are sure to fit in your schedule.

Throughout the show, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico.  With a surrealistic series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity.

Currently, you can score LUZIA discount tickets, saving 25% off with their Big Top Magic special.

 

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