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Meal Plan Monday!

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Less than a week until Christmas!  How in the world did that happen already?  Seems weird when it was over 60 degrees here yesterday.  We had a busy weekend filled with Christmas stuff, friend’s birthday parties, and my middle daughter was presented in front of our church as a communing member.  What a joyful weekend!

This week, we are going to spend time with cousins decorating cookies, playing with friends, and enjoying the holidays. I hope you all have a marvelous week and get to spend some downtime before Christmas.

Here’s my meal plan for this week:

Monday: 15 bean soup, cornbread (ran out of time to make this last week)

Tuesday: Beef Enchiladas 

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken Salads

Thursday: Grilled Cheese and Soup

Friday: Lazy Lasagna, salad

Saturday: Our Christmas Eve Tradition – Pizza!

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner!

What are you making this week?

What My Kids are Getting for Christmas 2016

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I know I usually make this post earlier in the year, but with a busy 1 year old destroying the house, it’s been hard to get things written up!  This year we have 5 kiddos – 13, 10, 7, 5, and 1!  That’s quite the difference in ages!  We base our kids gifts around this poem:

Christmas Gifting

It has worked well in the past years so we are using it as a guideline again this year.  Here’s the rundown of what the kids are asking for and receiving.  I have to say that I am so happy that they don’t follow the majority of the trends and are genuinely happy with receiving a few things from mom and dad.

13 year old girl:

10 year old boy:

7 year old girl:

  • Want: Doll Jeep
  • Need: ??
  • Wear: dress
  • Read: Activity Book

5 year old girl:

1 Year old boy:

I also got a combined gift of Ravensburger Labyrinth for the big kids to play.

For stocking stuffers, they are getting candy and Tsum Tsums.

We are all wrapped and ready!  Have you finished your shopping yet?

Meal Plan Monday

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It’s been a great weekend here.  We had some nice family time, went to Lessons and Carols at our church, and mainly just relaxed and watched Christmas movies.  My husband took a few days off from work this week so we could get some family time in so I’m putting his favorites on the meal plan.  Normally he’s only home for dinner a couple times a week.  I love having him home with us, but also love that he can grow facial hair for the week!

Monday: Dinner out with family

Tuesday: Steak, sweet potatoes,  salad

Wednesday: Poppy seed chicken, okra

Thursday: 15 Bean Soup, cornbread

Friday: Cajun Cream Chicken, salad

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Salsa Chicken, brown rice

Sweet Santa Pancakes

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This is a sponsored post, written for Dixie Crystals.

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My dear husband loves taking time with the kids and baking and cooking with them.  Since he’s off work this weekend, he decided to make pancakes as a treat for all of us this morning.  He wanted to do something more than just plain pancakes, though.

One of our favorite websites to search for projects with the kids is Dixie Crystal’s Kids in the Kitchen.  On their website, there is a section for Christmas Crafts and for Christmas Edible Art.  Browsing through the Edible Art, he came across these Sweet Santa Pancakes.  After a quick check of the fridge, he discovered that we had everything needed to make this adorable treat!

Ingredients for Santa Pancakes:

Buttermilk Pancakes:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 6 Tablespoons Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 eggs

Toppings:

  • Strawberries, sliced in half
  • Chocolate chips
  • Red candy coated chocolates (or part of a cut strawberry)
  • Spray whipped cream

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Directions: 

  • In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until just combined, the batter will be slightly lumpy, as shown above.
  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Ladle about 1/4 cup of batter and cook until bubbles form around the sides. Flip and cook until cooked through.

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  • Place the pancake on a plate.  This will become Santa’s face.  Arrange the cut strawberries on top of pancake for Santa’s hat. Add chocolate chips for eyes, red candy or strawberry for nose, and spray whipped cream to make Santa’s beard.

These Santa Pancakes were so easy to make and turned out ridiculously cute!  The kids LOVED have the supplies ready and making their own creations.  They made some pretty silly Santas!  This is one project we will definitely be doing again before the season is over.

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For more fun ideas to do with your kids during the holidays, be sure to visit Dixie Crystals’ Kids in the Kitchen website.  There are recipes and crafts both available to check out.

Giveaway: Magical Nights of Lights and Winter Adventure Family Fun Pack!

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It’s that time of year again!  The Magical Nights of Lights and Winter Adventure at LanierWorld is open and ready for you and your family.

LanierWorld offers the following:

  • A festive driving tour through 7 miles of magical light displays
  • Snow play zones, speed slides and bubble skating
  • A collection of classic carnival rides
  • Holiday movies on the 5-story Spectacular Screen
  • Visits with Santa to share your wish lists
  • Holiday shopping with a wide selection inside Bucky’s Gift Shop
  • An assortment of favorite holiday dishes and treats
  • Marshmallow roasting and s’mores making
  • A live nativity theatrical play – presented nightly November 18-December 23 (excluding November 24)
  • Holiday stay and play packages at Legacy Lodge, Villas or LakeHouses
  • And so much more!

Giveaway:

Our friends at LanierWorld have graciously offered a Family Fun Pack for one lucky winner and their family (or friends) to enjoy the light displays AND Winter Adventure!  This will include magical lights entry and 4 wristbands for the Winter Adventure rides and attractions.  Must be redeemed by January 3, 2017.  Enter for your chance to win below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WaterWipes Are Now Available at Walmart!

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This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

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I’ve always been seeking for the best products for my children, especially my babies.  We’ve been a huge fan of WaterWipes for our 15 month old son since we were first introduced to them a little over a year ago.  As they have been rolling out to more and more stores, they are getting easier to find during my shopping trips!  I’m starting to see them in many places where we shop.  What great news we have that they are now available on Walmart.com.  That helps make it even more convenient!

The individual WaterWipes packages have a resealable sticker to reseal the package after every use.  I like this feature of WaterWipes so that they stay fresh in their pack and very moist for diaper changes.  I can’t stand reaching for a baby wipe and it being all dried out.  WaterWipes truly are the world’s purest baby wipes!

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About WaterWipes:

Have you ever wanted a baby wipe that was made just for the sensitive skin on your baby?  WaterWipes is a durable and effective chemical free baby wipe.  Made with only 99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract, WaterWipes offer a safe and natural option for your little one and perfect for those with sensitive skin.  It’s interesting to note that grapefruit seed extract is a natural skin conditioner.  WaterWipes are the only baby wipe to be approved by Allergy UK and the National Eczema Association of America.

WaterWipes are soft and easy to use, yet thick enough to keep the mess from getting on my hands.  They leave my son fresh and clean and ready for his next adventure.

For More Information:

You can find out more information about where to buy WaterWipes on their website.  Be sure to also check out the WaterWipes Facebook Page and Twitter Page.

Giveaway:

5 people will win a $100 Walmart gift card!  This giveaway is from November 14 – December 9, 2016.  I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (5 winners).  You can enter for your chance to win below.

WaterWipes Walmart Giveaway

Amazon Prints: 60% off Photo Cards, Photo Calendars and Photo Books

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Super deal on Amazon Prints! Check it out! For a limited time, you can use code HOLIDAY for 60% off photo cards, photo calendars and photo books! h

Check out these prices:

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ABCmouse.com: 2 Months for $5!

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Here’s a great deal you can grab for the winter months!  ABCmouse.com is currently offering 2 months for ONLY $5!  My 5 and 7 year olds use this program and really like it!  If it doesn’t work out, canceling is a breeze, but I think you will love it like we have.


ABCmouse.com

5 Reasons to Not Miss the Holidays at World of Coca-Cola (Plus a Giveaway!)

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I love having a “Staycation” in Atlanta.  There is so much to do in the city!  One place that you’ll want to check out is the World of Coca-Cola.

The World of Coca-Cola has a full list of holiday activities that you can check out here.  Our friends at the World of Coca-Cola have also sent along a list of 5 reasons to not miss the holidays at the World of Coca-Cola.  Number 2 is my favorite!  I would love to try Gingerbread Coke® and Chocolate Cherry Coke®!  

Check them out:

  1. Curious about why ol’ Saint Nick always wears red? Learn the true story through the “History of the Coca-Cola Santa” exhibit. The exhibit features several paintings of the famous Santa that Coca-Cola commissioned Haddon Sundblom to illustrate in the 1930s.
  2. Sample the seasonal flavors in the Taste It! beverage lounge and rate your favorites. Good luck choosing between Gingerbread Coke® and Chocolate Cherry Coke®– or try them both!
  3. Step up your Secret Santa game with a handcrafted accessory from the 5by20 artisan collection and join the Coca-Cola initiative to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2020. Find 5by20 items and other perfect gifts for everyone on your list when you visit The Coca-Cola Store.
  4. Snap and share a selfie with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, and capture a group shot aboard Santa’s sleigh. Let the world know you’re a fan using #WorldofCocaCola, and you might even see your photo on World of Coca-Cola social media channels.
  5. Give the gift that keeps on giving!Sharing the magic with a World of Coca-Cola Annual Pass means you can create new memories year-round.

Giveaway:

Our sweet friends at the World of Coca-Cola are offering a family 4 pack of tickets for one lucky reader so you can visit and try the Gingerbread Coke® and Chocolate Cherry Coke® for yourself!  Tickets are good through March 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meal Plan Monday

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It’s Monday again and already and we have less than 3 weeks until Christmas!  I’ve been busy this morning playing catch up and homeschooling my crew that I just realized I hadn’t made a meal plan for this week yet!  Time to get to it!

Monday: Black beans and rice

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Meatloaf, okra

Thursday: Chili

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Meatball Parmesan Casserole, salad

Sunday: Unstuffed Pepper Medley

What’s on your meal plan this week?

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