Keeping Mornings Stress-Free

Now that it's back to school time for kids again it's time to think about ways to keep the mornings running smoothly. Here's a couple of tips to get you started!

Every Sunday night I make my way up to my three older kids' bedrooms and set out the clothes they will wear during the school week. My kids are all still young enough that they don't really have an opinion of what they wear and this way I make sure all of their clothes are being worn equally. If you have some opinionated kids then I suggest you have them in the room with you helping so they can make sure they're wearing what they want.

You could buy a fancy-schmancy clothing organizer doo-dad but I have found that the tops of my kids' dressers work just fine. I made some labels on the computer, laminated them with my trusty mini-laminator, and taped them to the walls using painters tape. Cheap, easy, and practical is what I'm all about.

It's my kids' responsibilty to get dressed when they wake up and because of my system it works great! Everyone always has something to wear and no one is frantically searching for an article of clothing.

I made this check list for my oldest back when she was in kindergarten. Back then I had a toddler and a baby to manage as well and so it was important to have the one who was capable of doing more things to be independent. Now I have a 3rd grader, a kindergartner, a preschooler, and a baby. The older three all have different school schedules so having a check list has become all the more important.

Instead of me hollering at my kids to get ready, they do it themselves. I have one of these lists posted on the fridge and another up in my girls' room so they can refer back to it as needed.  I also have added the times my older two go and come home from school along with the number to the school. That way mom doesn't forget anything either!

Getting your kids ready in the morning doesn't have to be a chore.

All it takes is a little planning ahead!

Super Easy Turkey Meatball Stir-Fry

Okay so apparently, I am in a recipe sort of mood on this blog lately. :) This year I have planted a garden and am so excited to cook with some fresh veggies that I grew all by myself! This recipe is a favorite at my house and is perfect for garden goodies. I thought I'd be nice and share it with you all too!

Here it is:

What You Need:
1/3 pkg of pre-cooked frozen turkey meatballs.
2-3 cups of your favorite fresh veggies (chopped). Last time I made this with pea pods (halved), yellow squash (sliced), carrots (chopped), bell peppers (diced), and baby corn (halved). I always just put in whatever I have on hand.
1/4 cup apricot jam
1/4 cup Catalina dressing
2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2-3 cups cooked brown rice

Make It:
 Combine all ingredients in a large skillet.
Cook on medium high heat, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve over brown rice.

Tips to Make it Work Great!
* I adapted this recipe from a recipe found on kraftrecipes.com. However, I have found everything cooks a little more evenly if I take the meatballs and zap them in the microwave for a couple of minutes so they're a little thawed before adding them to the skillet.

*While the meatballs are cooking in the skillet I take my trusty wooden spoon and break them into fourths. This is just a personal preference but I like to have a little bit of meat with each bite of veggies instead of one big meatball.

*The original recipe says to cover the skillet while everything's cooking but I like my veggies to be more crisp so I leave the lid off.

*This recipe can also be made using a package of frozen stir-fry vegetables so it can be used in the winter time as well when fresh, good quality veggies are harder to come by.

I hope this recipe becomes a favorite of your family's too!

Root Beer Float Cake

Since it's summer it's a must at my house to have yummy Root Beer Float Cake. I saw the recipe when I was home visiting my mom a couple of years ago on her Gooseberry Patch calendar. I was a bit skeptical but it turned out so yummy! The frosting tasted like the foam on a root beer float. It was very fluffy and held up well. I was worried it would absorb into the cake but it set just fine.

Here's the recipe:

Root Beer Float Cake

18-1/4 pkg white cake mix

2-1/4 c. root beer, chilled and divided

1/4 c. oil

2 eggs

1 env. whipped topping mix (Dream Whip)

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1-1/4 cups root beer, oil and eggs; beat until well blended. Pour into a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 min.; cool completely. In a medium bowl, combine remaining root beer and whipped topping mix; beat until soft peak forms. Frost cake.