Get Computer Time

Do you have to wait until nap time or bed time to read your blog roll, check your email, or do your online grocery shopping? It's usually what's happening in my house that allows me time to get online and post to my blogs. But every once in a while I check in to work email or upload photos with The Boy on my lap.

I can typically spend a few minutes on the laptop, if the main part of the screen is taken up with a You Tube video of old Sesame Street clips, particularly ones that have Elmo in a starring role. In the future I may use this as an alternative to buying dvds to buy time while I make dinner, etc.

Eats for Cheap

I'm stealing today! Instead of posting, I'm sharing this great resource for cheaper eats in the Twin Cities from the PiPress' Minnmoms.

Cheerios Challenge

Simply sign up for the Cheerios Challenge and get coupons for Cheerios! What Mom doesn't buy Cheerios?? Sign up here.

Typically we purchase Target's brand of "toasted o's" but these coupons may make Cheerios cheaper.

Monday Feature: Likes and Dislikes

Likes and dislikes from the week:

Likes:
airplanes, bike rides, sand, sunshine, his cousins, fig newtons, chicken nuggets, camping, the color red, pizza

Dislikes:
getting his hair cut, sitting still, cold water, being quiet in restaurants

A staycation...

The latest trend in vacationing has coined a new term, "the stay-cation". We had one of our own this weekend. We camped at Lake Elmo Park Preserve, and can't wait to do it again. The trip in total cost us $36 plus groceries, much less than we would have spent had we stayed home and found things to keep us busy all weekend. Lake Elmo Park Preserve is a wonderful spot to camp, the sandy-bottom pool, the many bike trails and playstructures kept us busy for two days.

One of our campmates turned us on to a new bonfire treat: Smores with Reeses Peanut butter cups instead of Hershey's Chocolate Bars... a tasty treat indeed. What do you roast over the coals at your bonfires?

Camping with Toddler

I don't have much time to write as we are heading off for another weekend of camping, this time in The Metro. However, I did want to share my sweet camping treat for The Boy that I am bringing along. Now that it's been berry time for a couple of weeks, and we've been stocking up on blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries we some times end up with more than we can eat. When the berries start to get mushy, I toss them into our Magic Bullet and puree them. I pour the pureed mixed berries in little plastic containers and stick them in the freezer. When we pack up the coolers, I toss a few of these inside, they help keep things cool, and they make a great summer treat for the boy. After spending a day or two in the cooler they end up being a real fruit slushy to be enjoyed on a hot summer day. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Free Event: Sculpture Gardens

While returning from a Sunday trip to the Farmer's Market, we took The Boy to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. It was around 9 a.m. and besides one woman and her little boy, we were the only ones in the park. It was a great way to spend a morning, and The Boy took plenty of time to burn off energy running through the gardens. There is very little to get into trouble with and The Husband and I were able to take a leisurely stroll, while holding hands even.

Get out?!? you say? I know, since you've had kids when is the last time you had a free hand to grab on to your husband's? It seems my hands are always picking up toys, holding a book while I read, wiping boogers, or kept busy by any number of other child raising tasks to be done each day.

Banana bread recipe needed

Over the years I've mananged to foil every banana recipe I've tried. Once, I was so proud of the perfect loaf that came out of oven only to watch the insides splat on my cooling rack when I tipped it over to remove it from its pan. I did almost cry on this round. Last night's round was semi successful. The loaf looks pretty, the consistency perfect, flavor good, but unless you have a load of milk to wash it down it isn't so good. Why is my banana bread dry? Do you have the secret?

Does your sunscreen work?

A scary find today while I was on the Internets:

Does your sunscreen work? An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the sun's damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

What sunscreen do you use? Does it contain harmful chemicals? Will you stop using it now?

Twin Cities best beach

The Husband, The Boy and I went to the beach yesterday. In our search for the perfect beach, we found Square Lake Park. The beach is clean, the staff friendly, the crowd managable, and the fun heaping. There are many steps to get down to the sand and it is five dollars to park (I'm sure this is what keeps the crowd managable). If you plan to frequent the beach often or other county parks, a Washington County park pass can be purchased for $25 to allow you access all year long, and the money supports your Washington County parks.

Nothing to do on Friday night?

Last Friday night we went to the City of North St. Paul. Every Friday night they block off their main street for a History Cruisers car show. St. Paul farmers set up a farmer's market stand, food venders sell State Fair fare, and people cruise the streets. It's a free event and is fun for the whole family. We were lucky enough to have a old fire truck among the '57 chevys whose owner fitted The Boy with a bright red Fire Chief's hat which he loved.

Thrifty mama

In the process of creating a blog for my family, I found that I really enjoyed writing, taking pictures, and filling our family and friends in on our adventures, and now I'd like to fill the world in on these same adventures. Which is why I created this new blog.

The Husband and I live together with our 18 month old boy in the Twin Cities metro area. We enjoy finding ourselves exploring the cities, and discovery new things to keep us busy.

The boy is having a wonderful summer shoveling sand at Square Lake, picking out sugar snap peas at the St. Paul Farmer's Market, helping his mom and dad to take care of the yard, spending mornings at the MN Zoo, and many more adventures that I plan to tell you about here.

Our family is also dabbling in a social movement known to most as The Compact. We have a slightly modified version that we are following, and are often finding ourselves, diverting from the plan. I am hoping that this log will help us to comply with our pledge whole-heartedly, but one can never tell.

Monday Feature: Likes and Dislikes

The Boy's Likes and Dislikes:

Likes:
playing with Mama's laptop, climbing on dining room chairs, playing with Daddy's watch, going bye-bye, bikes, watching the garbage truck, brushing his teeth, playing hide and seek

Dislikes:
spider bites, onions and following directions at swim lessons

What's in my vegetable garden

It's the time of year I love most: We have brought in the first crop from our garden. Tomatoes, banana peppers, jalepeno peppers, and grape tomatoes. I just love being able to pick direct from the garden and make delicious salads and blts... Mmmm Good!

Monday Feature: Likes and Dislikes

Likes and dislikes from the week:

Likes:
baseballs, split pea soup, tractors, great grandpa's puppy, boats, pizza and soy ice cream bars.

Dislikes:
green peppers, going night-night and not being able to crawl on the dining room table.