Simple Things Sunday No.9

our risen savior

Happy Easter!

We really, truly celebrated Easter all week long, in spite of both kiddos being sick! We delivered eggs to a neighbor’s house (see post here), we colored Easter eggs, and we made Resurrection Rolls! I’m hoping to do a more in depth post on that later (yes, I know, post-Easter, but you can pin it for next year! ).

But I wanted to share this adorable little tool pictured above to help share the Easter story with your littles. It’s from Oriental Trading and it’s called “He Lives!” Easter Figures. Here’s the link (although I’m sure it’ll lapse at some point). The set is only $7, and hearing my sweet little Allie asking for Jesus over and over was worth FAR MORE than the measly $7 (plus it was actually free since my mom bought it for us! Win – win – win!). AND…I’m wondering if it’ll go on sale after Easter, you can buy it and put it away for next year!

Anyhow, this week I’m celebrating the fact that

both of my kiddos are desiring

a relationship with God!

I know this for a variety of reasons, but below are a few specifics.

#1. We are working on memorizing a verse each week, and Cooper is not only excited about it, but seems to have an amazing understanding of the verses, as in, “You clearly have the Holy Spirit residing in you, ‘cuz there’s no way a 4 year old should know that!” type explanation.

#2. My daughter has asked to pray, on a NUMBER of occasions! Once was on a particularly challenging day for me on the way to pick up brother from preschool. And you know what? It helped me calm down and have a better day. Way to go God for speaking to me through your little servants.

#3. Both my kiddos enjoy reading the Bible. And while I know they enjoy reading PLENTY of other books, there’s just something about the word of God that’s captivating. At least for those who have God’s help in understanding it. And I hope and pray that my children do…and continue to as well!

So pretty much my goal in life is accomplished, right? Ha! Well, for now…but those of us who are blessed with a relationship with God can probably all agree that it takes not only a lifelong commitment, but also a day-to-day, minute by minute intentional effort. And it’s my joy to begin instilling that in my children’s hearts now!

I’ll leave you with 2 more pictures pertaining to the celebration of our risen Savior and my children’s excitement regarding Christ. The first is of my children looking into the empty “tomb” after making our Resurrection Rolls. The pure joy and excitement melts my heart.

The second one is of Allie playing with Mary (from the Easter figures set) and Venom. Clearly Mary is trying to talk some sense into Venom.

Happy Easter! I pray this holiday does not pass without the true meaning touching your hearts.

Becky Nicholas

Friday Faves - Papa Murphy's & Space Unicorn

I know I’ve mentioned this one before, but it’s worth mentioning again. My first favorite for today is…

papa murphy’s pizza

It’s so much cheaper than any other QUALITY delivery place, and so fresh! And here’s a few helpful hints when enjoying Papa Murphy’s.

#1. They take expired coupons! Did you know this?!

I can’t vouch for every location, but ours does. They’ve never batted an eyelash. So, whenever I get them in the mail, I just stuff them in my wallet for my next trip. The best bang for your buck coupon is the family size for the price of a medium.

#2. For a crispier crust, remove the paper tray after 10 minutes.

I’m pretty sure it says this right on their baking instructions, but in case you breezed over that helpful hint, try it! I only leave it in for about 2-3 minutes longer, but that 2-3 minutes does make the crust crispier. I love it!

#3. Gourmet Vegetarian!!!

If you haven’t tried this kind yet, do yourself a favor and try it! It’s my favorite right now. We get half pepperoni (partially for the kids, and partially for us, it is spicy, so be warned!) and half gourmet vegetarian. Yum!! 

My second favorite is…

space unicorn

This is a throw back to my love of jr. highers and their glorious randomness!!! If you have yet to view this addictive hilarious happiness, please click the picture above to take you to the YouTube link. But be warned, you will have the song stuck in your head for a minimum of 10 minutes!!! But, you can’t help but smile and/or giggle when you hear it or sing it. I love it, my kids love it, and my husband loves it, though he’s too manly to admit it. =)

Enjoy, it’s the perfect send off to your weekend!

Thoughtful Thursdays - You've Been Egged

Last year my kiddos and I “egged” a house…

Click here to see the full post from last year and get the free printables.

Eek! Look how adorable they are! I can’t get over how much they’ve grown in a year!

This year, I used the free printable from the Happy Home Fairy (mostly because I waited too long and didn’t want to make my neighbor “pass it on”). Click the picture below to go get your free printable!

See the pictures from how much fun we had? What are you waiting for?! Go do it! =) Happy Early Easter. Sunday is coming!!

I MAY have taken like 15 pictures before this not realizing the card for my camera was in the computer, not my camera. They were happier at the beginning.

See? They still had some cuteness in them!

And one last shot from before we rang the doorbell and ran!

Cooper was soo excited, and Allie was listening to make sure we weren’t going to get caught!

Trick of the Trade Tuesday–“Delivering” Laundry

If you have young kids like I do, you probably find yourself folding laundry while the kids are asleep. Then, I end up with a stack of folded laundry on my coffee table, or my bed, or my washer, wherever I happen to have been folding for that day. Then, inevitably, my kids came dashing out of their rooms when nap time has finished, only to knock over my nicely folded stack of laundry.

So, what I most often do is “deliver” their laundry just outside their bedroom doors, stacked in piles of where they need to go in their rooms. That way, when they come dashing out, I dash right in and quickly put them away where they belong. For some reason, the laundry isn’t so tempting when it’s up against the wall on the floor. Hope you enjoyed today’s little tip! Happy Home Making. =)

See my little helper? Ready to go put brother’s socks away! =)

Menu Plannin’ Monday

I’m back! And I’m just going to dive right into this week’s menu plan. =) Below are all my dinners…and following is some bonus info!

Monday: Thai Chicken Noodle Salad

Tuesday: Chicken, Asparagus & Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday: Roasted Fennel, Carrots & Mixed Rice

Thursday: Slow Cooker Pork, Chipotle’s Lime Rice, & Salad

(Lime-Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies for dessert! =P)

Friday: Autumn Chopped Salad

Saturday: Egg Salad Sandwiches (Duh, need I explain why? )

Sunday: Leftovers (yeah, I know it’s Easter, and we’ll be wiped!)

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BONUS!

Can I just say how fantabulous it feels to have my meal plan done for the week? I’ve been winging it the last few weeks (fairly well mind you), but it stresses me out when I don’t have my meal plan done. I’m so much more relaxed when it’s DONE!

And this week was important. I had my daughter’s 2 year checkup last week, and while she’s thriving and healthy (yay!), she’s a PICKY eater!! I don’t mean your normal 2-year old pickiness, I mean, if it’s not candy, a carb, or milk, she won’t touch it. Oy-vey!

(See how adorably healthy she is?)

So, after a conversation with my pediatrician, I’m gonna crack down a bit! We’re limiting her milk more than we have already, and I’m working hard to offer only healthy options. Seems easy, right? Ha! Apparently you don’t HAVE a toddler. Saturday we had TWO birthday parties to attend! You know what my 2 year old wanted her diet to consist of for the entire day? Cupcakes and candy (with perhaps a little popcorn thrown in). And what happens when a 2 year old doesn’t get her way? You guessed it! Temper tantrum. Which is fine, it’s just exhausting. But, I’ve got to stick to my guns. That kind of diet is simply not okay.

So…with all that said, I planned a few healthy snacks (that she might actually eat), as well as breakfasts for the week. Perhaps you will find it helpful as well, since I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am not the only parent of a toddler in this EXHAUSTING predicament!! Hang in there fellow parents! You will survive! (and yes, you can play that song over and over in your head as your toddler pushes each healthy option right back at you…I will survive, I will survive!)

Monday: Cereal & Crispy Roasted Snap Peas (snack)

Tuesday: Healthy Whole Grain Zucchini Bread

Wednesday: Slammin’ Surprise “Green” Smoothie (& leftover bread)

Thursday: Cute “Bear” Toast

Friday: Scrambled Eggs

Saturday: Sticky Lemon Rolls

Sunday: Beet Banana Smoothie & Eggs (Shh…don’t tell my hubby! He despises beets! But it’s a fun color for Easter morning.)