Summer Advent Calendar

I found Chocolate On My Cranium last fall. She is a great resource. Check out her FHE ideas. One of the ideas I really loved was her summer advent calendar. Check it out here. She will explain what different ideas she uses. Even though she has a beautiful and elaborate calendar, you can make yours as simple as you want. You could even just stick different ideas in different envelopes and have the kids randomly pick on every day. Good luck this summer. If you have any fun summer activites, please share.

All-Purpose Spice Rub

About a year ago I found a recipe for an all-purpose spice rub on MarthaStewart.com. We love it! I use it on chicken and veggies all the time. By making so much ahead of time, it makes it easy to spice up your dinner (pardon the pun). I store it in my old baby food jars. The kids can help you make it too. I put all the ingredients in a large Ziploc bag and let the kiddos shake it up to mix everything together.

• 1/3 cup coarse salt
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional if you want a little spice)

This is a very versatile recipe. Feel free to try different spices. We have used rosemary and red pepper flakes instead of thyme and cayenne.

One of our favorite ways to use this rub is to make roasted cauliflower. Place the cauliflower florets in a baggy. Pour in a tablespoon of oil (I use olive or canola because they are the healthiest for your heart). Then our in some of your spice. Shake the bag till all of the cauliflower is coated. Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes, turning once. Yummy! Yummy!

FREE R.A.M.P. Days at Treehouse (and other free activities)

The Treehouse Museum in Ogden, Utah has three free days this year. The dates are June 6, July 18, and August 1. If you have any questions, visit their website or call the Treehouse Museum at 801-394-9663.

To get the whole RAMP schedule of free activities in the Weber county area, click here and click on the download for the RAMP Summer activities calender.

Toothpicks With Lunch

Just wanted to share an idea I discovered. My 18 month old has become a lousy eater. After two bits, he wants out of the highchair. He would rather play than eat. I have found an easy solution to this. Use toothpicks! I now cut up food into bit size pieces and stick a toothpick in every piece. He loves it! He thinks it is s fun to eat the food off the toothpick. For lunch we had cheese and ham and fruit. He ate it all and asked for more. I'm thrilled! I'm sure I will be going through a lot if boxes of toothpicks, but that is a small price to pay.

If anyone else has a great idea on how to make food more fun so baby D will eat better, I would love to hear about it. Thanks!