PIE Night

This is an idea I got from a Enrichment Activity. R and I do this. Once a month we have PIE night. PIE stands for Priesthood Interview Night. It is a chance for the father of the home to spend time with each child while mom bakes pie (or any dessert you like). Right now R just spends quality time with Baby D, being that he's only 4 month old. When your kids get older, ideally dad take one at a time and talks to them about how they are doing. With younger kids he can help them write in their journals, talk about gospel topics or just let the little ones talk about whatever they think about. As they grow older, topics will change. It's a teaching opportunity for the dad and a chance for dad to grow closer to the children. It also helps create a safe environment for children to bring up issues they may be having troubles with. Russ and I do PIE night on the first Sunday of the month. And while we are eating dessert, we have family council, a chance for us to look at what is going on in the month to come and make sure we are on the same page.

April Fools!!!

MarthaStewart.com had some cute and harmless April Fools Day jokes.(Though I don't know how harmless the fake cockroach is). Click on the link for some good ideas. Let me know if anyone uses any of them and how it turns out. Also, post any other April Fools ideas you may know. Mom's always need a good laugh :)
http://www.marthastewart.com/

Fake Ding Dongs

I got this idea from the blog Bakerella. In my house we think they taste a lot like ding dong. Not quite the same, but close. You bake a chocolate cake and let it cool completely. You then break the cake up into crumbs in a bowl. Add a container of cream cheese frosting. Mix until smooth. Form into little balls, or whatever shape you prefer. Put them on a cookie sheet in the fridge so the can firm up (or in the freezer to speed up the process). When ready, dip in chocolate. You're done! We love them. I suppose you could use any kind of cake or frosting depending on what flavor you want. It anyone tries this with different flavors, let me know how they turn out.

Picaboo.com Offer

I got this email yesterday from www.picaboo.com. "Buy Any Book, Get An Extra Copy Free; Ends Monday March 31st at Midnight PST. Use coupon code MARBGF at checkout for instant savings." It's on those digital scrapbooks, all you have to do is upload your pictures.

-Sara Phillips

Homemade Girl Scout Cookie

I came across a blog with some recipes for homemade Girl Scout Cookie. I didn't try them, by if anyone does try them, let me know if they are any good. Click on the cookie recipe you want and it should take you to the link.
Samoas
Do-si-dos
Tagalongs
Thin Mints

Bakerella

I found a fun blog.
http://bakerella.blogspot.com/
She has lots of fun ideas for cooking. Some are easier to make than others. I did the Shamrock Truffles (I just did strips not shamrocks on top) They turned out so yummy. A little messy but not too hard. And the Kiddos could help you roll them into balls.

Gobble Bag

Or Gummy Bag for anyone who attended Joy School. This is a cute idea to teach your children to pick up after themselves. If anyone tries it, let me know how it worked for your kids. http://www.ldslivingmagazine.com/articles/show/351