Easy Father's Day Gift: Drink Coasters

I firmly believe holidays should be maintained, even when there aren't young kids in the picture, but what do you get for your dad when they are a grandpa and already have everything they want? In fact, we seem to be always downsizing in our family so we tried to go low-key this father's day with some cute drink coasters made by the kids (somewhat).

Supplies:

Drawing paper*

Drawing materials*

Corkboard contact paper/shelf liner

Clear contact paper/shelf liner

Scissors

*Alternately, you can have the kids use tissue paper cut up small for a stained glass effect! It just has to be flat to seal properly.

To make the drink coasters:

1. Have the kids draw a little picture. You can either go the easy route and give them a 4"x4" piece of paper to decorate or you can give them 2.75"-3" squares to decorate (we went the 2.75" route and made borders).

2. Unroll the clear contact paper, cut off a strip slightly larger than the size you want for your coasters (we did 4" square coasters so we cut off a strip that was 5" wide and as long as the roll of contact paper, about 20" roughly), and place the pictures drawing side down on the clear contact paper. If you are doing a frame, make sure you place the frame and then the drawing!

3. Unroll the corkboard contact paper, cut off a strip slightly larger than you want for the coasters (we did 5" wide and as long as the roll of contact paper, about 20" roughly), and remove the backing.

4. Very carefully (we had two people doing this!), flip the clear contact paper onto the corkboard so the sticky sides are touch. There is no going back here so go slow!

5. Cut out each coaster to the desired size, separating the coasters and trimming excess corkboard and plastic.

Yes, these really are very water resistant! I held it under running water for 30 seconds until it was soaked through and the image did not smudge. I think its a cute little gift that my father-in-law can enjoy for awhile!

My husband carefully lays the frame down on the clear contact paper. Once the frame was down, he placed the kids' picture inside the circle.

Time for the flip! I held down to corkboard while my husband flipped the clear contact paper onto it so the sticky sides were touching.

My husband recommends going really slow as you lay the clear contact paper down on the corkboard, going from one end to the other and smoothing it as you go.

My husband carefully trims each coaster to size.

Look at these cute coasters!

Basic Pasta and Meat Sauce

A basic, basic pasta and meat sauce recipe for my husband to use to make dinner :) I look forward to his notes and measurements to improve the recipe.

Basic Pasta and Meat Sauce:

Ingredients:
1 jar Mid's Marinara, blended
1.5 lbs lean ground turkey
Pasta (fettucine, linguine...etc)
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Directions:
1. Brown the ground turkey on medium heat, breaking it apart as you cook it. Season generously with salt, pepper, and italian seasoning. Taste it to make sure the meat tastes good to you.
2. Add the blended marinara sauce and let it simmer together.
3. Fill a pot with water, break the noodles in half and add to pot. Bring to a boil. Check frequently to see if they are al dente ALTERNATELY: Bring pot of water to boil, break noodles in half, cook (mixing occasionally to prevent sticking and boiling over) for the recommended time on package.
4. Drain most of the water out of the noodles, leaving approximately 1/8 cup. Add noodles and remaining water to meat sauce.
5. Cook together for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Mix together.
6. Serve.

Veggie serving suggestions:
Roasted Veggies

1. Preheat the oven to 415F.
2. Wash the veggies.
3. Line cookie sheet with tin foil. Spray with PAM.
4. Put veggies on cookie sheet. Spray with PAM and lightly salt.
Seasoning Notes:
Broccoli: salt and pepper
Green Beans: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Asparagus: salt only

Board Game Scavenger Hunt

Game Scavenger Hunt

I used to play a particular computer game with my mom where you played mini-games and earned coded clues to find a bad guy and win a prize but I can't remember the name of it so I decided to recreate a real life version to mix up this COVID-19 quarantine situation.

Goal: Win games to earn coded clues and find a prize.

How it Works:

1. Parents create a code key with the type of prize, the room it is in, and two categories for where in the room. Also create a little "book" of the different codes on a piece of paper (ie, if you look at the paper below, Treats category was frog stamps and each reward was represented by a different number of frogs.) Roll a six sides die for each category and hide the prize!

Our code key (please excuse the errors! We were very tired 😂):

We created Four categories (Treat, Room, Where, and Object in the room it was near), each represented by a different stamp (Treats=frogs, Room=spider, Where=Bat, and Object=Lizard). Each category had Five options, plus a Sixth mystery option. I numbered the options and that was the code (ie, a plushy was indicated by 4 Frogs and the kitchen was indicated by 1 Spider).

The bottom card is the roll results (we used the Google die roller). The first row is my oldest: He got a 6, 5, 4, 1 so he got a mystery treat in the reading room in front of the table. My little one got a 4, 4, 3, 5 so he got a plushy in the bathroom underneath the counter.


Their code book, with a completed code card underneath: (there are some stamps on the backs of the pages too)

The two larger pages are the code book. As we played, he earned clues which we stamped onto his code card (the smaller notecard on the bottom). After he had a clue for each category, he was able to find his prize by counting how many of each kind of stamps he had and finding the word associated with that number of stamps. Ie, he had four frogs which indicated he had won a plushy.

2. Play a board game or card game (either the same game four times or different games). For extra fun, set up a different game in different rooms of your house and make the kid travel around to find the games and the prizes. When your child wins a game, give them the stamps on a paper that coordinate with where their prize is.

Tips:
*Choose shorter games because they have to complete several to find their prize. Save Monopoly, Life, and similar for a time when they are the only game you play.
*There is also no reason you have to stick to board games. You could always play active games too, indoors or out!
*Depending on the age of the child, you can adjust the rules. You can give them stamps for completing the game with a good attitude, to make it go faster.
*Prizes: You can use small gifts, treats, or anything the child might find rewarding. If you don't want to do food or item prizes, you can put a card in the hiding spot indicating what they won (ie, extra video game time, extra bedtime story, a special bike and picnic outing, etc) <- this blog post was written during a time of government enforced social distancing so it does not include interactions with people outside the home (thanks COVID-19). Once we are free of these restrictions, use your imagination!
*For younger kids: have them participate in cooperative games, matching games, and simple card games (ie, War).


Game Ideas: (suggestions vary in length. Choose games according to the age of your child and how long you have time for/how long their attention span is)

Battleship (this one can take awhile, though! so be aware)
Mancala (you can do a version on a sheet of paper with markers, if you don't have a set)
Uno
Card Games (see below)
Chutes and Ladders
Candy Land
Checkers
Guess Who
Tic Tac To
Memory

A deck of standard playing cards:
War
Slap Jack
Old Maid
Egyptian Rat Screw


But wait! What if you don't have any of these games, or want to play something ELSE? Sometimes I feel like I'm in a game rut and I want to try something new. There are some games you can print out or draw on a piece of paper and use anything you want as markers (we usually use decorative glass marbles as alternatives). These don't even get into the MASSIVE print and play movement where there are tons of little card games that people put together.

Alternative Game Ideas: (games that only need a pen, paper, and markers to play!)

*Tigers and Goats
I grew up calling this game Tiger and Bird, from a set that my dad acquired in the 80s. There are two tigers and 20 goats. The goal of the game is for the tiger to eat all the goats, or the goats to surround the tigers. Its not as easy as it sounds! Even my gamer husband loves this game and finds it challenging, but the 4 and 7 year old can play it too.
https://www.mastersofgames.com/rules/tigers-goats-rules.htm (5x5 board)

*Seega
Place all your pieces and then try to capture your opponent's pieces!
http://www.cyningstan.com/game/120/seega (5x5 board)

*Dara
Take turns to place all your pieces on the board, the move to capture all your opponent's pieces!
http://www.cyningstan.com/game/148/dara (5x6 board)

*Shisima
My gamer husband may like this more than the kids (but its fun for all). Try to get your pieces three in a row.
https://b-inspiredmama.com/shisima-cool-math-game/ (Octagon, played on the points and in the middle)

*Five Field Kono
My 7 year old is way too good at this checkers like game!
https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/five-field-kono/  (4x4 board, played on the intersections)

*Tetris
I found a printable version of Tetris! Very cool! https://onemamasdailydrama.com/tetris-printable-game-board-pieces/

*Code Breaker
Use the rules for the boardgame Mastermind but draw it on a sheet of paper with crayons instead of using pegs. I began playing this game with my son when he was 2! For younger kids, give them verbal feedback on their codes and make sure to explain the logic when they make their next guess. (Ie "If this one was the right color and wrong spot, what should we do?" and make suggestions)
Rules: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastermind_(board_game)


General Resources: (check out more games and rules here! Most, if not all, can be played with pen, paper, and markers. Sometimes a die too)

https://www.mastersofgames.com/cat/board/board-games-historical.htm

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/games/

https://b-inspiredmama.com/category/play-and-learn/fun-with-games/



Solitary game resources: (games the kids can play by themselves, once you teach them the rules!)

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/solitaire-board-games/ So many options! Peg Triangle Game (like the one at Cracker Barrel), Patience, and CrissCross.

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/tchuka-ruma/ Solitary Mancala

Breakfast Bake To Go

I wake up before dawn to go to work which is really rough when the 4 year old doesn't fall asleep until 10 or I need to stay up late to get the kiddos set up for the next day. The later I can wake up and still make it to work on time is the best so I take my breakfast to work to save time and give myself some extra Z's!

Oatmeal in a Jar

Most people have heard of overnight oats by now and its quite popular but I actually don't like it. Instead, I put the oatmeal (quick oats) and any dry ingredients in a mason jar the night before. Just before I head out the door, add milk and any syrups. For me, it has the perfect texture this way!

High Protein Alternative

My coworker used to make this oatmeal every day. I have never tried it but she swore by it! She put oatmeal and spices in a jar but, instead of milk, she used egg whites. She said it tasted like an oatmeal muffin and it definitely smelled amazing!


Breakfast Bake in a Jar

My favorite innovation! On the weekend, I broil a bag of raw hash browns until lightly browned and cook any bacon or sausage I plan on putting in the breakfast bake. I prep five jars with some hash browns and breakfast meat (you could also add some sauteed veggies like leeks or spinach), after they have cooled, and put the jars in the fridge. Right before I head out the door, I scramble two or three eggs and pour them (still raw) into the mason jar. I add some cheese at this point too. At work, I microwave for 1.5 minutes and it tastes fantastic.
I was super skeptical about this but I noticed these breakfast cups in the grocery store and it sounded good on the label but the price was way too expensive. This is way cheaper and customizable for how much you like to eat in the morning.


On Morning Smoothies:
I love morning smoothies with some spinach in it but, since I am up so early, it would be mean to my family and neighbors if I made a smoothie at 5 am. It really frustrates me that smoothies are so frequently offered as a good breakfast alternative, or maybe my blender is just weirdly loud? But a good weekend smoothie is fantastic! My favorite blend is (using frozen fruit) strawberries, peaches, mango, and blueberries (and some spinach if I have some) with orange juice. I sometimes put it in a bowl with roasted coconut flakes and toasted old-fashioned oats (and a few chocolate chips) for a delicious smoothie bowl (healthier people would add more fresh fruit to it too).

Fan Girl-ing: Garlic Parmesan Chicken

We were in the grocery store, Sunday night, and I was desperately googling to find a quick, easy recipe that maybe possibly the kids would eat. Stumbled on an instant pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe and decided to give it a shot. Fantastic!! For the original recipe, follow the link below:

https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-garlic-parmesan-chicken/

Recommendations:
- Use 1/2 cup extra half and half (at least) for extra sauce. The sauce is so good, it goes quick!
- Instead of noodles, I used baby potatoes (the pre-cleaned, steam in the bag variety). I made it with noodles another time, however, and it was amazing!
- Recommended veggies to go with: roasted asparagus, roasted broccoli, steamed artichoke hearts.

Easy Steak Sandwiches

Last night, we had sweet Italian sausages with grilled onion and bell pepper on potato bread. It was pretty good but then we were left with 3 lonely buns afterwards.
In a fit of genius the next afternoon, I decided to buy some delicious looking Denver steaks to have steak sandwiches. So good! The secret is, besides butter, using a grill (we use a Presto Indoor grill https://www.amazon.com/Presto-09020-Touch-Electric-Indoor/dp/B003WTKYAW).

Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs Denver steaks
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped mushrooms
- 1/2 an onion, sliced
- butter
- salt
- pepper
- potato hot dog buns

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375
Heat to griddle to 350

1. Salt and pepper steaks (they should be at room temperature)
2. Melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter onto the griddle. Add the onions on one half the griddle and brown the steaks on the other side (4 mins per side.
3. When the onions are onions are soft and browned, add the mushrooms and cook until soft. Salt and pepper the mushrooms and onions (you can also wait to salt and pepper until the next step, after you them on the steaks) .
4. On a cookies sheet on tinfoil sprayed with vegetable oil, carefully place the steaks. Place the mushrooms and onions on top (feel free to add a teaspoon of butter to each steak).
5. Bake about 5 mins per inch
6. Let the steaks cool for 10 mins before slicing, with a half tablespoon butter on each steak as it cools. Slice into small chunks and serve on hot dog buns.


I have some more to add but my husband wants me to publish it right now so he add it to his recipe box, it was that good! So check back for some updates.

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

This is a recipe write up specially requested by my husband. At 5 pm today, he graciously ran out to the store and I tried to throw dinner together as fast as possible. I originally intended to make a French Onion Beef Casserole but I didn't want to use canned ingredients. Then I just wanted to make it in one pot and get it over with asap and, oh wait, yds and dh can't have tomato in their dinner (acid reflux trigger :/). So this was born!

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef (92/8 or leaner)

1 cup of finely chopped yellow or sweet onion

1 cup of finely chopped baby bella mushrooms that have been thoroughly washed

1 shallot, finely chopped

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp mustard powder

2 tb flour

4 cups water

2 1/2 tb Better than Bouillon beef base

3/4s bag egg noodles

2 tb butter

4 oz sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and saute until soft and golden. (Sometimes I put the lid on to help the onions along)

2. Add the mushrooms. Saute together for 3-4 minutes. Add the mustard powder and nutmeg. Salt and pepper to taste (my husband's Least favorite words. I did about five twists of my salt shaker and five twists of the pepper one).
3. Sprinkle the flour over everything, mix well, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.

4. Add the shallot.

5. Add the beef base and mix it in. QUICKLY follow with the water.

6. Add the noodles. Cover, cook per the directions on your egg noodles (mine said about 9 minutes).
7. Stir in the sour cream and serve hot.

Let me know if you have any recipe tweaks! Happy cooking and good luck feeding the tiny gremlins.

One way we got our yds to eat was with the our newly instituted marble system. Here's how it works:

Each kid gets their own jar for putting their earned marbles in. 

Every day, each kid has their own marble missions. 6 year old can sweep, help with dishes, help with his brother, and read to the cat. 3 year old gets a marble for using the potty and cleaning up toys. 

They can have bonus marble missions too, like if I need help with cooking or laundry, they can each earn a marble for helping. 

And, of course, they get random "Caught you being good" marbles (mostly for the 6 year old). One particularly awesome "Caught you being good" marble earned by the 6 year old was when he decided to do a math workbook while he waited for breakfast. 

We rarely take away marbles and only do so after one warning immediately prior (ie, "Stop jumping in the house, please. If I have to remind you again, I will take away a marble. Jump on the trampoline instead!") except in instances where they hurt each other. 

They use the marbles to buy things, like chocolate milk, treats, board game playing  toys, science experiments* (they also get free science experiments!), and even trips to Chuck E Cheese or other play places. Marbles are a free market, however, and based on supply and demand. Yds is racking up marbles from potty training so his stuff costs more than ods's (ie, the same toy cost yds 12 marbles while it only cost ods 8). They cannot spend their marbles on whatever they want but they can ask to. Ie, yds cannot buy a chocolate milk or treat before dinner nor can ods buy a science experiment when we're super busy or its time for bed. 

How does this help yds eat dinner? Well, we told him he could only buy a chocolate milk if he ate his dinner. Heck, I may even start giving him a marble if he tries 3 bites of dinner but we're not quite there yet, still in the testing phases. 

And let me tell you, this game brings out THE BEST in 6 year old. Its amazing. I'll highly recommend it! I can't take credit for this, though. His doctor told me about it because we were all frustrated because we knew he wasn't doing the best he could do, but we didn't know how to help him. We only started over summer, though, because he started floundering fast without school keeping him scheduled and engaged. And hey, the kid does chores, reading, and math BY HIS OWN CHOICE and finds it fun because he gets a reward. 

*Science experiments? That's just the fun sounding name for arts and crafts projects. We also have dreams of doing a science journal with it (see me sneaking in STEAM projects over summer break? hehehe). The other day, for a free science experiment, we explored the baking soda and vinegar interaction. We also mixed food dyed water with droppers (actually less messy than it sounds, honestly. They did it while I cooked breakfast without dumping the water on the ground.).