Keeping Cool

We have finally been getting some "real summer" around here.  The days are hot and sticky, and we are finding ourselves spending a lot of time at splash parks and pools.  Last summer, we would have definitely been going through our fair share of freezer pops and other brightly-colored popsicles.  Now, with our diet and lifestyle changes, we have had to seek out alternatives to the freezer treats filled with high fructose corn syrup and chemical food dyes.  Here's a peek into some of our favorite frozen treats this summer.

1.  Banana "Ice Cream" - This one has been bouncing around Pinterest for a while now.  You simply take some very ripe bananas, slice them up, and freeze them.  When they are frozen solid, put them in your food processor and run it.  At first, it will just look like thousands of tiny granules of banana, but as you keep running the processor, it will turn into a creamy substance that has the same texture as ice cream.  It tastes great just as it is, or you can blend in a little cocoa powder or peanut butter for a different flavor.  This has been a fantastic treat for Little Sprout, who is teething like mad.

2.  Frozen Watermelon Cubes - This one happened to us by accident.  We bought a huge watermelon for a picnic and couldn't finish it all.  The Nerd decided to cut up the rest into cubes and put them in the freezer, thinking they would work well in smoothies.  And they do!  But the Beast and I love eating them frozen - a cold and very hydrating treat.  So so good - I'm snacking on some now while I type this post!

3.  Other Frozen Fruit - Blueberries and grapes are fantastic snacks when frozen.  We also like to munch on frozen mango slices.  But ask my kids what their favorite frozen thing is?  Peas.  Yes, you read that right.  I buy big bags of frozen peas at Costco, and my kids love to snack on them.  Who knew?

4.  Yogurt Popsicles - You can get popsicle molds anywhere.  I even found them at the dollar store.  I fill mine with organic vanilla yogurt, sometimes adding cocoa powder to make fudgsicles.  Lemon yogurt makes the best popsicles, in my opinion.

Our church's VBS gives out freezer pops to all the kids when they leave each evening.  It was a little hard on the Beast especially the first night to say no to the bright blue pops and wait until we got home for his treat.  But the rest of the week, he remembered the yummy popsicles waiting in the freezer at home and was able to pass on the freezer pops without a problem.  (Well, except the fact that he had to announce to everyone in a loud voice that the freezer pops had yucky food coloring in them.  We are still working on manners and tact.)

I am glad to have found so many delicious frozen treats that the kids genuinely enjoy.  Very occasionally, we allow them to have some Tillamook chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  It's all natural and perfectly find to have in moderation, but we kind of like keeping it to ourselves.  ;)

It looks like we'll have no trouble staying cool this August!

Valentines Scavenger Hunt

What is one to do to ensure that her homeschooled daughter receives a whole pile of Valentines on the holiday of love? Have a Valentines scavenger hunt, of course. All you need is a bunch of valentines, candy, paper, and a pen, and you're set to make this a tradition in your house. (The Drama Queen loved it so much that she asked if we could have a scavenger hunt for every holiday!)

Anyway, the night before Valentines Day I went around the house and hid sweet little valentines and candy for the kids, three of each in each hiding spot so no kid was left out. I then wrote out a series of (easy!) clues for the kids to use to find all their treats. Here is a little glimpse into the action: (disclaimer - our hunt took place first thing after breakfast. The Drama Queen had already gotten dressed, but somehow the Beast had become Spiderman during the night and the Spud had lost his pajama pants. I took photos anyway.)

Mommy Guilt ?

Running errands is not my favorite way to spend my day. And when I have the wonderful privilege of taking along three children (who cannot get along for just one second, thank you very much!), well, it just falls further and further down my list of least favorite things to do. Especially when those adorable children all initiate that whiny tone of voice and complain about everything - including but not limited to: my feet hurt, I'm tired of this store, why can't we get some candy, I want to look at the toys, she's looking at me, this is so boring...

So. When I do have to accomplish this most unpleasant task, afterwards I often feel the van pulling into a Starbucks drive-thru, as if led by some invisible magnet. Having survived an hour or two of whining and fighting, I most certainly deserve a reward, and most often I prefer my reward to be full of sugar and caffeine. We then head home with momma a much happier and calmer person, which is really good for everyone all around.

Recently, a friend asked me if I felt guilty about doing that. "Doing what?" I wondered, trying to decide what new slice of mommy guilt to add to my already burgeoning pie. "You know," she said. "Buying a drink for yourself and not getting the kids anything." Honestly, I had never thought about it. But now, the question was out there, and I considered it.

And here's my take: absolutely no! I think moms should be able to enjoy many treats that don't have to be shared with the offspring. (anyone else wait until their kids go to bed so that they can eat their favorite ice cream?!) Just because Momma is getting a treat, it certainly doesn't mean the kids all need (or deserve) a treat too. Beyond that, as a conscientious parent, I definitely will not reward whining or squabbling with a treat. My final reason? Starbucks is way too expensive to treat all the kids! *

What do you think? Should I feel guilty for not treating my kids when I treat myself?

*disclaimer: I have been known to very occasionally get a couple of chocolate milks with whipped cream for charming and deserving children on a trip to my favorite coffee shop. I am not a total ogre. :)