June 2012 – Page 2 – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Outdoor Play date: Edible Finger Paint and Fizzy Sidewalk Paint

June 9, 2012July 11, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

This morning our preschooler nearly became consumed by the anticipation of having his bestest friend from preschool come over with her siblings for a play date. He sat in the rocking chair located directly in front of our living room window and began rigorously rocking a half hour before his friend was due to arrive, he was officially on the lookout. Every once in a while he would stop rocking, sit up, and gaze out the window at the site of a vehicle approaching our home. Then he would let out a sigh of disgust upon realizing it wasn’t them. Then finally…right on time…they showed up! It took all he had in him not to run out to their van and physically bring them into our home. He was beaming with excitement!

Let the Playdate begin….

We started off with Edible Finger Paint….

Edible Paint Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 3/4 cup cold water

1 envelope of unflavored gelatin (I used Knox)

1/4 cup cold water

Directions:

Mix together cornstarch and water in a saucepan until there’s no lumps.

Mix together gelatin and water and set aside.

Cook cornstarch mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it boils. It’ll become thick as you’re stirring.

Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin mixture.

Cool and pour into smaller containers. Add food coloring for desired colors.

Source:http://voices.yahoo.com/3-craft-paint-recipes-egg-yolk-paint-laundry-starch-5936168.html

Then we moved on to Fizzy Sidewalk Paint…..

Roughly measure the following [for each color]:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 box baking soda

A squeeze of washable paint

A couple tablespoons of water

Directions:

Stir together and add water until its a little soupier than you’d prefer, the mixture thickens up as you’re working with it. [You can always add more water to it if it gets too thick.]

Source: http://handsonaswegrow.com/2011/06/outdoor-play-homemade-sidewalk-paint.html

After all their artistic endeavors they had worked up an appetite. Our little preschooler decided the menu for lunch, which included….Annie’s Mac & Cheese, Tulip shaped PB & Js, a variety of yogurts, and for dessert…DIRT!

We all had such a wonderful time!! In fact, our kiddos had a tough time saying goodbye…especially to one little man….

Once our friends left it was nap time/ quiet time…though, the kids would say nap time is for the birds…..there are three baby birds in the nest but only this one popped up to say hello.

I am looking for more fun outdoor crafts, activities, and games to do outdoors! Bring on the summer…bring on the fun! Anyone have a good playdough recipe? Please share your crafts, homemade recipes, outdoor activities, etc.

Toledo Mud Hens & Hollywood Casino!

June 6, 2012June 6, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

We started off our night by kissing our kiddos goodbye knowing they were in the loving care of grandma and grandpa. Then we hopped in the car and headed to Fifth Third Field to watch the Toledo Mud Hens!

I have a confession, I am not a huge baseball fan, I like to go for more of the ballpark experience. I guess I am girly that way. I enjoy the ambience of the park, the cheering crowd, the music, the food, kiss cam, fan fashions, and all around fun experience!

Last night was especially fun because we had the pleasure of meeting some amazing parents of triplets who joined us for the game! It made my night. They were so darn cute….though I don’t think they received the memo that there is not crying in baseball, lol!

After the game we decided to take a detour home and hit Toledo’s new Hollywood Casino!

I am not a huge fan of gambling, in fact, I see it as I am already ahead before I step foot into a casino and I prefer to keep it that way. But again, just like baseball, I like the ambience, the crowd, décor, food, drinks, excitement, and fun that often accompany the Casino atmosphere, just not gambling.

Upon arrival and entering the actual casino I was carded, loving this place already!! They carded me and not my hubby, awesome!

The interior is amazing, the high ceilings, Art Deco décor, sounds, lights, music, and grandiose posters really assisted in portraying an old Hollywood vibe. But beyond the décor and overall feel of the environment I wasn’t all that impressed. For some reason I had it in my mind that there would be more entertainment options besides gambling. Why? No idea. I think I thought there would be a show area or spa, or something for us wives who aren’t huge gambling fans to do while the hubby plays a game of poker. Not the case, which is a shame because the theme is old Hollywood and they could have included a theater where they showed old Hollywood movies or maybe a Hollywood themed small spa for mani/pedis, or just something in addition to gambling. I had foreseen maybe a Moms Night out in the future but after touring the casino I don’t know. Will I go back? Hmm….maybe? But it will not be an establishment that we will frequent.

What is your take on Casinos? Have you been to a Hollywood Casino?

Movie Night: Need your suggestions please!

June 5, 2012June 5, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Our good friends, you know the ones that are contagious, the ones that are so much fun, kind, considerate, and just make you feel all around better after hanging out with them? The ones were you find yourself counting down the days till your next visit? Yep, those friends were back in town visiting family and friends this past week/weekend and we tried to soak up as much time as allotted by their busy schedule. We had a chance to meet up at Story time last week and we had a Moms’ Sleep Under Night (instead of a sleepover night…more to in a future blog) Friday evening that was a lot of fun but we wanted one last visit, if possible. I guess that’s what you get when you are such great people, friends and family what to hang out with you all the time and they simply can’t get enough, lol!

Though, I understand and realize that running from one relative to the next, one friend’s to the next, and one activity to the next can become exhausting. So, since it was toward the end of their visit and the kiddos had been on a sporadic schedule, including sleep schedule, and their mommy had to have been getting towards her wit’s end (though she would never show it, she has such poise, no matter what the situation) I tried to think of a relaxing activity for both the kiddos and moms. Then it came to me, Movie Night!!

So, in our travels that day we stopped at Target and the kiddos picked out some treats for movie night. They decided on popcorn, animal crackers, and apple juice, yum! Then we headed home and prepped the family room for Movie Night. We moved the coffee table, brought down a quilt to lie on the floor for added comfort and easy clean-up, and added cozy pillows.

Then came the most difficult part of the evening, determining which movie to watch? We have a nice selection of girl movies (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Barbie, etc.), boy movies (Batman, Spiderman, etc.) , and then as my son states, baby movies (Winnie the Pooh, Elmo, Veggie Tales but I think that is for older kids too, though he begs to differ). Where we are lacking is in movies that are great for a general audience, boys, girls, and toddlers. We have a few like The Chipmunks (which they unanimously voted on Chipmunks: Shipwrecked), Toy Story 3, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and A Bugs Life but we would like to expand our selection for Family Movie nights as well as Movie Night with friends. So please share…..

What are your kiddo’s favorite movies? Likewise, what are some movies we should steer clear of? What kind of snacks do you serve during Movie Nights?

Bachelorette Party!!

June 3, 2012June 3, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

One of the moms in our playgroup is eagerly counting down the days until her nuptials this summer. It has been a joy listening to her wedding plans and even getting the opportunity to share a memorable night of helping her make her wedding invitation sleeves. She is crafty; she made gorgeous, classy, black, pink, and green sleeves, for each of her wedding invitations to slip into. And then she trusted me and another playgroup mom to help her assemble them, we kept the wine to a one glass minimum that night, lol!

Her story is bitter-sweet because she moved here from Oregon with her fiancé and toddler not even a year ago, actually I think it has only been 7 months now that she has lived here, in Toledo. So, she went across the country to live in a town named Toledo that contained no family or friends. That to me is so brave and I have told her time and again that I don’t think I could have made such a leap of faith. To be home with a toddler while your fiancé goes to work and not know anyone would be scary. But she, being the brave woman she is joined our playgroup, got up enough courage to meet stranger in an unfamiliar location (it was the library…nothing creepy, just unfamiliar), and has made quite an impression on our group and has become one of my close friends.

While sitting there that evening helping her make the sleeves for her wedding invitations and listening to the exciting story of how her and her fiancé met it occurred to me that she is missing out on some of the fun wedding planning extravaganzas that most brides enjoy. She has flown back home and has corresponded back and forth regarding the plans but she is missing out on that fun time with her bridesmaids and friends. So it got me thinking, what could we do to really give her a future bride experience? One thing came to mind right away…..Bachelorette Party!!

Now, mind you, we are not a group of young twenty-year-olds wanting to hit the town till the wee hours and drink till we puke (that personally never sounded like fun even when I was younger….why drink till you puke? No thank you.). And we each have our motherly obligations and duties so this Bachelorette Party would have to be catered to motherhood. Meaning that, each of us would have to get up early with young children and be the main caregiver for the entire day. Also, since almost all of us are married in the group it also meant that we wanted a location that would not compromise our morals or values. So we did our research and came across a great destination, In2Art Studio.

In2Art Studio is located in Perrysburg Ohio, just minutes away from Toledo. It is a studio that offers a welcoming and relaxing environment for you to let your imagination and creativity collide while producing a pottery masterpiece. There are a variety of pottery pieces to select from as well as colors and techniques that Dawn, the owner, can share.

We ended up having 6 wonderful moms at the Bachelorette party and it was a blast! We all decide on a serving platter to make for the bride and groom. Per the owner’s suggestion we had the bride and grooms names, the date of their wedding, a bride and groom image in the center, and each of us contributed a word to the platter that is relevant in marriage (dream, faith, love, laughter, trust, etc).

It was so much fun that we decided that we will definitely be going back and we might even bring our children next time. In2Art Studio has a variety of smaller pieces that children can paint such as a dragon, fish, heart, etc. We might even do a theme day with the kiddos and include a story and small snack that coincides with the item they will be painting, talk about fun!!

Thank you Dawn for a wonderful evening. We enjoyed our time just sitting, kibitzing, and painting without any distractions; it was so peaceful and pleasant.

After In2Art Studios we headed for some guilty bar food at Swigs in Perrysburg. It was so funny, each of us ordered a drink and then wavered on what to order…dare we order greasy food with lots of sauces like….blue cheese….ranch…mayo…etc. It was a night to let loose and indulge and so we did, we had our drink and our sauces/dips too!!

It was so much fun and a wonderful reason to celebrate!!

Good luck to Joseph and Allie as they complete their marriage preparations and may you grow closer with each passing year!

Have you been to, thrown, or had a memorable bachelorette party? Spill!!

Moms mark your Calendars for June 9th: Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign! (Includes easy, healthy, family friendly recipes)

June 2, 2012June 2, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Produce for Kids® is launching its annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign with 16 major supermarket chains across the country, including Ohio Meijer stores, to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Launched this past Sunday, shoppers like you can support local children’s cancer research programs and get healthy at the same time. Thanks to the annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign hosted by Meijer and Produce for Kids, the more produce shoppers add to their shopping lists the more hope they can give to local Ohio children.

Celebrating a milestone 10th birthday in 2012, Produce for Kids is excited to kick off this year’s campaign with a new partnership with Sprout® and LazyTownTM. During the campaign, which will run now through June 23rd, Meijer will offer shoppers collectible Produce for Kids’ Ideal MealsTM – quick and easy healthy meal ideas, which are free and can be found in displays featuring LazyTown characters from the popular, health-focused, children’s series airing exclusively in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool television channel, Sprout.

Ideal Meals offer shoppers chef-created/nutritionist-approved easy solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables as the main ingredients, Ideal Meals are great for busy families who crave fast meal options that don’t require stopping at the local drive-thru.

In store food demos will be taking place in all Ohio Meijer stores on Saturday, June 9th . Ideal Meals will be made so feel free to stop by your local Meijer store to check out the fun with your family!

Below are some delicious and healthful summer-inspired Ideal Meals perfect for any upcoming picnics or BBQs you may be attending and nutritious summer lunch recipe ideas for you and your kids:

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 lb. ground turkey

· 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

· 1 egg

· 1 Tbsp. fresh basil, (or ⅓ Tbsp. dried) chopped fine

· 1 cup mushrooms, washed/dried, sliced

· ½ medium sweet onion, sliced

· 2 Tbsp. butter

· 4 slices, deli style mozzarella cheese (¾ oz. each)

· 1 large tomato, sliced

· 4 whole grain burger buns

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix breadcrumbs, egg, basil, and salt. Once mixed, add ground turkey and mix well. Make patties about the size of the bun.

2. In frying pan, on medium/high heat add butter, mushrooms and onions and cook about 10 minutes until tender and brown. Turn heat to low and keep warm.

3. Pan-fry or grill, on medium heat, burgers until firm (about 4-5 minutes a side).

4. Assemble bun with burger, cheese, tomato and onion/mushroom mixture.

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 apple, cored, sliced

· 4 rainbow peppers, seeded, sliced

· ½ mango, skinned, diced

· ½ fresh lemon, juiced

· 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

1. Thoroughly toss apples, peppers, mango, lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl.

2. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Nutrition Information:

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad Calories 689; Fat ; Protein ; Carbohydrate ; Fiber 14g; Cholesterol 154mg; Sodium 606mg; Calcium 34%DV; Vitamin A 41%DV; Vitamin C 160%DV; Iron 25%DV

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Pineapple Pork Kebobs

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

· ½ cup olive oil

· 2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

· 4 cloves garlic, minced

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

· 1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut 1-inch chunks

· 1 cup pineapple, cut 1-inch chunks

· 1 cup sweet onion, cut 1-inch chunks

· 1 cup rainbow peppers, cut 1-inch chunks

· 10-inch skewers, soaked

Rosemary Veggies

· 2 cups broccoli, chunked

· 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half

· 4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

1. Mix olive oil, rosemary and garlic in small mixing bowl. Divide in half.

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

1. Thread pork, pineapple, onions and peppers onto skewers.

2. Brush skewers with half of Rosemary Garlic Marinade, season with salt. Let stand 5 minutes.

3. Place skewers under preheated broiler 5 inches from heat; broil 10-15 minutes or until meat is firm and lightly browned.

Rosemary Veggies

1. Heat remaining marinade in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cherry tomatoes, cook for 5 minutes, or until broccoli is bright green and tender.

2. Remove from heat and add cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Pineapple Pork Kebobs: Calories 580, Fat 33.7g, Protein 33.3g, Carbohydrate 34.8g, Fiber 5.5g, Cholesterol 83mg, Sodium 335mg, Calcium 257mg, Vitamin A 1171 IU, Vitamin C 103.2mg, Iron 3.3mg

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Tasty Hummus Sandwich

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

· 8 slices whole wheat bread

· 4 Tbsp. hummus

· 4 Tbsp. guacamole

· 4 romaine lettuce leaves

· 4 Tbsp. goat cheese

· 2 mini cucumbers, sliced

· 1 medium tomato, sliced

Directions:

1. Toast bread. Spread 1 Tbsp. hummus and guacamole on 1 slice of bread, add 1 romaine lettuce leaf, spread 1 Tbsp. goat cheese, then add cucumber and tomato slices.

2. Top with second slice of bread.

Nutrition Information:

Tasty Hummus Sandwich Calories 381, Fat 9.7g, Protein 15.1g, Carbohydrate 59.3g, Fiber 9.8g, Cholesterol 6mg, Sodium 452mg, Calcium 122mg, Vitamin A 3187 IU, Vitamin C 15.6mg, Iron 4.3mg

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Perfectly Petite Pizzas

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

· 2 whole wheat English muffins

· 4 Tbsp. tomato sauce

· ¼ lb. deli roast beef

· ¼ lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced

· 4 Tbsp. guacamole

· 1 medium tomato, sliced

· 2 mini cucumbers, sliced

Directions:

1. Toast English muffins.

2. Spread 1 Tbsp. tomato sauce on each English muffin. Add roast beef, cheese, 1 Tbsp. guacamole, tomato and cucumber.

Nutrition Information:

Perfectly Petite Pizzas Calories 256, Fat 9.1g, Protein 18.7g, Carbohydrate 24.9g, Fiber 5.1g, Cholesterol 43mg, Sodium 391mg, Calcium 257mg, Vitamin A 861 IU, Vitamin C 26mg, Iron 2.2mg

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To find other great recipes revolving around fresh produce visit: www.produceforkids.com. Also, be sure to follow PFK on Pinterest for even more fun recipe ideas!

Meet ya in the produce isle….

12 Weeks of Summer Vacation Sweepstakes – 12 Family Vacations to Win

June 1, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Not sure where to go on vacation this summer? Not sure if there is still time to book your room and travels? Perhaps money is tight and you will be staycationing? Then, have I got a great opportunity for you……

Register to win a summer family vacation. This summer USFamilyGuide.com has created a promotion that celebrates the family vacation by giving away 12 incredible trips for families looking to create their own memories. Win vacation packages to San Francisco, Zion Utah, Cancun Mexico, Pennsylvania, Galveston Island, Colorado and more! They have hand-picked some of the most memorable destinations their families have experienced and asked them to provide a FREE vacation to award to perhaps YOU!

Rules:

1. If you haven’t already, “like” Mom on the go in Holy Toledo (this is easy, just look in the right-hand column of this page for the Facebook box and click on the “like” button).

2. Then click on the image below to be officially entered.

3. You may enter once per day.

4. Share this great opportunity with your friends and family by simply sending them a link to this site.

Prizes will be awarded beginning June 1 through July 31.

Don’t delay, enter today!!!

Thank You Mommy: Story time, Playtime, Water play, and Kids’ Choice for Dinner!

June 1, 2012June 1, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

As I tucked in my little ones tonight we did our usual routine; pj, brush teeth, book, prayers, and bed. And as usual mommy was starting to really start to drag, losing momentum, energy, and patience with each stroke of their tooth brushes. I was thinking about the many chores that still had to be accomplished before the night was through, otherwise, if I did not complete the necessary chores I would hate myself in the morning.

As I tucked our girls into bed I started to think how nice it would be to just lay down and shut my eyes for a moment, knowing full well that if I did actually do that I would not awake until tomorrow morning. So I sucked it up and carried on with the nightly routine. I went through the various blanket options with our toddler. I went back and forth with our kindergartener discussing what would be the best book to read in order to lose her in it and slowly trail off to dreamland without any concern for “scary dreams”. Then I proceeded to our preschooler’s room where upon arrival I stepped in something wet and while cleaning up the water (thank God it was just water!) I simultaneously told him a story about when he was little at his request (like he is twenty or something?….Way back when you were 3 years old…haha) and stared making a mental checklist of my to-dos for the evening: laundry, clothes for tomorrow, fill out forms for doctors and send into preschool, remind self to make doctors appointments in the morning, sanitize water toys, remember to feed the cat (poor thing has been following me around all day), don’t be an ass to your hubby he is also tired from a long day at work, maybe make a meal for the neighbor…..make brownies for dance recital Sunday, don’t forget to go shopping for child’s b-day party Saturday, make grocery list for tomorrow, coupons….crap…coupons! Then, my mommy brain collided with my “to do” list and I sudden found myself expressing those memorable first steps our son took as this….you pulled yourself up, grabbed the couch, stood up, and then…the most magnificent thing happened… something I had been dreaming about since the day you were born…..I ran to get the camera ….and….and….and…coupons!! BUSTED!! I felt horrible he could tell I wasn’t paying attention, my mind was elsewhere, I hate myself when I do that, I need to stay in the moment more.

I apologized to our big blue-eyed four-year-old who was hanging onto every word I uttered during that story. I told him that sometimes mommies get tired and we lose focus. That mommy had a very long day and I still have a long night ahead of me before I get to relax. I felt so bad…here he just wanted to hear something important about himself. Being the middle child and the only boy only added to my guilt. But then he said the most amazing thing, as if he knew I needed a little pick-me-up, he said thank you mommy for today. Thank you for….

Going to Story time at Barnes & Noble…

For going to McDonald’s Play area with our friends….

For the fun Water Play…

And letting us pick dinner…..the Macaroni & Cheeseburger muffins were so good.

And just like that, it was like I had just been given an adrenaline drip. I suddenly had the energy to complete the remaining “to dos” to put aside tomorrow’s “to dos”, and to realize that my hard work as a mom was paying off, and that to me was priceless.

So what is on your “to do” list tonight? Do you ever wonder if anyone in your family ever recognizes all the planning, energy, time, and patience you give? Have you ever felt like surrendering and just going to bed early?