Part 1: A Day in The French Quarter

We spent a few hours in the French Quarter today.

No words really required for these photos!

(More to come later!)

French Quarter

We spent a few hours in the French Quarter today.

No words really required for these photos!

(More to come later!)

Dying Easter Eggs

As a kid, we loved to dye Easter Eggs. On Sunday, my kids got a chance to dye eggs. It was so much fun and we have tons of eggs for the big day! If you want some techniques on how to dye eggs at home, check out this video here: http://mccormick.com/Holidays/Easter.aspx?tab=Decorate&cmpid=PaidSearch_Easter10_Google_how-to-dye-easter-eggs_ex

A Perfect Spring Day...(Vacation)

Welcome Spring...Not a cloud in the sky!

Started the day with Mother/Daughter Pedicures: I love my new color...

Wow, it's a beautiful day to be outside.. Hiding eggs (yet again)Darn snake...got us back inside in a hurry!

High School: 20 years later

Vacation Day 1 (Granny & Pop's Home)

Loving on Pop Pop The back of Pop's pick up truck is fun when you are 3 & 4.
Sidewalk chalk

Hiding Easter eggs

Vacation Alert

St. Patrick (Irish hat) Cupcakes, super cute!

Betty Crocker's Full Recipe here:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/leprechaun-hat-cookies/c64027b8-9c4f-4e5d-9557-827cc7f89b00?wt.dcsvid=mjq5njk1ntk0mws2&rvrin=c352d999-5d69-4cae-

1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
1/4 teaspoon green gel or paste food color
24 large marshmallows
24 small (1-inch) chewy chocolate candies
12 small green gumdrops

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Roll dough in 24 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place 2 inches apart.
2. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until until edges are light golden brown. Immediately place marshmallow on each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
3. In microwavable bowl, microwave frosting on High 30 seconds. Stir; frosting should be a thick spoonable glaze. Stir food colori into frosting, adding more if needed to achieve desired color. Spoon warm frosting over each cookie, coating completely and allowing excess to drip off. Let stand 20 minutes to set.
4. Roll chocolate candies into ropes. Flatten with rolling pin into 1/8-inch-thick ribbons. Cut into strips with scissors to resemble hat bands; arrange around base of marshmallow on each cookie. Cut gumdrops crosswise in half (reshaping as needed). Press cut side onto hat band. Lift cookies onto serving platter with pancake turner, leaving excess frosting behind. Store in airtight container.

Lent Recipe #3: Fish Stick Lettuce Cups

Van de Kamp’s® and Mrs. Paul’s® Seafood make life easier for those observing Lent by offering creative meal ideas that cater to dietary needs and combat the perpetual challenge of creating fresh ideas in the kitchen. Celebrity

SWEET & SALTY FISH STICK LETTUCE CUPS

Yields 4 Lettuce Cups

Ingredients:

8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked and chopped

4 Iceberg Lettuce Leaves, use ones that are more cupped shaped

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions: Bake the fish sticks according to package or until heated through and crispy. Wash the Iceberg lettuce leaves and pat dry. In a medium mixing bowl, add the honey and soy sauce. Mix together and then add the fish sticks. Coat well. Fill the lettuce cups with the fish stick filling.

Easter bunny cupcakes (Cute and Easy!)

http://familyfun.go.com/how-to-videos/familyfun-easter-bunny-cupcakes-813976-v/

Luck of the Irish (Rainbow Cupcakes)

Luck of the Irish Cupcakes:

It's not far to the gold at the end of this rainbow-topped Emerald Isle cupcake,

just the thing for your lads and lasses on St. Patrick's Day!

You can find the recipe here:

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/st-patricks-day-recipe-rainbow-cupcake-dessert-recipe-685421/

Small Home Improvement Project

In our breakfast nook, we have a small four seater table. As you can see the kids have really stained the cushions, so I wanted to freshen them up.

BEFORE: I found some material on clearance at JoAnn's Fabrics and my friend, Dena, recovered them for me. It's funny how such a small little change can make such a big difference!

AFTER:

Lent Recipe #2: FISH STICK TACOS WITH AN AVOCADO CREAM

FISH STICK TACOS WITH AN AVOCADO CREAM

Yields 4 Tacos

Ingredients:

8 Van de Kamp’s® or Mrs. Paul’s® Fish Sticks, baked

1 avocado, peeled and mashed until creamy

4 teaspoons sour cream

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 corn tortillas

1 cup shredded cheese blend, use your favorite

1 cup cabbage, shredded

Directions: Bake fish sticks at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. In a bowl, mix avocado, sour cream and lemon juice until creamy. Heat up tortillas, spread the avocado cream in the center, then add cheese, 2 fish sticks and then top with cabbage.

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Van de Kamp’s® and Mrs. Paul’s® Seafood make life easier for those observing Lent by offering creative meal ideas that cater to dietary needs and combat the perpetual challenge of creating fresh ideas in the kitchen.

Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s Fish Sticks are made from only 100% Whole White Fish Fillets for a great tasting, crunchy fish stick that you can feel good about. Some brands of fish sticks are made from minced fish, which means that bits of the fish have been pulverized and reformed into the form of a stick.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids

Here are two crafts for young kids and toddlers from Disney FamilyFun Magazine:

Wee Leprechaun:

Make-your-own leprechaun! http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/wee-leprechaun-667671/

Green Stamp:

Spread the luck o' the Irish this St. Patrick's Day with a homemade shamrock stamp. Use it to decorate paper place mats, coasters, tablecloths, or anything else your little leprechauns wish to dress in green. http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts-recipes-gallery-848733/#Green%20Stamp;1

Monday: Animal Kingdom Photos

7 hours = 2 moms + 3 toddlers + 1 baby!

WHEW!

A visit to Animal Kingdom

7 hours = 2 moms + 3 toddlers + 1 baby!

WHEW!