The Lent Experiment - Day 43

The Lent Experiment is on day 43 and we are close to the end of our experiment. As we enter the Easter weekend, please take some time to reflect on your participation in The Lent Experiment. Since many of us decided to participate in the experiment due to our decision to 'take up' something for lent as opposed to the usual 'give up', I think it only makes sense to ask if you grew in any way as a result of your participation? Just something to think about...

Your choices for today are:

1 - Take care of a sick friend or family member. There are many nasty bugs floating around out there, not to mention sinus infections and allergies. Purchase a box of tissues, orange juice, some chicken noodle soup, and a magazine. It's nice to feel looked after when you're not feeling well!

- or -

2 - Cancel a debt. Does someone owe you a coffee? Cancel the debt and turn it around...bring them another coffee.

Your Girlfriend,
Michelle

Wanna Make it Wednesday - More Easter Stuff!!

I'm not ready for Easter yet!! Can you believe that? I mean, I have blogged about things to make for friends and family for Easter, recipes to compliment your Easter ham, ideas for crafts to make with your littles for Easter, things to bake with your children to teach them the meaning of Easter, and of course, lots and lots of ideas for what to put in your children's Easter baskets! You would think with all of that, I would be prepared, but alas, I am not! So, instead of taking care of all the things I should be doing, I have decided to instead, blog. Here are a bunch of things that I want to do for Easter - with the exception of the last two items - all will have to wait until next year. Enjoy!!

How about a simple gift of peeps? Personally, not a favorite of mine, but so many of my friends love, love, love peeps. How about topping off a bag of peeps with an extremely cute Easter topper? Eighteen25 has the very cute topper available for download. Hop on over!!

I told you a week ago that I am all about wreaths. I found this super cute jelly bean wreath at Nikki's Nifty Knacks. It is made out of speckled jelly beans. Real jelly beans. The kind you eat. Too cute!! Hop on over to Nikki's site for directions!

One of my favorite things to make for my littles are cupcakes. You could say I am obsessed! If you are looking for a festive and fun way to dress up some cupcakes, check out Skip to My Lou. You can hop on over to Cindy's site and download her super cute cupcake toppers to jazz up some simple cupcakes!!

I told you I was a bit obsessed with cupcakes. These are the cupcakes I made last year. Simple cupcakes with icing, edible grass, and mini Cadbury eggs. I purchased the edible grass at Target. The photo and directions can be found at The Felt Mouse.

How cute are these 'carrots'? I love, love, love these!! My dear sweet daughter love, love, loves Cheetos. I will be making her two or three Cheeto 'carrots' to stick in her Easter basket. My son love, love, loves goldfish. He will get two or three of the goldfish 'carrots' in his basket. I like the fact that these are not candy and my little like the fact that they are not really carrots.

I hope you found something helpful here today!!

I will now 'hop to it' and get ready for Sunday!

Your Girlfriend,

Michelle

The Lent Experiment - Day 42

Today is day 42 of The Lent Experiment and while I am anxious to not have to keep up with this aspect of the blog, I will also miss having something special to do each day and knowing that others are out doing the same things. I will say, I think the experiment has had a positive impact on my outlook towards others. I will share more about that next week when I do The Lent Experiment wrap-up. :o) Until then...

Your choices for today are:

1 - Invite three people over to your house for pizza and a movie. Pick a goofy Disney movie designed for kids and laugh at all the parts that a child would never understand. (Aladin is a personal favorite!!)

- or -

2 - Leave someone a small surprise. A piece of chocolate in their make-up bag, a Hershey kiss on the seat of their car, a sheet of stickers under their bedroom door, or a ready-to-eat meal in their fridge. Be imaginative!!!!

Your Girlfriend,
Michelle

Kids in the Kitchen - Resurrection Rolls

Another way to share the Easter story with children is by making Resurrection Rolls. These are a great way to get children cooking in the kitchen while teaching them an important story about Jesus and His resurrection. They are yummy to eat too!!

Resurrection Rolls

1 package crescent rolls
melted butter
large marshmallows
cinnamon
sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus and His purity. Have the child dip the marshmallow in melted butter and in the cinnamon and sugar. This represents the spices used to anoint the body. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow TIGHTLY in the crescent roll, not like a typical crescent roll-up, but instead bring the sides up & seal the marshmallow inside. This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death. Place in a 350 degree oven for ten to twelve minutes. The oven represents the tomb. Pretend like it was three days! When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN! The marshmallow has melted and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.

Your Girlfriend,

Michelle

The Lent Experiment - Day 41

I don't know where you are reading this from, but here in Ohio it is a dreary, dismal kinda day. It is exactly the kind of weather that I think is so fitting for the days leading up to Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Thanks for sticking with The Lent Experiement... you have less than a week to make a difference to those around you.

Your choices for today are:

1 - Today is chivalry day! Get your politeness on by holding open doors, helping carry bags, letting people go in front of you, saying please and thank you, letting cars pull out in front of you. Let politeness know no boundaries!

- or -

2 - Make someone a card to let them know you love them, you appreciate their friendship, or that you are thankful they are in your life.

Your Girlfriend,
Michelle

PS - Yes, I am aware that 'kinda' is not a word.

Momsense Monday - What to put in Easter Baskets?

Easter is just days away and with that comes the task of filling Easter baskets for our little ones. Traditionally, Easter baskets have been all about candy, but with a new respect for teaching our children healthy eating habits, moms are looking for alternatives for their childrens baskets. Here is a long list of alternatives for you to consider...

Pre-School to Elementary Age
Sidewalk Chalk
Crayons, Markers, Paints, Glue Sticks
Coloring Books
Yo-Yo’s
Bubbles
Squirt Guns
Swim
Goggles
Blow-up Rafts, Swim Toys
Balls
Polly Pockets
Play-Doh, Silly Putty
Favorite Snacks
Gift cards - Movies, Ice Cream, McDonalds, Build-a-Bear
Action Figures
Barbie and Accessories
Webkinz
Frisbee
Cards/Small Games
Garden Tools
Doll Accessories
Trading Cards
Jump Rope
Books
Bubble Bath
Rubber Duckies/Bath Toys
Character Tooth Brush/Paste
CD’s
DVD’s
Flip Flops
Aqua Socks
Swim Suit
Hair-bows, Bands, Ribbons
Jewelry
Game Cartridges
Board Games
Book

Tweens/ Teens
Make-up
Lotions
Hair products
Gift Cards – Starbucks, McDonald’s, Borders, iTunes
Shaving Cream and Razor
Perfume/Cologne
T-shirts
Beverages - Jones Soda/Monster Drinks
Wallets
Jewelry
Flip Flops
Sunglasses
Swim Suit
Beach Towel
Nail Polish
Stationary/Note Cards
Movie Passes
Journal
Magazine/Book
Suntan Lotion
Toothbrushes/paste
Books
CD’s
DVD’s
Frisbee
Favorite snacks/cookies/chips

Helpful Hints:
* Think of items you will most likely have to buy for them over the next few months anyways, such as Swim Suit, Flip-Flops, Sunglasses etc. These make great Easter Basket fillers!

*What hobbies or interest does your child or teen have –

Reading, Sports, Crafts, Gardening, Music, etc…

*My Favorite places to shop for Easter fillers are Target, Wal-mart,

Dollar Tree, Dollar store, Craft stores, Sale and clearance items

*Think of unique ‘baskets’ – beach bucket, back-pack, gardening bucket, purse, tool box, etc…

Have fun finding fabulous things to put in your kids baskets! If you have more ideas, I would love to hear about them!!

Your Girlfriend,

Michelle

The Lent Experiment - Day 40

Happy Sunday ya'll! Enjoy your day today, whether it be with friends, family, or all by yourself!

Your choices for today are:

1 - It's Sunday, the day of rest, so do something to help someone relax. (You thought I was going to tell you to take the day off – nice try!) Run them a nice bath, make them a cup of tea, buy them a nice magazine, give someone a massage, or pick up a movie of their choice and watch it together. Exhale and remember to relax!

- or -

2 - Tell your parents how much they mean to you. You can do this in person, over the phone, or in letter form. My brother-in-law wrote his father a poem reminiscing about his memories of his father. His father was blown away!

Your Girlfriend,
Michelle