200th post - and Hiatus

Just a coincidence about the 200th post :) I didn't realize it was coming. I was going to try to post every few days while we are away but I have decided to take that self-imposed pressure off of me and let you know I'm not going to post until we return. So no Kid Friendly Friday until July 10th.


Have fun with your families. I am trying to be a less task focused and a more kid friendly mom this summer. Just no stopping by without notice - the place may be in ruins...and we still may be in our jammies!

Wordless Wednesday - Karate Party

The birthday girl!

Cutting the cake with a Samori sword.

Aren't we cute? The "4" shirt.....one of my projects last week.

Karate cake!

Check out more Wordless Wednesday posts HERE , HERE or HERE.

Kid Friendly Friday - My Dad Rocks!

Welcome to Kid Friendly Friday where were share all things kid related.

Isn't this just the cutest Father's Day picture frame? Mimi brought it home from preschool and wanted Daddy to open it right away. Father's Day is not far away but a LONG time for a three year old to wait for a present to be opened. We sometimes break the rules :)

Sherry at A Little Fun With Me and Lu is starting a Kids in the Kitchen carnival on Thursdays starting next week. She cooks a dessert with her daughter every Wednesday (go see) and has inspired me to cook with my girls more often. Don't forget to take pictures of your kids in the kitchen!!

Enter your own Kid Friendly Friday post into Mr. Linky below (just click on the Mr. Linky box and he'll come up in another screen). Recipes, reviews, crafts...you name it. Come back to see what other great ideas are posted. Thank you for participating ~ Enjoy your weekend.

Monogrammed Cookies - Monthly Craft Challenge

Heidi over at Blue Eyed Blessings does a monthly craft challenge. This month the challenge is monograms. My craft this month is edible....monogrammed birthday lollipop cookies. Mimi took them for a school snack last month. Any food on a stick is good for preschoolers! It's extra special if it has your name (initial) on it!

Go check out more crafty ideas at Blue Eyed Blessings! They are sure to inspire you :)

Three Random Things and Thousand Word Thursday

Cheaper Than Therapy holds A Thousand Word Thursday each week. Go visit to check out other pictures! Michelle over at Psalm 104:24 hosts Three Things This Thursday. I like to do them together. Randomness and pictures.

1. When it rains, it pours. I have easy weeks and I have really, really busy weeks. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium. This one is crazy. It's the last week of school for both girls. There are ceremonies, parties, and special event days. Mimi is also having her birthday party on Saturday. She won a karate party during one of the events at the karate studio so we are having her school friends attend. Going with the karate theme I did these cookies for party favors. I am also making a similar cake. Should be a fun time!

2. Last week Mimi had water day at school. My husband brought her flowers that day and was told that Mimi not only had her tankini top on inside out but her bottoms were on crooked and her stuff was hanging out. Nice, mom. Maybe I shouldn't have let her dress herself. The sad part was that after she had dressed in her suit that morning, I put sunscreen on her and didn't notice her disheveled suit. I need to be less focused on the task at hand and begin seeing more of the big picture. Luckily she is too young to care. This is the girl who goes to school almost every day with her shoes on the wrong feet.

3. I can't wait for school to be out. I will miss the girl's teachers dearly but will be glad to have laid back summer days. My husband is a teacher so we really have fun summers. We are leaving for an almost month long trip to Minnesota next week. My posts may be few and far between. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Wordless Wednesday - Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We had GREAT seats in the field level "cafe" on the first base line/Rays bullpen. The kids could roam. The only way to go :)

Check out more Wordless Wednesday posts HERE , HERE or HERE.

Tempt My Tummy - Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

Life As Mom is having a recipe swap Picnic version this week....how perfect!

As we approach summer I break out my grill-out/picnic treat recipes. Caramel is one of my favorites.....and so are rice crispy bars. Bonus!

Caramel Filled Rice Krispie Treats

8-9 Cups Rice Krispies

6 Tbsp butter

16 oz Marshmallows

50 Caramels (unwrapping them is a good job for the kids)

1/2 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (use the other half for a half batch of THESE)

1/2 cup butter

Melt 6 Tbsp butter and marshmallows together. Stir in rice krispies. Divide mixture evenly between two buttered pans.

Melt caramels, sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup butter together and spread over one pan of rice krispies. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Remove the second pan of rice krispies treats and place on top of the caramel layer.

If you want to make them a little more decadent you can try this too (not recommended for picnics)...Chocolate Ganache

2 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup (2 oz) chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Heat whipping cream and butter in small sauce pan over medium heat until butter melts and mixture boils, stirring frequently with wooden spoon. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in chocolate and vanilla until mixture is smooth, returning to heat for 20-30 second intervals as needed to melt chocolate. Pour over the top of finished krispie treats, let cool.

Visit Blessed with Grace for more Tempt My Tummy or Life As Mom recipes!