Mexican Meatloaf

 What you will need:


1 12 lb. lean ground beef
2 eggs
3/4 cup crushed crackers
1 onion (chopped)
1 package Old El Paso taco seasoning

Topping:

1 can tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese








Directions:

1)in a large bowl beat eggs 







2)while beating eggs add in seasoning







3)after mixed thoroughly add in onions and crackers








4)mix all together with a spoon






5)Add in ground beef and mix with your hands






6)place in a a loaf pan 




7)Bake at 400  for 20 minutes





8) take out and drain fat







9) spread tomato soup over top






10)sprinkle the shredded cheese over top

11)place in oven bake for another 20 minutes





12)let cool and serve and enjoy :)


Approx: 185 calories per 1 oz slice

Sensory Bin

Eloise is a huge sensory kid. I love coming up with activities or things to keep her busy so I can get stuff done .This was  a huge hit. I made two different sensory bins; a regular everyday one and then a special Easter version. She loved it so much that I had to make a second one. These are great for your child to learn different textures. You can use many different things in these bins. For fun you can bury different objects and ask your child to dig for them. or ask them to sort the objects in the bin. This keeps Eloise busy for hours just digging and the excitement on her face is priceless every time she finds something buried .

What you will need for regular sensory bin:

rice

elbow macaroni  noodles

pom poms

decorative gems

container with cover

what you need for a Easter sensory bin:

decorative  gems 2 packages colours you want

Decorative vase gravel i used 4 packages in different colours can use all the same

pom poms

plastic eggs for egg hunts mini ones

stretchy bunny's

2 wind up toys

Instructions:

1) to make regular bin measure out equal amount of macaroni noodles and rice and place into bin

2) next  open the gems and pom poms and add to the bin and mix

3) then its ready you can give your child a spoon or a shovel to dig through or add in toy animals or bugs to        dig for.

4) to make  Easter bin empty gravel and gems into the bin and mix

5) next pick out amount of pom poms you want or colours and add to bin

6)next choose amount of eggs , and bunny you want to add to the bin and place them in the bin

7) give to your child to play  cover and store when done for another day.

Melissa and Doug toys (Review)

I have recently fallen in love with Melissa & Doug toys. If you have never heard of Melissa & Doug toys I suggest you pick one up for your child of any age. They are very well made and educational and made for all ages. My daughter got her first M&D toy when she was 2 weeks old for her first Easter. She's now going to be two in another week and still enjoys playing with the toy she got at the age of 2 weeks old. Here are some of my reviews for her  M&D toys.

 Rainbow Stacker

The very first M& D toy she got was the rainbow stacker. It is made of fabric and very safe for all ages.Its very bright and colorful which is what attracted my daughter to play with it even when she wasn't able to start stacking she could use the pieces for playing with one or two of the rings have a rattle in them. Now shes able to stack by colour to match the pole or stack from smallest or biggest. I would definitely buy this toy for friends or family's kids. Its great fun but also very educational in many ways.

Fishing Game

Just around Christmas I Purchased this game for my daughter.She absolutely loves it. It's vibrant colours are very eye catching.It's a great game for helping her learn to use her co ordination to fish. She learned how to use the magnetic fishing rod right away and within about 5 min she was a pro at holding the rod right. After about a week she was able to fish for the sea creatures when asked for but also could place it back into the puzzle where it belongs. We are now working on her learning on saying the names of the sea creatures.The age recommendation is age, 3. After looking it over i thought why not try it if shes too young to use it i'll put it away till she can but we had no problem at the age of 21 months.The fishing game is perfect for working on fine motor skills and control. As you need to hold the fishing rod in the right place so that the magnet in the rod is directly over the sea creature in order to pick it up.I highly recommend this game for any active toddler. It teaches them patience and improves their fine motor skills while having fun and learning. Its a very quiet game unless you make the sounds for the sea creatures. This is definitely a go to game of Eloise that she plays with at least once every two days. Its also perfect size to keep in the diaper bag or book bag for outings or appointments at the doctors office while waiting to keep your little one occupied.

Reusable stickers


When out shopping recently my daughter Eloise picked out this awesome reusable puffy sticker  board. Its bright colours were very attracting but also had more then one scene that you could be creative and act out a .scene on. This was a great idea She spent over a hour sitting at her table creating different scenes.The puffy stickers were a hit and very easy for her to manipulate with her tiny fingers. Its a perfect size to keep in a travel bag to use for car rides or appointments to keep your child busy while waiting. I would absolutely buy this as a gift for other kids.

Chalk and eraser

My daughter loves chalk when at play group so when at a local store I noticed that Melissa & Doug had a chalk and eraser. I had to try it out with my daughter as she already had a chalk board that is not used. Great buy. The colours show up great, the chalk is not very powdery and didn't break when dropped by my daughter. The eraser worked great with the chalk. I will certainly buy more.This is fun to use when its a rainy day or come summer we will try it out side. 

                                  Dress up Mermaid/Pets chunky puzzle

    My daughter got  the pets puzzle for her first birthday. She loves it and has no problems putting the pieces back into the correct spot and did not need much help the first few times. She loved learning the animals names and sounds they make. This puzzle is very colourful and appealing, the pieces are very sturdy they can stand up on their own but also chunky enough that little hands can grasp. The spaces for the puzzle pieces to go into have enough space between that kids can manipulate and slide into place. You can help your child play with it by asking them to line them up and count the amount of animals, what the animals colours are and do the animals have any colours in common or ask your toddler which shapes they see in the puzzle pieces. You can create a story line to go with the puzzle while asking your child for each animal or while putting them back.

  While shopping for valentines day Eloise picked out the chunky mermaid dress up puzzle . After getting home she immediately wanted to open it and play.The mermaid puzzle is great for helping kids learn to mix and match outfits. The mermaid can be dressed up into 18 unique outfits. You can use one of three pretty tails and one of six different tops that come with the puzzle. You can use the puzzle to teach your child to sort clothes by tops or tails. You can count the pieces in each category. You can help your child identify colours while using the outfits and trying to match. You can ask if colours match in the designs on the pieces or name the shapes on the clothing. You can use the pieces for art and trace the pieces to make your own outfits for the mermaid.

Clock

We recently picked up the clock when out shopping and I personally love this puzzle. It is very well designed and easily understood by my daughter. This puzzle keeps her busy for hours. It is very versatile when using  for learning purposes ;you can use it to learn your shapes , numbers,  and time at  different  developmental  stages in your toddlers life. I have recently started using this to teach my daughter the time. We set it to a time to show her what time we're going to eat supper or have a bath or when its bedtime. She is going on two but is starting to understand time a little. I also noticed the 4 ,5,6 and 8 all have that many sides in each shape so that they are accurate with the number of sides on that shape for that number in the puzzle.

macaroni and cheese casserole

 

    I recently discovered this awesome recipe when browsing through my recipes. I had everything needed so I had to cook it and what better day than a frozen rain storm to get some comfort foods cooked. So Eloise and I got everything out and started to cook . This is an easy recipe to get  your kids to help you with or to cook together, just be careful of the stove and when pouring hot liquids.This was a huge hit with our family. Hope your family enjoys it too.

what you will need :

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt and pepper each
1 lb uncooked chicken finely chopped
2 bags (11 oz each)green giant  valley fresh steamers mixed veggies
3 tablespoons of butter 
3 tablespoons of flours
2 cups of milk 
1 1/2 teaspoons onion salt
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (12 oz)
1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups progresso panko crispy bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper



Directions 

1) Heat over to 375
2) Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package. and place in a 13 X 9  glass baking pan.

3)In a 10 inch skillet heat oil over medium high heat. 

4) Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken add to skillet. cook chicken, stirring frequently, until  golden brown and no longer pink in center.

5) Sprinkle cooked chicken evenly over top of cooked macaroni in dish

6) Spread frozen vegetables over top of chicken and macaroni mixture.

7) In same skillet melt butter over medium heat with a whisk, scrape any browned bits from bottom of skillet into butter.

8) Stir in flour until paste forms

9) Gradually stir in milk,beating with whisk, stir in onion salt, 2 cups of cheese and the soup untill the mixture is smooth and well combined.

10) Poor cheese mixture over mixture in the dish

11) Sprinkle the remanding 1 cup of cheese over top

12) In a small bowl place bread crumbs. Pour melted butter over crumbs.

13) Add garlic salt and pepper and stir until bread crumbs are coated with butter.

14) Spread bread crumb mixture evenly over top

15) Place in oven, cook for 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly and bread crumbs are brown.

If you want to go for a slightly different flavor rather then shredded cheddar cheese try white Monterey jack cheese.

 
                      Enjoy :)

Calm down bottle

                     I love Pintrest while searching for ideas for Eloise, I came across this neat idea of a calm down / time out bottle. How it works you shake it and set the kid into their time out spot or onto a chair or wherever you can . You get the child to watch the glitter settle  and when its settled their time out is over or when you think its time you take it away.I have personally found it has been a huge help with calming Eloise down when freaking out  for things or when acting up. It is very effective when shes on time out as it helps her sit and within a min shes very much so calmer but also forgets about what she was freaking for. Its also great for when shes over stimulated to get her to take a minute and sit down and its amazingly calms her.I have tired it at work recently with a few other kids and it has same affect but I used it to calm and  reinforce with.

what you will need to make your very own bottle:




1 clear bottle with cover 
1 bottle of glitter glue
water
1 pkg ultra fine glitter


      directions:

      1) fill bottle a little over  3/ 4 way full with water 
      2) add in glitter glue
      3) then add in amount you want to of the ultra fine glitter
      4) shake and let settle 
      5) if it takes amount of time to settle you want then glue lid
      6) if it takes to long for you to settle add in more water till it                works fast enough for you
      7)  shake and send with your child to time out 

Scalloped potatoes

                                                                           


                                                    Scalloped potatoes


this is one of my favorite recipes its my step mothers recipe that I love. It's so simple and good .I hope it becomes one of your family's favorite meals too.


serves 4
  
you will need:


6 medium potatoes 
1 onion
4 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups homo milk
chicken stock cube
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
greased 9x11 pan

(I doubled recipe in these pictures)

1)wash and slice potatoes
2)dice onion
3)then saute onion in the butter till soft
4)when soft whisk in milk 
5)add in the salt ,nutmeg,black pepper
6)add in chicken stock then simmer
7)while simmering layer  half of the potatoes in the pan
8)then whisk in 1/2 a cup of shredded cheese
9)when heated pour half of mixture over the layer of potatoes 
10)then sprinkle a layer of 1/2 cup shredded cheese
11) layer rest of the potatoes 
12)pour rest of sauce over top and then sprinkle  1 cup of cheese over top 
13)cover with foil
14)bake at 375 for 45 min 
15)last 15 mins take foil off

you can double recipe easily  
                     

let cool 5 mins then serve and enjoy 

Maxwell Designs Ambassador

 

check out 

https://maxwelldesigns.refersion.com/c/b42c

Back in January I was asked to become an ambassador for an awesome Canadian company called Maxwell designs. I was so excited that Maggie noticed my love for her products and that  she  had chosen me to be an ambassador for her amazing company. I am so excited to be working along  side of the many other ambassadors she has chosen throughout Canada and the United States. To top off the excitement I am the only ambassador in New Brunswick. I have been asked many questions about Maxwell designs so here are some of the questions I have gotten asked .

What is Maxwell designs?

  

Maxwell designs is a company that sells exclusive hand made accessories ,bags,and purses from a home studio. Maggie is the only person who actually sews every item .Maggie started this business back in 2006 after moving to northern B.C , while she was expecting her first son.She couldn't find a diaper bag she liked and after searching high and low she decided to make her own and has been making all  different types of bags since. Her oldest son Maxwell was her inspiration for making her own diaper bag she named her company after him.

What is your favorite Maxwell design product?

My favorite of them all so far is the diaper clutch/wallet. I now have  3 so far and I  hope to add more to my collection soon. They are perfect for short outings to the grocery store or play group with your toddler or infant. It fits  travel size wipes and a stuffed Applecheeks cloth diaper or 4 disposable diapers. The fabrics choices are great. You could get a fabric that works for mommy by day and chic by night to carry your few things for a date instead of a full purse. I have used one of mine for ladies night, to the movies even to play pool with friends.

What do you love about Maxwell designs products?

Personally I love everything about them. the customer service is amazing Maggie not only sews them but also she gift wraps and sends a cute little note. She  has cute stickers or tape she seals your order with.I like that that her fabric prints are different and unique and her designs  are all  very chic. All the products are lined with "PUL" fabric and are machine washable. PUL fabric  is not very common in most purse, handbags or accessories. PUL is a waterproof fabric commonly used for  diapers and accessories. 

What items do you have in your collection of Maxwell designs and how useful are they?

I have a 4 key fobs in different prints which makes them very useful to find your keys when in a bag or to even carry them you can hang it from your wrist and not have  lots of bulky  key chains taking up space.I love my 3 wallet/clutches. I use these every day for many different things... a clutch for me or a diaper clutch for Eloise .I have used them to carry an extra out fit for Eloise or to carry our bathing suits to and from swimming.I also own 3 change purses with wristlets. These are another favorite of mine. I use one every day, sometimes two for the day. One carry's all my cards , another is for money.Other ways I've used the change purse is to carry hair clips, elastics and jewelry .Or I have packed them as a small releasable snack bag or sandwich bag. I also have  a small cosmetic bag which I use as my make up bag  or as my cheer bow and cheer makeup case  as they are so easy to wash.Recently my mother bought my daughter  a large reusable snack bag which i absolutely love. It fits many things and has a tag to write your child or spouses name on bags.  Monday I had a sandwich a banana and some cookies in it together. I've used it to carry chicken wings, grapes and they are so easy to wash out or wipe clean with them being lined with PUL  fabric.


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Whats the difference between an  ambassador and a champion?

A champion is someone who loves Maxwell Designs and shares specials and products with their friends. An ambassador/affiliate (same thing) and earn commission for sharing their link and products.

What is a Maxwell designs ambassador?

A Maxwell designs ambassador is a person who showed so much love and knowledge for the company's  products that Maggie personally noticed them and  chose them to become an ambassador for  going out of their way to share the knowledge and love of the products. Many of the ambassadors got noticed when out in the public or on various social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and many more.  An Ambassador shows people how awesome  this Canadian company is and gets in on up and coming events and fabric reveals.When someone loves M.D things they can do these things to become an ambassador/affiliate and earn commission for sharing their link and products they love! We have a solid group of ambassadors, but we are always looking for more. This program isn't just for people who love Baby products but Maxwell Designs also offers functional and fashionable products for all women. With that in mind, this is a great program for family and fashion bloggers, in addition to bloggers in the "baby" space. Here's the link to the program: http://maxwelldesigns.ca/pages/affiliate-programme.