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How To Make Natural Bug Repellent and Why

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Father and daughter on a fun nature walk #tips

Do you have an “outdoorsy” family or does everyone prefer a nice cozy day inside? Even if your family is not the camping type, getting the kids outside for some recreation is essential to their health and well-being.

Nothing beats a nature walk in the woods or a fun afternoon at the playground to lift the spirits. Of course, being outdoors does come with a price – bugs! Yes, insects also like being outdoors. They think they own the place!

Bug bites or stings are common when kids play outdoors and a bug bite could irritate child’s skin for days. In addition, some insects carry nasty diseases that can be passed on through those bites. So, avoiding insects is wise. So, instead of giving up your outings, find a way to repel those little creatures.

The best, safest way to repel insects is to make your own homemade natural bug spray using all-natural ingredients. Parents prefer to use homemade natural bug spray because the chemicals in products like DEET are, well… pretty nasty.

The Problem With DEET

Your child’s pores absorb everything and anything you put on the skin, including products like DEET which contain chemicals and additives that could cause the body harm.

A 1980’s study was documented where DEET was used by National Park employees for a set amount of time, and during that time a quarter of them experienced horrible side effects like feeling dizzy, experiencing burning on their lips, feeling sick and getting rashes.

Even more worrying was a test that followed on animals which showed using DEET for a prolonged period has the ability to kill brain cells and cause behavioral changes.

Very scary stuff, right?

You may consider using a natural product from a supermarket as an alternative, but you can’t guarantee the product is all natural as advertising laws only require you have 10% natural ingredients in the whole product. So, the other 90% could unfortunately be chemicals.

So, it isn’t hard to see why homemade natural bug spray is preferable to parents when it comes to the health and safety of their children. These magical mixes can easily ward off nasty bugs, they are much better for the environment which is heavily affected by chemical use, they are safe to use, and they smell great too!

So are you ready to make some child-friendly bug spray for your little outdoor explorers?  

Can You Just Blend Any Essential Oil to Make Child-Friendly Natural Bug Spray?

Make your own DIY bug repellent #tips

 

You can mix any essential oil to create an amazing bug spray but there are lots of considerations to make before applying the mix to a child or adult in order to keep everything as safe as possible:

Phototoxic Essential Oils

Some essential oils are phototoxic, which means they can make the skin more sun-sensitive. This sensitivity can lead to blistering, burning and inflammation of the skin. In the case of insect repellent for children, it is best to avoid phototoxic essential oils altogether to be on the safe side. You can find a good list of phototoxic essential oils here.

Dilution of Your Solutions

Essential oils should always be diluted because using them at full strength could irritate the skin. Diluting essential oils is usually done with a product like coconut oil because water and oil don’t mix.

Essential oils for homemade bug repellent

Be Aware of Allergies

Children and adults using the bug spray should take note of any unwanted reactions to single oils or certain oil combinations so as not to use those ingredients or combination of ingredients again.

Different Applications

When creating your bug spray think about how it will be used, which will affect what you put in it. A bug spray going onto the skin to keep the bugs away from the body needs careful consideration to ensure it doesn’t cause a reaction, is safe for the skin of the person using it, and to ensure proper dilution.

A bug spray for a diffuser, which is used to keep bugs away from somewhere like a back porch or camping setup, can be much stronger and the ingredients can be mixed much more freely.

Use by Pregnant Women or Children

Some oils cannot be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, and some can’t be used at all during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They can cause all kinds of strange symptoms and issues you wouldn’t expect essential oils to cause, such as contractions.

You can find an extensive list of unsafe pregnancy oils here, but if you are every unsure, always check with your healthcare provider first. Certain oils are also unsafe for use by children, and the safety of use then varies again depending on the child’s age.

You can find an extensive list of oils and whether they are safe for children here. Again, if you are ever unsure check with your healthcare provider first.

The Bug Repellent Essential Oils

Lots of oils are bug repellent, but we have selected a special few to go in our awesome homemade natural child-friendly bug spray recipes below.

  • Witch Hazel – Wards off mosquitoes, reduces inflammation, soothes skin and is generally safe for use by children of any age, but should be used with caution as contact dermatitis can occur
  • Lavender – Repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes, aids sleep and relaxation, suitable for children of any age
  • Geranium – Repels mosquitoes, soothes acne and skin inflammation, generally safe for children of all ages
  • Patchouli – Wards off mosquitoes, spiders and flies, has antiseptic properties and is generally safe for children aged 2 years and over
  • Spearmint – Repels mosquitoes, ants and flies, has antiseptic properties and is generally safe for children aged 2 years and over
  • Citronella – Wards off mosquitoes, flies, moths and spiders, has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is generally safe for children of all ages
  • Lemongrass – Repels spiders, moths, flies and mosquitoes, has antiseptic properties and is generally safe for children ages 2 years and over

Some children are allergic to insect bites #health

Natural Bug Spray Recipe for Children Ages 3+

This recipe creates 4 oz. of bug spray suitable for children over the age of 3 years old.

Ingredients

  • 1 x 4-ounce glass spray bottle
  • 2 oz. of witch hazel
  • 2 oz. of distilled water
  • 5 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops of geranium essential oil
  • 2 drops of patchouli essential oil
  • 8 drops of spearmint essential oil

Instructions

Place the essential oils into the 4oz bottle followed by the distilled water. Swill together, then add the witch hazel. Spray when needed.

Natural Bug Spray for Children & Adults of All Ages

This recipe creates 8 oz. of bug spray suitable for the whole family to use.

Ingredients

  • 4 oz. witch hazel
  • 4 oz. coconut oil
  • 15 drops geranium
  • 15 drops citronella
  • 14 drops lavender

Instructions

Place the essential oil in an 8-oz. glass bottle and add the coconut oil and witch hazel. Swill together and then spray when needed.

How to make DIY natural bug repellent and why #tips #healthy Click To Tweet

Natural Bug Spray Protects Your Whole Family Safely

Making a natural bug spray is a really great alternative to chemical-laden options like DEET. However, essential oils should always be used with caution. Take care to:

  • Be aware that a lot of information on essential oils is conflicted, so seek professional advice from a healthcare provider if you are unsure
  • Be careful with phototoxic essential oils and perform a patch test 24 hours before using any homemade bug spray on your child’s skin
  • No essential oil should ever be ingested
  • Avoid spraying the mix into the eyes. If this does happen use coconut oil or a similar oil to clean the eyes with a paper towel
  • If at any point an extreme allergic reaction is apparent, or you are concerned essential oils have been absorbed when they shouldn’t have been, seek emergency help

As long as you exercise caution, natural homemade bug spray is a great mixture to use to protect your children from nasty bug bites. It is just as effective as the often highly-priced, chemical rich alternatives you can buy from the store.

Once you’ve gotten used to mixing and making child-friendly bug sprays like the ones above in our recipes, you’ll be making your very own effective, natural, safe and beautifully scented mixtures in no time.

Your family can be bug-bite free all whilst saving their skin and the environment of unnecessary chemical use.

Author Bio

Paul Turner is the man behind TakeOutdoors.com  which he shares all his knowledge and experiences on camping. Looking for a challenging camping activity? He’s got a comprehensive beginner guide to backcountry camping get you started.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Enjoy!

 

 

I Can Change the World


 

 

5 Ways To Enjoy Harvest Time With Your Kids

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Famly fun activites at harvest time!

Fall has arrived and, with it,  many lovely days that we will enjoy being outdoors together. So, do you have family plans for this harvest season? Here are 5 activities that your whole family can have fun doing together!

1. Go On A Nature Walk. There are so many beautiful parks and nature trails. Keep an eye on the weather and pick the perfect time to get out there and walk! Bring a picnic lunch. Make an “eye spy” list for the kids so they can check off  or journal what they see. Remember to bring some binoculars for bird watching and a camera to take pictures of your special day.

2. Visit Local Farm Markets with their corn mazes, pumpkin patches, homemade fried donuts, apple cider and hay rides! If you are a parent who likes to connect family outings with something a bit educational, print out this free Fall Leaves Maze printable for preschoolers with corresponding answer key from Education.com that your kids can do when they get home. 

3. Go to a ball game.  Support your local football, lacrosse or soccer teams. Attend a game. Wear the team colors or paint your face with them for team spirit!  If you lack a pro team in your neck of the woods, there are plenty of college and high school games out there. Take your pick! 

4. Do a fall cleanup for someone who can’t. There is no shortage of individuals who either by age or infirmity cannot clean up fall leaves by themselves. Get out the rakes and leaf bags and do it for them! Are the gutters on their house plugged up? Then clean those gutters, too ! What other chores can you do for them? There are so many ways to reach out to others with acts of love. 

5. Connect with others. Reaching out is not just for outdoors. Simply put, include others in your family plans. Make a treat together and bring it to a neighbor. Take grandma and grandpa for a ride in the country to brighten their day.  How about sitting down with them afterward, getting out the family photo album and reminiscing a little bit? 

I love this one>>> reach out to help through Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. October is the month to make up shoeboxes full of surprises that will be sent to needy children all over the world. Go out and shop together for the contents of your gift box. No time to go out? You can sit down together at your computer and shop online.  Tip: make your plan. Go to Operation Christmas Child right now for instructions, drop off locations and the dates* to bring them. 

*Those important drop-off dates are only a few days in November. 

5 great ways to enjoy harvest time with your #kids this autumn. #family #fun #kids Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

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Note: this is not a sponsored post but it does contain Amazon affiliate links.



Ways To Streamline Your Responsibilities In The Midst Of A Crisis

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“There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” 
Henry Kissinger
 
Can I get that line engraved on a plaque? I will put it over my desk, and in my kitchen, in the bathroom …and in the car! As Mr. Kissinger implied, if you are going to have a crisis, it really would be nice to be able to schedule it. Crises are unwelcome, unannounced intruders. They just muscle in the door at the wrong time and stay for way too long.
How to streamline your responsibilities in the midst of a crisis. Start with "simple!" #tips
 
This has been an interesting year – one emergency after another. It started in January with my husband in the hospital with heart trouble. He came home with lots of instructions and not as strong as he had been – but he was getting better. Next, a wind storm came through the region so big that it actually knocked over the boxcars on a freight train! The power in the whole community was out for for days. Power came on and then over 20 inches of snow fell in a day – blizzard!  After that was over, life became normal, for a while.
At the end of May, we were back in the thick of it. A number of times in the hospital for hubby. Changes in medications. Loss of mobility for him so almost everything became mine to do. While trying to work everything out as best I could, it became apparent that truly we were in survival mode.
There is a breaking point. This week I finally admitted that I have battle fatigue. I need a mom … or a vacation … or both!  Anyone have a mom they can spare for a little while? LOL

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So, today I just took the morning off. No blogging. No cleaning. I just went out on my deck in the sunshine with my cup of coffee and an inspiring book filled with scripture but mostly I prayed. I started with thanksgiving. There are still lots of things to be glad for. Being thankful brings the not-so-good things into perspective. Next, I poured out my requests to the Lord. Then I gently thought about what can be done to minimize so that I can do the things that really need to be done better.
I say “gently” because I wasn’t ready to think too hard about anything so I took my big yellow lab dog, Sadie, for a long overdue walk. Afterward, I came up with some simple things to concentrate on:
 
1. Recognize what REALLY must be done and what can wait till later or be abandoned forever.
The prioritization would look something like this:
     a. paying bills MUST happen
     b. balancing the checkbook can wait a few days
     c. building my blogging business gets delayed till sometime in the future
2. Accept that some things may need to be done in a smaller way. My house needs cleaned BIG TIME! I absolutely cannot do it. No time. No energy. Not now. So, I picked just one thing I could do. I vacuumed the carpets. I needed some exercise and knew I would feel so much better after they were done. I was right. But I kept the promise I made with myself and stopped cleaning after that was done.
3. Enlist help. I have reserved this for the more important times when I cannot be in two places at once. At those times I will call my kids or my brother and sister-in-law.

What I really need is a maid or super-assistant. That isn’t going to happen (if it does, first thing she does is clean my house!) 

At the risk of sounding all salesy, I am sincere in saying that getting Amazon Prime has lightened my load. I order all sorts of supplies that normally I would go to the store to purchase.

For instance, I needed a couple of long sleeved shirts (our summer has been unusally cool) so I bought them through Amazon. There “how does it fit” feature was perfect. Each top is a keeper! Dog food? Amazon! They brought that big 24 bag right to the door in 2 days – FREE shipping! Office supplies? Of course! No traveling for toner again. Groceries? Yes, I have started buying food supplies through them, as well. Amazon Prime is not a maid but definitely like having a shopping assistant!

4. Conserve energy. Minimize the places you go and the things you do. Pick the most beneficial. Besides going to work and taking hubby to doctor appointments, I made going to a two hour family get together as one of my times out. I needed it!  We had such a good time. It was refreshing.
5. Think happy thoughts. Crisis situations can lead to negative talk. The problem is screaming for attention all of the time. We do need somebody to talk to but the tendency can be to repeat the situation over and over again.
A little bit of sharing can be therapeutic but dwelling on it – giving it constant attention – can lead to depression. I totally stopped going on my personal Facebook page and I’ve reduced how many people I share with. I’m believing for this man to be healed. I have to keep my thoughts positive. I stopped watching the news, too. Oh, I keep up-to-date on the basics but I do not feed on it anymore. I’d rather talk and think about good things and I feel much better for it.

So, how about you? 
How do you cope with a crisis?

Enjoy!

Simplify your life by getting Amazon Prime - free 2-day shipping on a multitude of items!

Help Your Aging Parents The Most By Working As A Team

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #ConquerInco #Collective Bias
It is to be expected that as our parents age their need for our assistance will increase. Sometimes we recognize it. Sometimes we do not. From experience, I can say that the more frequently you check in on mom and dad (or grandma and grandpa) the more likely it will be that you will recognize when things have changed.
My mom was the first to decline. That was a surprise to all of us since she had been a “force to be reckoned with” in her younger years. She was the planner. She was our “life guard.” She was an in-charge kinda gal. When she was no longer able to care for herself,  Dad did most of it for her.
After mom passed away, Dad started losing ground.  Each of us took up parts of the job of taking care of him, according to what we were able to do. My brother and his wife did the lion’s share of the work in the beginning.
Happily, when dad needed us most,  there was so much more I could do. As a writer my work can travel with me, so I was able to spend lots of time with him. We went on fun outings to the zoo, the Erie Canal, the lake, ate many lunches together and one day we even went to the mall! I loved it and dad did, too.
Team work makes caregiving easier and more enjoyable Here are some planning tips and 2 free printables, too! #Conquerinco #ad

When you step into the role of caregiver, planning is your best friend. As you divide up the work load among your team members remember that good communication is key. Get together over a cup of coffee and discuss who will do what.

  1. Make a list of what needs to be done. Dependng on the person’s needs these things may include: household chores, shopping, paying bills, setting appointments, transportation to appointments, organizing medications, doing their laundry, help with meals. 
  2. Decide which duties each one is able to perform and when.
  3. Select a leader to be the point-person. (i.e. if you are unable to get things done on time or are running into other difficultes, that is the person who you will call.)
  4. Keep in touch with each other. (ie. if you took grandpa to his dental appointment, call or email the team to let them know how it went and what the next step will be.)
  5. Plan some fun times with your loved one and each other. Watch a movie together, play a game of cards, scrapbook or just visit and catch up on old times. 

Keep things as simple as possible and be sure to write things down. I love my smart phone but having had a few glitches with it has taught me that an old fashioned checklist can do a person a world of good!

Here are two lists that I have created that you can print out. One is a “Keeping On Top Of Things” list that is meant to help you remember things that will need to be done. The other is a shopping list that will help jog your memory to get things that  you are running low on.
aging adults, incontinence
Two Pieces of Advice to the Caregivers:
1. Save yourself time and energy wherever possible. Don’t go get it if it can come to you.
2. If you do have to go, find a place that has everything you need!
aging, senior citizens, incontinence products
That’s why one-stop shopping at Sam’s Club is a dream come true for caregivers. Your Sam’s Club membership opens the door to all kinds of help. Everything you need is right there in the club to conquer inco. Their adult care products, such as the Member’s Mark Total Protection Adult Adjustable Briefs, are top quality yet the price is so much better than the other highly advertised brands. I found the briefs on the aisle nearest their pharmacy.
Sam's Club
These briefs with their super absorbency will give you confidence that your loved one will stay dry and comfortable wearing them. Member’s Mark Total Protection Adult Adjustable Briefs have all around breathable zones to keep the wearer dry as possible with cool comfort and adjustable side panels for secure fit. They feature odor-guard technology, too.
Now, you will love this for saving time and energy ⇒ Sam’s Club members can place their orders online by 5pm and pick it up at the club anytime the next day! Be sure to look into all the benefits of the various memberships. There are special member features and discounts including extra value drug list for hundreds of prescriptions for their plus members.
adult briefs
Above all, make the most of this special time with your loved one, creating fond memories for them and for yourselves. We did and we’d gladly do it again. Here is a picture of our most recent trip to see the boats at the canal. It was such a beautiful day.
senior citizens, aging, caregivers tips
Do you refer to the online reviews before buying? Well, it will be a great help to the next person if, after you or your loved one has tried the Member’s Mark Total Protection products, you go to the Sam’s Club website and leave a review!
Enjoy!

Bored With Your Routine? Here Is Something New And Fun To Do!

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art, artwork, family fun
Do you ever get in a rut when it comes to planning family outings? We all do from time to time. We know what we like so we keep on doing the same thing over and over again …but that can grow old.
Then, also, families outgrow activities as their little ones grow up. Tastes change and it gets harder to find things to do together. That was why I was so excited to try Painting With a Twist.

MacKenzie is almost 12 years old and lots of the “little kid” dates are, well, for LITTLE KIDS! What can you do together that an almost-teen will enjoy? Thankfully, Kenzie loves art and when I asked if she’d like to go out with me for a painting class and lunch to follow? Wow! She was in! She was so happy and so was I.

art, artwork, family fun, party
Our day at Painting With A Twist was so much fun. When we arrived at our class and checked in, we were directed to help ourselves to an apron and pick the easels where we would sit. Had we been meeting a group of friends, they were ready to reserve several easels so that we could all sit together. Painting With A Twist looks out for your every need.

art, artwork, family fun
The particular class we signed up for was a daytime class which only had 6 students. Carly, our instructor,  started us out using chalk to draw our basic outline and then we began to paint. There were times that we needed to let the paint dry before we moved on so we took that opportunity to roam around and enjoy the “scenery” as we waited. (You know what they say about paint drying. Well, PWAT is smart. Hairdryers work wonders!)
Someday I would love to bring a group of friends to a class. PWAT can accommodate lots of people at the same time and this location even has more than one room.
family fun
The class is all about enjoying art and the experience, not becoming a professional artist. Interestingly enough, when you walk out with your finished product you kind of feel like a pro – and you want to go back again soon to do it again!

art, artwork, family fun, painting lessons, painting class

Our Painting With A Twist instructor, Carly, made us feel right at home. And, as I said, no prior art experience is needed. She walked us through it step by step. The theme picture for our class featured large colorful flowers. Here is what our finished products look like⇒

family fun, mother - daughter, painting class

Each guest is invited to create their masterpiece as they see fit. Some people will want to make theirs as close to the original as possible. Others will go off on their own imaginative tangents. That is what MacKenzie did. She has a style all her own. I took a road much closer to the example we were given.

Both of us had loads of fun and have our pictures displayed at home. I needed something bright and colorful on the wall in the kids’ bedroom so that is where mine hangs. I love the display of artwork at Painting With A Twist and I plan to go back for another class real soon so that I can start my own “gallery.”

home decor, artwork, decorating
art, artwork, family fun

Take a look at the beautiful gallery wall. There must be hundreds of sample pictures there to choose from. You can either enroll in a class for a specific painting that you will do (take a look at their website for your area for  the currently scheduled classes) or you can meet with them to select one for a group that you will be bringing in.

art, artwork, family fun

Painting With A Twist has daytime classes for all ages. In the evenings, there are adults-only classes so that those who wish to bring in their own adult-beverages for their special night may do so. (Check your local PWAT’s for exact beverage policies on their website.)

art, artwork, family fun, nature, painting class

There are so many kinds of parties you can plan for Painting With A Twist.  Here are the themes that I can think of:

          • Bachelorette Party
          • Birthday Parties
          • Bridal Party Get Together
          • Church Groups
          • Clubs or Associations
          • Date Night
          • Double-Date Night
          • Engagement Party
          • Evening Out With Your Friends
          • Family Reunion
          • Girl Scouts* (There are PWAT art badges to be earned!)
          • Girls Night Out
          • Graduation Party
          • Interior Decorating Party (Start your own gallery!)
          • Mother/Daughter (or mother/son, daddy/daughter, daddy/son)
          • Teacher Orientation Getting-To-Know-You Party
Did I miss anything? What kind of party would you have? 
 
The date-night plan can include painting a 2-part picture. You paint one half of the image and your date paints the other. Put them next to each other and you have one big work of art! Here are two that they had on display that I particularly liked but there are many, many you can choose from.
 
art, artwork, family fun
 
 



art, artwork, family fun, date night idea

Did you know that Painting With A Twist has over 345 locations across the USA? Look here to find the nearest location to you ⇒ Painting With A Twist

What FUN!!!⇒ One of the co-founders of Painting With A Twist was just on the UnderCover Boss TV show! The story with links is on the PWAT website including a photo of her in her disguise! 
 
 
Just a few more photos of our girls’ day out…
 
art, artwork, family fun
 
“Running out of things to do? Here is something really FUN!”
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art, artwork, family fun, mother daughter day out
 
 
 
 
art, artwork, family fun
art, artwork, family fun, painting class
You are going to have such a great time at Painting With A Twist! Find a location near you and register for a class today⇒ PAINTING WITH A TWIST
Enjoy!

Welcome Our New Puppy

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Being a work-at-home mom has its advantages. You can do things that you could never do if you had a 9-5 job outside the home. You can take time off for school field trips whenever you want to, for instance. How about this ⇒ you can work in your pj’s! You also can take breaks to clean out a closet, load the dishwasher, do the laundry or walk the dog. None of those things can ever happen in a traditional work setting. And – ta da – you can also get a new PUPPY! 

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Adorable puppy mixed breed: Australian Cattle Dog, Boxer, Bulldog
Today that is just what we did. We got a puppy! Say “hello” to our new bundle of joy ⇒”Bailey!” She is an 8 week old mix:  40% Australian Cattledog, 20% Boxer and 20% Bulldog.  Isn’t she pretty? Her story is kind of interesting.

My niece was pregnant with her 5th child.  She was finding raising a young dog – “OB” for Obi Wan Kanobi of Star Wars fame – and four young children a bit overwhelming. So she and her husband decided to adopt a second dog to keep OB company. Seemed like a great solution.
Well, the little Australian Cattledog they adopted, Leia (yes Princess Leia!) was pregnant with pups, unbeknownst to them. It wasn’t till they could see the puppies moving in her tummy that they figured it out.  Surprise!
Dog pregnancies are just 8-9 weeks long and only a few short weeks later 8 bouncing baby boy and baby girl PUPPIES were born! 10 dogs and four kids in the house. My resilient niece and nephew had a lot on their hands.
Our new puppy is so cute! #AustralianCattleDog #Boxer #Bulldog #mixedbreed #dogs
Now this is the part that I found fascinating. Apparently dogs can be impregnated by more than one male. Leia started out in a dog pound where they did not separate the dogs so, you guessed it, more than one doggy daddy!
It appears that there were 2 dads. My niece had the puppies’ DNA tested, as the prospective families wanted to know their new pet’s heritage. Three of the dogs are a mix of herding dogs and German Shepherd. You can see it. They are almost 5 pounds heavier and very fluffy.

The other 5 puppies, of which Bailey is one, are Australian Cattledog, Boxer and Bulldog.  When I was a little girl I had three boxer dogs so hearing that made me very happy!  And, though she doesn’t have any Labrador Retriever in her, her mannerisms and face do remind me of our beloved labs. Can it get any better than that?
Puppy in her new dog crate
You will think I am crazy but I swear that she asked to go out to go potty today. New home, only 8 weeks old and learning the ropes already?  Probably not but it sure seemed like it.

Thank goodness for dog crates. We have one near my in-home office (in the kitchen) and another upstairs in the bedroom where Sadie’s crate resides.

Sadie, our lovely green-eyed Yellow Lab,  only sleeps in her dog crate at night, which really is for our sake. She’d love to sleep in our bed with us – all 100 pounds of loveliness. She takes up so much space it gets hard to roll over and, if she slept on the floor I am concerned she’d change her location in the middle of the night and one of us could trip over her. Not a good idea. Good thing she loves her crate. I just bought her a super-sized one that is made for a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog or Great Dane. She has lots more room to move around.


Tired Australian Cattle Dog puppy mixed breed taking a nap.
Though we have been in and out the door ALL day long, little Bailey is now curled up next to me on the couch while I write this post. Another perk of being a work-at-home-mom!
 
Are you a work-at-home mom? Are you a dog mom? Loving it? 
Tell us a little about your life!

Enjoy!

Best selling dog supplies for happy dogs #pets #dogs #ad
Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. That means that if you purchase something from Amazon through an ad or a link on Ducks ‘n a Row, at NO extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission. Thanks so much for shopping Amazon through me! … Sinea

Make Minions Pizza For A Fun Family Movie Night

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I had no idea just how closely the kids in our family were watching their favorite characters, the minions. Kenzie (age 10) has been talking like a minion for weeks and I didn’t know it. As soon as I saw the movie trailer, I realized that she “speaks minion!” She sounds just like them. One talented girl:) I wonder if she knows what she’s saying?
pizza recipe for a Minions Pizza

Ever since I saw Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2 I, too, have loved those little yellow guys with their big-eyed goggles and blue overalls. It was only right that they’d get a movie all to themselves: Minions © 2015 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. When I heard about their new movie, I should have been faster. I wanted to take Kenzie to see it in the theater but her kid-at-heart Uncle Bob beat me to the punch. OK, I can adjust. I decided that I would buy the movie for all of us to see together as soon as it came out. This time I would not lose the race!

 

I made a note to buy the Minions movie Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack and that it would be available as of December 8, 2015. Easy to remember, that happens to be my birthday. But where would I buy one? I went to the Minions movie website to formulate my plan. On their website, I easily found a retail location by me.  Soon as school let out that day, I hightailed it straight to the store. Thank goodness, they had a copy and I bought it.  OK, I went a little crazy and got some cute stuffed minions, too. Happy birthday to me!

 

Family movie night with Minions

 

So just how could we really do up a family movie night with the Minions movie? It should be especially fun. Sure, we could make Minions desserts but I wanted to try something different. How about pizza? A minions pizza! Check it out. Does it look like a minion to you? Can you see his little pepperoni slice smile? Please say “yes.”

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Homemade pizza that looks like a cute Minion!
Here is how I made this special edition pizza for a fun Minions Movie Night!

 

Minion Pizza Recipe

PARTS NEEDED
Pizza dough* (recipe below)
Pizza sauce
Mozzarella, shredded
Mozzarella, slices
Black olive slices
Pepperoni
Prepare your pizza dough first.

 

Minions Movie, minion pizza
Pizza Dough Ingredients
Minion movie, minion, Minions Movie Night
Mixing Up The Dough

Pizza Dough Recipe

 
Ingredients
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp. granulated white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. salt

Directions – Pizza Dough

Preheat oven to 450°
Using a room temperature or slightly warm mixing bowl* combine warm water, sugar and yeast. Mix. Let stand for about 10 minutes until yeast is frothy.
*Tip: A warm bowl helps to maintain the temperature of the water, increasing the effectiveness of the yeast.

Stir in remaining ingredients.
Beat until smooth.
Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Pat it with your fingertips it into a “minion” shape, about 1/2″ thick.
Spoon on sauce to the edges.
Arrange other toppings (instructions below) and bake at 450° for about 20-25 minutes.
Tip: Keep an eye on your pizza. Remove when it is golden brown.

Ingredients for making a Minion pizza

Minions Pizza Toppings

Directions – Toppings

Cover pizza dough with 2/3 cup jarred pizza sauce up to the edge.
Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce
Use pepperoni slices to create his overalls.
Sliced black olives form the goggles.
Reserve 2 sliced black olives for the pupils of his eyes.

Use a sliver cut from pepperoni for his little mouth.

making the pizza

Cutting Mozzarella Slices For Minion Eyes

Tip: if you don’t have a circular cookie cutter, use the end of a clean drinking glass or clean empty can. I used the black olives can!
minions movie pizza

Unbaked pizza.

 

Tip: For this picture, I put the cheese eyeballs and black olive pupils in place. I wanted you to see what it looks like. For baking, I waited until the pizza had baked for 15 minutes and  then I put them on. This way, the cheese eyeballs won’t melt much and it keeps the look.
 
Bake at 450° for 15 minutes.
Add the mozzarella eyeballs and black olive pupils.
Return to oven and bake until golden brown

Round Cookie Cutters!

Round cookie cutter set - ring cookie cutter set
 
Minion Bob plush toy

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

8 Things You Should Tell Your Child’s Teacher

2 Comments

 

school, teacher, parenting, family trouble, sleepless, fear, anxiety
Life at home affects us all.  When it comes to our children, it can show up in the classroom. Teachers can only guess why a child is acting differently than the norm. A usually cheerful eager learner can become sullen, irritable, withdrawn or angry. As a teacher, I can say that it is so helpful when mom or dad gives me a little clue why things may be different.

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Now, we are not talking dangerous conditions. If you have a situation that is becoming volatile, get help quickly. Go to a trusted family member, your pastor or even the police but do not gamble with your family’s safety.
In this instance, we are addressing are the normal circumstances of life that will pass but temporarily impact our kids.

The teacher may need to know about this:

1. Sleepless:  whatever the reason for a child not getting enough sleep, it can have an impact the following day at school. Teachers need to know!

2. Missed a meal: getting children to eat first thing in the morning can be a real challenge. Going to school hungry, though, will impact the day. Do your best to give them a healthy breakfast (not all sugar – include some kind of protein.) At the times that they have not eaten, let the teacher know. Be SURE to send an extra snack, if that is the case.

3. Getting Sick: parents can tell when their kids are coming down with something. I used to know when my son had an ear infection in the works before the doctor did. Teachers appreciate parental instincts and it helps to give them a clue that your child is feeling out of sorts.

4. Family Woes: financial stress, unemployment, sick family members, marital disagreements, broken down car…the list of possibilities goes on. It may not show in the child’s behavior but children certainly pick up on the vibes.

5. Loss: big changes like the death of a loved one or the family pet can have a significant impact. Moving from one house to another is another disruption, even if the move is a step up. Divorce, separation…there can be losses of many kinds.

6. Pain: headaches, bumps and bruises, allergic reactions, loose baby teeth.

7. Fear: anxiety over school itself. We’ve all heard of “test anxiety” but there are other kinds of apprehension, as well. When I was a little girl I had a bad experience in the cafeteria when I dropped a tray full of food. That did it for me. I was so fearful that I would never buy lunch again!

8. Peer Pressure: children can be very sensitive about who is nice to them, whether they feel acceptance or rejection…you know the drill. If there are some hurts there (especially if your child is very young) and they don’t seem to being going away, it may be something that should be discussed with the teacher.

Bottom Line: Whatever the deal is, do not hesitate to mention it to your child’s teacher. It will be appreciated and could make your child’s day at school a whole lot better.  


Stick and Stone
Children’s book about friendship.

Enjoy!

Photos from Freedigital Photos by stockphoto and Serg Betasius