Kinder Keepsakes

NEW BLOG!

2011-01-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! We now have a new blog! To keep in touch on what is going on, and if you want to follow: go to http://www.kinderkeepsakes.com/blog.aspx Add it to your blogs that you follow! :)

Potty Training Pep Talks

2011-01-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

So my little K is being potty trained right now and can I just tell you...it can be really stressful at times and rewarding other times. We have tried to potty train her a couple of times but she or I just wasn't ready. But WE ARE NOW! I have set a goal that by the end of the week she will be potty trained to where she only wears pull-ups at night and maybe naps. Some days are good, some days are not so good. It's just hard having to take her to the potty every 30 minutes. But it must be done. I keep telling myself:

"It'll be ok! By the end of the week she will get it!" I give myself potty training pep talks. :)

Now that I have been potty training my toddler I have realized that there are things that are a little tricky for her to master. (For example: telling me when she needs to go before she actually goes. We are working on that one.) But I know that if I am patient and I continue to give her positive reinforcement then she and I will be able to master this challenge together! So, far today she has done really well! No accidents yet! Yay! :) Wish us luck!

What are some things that you do/ or have done with your child when it comes to potty training? What has worked and what hasn't? Share your thoughts and tips! PLEASE! :)

I'm back!

2011-01-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hey! It's been a while! A LONG while! Honestly though, I was enjoying my time with my family for Christmas and New Years so it's ok. I just wanted to say that it's good to be back! I am so excited for the new year and all of the changes that will be taking place! It will be a crazy but I am ready for the challenge. So please bear with me as I try and sort everything out! There has already been a few changes already and I am really excited to share those with you soon. I will start taking orders again on January 17th. And there will be a lot of great coupons coming with that as well so stay tuned! Happy New Year!

Hurry!

2010-12-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

HURRY! Get a great Christmas gift for your little someone

special! You have until DECEMBER 15th at midnight to place

your order! No orders will be accepted after this date until

January! :) Merry Christmas!

Novemberfest

2010-12-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all that came to the Novemberfest! It was great success! This is my second year doing it and it was just as fun as the first time. I know that it was over a week ago that it took place, but I am happy to be posting about it now.

I really appreciate all of your patience with me. I had to mass produce my products and so it took a lot of time and energy but I think it was well worth it! Melanie Fowler (Cutest bows ever!) and I shared a booth this year which was so much fun! We both did pretty well, and just enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the wonderful creations and unique Christmas gifts. I swear I had a list forever long of all the things I wanted to buy myself! It was a great experience and one that I will want to continue! Until next year :)

Toddler Tuesday: Turkey Hand

2010-11-16T21:24:00.001-07:00

I loved this! It was a little twist on the standard Turkey Hand. I love this art project for little kids! You just trace their hands on a piece of paper and they can make a little turkey out of it. My K's Grandad really wanted to get the Turkey Hand from her soon, so we are going to probably do it tomorrow. Oh how I love Thanksgiving!

Stay tuned for some THANKS that will be given soon!

Meal-Time Monday: Best Lasagna

2010-11-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

Best Lasagna
By: Kristen
"This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
4 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Romano cheese
2 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 medium zucchini, sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Boil lasagna noodles 6 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay noodles flat and remove excess water with a paper towel.
In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add onion, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until there is no remaining pink color in beef. Drain any liquids and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, 2 cups of the spaghetti sauce and the seasoned ground beef. Mix until well blended. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Add a thin layer of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles lengthwise and a few noodles in the opposite direction. Pour in a generous layer of ricotta mixture on top of noodles. Top ricotta layer with several basil leaves. Add another layer of noodles lengthwise. Spread on 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Line up the zucchini slices on top of the mozzarella cheese. Add another thin layer of ricotta cheese. Add the last layer of noodles lengthwise. Top the noodles with the remaining spaghetti sauce, several more basil leaves in an eye catching arrangement and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes. If Mozzarella cheese becomes too browned, loosely cover with a piece of foil.

Announcing...

2010-11-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

We have just added a new product to our product line!

The new "Soft Minky Blocks."

These blocks are the softest you'll find! The are made out of the softest minky fabric. Each block measures approximately 4" x 4" in size. Each block also has a bell inside which is fun for the child when they shake it. The Minky fabric is irresistibly soft! Even parents will want to play with them!

The blocks are completely machine washable and machine dry-able. These Soft Minky Blocks will quickly become your child's favorite toy that they will carry everywhere they go!

**You will be able to choose from pre-made Minky Blocks or you can also customize your blocks with the colors you want!

These would make great Christmas gifts for any child!

Check out the new Soft Minky Blocks @ www.kinderkeepsakes.com

Wing-it Wednesday: Make Baby Stuff...

2010-11-10T15:33:00.001-07:00

Ok! So this website is AMAZING! With Make Baby Stuff I was able to make my daughter's cute little bucket hat and also her cookie costume for Halloween. It's free and pretty easy to follow. If you are looking for some for some great little sewing projects for your little ones, check this out! You won't regret it!

Here are some pictures of my handi-work:

April 2008

October 2010

Toddler Tuesday: Counting...

2010-11-09T21:02:00.002-07:00

Today my daughter (K) was counting in Spanish with her daddy and she was counting uno, dos, tres etc. Well, they counted all the way to 10 with her repeating the numbers that daddy said. Then she started to count... (while holding up the number of fingers associated with each number) "uno, dos, tres, cuatro..." *long pause* looks at daddy..."FIVE!!" She hold's up five fingers with a huge grin on her face! Oh, my sweet little girl! She is growing up to fast!

Please listen to this song by Taylor Swift. It's called: "Never Grow Up". It's on her new album SPEAK NOW. Here are the full lyrics. Let me know what you think of this song. I know when I listened to it, it pretty much summed up how I feel about my two little girls. I know that a lot of us parents can probably relate. :) Enjoy!

Mark your calenders!!

2010-10-23T15:56:00.002-06:00

So I know I told you a while ago, that I would let you know what events our company will be participating in! We are really excited to meet new people and just get the word out! Come see us! :) Can't wait to see you there!

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Seussical Carnival

The Caine College of the Arts of Utah State University welcomes Cache Valley residents and friends to the Chase Fine Arts Center for the Seussical Family Carnival held in conjunction with the Utah State Theatre production of “Seussical the Musical,” beginning Oct. 28.

Admission to the carnival is FREE, and various booths for games, arts activities, concessions and shopping will be set up throughout the Tippetts Exhibition Hall during most production dates of the Utah State Theater production.

Dates and times include:

Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

Oct. 29, 9-10 p.m. (after the show)

Oct. 30, noon-2 p.m., 4-7 (I will only be there from 4-5 p.m.)

(before the matinee, before the evening show)

Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

Nov. 6, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

The production runs October 28-30, and November 3-6, in the Morgan Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State University campus.

I will be there selling my products, but, I will also have free candy! So come stop by and say hi! The show is amazing and geared towards your kids! So please bring your families and enjoy a fun filled family night out!

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Novemberfest Arts and Crafts Fair

The 27th annual Novemberfest Arts and Crafts fair will be held on the 26th and the 27th. It is a fun and anticipated community event which blends arts and crafts with the Christmas season. Talented artisans from all over Utah and surrounding states participate and bring their finest wares to sell. Items vary from Christmas and home decor, dolls and toys, fine jewelry, candles, baby items, clothing, calendars, books, lotions and soaps, to purses and photography.

Food booths will feature award winning chili, pizza, cinnamon rolls and donuts, frozen chocolate covered bananas, roasted nuts and kettle corn. Hourly entertainment is provided by some of the valley's most talented singers and dance groups.

Website:	http://www.loganutahnovemberfest.com
Time:	10:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday
Date:	November 26-27, 2010
Location:	Logan Recreation Center 195 S 100 W Logan, UT 84321
Cost:	$1 admission (children 5 and under free)

I look forward to this craft year every year! It's amazing! There is so much to see, eat and buy! You could spend hours in there! And the entertainment is fun too! I will be there as well, so come get your free candy! Don't forget to say hi! Can't wait to see you there!

Meal-Time Monday: Supper Nachos

2010-10-18T23:48:00.000-06:00

People might call this by any given name, but this is what we call it by. Supper Nachos! YUM! This is so quick and easy and my hubby LOVES it! :) Bon Appetite!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg of taco seasoning mix

1 can of refried beans

grated cheese

optional:

olives

tomatoes

sour cream

Directions:

Brown the meat and add the taco seasoning mix. Then spread the beans in a 8 x 8 pan. Layer the meat next. Then add the grated cheese on top (however much you want). Put it in the oven @ 350 for about 20 min. (Just to warm everything.) Then, you can add all the optional stuff to after you serve it: olives, tomatoes, and sour cream. And don't forget to eat this marvelous dinner with tortilla chips or tortillas :) YUM!

(I promise we don't always eat Mexican food.--despite what this blog shows! :) )

Toddler Tuesday: Thumb Sucking

2010-10-12T21:25:00.000-06:00

S is has been sucking/chewing her thumb. I have been a little worried about it because I have heard that it can be bad for the children's teeth (when they come in) among other things. I know that S is young, but it says in this great article that it can effect toddlers as well! But honestly it is so darn cute! This picture was actually taken a few months ago, but it just melts my heart! Cute huh?

Here are five tips to help stop thumb sucking:

1. Make Her Think it's Her Idea

2. Weaken the Habit

3. Help Her Notice

4. Use Authority

5. Consider Peer Pressure

To read the whole article (which I highly recommend) click here.

(This article is from www.babyzone.com)

Meal-Time Monday: White Chili

2010-10-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

We love love love White Chili! :) I hope you do too! :) Let me know what you think!

WHITE CHILI

Ingredients:

6 cups water

1 teaspoon lemon pepper

1 teaspoon cumin seed (powdered)

4 halved chicken breasts

olive oil cooking spray

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup chopped oinion

2 9 oz frozen white corn--Green giant

2 4 oz diced green chilies--undrained

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 teaspoons lime juice

2 15 oz Great Northern Beans--undrained

crushed tortilla chips

Monterey jack cheese

Directions:

Combine water, lemon pepper and cumin seed. Bring to boil--add chicken breasts--cover and simmer 25-30min. Remove chicken, and save the broth. Break up chicken into bite-size chunks, return to broth the put aside. Spray skillet with spray then sautee the garlic and onions. Add to chicken mixture. Add rest of ingredients except the beans and bring to a boil. Add beans and thoroughly heat. Serve with crushed chips, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Well, sometimes life happens! & (Attention: BLOG FOLLOWERS!)

2010-10-11T21:28:00.001-06:00

So, I'm back!! I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted! That is what happens when you take a spur of the moment trip to Provo, UT. It was a much needed trip though. We were able to see friends and family which is so important to keep in touch with the ones that we love :)

Attention all blog followers: If you would like to get the 10% discount for following my blog make sure to subscribe to the Newsletter. Go to the website www.kinderkeepsakes.com :)

Meal-Time Monday: Hot Dog Men!

2010-10-04T20:28:00.001-06:00

It's hard to get kids to always eat what they should. But this is one dinner that you won't have to fight them on! :) Enjoy!

HOT DOG MEN!

Ingredients:
8 hot dogs
8 slices bread
8 slices American cheese
ketchup and mustard to taste

Directions:

Make a slit down the middle of one end of each hot dog; this will be the legs. At the other end, make a small slit each side; these will be the arms. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, and add the hot dogs. Boil for about 5 minutes until the slits open up.
Place slices of cheese onto slices of bread. Set the hot dog men on top. Use ketchup and mustard to make a face, hair and clothes or buttons.

(http://allrecipes.com)

Thrifty Thursday: Free Cold-Stone Ice Cream Today!!

2010-09-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

September is Make-A-Wish Month and you can join Cold Stone Creamery for the 9th annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social! You will receive a 3oz portion of Kate's Creation FREE at participating U.S. locations from 5-8pm on September 30th. TODAY!!!!

CLICK HERE FOR INFO!

What's in Kate's Creation?:
Features the Gold Cone Flavor of the month, Caramel Apple Ice Cream, mixed with Chocolate Shavings, Graham Cracker Pie Crust and Apple Pie Filling.

Enjoy!

Wing-it Wednesday: Halloween Costumes

2010-09-30T15:31:00.000-06:00

So I think for my daughter's Halloween costume she is going to be a cookie :) She LOVES cookies! So we will see how it turns out! Here are some pictures of what it's supposed to look like. If you want more free patterns go to www.make-baby-stuff.com It's free and cute stuff :)

Cookie Costume Materials:

Tan felt
Dark Brown felt
Thread
Stuffing

Afterwards...Cookie Cushions!

(pictures are courtesy of www.make-baby-stuff.com)

Toddler Tuesday: It's a Crayon Tree!

2010-09-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

To those of us that have toddlers, we all know that they get bored quickly and we always have to be coming up with new ideas and fun activities for them to do. Well, here is a simple activity that would be really fun to do together! I'm going to do this with my daughter sometime this week! Yay! :)

Have fun!

It's a Crayon Tree!
Wow...look what's growing on this tree!! You and your toddler will have a blast making this crayon tree. Adult: take a paper towel roll and use some scissors to punch/poke some holes around it just big enough for a crayon to fit snuggly. Then let your toddler take some of her favorite color crayons and put them in the holes. It is easier to put them in tip first. Yay! You have made a crayon tree!

Supplies Needed:- Paper Towel tube
- Scissors
- Crayons

Tips/Suggestions:
- Once you have made the crayon tree, you can put the rest of the crayons away so that your toddler only has a few out. Tell her that she can color with just the crayons that are on the tree! That makes clean up easier!
- As your toddler is putting the crayons in the holes, talk about the color name
- You can count the number of crayons that your toddler puts in to make the tree.

(this fun craft idea is from http://www.toddlertoddler.com)

Meal-Time Monday: Zucchini Supreme

2010-09-27T14:21:00.000-06:00

6 cups zucchini or summer squash

1/2 c chopped onion

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 cup grated carrots

<medium box of stove top stuffing

1/4 cup melted butter (goes with stuffing)>

Cook veggies together 'til tender. Drain. Fold gently into sour cream and soup. Combine stuffing and butter, spread 2/3 of mix (stuffing) on bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan. Add veggie mix. Sprinkle remaining stuffing over top. Bake @ 325 for 30 min or 'til bubbly.

ENJOY! :) (This is a family favorite! Even my kids will eat it!)

Thrifty Thursday: My Coupon Binder

2010-09-23T22:02:00.000-06:00

Here is my coupon binder! I am very proud of it! In order to "coupon" you need to be organized. So this is my first step in the process!

If you need ideas on how to organize your coupons you can go to www.coupondivas.com and watch some of Kitty'a tutorials, or you can also check out www.theobsessiveshopper.net. Both of the these women know where it's at :) They are helping me get pumped and ready to go to save money! We really need to start saving money because we went over the past 3 months on groceries and also in our miscellaneous category as well. So...HERE'S TO SAVING MONEY! Whose with me?

Does anyone have any feedback on what "coupon-ing" method works best for you? Please Share.

Wing-it Wednesday: Desitin vs Sunscreen

2010-09-22T22:24:00.000-06:00

Which one is better to block out the sun? Obviously my daughter thinks that the desitin IS sunscreen :) But hey, I guess either one would work. What a funny girl! I love being a mom :)

Toddler Tuesday: Potty Training

2010-09-22T22:10:00.002-06:00

I have started potty training my daughter and I found these free potty training charts online that you can print out. Of course since K LOVES "Cars" (the Disney movie) I printed out that chart for her. They have a lot of cool free stuff (tutorials, charts etc.) along with other things for purchase.

K also LOVES stickers so for right now, any time she sits on the potty she gets to put a sticker on her chart. She thinks it's pretty cool. However, she has yet to "go" on the potty. I feel a little lost as far as how to start this whole process. I mean stickers on charts are good, but if she doesn't "go" than what do I do? Does anyone have any advice or tips for a "new-to-potty training" mama?

http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/CTGY/FREE-Potty-Training-Charts.html

Website Makeover!

2010-09-20T16:39:00.002-06:00

Well, I promised I would tell you when the website finished it's makeover... it's done! :) It still looks about the same, but now I can accept credit cards as well, so that is great! And it's a little easier to navigate! Check it out! Give me your feedback! Do you like it?? Yes? No? :) Is there anything that would make it better?? Thoughts? Have a great Monday!

The New and Improved:

www.kinderkeepsakes.com

Meal-Time Monday: Tortilla Soup

2010-09-20T16:33:00.000-06:00

You might want to double this if you are serving more than 2-3 people.

2 Chicken Breasts (diced)
1/2 cup onion (diced)
2 tablespoons of oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
1/2 teaspoon of Salt
4 cups of chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cilantro
1/2 can of corn (drained)
4 corn tortillas (sliced into strips)

Cook chicken in oil w/onion and garlic 'til done
Add-
Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies, chicken broth, salt, cumin, dried oregano, and cilantro.

Bring to boil
then add-
corn (drained), and corn tortillas

Simmer for 20 min

Then, serve with corn chips, grated cheese and sour cream.

YUM! Enjoy!

Friendly Friday: Pretty Sweet Bows by MJ

2010-09-20T16:09:00.001-06:00

MJ Fowler

I am a homemaker and proud mother of two wonderful children. Besides crafting I enjoy music, sports and baking.

My really good friend MJ is the owner of Pretty Sweet Bows by MJ. She is amazing! She makes the cutest bows you have ever seen! My girls and I love all of them. The thing I really like about MJ's bows is that they can be used for little babies all the way up to little girls! They are very versatile.

I made sure to get doubles of some bows so that when I did pigtails in my daughters hair I would have matching bows.

Pretty Sweet Bows are vital to any little girl's collection of bows! They are unique and very durable. Kyrah, has a tendency to pull her bows out of her hair all the time and all of the MJ's bows have stood up very well to all that tugging and pulling! She can custom make any bow that you want. She has endless possibilities in store! She is great to work with and is very professional. Her prices are the best I have seen and her bows are absolutely adorable! And best of all she is always coming up with fresh and new ideas for her bows. So there is never a dull moment in the Pretty Sweet Bows store. So go check it out! You won't regret it! :)

Thrifty Thursday: Date Night

2010-09-20T13:36:00.001-06:00

Even Mom and Dad deserve a date night. Or should I say...especially because Mom and Dad are parents they deserve a date night away from the kids. It is very important for their relationship as husband and wife to, at the very least, go on a date with just each other twice a month. (If you can swing it, it should be once a week). It does help you become better parents as well!!

The problem is though, because we have a families there really isn't much money to spend on date night. DO NOT WORRY! There are a lot of fun things you can do as a couple for free or very little money.

I know my hubby and I have to do that all the time, because we only have 2 kids and yet all of our money is going towards diapers, bills and food on the table. But we find that if we are really frugal and set aside just about $5 a week towards date night, we can usually go out together about twice a month and do something fun.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:
*Go on picnics
*go to the park
*wait for movies to come to the "cheap seats" in the theater
*have friends over and everyone pitch in on dinner and a movie.
*find some local free entertainment in your area (concerts in the park etc.)
*do a puzzle together
*play games with other couples (we love card games!)
*come up with fun ideas together
*fly kites
*work on a fun project together

My goofy, adorable, fun hubby and I (we are on a date at the park--FREE)

GET READY!!

HAVE FUN!!

START DATING!! again...

Company in town...

2010-09-18T10:06:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not slack off and get lazy as far as posting goes. I have company in town so I will catch up with my postings by Monday. Monday should be a fun one because I will be posting "Thrifty Thursday", "Friendly Friday" and "Meal-Time Monday"! So please keep checking back! Have a great weekend everyone!

PS- the website is getting a make-over! Soon I will be posting the new look! Fun things to come!

Wing-it Wednesday: Anything and Everything...but most of all SMILES!

2010-09-15T17:14:00.001-06:00

On Wednesdays I have decided that I can blog about whatever I want! So today the topic is going to be about smiles. Don't these smiles just melt your heart? I love being a mom! It is the best job in the entire world! I wouldn't trade it for anything. These smiles are what makes the sleepless nights and crazy days all worth it! So, don't forget to cherish these special times with your kids!

They are priceless!

Toddler Tuesday: My baby turns 2!

2010-09-14T17:06:00.002-06:00

Well, I can't believe another year has come and gone. My little girl is now 2 years old today. Her birth was a dream come true. It took us longer than expected to get pregnant with our little one but she was definitely worth the wait!

Now that she is two she has become very independent and wants to do everything all by herself. She wants to put on her shoes all by herself, even if they are on the wrong feet. She insists on drinking out of a "big girl cup" even though half of the water ends up all down the front of her shirt instead of in her mouth. She is learning new words every day and it always surprising us with how smart she is.

She now has her own "big girl bed"!! And she could not be more thrilled about it! She loves it! She also sits in her own booster chair at the table with us too. Crazy how things change so fast!

K has also shown herself to be an incredible big sister. She always wants to be there to help her sister whenever she can. If S is crying she comes to tell me "S, hungry!" She also has to make sure that S always has her little Hippo Luvi Blanket to keep her company. It is a must! K also loves to read to her sister and lets her play with her toys. Sometimes she thinks that she is old enough to pick her up all by herself, but I have to remind her that S is little and K needs help if she is going to pick her up. Still...I love the adorable bond that these two girls have together. S just loves when K comes around and is always smiling up at her and laughing. K, you are a wonderful big sister! Thanks for taking such good care of S.

We are also going to try and start potty training within the next week or so, so I am sure that my next Tuesday post will be all about "POTTY TRAINING!" We'll see.

Pushing baby S in the stroller all by herself!

K dressed herself today :)

She loves her new bed!

Today for K's birthday we woke up and made pancakes and then went to the park. K LOVES the park! The pictures were taken with my cell phone so they aren't great but at least they are a memory. We'll do the presents and a party this weekend. But today was still a fun day! :)

We love you K! Mommy, Daddy, and S all wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for being such a special part of our family! :)

Meal-Time Monday: Country Breakfast Casserole

2010-09-13T11:49:00.007-06:00

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER!!

**I got this recipe from WIC and it is now a family favorite! However, I am giving you my version of the recipe. I changed a few things to make it better! Enjoy!

Country Breakfast Casserole

10 eggs, scrambled

3 cups grated cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)

1 1/2 cups of milk

16 oz frozen hash browns, thawed (I like to use freshly grated potatoes. I use about 6 medium potatoes, peeled and grated)

Salt and pepper to taste

Veggies (bell peppers, onions, green onions (optional), etc.)

Diced ham (sometimes I use sausage or turkey, whatever kind of meat you prefer. If you use sausage, make sure you cook it before you put it in the casserole.)

black olives, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a 9 x 13" baking dish. Bake for 50-60 min.

Remembering this special day (September 11th)

2010-09-11T22:47:00.005-06:00

to the firefighters and the ones who have died

thanks to all the people who saved you and cried

to the ambulance and the people who saved

thanks to all people who cried on that day

to you we are all thankful and sad

but we will overcome that sad, sad day

to you we are very happy and saved.

~author unknown

Thrifty Thursday: The Obsessive Shopper

2010-09-09T14:08:00.006-06:00

I had a friend come to me today and tell me about The Obsessive Shopper. Who is that? I will tell you. Shauntell Ottley will teach you step by step how to clip coupons and save A LOT of money on groceries! And who couldn't save a little money on groceries right now during the recession. Also, she can help you with your food storage too! She has online tutorials, blog posts etc. And best of all: it's all FREE!

You know, I have always wanted to be a money saver through clipping coupons but I never really knew how or where to start. So I would say to myself, well, I guess I don't need too. I mean how much money can you really save anyway? I have a lot of friends who have started to clip coupons and the savings are amazing! You just have to be willing to put the effort in. Because it will take a little bit of extra time. But I can guarantee you it will be worth it! So I am going to jump in with both feet and make a renewed effort to start clipping those coupons! WHOSE WITH ME!!!??

PS- There is a special going on right now, on Shauntell's website on newspapers, but it ends today! So hurry and order! I did! :)

ORDER DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 10th 11 AM MST!!!

As of right now for a VERY limited time almost anyone in Utah can order up to 8 Newspapers for $19.99 EACH!!!!

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never seen the paper so low in price. To really SAVE the most spend the LEAST on this essential item. Call today!

This deal is for The Deseret News AND Salt Lake Tribune which are delivered almost anywhere in Utah.

Each subscription will cost $19.99 you will get-

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52 weeks of delivery
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This "ad" and photo are courtesy of http://theobsessiveshopper.net/

What do YOU want to hear about?

2010-09-07T16:40:00.005-06:00

So this post is going to involve some participation. As you can see I have not been a very good blogger. I really want that to change. My problem is I don't know what to blog about?!?!

I know that people can blog about what they do during the day, or about a new product that they have come out with etc...but I want to blog about what my followers are interested in. I want to make it interesting and fun and something that everyone will want to read.

So my questions are:

What do you want to hear about? What would be something that you would be interested in me blogging about? Is there something that would be more beneficial to you?

Please let me know! Comment away! :)

I'll take all comments and advice into consideration! Thanks so much!

PS- for all of those who are interested: there will be a HUGE craft fair in Logan, UT. It will be in November! I'll have more on that later! But mark your calenders!

MIA

2010-05-05T22:10:00.001-06:00

Sorry that I have been away for so long. I really haven't been far. Just sewing away in my shop! It's been a crazy time for 'Kinder Keepsakes' latley. My graduation caps and gowns have been selling like crazy and I have been busy with that for about the last month and half. Also, for those of you who don't know...we are expecting our second little girl any day now, so I have been getting ready for her as well. I closed my shop today, so no more orders. :( However, we will be opening back up in the beginning of June! :) Hope to see you all then! Again, sorry that I have been really bad at the blogging...come June---there will be a lot more excitement here on the Kinder Keepsakes blog! Stay tuned! Until June...

Winner of the Giveaway!

2010-03-24T14:15:00.001-06:00

We have a winner of "Today's Giveaway!"

Drum roll please....

Kirsten Creel!

Congrats Kirsten! Hope you enjoy the Alligator Luvi Blanket! :) And thanks to all who participated! There will be more giveaways and fun things to come in the future so stay tuned!

The new Health Program...

2010-03-21T22:01:00.001-06:00

I would like to get everyone's opinions on the new socialized health program. Do you think that it is a good idea? Or a bad idea? How will affect you? Your children?

What do you think the new socialized health program will bring? If you want more info on it click here. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated!

"Today's Giveaway" is tomorrow!

2010-03-11T21:58:00.001-07:00

Don't forget about the giveaway tomorrow! :) ENTER AND WIN A FREE LUVI BLANKET! :)

www.todaysgiveaway.net

Today's Giveaway: March 12th!

2010-03-03T16:47:00.002-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again! :) FREE GIVEAWAY!! :) YAY! I will be featured on "Today's Giveaway" on March 12th. If you win, you will get a cute little Alligator Luvi Blanket. Isn't that the cutest thing you have ever seen...I think so. So don't forget to join me there on March 12th! If you want to enter go to www.todaysgiveaway.net. Click on "current giveaways" and there you should be able to apply. Good luck! :) I look forward to seeing you there!

PS- if you want the blanket for a girl I would love to put a pink bow around the neck or on the top of it's head. Just let me know!

Sick baby :(

2010-02-20T11:59:00.002-07:00

So my little one was sick all week. Such a sad thing! I don't know if any of you other moms feel this way, but I know for me it is really hard because I just feel so helpless! I wish I could just take all of her sickness away and make her feel better. Yeah, I think that is probably the hardest part. She tried so hard to be happy even though she was feeling lousy. It just broke my heart! Luckily, after a week for snuggling with mommy and just taking it easy, today my little baby seems to be almost like new! Yay! :) Watch out world...the toddler is back! :)

I was reading this the other day...here are some great tips for when your little toddler is sick (I agree with most of them, but not all. But make sure you do what you think is best for your child! After all, you are the parent!)

Toddler Sick? Tips to Help Your Sick Child and You as the Parent

Published October 02, 2007 by:

E Harmon

...There are a few things you can do as a parent to help your sick toddler handle his sickness as best as possible. Here are some tips.

Allow special treats. Even if you don't normally let your toddler eat things like ice cream, allow a few special treats during her sickness. If nothing tastes good except for ice cream, let her have ice cream. You can always catch up on good nutrition after the illness has run its course.

Allow forbidden fun. By forbidden fun I mean things that won't really harm your toddler, but aren't generally part of your daily activities. TV, for instance. In our household my son doesn't watch TV. When he's sick, however, I will allow him to enjoy some morning kids' shows or cartoons. This special treat will get his mind off of how badly he feels at least for a short time. Other special forbidden treats such as playing with the remote control, or sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed, might be allowed for a brief time as well.

Stop trying to do your chores. Many parents find it difficult to deal with their toddler's sickness and also maintain regular household duties. Let the chores go for a time. Your house will be fine and the rest of your family will survive. Just focus on your puny little one and his needs.

Bring home a new toy. If the illness is extending over the course of several days, have daddy or a friend to bring home a special new toy as a get-well present. The toy may not be distracting for long, but it means a lot to the child and to the parent to see a smiling face for a change, and to have an all-important distraction.

Invite visitors. If your toddler's sickness is not contagious you may want to actually invite some visitors over. A visit from grandma, or some fun times spent with uncle Joe will reduce your stress as a parent and keep your toddler happy for a time.

Dealing with a sick toddler is difficult for any parent. Helping your child to deal with the sickness is all a part of parenting. Try these tips for making your toddler's next illness easier on everyone.

What to post?

2010-02-09T22:39:00.001-07:00

Well, another week has past. We are now almost in the middle of February! It is crazy how fast the time goes. Being a mom sure does keep you way busy. It is so worth it though!

My question is...where do you find the time to get everything done? I have a list the is a mile long and each day I check off a few things here and there, but the list is never ending.

I do realize that that is part of being a mom and a wife, but are there any tips that any one would like to share that has made their never ending "mommy/wife list" seem not so daunting? Any thoughts? This mom could use some! Cheers to the best job in the world!

Luvi Blankets are back!

2010-02-01T22:13:00.001-07:00

Well guess what everyone! The Luvi Blankets are back! It's been a while I know, but we have finally got all the new inventory in and ready to go. I just finished the page this weekend and I think it turned out really cute!

There may still be some little kinks that I will need to iron out here and there, but overall it is good to go...I would like some opinions of what you think. Does the page make sense? Would there be anything that you would like to see changed? Thanks for the input!

Next on the list: Mommy N' Daughter Bracelets :) I made a few of these tonight and they turned out really cute! I'll keep you posted on how that goes! Pictures to come!

Oh, and by the way, can I just say I am soooo glad that Monday is over. Mondays are just hard days I think, but it's ok cuz this day is almost over! Here is to tomorrow! GROUND HOG DAY! Hopefully he won't see his shadow.

http://www.kinderkeepsakes.com/bothluviblankets.html <<< here is the link to the Luvi Blankets page on my website. Enjoy!

Bad picture I know, but I thought it was cute! :)

Effects of a Child

2010-01-28T21:33:00.001-07:00

Effects of a Child

A child will make
love stronger,
days shorter,
nights longer,
the home happier,
the past forgotten,
and the future
worth living for.

-Anonymous

(found this on: http://mom.lifetips.com/)

My new favorite cookies!

2010-01-27T23:53:00.001-07:00

Well, the secret is out. I have a sweet tooth. I made these cookies the other day and they are to DIE FOR! They are called Oatmeal Butterscotch Chip Cookies. I actually just found them on the back of the bag of butterscotch chips. They are super yummy! They have become my favorite cookies by far! Try 'em!

Collaboration

2010-01-24T17:44:00.001-07:00

So, I need your help. Here are a few of the animals that I will using to make my Luvi Blankets out of. These are new and different from the other animals I used to use. These animals are more colorful and vibrant than the other animals I used to use.

The dilemma you ask?

Which minkee fabric do I use for the "blanket part"? Do I use more vibrant colors that match the animals? (Like bright green, orange, blue, etc.) Or do I still stick with the more mellow colors? To maybe offset the vibrancy of color in the animals?

Think about it in terms of what you want your child to be carrying around...which one you would be more inclined to purchase.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

This is a picture of one my old Luvi Blankets, just so you can see the difference in color, and also for those of you who don't know what a Luvi Blanket is: this is it! :) It is the head on one end of the blanket and the feet on the other, with the blanket in between. :) This way the child gets their favorite stuffed animal and blanket all in one! (The blanket roughly measures about 18"x18" without the animal attached.)

Here are just a few of the new animals I will be using for the Luvi Blankets:

Treasure the Time

2010-01-23T23:33:00.001-07:00

Do you see her cell phone in her purse...she is only 16 months old!

Where has the time gone? What has happened to my baby girl? They grow up to fast. Treasure those special moments...they go by quickly.

One of those days

2010-01-22T16:24:00.001-07:00

I love days like this! It's snowing outside and you can be inside all warm and cozy with some hot chocolate and a good book. I just hope that everyone is safe driving in this fun wintery weather! Gotta love Logan, UT!

Scented Play dough

2010-01-21T22:29:00.001-07:00

I found this on new website that I just love! It is called http://mom.lifetips.com/. They have great tips for new moms and also great tips for very experienced moms too!

I think I will try this recipe with my daughter, she loves to play with anything that she can stick her fingers in. lol! ( i.e. olives, mashed potatoes, flour, corn flakes...) Don't know where she got it from! But maybe she will like this play dough.

homemade scented play dough

Make homemade scented play dough with your children. Mix 2 1/2 cups of flour with 1/2 cup of salt. Add 2 envelopes of kool-aid (any flavor except lemonade). Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to the boil. Add the boiling water and 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix together. Be careful, it will be hot for a little while. Let the kids play with the scented dough. Dough can be stored in plastic bags for a few days.

BlOgGiNg BlOcKs...

2010-01-20T22:56:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! It is now a NEW YEAR!! Time for resolutions! Well this is mine: BlOgGiNg!
That being said: I need everyone's help! I need you to follow my blog. Add me! For me it is no fun to blog for no one you know? I appreciate those few that have added me to the blogs that they "follow." For that I will be forever grateful!

I believe that the more people that I feel depend on me to write something, the more I will feel like writing. So let's see if this little experiment works. This will be a really positive motivation for me to keep going...for everything person that joins me and "follows" my Kinder Keepsakes Blog I will give you all a 10% savings off any order, good FOREVER. There will be no expiration. When ever you order something, in the message section (in paypal (for my website) or my Etsy shop) just mention that you are follower on my blog and I will honor the 10% discount. Also, I may have a few giveaways throughout the year.

So HERE IS TO A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!! 2010!! Please help me become a better blogger by joining my blog so I know that there are people out there who actually want me to blog! : )

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! IT MEANS MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW! :)

Little findings...

2009-09-24T18:19:00.001-06:00

Ok, so I was searching the Etsy site and what did I find? A fellow Etsy-ian makes the cutest little "snack sacks" and the best thing is...they are reusable! Perfect for "going green!" Her shop is called: greenstreetbags. I love that they are very colorful and fun, while at the same time being very practical. Enjoy!

Getting things up and running

2009-09-22T21:14:00.001-06:00

Life sometimes gets away from you without you really realizing it. I'm so excited to say that I have officially opened a business acct. now and I also have my business license, so now I can sell my stuff locally as well as online! Yay! :)

Speaking of which I am also very excited because I am now going to be doing some craft fairs in November! So we'll see how it all goes. I am also going to be changing my product line a little bit and so if anyone has any new or fresh ideas that they would like throw at me it would be much appreciated! Sometimes I find myself banging my head against the wall trying to come up with new ideas so sometimes multiple heads work better than just one. (Keep in mind that I want to keep with my theme of "little people" items that can be handcrafted or sewn.)

One of my ideas are those little soft blocks and you can find almost anywhere. Except I am going to be making them with the minky fabric that I have left over from my Luvi Blankets. What are your thoughts on that? Do you have any ideas on how to make them unique? Is there anything you would do differently?

Thanks for the input and thanks for checking back! :)

Turning 1 today!

2009-09-14T09:34:00.002-06:00

I think that this is worth a blog post. My daughter is turning 1 today! I can't believe that it has been a year now since she was born. That is a day I will never forget. She is the light of my life! She makes every day an adventure. As many of you moms know being a mom is quite a full time job and yet I believe that it is the most rewarding.

K, we love you so much and are so grateful that are part of our lives! Thanks so much for being such a good little girl. We couldn't ask for anything more! Happy Birthday!

Love you forever and ever,
Mom

Well, now I am off to go clean up the house a little bit and frost some cupcakes. It is party time! Yay!

New goal :)

2009-08-17T22:19:00.001-06:00

Ok everyone! I know that I have not been very good about updating this blog but I am going to be better about it. I want to make sure that you all are aware of everything that is going on :) So my goal is to post at least 3 times a week. Hopefully it will be more, but I am trying to set realistic goals. Wish me luck! Here's to turning over a new leaf.

This has nothing to do with my work...but I just thought this was an adorable little picture of my daughter. I love her so much! She is such a joy in my life :) What a keeper! Enjoy!

We are now open!

2009-08-14T16:45:00.001-06:00

Hey there everyone!

I just wanted to let you all know that Kinder Keepsakes is now open and ready for business! Come on over and say hi! Enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-13T23:14:00.001-06:00

I know that this was a while ago but I am just finding the time to post between being a mom, running a business and moving to a new location! Whew! :)

As of right now my Etsy Shop is closed, however, any orders that you need to place you can go to my website...www.kinderkeepsakes.com. You can place any orders there. :) Thanks! We'll reopen shop soon!

Don't you just love that little flag? It is so cute! And it matches my daughter's dress perfectly! Happy Independence day! YAY!

Tidbits and tots :)

2009-06-24T22:45:00.001-06:00

I know that I have been away for a while, sorry about that! But I am back! Can I just say that I love being a mommy!! It is the best thing ever. I love to feel needed and I love to hear my little daughter's laughter! It brings joy to my heart!

A little off topic but thought this could be useful info so I thought I would share.

If you need to edit your website or if you need web hosting I found an amazing place!

Check out: www.snippetmaster.com
also: www.etwebhosting.com

They are fantastic! And great prices too!

Let me know if you are interested in signing up! Comment below.

Kinder Keepsakes meets Youtube

2009-06-11T20:22:00.001-06:00

I just made my first movie ever for Kinder Keepsakes! And if you could give me some feedback on it and tell me what you think that would be great! Thanks so much!

Times to Remember

2009-06-08T17:17:00.001-06:00

I went to visit some family over the weekend and my grandma had this great advice that I wanted to share about keeping track of all the things your kids do.

She said that she had this friend that had a hard time keeping a memory book for each of her kids because she just couldn't find the time to scrap book all the time. So, what she did was she made a file for each of her children with their names on it. Then any time that one of her children would say something funny or draw a picture or whatever it was...she would stick it in the file.

I really liked this idea because I am having a hard time keeping up with the baby book that I have for my daughter. Some days are better than others, but it is nice to know that there are other ways to keep a remembrance of all cute little things that your children do! Thanks grandma!

Teething Trials...

2009-05-26T22:24:00.001-06:00

Teething. That is a word that causes each parent to cringe. It is one of those necessary evils that all babies must go through. The hard part is the fact that there is nothing a parent can do but sit there and watch their baby go through the pain. Tonight I had the experience of teething with my little one. I think she has been teething for a few days now but tonight was one of the worst. My poor little girl was crying because of the pain. I did everything I could. (Gave her Tylenol, ora gel, cold things to suck on...) But she was still hurting, so I just held and rocked her as she cried huge crocadile tears.

I know "this to shall pass" but I hate being helpless like that, not being able to help my child. I'm sure every parent can relate. If anyone has any tips please feel free to share!

Daddy's Girl

2009-05-18T17:52:00.001-06:00

John Schmitt is one of my favorite composers. He is an amazing piano player too! This arrangement of LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay), he dedicated to his daughter. The love a father has for his children is amazing. I know that my husband has a special bond with our daughter...she is "daddy's little girl." Being a parent is the best job you can ever have. This arrangement was truly an inspiration to me and it made my whole day better.

Little Shopping Carts

2009-05-15T12:08:00.001-06:00

So I went to the grocery store a few days ago and as I am pushing my cart I happen to look over and this little boy is pushing his own cart...but it's so tiny! It has a little pole sticking up so that taller people will still be able to see it as they are walking around. It is so nice for the parents I am sure because while they are trying to grocery shop their kids can help too! And it keeps them occupied. What a great idea! What will they come up with next?

1st Inspiration

2009-04-22T21:01:00.002-06:00

Well, this blog has officially started! Yay! Feel free to share comments and inspirations!

1st inspiration of the day: Motherhood
I love being a stay at home mom. There is never a dull moment and such fulfillment as I am getting out of bed at 4am to feed the baby, changing diapers, getting the baby food out of ears, eyes, nose and hair. The best part of all is the loves and kisses I get unconditionally every day.

2nd inspiration of the day: Kinder?
A lot of people have asked me where I got "Kinder" from. I grew up in the Military and because of that my family moved all over. One of the places that we lived was Germany. My most favorite memory is when we would get a Kinder Egg in our stocking for Christmas. Obviously it made a big impression on me!

Kinder Keepsakes

NEW BLOG!

Potty Training Pep Talks

I'm back!

Hurry!

Novemberfest

Toddler Tuesday: Turkey Hand

Meal-Time Monday: Best Lasagna

Best LasagnaBy: Kristen "This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."

Best Lasagna

Ingredients

Directions

Announcing...

Wing-it Wednesday: Make Baby Stuff...

Toddler Tuesday: Counting...

Mark your calenders!!

Meal-Time Monday: Supper Nachos

Toddler Tuesday: Thumb Sucking

1. Make Her Think it's Her Idea

2. Weaken the Habit

3. Help Her Notice

4. Use Authority

5. Consider Peer Pressure

Meal-Time Monday: White Chili

Well, sometimes life happens! & (Attention: BLOG FOLLOWERS!)

Meal-Time Monday: Hot Dog Men!

Directions:

Thrifty Thursday: Free Cold-Stone Ice Cream Today!!

Wing-it Wednesday: Halloween Costumes

Afterwards...Cookie Cushions!

Toddler Tuesday: It's a Crayon Tree!

Meal-Time Monday: Zucchini Supreme

Thrifty Thursday: My Coupon Binder

Wing-it Wednesday: Desitin vs Sunscreen

Toddler Tuesday: Potty Training

Website Makeover!

Meal-Time Monday: Tortilla Soup

Friendly Friday: Pretty Sweet Bows by MJ

Thrifty Thursday: Date Night

Company in town...

Wing-it Wednesday: Anything and Everything...but most of all SMILES!

Toddler Tuesday: My baby turns 2!

Meal-Time Monday: Country Breakfast Casserole

Remembering this special day (September 11th)

Thrifty Thursday: The Obsessive Shopper

ORDER DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 10th 11 AM MST!!!

As of right now for a VERY limited time almost anyone in Utah can order up to 8 Newspapers for $19.99 EACH!!!!

WOW, AMAZING, YEE HAW, EXCELLENT, EXCITING, CHEAP, OH YEAH!!!!

The newspaper is the number one way to get coupons! The majority of coupons used come from the Sunday paper coupon inserts. I have

never seen the paper so low in price. To really SAVE the most spend the LEAST on this essential item. Call today!

What do YOU want to hear about?

MIA

Winner of the Giveaway!

The new Health Program...

"Today's Giveaway" is tomorrow!

Today's Giveaway: March 12th!

Sick baby :(

Toddler Sick? Tips to Help Your Sick Child and You as the Parent

What to post?

Luvi Blankets are back!

Effects of a Child

Effects of a Child

My new favorite cookies!

Collaboration

Treasure the Time

One of those days

Scented Play dough

homemade scented play dough

BlOgGiNg BlOcKs...

Little findings...

Getting things up and running

Turning 1 today!

New goal :)

We are now open!

Happy Fourth of July!

Tidbits and tots :)

Kinder Keepsakes meets Youtube

Times to Remember

Teething Trials...

Daddy's Girl

Best Lasagna
By: Kristen
"This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."