Hamburger Helper Prize Pack Giveaway!

As you may know, my husband and I are both teachers.  Teaching is exhausting.    On busy days we have very little time to make and plan out meals, just like most busy families.  On many nights we are both exhausted and don't want to cook.  If we forgot to plan something ahead of time, we end up with two starving children that get grumpier by the minute especially after 5:30pm.  Even if they don't always say, it their eyes are screaming "What's for dinner?!"  We don't have the money to eat out on these nights (there are quite a few).     One of our easy go to meals is Hamburger Helper.  It's such a quick and easy meal option for us.  It's very affordable too. There are over 40 varieties, so even if we end up eating it more than once during the week it's not the exact same thing.   My daughter's favorite is the sloppy joe's.

We were very happy to receive Hamburger Helpers two newest varieties.

Two more favorites to add to our list of quick and easy foods for dinner. 

I love how fast and easy it is to make any of the Hamburger Helper varieties.  Less than 30 minutes (16 minutes to simmer) and the meal is on the table.

Need more veggies?  No problem.  There are lots of ideas to "make it your own" and to add more variety on their site and on the box.

The first one we tried was the cheesy italian beef.  The kids loved it.  I'm SO glad we didn't have to fight with them to eat during this meal.  It's now one of my favorite of all the 40+ varieties.  You can see the italian seasonings in it.

 One of my lucky readers will win this Hamburger Helper Prize pack!!!

Your Hamburger Helper winner prize pack will contain:

• Box of Hamburger Helper Ultimate Beef Stroganoff
• Box of Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian  Beef
• Serving dish
• Slotted serving spoon
• Trivet

These are nice items!  The serving dish is a large ceramic dish (not plastic).  My daughter keeps stealing my trivet for her play kitchen because "I don't have one Mommy!" 

All of my readers can Save 70¢ when you buy ONE Hamburger Helper® Ultimate Beef Stroganoff OR Cheesy Italian Beef Home Cooked Skillet Meals Here.

Disclosure:  The Hamburger Helper New Varieties information, product, and prize pack have been provided free of charge by Betty Crocker® and General Mills®, through MyBlogSpark.  All opinions are my own.

Dinosaur World - Teachers Free - March

 

Has anyone ever been to Dinosaur World?  There are three locations (FL, KY, TX).  We've never been before, but we are planning a trip soon mostly because teachers are free in March.  My friend took her kids a few weeks ago and they loved it.  I'm sure my kids will love it.  We took them to Downtown Disney where they got to dig for dinosaur bones.  They loved looking in the dinosaur restaurant and shops.

They don't provide any food service (except ordering Pizza to be delivered), but that is actually better.  We can pack a picnic and not feel guilty for bringing food in like some of the theme parks.  I know it's not the same, but it seems like it will be something fun, educational, and cheap to try out. 

I will have to update you and let you know how it is.  Spring Break is next week!! :)  We have lots of fun things we hope to do.

They have a new special every month.  http://www.dinosaurworld.com/special-events/

 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss..

I have had the urge to rhyme all week. It will continue as my Kindergartners and 1st grades sing and play a song I wrote that goes with Green Eggs and Ham.

Child Safety

Lately I've been thinking about child safety and I've had the urge to somehow get involved in child safety advocacy.  I don't know that I have the time to fully commit to such an important cause.  I do try my best to follow safety procedures and be extra cautious for my children.  There are many times that I am concerned for other's children because of a safety issue.  I debate with myself whether I should say something to the parent and "cause a situation" or let them parent, but there are times I just can't look away.  The number of times I've seen very young children not in a car seat is alarming.  All it takes is one accident.  One that isn't even your fault.  It doesn't matter how safe you drive because you can't guarantee the driving abilities of every other driver.  Ask my husband.  He'll tell you about the day he was driving  carefully home with our newborn son from the hospital and we still got hit.  Thankfully, we were okay. 

My husband and I took the kids to our mall's little play area last weekend.  It's nothing fancy, but it's for kids 42in and under to play in.  The number of parents versus children just didn't add up.  We started matching children to parents sitting and watching and noticed several unattended children.  Sure enough after some time a parent that was no where in sight would show up and pick up a kid or two.  There were at least 3 - 4 adults that just showed up to pick up kids they had left and most were very young.  I don't get it.  I could never leave my child unattended at the mall.  I don't even like leaving them unattended in my own house! 

Is it just me?  Am I just one of those paranoid mothers that is always worried about what could possibly happen?  Are some parents just too relaxed?  Is it a little bit of both?

www.safekids.org has a lot of safety tips for parents, teachers, etc. 

I read through some of the safety laws for my State.  Some of them should be obvious, but I've seen many of the laws broken. 

Check out your safety laws for your State. http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/safety-laws/

Growing Up...

My baby is growing up too fast.  Last week he figured out how to take the tray off of his high chair, so we moved him to the table with a booster seat.  My little stinker is great at figuring out how to open things!  Last summer we went to the beach and while trying to pack I noticed her grabbed a tube of sunscreen.  It was a small travel size tube that had a twist off top.  I let him play with it because he was happy and it gave me a minute to pack up a couple things plus he was in my sight with it.  The little stinker figured out how to open it and was able to squirt a little sunscreen on the floor before I could grab it. 

Well...last night my normally happy-to-sleep baby toddler decided he didn't want to sleep and threw a fit.  I decided to leave him in his crib for a minute or two before going back in and trying to get him to lay down.  I barely shut the door to his room and took two steps before heard the crash.  He climbed fell out of his crib.  Thankfully, he was okay.  He just had a little bump on his head.  He then got to stay up late while Daddy changed his bed over to a toddler bed.  Stinker.

My daughter didn't climb out of her bed until at least 2.5yrs old.  I knew that she was probably capable, but she never tried until she was big enough to safely climb out and come wake us up in our room.  I don't think she ever pulled the tray off the high chair.  We moved her just because she was getting older and we had already bought the booster seat to use for a vacation.
With him I need to worry more about him getting into things he shouldn't.  I'm really worried he's going to figure out how to open the kitchen cabinet that has our cleaning supplies in it.  I put a child safety latch on it and for now that's enough.  I won't even let him touch the door because I'm afraid my stinker will figure it out if he had a chance. 

Oh and he also figured out how to open doors even though he can barely reach the knob.

Do you have a stinker like I do?  When were your kid able to climb out of a crib?  Can your children open child safety locks?

Toes

My friend was finally able to take her beautiful baby home on Valentine's day after over 3 weeks in the NICU.  I was supposed to go over and take pictures this weekend, but my family got the stomach flu.  I handed off my camera to another good friend and she took them.  I'm editing.  I just had to post this.  I LOVE baby toes. :)

Earrings Winner announced!

Congratulations Rebelle D. you won a pair of earrings (or $5 off) from Marti's Jewelry Box!

If you didn't win, Marti has a great sale going on right now buy one get one 50% and always FREE shipping.  You really can't beat her prices especially with the free shipping.  It's the perfect time to buy and the sale is for a limited time.

Marti's Jewelry Box

Don't be afraid to ask about custom jewelry.  She's really great about coming up with a great piece from your idea.