The Frazzled Tales of a Teacher and a Mom

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

One Dish,Three ingredient, Fiesta Zucchini

Once again, it's garden season! We don't have a garden (I have the black thumb of death when it comes to plants), but our friends and family do!! We have been given plenty of squash and zucchini. Fiesta zucchini is a favorite at our house and it's super easy!!! Only three ingredients, one dish and no baking involved!!!

Here is what you need:

A microwave safe baking dish
Saran Wrap
1 large zucchini
12 oz of salsa
1 cup of cheese (I used a taco blend)

Here is what you do:

Wash and cut the zucchini. I cut the zucchini in half first (hot dog style) then sliced up the rest.
Put zucchini in microwave safe baking dish and cover with Saran wrap.
Cook zucchini in the microwave. I cooked the zucchini for about 6 minutes. I would cook for 2 minutes and stir. Cook time varies on how thick the zucchini is cut.
Drain water from zucchini
Add salsa to zucchini
Cook for 2 more minutes
Before serving, add cheese to the top. Cook for one more minute, just to melt the cheese
ENJOY!!!!!!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Chores for a 4 year old... a system that works for us!

I came to the realization it was time to teach Olivia some responsibility. I decided to "pay" her for helping me out around the house. She will get a quarter for cleaning the living room, her room or for randomly helping me without being asked. When she cleans the living room, I give her a quarter. When she cleans her room, I give her a quarter. By doing this, she can earn at least a dollar a day. Her reward is immediate. She has a jar she puts all of her money in when she gets it. She loves taking her money out and seeing how many quarters she has!

Once a week, we go to the store and she gets to pick out what she wants to buy with her money. She took a purse in the store and got to shop around. She decided to get a pack of watermelon gum. I was shopping this day also, I put all of my things on the conveyor belt. We got the little divider bar and put it between our purchases and she put her gum on the conveyor belt too. I had to help her count out her money but other than that, she did all of it herself. She talked to the cashier, waited on her change and got her receipt. She got some change back and I told her to keep it. Next week she might be able to get a toy or more candy. When we were leaving she said "This is some pretty big kid stuff".

When we got in the car she was so excited! She said "I can't wait to tell daddy about what I bought today with my money!". Everyday since then she has wanted a piece of her gum. She is so proud.

On another day, she still had some money and she wanted a sonic drink. She told me what she wanted and we rehearsed what to say a few times. I let her push the button and she ordered her drink. Again, the only thing I helped her with was counting out the money.

Giving her immediate reward (quarters) for helping me around the house and letting her choose what she wants to buy gives her complete ownership of her chores and rewards. I haven't had any trouble getting her to clean her room or pick up her toys in the living room. In the past, this was always a fight and I ended up doing it all. By having her pick up the living room and her room every night, things don't accumulate to the point she can't handle it. This system is working very well for us in my house and I recommend trying this with your preschool aged child.

Cowboy Potatoes

I like to make what I call "Cowboy Potatoes". They go well with just about anything and they are super easy to make. Here is my recipe:

- 3 potaotes washed, not peeled
-2 T butter
-3 T minced garlic

1. Grease pan/ crock pot

2.Wash & Dice potatoes

3. Add butter and garlic

4. Stir

5. In oven: cook at 350 for a hour, or until the potatoes are tender
In crockpot: cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender

6, Optional: add some cheese to the top

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Cowboy potatoes are super easy and the whole family will enjoy them.

Summer Fun

My daughter just got back from a week with her grandma. In my case, grandparents are always trying to have a jam packed fun week whenever they get the grand kids. They plan something special for everyday. I got to thinking, shouldn't I be trying to do the same?!?!?! I am lucky to have the whole summer off to spend with my daughter and we should spend it right!! So, here is my attempt to do something fun everyday this summer!

1. Homemade pizza night