While He Was Napping

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April 23, 2014 by Krista

Strawberry Jello Cake

This is a great Spring/Summer cake. It’s light, moist, fruity and no-bake! It takes a few hours for the jello to set, but you don’t have to heat up the already hot house by turning the oven on.
This is my mom’s favorite cake and we make it for her birthday every year. We have yet to make it the same way she does, but it still comes out great and tastes delicious. My mom likes when it gets all soggy, but I prefer it within a few days of construction.
STRAWBERRY JELLO CAKE
Ingredients:
– Strawberries, sliced or diced
– Round Angel Food Cake (it holds together better if it’s about a week old)
– 1 large box of Strawberry Jello (dessert gelatin)
– 1 small box of Strawberry Jello
Directions:
– Mix up the jello according to the package instructions (three cups of boiling water for the two packages of jello, dissolve jello in the boiling water and add another three cups cold water).
– Place a layer of sliced or diced strawberries in the bottom of a bundt pan.
– Place the angel food cake round into the pan on top of the strawberries and poke it with a fork or knife repeatedly until the cake almost begins to get crumbly. The more you poke it the more jello will soak in. My mom likes the cake pretty much soaked in the jello. I like it a little less saturated and don’t poke it as much.
– Pour the jello in the pan around the angel food cake. Hold the cake down in the jello to help it soak up more.
– Put in more diced strawberries anywhere you can get them to fit.
– Refrigerate the cake for 6 hours or until the jello is firm and springy.
– Take the cake out of the pan. Set the pan in warm water for a couple minutes to help the jello release from the sides of the pan. Place a plate, face-down, over the bottom of the pan and flip the whole thing over. Pull the pan off.
– Fill the hole in the middle with whipped topping and garnish with strawberry slices.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. Yields 12 pieces.

April 22, 2014 by Krista

{Rambling Momma} Being a Mom

Today, I’ve got Terri here from Rambling Momma to share with us.  So, I’m just gonna let her take it away… 

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Hey Lovelies of While He Was Napping- thanks so much Krista for allowing me to come by here and share some mommy thoughts, I love Krista’s blog and so glad I follow her 🙂 
Congrats to her on her new baby 

Being a mom is tough

Being a working mom is tough
Being a stay at home mom is tough
Being a MOM is tough

When I was first married, I couldn’t wait to get pregnant to become a mom, to have that beautiful face look up at me and give me a little smile, a giggle and a coo, then there were days when I had no idea what you needed me to do, you cried and screamed, there was no consoling you … 

Motherhood is a major learning curve. One minute you’re pregnant and the next you’re a feeding, swaddling, diapering, soothing machine, an instant expert in basic infant first aid and the art of latching a five-point harness. At the same time, you’re way out of your depth, struggling to navigate a stormy sea of new emotions that are unique to moms — from exhilarating pride to nail-biting frustration. Mastering the bottle is one thing; it’s much more complicated to finesse the emotional hurdles of motherhood, especially when they morph and mutate as your baby reaches each new milestone.

There is no course in school that will teach us all we need to learn and do, they say it will just come when you become a mom, well who ever they are, I’m sorry but there were many things I had no idea what I was doing, many times I wanted to scream and give the baby to hubby and leave the house…

but I am a Mom
I stayed
I dealt with it
I listened to the cries
I changed the diapers
I fed her one more time
WHY?
because she is a part of me, a part of me that I never thought I could love as much as I do, a part of me that would do anything for this child, she means everything to me.

Now she is 10 and a beautiful young lady who loves life and completes our family. So Mommas, it will get better, I promise.


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Thanks for the reminder, Terri!  Motherhood is hard.  But it’s the best thing I have ever done.  My boys are frustrating and infuriating sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything and can’t imagine life without them.  Visit Terri at Rambling Momma!

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.


April 17, 2014 by Krista

{They All Call Me Mom} Taking Time for the Kids When You Don’t Have Spare Time

Over the past month and a half, I have been trying to figure out how to balance three kids to one mommy.  Mr Napping was able to take the entire month of March off of work and I was spoiled in having an extra pair of hands to answer the “Mooooommmmm… I need you”s.  But, he went back to work at the beginning of this month and I have had to figure out this juggling act all over again.

Do you ever feel guilty for not playing with your kids?  I have had more than one afternoon where I tuck my older boys in for nap time, sing the shortest lullaby I can think of and them blow them kisses as I back out the doorway to my wailing infant that is insisting he will perish if not fed in the next 30 seconds.  I didn’t always love the nap time routine, but I did it and it always took more than 2-3 minutes.  And my boys loved it.  That’s what mattered.  So, now that there is a smaller, more dependent upon me person taking up the time that used to be theirs, I try to make special moments with each of them every day.  But, that’s harder than you might think.

Today, Katrina is here from They All Call Me Mom to share some of her secrets and tips on taking time for the kiddos when you don’t have time to spare.  Take it away, Katrina!

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“Mommy…will you play with me?”
As a mother, I adore hearing those sweet words come out of my three year old’s mouth.  But as a busy mother of many children who is trying to get everything she needs to get done in a day, those words always tug at my heart strings because as much as I’d love to, the fact is that there are many times in my day that I simply cannot stop what I’m doing to play.  
Lucky for me, Aria is very into playing “house” lately.  I can hear her playing house with her older sisters.  The scene always goes something like this:
ARIA:   Okay, I’m the baby and you’re the mommy, ‘kay?  And you are going shopping, ‘kay?  And then you feed me, ‘kay?  

And then after she sets the scene, the dialog starts up between the “mommy” and the “baby” … and the house play begins.  It’s so darn cute.

So lately whenever Aria comes up to me and asks me to play with her when I’m doing housework or making lunches or cooking dinner,  instead of saying “No, not right now.  Mommy is busy.”  I say,  “Yes, I can play with you.  Let’s play house…and YOU’RE the mommy and I’M the daughter…and you tell me to do my chores or I can’t go to the dance with the handsome prince, okay?”

And then a huge smile spreads across her little face.  I’ve entered her world and she gets so excited about that.  

“Honey, do your work or you can’t go to the dance…”  she says, in her best high-pitched mommy voice.

And I say, “Ugh.  Okay, mom!  I will.  Ugh!!”

And then I go about doing the laundry, vacuuming, washing dishes (whatever it is I’m doing) and every now and then I call out to her, “Mom?  Do I still have to clean?”  

And she answers, “Yes, honey…you’re not done yet.  Remember, you want to go to the dance.”

And that is how I play with my three-year-old when I’m too busy to play!

post signature

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Thanks for sharing with us, Katrina!  That’s too funny.  I love the idea and will have to try to implement it with my boys… although I might have to want to go to the park or go-kart racing instead of the dance.  Hehe.  Check out all the fabulous things going on over at They All Call Me Mom.  

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.


April 16, 2014 by Krista

Printable Kid’s Easter Basket Stuffer Coupons

Here comes Peter Cottontail and Easter is quickly on it’s way. Are you trying to put together Easter baskets for the kids? Would you like something you can put in them that isn’t chock full of sugar? Yes and yes? Well, then you are in just the right place. These Kid’s Easter Basket Stuffer Activity Coupons are just the thing you need! Bonus: They can serve as your Spring Bucket List too!

 

 

Kids Easter Egg Stuffers Activity Coupons

 

KIDS EASTER BASKET STUFFERS THAT WON’T ROT THEIR TEETH

Kids love their candy. I know this all too well. But, kids also love feeling special. One of the best ways to do that is by giving them your undivided attention and time. I also know that doing so isn’t always easy. I’ve got 5 little ones to divide my time between and some times I worry about them all getting the individual attention they need. Encourage that time together with these fun activities.

They can trade in their coupons when they get bored or on special occasions and you won’t have to come up with the entertainment on the spot!

 

Easter Egg Stuffers for Easter Baskets

 

KIDS EASTER BASKET FILLERS MADE EASY!

Life is crazy. You know this. I know this. So, let’s simplify things. All you have to do is print this free template page with 5 complimentary activities for your kids this Easter. The activities can all be done at home with no special items required.

You know your kids best! Personalize the other activities to your kids and your family! Write in the activities and rewards that best fit your family. Screen time? Get out of chores? A picnic to a special spot? Ice cream sundaes? Whatever your little ones love most!

Then, it’s as simple as grabbing a pair of scissors and cutting them out. Put them inside a standard size plastic Easter egg and you’re ready to fill Easter baskets or hide them for an egg hunt.

 

Easter Egg Stuffers Activity Coupons

 

FREE PRINTABLE! JUST SAVE, PRINT, CUT AND FINISH THESE KIDS EASTER BASKET STUFFERS!

All you need to do is save this file to your computer. Print it out. Cut out the eggs and then fill in the activiites on each egg and stuff it into a plastic Easter egg.

To download, simply right click on the image and open in a new tab or window. Right click the image again and “save as” to your computer. You may then print these on your home computer.

If you’re tech savvy and want to fill the eggs in with an image editor before you print them, you are welcome to. You can even download and use the same font I did.

Make sure you print at the “actual size” setting to get the right size to fit in your eggs.

Make as many copies as you like, but please don’t share the file. Please send your friends and family here to download their own copies. Thanks!

 

CAN IT GET ANY EASIER? YES IT CAN! KIDS EASTER BASKET STUFFERS DONE FOR YOU!

If you’d rather let me do all the work for you, there is a set of 45 activities plus a full blank template page available in my Etsy shop!

All you have to do is print and cut the eggs out. The activities are already all filled out. Pick the ones that fit for your child or family and you’re all set to cut out and stuff those eggs with good memories just waiting to happen!

Printable Kids Easter Coupon

 

All digital files are for personal use only. This image, nor any variation of it, may be copied or sold.  Thanks and enjoy!

April 15, 2014 by Krista

{Sew Crafty Cat} Onion Dip Recipe

Today, Kelly from Sew Crafty Cat is here to share her o  nion dip recipe with us.  Oh, my goodness… it looks amazing.  I’m gonna have to try this… or leave the recipe for hubby to find and hope he’ll make it for me…  Take a look!

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Onion Dip Recipe Whenever we have any sort of family gathering for a party or holiday, this onion dip is always requested. The recipe calls for cayenne pepper, which gives it a little kick. If you don’t want it spicy, I have also made it without. Mostly because I forgot to buy a new jar at the store; but the dip is still delicious nonetheless. When slicing the onions, I have done both larger slices, as well as using the food chopper to get smaller pieces. It all comes does to how big you want your onion chunks to be when you go to dip. And watch out for the watery eyes! I got some really strong onions and I think even Loucy the Cat’s eyes were watering! It does needs to be chilled before serving, and since I think it tastes even better the next day after everything soaks together, I do recommend making this the day before you plan to serve it. However, it only needs to be chilled for a few hours before serving, so it can be made day of, as well. Serve with pretzels, pita chips, or veggies for dipping. My personal favorite is to eat it with celery sticks. And because this is such a hit at parties, I usually double the recipe to make sure there is plenty to go around!

Onion Dip Recipe
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Author: Sew Crafty Cat
Ingredients
  • 8 large yellow onions
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temp
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
  1. Cut the onions so you have about 3 cups
  2. heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan on medium heat
  3. add the onions, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper and saute for 10 minutes
  4. reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally for 20 more minutes until the onions are brown and caramelized
  5. allow the onions to cool
  6. place the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo in a bowl
  7. use an electric mixer and beat until smooth
  8. add the onions and mix well
  9. refrigerate for a few hours, serve cold
3.2.1275
  chopped onionssautéed onions Onion Dip Recipe Onion Dip Recipe

 

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Doesn’t that look delish!?  Thanks so much for sharing, Kelly!  Head over to Sew Crafty Cat and have a look around at all the other awesome things Kelly has going on over there!

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.

 

 

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I'm Krista. Ringleader here on While He Was Napping, wife to my handsome Mr. Right & momma to my THREE energetic boys, Big J (9), Little J (6) & Little N (4). We FINALLY added a beautiful little girl to our family last December.

I’m knee-deep in Tonka trucks & Thomas trains. I survive our crazy days with Vanilla Coke, Sonic slushies, sweet snuggles and little giggles. When I tuck them in tight & kiss them good night, I get a little time to create & just be me.


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