Easy 4th of July (Flag day, Memorial day... etc) Wreath

Hey all,

So I'm reposting from 2 years ago (wow... I haven't done any new patriotic décor since 2011... mmmm I'll work on that) because I just haven't done anything new for the 4th of July... and because this wreath is still here; no point in reinventing the wheel!

So yada yada, blah blah, (go back to the original post for more info on source etc)
... but anyway, here you go...

Patriotic Wreath
Supplies3 - 9ft strands of patriotic garland
1 - cheap wreath
hot glue gun
3 - 4x6 flags
Ribbon

I wrapped the garland around the wreath and glued the ends until I was out of space on the wreath. Then I added 3 flags for an extra touch. Then I used ribbon to attach it to my wreath hanger.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

{Pinned there, Done that} Avocado Chicken Parm

This is DEFINITELY a keeper in our books!

Hubby loved it :D

I came across this recipe for Avocado Chicken Parm (pin) from Cuisine Paradise and decided it would be a fun change-up for typical Chicken Parm.

It did not disappoint. Unfortunately, our avocados were a touch hard.... but that was ok. Still tasted good.


Incase this recipe gets lost somewhere...

 Avocado Chicken Parm
source: Cuisine Paradise
Ingredients:
 2 Chicken Breast Fillets, halved lengthways
 1/2 Cup Plain Flour
 2 Tablespoons Fresh Milk
 2 Eggs
 1 1/2 Cups Dried Breadcrumbs
 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil/Cooking Spray
 1/2 Cup Tomato Pasta Sauce
 2 Avocado, Sliced
 1/2 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese
 Salad Green, to serve

Directions
1. Place chicken breast in a clear plastic bag(alternatively between 2 sheets plastic wrap), using a rolling pin or meat mallet pound until 0.5cm thick.
 2. Place flour and breadcrumbs on two separate plate and lightly whisk milk and egg together in a shallow bowl.
 3. Coat 1 piece of chicken breast in flour(shaking off excess), dip in egg mixture then coat in breadcrumbs using your fingertips pressing on to secure.
 4. Place on prepared baking tray lay with foil or baking paper, repeat the same process with the remaining chicken breast with flour, egg and etc.
 5. Lightly spray or brush the prepared chicken with oil, bake for 8 minutes(turning after 4 minutes to have evenly colours on the breadcrumbs) in preheated 200 degree Celsius(392°Fahrenheit) fan-forced oven.
 6. Remove from oven and spread each chicken breast with 1 heaped tablespoon of pasta sauce. Arrange avocado slices over sauce and sprinkle with decent amount of mozzarella cheese.
 7. Return to oven and bake for another 5 - 7 minutes or until golden and chicken is cooked through.
 8. Serve with either garden salad or use it as a main topping on cooked pasta.

A half a year old! :D

"Happy Half birthday to you, Happy Half birthday to...."

Ok just kidding :D We don't celebrate half birthdays in the Moore Household... yet. What age does that start? I would have to say soon for my oldest daughter. We'll see....

Like I say every month, "I can't believe Lizzie is {insert month} months old!! ". But seriously, 6 months? I should start planning her 1st birthday (again kidding... I have like 2 months before I start, lol).

What fun did Lizzie have during month 6?
- Gigi and Pop pop visited
- Went to the Spray park
- Lots of time in the pool
- Celebrated Mother's Day
- Went to her 1st ballet recital
- Became a soccer fan (sissy's practices and games)
- Went to a birthday party
- Survived her 1st tropical storm (Andrea :D )

How is Lizzie sleeping?
- Goes to bed between 8 and 9 and wakes up once around 5-6 (sometimes earlier, bleh), eats, and sleeps a little longer until maybe 8 or 9

What is Lizzie eating?
- Mommy milk
- Homemade - peas, mixed vegetables, squash, green beans, peaches
- store bought - handy dandy mixed fruit pouches for the go, prunes, carrots

What "skills" has Lizzie mastered (or working on)?
- Sits for a short while on her own
- still LOVES the jumperoo and exersaucer
- has started rocking back to her knees (crawling soon?! not yet!!)
- rolling ALL. OVER. THE. PLACE.
- She is very good at getting where she wants, she will turn herself in a 360* circle, and then roll to where she wants to go
- babbling, ""mmm ba" and "mmm blah"... is what have so far :D.

Plans for month 7 include...
Busch Gardens
Georgia for the 4th of July
Go on her first boat!
More pool, splash park fun
Beach visit

Happy 6 months Lizzie!

Weekly Meal Plan #65

SUNDAY was...
FATHER'S DAY!!

Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, cinnamon raisin toast, and fruit

Out to lunch

Dinner: Grilled steak, sweet potato, asparagus, and mushrooms

MONDAY
Crockpot Chicken Fried Quinoa (pin)

TUESDAY
Avocado Chicken Parm (pin)

WEDNESDAY
DATE NIGHT!! It's Trivia for mommy and daddy... probably mac n cheese and hotdog for the kids :D

THURSDAY
Grilled Pork Tenderloin

FRIDAY
Pizza Night

SATURDAY
Probably not home for dinner... birthday parties!

Recap

 Frittata

 Grilled Chicken sausage, mac n cheese, and salad

Grilled Chicken Sausage Pasta with grilled pizza

Influenster :: Something Blue VoxBox

I was thrilled when I received an email from Influenster the other day saying that I met the qualifications for their Something Blue VoxBox; I LOVE trying out new products!

Want to see what I got?

Dr. Scholl’s(r) For Her Ball of Foot Cushions – $6.99 - 

 Here in Florida, I ONLY wear open toed shoes (even if it is December, shhh) so I enjoy the "...fit comfortable and discreetly in both open and close toed shoes" aspect of these. As a mom of 3 kids, I don't wear high-heeled shoes often, but when I do I want comfort. I'm looking forward to trying these out.

 

Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste – $7.99 –

I am intrigued with the whole "whiter teeth in just one brushing"... we will see :D

 

Q-TIPS (r) Precision Tips - $2.59-$3.35

I am not the neatest nail polish applier... so these come in handy!

 

Kiss everEZ Lashes – $4.98 (duo pack) - 

I'm not going to lie, I am SUPER excited to try these. I have never used them before and these look pretty simple to use (although I could be totally wrong!). I will be using them for this weeks date night!!

 

Urgent RX(r) Fast Powders – $1.39

I don't use medicine often... but it can't hurt to keep this in my purse.

 

Lastly, we got information about My Trio Rings which is an online jewelry store that has 65% off retail (what?! no way!!), free shipping, no-fee lay away, and 30-dat returns. The prices look awesome so definitely check them out.



Thank you Influenster for the opportunity to try out these fun products!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.


Have you heard of Influenster? It's a website I am signed up for and based on my interests and stage of life (college student, mom, athlete) I may be chosen to try out new products. It's really neat; check it out here and if it interests you let me know by email and I'll send you an invite (if I have any left).

Reward chart and treasure box!

Charlotte's preschool class started using a reward system for getting the children to behave in class. She was only in twice a week, so they started the week with 2 gold doubloons - they gained or lost doubloons depending on how they acted. If they ended up with 6 at the end of the week they got to choose a small price from treasure box (like the party favor packs at the dollar store like magnifying glasses, bubbles, colored hair braid clips, etc). Charlotte loved it and her teacher told me she was so polite and well-behaved.

Moving over to the Moore Babies house... I was getting to the point where I was PO'd frustrated every evening at the mess in the girls rooms and the shoes and clothes strewn about the house.

We had moved from a one story small house to a 2 story much larger house. So picking up shoes and toys after 4 (yes, husband is included in this, no offense hubby) kids is a lot more time consuming in the new house.

I finally decided to start our very own "Treasure box", but instead of gold doubloons, I found (and tweaked) a sticker chart. I actually just googled "free toddler chore chart" and found one that I liked and then added a column in photoshop. (I like the Modern Toddler Chore Chart from dandee)

The girls have to:
1. make up their beds (Jillie gets help)
2. Put their clothes in the hamper or if we are downstairs, into the washing machine
3. Bring their breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates over to the sink
4. Pick up their room (the play room is a different story)
5. Put their shoes in the closet in the hang-up rack (I found mine at bed bath and beyond)

At the end of each day, we go through each item, and they get stickers for the chores they have completed. If they don't do a chore, they get an "X"... 3 "X"'s means NO treasure box.

 

On Saturday evening, they get TREASURE BOX! I filled my treasure box with stuff from the target dollar section, dollar store, etc. (ok so some of the items are more than a dollar, but they were SOOOO cute!) I flip a coin to see who gets to pick first (although I may just alternate!).

And then it was Jillie's turn...

We have been doing this a month or so now and it's going pretty well. This past week Charlotte had some attitude and got 2 "X"s. But after reminding her what was at stake, she changed her tune and has been making up her bed first thing in the morning ever since! (score 1 for mommy)

Weekly Meal Plan #64

The next 2 weeks are going to be a little relaxed in the MooreBabies household... hubby has Annual Training. That means breakfast for dinner (still can't believe I married someone who doesn't like breakfast for dinner), leftovers, and evening playdates.

SUNDAY was...
Combination of Leftovers from the previous few days

MONDAY
Ham, Mac n cheese, and squash (or asparagus)

TUESDAY
Evening dinner playdate... maybe grilling up something fun and some appetizers
Very low key

WEDNESDAY
Oven baked tilapia with asparagus and mushrooms

THURDSAY
Asparagus, mushroom, and sausage frittata

FRIDAY
Pizza Night

SATURDAY
mmmm I'll try something from my pinterest board :D

Recap

 Grilled Ribs, chicken, shrimp, and veggies

 Pesto Chicken Pizza

 Chef Salad

 Pork Tenderloin and spaghetti squash

 Grilled chicken salad