VBS ~ Snack Ideas {Operation Overboad}

This year I am co-directing VBS but of course I still have to give my two cents on what will be on the menu for SNACKS!! Cokesbury has some good suggestions, but I always try and do fun things that the kids will enjoy, so here goes:

Day 1: Since I have been doing snacks we always do a quick/easy SNACK MIX  that the kids always LOVE... with our water theme I was thinking that this year we would use goldfish, swedish fish, oyster crackers, crasins, gummy worms, m&m's  and chex mix

Day 2:  Jello Aquariums {blue jello with gummy worms, fish etc in the jello, goldfish swimming around}

Day 3 :  Kid Sushi  {roll ups}

Day 4:  Design a Fish!! (this is my favorite idea, yet!! take Peppridge Farm Goldfish bread and spread low fat cream cheese, give the kids a platter of veggies and fruit and let them design their own fish! Each table picks a winner and then the each get a little prize!)

Day 5: popsicles (water day!!!)

Pinching Lobsters

In a strange way I think I am one of the luckiest girls in the world. Not because I am wealthy or beautiful or extreamly smart or talented, (cause I'm not) but because I know so many freaking people!! And not just know of but, really I KNOW so many people. I have lived in 9 cities, 2 of them twice, attended 3 high schools and 4 colleges, really. I have worked in too many salons to even count. What does all this mean? well, with my need to connect and facebook to thank for the fact that I know what most of these people are doing, what their kids/pets look like, where they vacation and what they are doing to leave their mark on the world!

Tonight I introduce you to Dax Santi a Hickory boy that is cute and funny and SO WORTH READING!!! Dax recently published his own novel.

 Pinching Lobsters  A failed marriage proposal sends a man off the deep end, where he forms and unlikely bond - with a lobster.

Dax started a kickstarter project and if you pledge a dollar he will tweet you! For $5 you can download the book!!! Pop on over and check out a very talented friend!! Tweet Dax tell him Mama Bird sent ya!!

Whale of a baby shower

Honey Mint Strawberry Salad

After last weekends wedding I had ton of  leftover strawberries! Jack who loves them requested a

 "strawberry salad with NO lettuce"

 after thinking a minute or two I reached for this little

gem

and got to mixing!

Savannah Bee Company has some of the best tasting honey ever!

I made a little "dressing" for the berries

1 T honey

juice of 1 lemon

splash of vanilla

fresh mint (I used 4 leaves and sliced super thin extra for garnish)  

It was DELISH and would be a FANTAB topping for ice cream, would make great strawberry ice cream delish on shortbread or angel food cake, I could go on and on. IT ROCKED!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

The Fresh 20 {gluten free}

A few weeks ago I saw a groupon for The Fresh 20 a website that will send you weekly meal planning, they have a classic, vegan, and gluten free. I have ALWAYS thought that I have an intolerance to sertain things and why wouldn't a sticky binder that we really don't need be the culprit? The best part about the Fresh 20 is they say $15 a day serves a family of 4!! With HEALTHY, FRESH, Preserative  free foods! I will share with you my meal plan and what i think of it tomo!

Summertime Fun in North Carolina {kids edition} 2013

UPDATE: 2013
This summer is going to be a fun one!

Can not believe my baby is going to be going to FIRST GRADE in 4 mos!!!

I am compiling a {wish} list of fun things to do in the unifour area as well as some great ideas for day trips. Some of these can be week day play dates and some will be reserved for our family! I really think they ALL lend well to either. Our theme this summer is   NEW ADVENTURES/ SPREAD OUR WINGS!!

{Local} Summer Fun

Catawba Science Center 

This place is great! We have a Membership $70/yr is so worth it! 
We go at least once a month! They have wonderful week long summer camps that have fun theme each week. 

Kool Park Pool

Great pool and waterslide, can take your own picnic. Half price after 4pm AWESOME!

Hiddenite Emerald Mine

Haven’t been yet but Discovery Channel LOVES it. Great loco for a play date!

 Hickory Crawdad’s Baseball

FUN!! We went last year and had a great time. They also have a carousel and play area
.

Sun Crest Water Park

Haven’t been here yet either, looks fun.

Tough Enough Rodeo
a good old fashioned rodeo right in Caldwell County! Talk about family fun! This place is a hoot! My son LOVED it. Just a tidbit of info. It doesn't get really rolling until almost 8 so be warned it might be a late evening but, it was worth it. EAT before you go, all they have is cotten candy and a few muchies. 

Day Trips {all around NC/SC}

Catawba Queen Summer Storytime & Pirate Landing Mini Golf
this is the coolest thing!
 EVERY Tues & Thurs morning a 1 hr ride around the lake while hearing a story with milk & cookies!

Zootastic Park, Statesville/Troutman area
I had never even heard of this place until Groupon! Yipee got a 4pk for cheep! Fun day trip!! WE LOVED IT! Took a picnic,  a guide takes you around and tells you all about the anmials. Great place!

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Marion

Also found this place from Groupon they had  2 for 1 special!! It is a TRUE campground. A little rough around the edges but, the kids LOVED it. Take a picnic, they have a huge pool, huge waterslide, putt-putt, paddle boats, canoes, horse shoes, all kinds of goodies! 

Tweetsie, Blowing Rock

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

Here is another place that with it only being 40 mins away a Season Pass is the way to go! You can take your own picnic, great fun rides that younger kids can enjoy!

Dan Nicholas Park, Salisbury

New to me and appears to be fantab!! Hope to take a day trip with friends! Looks soooo fun!!

Tanglewood Park, Winston Salem

went here tons as a kid. Can’t wait to take Jack!

Greensboro Children’s Museum

Heard fantab things about this place and look forward to meeting our friends here!!

NC Zoo, Asheboro

the zoo is great, Jack loves it and we will be going to visit j's great gma this summer and will go again!

 Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, Columbia, SC

Had to include this as I have been told this is a great place. 
Not sure when we will work it in as it is a tish far about 2.5 hrs but I just love a zoo! 

Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh

going to a wedding in 2 weeks in Raleigh, thought we would check this place out!!

Discovery Place KIDS & Discovery Place Charlotte
This place is so cool! Gets super crowded but a great learning space for Pre-K through 2nd grade

NC Aquariums, Pine Knoll Shores
this is somewhere we plan to visit on our yearly trip to Ocean Isle, last year we went to the Myrtle Beach Aquarium and it was fine but, once is enough!  SO CROWDED and pricey for what it is.

Carowinds, Charlotte
Amusement Park, need I say more?

Grandfather Mountain, Linville
I am so excited to take Jack. I will highlight a few events they are doing for kids!

How are you keeping your little people busy this summer?

Coming up!! My Family Fun Guide to Ocean Isle

xoxo, mama bird

Read with ME!!!

What a wonderful program that Meme Tales has set up along with PBSkids to avoid the summer reading slumo and keep kids reading!! My little guy can't read yet so, I am going to read to him!! It's a great way to keep me focused and give me something fun to share with him and our friends this summer. We love going to the libary and checking out books, now we will have a list to do each week!!