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pancakes

February 18, 2008

when i walked in the kitchen this morning
these two were busy.
within 3 minutes of being awake i had my camera in my hand.
(i put it down for a moment so i could make some coffee.)

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annie was in the best mood.
she was talking a mile-a-minute and so happy to be with daddy.
i could tell you she has bed-head…
but this what her hair looks like all the time.

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“i want to crack the egg!”

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“i got egg on my hand!”

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“i want to pour the oil!”

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sneaky.

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“mmmmm….sugar.”
(annie calls it ‘souuu-dawh’)

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“i want to turn it on!”
can you tell she is three?
she is becoming so very independent.

do you make your pancakes in a blender?
this is the way craig has always made them…
probably because his mom did it that way.
i am pretty sure we always did bisquick growing up??
am i wrong mom?
there’s nothing wrong with bisquick. i use it when craig isn’t here.
maybe i should post his recipe….

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this routine of pancakes with dad is special.
it’s a 13 year tradition….going strong.
all the kids like to help (or did at one time)
and of course they like to eat them.
now that we add blueberries i love to eat them too.

it makes a mess but the memories are worth it.

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smoothies (and margaritas)

January 8, 2015

i got the Ninja Kitchen System Pulse  for Christmas from my mother in law.
i asked for it because i thought it looked kind of cool.
i have wanted to try the cup system for our daily smoothies.
then…we didn’t use it over christmas break at all?!! (who are we?)
after school on monday annie got it out and OH.  MY.  GOODNESS!

we were totally amazed!
we geeked out completely.
it’s fast!  it’s easy! it’s so super rad!  it’s even fun to use!

then on tuesday i had her make a video to show the world how EASY it is to use!

how cute is my annie girl?!
no script even!
just preaching to the people about smoothie awesomeness.

this is what i got for christmas…
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Ninja Kitchen System Pulse

 

so i checked all around and it’s the same price at Target & Walmart as it is on Amazon.
i love amazon.
i love target too (of course!!!) but Amazon is so darn easy to navigate!
and the returns through amazon have gotten so ridiculously easy that it blows my mind!
you just ask them to come and pick it up… AND THEY DO!
you don’t even have to tape the box shut?!  What the what?!
For reals.
Have you returned anything to them recently?
They are WINNING at customer service.

anyways… that was off topic.

back to the Niiiiiiiiinnn-jaaaaaa.   (say it like oprah would)

I got the big mama Ninja blender for my birthday over a year ago.
it’s technically called the “Ninja Professional Blender 1000”
(they would probably sell more if they used my name…)
i didn’t know at the time that you could buy it with the cups… Ninja Professional Blender with Smoothie Cups
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had i known…. i would’ve gotten it all at once.   🙂

i’ve used that big ninja blender almost everyday for smoothies the past year and a half.
and I’ve loved it.
It’s so powerful!
it’s kind of a pain to clean every single day but i did it because it worked so well!

i still love the BIG ninja.

craig makes pancake batter in it almost every saturday.
you can click here to see him making them with tiny little annie & talby.
this is the recipe his mom used to make pancakes for him!pancakes1
it’s genius to mix it in the blender because then you can just pour the batter onto the griddle!
only one thing to wash!

 

my most favey-favorite use for the Big Ninja is making Margaritas.
🙂
this is what we serve at Craft Weekend to welcome our new friends to the Craft House.
always.
i got this recipe from my mom!
You need Tequila, Triple Sec, a can of frozen limeade mix and a beer.
and ice.
(oh yes i did just make margaritas on a thursday morning!  who needs coffee?!)

*also i used a Gluten Free beer because i am {{{trying}}} to get the wheat out of my diet.
you can use ANY beer you prefer…. any brand, any style, whatevs..

IMG_9936Fill the blender 3/4 with ice.

IMG_9937pour in the limeade mix.
Use the empty limeade can and fill 2/3 full with tequila.
Pour it in the blender.

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IMG_9941Using the same can fill it 1/3 full with Triple Sec.

Blend until it sounds like all the ice is chopped.

IMG_9945add the 12 oz. beer.
IMG_9946can we all just admire the label of this beer for a second… such great colors!
good job New Grist.

Use the pulse setting to mix it not the number settings because it “may” explode all over from the foam in the beer.IMG_9948and pour into margarita glasses (or any cup!)

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if you want it more icy/frozen we put it in the freezer to set up a little more.
just like 10 – 20 minutes will work.
when we have these at home… craig & i don’t usually finish a whole Ninja blender of margaritas in an evening.
so i pour what’s left into cups with lids and stick that in the freezer until the next time we want them.
you can just pull it from the freezer and they thaw out to perfect slushy frozen yumminess in about an hour.

and obviously you can buy it ALL together and get everything….Ninja Mega Kitchen System
but i like to do things the hard way and build my collection slowly  – HA!

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i love the smoothie cups!
they are EASY to use… easy to clean…. and FAST.

Now…. i know a bunch of you are going to say “i have a vita-mix and it’s even more powerful and amazing!”
and i believe you.
but this is 1/3 of the price.
so there is no vitamix in my future.
not happening.
(did you ever see the SNL skit about the vitamix… it’s awkward & uncomfortable & very dry humor – which i love)

OK.
info-mercial is over.

i will go drink my margarita.
and try to figure out where to hang pictures on my walls….

IMG_9963i am crazy for family photos obviously.
but seeing annie’s hand with the frog (and probably from watching old videos of her recently too)
i want to add in more of those “life moments” kinds of pictures on the wall too.
not just faces.
even though i love their faces so stinkin’ much.
i want to grab their kissy cheeks and squish each one of them.
there are about…. 1296 more pictures i want to put on my walls… this poses a problem for me.

 

 

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family togetherness

August 4, 2014
I was reminiscing about family memories from MY childhood and I asked my kids, “What are your most favorite memories of OUR family time?”Oh, it was so fun to hear their answers!The first thing shouted out was “CALIFORNIA!!”
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Such a great family vacation we had that year! We were able to fly there and then rent a car to explore the coast.I remember visiting my grandparents in South Padre Island once. The main memory i have of that trip was that my grandpa bought me a Cabbage Patch doll. It was a dream come true.Another answer shouted was “THE BEACH!” Going to the beach is such a great place to bond.6a00d8341c469c53ef013485d24aa6970c-640wi6a00d8341c469c53ef0133f2ae456d970b-640wi6a00d8341c469c53ef0133f26f9541970b-640wi
My family can play for hours at the beach.Relaxing by the water has been a favorite past time of mine my whole life.
i would choose that over any other place to visit.”GETTING WAFFLE!” Oh, how we loved our little Waffle baby.

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Growing up we had a dog named Toto who only had three legs. He was so special to our family… it’s weird how animals work their way into your heart.
And when Craig went off to college my friend gave me a puppy for my birthday! I named him Seton after craig’s college.  🙂

My kids shouted “CONCERTS!” referring to Taylor Swift and U2.6a00d8341c469c53ef0120a5f6257d970b-640wiIMG_5865

Those were amazing memories.
There was always music on at my house. ALWAYS. But the concerts I got to go to were small but still loud and lots of fun.

I know they think these BIG things are their great memories — because they are.
But the more I thought about family togetherness I realized to me it is more about the everyday.
Making pancakes every weekend…
giving haircuts on the back porch…
watching our favorite movie again and again…
playing games on a Friday night…
making chocolate chip cookies…
taking the dogs on a walk…
basketball in the driveway…
drawing pictures at the coffee table…
doing the dishes… folding the laundry…
gathering the eggs…
cuddling the kittens…
making silly videos on the computer…
one last game of catch before bed…
bedtime prayers…
Those BIG events like airplane rides are that much more special because of all the amazing moments in the ordinary days.

Things are very different now than 20-30 years ago but yet so much is the same! I love that. We still just want to be together with people we love and who love us back. No matter what we actually DO with our time.

but i really would like to be at the beach right now.  🙂

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There’s no better vehicle to bring the family together than the Chevy Traverse. With seating for up to 8,  everyone in the family can join in on the fun. A 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety2. helps keep everyone safe on your journey to find new roads, no matter where, or how far, it takes you. And best-in-class maximum cargo space makes packing for family road trips, or hauling around children’s sporting equipment, a breeze. With all these great features and more, there’s no question the Chevy Traverse is the ultimate family vehicle. Learn more at http://www.chevrolet.com/traverse-mid-size-suv.html.

 

  1. Standard on LS and 1LT.  Available on 2LT. LTZ seats 7.
  2. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

 

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tuesday.

December 11, 2012

 

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i took annie in for her re-check this morning on her cast.

she is not an easy patient.

we both thought this was going to be just an xray and i wasn't thinking they would need to take off the cast for that but they did.  
there was LOTS of screaming and crying…. LOTS!!!
not because of too much actual pain but mostly from sheer panic and terror of the unknown.
i almost started crying too. 

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but it is healing really well thankfully.
and she got a new christmas colored cast and can't wait for Santa to sign it!

 

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how are you doing on your christmas shopping?

i have…. hardly anything done.
i think i have 4 gifts done.
ugh.
and none of those four are my own children. 
i can feel the christmas melt down coming on already….

i am struggling with finding my christmas spirit this year.
boo.
i need to find it. 

tell me what to get my kids and that would help.  :)

 

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this past week or i have been using my awesome recipes section of the bloggy big time!

i have made cream puff dessert…
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crescent chicken…. cheesy potato soup…. spicy tortilla soup…. noodles with ham…

spinach artichoke dip… pancakes... glazed apple bars…

and i am making my mom's mint brownies soon!

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last night i played Mexican Train with my kids.
does your family play board games together?  do your kids sit quietly while they play?
because mine do NOT.
they squirm and sing and stand up and sit down and stand up and spin and squeal and every other little annoying thing you can thing of while we sit and try to play a game.
oh yeah…and they fight too.

but it's stil better than being a zombie in front of the tv so i'll take it.

here is a visual list of some of our favorite family games here at the Duerksen House….

 
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Mexican Train   
it's a game of dominos but a bunch of people can play it at once.
my kids LOVE this one.

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Blokuseven i like to play this game… but i NEVER win! 

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Farkle   
 craig loves to play this with the kids… 

 

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Zingo   
oh my goodness my younger kids LOVE this game so much!

 


Guess Who Extra 
fun fact: we have this game and have never put the batteries in and they don't care!  
they still play it all the time even without sounds and lights!

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Uno 
everyone likes UNO… how could you not?


Memory 

even though my kids are older i can still challenge them to Memory.
it was the best game we played when they were preschoolers.
i think this game is amazing for their minds!

 

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Sequence 

my older kids like this one
and craig & i play it with chicago dave & jenny EVERYTIME.

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Scene It (Disney edition)   
we always agree to this game when we don't have the energy
for the bouncing squirming craziness at the table.

 

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Sorry 
it's a classic game!  
i played and my kids love it too!

 

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Apples to Apples Jr. 

this is probably their FAVORITE game of all of them…
and for the grown ups too.

 

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HedBanz 

we don't have this one but they asked for it for this christmas.

 

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Memory Challenge Holiday 
and this one looks like fun…
it's for ages 6+ so it must be harder than the original Memory.  
i think it will go in my amazon cart.

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Holiday Scrabble 

and this one will too!  
it looks fun and different and i want to challenge their minds with spelling and math whle we have "fun"

so… maybe that gives you some ideas for gifts at your house?

do you have a favorite family game that isn't listed here?

please share!

 

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i guess i should go out for my run.
sometimes it's such a chore to get out there!
and cold!
i wish i had downloaded new music yesterday with fast internet… it takes 8 minutes to download one song off iTunes out here with our farmy internet!

ok… i will go.
i will.

ready….. set…. GO. 

 

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IHOP syrup…at home!

March 1, 2012

when i was asked to review IHOP at HomeÆ Syrups i immediately said yes.
we are a breakfast loving family!

i make waffles and craig makes pancakes.
not on the same days, of course, but those are each of our specialties.
i very rarely attempt pancakes on my own, and i have never heard of craig making waffles.

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it's one of his favorite meals.
our entire married life he has made his mother's recipe for homemade pancakes.
he mixes it in a blender so only one dish gets dirty (besides the griddle).
and our kids have ALWAYS helped him with the mixing, pouring and flipping.
my youngest girls fight over the privilege of adding the ingredients!
they love to make breakfast with their dad.

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scott even jumped in to flip one.
he usually just shows up to eat the pancakes….hardly ever to flip one!

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and he can NEVER wait for the whole family to sit down together to eat.
he digs in.
and is finished before anyone else even comes to the table.

while craig makes the pancakes, i make the scrambled eggs and cut up some fruit.

this morning was lauren's birthday, so annie and i thought it would be fun to add sprinkles to the pancakes!
she shook like crazy until they were adequately sprinkle filled.

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whenever you cook with annie (or draw or play games or…anything)
she usually hugs and kisses you throughout the process.
it's just who she is.
it's her way of letting you know she is happy in that moment.
i love that.

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the birthday girl appeared.
seventeen years old…that is crazy.

i called everyone in for breakfast, and they were honestly so excited to try the new syrup.
IHOP at Home sent us Original, Lite, Sugar Free, Rooty Tooty Fresh N FruityÆ Strawberry, and Rooty Tooty Fresh N FruityÆ Blueberry!
what a treat to have so many choices.
the boys tried the fruit flavored syrups…LOVED them.
Annie chose Original.

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She was a happy camper.

we don't live near any IHOP restaurants.
the kids beg to go there when they see one…which we do when we are visiting grandma or on vacation.
but now we can pretend we are there by using their syrup AT HOME!
maybe i will get some spray whipped cream, and we'll make our own funny face pancakes!

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i used the Sugar Free flavor.
i like my syrup not quite as sweet as my kids like it to taste.
and it's nice to save those calories too.
sprinkles on my breakfast made me smile.

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at every meal at house…this is what waffle does.
meal times are his favorite times of the day.
i bet breakfast meals are his favorite.

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†
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you can click over to www.IHOPatHome.com to find where to buy IHOP at Home†Syrup and visit IHOP at Home's Facebook page to get connected!

my family loved trying the syrups!

what does your family think of IHOP at Home Syrup?

answer that question to be entered for a chance to win a $100 Walmart gift card and an IHOP at Home Syrup gift pack!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.

Be sure to visit the IHOP at Home Syrup page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!†

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some randomness….

August 3, 2011

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even our breakfasts were grand in michigan.
the daddies made pancakes….jenny made french toast….craig made bubble loaf (monkey bread)….
i made…..
coffee.
my brain does not function well in the morning.
breakfast and me don't usually mix.

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we allowed tv time until 10 AM and electronic time a little after that.
 
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there was lots of art time with these girls.

and friendship bracelets were made.
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there was a night of Dollar bowling!
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oh yeah….

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there was a field trip through town….the flowers were GORGEOUS!
truly beautiful.

and ice cream.
you wouldn't even believe at how expensive it was….i dare you….guess how much a single dip cone was.
it was reedonkulous!
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their town had animals on display made by artists.
i was in love with this mosaic cow.
like….i would put in this in my yard….it was my FAVE.
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LOTS of games were played.
apples to apples…farkle….uno….blokus….sequence.
 
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apologies were made.

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the Loma theater makes me happy.
$5 tickets.
.50 pop
.50 popcorn 

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dancing in the kitchen.
to florence and the machine.  
annie was SO HAPPY that someone would dance with her. 
and she replayed the song.

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scott found The Hunger Games at the house….and read it!
he plays so much basketball he hardly ever reads.  
he is dying for the second book now.
lauren read almost the entire time.
i read magazines and pottery barn and Boden.  :)

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hot dogs for the kids and STEAK for the grown ups.

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and lots of goofy times around every corner.

can i go back?
can i
just live on vacation?
can we be a family that "summers" in michigan?

it would be dreamy.

 

 

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summertime snacks!

June 15, 2011

here is a compilation of ALL the comments that you left me this weekend.
i am so happy.

i am very excited to make so many of these things!

YOU SAVED MY SUMMER!

we will have a section all summer of our yummy snacks we try and how they taste!
Snacks 

peanut butter on bananas rolled in granola

peanut butter & apples

French toast

yogurt parfaits with fruit and granola

hummus with crackers

tortillas with cheese with guac or sour cream

nachos

chicken Caesar salads

rice cakes & almond butter & craisins

smoothies

fruit kabobs

chocalate covered strawberries

cheese & apples

pretzels in cream cheese

fried egg andwiches

pizza pockets

frozen gogurts

string cheese

graham crackers with nutella

popcorn

muffins

grilled cheese

turkey dogs

quesadillas

roasted potatoes

celery & peanut butter & raisins

carrots in hummus

wraps

cous cous with sundried tomatoes and chicken

BLTs

nuts

homemade chicken nuggets

crunchy roasted chickpeas

bbq pulled pork

cereal bars

GORP

waffles

egg in a nest

dried fruit

thai spring rolls

frozen grapes

pigs in a blanket

chicken tacos

breakfast burritos

frozen juice and fruit

cucumber cream cheese sandwiches

homemade pizza

rotisserie chicken with rice

English muffin pizza

turkey roll ups

bagels

pancakes

tuna salad

chicken noodle soup

frozen pizza

shredded chicken sandwishes

taco soup

corn on the cob

deviled eggs

sweet potato fries

fruit salad

grands biscuit pizzas

spaghetti

cake mix/pumpkin muffins

granola bars

pb & marshmallow fluff sammies

babybel cheese

goldfish

bbq chicken/pork on baked potato

muffin tin full of snacks

little sausages in cresent rolls

pizza on the grill

celery with laughing cow cheese s

oyster crackers

chicken salad w/ mashed avacado

bagel pizzas

cheese tortellini

triscuits w/ cream cheese

carrots & dip

pasta w/ parm. cheese & olive oil

beef jerky

taco salad

pumpkin bread

stromboli

chili mac

beanie weenies

chips & salsa

oatmeal

peanut sauce over rice & peas

green beans in sweet & sour dip

grilled cheese with apples on it

smoothies with spinach hidden

bean burritos

egg salad

applesauce

breadsticks with cheese or with cinnamon sugar

PB on tortilla with granola & honey

zucchini brownies

meatball Monday

taco Tuesday

pepperoni

fruit with cr. cheese marshmallow dip

ham &cheese in crescent rolls

summer salsa

frozen banana in melted chocolate

avocado smoothie

chipotle

pretzel chips

fruit skewers

edamame

grilled cheese with tomato

rice crispy squares

baked oatmeal

chex mix

strawberry shortcakes

greek yogurt with fruit

fiber one bars

roasted vegetables

soup

sugar cones fill with fruit & yogurt

biscuits & gravy

watermelon with whipped cream

homemade granola bars

slushies

zucchini muffins

PB pretzels

banana boats…PB, choc. chips, fruit

sloppy joes

spaghetti pie

French bread with pesto

fried tomatoes

bologna & cheese rolled up

PB &banana &honey smoothie

zucchini fries

burrito bowls

pasta salad

Mcmuffins

banan bread

meatball sandwiches

frozen watermelon on popsicle sticks

buffalo chicken

banana ice cream from only a banana

wings on the grill

lettuce wraps

feed them with toothpicks instead of a spoon

flatbread pizza on the grill

scrambled eggs with add ins
toast with pinapple, cheese and coconut "volcanoes" 

……………………………………….

that is a big list isn't it??
 
thank you again.
You ROCK! 
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  Pbs
this was the first of the list to try.
excited to try more.

 

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