Contact Paper Window Art

Making art is something that most toddlers like to do. After perusing Pinterest for awhile I found a few blogs with toddlers and the kids really enjoyed contact paper.

The Monkey really only liked it for a little bit - but I didn't have any tissue paper squares (which are coming in the mail today!) so I had to modify it a bit and use pom poms. Did The Monkey like the pom poms? Well, let's just say that they ended up all over the floor and NOT on the contact paper. 5 minutes and she was done. SO we will try this again with the tissue paper squares later today. 

The general idea: tape contact paper to a window. Give the kid something that sticks really well and enjoy the peace and quiet for a bit. 

Also, I just realized that from the pom pom picture below - my hands are getting to get wrinkly. I need to buy some really good hand moisturizer.

Living Room Rug. I Need A New One

Our living room rug is junk.

Ok, it's really two $19.99 rugs from Ikea put together. One corner has started rolling up, which means that I trip, The Monkey trips, the dog lays on it which makes it worse. Oh yeah, and it gathers dog fur like mad. I really hate it. Or them. 

At this point I just can't justify spending $2000 on this rug from Crate & Barrel:

So instead I may have to settle for this rug from Pier 1:

Meh, I don't know... I've been debating rugs for so long. I'm drawn to grays and blues but warm tones and browns work better. 

Plus we'll also be walking on it with dirty feet and grinding Goldfish crackers into it.

I need it to hold up for at least 10 years. 

Make a Car Out of a Box

Super easy idea for something to do with a toddler -

Grab an Amazon box, get some crayons and get busy. Don't forget to make a hole for a key so your toddler can "turn it on" because really, what's a car without a key???

Menu Planning Monday

Blerg. It's so hard to do menu planning.

But it's inevitable, if I don't do it we end up eating frozen pizza 3 out of 4 times... SO... I HAVE TO MENU PLAN.

Part of the problem as a stay-at-home mom is that I have to plan for two meals per day (breakfast is easy!). And I like to cook so I cook. I'm only really good at planning out meals 4-5 days in advance. I change my mind, I realize that veggies go bad, Simone is having an off day and I just can't cook. It happens. Life happens. Whatevs...

This week is easy -

Monday:
Lunch: Leftover lasagna from last night
Dinner: Calzones - with stuff from the fridge (pizza dough, pasta sauce, mozzarella), and steamed cauliflower

Tuesday:
Lunch: leftover calzones OR spinach tortellini
Dinner: Crockpot teriyaki chicken with potatoes & carrots

Wednesday:
Lunch: leftover chicken
Dinner: T-bone steaks with baked potatoes and frozen veggies

Thursday:
Lunch: Mac & cheese with frozen veggies
Dinner: Pot stickers & fried rice