19 THINGS WE SHOULD SAY TO CHILDREN AND ICE CREAM CAKE

I read this today on a website and just had to share it with you...

19 THINGS WE SHOULD SAY TO CHILDREN....

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

Read more at 19 Things we should say to Children

And he has learned how to climb......on everything!

 

And now for a super easy cool summery dessert!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

 

Ingredients:

• 16 ice cream sandwiches, softened
• 1 16-ounce container chocolate Cool whip topping
• 1 12-ounce jar chocolate fudge topping
• 2 bags (about 16 ounces M&M candies)
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Directions:

Layer 8 of the sandwiches in a 9×13 baking dish side by side, press down a little to join them. Spread evenly 1/2 of the Cool Whip and 1/2 of the topping. Sprinkle 1/2 of the candy over layer. Repeat with another layer of same. Drizzle with chocolate syrup to finish. Cover and freeze 3 hours or until firm.

 Slice with a serrated knife.

Serves 12

Easy Like Sunday Morning and Pizza Casserole

Rain Rain and more Rain! Welcome to South Louisiana summer! At least it keeps the temps down slightly! The entire weekend has been a wash out with more rain on the way for this week. Not much you can do about the weather can you?  These were the clouds that greeted me on Friday....pretty ominous huh?

 

And today doesn't look much better! 

I saw the cutest idea the other day - on Pinterest of course- If your kiddies love

peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwiches....and you have left over

hot dog buns...why not make this for them...

 

Is that not just too clever????

Heck this would make an awesome nutritious breakfast as well

as afternoon snack! GREAT late night snack for us older folks too! Altho we were always

told not to eat bananas too late...something about digesting them blah blah blah. Never stopped me

and I digested them just fine!

Today I am sharing a simple buy yummy recipe for a

 Pizza Casserole!

ENJOY!

• 1 pound dried rotini pasta
• kosher salt
• 1 pound hot or mild ground Italian sausage
• 1 green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup chopped button mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced pepperoni
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Season liberally with salt, about 1 tablespoon. Cook pasta for 6-7 minutes. Strain. Pasta will be firm.
3. In a large skillet brown Italian sausage, about 5 minutes. Strain.
4. In the same pan you cooked the sausage stir together bell pepper, red onion, mushrooms and pepperoni. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables soften. Return sausage to pan. Stir to combine. Add in pasta and pizza sauce. Mix well. Remove from heat.
5. To bake pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.  Bake for 15 minutes. Remove. Top 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.
6. Serve immediately.

This recipe was borrowed from

http://www.lifesambrosia.com/

Saturday's and Watergate Salad

So after having Joshua here for the last 3 days, I am missing him so much today! It's amazing how a little one can turn your world upside down and bring you so much joy simply by being in the same room! Not to mention all the hugs and kisses he gives...and lets not forget his new word "HI" as he puts that hand up to wave. He says it over and over again...and I never tire of it!

I wish I could retire now and keep him everyday....but that ain't happening! BUT boy if I could, I would! OH and it's true what "they" say...you become really goofy when you become a grandparent! But we love every single minute and would not change one thing! Can ya tell that I am crazy about this kid? Yeah, I thought so! 

The other day I was craving Watergate Salad...y'all remember that green stuff? I'm not quite sure why it's called a salad..its more like a light airy dessert. Did you ever wonder why it's called Watergate Salad? Well I wondered too so I did what millions of others do...I Googled it and here it is....Watergate salad was a concoction thought up by a soux chef at the Watergate Hotel. It was then served at brunch on most weekends. Watergate Salad took off in popularity during and after the presidential scandal which shares the same name . I have not had it for many years and I have no idea what made me crave it. I plan on making some tomorrow and if no one else likes it, oh well...more for me! Here's the recipe....just in case you don't have a clue as to what I am talking about. This reminds me of my dear friend Lorna...she used to make it all the time. Maybe I will share it with her....

ENJOY!

WATERGATE SALAD

Ingredients

• 1 (4 ounce) packages instant pistachio pudding mix
• 1 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple with juice, undrained
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 3/4 cups non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

Directions

1. Stir pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl until well blended.
2. Gently stir in whipped topping.
3. Refrigerate one hour or until ready to serve.