Pierce Gets a Kiwi Crate

Disclaimer:  I received one Kiwi Crate in the mail for review purposes.  The opinions below are my own.

Kiwi Crate Gifts is a monthly service for kids age 3-7 to receive a package in the mail full of stimulating themed crafts and information.  I had heard a lot about Kiwi Crate, and when they contacted me to see if I'd like to do a review, I was excited to have the opportunity.

The theme of the box we received centered around birds.  The box came with all the craft supplies needed to create an individualized bird mask and a pair of bird wings.  In addition, it had informational coloring books that told about different types of birds and had ideas for games and supplemental learning activities.  And as an extra bonus, the box even included a pair of children's Fiskars scissors (we are always losing our kiddie scissors, so I was thrilled to have an extra pair).

Pierce set to work creating his mask and wings.  One of the fun parts of the mask was that it had interchangeable beaks - a woodpecker beak, a kiwi beak, and a duck beak.  Pierce decided to be a woodpecker first.  Once his costume was completed, he flew around the yard and pecked at the wood on his playset.

Next the 'woodpecker' created a nest of eggs.  Pierce was able to do his crafts with minimal help from me - I only assisted with a couple of tricky glue dots and the tying of knots in the wings and mask. 

One thing Pierce loved about his finished bird nest was that the eggs crack open to hide treasures inside.  Talk about some fun imaginative play! 

Kiwi Crate is one of the best kid-friendly products I have ever reviewed.  It is unique, educational, and so much fun.  If you have a grandchild or niece or nephew you'd love to send something special in the mail, this would make such a marvelous gift.  A month runs $19.95 plus shipping, getting less expensive if you purchase several months at a time.  You can also find them on Facebook. 

Readers, what was one of the favorite crafts or projects you remember making as a kid?

Strawberry Picking

Strawberries came in late this year.  The extended cold temperatures this spring left us picking berries several weeks later than normal.  Nevertheless, when we arrived at the patch the berries looked ripe and ready for picking.

Of course before any berries could go in the bucket, there was some sampling to be done.

The berries met with the approval of all three boys.

Finally they got down to work.  They were competitive this year.  Each one wanted to be the one to pick the most berries.

Hard at work.

Hard at work?  Or just stuffing the face?

That night, I made lemon pound cake, and we all stuffed ourselves silly after dinner. 

Strawberry season is always one of the best delights of Spring.

Car Racks Make Good Bird Perches

1.  I haven't actually put my car rack to use yet, but the birds have!  We have a nest on our side porch by the door, and the car rack makes the perfect spy location for hovering parents to watch us go in and out of the house, making sure we don't mess with their babies.  Happily, our cat Willie doesn't seem to know the nest is up there.

2.  Reid has a habit of tearing up matchbox cars.  A few weeks ago I asked him who kept tearing the wheels off the matchbox cars.  He looked at me with wide blue eyes and said, "Cat Cat did".  Cat Cat is my Mom.  A few weeks later, he brought me another broken matchbox car and asked me to fix it.  I said, "Reid, who broke the wheels off this car?"  He said, "Miller did."  Miller is our foster kitten.  Reid may need to do a little work on his accountability...

3.  I just finished reading an interesting novel called Sight Hound, by Pam Houston, and fell in love with a short passage written from the dog, Dante.  I thought I'd share:
Aren't the humans perfectly marvelous creatures?  Doesn't it make you double over with laughter the way they remain committed to the idea that they're the only species that feels deeply, because--what--they have words to talk about their feelings?  Has it not ever occurred to them that perhaps the reason they need so many words, the reason their words constantly fail them, is that they are so much poorer at interpreting their emotions than we are, that interpretation, per se, is a step that in the dog world we just skip?

4.  Speaking of dogs, I think that there are dog people in the world and there are cat people.  Sure, you can love both, but it seems like all of us have a preference.  As much as I love our dog, Scooter, I am definitely a cat person.  Paul is more of a dog person, although he likes cats. 

5.  At Pierce's school, they are having a drive to collect money for the tornado victims.  All the teachers have big jars with their pictures on them, and kids can put money in the jar of the teacher they MOST want to see hit in the face with a pie.  Unbeknownst to me, Pierce cleaned out his Darth Vader bank and took the change to school.  He deposited it all in his gym teacher's jar.  He adores his gym teacher.  He came home and told me about it, and all I could do was smile at a kid who's willing to donate his pocket change to a good cause and a pie in the face.  I decided to contribute, and the next day he took my change and put it in the principal's jar.  I can't wait to see who the winner is! 

Readers, are you a cat person or a dog person? 

This post linked with Random Friday at A Rural Journal. 

Putting Cascade #MyPlatinum to the Test #sponsored

 I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Last week I blogged about how I was selected as an Ambassador for Cascade Platinum, and this past week I received the product in the mail to try.  One thing Cascade Platinum does that other dishwashing products do not is prevent the build-up of hard-water film on dishwasher walls, thanks to a specially designed chelant and polymer system.  It also is strong enough to wash away food that has been stuck on for over 24 hours.

I filled up my dishwasher with icky dishes (not difficult, since I cook all of our meals), some of which were covered in barbecue sauce that had been sitting for over 24 hours.  I didn't pre-rinse anything.  I even included a bowl Pierce and I had used in a craft, that was covered in dried glue.

When I opened up my dishwasher, the dishes looked spotless, and the dishwasher interior was very clean.  I pulled out the little bowl that had been used in a craft, and all the dried glue was gone.  My glasses were sparkling with no streaks, thanks to Cascade Platinum's triple-action formula.  I was so pleased! 

Currently, Cascade is hosting a My Platinum Instagram contest, where you can show off your sparkling dishes, silverware, and glassware for chances to win fabulous prizes.  Just take a picture of your favorite meal on a sparkling "My Platinum" plate and enter it through the link above. 

Stay tuned next week - I'll be testing one of Gail Simmons' recipes on my blog!  Gail Simmons, Top Chef judge and editor of Food + Wine magazine, is working with Cascade to discuss why food presentation is just as important as preparation.

Readers, do you have any special tricks you like to use in food presentation? 

Steiner - New Parts for Old Tractors - Promotional Items GIVEAWAY

Disclaimer:  I was provided with the bottom pictured Steiner promotional items for giveaway purposes.  I am NOT giving away a tractor.  The opinions in this post are my own. 

We have an old tractor.  It's from the 70s, a Ford, and a brilliant blue.  The boys love it. 

 Old tractors are pretty cool to have around, and for the most part, ours has done the job over the past 12 years getting up hay from the pasture, raking the horse arena, and fixing the driveway when it washes out.  But the thing about old tractors is that they break down.  A lot.  And since they're vintage, it can be challenging to find replacement parts.  Thank goodness for the internet, right?  You can find a huge assortment of new parts for old tractors at Steiner. 

Steiner is providing the following fun items for one lucky winner:  a funnel, a mousepad, a t-shirt (size large), a hat, and a heavy duty canvas bag.  The winner will be able to show the world their love for old tractors!  (Sorry, but I am not giving away a tractor!) To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pauline's Rhubarb Crisp - Vintage Recipe

When I was digging through my great grandmother's recipes recently, I found a recipe labeled "Pauline's Rhubarb Crisp", written in Granny Besse's neat script.  Pauline was my great great aunt, and I called her Poppy.  My rhubarb hasn't had the best year ever, but I had enough for a crisp, so Cort and I headed to the garden to gather some rhubarb.  Below, I've typed the recipe exactly as it reads.

Mix together thoroughly:
1 c. oatmeal
1 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar (packed)
pinch of salt
1/2 cup melted margarine

Place 1/2 of above mixture in an 8x8 pan.  Add 3 1/2 to 4 cups finely cut rhubarb.  Put rhubarb on top.

Cook until clear and thick:
1 cup water, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 tbsp. cornstarch, 1 tsp vanilla

Pour on top of rhubarb.  Add remaining crumbs to top of mixture.  Bake at 325* for one hour.  Pauline leaves in oven 'til oven cools. 

Readers, do you have any recipes that have been passed down through generations in your family?

Running Recap May 2013

After a rough start to the  year, my approach to May was to just tough it out.  I decided to push some on my running and hope that things got better.  As a result, I had many runs on very tired legs that I just forced myself to run anyway.  On a couple of days, I ran twice - once in the morning and once in the evening.  Did it work?

Well, I can say I had a week mid-month that went very well and I was feeling much better.  But then I kind of dragged again the week after that, so I'm not sure.  June will be a cut-back month for me, and I'm hoping to see my legs bounce back.  At any rate, I'm pleased to see my mileage higher (because I'm behind for the year!) and I don't seem to be having any injury issues, so that is a positive.

Running - 112 miles
Weights - 8x
Swimming - 3x
Yoga - 4x

I also treated myself to some new running shoes this month.  They are PURPLE.  Not my usual choice, but it was what was available when I ordered them online.  And they seem to be doing the job.

A part of me has missed all the racing this season.  By now I've typically run several races.  But I haven't done a single speed workout, so I wouldn't be ready.  June is going to be a very busy month, but I hope I can hit the track a time or two.

Readers, are any of you behind on your goals for the year?