Monday, September 28, 2009

Adventures in Toddlerland

Rainy days mean no going outside, which means mommy has to find ways to entertain the monkeys for 9 1/2 hours until daddy gets home! Between refereeing fights over the green matchbox car, a baby who likes to tip over garbage cans, and a little person who climbs bar stools to explore counter tops, keeping the masses safe and happy is a tough job:)

Despite the chaos, we had a great day! During Allie's nap, the big kids and I "made" cookies. Yes, this mommy proudly buys the cookies that are premade and all that needs to be done is to plop them on the cookie sheet. I have plans to clean out my baking cupboard this week and have intentions of throwing out everything I bought the year we got married. I have made a commitment to bake more, but for now, I thank you Pillsbury for making a baker out of me in just 9 minutes:) Here is how three 2 year olds organize cookies on a cookie sheet...


The next adventure of the day involved Cara finding a roll of scotch tape within reach and ever-so-quietly having a ball with it while mommy made dinner. Here is what ensued...






I didn't scold my monkeys, but did tell Cara that I didn't want her touching things on the counter. So, of course, the next thing that happened was the three of them simulated a time out. They all went and plopped themselves on the time out mat and just goofed around...



And dinner turned out delish! I'm going to share this little dinner of mine with you. It's one of those easy, no prep dinners for busy moms like me (inexpensive too!) I call it my Salad Bar Quiche.


While I'm at the grocery store I go to the salad bar fill a small take out box with ingredients for a quiche. This way I don't have to buy large amounts and I don't have to do the prep. For my quiche, I get the following from the salad bar: diced ham, diced bacon, cheese (all kinds available:), and a big spoonful of the pico de gallo (salsa looking stuff).

Meg's Salad Bar Quiche

Thaw 1/2 bag of shredded hash browns. Mix with 4 tbsp melted butter. I season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
Press into pie plate and bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until JUST started to brown
Slightly beat 5-6 eggs with a little milk
Stir in salad bar ingredients and pour onto hash brown crust.
I plopped a few cubes of Velveeta into mine before baking b/c I had some in the fridge. Yum!
Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. I bake mine for 45 min because I like the eggs completely set and the edges crispy.
I love this meal because it is easy, cheap, and everyone in the family loves it!

Anyone have a great, easy recipe to share?

5 comments:

  1. How funny that Cara's getting into tape! Sophie's been very interested in tape lately, too.

    Thanks for the recipe! I'm always looking for quick and easy dinners!

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  2. My cats used to knock over our bathroom garbage can a lot so Keith put a brick in the bottom to stop them. Don't know if this might work with kids or not...

    :) karen

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  3. Pizza Casserole! It's yummy, and easy. A friend (a music teacher; you know her) gave me the recipe.

    Cook noodles---whatever quantity works for your family. Drain and stir in apaghetti or pizza sauce, some mozzarella, pepperoni. Put in a greased baking dish. Top with more cheese and pepperoni. Bake until bubbly. You can microwave it.

    I like the turkey pepperoni; it's not greasy, and tastes good.

    Thanks for yur recipe. :-)

    Love to all,
    A

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  4. i am SO making this!
    ~ Brooke

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  5. megan, here is an easy meatloaf recipe, all my kids love it and you only use 2 things. 1-lb ground beef and 1 box of suffing mix. mix beef [uncooked] and stuffing mix [stove top or generic] together add a little water about 1/4 cup then press into a cup cake pan evenly and bake at 375 for 25 min. ovens may vary. You have individual mini meatloaves. let me know if it was a hit!! Kelly

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