Mommy's Helpers: Paint Chip busy bag & homemade Cheez-Its.

I went to the library the other day and checked out a book called Blogging for Dummies.

Cause really, that's how I feel.  I am loving doing this so far, much more than I thought I would and it feels nice to have something that is kind of just for me, even tho I'm basically blogging about my family life etc.  I have yet to actually open the book but I'm hoping good things come out of it, like maybe my writing is miraculously better or it can teach me how to do HTML by osmosis or something.

If you haven't noticed the blog is currently under construction as well.  One of my good friends, all the way from 6th grade [!!!] who lives in Orange County is helping me spruce it up.  So be on the look out for changes!  I hope to figure this blogging thing out a little better for my sake and for the 10 people that read this regularly as well.  

Decided to make my first "Busy Bag" yesterday.  Busy Bags are basically something you make for Toddlers or young kids that have something fun in them that can keep them entertained, in theory, while you're at the doctor's office, out to eat, etc.  This one caught my eye, basically cause it looked easy & cheap.  My two key components for anything in life pretty much. 

Color Match Busy Bag!

2 of each color paint chip
Clothes Pins
Glue
Scissors
Container for finished project

Do I really have to explain this?  It's as easy as it looks and cheap!  On one of Andy's many trips to Lowe's I told him to snag me some paint chips.  I think if I was to make this again I would use the smaller long square ones just to make it even easier.
I was pretty proud of myself and feeling like a productive Mom when I made these for the boys yesterday, envisioning them playing peacefully all while learning the fine nuances of paint shade colors.
Instead when I let Oliver play with them this morning he ripped them apart with his teeth.
 I guess it did keep him busy.......

If clothespins & paint chips won't keep your Toddler busy you can always feed them!
I let Oliver have a Nutella fudgesicle this morning for breakfast just so I could clean the fridge & freezer.  Oh the things you do for peace.  Yesterday, again I was a better Mom yesterday, I made homemade Whole Wheat Cheez-Its.  Really they were for me, I LOVE Cheez-Its.  I always have.  When I was in middle school I wrote a poem about my love for them, oh yes the love was that deep.
These crackers only have 4 ingredients, are so much better for you
and I swear they taste just like the real thing!

Home-Made Cheez Its

1 1/2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar [or any cheese you want to try really!]
4 tbs. cold butter, cut into small cubes
3/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
Sea Salt

[1] Pulse all ingredients, except salt, in a food processor until well combined and start to form a ball, about 2 minutes.
[2] Knead on a floured surface to bring it all together.
[3] Place the dough between two sheets of waxed paper and use a rolling pin to get it about 1/8th of an inch thick.
[4] Use a pizza wheel or pastry cutter to cut dough into squares, I have a really shaky hand so mine were all different sizes, but whatever.
[5] Lay squares on a greased baking sheet, it makes a lot.  2 sheets is probably better if you don't want them too crowded.  They don't spread much tho.
[6] Using a fork poke holes in each square so you get that cool Cheez-It look and they don't puff up too much.
[7] Sprinkle evenly with sea salt.
[8] Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 18 minutes!

We pretty much ate all of these in one sitting.  They are addictive!