Wow!  We are right in the middle of summer and it is hot!   I love having an ice cold drink on a hot day!  Here is one of my favorite drinks that I love to serve my family and especially guests when they come over for a BBQ.  My sister, Tracie, gave me this recipe.  She calls it a Virgin Sangria.  Give it a try and I know you will love it too!

1 can frozen Welch’s Strawberry Breeze concentrate

1 can frozen Limeade

4 cans cold water

2 cans Sprite or Gingerale

1/2 c. orange juice

Sliced oranges and limes for garnish

Combine concentrates, water and juice together.  Add sprite and gently stir in fruit slices.  Chill.  May add ice to drink before serving.

Conversation Cards on Food.  I love anything about food, so this is a good one.

Food Conversation Cards

Another set for those who love them.  Entertainment.  Enjoy!

Entertainment Conversation Cards

I am sitting here listening to Chicago – 21, reminiscing about the good ol’ days of my life.  (If that doesn’t date me, I don’t know what will.)  Really ladies, and a few guys too, sometimes I think we make life a little too complicated on what traditions we have with our family.  I am just as guilty as the next person of doing this on more than one occasion.  Let’s get back to the basics of a good old American tradition, with a little tweak, of course!  The other day my boys were playing baseball outside and decided they need to make it a little more exciting.  Here’s a new way to play.  It’s called Water Baseball.  Empty out a few of the big totes of their contents, you could make this a FHE assignment and have the game be the activity.  Each person could be in charge of sorting through one of the totes, of course that could be a little scary too!  Take the totes outside and use them for your bases 1, 2, and 3, then fill them up with water.  Play baseball as it usually is played except if the players want to be safe they have to stand in the tote filled with water.  After today’s temperature, it would be a welcome relief.  Have fun ladies and remember to KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!!

Starting today, I will have a Spanish translation (as best as I can translate) of each of my posts, so if you know anyone who speaks the language and you think they would enjoy our blog, let them know about us!

Estoy sentado aquí escuchando a Chicago – 21, recordando los viejos tiempos de mi vida. (Si no me la fecha, no sé qué lo hará.) Realmente damas, y algunos individuos también, a veces creo que hacen la vida un poco complicada de lo que las tradiciones que tenemos con nuestra familia. Yo soy tan culpable como el que más de hacer esto en más de una ocasión. Vamos a volver a los fundamentos de una buena tradición americana de edad, con un pequeño arreglo, por supuesto! El otro día mis hijos estaban jugando béisbol fuera y decidió que necesitan para hacer un poco más emocionante. He aquí una nueva manera de jugar. Se llama Agua de Béisbol. Vaciar a cabo algunas de las bolsas grandes de su contenido, se puede hacer de esto una tarea FHE y tener el juego se desarrollará la actividad. Cada persona puede estar a cargo de clasificación a través de una de las bolsas, por supuesto que podría ser un poco de miedo también! Tome los totes exterior y utilizarlas para sus bases 1, 2 y 3, y luego llenarlos con agua. Juega béisbol, ya que normalmente se juega, salvo si los jugadores quieren estar seguros de que tiene que esperar en la bolsa llena de agua. Después de la temperatura de hoy, sería un gran alivio. Ha damas divertido y recordar para mantenerlo simple!!

I think technically you could call them both out, but I could only take a picture!

I absolutely love salads!  I think I could eat them everyday.  Here is one of my favorites.  The best part of all is that it’s fast and easy!  Hope you enjoy it too!

1 (8oz.) cool whip

2 (6oz.) blueberry yogurt

1 pkg. vanilla pudding mix

1 lb. strawberries, sliced

2 apples, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 c. red grapes

In a large bowl, mix the cool whip, yogurt and pudding mix.  Stir until well blended.  Mix in the fruit and chill for a couple of hours.  Super yummy!

The older my kids get the more I discover how important this topic is.  Friends can influence our children so much.  If our children can make good friends it helps them make the right decisions.  This Family Home Evening lesson can be given in several different ways.  I have outlined several ideas to pick and choose from depending on the age of your children.  I have attached the lesson as well as a matching game that you can use for younger children.  There are a couple of good articles to read and opportunities to share some of your experiences.  I think our own personal experiences in making the right choice can be a powerful lesson for our children.  Sometimes they don’t realize that we know how they feel because a lot of the time we have been there.   It does look long but it doesn’t have to be – just pick and choose.  My children only have a short attention span so we tend to make it quick and to the point but if you have older children this may be a topic that you want to discuss in depth.  Just pray about what you should share and let the spirit guide you.

For the Strength of Youth – Friends

http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/friendship-matching-game

For the matching game go to the above website and print out two copies to make it a game or just use the cute pictures when you discuss what qualities a good friend would have.  Thanks to mormonshare.com for the cute graphics!

Are you starting to hear the words “I’m bored”?  I would be hearing them if it wasn’t illegal at my house.  If you dare to say those two little words, you get a whole list of things you can do (and they aren’t always fun, just needed!).  However, I do understand as a mom that at this point we have had several days off and have experimented and tried just about everything.  So in order to beat summer boredom now that it is blazing hot outside, I have put together some Summer Fun Cards.  I have included my ideas as well as a blank one that you can write your own on.  My ideas are from the Salt Lake and Ogden areas.  I have included free ideas, places that cost money, as well as some fun things you can do at home.  Some of the ideas take a little preparation so you may want to be ready for that and some are just easy and fun like having a car wash!

You can separate them into “cost” and “no cost” so that you can decide what you want to do that day or “travel” and “no travel”.  You can set rules such as you can only pick once out of the jar and then you get to go do that activity or let them have a couple of chances to pick what they want (maybe 2 or 3).  You may want to only throw in what you are willing to do that day and let them pick from those items.  No matter how you choose to do it, it will give you some fun ideas and something to answer the “Mom, I’m bored what can we do?” question with!

Here you go, have fun!

Summer Fun Activities – Blank

Summer Fun Activities 1

Summer Fun Activities 2

Summer Fun Activities 3

I would love to hear about how this works or doesn’t work for you.  I would also love to hear about your outings and what you put on the blank ones. 

I think it’s a lot of fun to share ideas.  Sometimes we need to think outside the box and in order to do that we need to connect with other moms!

Another installment in the Conversation Cards.  I hope you are liking what you have seen so far!

Drugs & Medicine

Here is another set of cards.  I really hope you are liking my idea.  I think I might try and make a smaller set that you can put on a key ring size and they can fit in your purse better, or for traveling on long card rides.  Let me know your thoughts if you would like something like this.

Conversation Cards – Art