kids — Ma Whats For Dinner?

Binky Fairy – Part Three

November 29, 2011 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 2 Comments

As you know,

Super Coop turned 3 last week.

And in the grand Fitzpatrick tradition.

It was time to say goodbye to the bink via the Binky Fairy.

After quite a few tears…

Coop has held up like a champ.

Here he is proudly displaying his gift from the Binky Fairy.

Not familiar with the Binky Fairy?

Check out how we roll…

Bye Bye Binkies!

On each Fitzpatrick boys 3rd birthday the fateful day arrives.

The day the Binky Fairy comes to town.

Now it’s a simple enough idea. By three years old you’ve had your binky long enough and it’s time to send it off to another deserving little boy or girl who doesn’t have a binky.

We start prepping the story long enough in advance that everyone is well versed and knows what is expected of them.

Doesn’t mean it goes off without a hitch though…

So first the brave little three year old must gather up said binks…

Now you must gather up balloons left over from the joyous birthday celebration of the day…and attach all binkies to the end.

Now be brave young warrior and offer up your binkies to the Binky Fairy in a sacrifice of great importance.

See the Binky Fairy lives in the land of Stufftakorkenett when she oversees the production of the rare Binky Tree.

The Binky Tree needs brave little boys and girls to surrender their own binkies to be planted in vast valleys where they grow into Binky Tree orchards.

There the Binky Fairy watches over them to protect them from the dreaded monster…Chuzetollup

Chuzetollup never rests and is constantly on the prowl looking for binkies and toys to chew all up.

If the Binky Fairy is successful, and success only comes from the strength of little boys and girls who don’t cry without their binkies, then the Binky Trees can grow big and strong by morning.

And when the tree is grown it flowers into wonderful toys that will be returned by the Binky Fairy as a thank you to the foot of brave children’s beds.

So be strong young warriors and surrender the binks. Make the sacrifice and good fortune will be yours…

What brave boys they were….

I think I’d rather have my binky.

Filed Under: Crafts, Featured, Ma's Memoirs, Mommyville Tagged With: Binkies, Binky Fairy, kids, paci, paci fairy, pacifiers, raising children

Thanksgiving surprise

November 18, 2011 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 6 Comments

Have you ever promised your kids something…

Then hoped they’d forget about it?

That doesn’t work with my oldest.

Nope, can’t put anything past Keegan.

Kid’s like an elephant…

He NEVER forgets.

So a few months back when he asked for a specific hair style.

One that I wasn’t so much a fan of…

I got sick of arguing.

I said OK…

But not till after school pictures.

So this week, guess what I had to hear all week?

Yup…It’s haircut time.

Keegan’s way.

So here he is.

Not so bad right?

Wait.

Yup…

Kid’s sporting a hawk.

Not a faux hawk.

But a Mohawk.

My mother in law is going to freak at Thanksgiving.

As are all the other parents in his class.

Because guess what?

They all want the hawks too now!

I must admit…

He does look kinda cute.

And he reminds me of one of my favorite characters from back in the day…

Remember this guy?

Any big surprises at your Thanksgiving table this year?

Filed Under: Featured, Holidays, Mommyville Tagged With: family, faux hawks, kids, mohawks, parenting, thanksgiving

No kids allowed? The Brat Ban

August 2, 2011 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 16 Comments

Have you heard about this?

It’s the new movement swelling to ban kids…

Ban them from restaurants…

From movie theaters…

Even from airplanes.

Yup…

So to save you from this…

There will be no more love at Mickey D’s!

No!

Not that Mickey D’s!!!

This one….

This is McDain’s Restaurant of Monroeville, PA

Where they proudly serve billions and billions…

As long as you’re over 6.

If you’re not…

Well you’re out of luck.

Yup, it seems the “Brat Ban” movement is growing and taking aim at small kids.

And before you jump all over this and scream…

“That’s just not right!”

Wait a second.

They may have a point.

What???

Is Ma agreeing with the child free sect and over the hill geezers that clearly forgot what it’s like to be a parent?

Well, sort of…

But not entirely.

First of all, I respect any business’s right to uh…

“Reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.”

If that someone happens to be my absolutely adorable 2 year old…

Well then clearly your heart has turned to stone and nothing I can do will help you.

Just kidding…

Seriously, if that was the case then I will happily take my money elsewhere.

Now…

Back to agreeing with that proud Child Free lot…

I hear you…

And I agree.

I don’t think that a restaurant is a proper place to be for my 2 year old…

On a Friday night…

At 8 o’clock.

My 2 year old is home sleeping.

As is my 5 year old, and the 6 year old…

And I’m usually there with them.

But if by chance I’m not…

If I’m out on say…

A date night…

With the hubs…

Uh yes.

We look surprisingly like Tina Fey and Steve Carell when we go out.

If I am out at said eatery on a Weekend night later in the evening…

Then I certainly can understand not wanting to hear a screaming toddler.

Or get a chestful of spaghetti after a young child throws a forkfull across the joint.

No…my kids didn’t do that…

I did…

As a baby…

In Little Italy…

I’m a fun date.

Anyhow….

I totally understand not allowing children into restaurants, movies, etc. later in the evening.

But banning them all together?

Really?

I think that’s a step too far.

I think it might be time for us as parents to step back and take a good look at what we’re doing.

Yes, we live in America.

Yes, it is a free country.

Yes, you should be allowed to bring your kids anywhere you want, anytime you want.

And if you want to bring your kids to a 10 o clock movie and then out to dinner afterwards then have at it.

But if your kids get cranky and you start getting looks…

Well then?

I know my kids and they get cranky later…

And hungry.

So when I take them somewhere nice to eat you can bet your buttered biscuits that we roll early.

Really early.

Like 5 early.

Early bird special early.

And if they act up…

Which they do from time to time.

It’s out the door you go and wait in the car.

Not alone mind you…

But you don’t behave that way in a restaurant.

So I get it…

I know it’s nice to have the kids with you…

Out as a family…

But it’s also nice NOT to have them with you.

Especially if they’re not yours.

Like that nice couple sitting next to you.

So have a heart and leave the kids at home on Date Nights.

So that this Brat Ban doesn’t spread any further…

Like the Whole Foods in the midwest that has “Child Free” shopping hours.

Or the movie theater ban.

Or the airplanes.

What’s next?

Parks?

Sidewalks?

Trains?

What do you guys think about the “Brat Ban?”

Filed Under: Featured, Ma's Memoirs, Mommyville Tagged With: brat ban, eating out with kids, kids, parenting, restaurants

So not cool

September 29, 2010 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 17 Comments

Look at my little man…

My oldest boy, at all of 5 years old, made me bawl like a baby the other day.

Why?

He’s growing up.

Yup…

It’s true.

See, we’re standing at the bus stop the other day when he drops the bomb on me…

“Ma? Can you maybe just give me a hug?”

Of course I’ll give you a hug…

“No, Ma…JUST. A. HUG. Like no kiss before I get on the bus.”

“It’s so not cool, Ma…”

Is it really happening already?

Filed Under: Ma's Memoirs, Mommyville Tagged With: growing up, kids, school bus, wordfull wednesday, wordless wednesday

Mad Props to Mommie

September 23, 2010 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 24 Comments

Admit it…

You’re hungry.

Looking at that skillet full of cheesy, pasta goodness is making you think about dinner.

It’s ok…

Same thing happened to me.

This is of course ages ago when I first stumbled upon one of my favorite gals out there in bloggyland.

In case you haven’t yet, meet Julie from Mommie cooks

And that pan filled with deliciousness was what I saw the first time I laid eyes on her site…I was hooked.

And I finally made it.

The boys loved it.

Big thumbs up.

Even Keegan ate some spinach.

You have to try her Gnocchi Skillet Dinner

1 Pkg of Gnocchi
1 Pd of Ground Turkey or Italian Sausage
1 Onion, Diced
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 Can of White Kidney Beans
1 Bag of Fresh or 2 Cups of Frozen Spinach ( I used fresh)
1 28 Oz Can of Marinara Sauce
1 tsp of Basil
1 tsp of Oregano
1/8 tsp of Crushed Red Pepper
1/4 Cup of Vegetable Broth
2 Tbsp of White Wine
1 Pkg or Marinated Mozzarella or 2 Cups of Shredded
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Cook your gnocchi up according to package directions. While your gnocchi is heating up, grab your turkey or sausage and cook it up along with the onion and garlic on medium high heat. If you choose to go vegetarian, simply leave the meat out and add in a tablespoon or two of butter with your onion and garlic.

Once the meat is cooked through, turn the heat down to medium and add in the beans and the spinach.

Cook the beans and spinach until heated through and then add in the marinara, basil, oregano, crushed pepper, vegetable broth and white wine.

Stir it all together, let the dinner heat up one more time and throw in some salt and pepper to taste. Finally place the mozzarella on the top of the skillet dish, put the top on the pan and let it sit for about five minutes until the cheese is melted.

That’s it! It’s easy, delicious, and there’s enough for leftovers. I even followed her recipe and didn’t let my recipe OCD take over. It was worth it! Thanks Julie!

I was also thinking it would be great to make this dish with some stuffed tortellini? Maybe some 4 cheese or roasted mushroom? Mmmm! What do you think? I may try it soon.

And don’t forget about our Apple Recipe Contest!!! Leave us your favorite Apple Recipe Here for a chance to win a copy of our cookbook of your very own!!!

Filed Under: Dinner Recipes For Kids, Kid Favorite Recipes, Recipes For Kids Tagged With: gnocchi, kid friendly, kids, marinara, mommie cooks, mozzarella, one pot wonder, one skillet meal, pasta, spinach

Keegan’s Mashed Potatoes

August 23, 2010 by Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner 25 Comments

You know that I’m a huge fan of mashed potatoes, well who isn’t, but I was shocked to hear from so many of your about how your kids wouldn’t try them.

WHAT????

What kid in their right mind would not want mashed potatoes and all that yummy creamy goodness?

Then I stopped to think for a second and I realized that for quite some time my boys wouldn’t try mashed potatoes?

WHAT????

How dare you scoff at a potato! A mashed potato!

You are Fitzpatricks for the love of all that is holy.

Your people have survived against all odds with the help of the magical pratties!

WHAT????

So I tried to remember how I got them to eat them for the first time, and I realized it’s the magical practice that I have leaned on time and time again…

I called the boys into the kitchen when those little beauties came out of the water and asked them to make them with me and decide what goes in them.

Now they are “their” mashed potatoes.

Now they take ownership and pride in their potatoes.

Now they will actually try them and realize that mashed potatoes are nothing but GOOD.

Here is Keegan’s recipe. Keep in mind that these measurements are an estimate. He got a little crazy with the parmesan cheese.

1 lb baby red potatoes, mashed (You could use any kind of potato, I just don’t like to peel them.)
2 T chicken stock
2 T cream
2 T sour cream
2 T unsalted butter
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (though something tells me Keegan threw in closer to a 1/2 cup, he kept saying, I think it needs more cheese, mommy.)
S&P

Toss all ingredients into a large bowl. Let the kids have fun mashing those potatoes! Mix well, let the kids get creative about what they’d like to add. Dish it out and let them enjoy trying their delicious masterpiece!

Filed Under: Healthy Side Dish Recipes For Kids, Kid Favorite Recipes, Recipes For Kids, Vegetable Recipes For Kids, Vegetarian Recipes For Kids Tagged With: butter, chicken stock, cream, family time, kid friendly, kids, mashed potatoes, parmesan cheese, potato, S&P, sour cream, toddlers

Binky Fairy – Part Three

Thanksgiving surprise

No kids allowed? The Brat Ban

So not cool

Mad Props to Mommie

Keegan’s Mashed Potatoes

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Binky Fairy – Part Three

Thanksgiving surprise

No kids allowed? The Brat Ban

So not cool

Mad Props to Mommie

Keegan’s Mashed Potatoes

Featured Cooking With Kids Videos

Join Our Mailing List

Find us on Facebook

Connect With Ma

Find A Local Farmer’s Market

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