Mail Clutter & School Paper Organization

I Love Organization.  I've said it before, I'll say it again! I love it! But that doesn't mean that I'm the most organized person. Really. I try.  I find great ideas, or think up great ideas....and I try! :) I really really need this:

A Mail clutter Sorter.....Love it!!

How do you sort your mail? Do you have any other great ideas for me?

One thing that really frustrates me is all the school papers my kids make and bring home.  Don't get me wrong, I love to sit down and have them show me what the did at school that day.  I love all the creative and fun things they make.  But, one thing that's going through my mind is, "what do I do with all these papers??" I hate throwing them all away when they aren't looking :( (does that make me a bad mom?) but I hate the growing pile on my counter top while I try and think of what to do with them. As it gets closer to another school year {yikes, it's getting close already} I think I may just give this idea a go:

Cute & easy too!

Seeing ideas like this really excite me, just like a new notebook and pen excite me.  I can hardly go into the store without buying a new notebook....really! I'm easy to please...LOL buy me a new notebook and I'll be your friend forever! Make it cute like this or this and that's even better! Cute & simple gift idea, a cute notebook & a pen or other accessories personalized to go along with the event in their life.

If you have any organization ideas send them my way PLEASE!
I'm feeling another
Linky party coming on!! I'm gonna start "Feelin' Organized Monday." So come back next Monday and link it up!!! Can't Wait!

linkin' up:

Fitness Friday: The Tonsil Diet :) & Link up!

Welcome to Fitness Friday!

I'm not feeling very fit today.  I just got my tonsils out on Wednesday...Ouch! So, I have to take a break from my regular workout regimen, which is a little scary.  It's always a little harder to get back into exercise after an illness, surgery or injury.  I'm feeling pretty weak right now and I'm hoping when I start feeling better I will have the energy.  I know I will have to start back up slow with the exercise and I hope it doesn't feel like I'm starting  back from the beginning of running again. Let me know if you have any tips in this area!
Now I sure don't recommend the "Tonsil Diet"....LOL...I am looking forward to when I can eat real food.  But, I have found some great options I can have.  Now just to see if my Hubby will make them for me :)
Check out these Berry Yogurt Popsicles from Ginas Skinny Recipes. I'm loving her site and these look delicious and are nutritious too.


Popcicles can be a healthy nutritious snack when made with yogurt, 100% fruit juice or smoothies. It can be something fun for your kids to do too!

A good thing is that I can drink my Shakeology and know that I'm getting some good nutrition although I'm not eating too much stuff. I've been thinking of trying to make popsicles out of it too.
So, that's it for today.  I'd love any comments, link ups or questions you might have.  It can keep me busy while I lay here :)

Now let's get to the "Link up Party"

1. Follow me  Leave a comment & I will follow you back! 

2. Include the "Fitness Fridays" button in your post & link up to the exact post not your home page url.

3. Create a blog post. If you want help in staying accountable, Blog about your goals, your progress each week, what you struggle with, etc. This will give me and others the opportunity to help with comments and encouragement to reach your Health & Fitness goals. 

If you are a Health & Fitness blogger you can create a post just for Fitness Fridays or anything else that you'd like to share. If you have a great tip, healthy snack or recipe or something that you've found please link up.

4. Please visit other links to comment & encourage others
5. Come back every week for our link up party

 Thanks!! This can be fun and so motivating and helpful to others. 

Now let's get this Party Started!! Have a great weekend!

I'm also partying with:

Birthday Ideas

In my family my two girls & I celebrate summer birthdays! I've been on the lookout for fun things I can do for my girls. My oldest will be turning eight soon, such a special age that we've all been looking forward to. She will have a friend party and then a family get together on her Baptism day. She really wants a Sleep Over, yikes for me! :)

 I found a couple cute things over at "Hostess with the Mostess" blog. So many cute party ideas over there. You have to check it out!

A few ideas that caught my eye:

Night Owl PJ Party

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party

Garden Fairy Party

Decisions, Decisions..... :)

 Birthday Traditions are fun! On each of my kids' birthdays we let them choose what we will eat for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner....Here are a few other birthday tradition ideas. I'd like to start some new ones.

One other idea that I have a goal to start for my kids is to make a slide show on disc with pictures of them during the year, showing their accomplishments, fun times, etc.  I may do it every year or just on big ones like 5, 8, 12, 16, 18.  We'll see :) It would be fun to show it at their birthday and then save it for them to keep as a gift. They would love it!

Do you have any birthday traditions you and your family do??  Any great Birthday Parties you have thrown? I'd love to hear any other ideas!

As I was at the Doctor office I saw a yummy idea in a Rachael Ray Magazine.

 I can't seem to find her version online though. They kinda looked like this with candles added.

Birthday Cake Pancakes

Mix a box of yellow cake mix, add in sprinkles, pour a ladle full on the griddle just like you would cook regular pancakes. Mix Powdered sugar and water and drizzle it over the top.  Add more sprinkles if desired & candles in the top. Yum! This might have to be a new Birthday breakfast tradition at our house. My kids would love it!

I still remember my 6th Birthday breakfast.  Belgian Waffles with Strawberry Ice Cream on top with Strawberry syrup.  So Good! It's another great option.

I have a lot of party planning & "get togethers" to plan in the next couple weeks.  Wish me luck...as right now I am laid up with my tonsils just removed yesterday...ouch!!

I'd love if you have any fun ideas for me to read about while I lay here! :)

Happy Summer Birthdays!!

linkin' up:

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Easy Peazy Chicken Enchiladas

I would hardly listen to my mom growing up when she would try and teach me how to make a meal.  I didn't really want to listen...haha.  But, as I was headed off to college and especially as I got married it was a little scary that I would have to cook.  Although I didn't want to listen too much when she was trying to teach me, I did learn how to cook from her. I'm definitely not as good as her, but I'm learning.  You know how as you get older it becomes clear that your parents are trying to teach you things for a reason {light bulb} & Although it drives me crazy sometimes to have my kids help me in the kitchen, they love it and I know it is teaching them!! So here is an easy peasy way my mom showed me how to make Chicken Enchiladas.  Just the basic ingredients, but  tastes great! This is one of my husbands favorite meals and he says my enchiladas are the best he's ever tasted.  He's easy to please :) But still....

Here ya go.

*Chicken Enchiladas*

 You'll need:

*6-8 flour Tortillas (Wheat tortillas would be a healthier option and you can hardly tell the difference when cooked up in this)

*20 oz Can Enchilada Sauce (some may like them a little saucier)

*15 oz Can Refried Beans (I'd like to try Black Beans & see how that tastes, I love them and they would be a healthier option)

*Cooked Chicken/shredded/canned/bottled

(I use my bottled chicken from my food storage, we bottle some at least once a year, believe me it's really good, no added yucky stuff :) and it's so handy to have on hand, I use it for everything. Canned is okay too)

*Grated Cheese

*Toppings of your choice- lettuce, sour cream, olives, tomatoes

 Pre-heat Oven to 350, spray your cooking dish with non-stick spray.  I like to use an 8 x 11 glass casserole dish, I can usually sqeeze 7 or 8 tortillas in there. Pour some of the enchilada sauce into a pie plate.  You may get a little messy here! :) Lay in your Tortilla and coat both sides with sauce.  Scoop on some refried beans, chicken, grated cheese & drizzle a little enchilada sauce on top. Fold in the short ends of the tortilla & then roll up so there are no open sides.

Top all tortillas with the remaining enchilada sauce and grated cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 until cheese is completely melted and sauce is bubbling. Let cool for about 5 minutes.

Top with whatever you'd like and Enjoy!! So easy and very good!!

Thanks Mom! :)



I'm linking up:

Special K Treats

Special K Treats

(I got this recipe from a friend- Thanks Jennifer :)

1 stick Butter or Margarine

2 cups mini marshmallows or 20 large marshmallows

1 Cup Brown Sugar

4 cups Special K Cereal

In sauce pan melt Butter on low to medium heat, stir in marshmallows & brown sugar, stirring constant until marshmallows are melted.  Keep on low to medium heat, may slightly boil, once marshmallows are melted, continue stirring mixture constantly for 3 minutes (this is a tricky part sometimes, don't let over cook, you will feel it getting thicker, but don't let it get too thick, 3 minutes tops will be fine, do not let it get to a full rumbling boil...you've got the heat too high). Take off heat and add in 4 cups of Special K Cereal. Stir until totally covered with mixture. Spray 8 x 8 baking dish with non stick spray and pour in.  Let cool, cut in squares and eat up.  So Yummy!

***

If you are looking for a Healthy Snack this is not one of them!! :) I do enjoy my treats, {just saying..hehe.}  Just because I love Health & Fitness doesn't mean I don't like treats and comfort foods. I try to eat my best 80% of the time and give myself 20% where I don't worry so much.  I don't usually say to my self "you can't have that" unless I'm doing some sort of challenge or something, because I feel it makes things worse.  You always want what you can't have and then you end up piggin' out like crazy. :) I think it's okay once in a while to have a treat, to make them with your kids, on special occassions or just for no reason once in a while! All things in moderation, right!? If you are looking for more healthier snack options -these are my 80% of the time snacks. Just thought I'd clarify, I do on occasion post yummy treats or my favorite recipes that I don't want to forget & to share.  So, all you health food junkies I hope you don't mind :) this is me!!

Partying with: