Healthy Kids Conference

August 31, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

Many of you know that I am passionate about early childhood issues, and because of that I realize  parent education is a huge part of raising kids!  The Great Start Parent Coalition is offering a fantastic opportunity for learning on September 10 at Meijer Gardens.  The Healthy Lifestyle Conference will be Saturday, September 10 from 8am to noon.  This one is just for parents, so leave the kiddos at home and come hear some great speakers.

When you register, you’ll select which sessions you want to attend, and then everyone gets to see the Keynote Speaker, Tim Cusack talk about “Caring For The Caregiver“.  There are two breakouts.  For the first one, you’ll choose from:

  • Bringing Healthy Home
  • Building Self Worth
  • Think About What You Drink {the benefits of reducing sweetened beverages}
  • Dealing with Asthma
  • Family Meals
  • Turning TV Time Into You and Me Time

And for the second breakout, choose one of these:

  • Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids
  • Supporting Oral Health In Young Children
  • Picky Eater Tips
  • ADHD:  What You Need To Know and What You Can Do
  • Early On 101
  • Fit Kids 360
  • Physical Literacy

Oh, and did I mention that it’s FREE? Folks who attend can stick around and check out Meijer Gardens, too.  Go sign up and learn more on the Great Start Website. Leave a comment if you are going, I will be there!

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Mabel Mabel If You’re Able; Can You Make My Son Some Labels?

August 30, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

Last year Maybelle had a comment next to the ‘Responsibility’ category on her report card. 

“She is definitely responsible.  In fact, she often finds her older brother’s lost items and returns them to him.”

It’s nice to hear that her teacher notices how responsible she is.  It’s not quite as nice to hear it as a counterbalance to A.P.’s complete inability to keep track of his stuff.

But in reality; A.P. has a complete inability to keep track of his stuff.  He actually keeps his bedroom fairly tidy, and can tell you exactly where his Mach 6 Matchbox car is at any given time but once he leaves the house it’s all over.  I visited the Lost and Found at school every two weeks last year, because that’s how often they haul the unclaimed stuff off to the Salvation Army.   Each time I would take a reusable grocery bag, hoping I wouldn’t find anything.  Each time my bag was full.

In addition, he is the best person in the world to sit next to at school.  Lost your pencil? Here, borrow this one! Need a crayon? Why not take the box.  I love his generosity, but he can’t ever recall who has his desk supplies when he needs them.

Remember when my kids went to camp earlier this summer? It was a one week day camp, so they came home in the evening.  In that time, A.P. lost:

  • 5 socks
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 pair of shorts

Maybelle lost:

  • 1 sock

I should note that A.P. did come home with a fleece jacket two sizes too small on the last day.  He explained that they had gone through the Lost and Found and “thought maybe that was his”.  It was not.  The good news is that he is 1000 times easier to shop for than Maybelle is, who actually cares what she is wearing.  The bad news is that not only does he not care what he is wearing, he doesn’t even really know what his wardrobe consists of.

We need some help.  We need Mabel’s Labels.

Some for the shoes.  These have been there a week already and have not budged.  Might I suggest an air freshener label for the upcoming product line?

Some for the backpack, right next to the St. Thomas Aquinas medal.

Some for the desk supplies, so we know who has our markers.

There are also clothes labels, which are washable.  If you plan on handing these clothes down, or selling them at a garage sale you can just remove the label.   You can’t do that if you write on the tag with a Sharpie. Everything is customized, and you can choose what is on the label as well as the style and the color. 

They all come shipped in this cute little box.

These aren’t just plain old stickers.  These are durable, washable, and stay where you stick them.  He is excited.  I am excited.  Maybelle is excited.  Mabel’s Labels work for us!

I received an Ultimate Back To School Combo from Mabel’s Labels to review.  I love it, and that is my own opinion.

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Michigan Mom Monday

August 29, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

What Michigan Bloggers are Talking About This Week, from your very own Mom TV Michigan Mom.

I am clearly looking for some simplified back to school recipes, because I bookmarked three this week!

  • Sarah’s Deals has a great recipe for home-made bread to try when it cools down.
  • The Domestic Executive Online has a great recipe for Chicken Pasta Salad that I will definitely be making in the very near future.
  • Being Cheap Is Easy has a great recipe for Easy Enchiladas.

Some fall goodness here, enjoying the bounty and getting back into the swing of a routine.

And from the ‘state of the blog’ department, we have two different posts to check out.

  • Serendipity Mommy is two years old.  And she is rocking it.  Take a look at what she has accomplished!
  • Katie at Sluiter Nation tells is why she will never be a ‘big’ blogger.  She’s totally wrong, in my opinion.  I think she is a big deal waiting to happen.

And finally, Wendy at the Local Cook recently traveled to Uganda, and wrote a really interesting series about her trip.  This is the last post, so read it and then you’ll want to read all the others to get caught up.

Are you a Michigan blogger? Big or small; leave me a comment. I want to get to know you!

Stay connected! Get Big Binder by email.  Or you can subscribe to my RSS feed, follow me on twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.

Have you seen my contest for a $20 Visa gift card? This is one of the lowest blog reading weeks of the year.  Which means your chances at winning are really good….

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Recipe Roundtable – Grilled Pork Italiano {And a giveaway!}

August 28, 2011 By Big Binder

Are your kids good eaters? Picky to the point of maddening? Or somewhere in-between? I come up with some rather interesting creations for dinner, so my kids are used to trying different things (but that doesn’t mean they like everything…).

If I use 1) taco seasoning or 2) spaghetti sauce my family will eat pretty much anything. This past weekend I made up a new recipe that was a winner.

Grilled Pork Italiano

  • 4 boneless pork chops
  • 1 24 ounce jar of Ragu Pasta Sauce, divided in 1/2
  • 1 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Bring these out to the grill with you:

  • the pork chops
  • 1 grill safe pan (I used a pie pan)
  • 1/2 of the spaghetti sauce
  • tongs
  • a plate or wide bowl with the breadcrumbs in it
  • the mozzarella cheese

Following the directions on the package, cook 1/2 of a box of thin spaghetti noodles.  Once cooked, drain well and place back into cooking pot with 1/2 a jar of spaghetti sauce.  Put the lid on the pot, and keep warm over very low heat.

Meanwhile, start the grill.  Once heated, grill pork chops over medium low heat, about 3-4 minutes on each side or until done.  Pour enough sauce in the bottom of a grill-safe pan to cover. Remove chops from grill and brush each side with sauce.  Using tongs, dredge in breadcrumbs.  Place pork chops back into pan and put a slice of mozzarella cheese on each.  Pour the rest of this half of the sauce over the pork chops, and place the pan back on the grill over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is starting to bubble.  On each plate put 1/4 of the cooked spaghetti noodles, 1/4 of the sauce, and one pork chop.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

And speaking of winners, how would YOU like to be one?  Ragu is giving one lucky Big Binder reader a $20 Visa Gift Card.  All you need to do is share your advice.  What do YOU do when dinner gets tough? Bribe with dessert? Plead? Make a different meal? Leave a comment and let us know! I’ll choose the winner on Friday via email.

Want to connect with other moms about dinnertime dilemmas? There are some great suggestions and a  great video on Ragu’s “Mom’s The Word On Dinner” Facebook page from real moms.

Recipe Roundtable is a weekly feature is co-hosted by Big Binder and Sarah’s Deals. Each blog will host it’s own recipe, but share a common linky. The co-hostesses links will appear at the top of the list and you are welcome to join in. Please link to your ACTUAL POST and not just your home page so people can find it easier. Also please put the recipe title in parentheses to help out the other readers. Old recipe posts are fine. While we appreciate a link back or the addition of the button above, it is NOT required. Be sure to leave a comment after linking. Thank you for participating!


I was compensated for writing this post, however, all opinions are my own.

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Rapid Round Up

August 25, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

Wellllll….. Vacation Bible School season is over.  The Summer Reading Programs and most of the free concert series are wrapping up BUT The Hudsonville Fair continues, and is joined by the Polish Heritage Festival, the 28th Street Metro Cruise, the YASSOU Greek Cultural Festival, and a movie at John Collins Park. {See the calendar for all of the details}

How many places in the world can you watch a tractor pull, see some antique cars, and enjoy Greek AND Polish food in 48 hours?? Only here, baby. My goodness. I don’t even know what to choose! So many inexpensive, family friendly, community events!

Have you made epic memories these past twelve weeks? You still have time to squeeze in a little local fun!

Might I suggest:

What are YOU going to do with yourself this last week of summer?

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Critter Barn {Have you been there?}

August 23, 2011 By Big Binder 5 Comments

Are you kind of running out of things to do? And money with which to do them? Yeah me too.  I cast my net a little wider and drove all the way to Zeeland last week in search of some fun.  I remembered that A.P. had gone on a field trip to the Critter Barn last year, but Maybelle and I hadn’t been yet so we decided to check it out.

We LOVED it!

They provided a brief tour, allowing me once again to pretend I am a homeschooler, then they let us spend as much time as we liked.

The kids got to feed the animals, gather eggs, and milk a goat.

Not bad for city kids.

This is actually Mrs. Chops.  Our tour guides explained that she had ‘stolen his house’; and they weren’t at all sure where Mr. Chops was presently.

Best sensory table ever.

My kids each had their favorites, of course.

Maybelle loved snuggling the bunnies.

A.P. could not get enough of the cats.

Admission is $5.00 per person, but we used our Moms In Tow discount card so it only cost $10.00 for all three of us.  They give you hay and corn to feed the animals as part of your entry fee, so really that is the only cost.

Have you been to the Critter Barn? How did you like it?

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Works For Me Wednesday – Rethinking Extracurricular Activities

August 23, 2011 By Big Binder 7 Comments

Last week I started dreading this fall, but I didn’t understand why.  I crave routine, schedules; organization. I usually love getting back into the school swing.

But not this year.  I felt nervous just thinking about it.  After I few days, I realized why.

I don’t want a repeat of last year.

Last year, our weeks looked like this.  We would get home from school at 3:45, do homework, make dinner, and head out to:

Monday – Tae Kwon Do

Tuesday – Soccer

Wednesday -  Faith Formation

Thursday – Inevitable meeting for some non-profit

Friday – Family Movie Night

Saturdays included a soccer game and whatever else was going on.  Oh and did I mention that my husband is in school two nights a week? And that my kids’ school is a hike and I spend 10 hours a week driving to and fro?

It was exhausting.  We didn’t eat dinner together enough.  We didn’t eat healthily enough.  We didn’t sleep enough.

We’re doing 2011/2012 differently.  Faith Formation and Family Movie night stays.  Everything else is on the table:

  • I’m still committed to saving the world, but I am limiting my evening meetings to groups that provide dinner and babysitting so the kids have a chance to socialize.  And I don’t have to make some crazy dinner while I fly out the door to a meeting.
  • Any classes the kids take will be at the YMCA, where we already have a membership and I can work out while they are in class instead of just sitting there texting people until soccer practice is over.
  • The kids can join Boy Scouts and or Girl Scouts if they meet right after school. That way we save a trip and the other child and I can sit in the library and finish homework during the meeting.
  • We will prioritize based on values.  That sounds so grown up, doesn’t it? It just means that faith and family are more important than soccer.  We are still doing Faith Formation, but dropping soccer.
  • We already have planned some family bike rides, and when it gets too cold we will do some family ice skating.
  • Let the kids get bored sometimes.  WHAT?  It’s true.  We got bored growing up, and we learned how to deal with it.  Our kids need to also.

What do you think? Is less more?  Stopping the extracurricular madness Works For Me!

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Recipe Roundtable

August 21, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

First I want to update you on last week’s recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salad.  My friend Beth took it and ran; making a humble side dish into a whole meal! Check out the tweet she sent me:

Well, now it is anyway!  Wow!

This week’s recipe is one I just made yesterday and brought to a party.  And may or may not be sitting here, eating it by the spoonful while I write this.  I found it on my friend Megan’s blog and could not resist trying it.

Orange Creamsicle Fruit Dip

  • 1 8 oz container whipped topping (this needs to be thawed.  I learned the hard way)
  • 1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 6 oz container of frozen (concentrated) orange juice (that is 1/2 of a container)
  • Fruit for dipping

Mix the first three ingredients together. Add a little water to thin out to desired consistency, if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I doubled the recipe, which you totally do not need to do.  Unless you want tons of leftovers so you can sit around eating it by the spoonful in which case, go for it.  I won’t judge.

Recipe Roundtable is a weekly feature is co-hosted by Big Binder and Sarah’s Deals. Each blog will host it’s own recipe, but share a common linky. The co-hostesses links will appear at the top of the list and you are welcome to join in. Please link to your ACTUAL POST and not just your home page so people can find it easier. Also please put the recipe title in parentheses to help out the other readers. Old recipe posts are fine. While we appreciate a link back or the addition of the button above, it is NOT required. Be sure to leave a comment after linking. Thank you for participating!

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Rapid Round Up

August 18, 2011 By Big Binder Leave a Comment

Here’s a round up of some great, inexpensive family events happening in the Grand Rapids area next week!

But first, I want to take a minute to make sure you are all signed up for the Grand Rapids Marathon Kids Race.  Your kids need to download a training log and start running now so they can run that final mile at the marathon (October 15th) with ease!

Check the CALENDAR for full details and even more great events!

Friday, August 19 9:00 PM Hot Kroc Movie Night at the Kroc Center.  Go see How To Train Your Dragon for free!

Saturday, August 20 Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Bike Race

Sunday, August 21 Danish Festival Family Fun Day, Greenville

Monday, August 22 Hudsonville Fair begins

Tuesday, August 23 Make sure you have turned in all of your Summer Reading Club logs!

Wednesday, August 24 10:30 AM Mayor’s Book Club Kick Off, Seymour Branch of Grand Rapids Public Library.

Thursday, August 25 Take the kids to a frisbee golf course near you!

Friday, August 25 YASSOU Greek Cultural Festival begins

Races For Kids This Week

Saturday, August 20 Grand Cycling Classic

Saturday, August 20 Mitchell’s Run Through Rockford

Free Concerts This Week

Tuesday, August 23 7:00 PM Summer Concert Series, John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids. Bring a chair or blanket. Free Admission. 940-4800 ext. 300, 949-1750.

Tuesday, August 23 7:00 PM Music on the Lawn. Averill Historical Museum, 7144 Headley St., Ada. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free Admission. Donations accepted. 676-9346.

Thursday, August 25 7:00-9:00PM Lowell Sizzlin’ Summer Concert. Live music along the Flat River at the Riverwalk Plaza in downtown Lowell. Bleacher seating available or bring a blanket or chair. Free Admission and parking. 897-8545, 897-9161.

Friday, August 26 6:00 – 7:00 PM GRAM on the Green, Grand Rapids Art Museum.

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