Muffin Tin Lunch

Do you have a picky eater? If not, please stop now and thank God for giving you such a unique blessing. Then quickly disregard this post or pass it along to a friend with a picky eater. If you DO have a picky eater, here is a great idea for motivating your finicky little one into eating a wider and more healthy variety of food. Make them a muffin tin lunch. This little presentation technique has worked wonders with my youngest son. He eats much more in both variety and quantity when fed this way. It's a really easy concept. Just grab a muffin tin (or even a bunch of those silicone baking cups if you have a fancier variety of kitchen gadgets than me) and fill each space with a separate food. Done! In the tin below my son had (from top left): ranch dressing, baby carrots (yes, they were old and dry), cheese cubes, (bottom row) pretzels, graham crackers and sliced strawberries. I introduced this idea to a friend's son when he was over at our house for lunch one day. He is a pretty picky eater and after trying this at our house he was begging his mom to let him have muffin tin lunch at his house! It is a real hit, so give it a try! (Maybe you'll want to make one for yourself!!)





*Found on another MOPS blog*

Beautiful! - Inside & Out

Q: "How do you keep eyeliner from smearing throughout the day?"

A: It is a must to "set" the liner with a shadow of the same color. Use a fine tipped brush or Q-tip to cover the liner then a swipe of liquid eyeliner will top it all off! I only use a pencil liner above the lid & shadow under the eye for emphasis!

Tiffany Harger
www.tiffanyharger.myarbonne.com

Father's Day Crafts

Kids can make plaques, oversize cards, or posters with cute pasta shapes, paint, and glue.

Father's Day, a special day to honor the men in our lives, is quickly approaching!  I found some really cute ideas on the Family Fun site. Most of them are fun, creative, and definitely do-able for our little ones.  Here are just a few ways that you and your toddlers can celebrate dads on Sunday!

 Wallet Photo Collage

Dad can keep this card in his wallet and take it with him wherever he goes -- a reminder of who loves him best of all.

 

Materials

• Markers, photographs and stickers
• Glue

• Con-Tact paper

 Instructions

1. Cut a credit-card-sized rectangle out of poster board.
   
2. Decorate both sides with messages, stickers, drawings and glued-on photographs.
   
3. To make the card sturdier, cover it on both sides with clear Con-Tact paper, or run it through the laminator at your local copy shop (around two dollars).
   

Father's Day Throne

Transform a lawn chair into a throne that literally puts within his reach everything he needs to be king for a day.

Materials

• Lawn chair
• Clamps, tape, or string
• Wire

• Scissors
• Various chair accessories

  Instructions

1. Use tape, clamps, or string to attach appropriate accessories, from a shade umbrella to a back scratcher to a cold drink holder.
   
2. Fashion a halo made of wire to hold Dad's favorite hat or crown and attach it to the back of the chair.
   
3. Include a bell for Dad to ring for service.
   

Variations:

Add items like: clip-on fan, back scratcher, plastic snap-on cup holders, newpaper, foot soaking tub, travel pillow, beaded driver's seat cover, mini pool table or basketball hoop, red carpet (towel), or slippers.

How Dad Measures Up

Our faux tape measure extends the perfect Father's Day message to a dad who's skillful at building and repairing. Have him pull out the ruler tape to read, "You rule, Dad!," "I love you thiiiiiiis much!" or "Dad, you really go the distance!"

Materials

• Rectangular box (we used a macaroni-and-cheese box)
• Scissors
• Tape
• Yellow card stock

• Aluminum foil
• Marker
• Black paper

Instructions

 

1. Cut the box in half across the middle. Cut off half of the bottom section at a diagonal, as shown. Tape one end of a 1- by 12-inch strip of yellow card stock to the edge of the top half of the box, using tape on both sides of the strip.


2. Slide the bottom of the box into the top of the box.







3. Fold a 2-1/2- by 6-inch piece of aluminum foil into thirds lengthwise, then fold it into a flat tab about 1/2 inch long. Tape it to the strip. Write a message on the strip and add ruler markings, then push it inside the box. Wrap the box with black paper, leaving a space for the tape opening. Cut off two corners of a 2-1/2-inch yellow card stock square, write "tape measure" on it, and adhere it to the box.

Tower Theaters Treehouse

Summer Movies for the kids!!!

During the summer, Tower Theaters runs a program designed just for families!  Each week, the theater shows 2 movies, usually one appropriate for younger children and one for older kids.  The schedule is below, but if you'd rather be directed to their website, please click here. The movies are shown Monday-Friday at 10am.  All children 10 and under are FREE!!!!!!  Everyone else will pay $2 for their tickets....super cheap for the movies!  If your children love to snack while they are watching the shows, a "Kids Pack" is available for $4.  A "Kid's Pack" comes with a small popcorn, candy, and a drink.  It's a great chance to catch a show and beat the heat for a few hours!  Enjoy!

For more information, visit http://www.mytowertheatres.com/
(520) 579-0500
5755 N Arizona Pavillions
Tucson, AZ 85743

6/13 - 6/17 -     Marmaduke (PG)
                         Gulliver's Travels (PG)
6/20 - 6/24 -     How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
6/27 - 7/1 -       The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG)   
                         Shrek Forever After (PG)
7/4 - 7/8 -         Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (PG)
                         Alice in Wonderland (PG)
7/11 - 7/15 -     Megamind (PG)
                         Ramona and Beezus (G)
7/18 - 7/22 -     Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (PG)
                         Despicable Me (PG)
7/25 - 7/29 -     Yogi Bear (PG)
                         Nanny McPhee Returns (PG)
8/1 - 8/5 -         Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Won't Do Anything (G)
                         Second movie TBA

Book Club is Coming!

If you love to read, or just want an excuse to steal a few minutes for yourself, then try joining our book club!

Each month, members will take turns choosing books and then will choose a date and time to meet.  Meeting times can be during the day, playgroup style, or can be a night on the town!  It is all up to the group!

As our first meeting nears, more information will be determined and added to this page.  So, please check back!

If you are interested in joining, please contact Nicole

For all of our moms......

Upcoming Events!

MOPS might be out for the summer, but we have some exciting events planned!

June 29th - Playdate at Brandi Fenton Park (10 am -1 pm)
Don't forget your sunscreen and towels and join us for this wet 'n' wild playdate. Bring a picnic lunch if you want!

July 20th - Mom's Night Out
Leave the kids at home and enjoy some much needed Mom time and join us for a night of fun!! More details will be announced soon.

August 28th - Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Join us at Lord of Grace Church for this yummy fundraiser!!

August 29th - Playdate at Reid Park Zoo
Lions and Tigers and (Polar) Bears will join us on this playdate!! School is out, so bring the older ones, too!

We hope you can join us for these exciting events and don't forget to mark you calendars for the first meeting of the new year on September 7th!!