Involving them in the preparation of dinner can keep them entertained, but sometimes it’s not possible.  In the past, I have given them bowls of cereal or crushed cracker to stir.  But lately I’ve found that sometimes it’s the simplest things that keep them happiest longest.  Yes, I’m talking cardboard boxes.  (You know how I love ’em!)

It all started with this shipping box I had by the trash can, waiting to go out.  I was flipping chicken in the skillet when I turned to see them both trying to fit in it.  (Thankfully the camera was on top of the microwave at the time.)

They played with that box the entire time I made dinner.

The next night they turned the box into a pirate ship.  (Yes, it STILL hadn’t made it to the trash.)  When I went to change the paper towel roll my son grabbed it and said it was his telescope.  He started saying, “Yo-ho-ho…”  So I suggested the box could be his pirate ship.  Another paper towel tube became the flag pole.  I made a super fast flag for the boat, then they did the rest of the decorating while I made dinner.

The pirate ship hung around the kitchen for a few more days, supplying several days of entertainment (and getting more colorful) while I cooked dinner.

Don’t have a shipping box?

No problem!

I have found ANY box can spark creativity in little ones.  Got an empty cereal box or cracker box?  Perfect!  A box from juice drinks and a paper towel tube (with my favorite duct tape) is all we needed for a quick Hot Wheels play set.

Everyone talks about how little ones seem to prefer the boxes over toys when they are babies.  I never imagined they could help me get dinner done.

How have cardboard boxes inspired your little ones?

The post Cardboard Box Fun first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

The big question when he brought it back from being processed was, “Would the kids eat it?”  I wasn’t really worried about our daughter – she is a meat eater.  But my son, that is another story.

I needn’t have worried, this venison chili recipe soon was his favorite meal.

Whether your family hunts or you purchase venison at the grocery store, this chili recipe is perfect for cold winter days.  The recipe below serves 6.  I usually double it so we have some for the next day, too.

Venison Chili Recipe

• 1 pound ground venison
• 2 qt. jar of homemade salsa (Don’t have salsa?  Substitute: 1 can tomatoes, 1 chopped onion, and 1 chopped green pepper.)
• 1 can kidney beans, undrained
• 1 can pinto beans, undrained
• 1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

In Dutch oven, brown venison over medium heat, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Add salsa and heat to boiling.  (If using tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, saute the onions and green peppers in a bit of oil first.

Reduce heat; cover.  Simmer 1 hour to blend flavors.

Stir in beans.   Cook, uncovered, 30 minutes longer.  (Or at least until beans are heated.)

Serve with cheese and crackers or homemade cornbread.  Delicious!

This venison chili recipe has become a favorite winter dinner in our home.

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The post Venison Chili Recipe first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

It was pancake day; usually Daddy makes the pancakes, but work had paged him… And I had lounged in bed a little longer than usual, which meant now there were two hungry little ones and a dog crowding me as I was getting all the pancake-making necessities out.  All I could think was, “Is there any chance I can make myself a cup of cocoa before starting this?” (I need my cup of cocoa in the morning the way coffee drinkers need their coffee fix.)

“I want peach oats!” cried Peanut as I was lost in my dream of hot caffeinated chocolate bliss.

“Are you sure you want peach outs instead of pancakes?”

“I want peach oats AND pancakes…” was the reply.  Since it was going to take a few minutes to even start mixing up pancakes and I can zap the oats in the microwave, I got out a bowl and stated getting her some oats.  The dog, all the while, kept following me, sure that something might drop into her mouth.

That’s when I heard Monkey grunting.  I thought he was pointing at the pancake stuff, so I told him, “Mommy’s going to make the pancakes in just a minute, Sweetie.”

“UGH!” followed by adamant pointing at the counter.

“I know…” I said.  Ding!  “Your oats are ready, Peanut.  They just need to cool off a minute.”  The dog started to whine in the background; I went towards the utility room to feed her.

“I need my milk, Mommy!”

I gently reminded her she could get her own milk from the refrigerator, to which she replied that she wanted me to get it for her.  Knowing she was hungry, and trying to avoid an early morning breakdown, I went to get it out for her.

“Brea –!”

“Did he just say bread?” My son is obsessed with cars, and until just this past week or so he said “car” for everything (except Mama and Dada).  Now he says 2 or 3 new words every day.  It catches me off guard…  And since he actually said the word, I had to get him a piece of bread… Was I ever going to get my cocoa?

“No!!!!” He tossed the offending bread on the floor, where the dog happily snatched it.  I was still pretty sure he had said “bread”, so I looked more closely at what he was now pointing at.  What…Oh! Then I remembered my husband had given him bread with honey the night before.  After squeezing some honey on a fresh piece of bread, he gobbled it up.

A second bowl of oats, another piece of honey bread, and two sippy cups of milk later I decided there was no longer a point in making pancakes.  I put away the eggs, milk, pancake mix, and bowl and made myself a couple pieces of toast with peanut butter to go along with the cocoa I finally had in my hands.

That’s when my husband came upstairs and asked where the pancakes were…

The post Where’s the Pancakes? first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.