Vanilla Chocolate Chip Waffles

We eat a lot of waffles and pancakes in our house, in case you haven't noticed. It's a great way for me to sneak in some added protein and/or veggies for my 2 very picky eaters. Add chocolate chips and it's an instant kid favorite!
5 eggs
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 cup bread flour
3/4 Quinoa flakes
1 cup Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup oil (vegetable, corn, almond... whatever you prefer to use)
3 cups soy milk
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

I mix all the ingredients together, because I don't have time to use more than one big bowl. Pour onto waffle iron and get other random things done while the waffles cook...like that sink full of dishes!

Custom Personalized Name Baby Blocks

Some of you may recall the cute blocks I made for a customer a few months ago,here. I added a custom listing to my etsy store today. Design your own baby shower gift! Personalized fabric baby blocks with the child's name is the perfect gift for any new baby in your family. It's also the gift that will continue to engage and grow with the child through the different stages of development. I use many different coordinated, textured fabrics to enhance sensory development. Corduroy, chenille, terry cloth, fleece, cotton etc. You pick the color palette and I will coordinate a gender specific set. Is there a color you/mom/dad can't stand? Let me know, I am so happy to make this gift the way you want it.

Each block measure 4 inches and filled with polyfil. The letters are felt. Some of the blocks will have a jingle bell and/or ribbons sewn in for the child to grasp. I only use small stitches to insure extra seam durability so that the blocks can withstand being played with by any child.

I look forward to making the perfect set for you!

Cleaning for a Reason

Through a friend (thanks cindy!) I recently heard about this awesome company, Cleaning for a Reason, that donates their services of housecleaning to women who are fighting cancer. Housekeepers will come to your home and clean entirely for free while undergoing chemo treatments. Pass the word, donate money if you can, be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Mini Gift Books

I made these little mini books for each of the kids in my group on the recent field trip I chaperoned. Logan loves having little books like this filled with pictures of friends. They are so simple to make and a great way to use up some of the paper you aren't in love with anymore.
Take a 12x12 piece of paper and cut it in half. I used 3 pieces of paper per book.
Adhere prints back to back so there is a print on each side. Fold in half, using a bone folder to create a sharp crease. Assemble the order of your book, laying the prints open on top of each other. Hole punch all the papers in the crease at the top and bottom of the book and then use a ribbon tie the pages together. And that's it, you are done!

"Logan's Mommy! Why does..."

I recently chaperoned a field trip for Logan's class to a petting farm. I was stunned when we got off the bus and was informed by the teacher that I would be on my own with 4 kids for many hours, if I would have known that I would have had that extra cup of coffee! But in the end we all had a great time, I came and left with the same four kids..that's a good sign, right?
My kids were awesome, so well behaved and ready to learn and have fun. I was shocked when I found out that they never experienced a picnic before! How could that be? Logan was happy to show them how it's done, to take the lead and clearly show a side of himself that he rarely does in school. The most interesting part of being around his classmates, was that they were finally able to ask questions about Logan to an adult who actually answered them. For example one girl on the bus asked "Logan's mommy why doesn't Logan like it when people touch him?" Another kid asked "Logan's mommy why does Logan not make sense sometimes?" I took the time and answered each of their questions, with Logan right next to me I would try and engage him in the conversation to teach him how to answer these questions for himself. It was amazing when Logan answered the boy about not making sense sometimes by saying, "I talk like that when I'm really excited!" He's beginning to understand that he's "different", he sits on a special cushion on his seat in the classroom, uses a slanted desk...he's becoming aware. And with that I want to give him the skills to wade through the questions that his peers have so they can all understand each other and embrace their differences.

Gratitude Journal

I recently made this gratitude journal for Jabby's birthday. We both have always been journal people...we each have helped the other move endless boxes filled with journals dating as far back as middle school. I don't think we'll ever part with the boxes that continue to move from house to house, apartment to apartment. They are a part of us, our history and in the rereading we've learned some things about ourselves. I made this journal for her because I wanted to be a part of her life for a while, as she schleps it around in her bag or as it sits ready on the shelf for her to pull out and take a moment to center herself and write..pen to paper. Feeling in that moment as if we are together.
The cover picture is a recycled card that she sent me last year for my birthday. It was so perfect I've been holding on to it waiting for the right project. Now it's found it's home. I used mini file folders again as dividers and recycled more of my Soul Beautiful calendar incorporating some of the awesome images. Quotes, tags and other odds and ends make it a confluence of creativity, that I hope she will love.

Halloween Craftyness!

Crafty moms everywhere have their sewing machines humming, glue guns hot and ready, spray paint poised...ready to finish the last minute Halloween costume or crafts. I'm not a costume maker. I know this information may catch you off guard. And maybe someday I will change my tune. But right now my boys are into classic things; superheros, ghosts, skeletons etc. Things I can find readily available at any thrift store for cheaper than I can make it. This year I actually found a handmade Robin (of Batman and Robin) costume at our local thrift store. I know whoever slaved away to make this elaborate outfit would be overjoyed to discover that there is another little boy in the world who chooses the sidekick as his favorite hero too.
Zane discovered this fabric remnant during a recent Joann's visit and I promised to make him a trick or treat bag to match his skeleton outfit. Sewing machine buzzing at 9am, and I am finished in plenty of time to fill it with loot tonight. Have a happy Halloween!!!

Sweet Potato-Spinach-Mushroom Burrito

When I was recently in Philly we ate at this really great restaurant, El Vez, and I had this amazing burrito. I came home and I did my best to recreate it. Sweet potatoes, portabello mushrooms, tofu, corn and a dash of cilantro. I tried. I will admit the one I ate in Philly was amazing, absolutely amazing...but my recreation was pretty darn good and I'll definitely be making it again.

Whole Wheat Pancakes

This recipe whips up enough pancakes to feed a hungry family of 4. I like to top my pancakes with peanut butter and Greek yogurt to add a punch of protein to a somewhat carb heavy breakfast.

3 cups Whole Wheat Flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups whole milk
3 eggs well beaten

FREE Night of Theatre

I love seeing live theatre. I didn't appreciate the amount of theatre I saw when I lived in NYC, I totally took seeing a show a week for granted. Just heard about this company though and I'm super excited about it. FREE THEATRE!! Theatre Communications Group's FREE NIGHT OF THEATER program is celebrating its 5th anniversary, I can hardly believe this is the first I have heard of them. Free Night introduces people to the thrill of live theatre- absolutely free of charge! Yes read that line again...FREE THEATRE!!!

"Last fall, 650 theatre companies, in 120 cities from coast to coast, opened their doors to over 65,000 new theatergoers. This year, our participating theatre companies will offer even more tickets for free. Join thousands of audience members - from Portland to Charleston, and from Houston to Minneapolis - and explore all the wonderful entertainment your local theatre community has to offer! Whether you've never been to the theatre before, or just haven't been in a long time, our Free Night theatres have something for you!"- from their site

Click here and see if what is showing in your area.

CocktailMom Etsy Store

Things are moving and changing, I'm on the cusp of a new journey and I love, absolutely LOVE being in this spot. Embarking on something new. Embracing the change. Acknowledging the fear and moving past it....leaping.
After 6 years I've decided to shut down AuntArt.com and move all the items I make under one name, CocktailMom. I opened an Etsy store and currently stocked it with some children's items. Yes I am still going to sell hip gear for kids but I'm also going to offer upcycled items for you and your home. I'm really excited about expanding beyond children's items and I hope you will enjoy being able to purchase the items you've seen featured on the blog.
(raising glass) Here's to embracing change and leaping. CHEERS!

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

I just did a whirlwind trip to Philly to see Cirque du Soleil. Absolutely amazing show, if you ever have the chance to catch a show...do it! You won't be disappointed.
But before seeing the show my friend Lauren and I bopped around the city in the cold rain, had lunch and went to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. And boy are they magical!
"Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a folk art environment, gallery space, and nonprofit organization that showcases the work of mosaicist Isaiah Zagar. Located at the site of Zagar's largest public mosaic installation, the Magic Gardens includes a fully mosaiced indoor gallery and a massive outdoor labyrinthine mosaic sculpture. The installation, primarily consisting of found objects and contributions from the community, covers half a city block with myriads of tile, texture, and color. A walk through the labyrinth will reveal sculptures from Latin America and Asia, bicycle wheels from local South Street shop Via Bicycles, Zagar's hand-made tiles, and mirrors of every shape and size."=from Philadelphia's Magic Gardens website
Walking through the maze and the building your eyes never stop scanning and trying to take it all in. At times it feels a bit overwhelming and then you spot this message on the wall and you gasp. Yes, inspiration will find you when you didn't know you were looking for it.

Amazing garden paired with an amazing show. Philly I'll be back to see you again.

Star Wars Printable Masks

For those of you with Star Wars fans in your house this may make your day...DIY printable Star Wars masks! There are many to choose from and all you do is download and print right from your computer. Instant Halloween costume without the big price tag!

A week in the life...day 7

My musical theatre degree really comes in handy everyday at story time. I don't think my kids realize that not every mom can do character voices/accents.

A week in the life...day 6

Every coat pocket has an acorn in it..they are multiplying faster than I can keep track of.