I’m in love …with Sweetheart Butterfly

Spring has sprung and it’s time to discover le•top’s adorable spring fashions. I recently showed my daughter Lilah what I brought home from the new le•top ‘Sweetheart Butterfly’ collection. I will never forget how her eyes lit up as she said, “Wow, look at those pretty butterflies!” (She insisted on showing off her new outfit to grandma as soon as she walked in the door to visit.)  Lilah had a pretty new tunic and legging set to brag about! The pink and yellow flowers, hearts and butterflies couldn’t be more perfect for the blossoming season ahead – it is one of my favorite groups in the latest le•top spring collection.

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Heigh Ho – Heigh Ho…It’s off to Spring Cleaning we go!

Yes, it’s THAT time of year again…time to clean out the accumulated ‘junk’ that has made its way into our life during the winter and have a fresh start for spring.  It can be a daunting task as you survey closets, garages, and storage spaces that cry out to be purged and deep cleaned – especially when all you want to do is play with your kids!  Why not include them in this spring rite?  Make them part of the process – spend some quality time, AND get things accomplished!  No, they can’t do everything – but you can put together a simple list for them to undertake while the adults deal with the big stuff – you can get through the necessary chores a little quicker and even make it fun.  For families with more than one child it can become a spirited competition to see who finishes the fastest or gives away the most. In my household it always seems that when the whole family helps clean, the house stays sparkling longer and there is a tendency to know where things are instead of mom having to ‘find’ everything. Here are some ideas for little one to tackle.

Kids to Do List:

Go through toys and books, separating what is no longer used to give to charity.

Strip or make the beds.

Clean the sink (I remember being assigned this task by my grandmother when I was a child) – there is satisfaction when the fixtures shine.

Dump the small trash cans (or at least place them near the larger one.)

Go through the house and find anything that belongs to you and return it in your room.

Dust the floor/furniture/window sills.

Play some fun music and the time will fly. Praise children for doing a great job and stress how helpful they are (even if they can’t do it as well as you.)  At the end of the project reward yourselves with a fun experience – a movie night with popcorn and ice cream or some time at a park. Happy clean-up!

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le•top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

Overhearing his parents discussing when to start potty training their son, he chimed in yelling,

I wanna ride the potty train!”

– Colin, age 3

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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Sunny weather and Farmers’ Markets go together!

Checking out the delicious strawberries. (Miranda in Playful Ponies and Paulo in A Dog's Life from le•top's 2009 Fall/Winter collection)

Farmers’ markets may be year-round, but it’s best to go when the sun is shining. Everything just looks fresher, greener and sweeter, and everyone is shopping away happily with their reusable bags in hand. I love to support my local farmers and buy their organically-grown produce every weekend, but trekking out there in the rain or cold just isn’t my cup of tea – especially with a little guy who has to be pushed around in his stroller. However, last Saturday when we woke up and saw the sun beaming down and temperatures in the low 70s, we decided it was time to visit the farmers’ market.

It’s been so long since we’ve been to a farmers’ market that Miranda forgot what it was. “Do they have rides? Do they have shopping carts? Why are we walking?” But as soon as we got out of the car and followed the crowd, Miranda remembered. “This is where we can try strawberries for FREE! And we can buy kettle corn! And where’s the clown that makes balloon animals?”

Oh, yes! The fun of going to farmers’ markets. Not only do we see fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, pastas, etc., smell popcorn popping or meat grilling, hear live music, but we also get to spend quality family time. Yay for spring!

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Hippity Hop

This weekend my daughter Lilah and I were browsing through the selections offered by our local retailer, in a quest to find the perfect birthday gift for her fellow three year old.  We turned a corner and I saw a Hoppity Ball. “A Hippity Hop!” I exclaimed, startling near by customers.  Childhood memories came flooding back.

This post has been moved to our website. To view the full post go to:
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Le Top Chef Series: Two St. Paddy’s Day Desserts

St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re searching for festive and scrumptious desserts for your celebration to please both kids and adults, look no further.

St. Patrick’s Day Rice Krispies Treats

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 4 cups green mini-marshmallows (you may have to pick them out of a bag of pastel mini-marshmallows)
• 6 cups Rice Krispies
• 3-4 drops green food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.  Add food coloring and rice krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. You can also add plain green M&Ms.

Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

 

Easy GrasshopperBars

Chocolate drizzle and cool minty cream cheese frosting top indulgent chocolate bars. Yum!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Makes: 36 bars

INGREDIENTS:

Bars

• 1 pouch ( lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker double chocolate chunk cookie mix
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 egg  

Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 pkg (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ¼ teaspoons mint extract
• 3 to 4 drops green food coloring

Glaze

• 1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
• 1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Heat over to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray.

2.  In large bowl, stir all Bar ingredients until soft dough forms> Press into pan; bake 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes.

3. In large bowl, stir all Frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread over bars.

4. In small microwaveable bowl, microwave all Glaze ingredients on High for 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

source of Grasshopper Bars: http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/

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le•top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

My husband gave our daughter his old alarm clock radio so that she can wake up early and start to get ready for school, while he got ready for work. She was very excited!

The first morning, he had to wake her up. Apparently, he set the wrong clock time. He had the AM and PM switched so the radio came on at 7:30 PM that night.

The next morning, he had to wake her up again. Apparently, he forgot to turn ON the alarm clock.

The following morning he had to wake her up AGAIN (for the third time)!

“Did your alarm clock work today?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

The radio woke me up so I got up and turned it off. Then I went back to sleep.”

– Miranda, age 5

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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Baby’s First Snow

Get me outta here! (Paulo is wearing a warm and fuzzy le•top faux leather hat from the 2009 Air Show collection.)

Since it’s been raining a lot in the Bay Area, that means it’s snowing in buckets at Lake Tahoe. To get out of the wet weather, my husband and I packed up the kids and our snow gear and headed out to have some winter fun… WHEE!

This was our son’s first time in the snow. I’m guessing he’s not a fan. I’m sure when he’s older he’ll figure out how much fun snow is. His big sister already said that she’s going to teach him how to build a snowman and make snow angels. But I have a feeling this little guy will enjoy making snowballs and hurling them at us.

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Le Top Chef Series: Tortilla Soup

Time to pull out that crock pot again for a taste that’s South of the border.  This recipe was passed down from friend to friend and is always sure to please.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 4-8 hours

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can of each: kidney beans, hominy and pinto beans (undrained)
• 1-2 can stewed or diced tomatoes
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 pack taco seasoning
• 1 pack ranch dressing
• 1 pound ground beef
• shredded cheese
• sour cream
• corn chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Brown meat and drain.
2. DO NOT drain anything from the canned goods.
3. Pour all ingredients into crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4 hours.)
4. Top with corn chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions.

If you substitute a can of Ro-Tel diced tomatoes & green chilies for one can of the diced tomatoes than you don’t need to add the onion or chilies because they are already included in the can.

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