The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Recipes From An Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond

As our family continues to expand, the need for making easy, nutritious, delicious meals has become extremely important.  I love to watch the food network personalities create amazing dishes and look forward to the day when I have more time and money to invest in my epicurean aspirations!  Until that time, I am always on the lookout for ways to make my meal making easier!  

Ree Drummond uses simple every day ingredients to make fantastic family friendly meals.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made her Pizza Dough recipe for family night Fridays and her famous pancakes for something warm and special on cold, winter mornings!  Along with easy to read recipes, she provides step by step picture shots of the entire process, so it is virtually impossible to mess up! 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/my_cookbook/

Basic Pizza Dough Recipe - http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/my-favorite-pizza/

Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes - http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/01/edna-maes-sour-cream-pancakes/

Bumpkin Bibs

With four children ages 5 through newborn, we have gone through our share of bibs!  My husband and I both agree, Bumpkin Bibs ROCK!  You should see what our children look like after eating spaghetti!  These bibs take a beating and keep on working hard!  

Awesome product features:

·         Made of Bumpkins easy wipe waterproof fabric

·         Stain and odor resistant

·         Adjustable Velcro closure

·         Features catch-all pocket

·         Machine washable, hang dry (flip pocket)

·         Sized to fit 6 months - 24 months

·         Lead free, PVC free, BPA free, Phthalates free, and Vinyl free

·         Many other cute styles available!

http://www.bumkins.com/superbib.html

IKEA KURA Reversible Bunk Bed

When all of our boys wanted to share a bedroom, we realized that we would need to get pretty creative with our furniture arranging.  We weren't keen on having our oldest and middle son that far off the floor, so a regular size bunk bed was out of the question!  We found this bunk bed through IKEA.  Along with this bed, we bought two twin mattresses and the overhead bed tent.  Our boys love it.  They "camp out" every night and we have peace of mind knowing our middle son doesn't have far to go if he ventures too close to the edge of the mattress.  Once our boys want to separate to their own room, our youngest will enjoy the top bunk and have a cool play/reading area below.  For the price, you can't beat it!  We love IKEA!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10123996

Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing

When we had our first child, we had been given a baby swing that required batteries.  By our third child, we had worn that poor little motor out!  As most parents can relate, we were also keen on buying a swing that had a plug (we were tired of making frantic runs to the nearest Wal-Mart at 3 am to buy batteries!).  Best features:  3 swing positions, adjustable speeds and music choices, folds for easy storage, cute design and soft fabrics.  Worst feature:  This swing does take up space.  Do you really want to put your baby in a small, unstable swing that could tip?  I would rather the swing spread out and be secure.  We bought our swing through Amazon for a great deal - wouldn't spend over $100 for this.  

http://www.fisher-price.com/en_Us/products/56778

**Update**
After four children - the motor on this swing died.  No problem.  Contacted Fisher-Price and they sent a new one - free of charge!  What a blessing!  I love Fisher-Price products - but I also appreciate them taking care of repeat customers like me!   With a family of four children - I know that I can count on Fisher-Price products!

L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack®

Right after my first child was born, my mother-in-law bought me a cutesy Vera Bradley diaper bag. I loved the girly flowers and fabric pattern! By my third child the straps were wearing thin and there wasn’t enough room to put all of “stuff” needed for each of my sweeties. I needed to find a bag that would hold everything but also be easy to use while trying care for my three little ones. As I looked around, I started to use my old L.L. Bean Deluxe Backpack from high school. Did you just say high school? Let me extol the virtues of this wonderful company that produces very well made items that literally stand the test of time and still remain. I also have to praise the L.L.Bean satisfaction guarantee. I don’t understand why more companies won’t follow L.L.Bean’s example and stand behind their products. Case in point, I always followed the wash instructions listed on the tag from the bag – never had a problem. All of sudden, the inner lining of the bag started to just flake apart. I started finding it randomly all over the house. My oldest child started bringing the pieces to me to throw out. So, I called L.L.Bean and asked if my bag would still be covered under their satisfaction guarantee. L.L.Bean said no problem and I now have a brand new backpack that I know will go the distance! You may pay a little more – but for the satisfaction guarantee – it’s worth it!

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62852?feat=54554-app

Local Public Library

When I think of programs that have most benefitted my children - near the top of the list has been our local library reading program. After my first child was born, I sought an activity that would not only be educational but a lot of fun. I checked with my local library and found numerous activities held every week for children. At my local library, toddlers and preschoolers are read books, do a craft, little exercises, finger plays, and sing. Babies hear stories, listen to songs and nursery rhymes, and sing. There are programs for older children and adults as well. All programs are free (paid for through my state and local taxes of course) - but rival other playgroup/preschool programs that some people pay a lot more to attend. Children from a very early age learn to love reading and going to the library and the local library receives exposure and additional funding from increased participation - it works out well for everyone.

Please visit http://www.publiclibraries.com/ to find a local library near you!

Pinterest.com

Like you, I love to find great ideas that are simple and economical. I have recently discovered the website http://www.pinterest.com/. This site is basically a bulletin board of good ideas. People "pin/post" really anything that catches their eye: memorable meals, places to visit, or great shopping finds! I've been finding a lot of good recipes for appetizers and dinners on this site. In my mind anything that helps make meals easier is awesome. I hope that this site is helpful for you too!

Check out http://www.pinterest.com/!