I was doing some research for another project and found this site:  http://www.parents.com/recipes/cooking/kid-friendly-food/best-family-restaurants/  They highlight some of the best family friendly restaurants around.  A few of them I had never heard of before, but others are also our favorites.  What is your family’s favorite restaurant?  My boys love buffets - they get to pick what they want and eat as much or as little as they’d like.  They also don’t have to wait for their food -which is a big plus! 

Do you remember CW Post cereal?  I grew up eating it periodically and it was one of my favorites.  Of course one day it disappeared from the store shelves - guess it wasn’t as popular as they had hoped. As an adult the closest I had ever found was the little clusters in Honey Bunches of Oats (by Post).  When Honey Bunches of Oats came out it became one of my favorites (now I love the new peach flavor!)  Anyway…  So what has Post finally came out with?  Just Bunches!  I am pretty sure this is just about he same thing as my original CW Post.  I am delighted to have one of my favorite Childhood cereals back!   How about you…  is there a cereal you miss from days past?  Have you tried the new Just Bunches?  If so, what do you think? 
Christine

I hope your summer is going well!  I have been enjoying having my boys home.  However, now that we have already had a family vacation, swim lessons, a two week visit from grandma & grandpa, Vacation Bible School, & fair, we still have four weeks left that I need to keep them entertained before they go back to school!  I am sure some of you may be in a similar situation.  Therefore, this evening I uploaded a new e-book entitled “Mom, What Are We Going To Do For Summer Break?”  You can find a free copy here:  http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/ebook.htm  Enjoy and if you have any additional ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section below! 

Christine

Sure bobbing for apples is an autumn tradition but it can be a fun way to beat the heat too.

How to Play:

Clean out an old-fashioned washtub or a plastic wastebasket (the wider the better), fill it with water and several apples, then bob away.

For an even greater challenge, use your plastic backyard pool.

I don’t know about you but during the summer I often find that I would rather snack on something light than eating a big meal. Not to mention, who really wants to be cooking during the summer? Here’s a dip to be served with fresh fruits.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

3 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1-1/2 cups whole milk
6 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 tablespoon finely chopped candied ginger
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Preparation:

Combine pudding mix, milk and orange juice concentrate in a small bowl and mix well with wire whisk or eggbeater for 1 minute. Stir in sour cream and both kinds of ginger.

In another small bowl, combine cream with powdered sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into ginger mixture. Pour into serving bowl.

Cover and chill several hours before serving. Serve with fresh fruit for dipping. I especially like mandarin orange segments, pear slices, strawberries, grapes, and kiwi fruit. Pirouette or sugar cookies are also good dippers.

Recipe Source: About.com

These mischievous mice will have your kids happily nibbling on a healthy snack in no time.

Fresh strawberries
Mini chocolate chips
Black decorators’ icing
Almond slivers
Toothpick
Red lace licorice
Wedge of Cheese (Your choice)

1. For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.

2. Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.

3. Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.

4. For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole. Serve these berry cute treats with small triangles of cheese.

Recipe Source: FamilyFun.com