back-to-school

Name: Copycat Cosmic Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup Rainbow Chocolate Chips; 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs plus 2 yolks; 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted; 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Transitioning From Traditional School to Homeschool

August 3, 2020 by Rachel 34 Comments

How to Help Your Kids Feel Comfortable Learning from Home

Whether you’re a die hard advocate for homeschooling or were pushed into the idea after the Covid-19 outbreak, we all need to find ways to help our kids adjust to this new style of learning. Even if they’re beyond excited for this unique adventure, change is awkward! These tips on transitioning from traditional school to homeschool will help your kiddos feel more at ease studying from home.

Routine

When first moving from public education to homeschool, a certain amount of structure does the body well. So many things in life are changing but if you can maintain a small semblance of routine, you’ll find that everyone feels more grounded at the end of the day.

A perk of homeschool is the flexibility to learn as you please. It’s more than okay to take breaks (it’s encouraged actually) so that you and your little ones can recharge. The daily routine is there to guide you through any given day but it isn’t set in stone. Somedays, it’ll be just to remind you of everything you aren’t going to do! Schedules are nice to start with while you’re still getting your footing, but once you feel like you and your children are embracing homeschool, you can completely shake it up. Which brings us to our next tip!

Fluidity

You might realize your child prefers to read or do art in the morning and get to math in the afternoon. Maybe they like to dedicate a few days to one of two subjects before moving on to others. However they learn best, its not a bad idea to leave wiggle room for your child to alter how it is they absorb information. Embracing new methods of learning might be exactly what your kid needed to finally fall in love with history etc. I think we can all agree that freedom often leads us towards more joyful paths and it’s no different with learning. Going with the flow could end up making your child even more curious about the world around them.

These first two tips don’t sound complimentary but I assure you these two can tango. In combination, routine with fluidity is the ideal life even for us adults. In a homeschool setting, the balance of structure and flexibility makes for a happy environment.

Don’t Recreate School

This is a super tempting option because it feels natural but this is not the way to get your child to adapt into homeschooling. While you might be able to use bits and pieces of what you liked from public school into your new homeschool routine, it’s important to be aware of how this role changes your identity. You’re now a parent AND a teacher. Which is beautiful! Instead of separating the two, leaving your children with conflicting ideas of you, you should allow them to merge. Be their parent who teaches them by integrating authenticity with education.

transition kids from traditional school to homeschool

Social Time

One of the biggest struggles when transitioning from public school to homeschool is leaving behind the social aspect. We are social creatures by nature and this can be a lonely part of the journey but it doesn’t have to be! Host play dates or zoom chats to keep friendships blossoming even when distanced. Not only will this make your child happy but will also teach them more about platonic relationships such as how to keep them alive. You can also turn these into learning opportunities by making the play date a field trip!

Transitioning From Traditional School to Homeschool

Support

This is one of the most important things to have when beginning homeschool. A network of individuals you can vent to or lean on when you need to. There are so many ways to find community through homeschooling. You can seek out co-ops in your area, follow blogs with homeschool connections, or join homeschool groups to start.

This isn’t a step to be taken lightly! It’s crucial to have people in your circle that understand what you’re going through. If you’re struggling, someone else might have just figured out how to help their own child with that and can now guide you. Homeschool promotes continued learning for adults as well!

Take it Day by Day

Allow yourself time and patience as you take on this new lifestyle. Everyone adapts differently but eventually homeschooling will become as fluid a routine as the rest of your life. Enjoy this extra time with your family. The bonds you are creating are invaluable.

SHARE YOUR STORY

If you have any advice on how to transition your child from traditional schooling to home school, comment below!

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Delicious Copycat Cosmic Brownies Recipe

July 28, 2020 by Rachel 21 Comments

I’m in full on back-to-school mode over here. I’m trying not to be, but the deadline of school/homeschool start is quickly approaching. This year I’m getting creative with lunches and snacks. The past few months have given me a new confidence in the kitchen. And, despite how strange this school year may look, I’m ready to tackle lunches and snacks like a pro with these Copycat Cosmic Brownies recipe!

I have to admit — my guiltiest of guilty pleasures are the Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies. I don’t know what is so glorious about them. Nostalgia, maybe? I’m not certain what it is — but these Copycat Cosmic Brownies contain all of that same magic!

Make school snacks fun

As we all know, this will be an unprecedented school year. No one really knows what it will look like for our kids — or us. Although I have decided to keep my kids home full-time and do distance learning, my plan is to still keep the school day structure. Before the pandemic started, I saw the writing on the wall. I watched what was happening in other countries, and I knew schools would be shut down in the US. So I stocked up on snacks and craft supplies. Those lasted approximately two weeks. Ha!

Now that I have a bit more time to prep for what’s to come, I was able to prepare in other ways. I bought a few sets of bento boxes from Amazon. My goal is to still make ‘school lunches’ for the kids. That way they aren’t trying to snack all day.

Cosmic Brownies or Bust

My love for Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies is apparently a trait I passed on to all three of my kids. And I can’t blame them! Fun fact — I’m not a big fan of chocolate, especially in candy. But these copycat cosmic brownies?! OMG — SO good!

You’ll have most of the items you need to make this recipe. The one ‘specialty’ item would be the rainbow chips. If you’ve ever eaten a cosmic brownie, you know those aren’t just regular chocolate chips on top! Nope! Those are candy coated chocolate chips. I bought a bag here off Amazon and it was the best priced per ounce.

The full Copycat Cosmic Brownies recipe

Copycat Cosmic Brownies

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs plus 2 yolks
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Glaze

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Topping

¼ cup Rainbow Chocolate Chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, whole eggs and yolks in a large bowl.
Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler, then whisk together until fully combined.
Whisk in the vegetable oil.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the sugar mixture and mix until fully combined. Gently fold in the flour and cocoa.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
Meanwhile make the glaze.
Place chopped or grated chocolate into a medium-sized, heatproof bowl and set aside.
In a large heatproof bowl combine your sweetened condensed milk and butter.
Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave another 30 seconds.
When the butter is melted carefully add your chocolate chips and stir in until melted. You can also microwave for 15 seconds more until chips are all melted and ganache is smooth.
Pour the ganache over the brownies and immediately sprinkle with the rainbow chips.
Let cool completely before slicing.
ENJOY!

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Hamilton Obsessed Kids? Other Kid Friendly Musicals

July 20, 2020 by Rachel 30 Comments

When I heard that Hamilton was going to be released on Disney+, I was ecstatic. I’ve been a fan of musicals for a long time, and I was thrilled to be able to share something as awe-inspiring as Hamilton with my kids. The first time I watched Hamilton, I just couldn’t take my eyes away.

By and large, musicals seem to be one of those things. Either you love them, or you hate them. The thing is, Hamilton seemed to break that barrier for a lot of people. Hamilton is funny, it’s edgy, and it uses modern and masterful language in a way that makes people think. I think that’s part of the reason it’s been so prevalent in our culture. If you think about it, Hamilton has caused an entire generation to fall in love with musical theater.

What musicals should your kids watch next?

If you want to build that kind of love of theater with your kids, then Hamilton is, of course, a great place to start. But there are other musicals that can help them build that relationship with musical theater. I’ve put together a list of some of my other kid friendly musicals that are some of my favorites.

Into the Woods

This was one of my earliest introductions to musical theater. The first time I watched Into The Woods, it was a bootleg VHS copy of the Broadway production that my English teacher put in to keep us occupied the week before the holiday break. The dialogue was rich and listening to Bernadette Peters sing made me believe that some people were born with natural gifts. She is amazing. While there has been a major Hollywood movie made of Into the Woods, the Broadway production is available on Amazon Prime’s BroadwayHD. It’s far better than the movie. The cast is exceptional and the production values are incredible. There is some adult humor, but it’s definitely a musical for kids.

The Wiz Live

I was never really a Wizard of Oz girl. My mother liked to watch it every year on TV. If anything, it gave me a healthy phobia of tornados! But The Wiz is a whole different ballgame. I highly suggest the NBC theatrical version that aired in 2015, starring Queen Latifah, Shanice Williams, and Mary J. Blige. The original version, available on Amazon, has a few mistakes, like pyro going off at the wrong time; however, this is a great way to prepare your kids for the realities of going to see a musical in an actual theatre setting!

Annie

Annie was one of the first musicals I ever saw live. When I was really angry at my mom, I would sing “It’s the Hard Knock Life” when I was doing chores. You can guess how that went over! I did love the show, though. While it’s a little dark, it’s another great kid friendly musical.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This biblically inspired musical has been very popular since I was young. The Donny Osmond version, long considered the standard, is available on Broadway HD. This Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber production is still popular after all this time because the production values are top-notch and the cast is fabulous.

Mary Poppins

Really, who doesn’t love Mary Poppins? I think everyone has a memory of being home sick from school and watching Mary Poppins while sitting on the couch sipping Ginger Ale and eating saltine crackers. Older kids are definitely going to think it’s a little hokey, but it’s perfect for younger kids.

Cats

As with Into the Woods, stick to the theatrical production available on Amazon Prime’s Broadway HD and skip the movie version. Cats was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and was based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. It’s one of the most popular Broadway productions of all time, with more than 7,000 productions.

The King and I

The King and I is another historical musical. Although the lyrics are not quite as edgy as Hamilton, the story is quite interesting. The musical is drawn from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who worked as a governess (more like a teacher than a nanny) to the children of King Mongkut) of Thailand (which was called Siam at the time). While it’s not as historically accurate as Hamilton, it’s an interesting look at a different time in history.

Newsies The Broadway Musical

This one is based on a movie, which was based on a real-life event that happened in 1899. Newsies is a great musical to watch if you’re studying history, so it’s perfect for distance learning or homeschooling. The stage version on Amazon was filmed in Hollywood, so you may recognize some of the faces, including Christian Bale!

The great thing about Disney+ streaming Hamilton is that this is such a great time to introduce your children to an entirely new genre of entertainment using a style of music and art that is familiar to them! Take advantage of that and use this time to help them develop a love of something that may just last a lifetime!

Tell me — what other kid friendly musicals would you recommend?

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Gift Giving Ideas for Teachers (and more!)

December 15, 2019 by Rachel 34 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Big Lots. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Think you’re set for the holidays? But did you forget anyone? Perhaps THE MOST important person (or people) of all time?? Whatever you do, do not forget your childrens’ teachers, babysitters, and daycare workers!

It wasn’t until my son started kindergarten last year that I realized just how selfless these teachers are. They take care of our babies, day in and day out. They’re underpaid and under appreciated. So I have made it a point to show my outpouring of love and gratitude at any chance I get.

But what do you buy for the person who has likely gotten every apple-themed, pencil-holding, knick knack under the sun?

Big Lots has us covered.

Teacher and Administration Gift Ideas

Yes, the teachers! But don’t forget about the administration and other necessary school staff!

Gift Ideas for the Foodies

Everyone gets cookies, right? But what about the foodie-teachers? I’m sure they’re cookied-out by Christmas break. Big Lots has a large selection of foodie items that will be perfect for your teachers.

Some notable favorites of ours (and our teachers) are the meat and cheese sets, lobster spread, smoked salmon, and spicy jalapeno hot sauce.

If you know the teacher is a drinkie (like a foodie, but with adult beverages!), you can also buy fun mixers and glasses!

Gift Ideas for the Caffeine-Obsessed

Like I said before, teachers are cookied-out. But is there really a limit on caffeine? I think not!

Big Lots has a large variety of coffee, tea, and even cocoa gifts for your favorite caffeine-obsessed teacher. There’s the 12-cocoa’s of Christmas, exotic teas from around the world, and more!

Practical Gifts with Fun Flare

Everyone loves a plush blanket for those cold winter nights, so pick one up from Big Lots! I can tell you from experience that the cozy blankets pair perfectly with the Dearfoam slippers!

Or perhaps an oil diffuser and some relaxing bath bombs to give your teacher an opportunity to treat herself (or himself!). Regardless of the type of practical gift you choose, I’m certain that the teacher will be forever grateful.

Other Hard-to-Shop-For People in Your Life

School staff aren’t the only ones who are difficult to shop for. Stop by Big Lots for all of your gifting needs!

Stocking Stuffers

I’m completely ready for Christmas morning thanks to the stocking stuffers I picked up at Big Lots. My kids are obsessed with lip gloss and bath stuff, so I grabbed a few character themed sets for them.

White Elephant Gifts

My extended family hosts an annual Christmas party two weeks before the holiday. This year I’m bringing my A-Game for our white elephant exchange thanks to the super fun gifts I picked up at Big Lots.

Someone in my family is going to end up with a huge gummy bear and someone else is definitely going home with a beer bottle belt (you’re welcome, family).

Spreading holiday cheer

Regardless of who you are shopping for, be sure to pick up all of the things you need for spreading holiday cheer at Big Lots!

Tell me — what are you going to pick up for the teachers this year?

Why Wait? Open an Ohio 529 Plan Today

September 19, 2019 by Rachel 50 Comments

September is already upon us and the school year is back in full swing! Moms everywhere are already tired of packing lunches, helping with homework, and scrambling for outfits every morning.

But the thing is is that the end of the school year will be here before we know it. And then another Summer will fly by. Then we’ll be starting another school year. And soon enough, those kids we were sending off to kindergarten will be graduating high school. It will all happen before we know it.

As a parent still struggling with their own student loan debt, I knew I wanted to set my own children up for success from the start. So Chad and I started a 529 Plan for Ari when he started school.

What is a 529 Plan?

A 529 Savings Plan is a lot like a 401k. It’s an easy, tax-friendly way to save for your children’s higher education. Ohio’s 529 Plan can be used across the country for 2-year and 4-year programs as well as technical schools.

Ohio’s 529 plan makes it incredibly easy to open and start saving for the future. They offer tools like the College Savings Planner to help you figure out how much your investment will impact your students’ future education. You can also check out this Cost Of Waiting Tool to see just how inaction can negatively impact your higher education finances.

Right now my first grader wants to be a YouTuber. But, heck, at his age I wanted to be a singer. Things change… quickly. In 5 years he may want to be a doctor or even a welder. Who knows.

But I do know that he will have options. He can decide whether a two or 4-year school is in his cards. He can decide if a trade school will be best for him.

It’s so easy to get started.

There are only a few things you truly need to start Ohio’s 529 plan.

Your ID, social security number, telephone number, address, your date of birth, and your mothers maiden name.
The telephone number, social security number, address, and date of birth of your successor (someone to take over the account should something happen to you).
And lastly, the date of birth, telephone number, address, and social security number of the person you’re saving for.

That’s it. Easy peasy, right? Exactly.

So why wait?

Don’t. Give your children the tools they need to be successful. Engage them in learning and nurture their passions. But also provide them with the financial support they will need in the future, now.

Click here to get started with your very own Ohio 529 Plan.

Back-to-School Must-Haves

September 4, 2019 by Rachel 15 Comments

With both of my big kids successfully transitioned back into the school-year routine, I’m taking a peek at what makes our days (and weeks!) run smoothly.

For the home.

Grocery delivery.

The great thing about raising a family during this digital age we live in is taking full advantage of the conveniences our own mothers didn’t have, such as grocery delivery.

I use two services — Shipt, which delivers from Target and Meijer; and Curbside Express, which delivers for Giant Eagle. Both are extremely convenient in their own way.

Shipt is a subscription service that I am billed for annually but allows me to have my items delivered in as little as an hour. As long as the order is over $35, my items are delivered by the driver for free. Curbside Express, on the other hand, charges a small delivery fee but is convenient because I can shop using my ad and coupons directly on the Giant Eagle site.

The Instant Pot.

I am terrible at meal-planning. Luckily, the Instant Pot allows me to throw together last-minute meals in a pinch.

If you’re looking for a few easy Instant Pot recipe ideas, check out my library of recipes.

Snack-and-go station.

My least favorite job as a parent (besides laundry) is playing snack-fetcher. I despise it. From the time my children come home from school and activities, they are full of ‘want.’ And I have zero desire to fetch their snacks for hours on end.

An easily accessible snack station is a must-have for every parent of school-aged children. Load the bin (or bins) up with snacks they are allowed to have and then let them be. I’ve found these bins to be super handy.

For the kids.

An easy-to-read after school schedule.

I am someone who thrives on a schedule, so it should come as no surprise that my children are as well. I’ve created a printable schedule/checklist to help them manage their time after school.

Having a set(ish) ‘schedule’ allows them to feel like they are in control of their afternoon. There are certain things that might not be fun (such as homework), but they also have time for lots of play once school work is completed!

This printable schedule checklist has been really helpful.

Headphones.

Most kids school supply lists include headphones to keep at school, but do yourself a favor and grab a second pair for home. Between tablet time and online homework, having a pair of headphones handy is the key to everyone’s sanity. This pair has been tried and tested by both my three-year-old and 7-year-old.

An Umbrella.

During my sons first year of school, I completely underestimated how many times he would need his own umbrella. The poor kid had to run home, half-soaked from being only half-under my umbrella.

These are a few of my favorite umbrellas. They are cute, stylish, and work very well!

For the mom.

I wish I could offer you sanity and a weekend of sleep. Alas, that is not possible. Instead, I offer you a few of my favorite back-to-school mommy must-haves.

A paper planner.

I know we all use our phones as a means to keep our lives organized. But there’s just something permanent about a paper planner and calendar. I use my Google Calendar, a paper planner, and I have a giant wall calendar in our kitchen so that the family schedule is displayed for my husband as well.

My favorite paper planner is the Day Designer. Not only is it visually appealing, but it has the perfect weekly set-up to keep our obligations organized. I also use the Day Designer Wall Calendar.

Just for fun — the wine lover edition.

A good bottle opener, a stemless wine glass, and a couple of bottle stoppers are all you need!

A Pair of Running shoes.

Whether or not you are a runner, you will be running… around — if nothing else! Truly, nothing prepares you for all of the running around you’re doing like sending your children off to various schools and activities.

My go-to running shoes are from Brooks Running. They offer a variety of styles and fits for every foot.

If you do happen to find yourself actually running, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that they’re quite helpful for that as well!

Travel Mug and Bottle.

Travel mugs that keep your hot coffee hot and your cold coffee cold are everything that is perfect about this world. Whether it’s a YETI or another brand, you will be happy when your hot coffee is still hot after school pickup!

What is your must-have back-to-school item?