The post You’ll Find Me In The Rainbow first appeared on A Family Inspired.

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The post BORN first appeared on A Family Inspired.

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The post A Poem On Having Daughters After Sons first appeared on A Family Inspired.

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The post Let Her Burn first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Let Her Burn appeared first on A Family Inspired.

The sun has fallen,
My mind has, too.
The day was long,
We’re almost through.

Teeth are clean,
Bellies fed,
PJs on,
And stories read.

I rise to leave
And then I hear it.
“Can you stay
Just one more minute?”

And so it goes,
Just one more snuggle.
One more book.
And one more cuddle.

And as my body
Aches to flee,
I picture a future
Where the one asking
Is me.

I imagine a day
Either normal, or tragic,
Where I’m the one pleading
For one more minute of magic.

One more hug, one more kiss.
One more smell of their skin.
Just one fleeting second,
To do it again.

What wouldn’t I give,
Once the pleas have passed,
To come back to this moment
And hear them ask?

And so I stay
for just “one more.”
Which is never one,
and always more.

The post Just One More? first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Just One More? appeared first on A Family Inspired.

This year for his birthday, my seven year old requested a LEGO birthday theme, with a specific request for a LEGO cake. While store-bought cakes are convenient, I wanted to take a stab at a simple homemade LEGO birthday cake. I’m so glad I did! My homemade LEGO cake was easy, affordable, and made my son feel extra special!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to create a delicious, LEGO brick birthday cake that will surely make your child smile.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a LEGO Brick Birthday Cake:

Ingredients:

• 1 Box of cake mix (plus the ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 Tub of vanilla frosting
• Food coloring of your choice (red, blue, yellow, or green are popular LEGO brick colors!)

Some Helpful Supplies:

• Loaf pan
• Cupcake tin
• Spatula
• Toothpicks

Step 1: Bake the Cake

To start your LEGO birthday cake, prepare one loaf cake and a few cupcakes by following the instructions on the box of cake mix. Typically, one box of cake mix should be enough to portion your batter between the loaf pan and 4-6 cupcakes. Once the cakes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. 

Step 2: Prepare the Frosting

While the cakes are cooling, take the vanilla frosting and mix in your preferred food coloring. Stir until you achieve the perfect LEGO-inspired shade. Red, blue, yellow, and green are popular colors for a LEGO birthday cake, but feel free to use any color that suits your theme! My son’s favorite color is currently orange, so that was my choice!

Step 3: Level the Cakes

Once your cakes are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to slice off the rounded tops of the loaf cake and two of the cupcakes. This will create flat, even surfaces to make assembling your LEGO birthday cake much easier.

Step 4: Assemble the LEGO Brick Cake

Now it’s time to assemble your LEGO birthday cake. Place the loaf cake cut-side down on a serving platter. Take the two cupcakes and place them on top of the loaf cake to replicate the bumps on a LEGO brick. These cupcakes will act as the raised parts of the LEGO piece.

To secure the cupcakes in place, insert toothpicks through the cupcakes and into the loaf cake. This will keep everything in place while you frost the cake.

Step 5: Frost Your LEGO Birthday Brick Cake

The final step is frosting your LEGO birthday cake! Use the colored frosting to cover the entire loaf cake and cupcakes. Be sure to coat everything evenly for a smooth, polished look.

And that’s it! With just a few basic ingredients that you can create an easy, affordable homemade LEGO birthday cake for your next LEGO-themed celebration!

Additional Suggestions for your LEGO Birthday Cake:

• Make multiple LEGO brick birthday cakes in a variety of LEGO brick shapes: 
  • Examples:
    • A square 8×8 pan with four cupcakes for the bumps
    • A cupcake with a mini cupcake to make those LEGO buttons
    • Two loaf pans connected lengthwise with four cupcakes to make a long rectangular LEGO brick cake
• Use multiple colors: If you’re feeling extra creative, you can make multi-colored LEGO birthday cakes by making multiple cakes and using different color frosting for each LEGO cake.
• Add LEGO figurines: For a fun touch, place small LEGO figurines or accessories on top of your cake as extra decorations.

Overall, I was very happy with how easy it was to make a LEGO cake for my son’s birthday and am looking for an excuse to try it again with a variety of different LEGO brick sizes and colors. With just a few ingredients, you can create an easy, affordable LEGO brick birthday cake. Whether you choose a single LEGO brick cake or a variety of cakes, just like the real LEGO, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy!

The post Easy, Affordable Homemade Lego Brick Birthday Cake first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Easy, Affordable Homemade Lego Brick Birthday Cake appeared first on A Family Inspired.

First, I want to quickly acknowledge what a difficult time this is for so many. Physically, emotionally, and financially. If you are currently suffering in any of these ways, please know that none of us are alone in this difficult time, and we are keeping you in our hearts and praying for better days. If you are currently facing financial strain, the first and last items on my list are free and heartfelt gifts you can give this Mother’s Day.

On an average day, being a mother is one of the most exhausting jobs. Add in a working from home without childcare (or selflessly showing up as an essential worker), homeschooling, cooking every meal, etc. mothers have never been stretched more thin. Here are some ways to treat the mother in your life to a little dose of love on this unique Mother’s Day.

The Gift of Not Mothering

Look, no one loves those babies more than she does but what many mothers really want, especially after being quarantined for two months with their kids, is the gift of a little alone time.

I know you can’t take the kids to the playground or to your parents house right now but if you can carve out a bit of time for mom to lock herself away somewhere in the house while you play in the yard or in another room so she can read, bathe, exercise, watch, sleep, or have a single uninterrupted thought, etc. she will be truly grateful.

If you can’t take the children outside, you can hook her up with earplugs to help block out some of that mom guilt she’ll inevitably feel while she attempts to focus on herself (seriously).

Now, on to the goodies.

Start Her Day Right

Moms need all the coffee these days. Keep her caffeinated in style with a cute mug. If you want to save her from microwaving her coffee ten times, try an insulated option like this Yeti mug.

Consider pairing her mug with a coffee or tea subscription like Atlas Coffee Club that will let her enjoy coffee from around the world.

Loungewear

Chances are Mom has been donning more sweats than jeans these days. Just because she is keeping comfy doesn’t mean she can’t feel cute. Gift her with some new loungewear to keep her feeling her best while homebound.

On a Budget

Splurge-Worthy

Bring the Spa Home

With nail salons and spas closed, we don’t feel as primped as we used to. Here are some ideas to bring the spa or nail salon home.

Face

When you hear face mask these days, you’re more likely to think of your last grocery store run than a day at the spa. Help mom restore her glow and reminisce on the good ol’ days with the kind of face mask that makes her feel pampered (not cautious).

Include a silicone applicator to make the experience feel a little closer to the real thing.

Nails

One of my go-to Mother’s Day treats is a mani/pedi at a nail salon. With that option off the table, here are some goodies to help mom elevate her at-home manicure.

Body

An aromatic scrub followed by a rich body butter pairs a taste of the islands with a spa-like experience from the the comfort of her own bathroom (if the kids can be kept away for 20 minutes that is…)

Feet

Foot peels are all the rage these days. Let mom soak away all those dry patches. (Caution, the peeling process takes a few days and while the end goal is nice and soft, the path there is a bit unsightly.)

DIY

And finally, if you really want to bring the spa home, gift her an aromatherapy eye pillow and a massage (no strings attached…)

Take Care of Dinner

The quarantine has us cooking approximately 2.3 million meals per week. I would take a risk and guess that less cooking and fewer dirty dishes are something Mom won’t miss.

Little sounds better to me than having a fully prepared, nutritious meal delivered straight to my door. Unlike Blue Apron, Freshly meals are fully prepared. Don’t get me wrong, I love Blue Apron but I don’t always love the hour it takes me to cook it. We have our first Freshly delivery scheduled for none other than Mother’s Day and I am pretty excited not to cook.

I will exercise caution by saying this may best be presented as a gift for the family lest your special lady feel as though you have gifted her the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner. If Freshly sounds like a nice break from the endless quarantine dishes, use this code for $20 off your first two orders.

Schedule a Front Steps Photoshoot

Photographers are getting creative with their business models and many have started taking pictures of families on their doorsteps (where a safe social distance can be maintained) to professionally document this unique time in life.

If you have ever had family photos taken, reach out to your photographer to see if you can hire them for this project. If you don’t know where to start, Google photographers in your area and take a look at their social media accounts or website to see if you like their style, then go ahead and reach out!

*While scheduling the photoshoot can be a nice surprise, make sure mom knows about your special plans before the shoot date so that she can change out of her new loungewear (if she wants to).

If You’re Looking to Splurge

It might sound extreme to say that Apple’s AirPods have changed my life but it is no exaggeration. They allow me to take phone calls, listen to podcasts and stream television while leaving one ear free to hear what kind of trouble my kids are getting into while I make dinner.

I have the regular AirPods (seen above) but my mom has the Apple AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation and swears by them.

The Nespresso DeLonghi Lattissima Plus is one of my most cherished possessions. We make 4+ drinks every day and this beauty is still brewing perfect cappuccinos seven years later. If the mom in your life is looking for an upgrade to her coffee routine, look no further.

My husband gifted me the Garmin Vívomove HR over a year ago. I love that it has the hands of a traditional watch but also monitors my steps and heart rate while alerting me to incoming calls and texts.

If Mom is into journaling, up her game with this Canon IVY Mobile Mini Photo Printer which uses bluetooth to print 2″x 3″ peel and stick photos directly from her phone.

The Most Important Gift for the Quarantined Mom: Acknowledgement

No matter your personal situation, each of us is facing our own unique circumstance and struggles during this unprecedented time.

If money is tight, one of the most important (and free) things you can give is your acknowledgment of her and everything she does not only during the heightened challenges of the pandemic but in every day life.

A great way to do this is to write your own heartfelt card, your own words of acknowledgement and love will be better than any Hallmark card.

Whether she is an essential worker, working from home, working to care for the family, etc., mothering is a huge undertaking.

Oh yeah, if she is an essential worker, please give her a shout out of gratitude from me. And if finances ever allow, buy her everything on her wishlist!

Truly, I want to thank every essential workers from the bottom of my heart for their courage and selflessness. Including my own sister, a mother and nurse, caring for COVID patients in NYC.

Finally, Happy Mother’s Day to every mother in the world! Biological, grand, step, adoptive, foster, surrogate, bereaved, hopeful, and all the shades between. I wish happiness and peace to you on this day.

And thank you to my two boys for bringing so much to my life, mothering isn’t always easy but it is always worth it.

The post Mother’s Day Gifts for the Quarantined Mom first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Mother’s Day Gifts for the Quarantined Mom appeared first on A Family Inspired.

Lucky Charms rice crispy treats are very simple and only take about 15 minutes to make. This snack/dessert also has kid-friendly components (though that might make it take bit longer…wink wink).

For example, my boys had fun measuring (and eating) the marshmallows and cereal.

Ingredients:

• 16oz. Bag of marshmallows
• 4 Cups of Lucky Charms cereal
• 1/4 Cup of butter + a little extra for greasing baking dish

Directions:

• Grease a 9×13 glass baking dish

• Melt butter in large pot over medium-low heat

• Add marshmallows and stir until smooth

• Add Lucky Charms and mix until all the cereal is fully coated with marshmallows

• Pour into baking dish
  • The mixture will be super sticky so read the below to tip to help spread it out:
    • Wash hands thoroughly
    • Massage a small pat of butter between your hands to melt and coat your hands
    • Use your buttered hands to press down on the Lucky Charm Crispy Treats and press toward edges of baking dish

• Allow to cool
• Slide a spatula under the Lucky Charms rice crispy treats and remove entire sheet to a cutting board.
• Use a steak knife to cut into squares
• Enjoy!

Tip: If you don’t have Lucky Charms cereal, no worries! Simply add a few drops of green food coloring to the melted marshmallows and stir in whatever cereal you have

This is a simple, fun treat to make with your kids. And the fun doesn’t have to stop once they’re made. My boys had a blast building towers from the Lucky Charms rice crispy treats during my photo sesh

Watch out! These Lucky Charms rice crispy treats are so yummy that you, too, may end up with a little thief on your hands!

Recipe Summary

Ingredients:

• 16oz. Bag of marshmallows
• 4 cups of Lucky Charms cereal
• 1/4 cup of butter + a little extra for greasing baking dish

Directions:

1. Grease a 9×13 glass baking dish
2. Melt butter in large pot over medium-low heat
3. Add marshmallows and stir until smooth
4. Add cereal and mix until all the cereal is fully coated with marshmallows
5. Pour into baking dish
   1. The mixture will be super sticky so read the below to tip to help spread it out
6. Wash hands thoroughly
7. Massage a small pat of butter between your hands to melt and coat your hands
   1. Use your buttered hands to press down on the Lucky Charm Crispy Treats and press toward edges of baking dish
8. Allow to cool
9. Slide a spatula under the Lucky Charm rice crispy treats and remove entire sheet to a cutting board.
10. Use a steak knife to cut into squares
11. Enjoy!

The post Lucky Charms Rice Crispy Treats first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Lucky Charms Rice Crispy Treats appeared first on A Family Inspired.

I created this gift a few years ago when my best friend was expecting her first child. I knew she would receive everything that baby needed but I wanted to give her things that she would need.

Essentially, my New-Mama Care Kit is basket of things that new mothers really need but would never ask for.

If you are looking to give a unique and personal gift to a soon-to-be mama. Here is how you can make your own New-Mama Care Kit

1. Choose a Basket

First, I like to have a basket in which to put everything. The basket is great because it can double as a caddy for a new mother to store items once baby arrives (like feeding or diapering supplies)

2. Gather the Goods

• Reusable Nursing Pads – Whether or not a new mother is going to breastfeed, her breasts are likely going to produce at least a little milk at some point. Not only do reusable nursing pads absorb leaks, but they are made from bamboo fibers which are soft on tender breasts.
• Nipple Balm* – Attempting to get a newborn to latch can cause a lot of pain and nipple soreness. A balm can help lubricate and soothe sensitive skin. My favorite is the Earth Mama Nipple Butter which glides on smoothly and isn’t sticky like Lanolin.
• Nursing Tank* – Comfort and convenience are priorities in the early days. A soft nursing tank offers both to new mamas.
• Always Infinity Flex Foam Pads – The jumbo pads at the hospital are great immediately after giving birth but they are so bulky! Once I was home I switched from the hospital pads to Always Infinity Flex Foam pads. They are thin and comfortable yet super absorbent. They also wick everything to keep things feeling a bit more fresh and dry.
• Sleep Mask –  New moms need to squeeze in sleep whenever they can! A sleep mask shuts out the daylight to help new mama’s get the rest they need no matter the hour.
• Dry Shampoo – When a mama is deciding to spend her few precious minutes away from baby washing her hair or sleeping, the sleep often wins (as it should)! Dry shampoo will help her at least feel like she’s freshened up.
• Mama Mug – Let’s face it, there’s no amount of caffeine that can actually make up for the sleep deprivation inflicted by a newborn. But at least a cute mama mug will help a new mother feel special as she attempts to refuel.
• One-Handed, Leak-Proof Water Bottle – Postpartum life can be dehydrating. A leak-proof water bottle with a one-hand open, makes it easier to stay hydrated when a new mama finds herself trapped under an eating or sleeping newborn.
• Hand Lotion – Lotion helps comfort dry and itchy hands that result from all those diaper changes and hand washing.
• Lip Balm – In keeping with the hydrating-mama theme, lip balm will keep her chapped lips at bay (and is also helpful in the dry and chilly hospital).
• Snack Bars – Post-partum life, including producing milk, and can make you HUNGRY all the time! I always include some snack bars in the new-mama care kit.
• Baby Nail File – While a baby nail file may not be the first thing someone thinks a new mother needs, I was surprised how long and sharp a newborn’s nails are. They scratch their faces and a mommy’s tender chest!

*I know that not all new mothers will breastfeed but I included some of these items because her breasts and nipples may be sore from latching, milk production or even allowing her supply to dry up. I like my new-mama care kit to have items that will ease discomfort.

3. Give a Little Detail

While most women will already know how to use the items in the basket, I like to include a note to explain why I included each one.

If you want to do the same, you can use my letter template as a starting point. Just copy it into your word processor and make any personal adjustments you like!

4. Gift Receipts

As I mentioned, each mother’s journey is unique. That is why I include gift receipts for everything (right down to the lip balm). I put them in an envelope that I tuck in the back of the basket.

5. Wrapping & Card

Once everything is gathered, it’s time to wrap! Sometimes I use clear wrap (as pictured) but I have also used a cute gift bag. Another, more eco-friendly, idea is to “wrap” everything in a reusable tote like this or this.

Even though I already include the letter that explains the basket, I also send a new baby card to express my joy and love for the family.

New-Mama Care Kit – Cheat Sheet

1. Choose a Basket
2. Gather the Goods
   • Reusable Nursing Pads
   • Nipple Balm
   • Nursing Tank
   • Always Infinity Flex Foam Pads
   • Sleep Mask
   • Dry Shampoo
   • Mama Mug
   • One-Handed, Leak-Proof Water Bottle
   • Hand Lotion
   • Lip Balm
   • Snack Bars
   • Baby Nail File
3. Give detail
4. Include gift receipts
5. Wrap everything
6. Include a gard

There you have it! This is exactly how I pull together my New-Mama Care Kit which is my favorite gift for moms-to-be.

Gifting a New-Mama Care Kit is my way to show my friends through the midst of cute onesies and adorable baby toys that I see them. It’s my quiet way of letting other women know that when their breasts are raw and they have chosen sleep over a shower (for the third day), that they are not alone. And that someone else knows what they are going through.

Of course, every woman’s postpartum journey will be unique. The idea of this basket is to make postpartum life easier for the new-mama in your life. Feel free to add things that helped you in your postpartum journey.

What would you add to this kit? I have tweaked mine through the years and love hearing about new items I should consider including!

The post New-Mama Care Kit first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post New-Mama Care Kit appeared first on A Family Inspired.

I love peppermint bark and I LOVE brownies so combining the two to make these ooey, gooey Peppermint Bark Brownies was an easy decision.

My favorite part about this dessert is how the crushed candy canes provide a refreshing, crunchy complement to the otherwise chewy and rich brownies.

If you’re looking for a festive dessert to bring to your next holiday party, these Peppermint Bark Brownies are the perfect treat.

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 Package of brownie mix (prepared per instructions)
• 2 oz. White chocolate
• 4 Candy canes
• Holiday cookie cutters (optional)

Directions:

• Prepare brownies per instructions on box.
  • If you prefer making brownies from scratch, GO FOR IT!
  • Personally, I consider Ghirardelli’s Double Chocolate Brownie mix the holy grail of brownies and have zero intention of attempting to top their recipe on my own.
• Set aside brownies to cool completely.
  • I have tried this recipe a few times and handling warm brownies is messy and not worth the aggravation.
• Carefully remove your brownie from the baking dish and place on wax paper or a silicone mat (basically something that the brownies won’t easily stick to).
• Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes.
  • Because the brownies are deliciously gooey be gentle to keep them from breaking.

• Place the candy canes in a plastic bag and crush with something hard like a rolling pin. Set the crushed candy canes aside in a small bowl for later.
  • Because it doesn’t take a lot of force, this is a perfect opportunity to get your little ones involved. I had my son help me break the candy canes with his toy hammer.
  • If you like the signature red and white stripes of the candy cane, be careful not to crush them into a powder.

1. Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler
   • You can microwave the chocolate but do so in small increments of 10-15 second at a time so as to not burn it.

Now it’s time to top your brownies!

• Use a teaspoon to drizzle the melted white chocolate over your brownies.
• Quickly sprinkle the peppermint bits over the melted chocolate before it sets.
• Once the white chocolate sets, your delicious Peppermint Bark Brownies are ready to enjoy!

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Short on time? Try this alternative option!

If you don’t have time to wait for the brownies to cool, simply drizzle the white chocolate and peppermint bark on your uncut brownies. They can be sliced into classic squares just before serving at your party!

This is also a good option if you want to maximize the number of brownies you will have since there won’t be any scraps from the cookie cutters. But let’s be honest, those scraps are a little treat for the baker…

1

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Chewy Brownies pair perfectly with crushed candy canes for the perfect holiday dessert

The post Peppermint Bark Brownies first appeared on A Family Inspired.

The post Peppermint Bark Brownies appeared first on A Family Inspired.