Bring the flavor of New Orleans to your home on Fat Tuesday with these party plans.

It's easy to turn your house into a family-friendly French Quarter for Mardi Gras with a few decorations and most importantly, some Cajun cuisine.

Traditionally, Mardi Gras is a three-day celebration prior to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The final day of Mardi Gras is known as Fat Tuesday. It serves as the last big chance to "live it up" before forty days of fasting.

Here are a few ideas to make your party the hit of the season:

• Send out paper masks as invitations to a masquerade ball. In New Orleans, invitations, not tickets, are distributed for attendance at Carnival balls during Mardi Gras season.
• Use bright colors and shiny flatware for your table or buffet. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. Lay aluminum doubloons or shiny chocolate coins around your table interspersed with sparkly, colorful beads and masks.
• Bring the party to Bourbon Street by setting the mood with a little Zydeco, Cajun or Jazz music. Bands like the Funky Meters, Buckwheat Zydeco or Preservation Hall Jazz Band are sure to set the tone.
• Pass out feathered masks or inexpensive paper masks and beads to guests as they arrive at your party, then ask the guests to add their names to an elaborate Mardi Gras-themed hat. Crown a king or a queen for the day by picking names out of the hat, then have the king and queen wear the hat for the rest of the party.
• Bake your own King Cake—a ring of twisted pastry or bread topped with purple and green frosting or colored sugar that contains a plastic doll hidden inside. The person who finds the doll is supposed to have good luck for the year and is crowned the "King of the Feast." To make your own King Cake, try adding colored frosting to our Swedish Tea Ring, Cinnamon-Swirl Coffee Ring, Cinnamon Pecan Ring or Cherry-Nut Tea Ring or use one of these recipes from TasteOfHome.com readers.
• Have children follow a parade route through the house conga line-style. Give them colorful beads and doubloons to throw to the adults at the party, or vice-versa.
• Read more at Taste of Home

•  

Visiting relatives during the Christmas holiday? If you're making a road trip, make plans now to keep the kids entertained along the way. If your vehicle is equipped with a DVD player, you might stock up on some family favorites before you leave. But if it isn't, or you want something a little more fun and interactive, we've got 10 great ideas on how you can pass the time on family road trips.

1.  The Alphabet Game. Pick a topic – animals, for instance – Start with A, and let each person in turn name an animal that begins with a letter of the alphabet. To make things more challenging, ask each person to recite all the animals that have been named so far, as they go along. When you reach Z, begin again with a different topic.

2. The License Plate Game. See how many different state license plates you can spot on your trip. Keep a list of your sightings or before your trip, print out a map of the U.S., and check off each state when you see a vehicle with that plate.

3. Picture it. Give each child an inexpensive disposable camera, and allow them to take photos of anything of interest they see along the way. After the trip, have the photos developed and let each child create their own homemade storybook about their travels.

4. Aluminum foil art. Take along a roll of aluminum foil and let your kids use it to craft their own creations. They might try making jewelry, animal sculptures, hats, cars… the possibilities are as endless as their imaginations!

5. Travel bingo and other games. Pick up a set of travel bingo boards at the local dollar store… the ones with the little red windows that slide across each square as the letters and numbers are called. Or look for other travel games with magnetic pieces that won't get lost.

6. Counting games. Assign each member of the family something specific to count along your route. Think cows, fire trucks, trains, police cars, horses, American flags, etc. Tally up each person's score at every rest stop to see who has the most points.

7. The Drawing Game. Pass around a piece of paper, and let everyone add one line until it forms a picture. When the picture is complete, let the kids color it in.

8. 20 Questions. In this classic game, Player 1 thinks of an object; then the other players, in turn, ask one question at a time to try and guess what it is. But the limit is 20 questions. If they haven't guessed by then, Player 1 wins!

9. Travel totes. This one takes a little advance planning, but it's worth it! Pick up an inexpensive tote bag for each child and fill it with books, crayons, coloring books, a note pad, their favorite portable snacks and treats, and a favorite toy. Each child having their own bag will eliminate back seat battles over whose turn it is to use the crayons next!

10. Roadside attractions and tacky tourist traps. Factor in a little fun along the road by stopping at one offbeat spot: a quirky souvenir stand; a local advertising oddity like a gigantic chicken statue, an unusual roadside museum, or maybe even a diner in the shape of a hot dog. Even a quick pit stop in a fun spot can refresh and revive everyone, and inspire lively conversation for the rest of the trip.

What are some of your family's favorite road trip activities? Share them with us below.

{Thanks to iMOM for the great article}

The Lily Pad Blog wishes you a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween.

Photos from Martha Stewart's 2009 pumpkin gallery.

Well, Tomorrow is Halloween and it is our families tradition to carve our pumpkins the night before Halloween. And what a great Friday Family Fun activity pumpkin carving is... I have tried a lot of different carving techniques over the past few years, but the best one I have found is from Martha Stewart. I love her idea of cutting a hole in the bottom (rather than the top) and using an LED battery operated flameless candle rather than an actual candle. I am such a worry wart and this feels much safer than an open flame to me. ;)

Here are the basic steps to any pumpkin project, along with some of our tools of choice. Remember: The best pumpkin projects start in the patch. Search for pumpkins that are smooth, symmetrical, and firm.

Step 1

The first step is hollowing out the pumpkin. Use a keyhole saw to cut the hole. If you'll be using a candle for illumination, you can cut the hole in the pumpkin's top (always put the candle in a high-sided glass and never leave unattended). For electric lights or flameless candles, make the hole in the bottom or side so you can hide the cord.

Step 2

Scoop out flesh, pulp, and seeds with a plaster scraper or fleshing tool.

Step 3

Now it's time to transfer your selected designs (use one of our templates or draw your own). Affix it to the pumpkin, and trace the design by poking holes with a sharp awl, needle tool, or T-pin.

Step 4

Remove the template and carve along the pattern with a miniature saw or linoleum carving tool. If you want to make holes in the pumpkin for eyes, use a drill equipped with a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch spade bit.

You can also get creative with patterns and designs using these 10 basic pumpkin-carving tools.

Step 5

If desired, place candles, small flashlights or battery-operated light sources inside your pumpkin. Tip: Prevent exposed areas of the pumpkin's flesh from turning brown by applying a film of Vaseline. Click here to read the entire artilce from Martha Stewart for yourself.

Happy Fall! Fall has officially begun and I am excited about all of the fun fall family activities. With the ushering in of fall's cool weather, this makes it a great time to get outside with the kids and have some fall fun! I have gathered a variety of suggestions to help your children learn and keep your children entertained during the months of fall. These activities also help you and your children spend quality time together.

• Take a nature hike with your children. This is a great opportunity for your children to collect leaves for a special leaf project. It's also a perfect time for you and your children to talk about their day/week at school. 

• Plant bulbs with your children to enjoy next spring.

• Go on a hayride to a pumpkin patch and have your children pick their own pumpkins.

• Make corn husk puppets with your children.

• Go horseback riding on a scenic trail.  

• Wander through an apple orchard or pumpkin patch.

• Make homemade applesauce, caramel apples or apple cider.

• Check out fall-themed books from the library and read with your children.

• Create a scarecrow from leaves, straw and old used clothes. 

• Help your children press fresh fall leaves and make a pressed leaf scrapbook. 

• Bike through a national forest with your children.

• Visit a local fall craft fair, Oktoberfest or farmer's market.

• Show your children how to create a summer memories scrapbook filled with photos and mementoes from last summer.

• Have your children rake leaves from your yard into a big pile and jump in them!

• Let your children finger-paint a fall scene on construction paper. They can even make fall-themed cards for friends and family. 

• Make a fall wreath using collected leaves, pine cones, acorns and paper plates and hang it on your front door to greet visitors. 

• During a walk in the woods, look for animal tracks and help your children identify them.

• Take your children to a football game.

Don't quench your child's generosity. There may come a time when your children want to give away something you think they should keep. If at all possible, let them be generous. Recently one of our sons wanted to give his favorite book, which he had recently received, to another friend as a birthday present. I talked with him, making sure he knew he wouldn't get it back afterward. He understood, and he really wanted to bless someone else. I let him, and he hasn't regretted it.

Some families require their children to set aside part of an allowance for giving. This can be a good exercise in teaching the discipline of giving. But generally, I think mothers should focus on inspiring generosity instead of requiring it. A child's personal motivation will produce longer-lasting results than a parent's force. When giving is a lifestyle, it becomes a natural way for a child to interact with the needs he or she notices in the world.

In the process of nurturing generosity in our little ones, we find ourselves blessed. Through the act of giving away, we gain infinitely more - depth in our relationships, our marriage, our children, and our faith.

How do you attempt to instill a generous spirit within your family?

Read more of this article by Jamie Martin of Steady Mom here

I love back to school time. It brings back such great memories from my childhood. Here are a few great books for back to school for young elementary students...all of these we own and love.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Miss Bindergarten Get Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Ready or not here it comes - it's time to go back to school!  For most of us, that might mean it's time to get back to a consistent routine. One of the most important daily routines that can be either a relationship-builder or relationship-breaker is bedtime. To make bedtime a relationship-building and bonding time for you and your child, try to do three things:

• Build time into your evening so that you are not rushed to get your child in bed.
• Build independence by training your child to be organized.
• Build relationships as you close the day by sharing thoughts and encouraging words.

iMom has some great "Pillow Talk Discussion" suggestions. Read their suggestions here.

I know, I know...it's only July, but I came across this Homemade Holiday Gift article and I thought that it really could apply year round. I would love to receive a homemade jar of cookie mix as a housewarming gift or birthday gift. It also make a great teacher appreciation gift for when our kiddos go back to school next month! And, of course, I love that my kid's can help!

Makes: 1 mix in a jar; about 3 dozen cookies
Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brownulated sugar
3/4 cup swirled chocolate chips 

Directions:
1. Have ready a clean 1-quart reusable plastic or glass canister.
2. In a medium-size bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Spoon 1 cup of the flour mixture into a second bowl and add cocoa powder and cinnamon. Whisk to mix thoroughly.
3. Begin packing jar for gift: Spoon about half the flour mixture into bottom of jar. Use a small spice jar to lightly compress. Spoon in half the cocoa mixture; compress. Spoon in remaining flour mixture and cocoa mixture, compressing each layer.
4. Top second cocoa layer with granulated sugar and brownulated sugar, compressing each slightly. Pour chips over sugar and seal jar.
5. Write baking instructions on a tag (or print out); secure to jar with ribbon. Baking Instructions: In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) melted and cooled unsalted butter with 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in contents of jar. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 13 to 14 minutes. Cool on sheets for 1 minute; transfer to rack. Note: Brownulated sugar can be found in your grocery store's baking section.

Click here to read the entire article.

ZOOCCHINI is a growing lifestyle brand that offers quality products, competitively priced, all with our signature designs. Look for our new 5 piece melamine dinner sets and our 3' x 5' vibrant area rugs which make the perfect addition to playrooms, bedrooms... any room!. And of course our ZOOCCHINI friends are perfect companions for little ones. From our adorable plush animals in decorative buckets to our roomy and super soft hooded towels. We offer several styles to choose from, all with friendly faces and great quality!

For more information on ZOOCCHINI click here