This week is VBS at our church First Baptist Church Richardson Texas.  We are using the Lifeway theme Saddle Ridge Ranch.  What a great theme for decorating . . . especially living in Texas.  We were able to use many items from our homes along with the wonderful ideas provided by Lifeway.  I am excited to see what wonderful things God has in store for the kids this week. 

The open area of our children’s building is used for gathering the preschool aged kids for missions, group time and puppets.  We used the theme to come up with three sets:

1. The mission’s area is the Mission Porch
2. The middle is a camp scene
3. The puppets stage is a rock cave.  I know the kids will love it.  

Here are a few pictures of how it turned out.  If you are hosting a VBS at your church hope these ideas help.  I have also added a few pictures from the class room I am teaching.

Busy Mom in Heels – Jeana Harbour

This weekend our Adult Bible Fellowship class had our first cookout of the season.  As with any other good Baptist get together, we had to have food.  In the weeks leading up to the party we began passing around a  food sign up sheet.  Next to my name I listed cupcakes or cookies. 

At that time I had no idea what I was going to make for the party.  However, I felt like either of these items would be easy to make the night before and would be screw up safe.  Which for me is a big deal as I am not a good cook.

A few days before the party I hit the web searching for ideas.  That day snickerdoodles were on my mind so I Googled snickerdoodles and cupcakes and cookies.  To my wonder, I found the following recipe for Snickerdoodle Cupcakes.  I have never seen these wonderful cupcakes before so I was excited to make them for the party.

They were a hit and I can not wait to make them again.  Here is the recipe I used and a picture of how mine turned out.  Hope you enjoy them.  

 Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. flour 
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter, melted (1 stick)
1 1/4 c. granulated sugar (250 g)
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 almond extract
3/4 c. whole milk, room temperature (6 oz)

• Mix together all the dry ingredients. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients thoroughly (particularly the baking powder) and get rid of any flour clumps.
• In a small bowl, melt a stick of butter in the microwave, then pour in a mixer bowl with the granulated sugar and mix on medium to combine. 
• Crack two eggs and mix on medium speed, add the two eggs to the bowl.
• Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
• Grab your bowl of dry ingredients and put in about a third of it in the mixer bowl and combine at low speed. Scrape down the bowl and then add half the milk, again mixing at low speed. Scrape down the bowl again, and repeat with the next third of dry, the rest of the milk, then the last third of the dry.
• Turn your oven on to 350 degrees. Grab your muffin tin, put in the muffin liners, and then fill each cup until 3/4 full. I made half using my mini muffin tin an the other half in the large muffin tin.  Both turned out great but the mini ones were bite size and easier to eat. 
• Before you put them in the oven, sprinkle a cinnamon sugar mixture on the tops to give them a crisp snickerdoodle taste. 

Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Snickerdoodle Cookie on Top

Ok I took the easy way out on the top cookie.  I used a store sugar cookie mix and just rolled them in the same cinnamon sugar mix.

I started icing them once the cupcakes and cookies were cooled.  I also went the easy way and used a can of butter cream icing.  Just put a couple of scoopes of icing in a ziplock bag.  Cut the tip off the bag and pipe icing on the top of the cupcake.  Place a cookie on top of the icing and pipe a small amount of icing on top of the cookie.  I used a little extra cinnamon on the top of the icing.  

These are super cute and great tasting.  Enjoy your sugar rush!!!

Busy Mom In Heels - Jeana Harbour

Tomorrow kicks off the last two weeks of school.   That means end of the year parties and shopping for Thank You gifts for teachers. 

I love to shop, but shopping for teacher gifts is always a struggle.  As I am looking at gift ideas, I hear the voices of my teacher friends complain about how many useless gifts they have received.  I don’t want to be one of those moms.  I want to put my limited funds to good use and find something teachers will use.

I had already decided that I would give gift cards this year.  I was not excited about the simplicity of gift cards, but I knew it was something the teachers would appreciate.  But then as I was flipping though a Family Fun magazine, I came across a very cute idea to help spice up my gift cards.  The magazine illustrated a creative way to present the gift cards:  a Giving Tree.  This simple idea will help make my boring gift cards something unique and personalized.

The basic idea is to purchase a small house plant and create your own flower shaped gift card holders using card stock and floral wire.  In the openings at the top of each flower, slide in your gift cards.  You can then write little notes to the teacher on each flower. 

 Here are some ideas:

Thanks for a great year!
For my #1 teacher!
You’re the best!
Thanks for helping me grow!

You could even add a picture of your child to one of the cards.  I was very excited to run across this article.  It gave me a great idea that I will be working on for Audrey’s teachers.  Now all I have to do is decide where to purchase my gift cards! 

Here are the materials needed and instructions.  Have Fun!

Materials:
Needle-nose pliers
Floral wire (18-gauge)
Card stock
Envelope template
Glue

 
Instructions:

Happy End of the Year!

Busy Mom in Heels – Jeana Harbour

This was a crazy Monday morning in our house. My almost 4 year old was up several times between 4:00 and 6:30, which automatically put us in a bad mood before the alarm went off. In the process of getting my husband out the door, myself ready for work and Audrey ready for school she stopped and looked at me and said… “If I had a pretend mommy she would play with me more!”

That one little statement stopped me in my tracks. (My first thought was I wish you had a pretend mommy. I could get twice as much done.) But instead, I looked at her and asked, “Do you really think mommy does not play with you enough?” Of course her answer was a resounding “YES”.  I was surprised because this past weekend we spent more family time together at home.  Friday was Pizza Game Night and Saturday was Dinner and Play Time at McDonalds followed by an evening at home watching the Princess and the Frog.  (Which is a must see if you have not already done so!)

I love being a mom, but I am the type of mommy that likes to go and do.  Sitting at home and playing in the floor is a challenge for me.   I try to keep us busy with preschool, playground time, ballet, Mom’s group, church activities and play time with friends.  Audrey’s comment made me think about the type of play time we spend.  Sometimes the simplest activities mean more to her than some of the bigger ones.  She would be happy if we sat in her playroom and colored a picture or played with her Barbies. 

This crazy off the cuff comment has inspired me to be more diligent in setting aside some special time each afternoon for Audrey & Mommy time.  I already know this will be a challenge for me.  However, I know the extra effort will be rewarded with her precious little smile and a big hug.  And really what could be better or more rewarding?

Good luck this week to all you busy moms.  You are doing a GREAT JOB!

 Jeana Harbour – Busy Mom In Heels

Here comes Peter Cotton Tail.  Hopping down the bunny trail.  Hippity  hoppity Easters on it’s way.  That means it is time for school Easter parties and egg hunts.  My daughter has her party coming up, which means I have been on the look out for cute gift and goodie ideas.  I came across these bunny goodie bags in this month’s Good House Keeping.  The supplies were simple and this was a great project for Audrey and I to work on together.   Inside we put baggies filled with Easter cookie sandwiches trimmed with sprinkles.   

This was a fun project that filled our afternoon and the bags turned out great.   Audrey can not wait to pass them out at school tomorrow. 

Happy Easter!
Jeana Harbour 

Busy Mom In Heels

I am a big fan of Jilian Michaels from The Biggest Loser.  Each season she transforms the contestants by pushing their limits.  When my friend mentioned that she was doing a DVD called the Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred
I was intrigued.  I went in search of this DVD and found it for less than $10.  I thought, what the heck . . . the worst thing that could happen is the waste of only a few dollars.  GUESS WHAT??  This is a great workout video!!  It works all the bad parts of my body and does it in 20 minutes a day. 

The video has three interval workouts.  These fast-paced exercises help you burn fat and sculpt muscle. There are 3 levels of intensity; you can start with the intermediate level and work up to the advanced program.  Each workout has three “cycles.” Each cycle starts with three minutes of strength training. Then it’s two minutes of cardio, followed by one minute of  abwork (then — no rest — you’ll immediately start a new cycle).  It does require you to have 3 to 5 lb. dumbbells (Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbell Set.)

I have used this video in the past but have decided to try it again in conjunction with my Weight Watchers eating plan.  My goal is to get bikini ready by end of May.   I will let you know my progress.   

You can purchase the video here: Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred

Check out this brief review of the workout:

Jeana Harbour
busymominheels

The hour leading up to dinner is often very stressful around our house. I am not sure why, but at the very moment we are elbow deep in food, our children feel their doll needs a new outfit or that they will die without a snack.

For many of us, making dinner is a dreaded chore which makes it very important that we find quick and easy recipes. Below is one of my new favorites and meets all of my criteria: few ingredients, easy to make, loved by the family and, last but not least, easy to clean up. If planned correctly, you may even have leftovers.

This is one recipe that I keep in the rotation every few weeks. If you have never made it, or even if it has been a while since you last made it, you need to give it a try.

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked (I use wheat pasta)
1 lb. Velveeta Light cheese
12.5 oz. can chicken breast, drained and flaked
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
10 oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel)
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, diced
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions: Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray (or use the best invention ever Crockpot liners)
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well.
Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.

Jeana Harbour

busymominheels

It is amazing how a little thing can change your status from stressed to blessed in the blink of an eye. I had one of those experiences yesterday. It is always great when it occurs, and it leaves you with such a great feeling. If only these change in moods could be bottled up and used when needed.

My parents had been on vacation for over a week and my mom was in need of her grandchildren fix. She asked my sister and I to come over for a play date. You know how moms ask in such a way that “NO” is not even an acceptable answer. This was one of those times.

My sister had an early dentist appointment and Thursday’s are my typical “clean house” days. I left knowing that we would not have time to come back home before a ballet class later that day. Therefore, my husband would walk in the back door to a mess. I try to avoid that as much as possible. Even if it means running around picking up between his “I am on my way home” call and hearing the garage door go up. Needless to say, I was stressed before we got in the car to drive across town.

We arrived at my mother’s house and my daughter and her cousin began their normal 3 year old routine (loud and busy). My sister’s baby pooped and it went though her clothes. My sister did not have a change of clothes. It was a crazy scene when I left to run to the store to get a new outfit for the baby.

Upon my return, I walked in to discover my daughter, her 3 year old and 4 month old cousins all sitting with their 85 year old great-grandparents (Honey and Papa Bob). The kids were hugging them and telling all about their own lives, including their preschools, their friends and other adventures. It was the sweetest thing. It reminded me of all the fun times my sister and I had on our visits with Honey and Papa Bob. In that one moment all the stress of the morning was gone.

During my drive home, I reflected on the day. In the buzz of our lives it is easy to forget the simple joys and power of a hug from a beloved family member. Our time together passes in the blink of an eye. Everyone needs to capture and treasure those precious moments. We took full advantage of the day with lots of pictures, hugs and story telling.

Hope you can take a moment to spend time with your family and enjoy the rich blessing God has provided!

busymominheels

Some of us are blessed with good hair, but all of us are obsessed with making sure our hair looks great. I remember many days getting ready for school and having a little fit (OK maybe a BIG fit) if I could not get it to look just right. Keep in mind that this was in the late 80’s and the key to great hair was the bigger the better. I even carried my butane curling iron in my purse so I could curl my bangs at my locker if they went flat during the day. Come on girls of the 80’s . . . you know what I am talking about!

Times have changed, but my obsession with my hair has not. I am more refined about my quest for the perfect hair and I have learned that the base of a great hair style is the cut followed by the products you use. Trust me, I have tried almost every salon product and have come to the conclusion that over the counter products can work just as well if you pick the right ones. My thick, dry, color-treated hair makes it nessessary to use the right products.

Below is my routine and my current products of choice. Most of them have been highlighted in magazines and on TV shows that focus on great drug store hair products.

Shampoo: Pantene Moisture Renewal 2-IN-1 Shampoo + Conditioner
Daily Treatment: Pantene Deep Fortifying Rinse-Off Treatment (leave in for 3 minutes)
Leave in Spray: John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Daily Nourishment Leave-in Conditioning Spray
Heat Protection: John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula
Hair Spray: John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hair Spray

If you are looking for soft, shiny hair without spending $100 on products I would recommend that you try these items. I’m sure you will love them also.

Jeana Harbour  busymominheels

The warmer weather this weekend made me think about my spring and summer wardrobes. I want to keep up with the latest fashion trends but as a busy mom it’s hard to keep up with those MUST Have items for the upcoming season. Since I am on a tight budget, I will need to make the money go a long way!

I have learned the hard way, that it is next to impossible to shop with a three year old. I’m not sure why I continue to try and make it work! Since having my daughter, my time in the mall has to be concise and focused. It helps to have a plan of attack. My prep work consists of hitting In Style or other fashion magazines before I leave the house.

This weekend, I noticed an item highlighted as a Must Have for the transition months . . . a simple white blazer. It will be an easy purchase and works great for ladies of every age and size. It’s a great way to transition to the warmer weather. It can go with jeans and a t-shirt for a stylish casual look, or over a dress or with slacks to the office. It will also be easy to find at your favorite retailer. I found a cute one this weekend at Kohl’s for less than $25.

As you shop this week, keep your eyes out for that great white blazer! You will find lots of places and ways to wear it. As I run across fashion Must Haves, I will post the ideas. Happy Shopping!

Jeana Harbour

busymominheels