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Welcome to Muffin Tin Monday, the weekly blog link up that combines muffin tins, yummy food and hungry kids Every Monday, here at Muffin Tin Mom, we celebrate the Muffin Tin Meal: which simply put is a meal served in a muffin tin. We get creative every now and again with themes. And this is one of those weeks. To read more on MTM, be sure to visit our FAQ page.

Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honey Dew, Bananas, Diced Grilled Chicken, and Mozzarella Cheese Circles.

This is half a banana, with drizzles of caramel sauce and sprinkled with chocolate chips. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. The muffin tin kids inhaled it. Also works for dessert.

*This easy snack idea was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers: Flipflops and Applesauce

It's time for Muffin Tin Monday, Halloween Edition. I hope you enjoy this week's submissions. This week, we were so excited to share the incredibly cute ceramic muffin pan that my dear friend Alicia was able to find for me...It's a 12 cup-er, but I was only able to come up with food for 9 cups. :) I didn't get too super involved this week and just kept it simple with a few fun food items for an afternoon snack.



Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see all of your submissions. To find out more about Muffin TIn Monday, be sure to visit the MTM FAQ page and to join in this week's fun, click on the blue "add your link" button below, to add the url of your blog post or photo hosted on another page. Happy clicking!

**side note: I may not be able to comment on everyone's posts each week, but please know I click through and check them all out and I enjoy each and every one. :)

Here are this weeks wonderful links, a little late, but still good:

Hawaii Kawaii: No Carve Hello Kitty Pumpkins. I definitely mosty likely almost surely will be doing this!

Good Housekeeping: Another no carve pumpkin option with mini pumpkins and ribbon!

Little Wonder Days: I just felt like snuggling up with a  warm cup of tea after reading this post on sick day tips.

 ²⁶A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
 ²⁸Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
 ²⁹Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Ingredients:

• 1 box any variety, any flavor cake mix (I like Betty Crocker yellow cake, chocolate (pictured), or spice cake)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup vegtable oil (canola works fine too)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix together in a bowl until dough forms
• Scoop spoonfuls into bowl of granulated sugar
• Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Remove and let stand for a few minutes

*Tips- I cover my baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to reduce clean up,
I role my my spoonfuls of dough in sugar, but that is an optional step (it makes them look pretty too!)
And I find that if I remove them from the oven right at the 10 minute mark, they are softer and more chewy.

*This post was previously published on September 13, 2008 on this blog and is reprinted with permission.

Muffin Tin Meals make fantastic and creative after school snacks. Even if your kids are in school all day, they can still come home to a little treat every now and then. Prep ahead of time and throw it together last minute. I tried to sneak a few bites of this and my sweet daughter would have none of it. inhaled the whole thing in a matter of minutes.

Today I am so pleased to welcome Katie as a guest blogger on Muffin Tin Mom. She is so creative and a joy to know and connect with. While this pumpkin craft is geared for the classroom, it's also fantastic to do at home, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 


Pumpkin Paper Plate Mask 

This cute paper plate pumpkin mask is the perfect seasonal photo prop. It's fun to make and a great classroom craft. A set of class pictures with students holding up their masks look great on a bulletin board with the title "Welcome to Our Pumpkin Patch". They are also good to use with a group to reenact popular songs like "Five Little Pumpkins".
Materials:
paper plate
orange paint
empty toilet paper roll
green pipe cleaner
silk leaves or green craft foam to make leaves
tongue depressor or yarn

Tools:
foam brush
scissors
stapler & staples
glue gun & glue sticks or hole punch & yarn

Step 1: Paint paper plate orange. Make sure you get the edges real good! Let dry and carefully cut the center out. You might want to have an adult help you. (If making these with a group, I suggest cutting all the centers out beforehand.) Step 2: Cut approximately three inches off of an empty toilet paper roll. Very carefully staple to one end of the plate. (You can also cut lengths off an empty wrapping paper roll for a group project)

I am so pleased to welcome Allie of No Time For Flashcards as she opens up about her preschooler's transition away from naptime, the importance of routines and the tools and methods that have helped her along the way.

RIP Nap Time

My son is almost 4 years old and in that time he has probably slept through the night 20 times. I often refer to him being "allergic to sleep" as a way to make light of what took me a long time to accept, he is simply not a sleeper. The only shining silver lining was that he was a great napper. Was. Can you hear me crying? I am so sad he isn't napping anymore. In June, he became a big brother and during my daughter's super sleepy newborn days I could get them both down for wonderful long naps. I admit I was kinda smug about it. I should know by now if you brag, it will jinx you.

The breakdown came when I was trying to get him down for a nap, baby girl was asleep, my workout clothes were on and I was ready to sweat and try to reclaim my not so fat jeans ( my skinny ones are months down the road), and I lost it. He wasn't settling and I hear the hungry cries from the other room.

" I just want to fit into my clothes!"

I started crying harder than my infant , my son looked at me like I had two heads and that was the last day we even tried to take a nap.

Enter Quiet Time.

It's not really quiet and we are still working on making it a full hour but I have learned a few things since starting this new adventure a few months ago.Some kids need structure. Just going into a room with toys and closing the door may lead to disaster and possibly carpet cleaning. Here are some things that have worked for us.

# 1, 2, 3 !

I use little cards I made with the numbers 1-3 on them to choose three activities for my son to do in his room. Today he read a pile of books, used his magna doodle then played post office . After he is done those three activities he can play with anything in his room. This has helped him focus on something instead of simply focusing on opening the door and asking " Can I come out yet?" I switch up the activities daily ( puzzles, Lego, stickers) and try to have a large rotation so he doesn't get bored.

A Clock !

This works marginally well for us ( I haven't given up yet) but I know has worked beautifully for many friends. Give your child a clock and show them where the hands have to be before they may come out of quiet time. I show my son every day but if he is "done" it won't matter. With kids like my son, try an incentive.

Remove anything that might trigger shenanigans.

My son loves music. He loves making music with drums, his keyboard and harmonica. He is not allowed to play with these toys during quiet time. Instead of running upstairs 300 times to tell him no and get into a negative loop with him and attention , I take them out every day and return them once his sister is up from her nap.

Routine and Rituals

Kids crave routine and being able to predict what will happen next. My son knows that quiet time starts at 2pm, it's always in his room and knows that when it's over we have "Today's snack" and chat while his sister naps. Then he may play quietly for another hour , do a craft or learning activity with me, go outside or read. At 4pm he may watch a show if he has been listening. The rules are always the same, the house is peaceful and it's helped get over the insanity of no nap.

Giving up naps has changed us as a family, now my son goes to bed at 7:15 and is asleep before 8pm, which gives my husband and I some extra together time a bonus we hadn't thought about. It has also given my son and I more time together during the day while my daughter is sleeping, which I think has really helped his adjustment too. I don't get as much alone time but as angry as I was getting when he would fight his nap simply wasn't healthy. So like all parts of parenthood you try stuff until it works, I hope some of the things that have worked for us will help you too.

[image credit: Dianna]
--
Allison McDonald is the wonderful blogger behind No Time For Flash Cards, a website full of activities, crafts and ideas for young children. She is one of my daily blog reads and I count it a privilege to have her guest post here today. Thank you, Allie! For more fantastic ideas about how to promote play, discovery and learning in your child be sure to visit www.notimeforflashcards.com

Today is Muffin Tin Monday and it is the weekly blog carnival that has kids all over the world jumping for joy. I remember the expression my daughter gave me when I first put food in a muffin tin for her. I will never forget that little sparkle that I saw. I still see it every time I serve a Muffin Tin Meal. It's not for every child, but we love it.



Crinkle Cut Carrots, Diced Apples, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, Red Licorice Pieces, Colby Jack Cheese Stars, Chocolate Chips

I was graciously given a package of assorted cheeses by Smart and Final (they heard about my obsession with their cupcake mix ;) and am part of the SF Smarties team for Smart and Final. It has been awhile since I had tasted Colby Jack. It is so soft and delicious. Smart and Final would like you to know they are having a promotion on their First Street brand of cheeses right now, so check 'em out if you live in NV, AZ,CA and more.

Now It's your turn. Did you make a Muffin Tin Meal this week? I would love to see it! You can add your blog post, facebook photo (shout out to all the FB fan pagers!), or other photo sharing website by clicking on the blue "add your link" button, just remember to include a link back to muffintinmom.com somewhere on the page. :) Can't wait!

*Coming up this week on Muffin TIn Mom: Guest Posts by No Time For Flashcards, Confessions of A Homeschooler and Katie's Nesting Spot. SOme serious awesomeness happening this week!

Next week's MTM theme is HALLOWEEN.

Here are this week's fabulous links:

GLory's Mischief: Get into the Halloween spirit with this great tutorial on window painting faux black cats. It's sure to delight walkers by. She makes it look so easy!


Someday Crafts (Gues Blogger: Crafts By Amanda): DIY Easy Halloween Monster Yard lights? [Image credit above] Seriously, so awesome! Who knew battery operated tea lights could make these happy guys come to life!

Dollar store Crafts: Make Origami Cupcake Liners. Squee! These are so adorable. I could just die!

Hope Studios: Thinking about Christmas yet? I am. :) Make this simple, yet darling baby jesus and nativity using peg dolls, felt, and a toilet paper tube. 

Make and Takes: Create a super fun kids (or adults) Halloween spider hat. I have a TON or googlie eyes, just for this idea. :)

These salami rolls wrapped in sliced provolone cheese make a delicious appetizer for any party or occasion! I was provided with a sampling of cheeses from Smart And Final to try some recipes. Here is one of my favorites! Smart and Final is not just "the other bulk shopping" store but has a wide variety of smaller packaged items like their delicious cheeses that are wonderful for smaller families. You already know how much I love the First Street brand cupcake mix. Their cheese is pretty tasty too!

Here's the recipe:


Salami Wrapped In Provolone With Cream Cheese Filling

Ingredients:

• First Street Brand Provolone Cheese Slices from Smart and Final
• Sliced Salami
• 4 oz Softened Cream Cheese
• Olives & Italian Seasoning or Herbs (Optional)
• other options: red, green and yellow peppers and fresh garlic

Directions to make 1 wrap:

• Lay sliced provolone flat
• Lay 2 slices salami down
• Mix olives and italian herbs into softened cream cheese.
• Smother the cream cheese mixture on to the provolone and salami
• Roll up and secure with food pick
• Repeat and make as many as desired
• Serve immediately or chilled

We went with an "Orange and White Pumpkins" theme. I used the jack-o-lantern paper muffin cups and picks from the Dollar Tree.

• Sandwich - white pumpkin
• Tangerine - orange pumpkin 
• Orange and white colby jack cheese from Smart and Final w/ jack-o-lantern picks
• Bananas - white pumpkins 
• Orange cantaloupe w/ jack-o-lantern picks
• Mozzarella cheese circle white pumkins

**all the "stems" shown are made from La Choy brand fried chow mein noodles.

Now it's your turn! What did you make for this week's Muffin Tin Monday? Click on the blue "add your link" button to add the url of your blog post or web-hosted photo.

Here are this weeks links! Happy Clicking!





Domestic Days: Do you love aprons? Do you love swaps? Domestic Days is having an apron swap! [Image credit above]. Click over for all the details and the entry deadline.

Katherine Marie Photography: She makes Frankenstein look adorable! Her creativity is always a pleasure to witness, and this week "frankie" as they call him, makes an appearance. Click over to Katherine Marie Photography for crafts, activities and snacks that are sure to inspire.

Once Upon A Cupcake: It's no secret that I love cupcakes...I looooove them. And Once Upon made the most adorable owl cupcakes for a twins birthday party. So sweet and unique!

In response to a few forum posts, emails, comments, etc. about Muffin Tin Monday, here is a video about my feelings about Muffin Tin Monday and Muffin Tin Meals. I hope you will leave your feedback.


I appreciate every single one of you and without you, this blog link up wouldn't be what it is, thank you for being a part of it, whether by participation or viewing and commenting.
*RSS feed subscribers and email subscribers, you'll have to click through to view the video, I hope you do, because I would love everyone's feedback.

Welcome to Muffin Tin Monday, the blog link up that happens right here, every Monday at Muffin Tin Mom. Muffin Tin Mom is the official home of the Muffin Tin Meal, (Muffin Tin Lunch, et al. ) For more on MTM, be sure to visit the FAQ page. :) Let's get to the cute circus food, shall we?

I 'll get right to the links, I know that's why you came. :) This week's links:

Craft Gossip/Indie Crafts: Recycled crayons in the shape of mischievous mustaches! just makes me want to giggle: so cute and clever. Image and idea credit: chase dreams etsy.

Ginko Papers: I am in LOVE with Japanese Washi Tape. It's like masking tape....only cuter. Be sure to check out Ginko Papers (they area US vendor) and their adorable selection. It's perfect for crafting of muffin tin meals and bento making.

Under The Table and Dreaming: Stephanie Lynn rocks an amazing blog full of inspiring ideas for home, family, and life. Last year she made a made a Christmas Tree from a recycled magazine. love it!  I am thinking this would be a fun family project or a fun project to do with a  group of friends!

    There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

        that can succeed against the Lord.

    [31] The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

        but victory rests with the Lord. _^[NIV]