Finger Lickin' Good Baby Back Ribs

We had ribs this weekend.  And, in a word, they were perfect.

Maybe it was a particularly good cut of meat, maybe it was the sauce (we had the very fortunate opportunity to review Stubb's for the blog), or maybe it was the fact that it was one of the first really great grilling weekends of the season. Likely for all of these reasons, they were fall-off-the-bone, finger lickin' good.  

You know, perfect.  Here's how we did it and the varieties of Stubb's sauce we used.

Finger Lickin' Good Baby Back Ribs

2 Racks Baby Back Ribs
2 TBS Seasoning (Stubb's BBQ Spice Rub)
1/2 C Basting Sauce (Stubb's Moppin Sauce)
1/2 Cup BBQ Sauce (Stubb's Hickory Burbon)

Remove membrane from ribs if necessary.  Rub seasonings into meat on both sides.  Place slabs in an aluminum pan and cover with foil.  Cook on LOW (about 270 degrees) for 3-4 hours.  Remove from oven and preheat grill to MED-LOW.  Baste rib racks with basting sauce (or BBQ sauce) and place on grill for about 10 minutes on each side, or until desired char has been achieved.  Return to aluminum pan, remove from heat, baste with BBQ sauce, and cover while allowing meat to rest for an additional 10 minutes.  Carefully cut into serving size portions (as meat will likely pull easily from bone).  Enjoy.   

Serves 4-6 Adults

Recipe adapted from Stubb's Sweet Babyback Ribs and our own Papa Mike's famous grilling method. 

More to come on Stubb's delicious, all natural sauces.  Stay tuned for more great BBQ ideas and a giveaway later in the week!

Toddler Friendly Pizzadillas

...also known as, How I got my toddlers to eat mushrooms and sweet peppers without coercion. ;)

As evidenced by their invariable presence on kids' menus around the country, many toddlers love quesadillas.  My boys are no exception.  In the spirit of trying to take advantage of their fondness for all foods cheesy and triangular, we've changed it up a bit with some great success.  Simply swap out the cheddar for mozzarella and add your favorite toppings, and you have a delicious wedge ready for a quick dip in marinara sauce.  

Most recently, we added some sauteed mushrooms and sweet peppers, and our boys gobbled them up just the same.  Two vegetables in one meal?  (Three if you count the pizza sauce.)  Definite victory in my book!

Toddler Friendly Pizzadillas 

1 TBS Oil (Canola or Olive)
1 Whole Wheat Tortilla
1/4 Cup Mozzerella
2 TBS Toppings (Sauteed Mushrooms, Onions, and Peppers, Pepperoni, etc.)
1/4 Cup Marinara Sauce

Note:  Recipe is for one quesadilla - or 4 wedges.  It can easily be doubled, etc.

Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat.  Add tortilla shell - lying flat in pan.  Spread cheese and toppings over top and allow cheese to melt.  Once bottom of shell begins to brown, fold the tortilla in half, pressing down slightly to secure filling.  Cook an additional minute on each side or until desired crispness.  Remove from pan, slice into wedges (with a knife or a pizza cutter works great) and allow to cool.  (Cheese inside can be very hot!)  Serve with some marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Enjoy!

Post shared with: Jellibean Journals, For the Kids Fridays, Cheerios and Lattes

10 Simple Ideas for Encouraging Toddler Letter Recognition

While my two-year-olds will happily sing the ABC's (or some version of this classic) on demand, there seems to be only a few letters they consistently recognize.  Thanks to a quick Facebook Poll and a little research, I've discovered that this seems to be pretty normal.  Actually, there appears to be a rather wide range for what is typical in terms of toddler letter identification - anything from knowing quite a few letters by the second birthday to being able to identify a handful at age three.  Below is a collection of ideas which are working for my own children as well as a few great activities from around the web.  Take a look, pin a few, and in no time your little one(s) will be ready for more!  

1.  Books - First and foremost (and perhaps most obvious), read, read, read.  I'm not an expert on the subject, but I know this one to be true.  Check out Children's Book Guide's Top 100 Children's Books of All-Time for some new ideas to add to your collection or borrow from the library.

2.  Bath Letters - Throw in some foam letters at bath time.  (The kind that stick to the tub wall, like these from Munchkin(affiliate link), are great.)  Little ones will have fun fishing out their favorite letters and "spelling" things on the wall.

3.  Driveway Chalk - Use sidewalk chalk to draw a few letters on the driveway.  Start with some classic "firsts" for toddlers, such as X, O, A, or M or even the letters in your child's name.  Draw them large enough so that little feet can "walk" the path of the letters.  Ask questions like, "Where is the A?" and then let the little one(s)* run around and jump right on top - great for kinesthetic little movers and shakers. Leave the same letters until it rains and then add in some new letters the next time.  This also works well for introducing or learning shapes.

*For ideas on incorporating music and letter sounds for older kids, see Meaningful Mama's great post.

4.  Letter Pounding (aka, "Whack a Letter") - Harness that toddler desire to hit and whack in a positive way.  Check out this awesome DIY for a quick game of Letter Pounding from I Can Teach My Child. 

5.  Alphabet Soup (or Cereal) - There are a number of culinary options to encourage letter recognition.  Two to try are Alpha-Bits cereal or Healthy Kids Alphabet Soup.

6.  Bean Bag Toss - Again, corral that two-year-old need to throw (everything) and give them something safe and soft for tossing.  Play catch while you say the letter on an individual bag or call out the letters as you toss 'em in a bucket.  For a great DIY on these bean bags, see The Crafty Cupboard's Alphabet Bean Bags.

7.  Magnetic Letter Matching - Grab a baking sheet, a marker, and some magnetic letters and you are all set.  See "Trays on the Go" from We Can Do All Things for a quick "how to" and create your own magnetic letter board.

8.  Letter Drop - Use an old plastic tub and those magnetic letters in a new way.  Cut a hole in the top and allow little hands to drop in a letter as you say the name together.  Find a quick DIY here at Dirt and Boogers' "Letter Clank Can" along with some other great letter learning activities.

9.  Letter Fishing - Drop those magnetic letters in the tub or water table (or sans water in a "pretend" ocean of blue felt) and fashion up a quick pole.  Let the kids (with supervision!) cast their line and see their excitement as they reel in those letters.

10.  Letter Puzzles - There are many great options of alphabet puzzles - foam mat puzzles, Melissa and Doug puzzles (affiliate link), and more.  The act of holding the letters, turning them around until they fit in place, and experiencing their shape with a sense (touch) other than just sight may help make a connection for some.

Ready for upper and lower case matching?  Try these great ideas as well:

Egg Matching

Paper Plate Sorting

Dice Matching

How have you observed your little ones learning their letters?  What ideas have we left off this list?

Post shared with:  Jellibean Journals, For the Kids Friday, Share it Saturday, Six Sisters' Stuff, Cheerios and Lattes, I Can Teach My Child, Montessori Monday, Sharing Saturday

Fashion Blogger Wanna-Be

Disclosure:  I am the furthest thing from what you would call a fashion blogger.  I type this as I am sitting here in my yoga pants, and no, I did not do yoga today.  But, I do often make purchases from ThredUP, and I run their ads on my site (because I think they are awesome), and I do make a small commission if you click on through and find a great deal for yourself (though the cost is the same to you).  I have not sold with ThredUP as of 5/2/13, so I cannot comment on consigning with them, though I hope to in the near future!  I can comment on the fact that I have been able to find and purchase some great items for my children at really great prices, because I have.  And, I can comment on some other exciting news...

ThredUP just launched a women's line!  I'm so excited.  If I have half the success I've had purchasing clothes for my kids, I'll be in great shape.  Below is my first order...3 skirts and 4 dresses from Ann Taylor, J Crew, Limited, Banana Republic and Old Navy for just about $100, and 2 items are "New with Tag"!  Click here or on the image below if you'd like to browse for yourself...

I felt like I was going through all of my friends' closets and picking out my favorite things.  I love the idea of "recycling" clothes, and I really love the great prices.  I bought seven items for what I would usually spend on  two or three from these stores/brands.  Of course, we'll have to see how we do in the "fitting room," but you sure can't beat trying them on in the comfort of your own home while your kids are asleep (rather than whining that they are "all done" shopping and want to go "home now, mama").  I'm hopeful that their 30 Day Return Policy will come in handy if I have any fashion (or sizing) misses.  

Stay tuned for my first "fashion blogger (wanna be)" post. ;)

***Current ThredUP offer for New Customers***

Sign-up at ThredUP with your e-mail and get 20% OFF your order and FREE SHIPPING!

Just click here, sign-up with your e-mail, and happy shopping!

Spring Bucket List Idea Share

Happy Spring!  Welcome to Full Hands, Full Hearts' April seasonal link-up.  As the weather is (finally?) starting to warm, we are all antsy to get outside and enjoy the spring.  I've shared a few of our Spring Bucket List ideas below and would love to invite you to share yours as well.  

(Disclosure statement: All reviews and statements reflect my actual experiences and honest opinions regarding products or services. At times, Full Hands, Full Hearts may receive compensation or merchandise in exchange for a featured post. Full Hands, Full Hearts may also receive a small commission for sales via certain links, though there is never any increase in cost to the buyer.)

If saving some money on spring and summer kids' clothes is on your Bucket List this season (it is always on my list), you can check that "to-do" off right now by saving on kids' clothes from thredUP!  We are huge resale and consignment fans at our house, and my kids always look great in their gear from online children's consignment shop thredUP.  Check out our experiences and reviews here and here, and check out their website here.  

***Current ThredUP offer for New Customers***

Sign-up at ThredUP with your e-mail and get 20% OFF your order and FREE SHIPPING!

Just click here, sign-up with your e-mail, and happy shopping!

Ok, so what is on your Spring Bucket List this year?