Have you found yourself picking up weird habits or doing funny things to keep your sanity these days? I have. Probably more than one if I take a good look at myself. On the days where my patience is running thin, I have become aware that my kids prey on this vulnerable state. It would be super easy for me to resort to raising my voice, but I have been trying to give myself internal pep talks to calm the heck down, and the other day I realized that my coping mechanism for teaching a lesson without yelling is to sing it. Yup. I have become a songwriter overnight. “Please stop doing that. Do dee doo do. I’ve already told you a million times. La dee da da.” I think sometimes they listen just so I will stop singing. I made a jingle about Chick-Fil-A the other day too as I was eating a turkey sandwich for the 5th day in a row. So, if you’re looking for your next advertising person – give me a call. My tune got rave reviews at the lunch table. 

On another note (see what I did there), my toddler’s quest for entertainment hit a whole new level this morning. We were playing outside while little brother napped, and R was filling his dump truck with rocks across the yard while I was journaling on the deck. I look up and he is standing very still looking at the ground. I initially thought, “Oh crap, there’s a snake.” I yelled over to him, “Rory, what are you doing buddy?” No answer. Again, “Rory. What are you doing?” No answer. Once more, “Rory! What are you doing?” Finally he looks up and says, “I’m watering the rocks Mommy.” Oh no, oh no, oh no. That can only mean one thing because we had ZERO water outside this morning. He turns arounds and waddles toward me saying, “I need some new pants and underwears Mama.” Yup, he was trying to use his pee to water rocks. Probably not the last time I have to have a talk about peeing outside in a house full of boys. I guess that’s what I get for thinking we were done with daytime potty training.

Needless to say, I was craving a chocolate snack this week. I thought I would unofficially share my go-to puppy chow recipe (or muddy buddies for you other folks). This might sound like I’m tooting my own horn, but it almost always turns out just right for me. I think it has less to do with the recipe and more do with the how you combine all the things. Here’s how I make it:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (or store brand)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp sanding sugar sprinkles

In a microwave safe bowl, melt together the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30 second increments until smooth and fully melted. In a large mixing bowl, measure out 6 cups of cereal. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal while stirring the cereal. Continue to stir GENTLY until each piece is coated.

In a gallon Ziploc bag, pour in 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp sprinkles. Add HALF of the cereal mixture. Seal the bag tightly and gently move the bag around until all the pieces are coated. Pour the coated cereal onto a piece of wax or parchment paper. Repeat the process with the remaining powdered sugar, sprinkles, and cereal.

Let the puppy chow dry for about an hour. (Although I usually end up eating some right away). Store in an airtight container until it is gone 🙂 It should be a perfect combination of 95% perfectly covered individual pieces and 5% glorious clumped pieces that everyone will fight over!