I often find that chicken in the crock pot can become too dry, but was quite pleased with the texture and flavor of this dish.  I used chicken thighs because they have more fat than chicken breasts in an effort to achieve moist and flavorful meat.  We really enjoyed this meal which is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:  
1 1/2 to 2 lbs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs* 
16 oz. bottle Italian dressing (whatever variety you prefer)
8 oz. sour cream

Put chicken in the slow cooker, pour dressing over.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours.  During the last hour, stir in the sour cream.  Serve over your favorite pasta, pouring extra sauce over the noodles.  

*I use frozen chicken thighs and they cook up nicely in the crock pot.  

There are some good deals at Target this week, plus huge savings off Easter merchandise.  

Buy a big 12 pack of Charmin and get a free 3 or 4 pack of Puffs (3 pack is 600 tissues - the big boxes).  Charmin was $12.99 minus $1.00 Charmin and $0.50 Puffs printable coupons from coupons.com.  The puffs will ring up as free at the register when you purchase both products.  You end up with both products for $11.49.  

Seventh Generation dish soap is on sale for $2.66 - $1.00 coupon = $1.66.  You can print the coupon twice and get two bottles for this price.  

If you spend $20 on laundry products (detergent, softeners, stain treaters) you can use a $5 off Target coupon from the Target AD in Sunday's paper.  You can also text for the coupon.  (There are signs in the store in the laundry aisle with texting instructions.)  Combine this with manufacturer's coupons for a great deal.  I have some free detergent coupons and was able to combine the free detergent coupons with the Target $5 off coupon.  (Detergent not pictured as I had already put it away.)

Easter merchandise is 70 to 90% off in my store and there is a lot of stuff left.  
I stocked up on Easter egg dye kits for $0.20 to $0.50 cents each and Easter grass for $0.05 cents a bag.  The hubby loves Peeps so got a few packs for him at $0.59 each.  My two year old already has a very worn and loved bunny cup from a previous year and was excited to see his bunny cup in the store.  So we bought a new bunny cup for $0.29.  

Last year I bought four Easter egg dye kits for $0.25 cents each and saved them for Easter this year.  They worked just fine and the boys loved all of the decorating options.  

Disclosure:  I received product for review, but all opinions are honest and are my own.

My six year old loves science, math, and engineering.  He chose engineering club this semester as his after school club and loved to tell me about all of the enriching activities they did.  So when I saw The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab, I knew it would be right up his ally.  Plus the boys love watching The Magic School Bus to see what Ms. Frizzle will do next to bring science to life.  

The lid comes off the top of the bus to reveal neatly organized supply trays.  Everything fits neatly inside the box and can be stored away for next time.  

The boys have really enjoyed learning with The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab. So far they have designed a car and made a balloon jet with their Dad.  Since I have an interest in cooking, I decided to make a solar oven with the boys.  

We set our solar oven outside in the afternoon sun.  Our experiment was a yummy one.  

We decided that next time we will leave the chocolate out of the solar oven because it melted too much.  

I highly recommend The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab.  It is a great way to bring learning to life.  It is organized and easy for parents to follow.  The instruction cards do a nice job of explaining the science behind each experiment too.  

Enter to win The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab!  US only.

Disclosure:  I received product for review, but all opinions are honest and are my own.

This is our favorite way to enjoy brussel sprouts.  My husband and six year old gobble up every last bite.  

This is so easy.  

Trim brussel sprouts, then slice in half.  Discard any outer leaves that fall off when trimming and slicing.  Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes until tender and lightly browned.  

Hallelujah!  He is Risen!  My sister shared this amazing version of Hallelujah with me last night.  Enjoy your family today on this Easter Sunday, but when you have a quiet moment watch this video.  Your heart will be filled with emotion and gratitude for our Lord and Savior.  Watch the Easter Hallelujah Video.


Linked up at Create with Joy.

I am so excited to share this with you...I was featured on the Hershey's Bunny Trail for my Easter Egg Brownie Nests Post.  I was really really hoping to get selected and happened to look a couple of days ago and there I was.  Check out all of the fabulous Easter ideas on the Hershey's Bunny Trail.  

Disclosure:  I received no compensation for this post, just wanted to share.  

Disclosure:  I received product for review.  All opinions are honest and are my own.

I have been a fan of The Manhattan Toy Company's award winning imagine I CAN line for a long time.  I love these toys because they encourage creativity and the boys love playing with them.  

The Character Mix-Up Magnetic Playset comes with over 100 magnets and 4 play scenes.  All three boys have enjoyed playing with this set.  This is a great activity for quiet play and will entertain for a long time since there are so many choices.  

This playset has had several hours of play and has even gone to Kung Fu with little brother while big brothers practiced and it is still in new condition.  The sturdy case keeps everything tidy and makes this a great portable activity for kids.  

Enter to win your choice of The Manhattan Toy Company imagine I CAN® Magnetic Playsets:  Character Mix-Up, Fashion Friends or Travel Time (US Only)

Disclosure:  I received product for review.  All opinions are honest and are my own.

This is an engaging game utilizing plastic easter eggs and muffin liners.  It is a simple matching game.  In addition, the eggs can be separated and children can match the upper and lower case letters by putting the eggs back together.  The boys have had a lot of fun with this one.  

Supplies Needed:
Plastic Easter Eggs
Muffin Paper Liners
Sharpie Marker

Simply write the alphabet inside muffin paper liners.  I wrote upper and lowercase letters since I wrote both on the eggs.  

My 2 year old and I play together since he needs a lot of help when matching the letters.  

My 4 year old dragon is able to match the letters on his own, but enjoys playing with me and his brothers too.  When my 6 year old came home from school the first day we did this and saw that we had been playing a new game, he played too.  

I did not come up with this fun idea on my own.  I saw it first at Fantastic Fun and Learning.

Shared at Create With Joy.

The boys have been enjoying their new Guillow's toy airplanes.  We received a collection of balsa wood and foam airplanes which have provided so much fun both indoors and outdoors.  It was fun to have the whole family outside playing together last weekend, for the first time in months.  (It was a long winter.)

Our youngest was so excited to play with Daddy's help.  

Our new Guillow's airplanes only took about 5 minutes to assemble and are very affordable with prices starting at $1.79.

You can watch my son fly the Sky Raider in slow motion.  

Time to make some lasting family memories with Guillow's Toy Airplanes.  For 88 years Guillow's has sparked wonder in childhood.  Visit your local hobby store and ask for Guillow's Toy Airplanes.  

Enter to win a collection of Guillow's foam and balsa wood airplanes.  Collection includes:  Delta Dart ($3.99), Sky Raider ($6.99), Space Shuttle ($7.19), Eagle ($1.79), Jetfire ($2.09), Sky Streak ($3.09), Jetstream ($3.59).  US only

Delicious oven roasted chicken in less than an hour.  

Ingredients:
Chicken pieces (I use legs and thighs, breasts may take longer due to size)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) real butter
fresh garlic cloves peeled and sliced in half
salt and pepper

1.  Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

2.  Prepare the chicken by placing garlic under the skin of each piece.  Use as much or as little as you like.  I use at least a clove or two for each piece of chicken.  

3.  Melt the butter in the baking pan by placing it in the hot oven for a couple of minutes.  

4.  Next place the chicken in the pan, skin side up.  Brush some melted butter from the pan on the chicken.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  If you like, add some whole peeled garlic cloves to the pan.  Bake for 15 minutes.

5.  Flip the chicken.  Baste again with the juices and butter in the pan.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 10 minutes.

6.  Flip the chicken again and baste with the pan juices.  Bake for another 10-15 minutes until chicken is done.  

Total baking time = 35-40 minutes