Back to School: My Kids' Favorite Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza

It's the first day of school here in Iowa today and with the special day falling on a Friday, I thought what better way to celebrate than with my kids' favorite Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza! This pizza is easy to make with staple ingredients that, if your family is anything like mine, you always have stocked - string cheese and pepperoni!

The BBP Pizza

One of my favorite parts of 4-H is that it encourages youth to explore their interests and try new things. My son is in his third year of 4-H and has grown so much through the different projects and events he has participated in. This year one of his projects that will be shown at our county fair next week is his Pizza Food Challenge. He had so much fun going to a pizza workshop and creating his own pizza that I thought I'd share it here on my blog!

After School Turkey Wrap Hack

I don't know what it is about getting off the bus, but as soon as my kids get home from school they immediately start looking for a snack. Here is a fun, protein packed snack they can make on their own that will satisfy their after school munchies and not ruin their supper.

5 Back to School Snack Mix Recipes

Celebrate the first day of school with one of my kid-approved snack mix recipes.  These are a great way to do something special for an after school snack, or just because throughout the year.

Classic No Bake Cookies

*This post is sponsored by Christmas Cookies Week.  

All views and opinions shared are my own.*,

If you are a chocolate and peanut butter fan and looking for a quick sweet, then look no further than the Classic No Bake Cookie.  My family loves these cookies all year long and they are always a must for Christmas Cookie Trays every December.

13 Back to School Breakfasts

School starts up on Thursday for our oldest two, Mr. K and Miss A, and one thing I like to do on the first day of school is make a special breakfast.  Quite often my go to dish are waffles, as they are our normal "celebration" breakfast food, but after checking out all of the great recipes linked up to the Back to School #Celebrate365 Blog Party, I'm inspired to try out one of these delicious 13 breakfast items to start off their school day on a good note.

Peaches and Cream Overnight Oatmeal, Tip Garden
Baked Vanilla Buttermilk Donuts with Maple Glaze, Kelly Lynn's Sweets & Treats
Cherry Chip Sourdough Muffins, Cooking with Carlee
Breakfast Banana Split, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

Breakfast Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tip Garden
Cheesy Taco Muffins, The Pajama Chef
Six Week Muffins, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
Low Fat Granola Bars with Bananas, Cranberries & Pecans, Best of Long Island and Central Florida
Banana Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins, Books and Cooks

Whole Milk Yogurt Banana Custard Muffins, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal, Savory Moments
Chewy Coconut Oil Granola Bars, The Pajama Chef
Quick Peanut Butter & Apple Breakfast Wrap, Tip Garden

Be sure to checkout not only great back to school breakfast ideas, but other recipes for snacks and quick weeknight suppers, as well as planners, school supply tips and other ideas on how to get prepared for school by checking out the latest Celebrate 365 Blog Party.  Which breakfast looks good to you?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Time to Celebrate Caramel Crispix Mix

It is hard to believe that Mr. K has been back to school for eight days!  So far he has been loving Kindergarten.  Highlights of Kindergarten are that he gets to ride the bus to and from school each day, eating hot lunch at school, keeping a pair of gym shoes in his locker and learning how to read.  Today after school I asked him what his favorite part of the day was and he said it was getting homework...  While I'm sure that will change as he gets older, I just love how much he loves learning.

Mr. K waiting for the bus on the first day of school

The first day of school is always a fun time to celebrate.  We started the day with pancakes and after school I had Caramel Crispix Mix ready to go for a snack.  This Caramel Crispix Mix is a signature recipe of some of my family friends, the Lund's.  I have many memories of this snack associated with school - from snacking on it on the bus after a sporting game, to munching on it all day in the gym during speech contests.  The Lund girls always seemed to have a large batch to share and this Caramel Crispix Mix was a nice perk of being one of their friends. ;)

So I thought, what a perfect after school snack to make to celebrate being back at school, especially since the kids were going to neighbor's house that night.  This snack mix isn't just great for a school snack, but is also great for tailgating and the holidays.  You can make the mix festive and coordinating to whatever you are celebrating. :)

Caramel Crispix Mix 

(shared with permission from the Lund family, with slight adaptions)

1 - 12oz box Crispix
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) Butter
1/4 cup Corn Syrup
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
Your choice of Mix-Ins:  M&Ms, Peanuts, Candy Corn, etc.

Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in pot and heat until boiling.  Let boil for 30 seconds.
Add baking soda and stir until foamy.
Pour mixture over cereal in microwave safe dish.  Mix to coat squares.
Microwave on High for 1 minute.  Stir to evenly coat.  Repeat 3 times.
Spread on waxed paper to cool.
Get creative and toss with your choice of mix-in.
Enjoy!  And fair warning, this is highly addictive...

What are some of your favorite school memories?  Do you have any foods that you automatically associate with school?  How about your favorite school lunch?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

* This post has been compensated through the AE Dairy Blog Ambassador program.  All views and opinions shared are my own. *

A few days ago I had my first taco salad of the year.  For me - that means summer is here.  I asked my Facebook fans afterwards what foods scream summer to them.  I couldn't agree more with their favorites of BLT sandwiches, sweet corn, watermelon and pasta salads.  I would also add popsicles to the list!  Maybe it is because I have kids at home, but nothing says summer like having your first popsicle of the year.  With less than two weeks til Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't wait to get out my popsicle maker so I could make a batch of Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles!

What I love most about this recipe is that it is simple and only includes two ingredients!  This is also a fun treat to make with your kids.  The only downfall is that you have to wait for them to freeze before you can enjoy them!  But if your popsicle molds are like ours, you'll have some leftovers that you can have as a smoothie while you wait!

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

16 oz package frozen, sliced strawberries
2 1/2 cups AE Lemonade

MP enjoying one of our
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
we made together

Puree strawberries in a blender until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup of lemonade to blend.  Stir rest of lemonade into strawberry puree.  Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until firm, about 4 hours.

Don't have a popsicle mold?  Then pour the mixture into paper cups.  Or spruce up you lemonade this summer by freezing the mixture into ice cube trays and serving them with it.

What foods do you think of when you think summer?  What is on your menu for Memorial Day weekend?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!