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#OwnTheGalaxy Christmas gift. presents gifts Guardians of the Galaxy holidays Life

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, all opinions are mine alone. #OwnTheGalaxy #CollectiveBias

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenThis time of year time just seems to fly by, doesn’t it? I swear it was just the other day that summer ended and the kids were back in school and BAM, now it’s Christmas. This time of year is always crazy busy for me and I end up running around like a mad woman trying to organize my life. It can be difficult because Mr. Harris tends to work a lot of hours this time of year and it never fails that one of the kids is sick or has a party or play on any given day. Between keeping up with activities and keeping everyone healthy and fed, Christmas shopping can be quite the task as well. Since I’m also the cook on Christmas, this month takes a lot of juggling and organizational skills that I must produce even when I feel that they are lacking (they are!).

One thing I did learn though, was how important it is to to keep these kids busy during the final prep stage. Christmas Eve is usually when we have houseguests, we’re finishing up any last minute Christmas gift wrapping and we’re prepping for Christmas brunch and Christmas dinner. This is the time that I need my family to be occupied, entertained and happy. A few years ago we began a tradition of letting the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve. What that gift usually consists of is fun pajamas, a movie or video game, fun snacks, board games, etc. Stuff that can keep them all busy and happy, and this is GOLDEN! It works like a charm!

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenWe like to get them fun movies or games that are popular during that season, so this year the release of Guardians of the Galaxy on DVD came just in time. Not only is it a fun movie that all our kids will enjoy, it features an exclusive Character O-sleeve and exclusive music zinepack and a 64 page magazine with cast and crew interviews, exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and trivia PLUS a custom “cassette” laptop decal.

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenIt’s being called the best Marvel movie ever, which is no small feat. We love our Marvel movies, so I just know that this movie and these toys will be used not only on Christmas Eve, but year round!

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenWe created a gift basket the kids could enjoy that contained the movie, a blanket, a few fun toys, some snacks and I even found matching gift wrap! You can fill up the Christmas tin with your choice of homemade cookies and include your families favorites snacks.

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenHow to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenHow to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenHow to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenHow to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' KitchenOur plan is to present this to them on Christmas Eve with the yearly tradition of pajamas. The toys will keep the younger boys busy while they watch the movie and the snacks will keep all the kids happy and fed while they all cuddle up under that blanket.

How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' Kitchen

Do you have any fun Christmas Eve traditions?

If you want to add Guardians of the Galaxy movie and toys to your Christmas Eve tradition, you can find everything you need at Walmart. There’s a movie display that you can purchase the movie in a few different formats and there’s another display for many of the toys. I found the blanket and drink cup near the backpacks and character accessories near the cash registers and the gift wrap in the Christmas section. How to Keep Kids Busy on Christmas Eve with  Guardians of the Galaxy #OwnTheGalaxy #ad - Mama Harris' Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JanetGoingCrazy says

    December 16, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    My boy wants to come to your house and help play with all those toys! 🙂 #client

    • Christy Iverson says

      March 3, 2016 at 11:32 am

      My kids are totally crazy for playing all these toys.It’s really attractive to any kids.

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[Sponsored]: Summertime is coming and will be here before we know it! You all know that I love easy meals during the warmer months, and I also love a good meal in a bowl. It’s also Vidalia Onion season 🧅 so I paired this seasonal favorite with pan-seared shrimp and veggies as a light rice bowl using your choice of grains.☺️This meal is an absolute delight!

Get the recipe and all the Vidalia Onion details by clicking the link in my profile or desktop users can click here for the recipe >> https://mamaharriskitchen.com/2021/06/pan-seared-shrimp-veggie-rice-bowl-vidalia-onions/ .

Also make sure to grab some Vidalia Onions from your local grocer before they are out of season in late August/early September.☀️
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This time of year I love warm, comforting recipes that are super easy and delish. This ridiculously easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a one pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes and uses already prepared rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor (and ease)! With a tasty blend of flavors and textures, it’s like a bowl full of comfort. 

Get the recipe by clicking the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen or just google “Mama Harris Kitchen Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup” 🍲 Enjoy!
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(AD) There has been a lot of cooking going on this year, so I’ve tried to make life a bit easier by getting creative with my leftovers. These pulled pork totchos are a great example of leftovers with a few key ingredients to create something new to keep our meals exciting. Adding a few key ingredients like @lamorenausa adobo peppers and jalapeños and carrots definitely livens up something simple. La Morena peppers are hand selected, using only the highest quality peppers to bring you authentic home style flavors of Mexico. I purchased my La Morena items from my local Safeway, but you can find them at your favorite grocery store in the international food section. #PayItForwardwithLM #VivaLaMorena #WeCanWithLaMorena 
 
INGREDIENTS:
- 32 oz tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend + Pepper Jack)
- 2 cups prepared bbq pulled pork (check my pulled pork sliders recipe!)
- 1/2 can La Morena Adobo Peppers & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sour cream 
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1 cup pico de Gallo
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 3 chopped green onions 
- 3-4 La Morena jalapeños and carrots, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare tater tots as instructed, in air fryer or oven. Heat oven to 450°. 
Cover the bottom of a large cast iron skillet with the cooked tater tots. 
Top with 1 1/2 cup of cheese. 
Combine the chopped adobo peppers and sauce with the prepared bbq pulled pork. Spread the pulled pork mixture on top of the tater tots, then top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
Top with sour cream, ranch, pico de Gallo, guacamole, green onions, and sliced jalapeños and carrots.

Enjoy!! 😋
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Happy December, all!! 🎄Since it’s basically Christmas now, it’s time to share ALL the holiday cookies! 

Every year I join my friend @natashanicholes as she heads up her #HousefulofCookies virtual cookie swap, where many of us share some sweet treats for the holiday season. 

This year I’ve created Cranberry Pistachio Citrus Cookies to share as my contribution. 🍪 I know that a lot of things have turned “virtual” throughout this year, but a little virtual bake-off is a fun way to connect with some of your favorite people!

For this recipe and many more, click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ❤️
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🚨This recipe is always popular after Thanksgiving! 🍗 
To find out how to make these delicious savory crêpes filled with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese and leftover shredded Turkey click the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen 😋
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So Thanksgiving is next week and we’re well into soup season, but I’m not willing to give up my Taco Tuesdays. 🌮 At this point we are choosing whatever makes us happy to get through the weeks, am I right? ❤️

If you’re looking for a quick dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes, on taco Tuesday or any other day really, try my baked Turkey tacos with black beans plus all the toppings that your heart desires! 😘
Click the link in bio at @mamaharriskitchen for the recipe!
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Hello Instagram fam! 💖 There’s some new faces around here and it’s been a while since I showed mine!

I’m Dawn, creator of Mama Harris’ Kitchen, and I’m so glad you’re here with me! In this space I share my family-friendly recipes for all occasions, whether it be a 30-minute meal for those busy weeknight dinners or a full spread for entertaining a crowd - and everything in between.

Mama Harris’ Kitchen began back in 2012, in fact it’s 8 years this month! 🥳  What started as a way to document my newfound cooking hobby while managing my “new” life as a stay-at-home wife and mom to a 1 and 3 year along with teens and preteens, and it quickly grew into what it is now - a recipe resource for busy families like mine that enjoy flavorful and comforting home-cooking using pantry staples along with fresh and local ingredients as often as possible. 

🍿Five fun facts about me:
1. I LOVE elephants! 🐘 I collect a lot of elephant items, whether it’s trinkets or  artwork, notepads etc. I love what elephants symbolize and I truly love anything elephant related.
2. I’m a total plant lady! 🌱 I have about 35 houseplants, give or take, and there’s still more on the list of wants. Plants have become such a peaceful outlet for me, and I feel that they really center me within my space. I love the element plants bring to your space and the feel of your home with them in it, and new leaves are so exciting!
3. I have seven tattoos and I have plans for about eight more. 💉 Those that know me aren’t surprised, but those that follow me here tend to find it a bit surprising. 🙃
4. I’ve been a mother for a long time, over half my life! I’ve also been a lot of different “types” of mom - teen mom, single mom, working mom, stepmom, stay at home mom, PROUD mom, military mom, mother in law - the list goes on. No matter what, motherhood looks different for everyone and there’s unique challenges and experiences each mother faces. Please be gentle with yourself! ❤️At the end of the day we’re all just trying our best!
5. I’m a bit of an introvert, and often struggle with the “social” aspect of social media. I tend to go silent sometimes, but I’m working on it.

☀️Thank you for joining me here!
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Did you know that the third Sunday of July is considered National Ice Cream Day? 🍦Not that we need an excuse to enjoy our favorite treat! You can make any day one to celebrate with my Birthday Cake Ice Cream! Full of rich creamy flavor, colorful sprinkles and maraschino cherries. 🍒 No “official” birthday needed to treat yourself!

Get the recipe now! Click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ✨
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