Merry Christmas Poppin's Style!

Looks like I am a bit behind on this whole blogging deal; although, I'm hoping I can devote more time to it in 2010!

In the meantime...A Late MERRY CHRISTMAS from me and the entire Poppin's Clan!
I had a wonderful time in Scottsdale, Arizona with my friends and family and am looking forward to a New Year with brand new blessings and mercy from the Lord.

In the spirit of "giving" at Christmas I thought I would share some great ideas on what Nanny's can get their families and what families can get their Poppins for gifts!

Great Gifts from Nanny to Family:
1. A Scrapbook of the previous year with the family
2. A gift from www.worldvision.org (I did this for the girls' birthdays)
3. A giftcard to a nice dining establishment for the Mr. & Mrs. with a FREE night of fun with the kids.
4. A bottle of wine and nice card for the Mr. & Mrs. and homemade gift certificates for special things (choose the dinner, one free hug etc) for the kids (I include cupcakes for something tangible!).

Great Gifts for Nanny (although, I must say I've loved EVERY gift I've ever been given by a family).
1. Massage gift certificates
2. Nanny T-Shirts (I've seen some really cute ones!)
3. Starbuck's Giftcards (Seriously, you can't go wrong here)
4. Soemthing from www.worldvision.org (You can't go wrong helping others)
5. A bonus! $$$$!!
6. Clothes (Especially if you pick out as rad of outfits as I got from the M family!)  I'd be careful on this one though...the M family had an uncanny ability to outfit me quite nicely but I don't think most families could!
7.  Framed drawings the kids designed for me (I would seriously love this!).

Do you have any ideas?  Comment!

Happy "Honca" Poppins Style

I found this delicious piece of artwork on the whiteboard at work today. "T" Poppins told me that she didn't know how to spell "Christmas" and therefore; she decided to write "Happy Hanukkah" instead!  Ahh...innocent Christmas Spirit! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Things at the "H" house are beginning to look rather festive!  

Check out the entire Poppins clan....

Santa at the Space Needle!

The kids and I are always looking for something new and exciting to keep us entertained in Seattle during the winter!  I would imagine other frigid parts of the country are no different.  Today I visited my local Starbucks (I'm suprised they don't charge me rent for the amount of time I spend here!) and I found this awesome activity:

Santa At The Space Needle

 

The coolest, hippest Santa Seattle has ever seen will be chillin' out with a couple of his elves at the top of the Space Needle this holiday season...Jolly St. Nick will be on the Observation Deck to meet and greet guests and take pictures with them in his shiny new ride.  After telling Santa what is on their wish list, kids are invited to visit the arts and crafts station and make a take home complinentary keepsake.

I picked up some FREE admission coupons (which can be used for 50% off adults as well).  Included is also a coupon for $5.00 off Santa's Brunch for Kids at SkyCity.  Score!  If you're a Nanny or Family in the Seattle area and are interested in spicing up the visit to Santa this year check it out!  I picked up my tickets at the Starbucks on 85th in Kirkland.

 

The World's BEST Homemade Cocoa...

I need to share this divine recipe with you all since the cold weather seems to making its home here in the Pacific Northwest!  This is a great treat to have for the kids when they come in from their snowman building/sled making adventures.

• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• Dash salt
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 4 cups (1 qt.) milk (I use Non-Fat/Organic Milk)
  
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Miniature marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream (I skip this part)
  

 Directions:

1. Stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do Not Boil.

2 Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings.

Seriously...who doesn't love hot chocolate?!

You can call me Poppins - Mary Poppins!

Welcome to A Modern Day Mary Poppins!  Whether you are a nanny or a family...I hope to make this blog useful to you.  Here you will find an often humerous account of my own personal journey, but also tips, links, ideas and all things related to the realm of this Nanny Nation we happen to live in!

A brief introduction - 

I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona as the daughter of two amazing parents (a hardworking dad and a stay at home mom).  I graduated with Honors and at the top of my class from CHS in Scottsdale.  I went on to pursue an AA-SR with Honors in Elementary Education, and as of December 17, 2009 will graduate yet again with a Honors BA in Psychology from Northwest University in Kirkland (Seattle) Washington!  I have worked as an in-home therapist for children with Autism and as a nanny and household manager for families from Scottsdale to Seattle.  I love what I do!

Welcome to this amazing journey!