Some "milestones" should not be rushed into.

This sad story started making the rounds on Facebook...an example of what NOT to do.

 3 year old killed in accident...was in wrong carseat for age/weight.

This is very sad...nothing anyone says will make that family feel better. But in the hopes of saving others.... THIS IS NOT NEW! The recommendations changed a long time ago. There is NO RUSH to move your child to a booster, this is one milestone that you don't want to brag to your friends about. "Hey you guys Jr is now in a booster he is only 3 1/2 but he weighs 38 pounds so we did it." You might as well say "Jr is not as safe in an accident, but it'll be alright he loves looking like such a big boy." Kids are safer in a 5pt harness. The MINIMUM to move from a convertible seat to a booster is 40 lbs, also the min. to let a child out of a booster is age of 8 years old and 4'9". And since I am on my soapbox, babies should remain rear facing until 2...even longer if they are on the smaller side. I don't know about you but minimum is not enough for my kids. My almost 45 lbs 4 1/2 year olds are still in a 5 pt harness and will be until they out grow it. Jericho is 2 and 27 lbs, and still rear facing. They make seats with much higher limits now, our seats go to 80 lbs in a 5pt....and as long as they don't out grow the height limits before they hit that I will leave them until they hit 80 lbs. Sorry if it is more of a hassle, or it doesn't fit well in your car, or it makes the people sitting in the seat in front of the child squished, or Jr cries nonstop. Are any of these reasons worth your childs life? NO. These kinds of accidents shouldn't happen.

OK off my soapbox. Here is tonight's crock pot menu.

Meatloaf:

2 lbs lean ground beef

2 eggs

1/3 c+ quick oats

1/3 c+ seasoned bread crumbs

1 envelope Onion Soup Mix

A good squirt of ketchup

a good dash of Worcestershire sauce

Mix and put in the crock pot on low for about 6 hours. Oh, to get this out easy, fold some aluminum foil into 2 thick strips and crisscross them in the bottom of the crock first. When it's done, you just grab the 4 pieces of foil that are sticking out and it pulls right out.

Whisk 1/4 c ketchup, 2 tbs brown sugar, 1 teasp mustard, and 1/2 teasp worcestershire sauce in a small bowl; spoon sauce over meat loaf. Return to slow cooker and cook on Low until heated through, about 15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Side...

We also tried something new instead of mashed potatoes.

• 4 cups chopped cauliflower
• 2 tbsp light cream cheese
• 2 tbsp light sour cream
• 1 tbsp skim milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp low-sodium chicken bouillon granules
• 1 tsp chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the cauliflower in a large pot of water. Drain well. Add next 3 ingredients and blend until smooth in a food processor.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.

 Mashed potatoes it is not, but it wasn't bad actually.