Hot dog! We're having seafood.

I've always been a fan of special meals for the kids. Like when we made meatloaf cupcakes topped with mashed potatoes for April Fool's Day, smiley-face pizzas, even grillin' cupcakes. But even crafty mommas are sometimes just too dang tired at the end of the day. And while my kids love real seafood, I do indulge their requests for tube steaks as well. With flair.


To make octopus dogs, start with a raw hotdog. Using a paring knife, carefully make a slice through the bottom 3/4 of the hotdog. Slice each half to make the legs. (And while I realize octopus have 8 legs, I can only manage six without cutting off a leg). If desired, twirl the knife tip to make two eyes and make a small "V" for a mouth. Place hotdogs in boiling water for several minutes until legs curl and heated through. Serve on a bed of (sea) shells n' cheese and decorate with goldfish crackers. Add a side of veggies or fruit slices. Then pour yourself a glass of wine, supermom.