December 10, 2009
Supplies:
Craft Sticks, Large and Regular Size
Green Markers or Paint
Glue
Sparkles or Glitter (available at craft store)
String or ribbon
Directions:
Have your child paint or color (with markers) 4-5 craft sticks. I used a pre-colored large craft stick for the base, but you could also paint or color that. My kids used markers, for time sake, but I think paint would be really cute too… When they have finished cut or break the craft sticks so they vary in size. Glue the craft sticks together to make a tree shape. Add sparkles, glitter, or construction paper shapes to decorate your tree. I let my boys glue and place their sparkles themselves. We also had to make pictures with sparkles when we were done because the sparkles were so popular! Let the tree dry for several hours. Once it is dry, flip it over and add a dot of glue, place the string in the dot and let it dry… In a few short hours you will have a very cute tree ornament, window decoration or fun gift!
December 9, 2009
I’m not sure where you live, but if you live in the midwest, you most likely got a visit from the snow fairy last night… This is what we woke up to this morning… As you can tell it is literally a picture from my front window (you can see the texture of the screen) because I didn’t really want to go out in my PJ’s…
Needless to say, I thought, WHAT CAN WE DO ON THIS FUN SNOW DAY???? Then I remembered SNOW ICE CREAM… Here are a couple recipes, YUM YUM…
OH, OBVIOUSLY you want to collect “fresh” snow… If it’s still snowing the best way to do this is to put out a bowl and collect it as it falls…
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #1
Ingredients:
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. cream
2 eggs
2 tsps vanilla
Pinch of salt
Place the above ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix with an electric mixer. Add fresh snow..approx 5 – 6 cups and mix in to blended mixture.
Eat immediately.
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #2
1 c. Half & Half
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
dash of salt
5 c. of fresh, clean snow
Combine all ingredients and enjoy!!
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #3
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1 gallon fresh clean snow
In a large bowl mix first four ingredients until smooth.
Gradually stir in snow until desired consistency.
Enjoy!
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #4
1 gallon snow
1 c. white sugar
1 TBSP vanilla extract
2 c. milk
Get a large bowl of fresh clean snow and stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then add just enough milk until it is the desired consistency.
Enjoy.
December 6, 2009
This weekend we celebrated my son’s third birthday. I asked him what kind of a party he wanted and he said “Frosty the Snowman”. Ever since last year when we watched it for the first time he has been obsessed with Frosty. I had really hoped we’d have enough snow to build a Frosty, but this year we had to make do with an indoor snowman party! Here are some pictures from the party!
We started by decorating with tissue paper snowballs. They are pretty easy to make (I’ll post the directions)…
I made Snowman cupcakes using marshmallows, orange gummy slices, chocolate jimmies, and toothpicks (pretzel sticks would work great too)…
We used coconut to decorate the plate like snow! So cute…
I made tacos for the adults, but made box lunches for the kids… I found these cute boxes at the craft store!
During the party I had the kids make a craft… They made their own “Frosty” picture with fun puffy stickers… The kids pictures were full of stickers and very appropriately decorated… 
We also decorated snowman cookies… My Sister in Law is a pastry chef and made these adorable cookies for the kids to decorate… I put all of the cookie decorating supplies on a plate for each child so they had everything they needed right in front of them. It created less mess and they turned out so cute! 
After a couple crafts, we had all the kids sit down and watch Frosty and they were surprisingly calm and quiet during the movie… This provided a little time for the adults to eat! When the movie was over we played a good old fashioned game called “toss the snowball”… We used cotton balls and the kids tried to toss them into the bowl. Near the end of this game my husband yelled “SNOWBALL FIGHT” and there were cotton balls flying all over the place! I think they would have played this 4-EVER… I also think I will be finding “snowballs” for the next several days….
We ended the night with a few party favors (Frosty the Snowman covered suckers and tree ornaments)… Sweet and simple!
Happy Birthday Little Buddy!
December 3, 2009
I always like to bring a little something for the “holiday party host” when invited for some holiday cheer… Here is idea of the day….
This album is available for purchase and/or download … It is MY FAVORITE holiday album of the season. Straight No Chaser also has an album from last year that I love just as much! We have a friend, Ryan, who sings in this A capella group and we had the opportunity to see them live last month! They are funny, entertaining and so talented. I highly recommend them as a stocking stuffer or holiday gift! To listen for free or for more information visit http://www.sncmusic.com/
November 30, 2009
HO HO HO… These Santa’s are super cute and super easy to make! You could make them on folded construction paper as a holiday card…. You could make them and laminate them as an ornament…. You can make them and hang them on your fridge or door to your garage… What ever you choose, they are simply adorable…
Step 1: I use Green or Blue construction paper size 9×11, but you choose!
Step 2: I used a paint brush and painted my little guys hands with white tempera paint which makes them giggle and I just love that sound!
Step 3: Carefully stamp their hand on the construction paper
Step 4: Draw and cut out a santa hat from red paper… Depending on the age of your children you can do this for them or they can do it themselves. Let them glue it on….
Step 5: I used cotton balls and let them dip it in the paint to decorate their hats. If you prefer you could let them glue cotton to the tip of the had and also to the rim.
Step 6: Draw or glue on eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks. I used eye stickers, but they could easily cut them out of paper, draw them with markers or even glue on googlies.
ADORABLE…
November 25, 2009
Another sure sign that the holiday’s are upon us is The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and their annual “Red Kettle Campaign”. There are so many amazing organizations out there to donate to and this is just one of them, but I think for children it is one that is easy to participate in. Every time I take the boys to Target or the grocery store, they see the “Ring-a-ling-ers” (that is what my boys call them) cheerfully ringing their bells no matter the temperature! Children always seem to have such BIG HEARTS and mine are no exception. When ever we see the Ring-a-lingers my boys want to put a little money in their kettle. Of course, being a busy mom, I am often in a rush or don’t have cash. I feel like this year my boys are old enough to recognize my selfish, lazy ways so I have a plan!
Step 1: Decide how much you’d be willing to donate to the Salvation Army ($10,$20, $30, $40, $50 etc..) Depending on the age of your children they may also have their own money they would like to donate.
Step 2: Go to the bank and get that amount of money in $1.00 bills
Step 3: Keep the $1.00 bills handy and every time you and your family pass by the Red Kettles give your children a dollar or two to donate.
Step 4: Talk to your kids about what their money is going towards… The Salvation Army is a charitable organization that helps care for the poor and homeless… Talk to them about those who might be less fortunate and how their dollar will help them in all sorts of different ways….
Times are not great right now and I know for many money is tight. Charitable giving is significantly down. But think of it this way, there are so many MORE people that will benefit from organizations like the Salvation Army this year and if we are able to donate even the smallest bit, we are not only helping those less fortunate, but we are teaching our children the importance of GIVING…
November 21, 2009
Today after breakfast I sat down with my boys (4 & 2) and asked them to tell me what they are thankful for. I got everything from bananas, horses, and toys to family and love. I jotted their answers down on paper “feathers” and let them use crayons to decorate them. The cutest part of the entire project was while they were coloring my husband came into the room and my oldest son said “Daddy, what are you thankful for?” VERY SWEET…
After they were done decorating their feathers, I taped each feather to a bamboo skewer. My idea was to push the feathers into a pie sized pumpkin that we had leftover from Halloween, but sadly they were a little softer than I liked. So instead I poked them into a squash (I would have gone out and bought another pumpkin but my thrifty husband suggested the squash)… I quickly cut out a face, eyes and beak from construction paper and attached them to the bottom of the squash and we have the cutest little Thanksgiving Centerpiece. It was very easy and very quick. Older children could write their own words etc.. and even draw and cut out their own faces.
I just love that it got them thinking about being thankful. On Thanksgiving I hope they will be just as excited to ask our relatives what they are thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 16, 2009
This time of year it seems we are hosting breakfasts and brunches just as much as we are hosting dinners… Here is a quick coffee cake recipe I got years ago from a coworker… It is made with two parts, the cake and the topping, it’s super easy and super fantastic! ENJOY…
Cake Ingredients:
1 cup cold water
1 box yellow cake mix
1 package instant butterscotch pudding
1 package instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
Cake Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients together and put it in a 9x 13 inch pan (ungreased). You will be adding the topping to this prior to baking it.
Topping Ingredients:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Topping Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and swirl the topping into the batter (which is in the cake pan).
Bake at 350′ for 45 minutes… ENJOY
November 11, 2009
Last year the boys and I made pumpkin pie play dough right before Thanksgiving and it was one of my favorite activities from the entire year! I am planning to do it with them again this weekend… It smells and looks like pumpkin pie, but it’s play dough… I highly suggest making it, it was so much fun! After it is made you can have them make little pies for the family, so cute! The recipe is below, originally from Family Fun Magazine…
Pumpkin Pie Play Dough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon veg oil
1 cup water
6 drops red food coloring
15 drops of yellow food coloring
Combine dry ingredients in a non-stick pan
Add oil, water, food coloring and whisk until smooth
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it forms a ball
Turn onto counter, let cool slightly, knead until smooth
November 10, 2009
Do you have co-workers or neighbors you’d like to “thank” this Thanksgiving? This is an idea that allows you to share your thankfulness on a small budget! Buy some Thanksgiving themed paper plates and napkins and wrap them up with a cute bow. Write a card or a note to go along with them saying something like; “I’m so THANKFUL for you! Use these plates and napkins to allow yourself a little more time with those you hold close this Thanksgiving” Or “Thanks for being such a great neighbor, enjoy some “extra” time with your family this Thanksgiving…” You get the idea!
Supplies:
