Sorry for not posting yesterday but I was swamped with school parties, play dates and a haircut! But I'm back with a new activity for all to enjoy! Today's activity is a family favorite for sure and it can be done totally from scratch or you can go the easy and convenient route of store bought. It's time to make Christmas cookies!!!!!
As you bake together,or do any of these other activities, you'll begin to see that you have created a time for conversation. A great time to talk about what happened at school this week or what their favorite part of the Christmas season is..the topics are endless! Having something to do while you talk takes the pressure off and allows for easy conversation.
If you are not the patient type of you just don't have the time or energy to get out the mixer and sift the flour no sweat!!! Go to your local grocery store and get the refrigerated cookie dough, ready made frosting and some sprinkles. In about 30 minutes time you'll have decorated cookies and hopefully you would have made a memory.
For all of you ambitious baker types, start your mixers!!!! This is probably your VERY favorite thing to do and no doubt you have some traditional go to recipes that you like to use. So you probably need little encouragement if any! So for you guys, I have included a few of my favorite cookie recipes that I have gotten from some of my best girlfriends.
The first is Oreo Cookie Truffles (they are to DIE for!!!)
1 package of Oreo Cookies, crushed
1 8oz. block of Cream Cheese
1 package of white chocolate chips
1 small package of chocolate chips
Mix the two together by hand.
After they are mixed well, roll them into balls.
Melt the white chocolate and dip the balls into the chocolate.
Refrigerate for about 5 minutes then drizzle with melted chocolate chips.
The other recipe is for Praline Bars (these are amazing and addicting!!!)
1/3 of a 16oz. box of Graham Crackers
1 cup of butter (no substitutions!)
1/2 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of chopped pecans
1 package of chocolate chips (optional)
Break the graham crackers apart into 3 sections and line the bottom of a 10"x15" jellyroll pan. Bring butter and sugar to a boil and boil for 3 minutes and stir constantly. Pour evenly over crackers and sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan (this is where you sprinkle with chocolate chips if you like). Lift out with a spatula onto wax paper or foil to cool completely.
These are great recipes to wrap up in tissue and share with your neighbors unless you want to eat them all yourself! These are also great to take to a cookie swap at this time of year!
Happy Baking!!!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Let's go to the movies....
OK, so far all of my posts have been of the craft variety.... Well today is different (partly because I'm a little late in posting!!!!).
It's MOVIE NIGHT!!!!!
You're probably thinking how lame this idea is right about now. If you're anything like me, you probably put your kids in front of a movie to get things done. Besides, if you had the time to watch a movie (a pure luxury at this time of the year) you probably wouldn't pick one of the kid persuasion.
I'll be the first one to tell you that watching a movie is totally NOT my thing, I don't even like going to the movies all that much. So trust me when I say, this is an effort for me. So why do I do it? Because I'm learning that time truly flies when you become a parent. So if this is one small thing that I can do to make a holiday memory with them then that's what I need to do. So come on, you can do it!!!
Pop some popcorn, throw a Christmas movie in the DVD player if there's not one on TV tonight and get cozy with the kids on the couch! My kids like to throw in some hot chocolate as well, my guess is yours will to. One last suggestion: turn the lights out,the kids say it makes it look like the movie theater.
Need help with a movie, here's a few suggestions....
The Polar Express
The Grinch either the cartoon or the Jim Carey version
Jack Frost with Michael Keeton
The Santa Claus movies with Tim Allen
Elf with Will Ferrell
Charlie Brown Christmas
If you want to go out to the theaters, there are plenty of holiday movies out right now. Check out plugged in online for movie reviews and if your movie choice is appropriate for your kids.
It's MOVIE NIGHT!!!!!
You're probably thinking how lame this idea is right about now. If you're anything like me, you probably put your kids in front of a movie to get things done. Besides, if you had the time to watch a movie (a pure luxury at this time of the year) you probably wouldn't pick one of the kid persuasion.
I'll be the first one to tell you that watching a movie is totally NOT my thing, I don't even like going to the movies all that much. So trust me when I say, this is an effort for me. So why do I do it? Because I'm learning that time truly flies when you become a parent. So if this is one small thing that I can do to make a holiday memory with them then that's what I need to do. So come on, you can do it!!!
Pop some popcorn, throw a Christmas movie in the DVD player if there's not one on TV tonight and get cozy with the kids on the couch! My kids like to throw in some hot chocolate as well, my guess is yours will to. One last suggestion: turn the lights out,the kids say it makes it look like the movie theater.
Need help with a movie, here's a few suggestions....
The Polar Express
The Grinch either the cartoon or the Jim Carey version
Jack Frost with Michael Keeton
The Santa Claus movies with Tim Allen
Elf with Will Ferrell
Charlie Brown Christmas
If you want to go out to the theaters, there are plenty of holiday movies out right now. Check out plugged in online for movie reviews and if your movie choice is appropriate for your kids.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Activity #3
Here's a great one that never gets old!!
GINGERBREAD HOUSES!!!!!!!
You can go about this in a couple of different ways. First you can go the quick route which is going to the grocery store and buying one that is pre-assembled and all you have to do is put the decorations on. This is great for younger kids or if you don't have a lot of time or patience (which is common this time of year!!). Grocery stores usually carry the small ones while Costco or Sam's Club will carry bigger ones. These kits can also be purchased at Williams-Sonoma at a few different price points. The general rule is small one for one kid and the bigger one for multiple kids. My four worked on a Costco one and had it finished in about 30 minutes with very little help from me! They had an absolute blast and each had their own part to work on.
Another way to go is the Martha Stewart way, you go girl if this is how you roll!!!! Bake gingerbread and cut out each individual shape. Once they've cooled you can assemble and decorate it. You can purchase a Gingerbread House mold on-line to bake your batter in (if some of you Martha's don't already own one!) that will leave it with lots of detail for you to use as a guide when decorating. You can also use graham crackers held together with frosting but these tend to be a little flimsy and hard to decorate.
Then finally, if you have a budding little artist in the family like I do there's this option!!! This one will take the course of two days...yes, you read this correctly 2 days. So if you have no time or patience, this is NOT the option for you :) !!! My daughter, Claire, did this in her art class. They cut out pieces of cardboard and hot glued them together in the shape of a house, complete with chimney. Once they dried really well they decorated them with real royal icing and candies. She had a blast doing this and did the majority of it on her own. If you choose to go this route, I highly recommend parental supervision on the cutting and hot gluing. You may want to have your child draw out the shapes for YOU to cut out. Do these steps the night before you want to decorate so it has a chance to sit for awhile and let the glue dry completely.
Suggested materials to use for decorating:
Big Marshmellows
Red Hots
Peppermints
Icing (ready made in the tub or make your own royal icing)
Butterscotch rounds or any other solid color round candies
Starburst candies, they can be stretched and rolled out to use on roofs
Ice Cream Cones can be placed upside down and used as Christmas trees
Gumdrops
Food coloring to tint your icing if you like
Candy Canes
I'm providing you with links for the Williams-Sonoma houses, the molds and the icing. I have not used the molds or the recipe for the icing so if you go this route, let me know how it goes so I can do it next year.
Have so much FUN!!! Enjoy this time with your kids because as I'm finding the time goes by fast. My oldest is already 11 years old!
GINGERBREAD HOUSES!!!!!!!
You can go about this in a couple of different ways. First you can go the quick route which is going to the grocery store and buying one that is pre-assembled and all you have to do is put the decorations on. This is great for younger kids or if you don't have a lot of time or patience (which is common this time of year!!). Grocery stores usually carry the small ones while Costco or Sam's Club will carry bigger ones. These kits can also be purchased at Williams-Sonoma at a few different price points. The general rule is small one for one kid and the bigger one for multiple kids. My four worked on a Costco one and had it finished in about 30 minutes with very little help from me! They had an absolute blast and each had their own part to work on.
Another way to go is the Martha Stewart way, you go girl if this is how you roll!!!! Bake gingerbread and cut out each individual shape. Once they've cooled you can assemble and decorate it. You can purchase a Gingerbread House mold on-line to bake your batter in (if some of you Martha's don't already own one!) that will leave it with lots of detail for you to use as a guide when decorating. You can also use graham crackers held together with frosting but these tend to be a little flimsy and hard to decorate.
Then finally, if you have a budding little artist in the family like I do there's this option!!! This one will take the course of two days...yes, you read this correctly 2 days. So if you have no time or patience, this is NOT the option for you :) !!! My daughter, Claire, did this in her art class. They cut out pieces of cardboard and hot glued them together in the shape of a house, complete with chimney. Once they dried really well they decorated them with real royal icing and candies. She had a blast doing this and did the majority of it on her own. If you choose to go this route, I highly recommend parental supervision on the cutting and hot gluing. You may want to have your child draw out the shapes for YOU to cut out. Do these steps the night before you want to decorate so it has a chance to sit for awhile and let the glue dry completely.
Suggested materials to use for decorating:
Big Marshmellows
Red Hots
Peppermints
Icing (ready made in the tub or make your own royal icing)
Butterscotch rounds or any other solid color round candies
Starburst candies, they can be stretched and rolled out to use on roofs
Ice Cream Cones can be placed upside down and used as Christmas trees
Gumdrops
Food coloring to tint your icing if you like
Candy Canes
I'm providing you with links for the Williams-Sonoma houses, the molds and the icing. I have not used the molds or the recipe for the icing so if you go this route, let me know how it goes so I can do it next year.
Have so much FUN!!! Enjoy this time with your kids because as I'm finding the time goes by fast. My oldest is already 11 years old!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas Activities...
Here we go with day 2 of Christmas activities!!! This one I put together last night for my own bunch to discover this morning with their Elf on the Shelf, named Buddy.
I searched "fun Christmas facts" and jokes on the internet last night and read through some of them and then picked ten that I liked. The cornier the jokes and facts the better! I put together a ten ring paper chain that I made from scrapbook paper. On the inside of each ring I wrote a fun Christmas fact or a joke for them to read each day as we count down the last 10 days before Christmas! It must have been a hit because they all fought over who got to tear the piece of chain off and read it. Or I guess they may have been fighting just to fight.. Anything goes at this house!
For younger kids who aren't that interested in crazy jokes and fun facts, you can go to DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids. Print off a different coloring sheet for your child to color for the last 10 days until Christmas. This can also be done as a coloring book, adding a new page to a binder ring each morning. You may consider making duplicate books (if you have that kind of time) to take in the car as you travel over the holidays. Throw in some crayons and you are all set!
Enjoy!
I searched "fun Christmas facts" and jokes on the internet last night and read through some of them and then picked ten that I liked. The cornier the jokes and facts the better! I put together a ten ring paper chain that I made from scrapbook paper. On the inside of each ring I wrote a fun Christmas fact or a joke for them to read each day as we count down the last 10 days before Christmas! It must have been a hit because they all fought over who got to tear the piece of chain off and read it. Or I guess they may have been fighting just to fight.. Anything goes at this house!
For younger kids who aren't that interested in crazy jokes and fun facts, you can go to DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids. Print off a different coloring sheet for your child to color for the last 10 days until Christmas. This can also be done as a coloring book, adding a new page to a binder ring each morning. You may consider making duplicate books (if you have that kind of time) to take in the car as you travel over the holidays. Throw in some crayons and you are all set!
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Activities...
It's the time of the year when a few crafts might actually be your saving grace!!! Kids will be out of school for the holidays at the end of the week and it won't be long before you hear those famous words: "I'm bored!". So I thought I would give you a few activities each day that may come in handy.
Painted Glass Ornaments
This is one of my kids' all time favorite Christmas crafts! We learned this from a great first grade teacher that my daughter had when she was in first grade and now my youngest son has the privilege to be in her class as well. My kids range in age from 11 years old all the way down to four years old. So this is truly a craft for any age!!! The only help you need to provide is with the four year old and younger crowd. You will need to pour in their paint and help them roll it around. This can be done in about 15 minutes or less!
Supplies:
Clear glass ornaments
Acrylic paints in assorted colors
A place-mat or other material that can get dirty
Sharpie marker
Take the top off of the ornament and choose 3 paint colors. Squirt a tablespoon or so of paint into the bottom of the ornament. Do the same with the next two colors. When you have completed this part, begin to roll the ornament on a hard surface. This will begin to swirl your colors and create a design. When you're finished rolling place your ornament upside down in a plastic cup so that the excess paint can drain out. You will want to check on this periodically throughout the day to make sure that paint has not dried over the opening of the ornament. If it has, simply remove it with a damp paper towel and continue with the drying process in the plastic cup. After about two days you should be able to put the top back on. Use the Sharpie to label the ornament with your child's name and the date. Finallly, hang it on your tree!
Alternative to paints:
Use the Sharpie marker to create designs on the outside of the ornament. Then to add color on the inside, shred some tissue paper or any other filler you may have on hand.
Enjoy!
Hopefully this will help in the creating memories side of the holidays. It's totally low maintenance and can be done in as little as 15 minutes, it's totally up to you and how long you want to spend!
Painted Glass Ornaments
This is one of my kids' all time favorite Christmas crafts! We learned this from a great first grade teacher that my daughter had when she was in first grade and now my youngest son has the privilege to be in her class as well. My kids range in age from 11 years old all the way down to four years old. So this is truly a craft for any age!!! The only help you need to provide is with the four year old and younger crowd. You will need to pour in their paint and help them roll it around. This can be done in about 15 minutes or less!
Supplies:
Clear glass ornaments
Acrylic paints in assorted colors
A place-mat or other material that can get dirty
Sharpie marker
Take the top off of the ornament and choose 3 paint colors. Squirt a tablespoon or so of paint into the bottom of the ornament. Do the same with the next two colors. When you have completed this part, begin to roll the ornament on a hard surface. This will begin to swirl your colors and create a design. When you're finished rolling place your ornament upside down in a plastic cup so that the excess paint can drain out. You will want to check on this periodically throughout the day to make sure that paint has not dried over the opening of the ornament. If it has, simply remove it with a damp paper towel and continue with the drying process in the plastic cup. After about two days you should be able to put the top back on. Use the Sharpie to label the ornament with your child's name and the date. Finallly, hang it on your tree!
Alternative to paints:
Use the Sharpie marker to create designs on the outside of the ornament. Then to add color on the inside, shred some tissue paper or any other filler you may have on hand.
Enjoy!
Hopefully this will help in the creating memories side of the holidays. It's totally low maintenance and can be done in as little as 15 minutes, it's totally up to you and how long you want to spend!
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