New Year’s Day Interview

This year we will be doing an activity on New Year’s that will revisit and record some of E’s favorites from 2011.  I am not much of a scrapbook person, but I think I will keep this and put it up as one of those mommy items you want to hold on to!  

       

This is the New Year’s Interview.  Before New Year’s day go over the questions with your kiddo.  If they are old enough they can write their answers, but  I am going to let E draw pictures of her favorites.  

You will need the answers before New Year’s Day in order to get things in together.  Using the answers from the interview, have a day full of your kiddos favorite things.  Wake up with their favorite breakfast, treat them to their favorite games and movies, and wrap up the day with their favorite book before bedtime.  If you have more than one kiddo then you will have to spread around the favorites.  I am thinking about using some of mommy and daddy’s favorites with E just to have some family fun with it! 

I hope to make this a tradition in our house, and maybe it will become one in yours!

Clothespin Rudolph

Tis’ the season to be crafting.  As Christmas approaches, you will likely be crafting with your kiddo, but here is one simple activity you can make.  It involved glue, so E was super happy, and it was easy, so I was super happy!

You’ll need:

• A clothespin
• some googly eyes (we get an endless supply from the Dollar Tree)
• Red Pom Pom nose (I should by stock-I get these from Dollar Tree, too)
• Some brown pipe cleaners (Also at the Dollar Tree)

Directions:

• Cut a pipe cleaner in half.  Stick half a pipe cleaner through the metal ring of the clothespin and twist it into place.  You can twist two smaller pieces of pipe cleaner on to make “antlers”.
• Glue on the googly eyes. 
• Glue on the red pom pom

That’s it.  Easy Peasy.  I did put some magnetic strip on the back of ours and they are clips on our fridge now. 

Giving Idea: If your kiddo is glue happy like mine, make several of these and use them to clip gift tags on Christmas presents.  Family would probably like the sweet little addition, and they get a keepsake out of it. 

Family Night Idea:
Make the craft and this simple reindeer snack I found over at Be Different, Act Normal.   
How cute are those!  Settle the family in and watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, or read the classic story before bedtime. 

Can you tell I am all about EASY????  Seriously, E won’t remember what we made or did 30 years from now, but she will remember that WE made and did something together! 

Now, there is one more thing….why not craft with purpose this season?  Be sure and check out our post on the Truth in the Tinsel e-book and make a craft that teaches the real meaning of the season we are celebrating! 

Treasure Hunt!

Yo ho ye who be reading the blog!  This week be all about me hearties, those seafaring scavengers, PIRATES!  Arrgh!  (this all must be read with a Pirate accent or I sound ridiculous)

At first we were just going to have a quick little family time with a snack and a movie, but, this theme just offers TOO MUCH FUN!  So, while little E took her afternoon nap I put together this treasure map, which I made on some brown construction paper and then “aged” by crumpling and singing some of the edges with a match. 

I made our map based off our house, and when E woke up we put on her pirate hat (I made hers) and we unrolled her map.

 

We followed the directions to her treasure, which happened to be a copy of Veggie Tales: The Pirates who Don’t Do Anything.

           

Based on photographic evidence I think its safe to say it kept her attention! 

As a family we also snacked on these cute pirate themed snacks that I found over at Little Page Turners.  All you need to put them together are some bananas, a couple of strawberries, some chocolate chips and some cookie icing.  Easy peasy and super cute, (tasty, too!)

If you would like to have your own pirate fun, and you aren’t too crafty, you can download this pirate hat template and let the kiddos make their own before you watch your movie as a family!  

Have a great family night!

Ant Bites & Movie Night

This week we are learning all about Ants, so we had to make this oldie but goodie for our movie snack…Ants on a Log.

This snack can be made in several ways.  You can switch out the raisins for cranraisins, the peanut butter with cream cheese and/or the celery sticks with apple slices.   We went the traditional route.

Here is what you’ll need:  celery peanut butter raisins plastic knife if child is making them

Since you don’t really need step by step instructions I thought I would show how Lil’man created these by himself (with a little help from me):

Step 1:	Step 2:
He spread peanut butter into the celery.	Then he added raisins on top.
Step 3:	Step 4:
He made a few more.	Then he finally got to eat his creation! (He is such a poser!)

To end the night we watched a movie.  Below are a few movie suggestions.  If you have any others, please share in the comments.

Movie Ideas:

• Below you’ll find some possible movie ideas to fit our theme. 
• Use your discretion on what is appropriate for your child.  These movies are merely suggestions and you should read and consider reviews of these movies before watching them.
• Be sure and check Netflix if you have an instant streaming option.

Family Theme Night- Baseball

Take me out to the ballgame!  Woo Hoo! I don’t know about you, but baseball is one of my favorite sports.  I played it (well softball too) all the way through high school. 

Below you will find a list of suggestions and choices to create your own unique Family Theme Night.  Pick and choose as you please…remember this isn’t about all the stuff it is about spending time with your family. 

Meal: (Dinner, Desert or Both!)

• Concession stand favorites (hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, cracker jacks etc.) 
• Tiny Prints has an assortment of suggestions for Baseball Party Snacks, Desserts & More.

Activity/Game:

• Baseball Game- If you’re lucky enough to have a baseball team (college, minor league, little league, major league) then get out and enjoy the spring weather by taking in a game.

• Play Catch- Get outside and throw a baseball around or just practice hitting a few off a T.  

Watch a Movie:

 

Have a great time enjoying your family and making new memories.

Remember: These movies are merely suggestions and you should read and consider reviews of these movies before watching them.

Movie Night-The Rainforest

So this week we are learning all about the rainforest!  For our movie night we could have made one of these cool rainforest themed snacks….

Instead I made Rice Krispie Treats with E.  Believe it or not, tonight was the first time in my life I have made these tasty treats!  I’ve had them, but never been the chef behind them.  In case you in the same boat, you can make the recipe we did:

5 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
5 1/2 cups Krispy Rice Cereal 
4 1/2 Tablespoons of butter

Directions: Melt the butter over low heat.  Stir in the marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted.  Stir in cereal and mix until coated.  Pour into a baking dish coated with cooking spray (so it doesn’t stick) and let it sit until formed (or as long as you can resist temptation).  Eat them….they are GOOD.   

Now E helped me stir, pour, and mash the treats into the pan. 

She was also more than willing to help us eat them! 

There are a couple of movies out there for you to watch about the rainforest.
Since we have NetFlix, we used our instant streaming option to watch Barney’s Jungle Friends.  Be warned….you will have annoying “Jungle Adventure” songs in your head for hours. 

The Cat in the Hat series is also on NetFlix, and there is an episode where Nick and Sally visit the rainforest.  This 15 minute segment is great for little ones, or for you mommies and daddies who closely monitor TV time.  If you want some more ideas here are couple to check out. 

Remember, screen all of these for your kiddo before you sit down to enjoy them to decide if they are a good fit for your family. 

Have a great movie night!

Movie Night-T’was the Night Before Easter

This week we are working on some of our Easter stuff.  We have some plans for Easter, and our printables for the holiday will be up on Friday!  That being said, here is an idea for a family movie night you can have this holiday! 

Veggie Tales is a go to for our family movie nights.  I trust the guys at Big Idea, so when we stumbled upon the brand new Veggie movie, T’was the Night Before Easter, on our NetFlix instant queue, we were stoked!

 
E was mesmerized.  She is always pretty happy when we allow to watch an entire movie with us.  :)

Before we settled in to watch the movie we were in the kitchen, baking some cookies for our treat.  I didn’t go crazy with anything, we just made some break and bake cookies with bunnies on them.  Break and bake are a weakness for both of the 2 teaching mommies ;) 

Anyway, to make things a little more involved we made some homemade butter-cream icing to make “sandwich” cookies.  I would love to give you all the recipe for the icing I made.  Unfortunately, my mom taught me to make this by eyballing it.  That means that I don’t really have a “recipe”.  I use a stick of butter softened (don’t microwave it, you have to leave sitting out for awhile),  some powdered sugar, a small bit of milk (like a teaspoon), and a splash of vanilla.  You can always skip the homemade route and buy some of the good ole’ Pillsbury stuff. 

I let E mix it all together, and then, when the cookies were done, we sandwiched it between the cookies, and THEY WERE AMAZING.  The warm cookies, the gooey icing….

Jeff seriously said they were the best he had ever eaten. :)  Since they are so easy to make, I seriously recommend giving them a shot this Easter :) 

Hope you guys have a great movie night. 

Family Theme Night- Basketball

Now that the field is set and the danced cards are punched, it is time to make March Madness a family affair!  Yes, that is right it is time for a Basketball family theme night.  Can I hear your cheer?

Dribble it (clap, clap)
Pass it (clap, clap)
We made a basket! (clap, clap)

Below you will find a list of suggestions and choices to create your own unique Family Theme Night.  Pick and choose as you please…remember this isn’t about all the stuff it is about spending time with your family. 

Meal: (Dinner, Desert or Both!)

• Concession stand favorites (hot dogs, nachos, hamburgers, etc.)
  
• Basketball Cupcakes from Family Fun- You’ll probably want to make these ahead of time, but wouldn’t your kiddos love them.  Of course to make life easier all you need is sugar cookies and orange frosty.

Activity/Game:

• Basketball Drills- Get outside or head to an indoor basketball court.  Take some time to teach your kiddo some of your dribbling moves! 
• Basketball Game- Watching basketball on TV can be fun too.  Make sure to support your favorite college team by dressing in team colors or logo wear.
• Indoor Basketball- Place a wastebasket on the floor and use masking tape to mark distances from the basket. Get the kids to toss in balls made with scrunched up newspapers. See who can get the ball in from the furthest distance away. 

 

Craft:

I couldn’t find a lot of fun craft ideas. So, if you have any basketball crafts that you’d recommend please share in the comments!

Read a Book or Watch a Movie:

Have a great time enjoying your family and making new memories.

Remember: These movies are merely suggestions and you should read and consider reviews of these movies before watching them.

Family Theme Night- St. Patrick’s Day

We have been distracted with family happenings, so I haven’t been able to gather a variety of ideas for you, but below you will see our St. Patrick’s Day Family Theme Night from last year.  Hopefully, it will spark some ideas for you. 

Game: Pot of Gold Hunt.  For this activity we purchased the chocolate coins and “hid” them around the house.  I use the term hid loosely because in reality they were just lying around.  We did hide a small “pot” with lots of coins.

Art-n-Craft: M&M Rainbow (found my inspiration here). First we sorted out the colors then Lil’man glued them on to the corresponding color in the rainbow.

Music & Dance:  Irish Jig!  After striking it rich, we had to celebrate by doing an Irish Jig.  So, we popped in some Celtic music and got jiggy with it.
Food: Mint Chip Ice Cream. I am not a big fan of some of the Irish main dishes, so we settled for something green for dessert!
For Fun: To end the evening we enjoyed a green bubble bath.  (Not the best picture, but you get the idea.