Tip Of The Day

A corner cut from a used envelope and slipped over the last page you read makes an excellent bookmark.

Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic

Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic
By Christine Steendahl

Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic-----Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family should join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, all ideas are vital. If you have children, don?t forget to pack items for entertainment and in case of emergencies.

Let's start with safety. No matter what the venue for the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Take along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit can come in handy for the rest of the group.

If the picnic is late enough that it could run into evening, flashlights are a good idea. They keep older kids from wandering off and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra illumination will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.

If you are near the woods or at the beach, take along sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter what their age. Waterproof sun block won't wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes at bay in the late evening. When possible, take sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and decorate them prior to you family picnics.Sticky hands are a way of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, buy some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work wonders to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs in the absence of soap and water. Check the box to see if the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.

Remember blankets and toys. Kids may want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can monitor them. Sitting directly in the grass may make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a nusance, playing in the grass is not a good idea.Since children can get bored rather easy, bring a variety of things for them to do. Kids who don't want to run around may enjoy board games. You?d be amazed at how a game of Scrabble? or Monopoly? can pass the time. Older kids can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails. Kids love to picnic. Good food and good times can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few ultimate supplies can keep your picnic an enjoyable family event.

For more excellent child friendly picnic ideas from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", check out http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/article-picnic-idea.htm

Tip Of The Day

Place bay leaves in kitchen drawers and in flour and sugar sacks to keep crawling insects away.

Tip For The Day

Vinegar and water will remove salt stains from shoes and boots.

Tip Of The Day

Perk up soggy lettuce by soaking in cold water with some lemon juice. To store place in a zip lock bag with paper towel to absorb moisture.

Tip Of The Day

Before you wear a new garment, put a little clear nail polish on the front and back of each button. Buttons will stay on longer when their threads are sealed.

The Cheese Stands Alone

Humor

The Cheese Stands Alone by © Lisa Barker

Have you ever really paid attention to children's nursery rhymes and songs? They can be downright twisted and scary, if not plain dumb.

Recently, my husband and I had to take our three-year-old Becca Boo in for an EEG. In order to calm and distract her from the electrodes they were attaching to her head, they played some kiddie music.

A verse from one of the songs went: The old man never said his prayers, so they grabbed him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs!

Holy cow! With verses like that, it's no wonder our daughter had some serious concerns about the procedure she was undergoing. Like, "Mom, do you REALLY think this nurse is a safe person for me to be around? Just listen to her taste in music!"

And then there is The Farmer in the Dell. It starts out with the farmer taking a wife, then the wife taking a nurse and the nurse taking a baby and so on until you go through a string of animals, ending with the mouse taking the cheese and then.the cheese stands alone.
What does this really mean?

Is the cheese the hero in this song? Is it striking a heroic pose atop the wheat silo, red cape flowing, to protect the innocent farm people?

Or was it stinky cheese? Couldn't the cheese take a cracker? And if it did, what would the cracker take? Milk?

What if the cheese decided to take wine instead? Did they leave that part out because they thought encouraging children to drink alcohol is inappropriate.but encouraging homicide (like with the old man who didn't say prayers) is okay?

Maybe the cheese takes the wine and then goes on a tear around the farm, running the Farmer's wife's panties up the silo. Maybe the cheese is a code name for the family uncle.the one nobody likes to talk about. Maybe that's why he stands alone.

You know, one of the nursery songs that always concerned me as a kid was the so called lullaby Rock-a-bye Baby. Just when the song gets you all settled and drowsy, the bough breaks and down comes baby cradle and all. What is this?? What mom really thinks singing about dangerous situations is going to reassure a child that all is well with the world and she can fall asleep in complete trust?

Was this the song mothers invented when they'd plain had ENOUGH of their children and wanted some peace and quiet OR ELSE?

Was it one of those subliminal message songs? Kid, you better get some shut-eye or I'm gonna shut those eyes good and fine myself!

That's about as reassuring as this bedtime prayer we all know so well. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Die??? I'm gonna die??? While I'm sleeping??? Does that mean I'll never wake up again? Is this what my parents hoped for?

It's no surprise to me that children don't like this prayer. I'm thinking that Grimm and many others had it in for kids. But what amazes me is that even today, with everyone armed with pop psychology, so many of these cruel rhymes, songs and stories are repeated for children. It's GOT to be acceptable because it remains one of the perks for parents. How else are you going to get even with the little darlings and not get arrested by the Parenting Police?
Meanwhile, kiddies, let me tell you about this little girl with a red cape and a basket of goodies that she's taking to Grandma's house.

About the Author: Lisa Barker writes amid the chaos and confusion of a busy household. Mom to five kiddos and nine cats, she finds plenty of material to keep the grins and laughs coming. You can read more fun, contact Lisa and sign up for a free subscription at http://www.jellymom.com

Daughters Driving

Daughters Driving - My daughters are driving. Let me explain what this means. It means that two teenage girls whose primary method of observation is "distraction" are out there aiming tons of metal at everything moving. When you see one of my daughters approaching, do not panic. You should (a) pull your vehicle over to the side of the road, and (b) lie face-down in a ditch.

Tip Of The Day

Ant Control: Spread some ground cinnamon where you think the ants are coming in to the house.

Tip Of The Day

For longer lasting pantyhose, try freezing them before you wear them. Just wet, wring out and toss in a plastic bag to freeze. Thaw and hang to dry.

Laundry Day

Laundry Day - As usual, I'm the one who was blamed for the recent family crisis, even though, as readers of this column well know, I am a sensitive and humble wife who is right pretty much 100 percent of the time.

Mother's Meatloaf

Mother's Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion chopped
1/2 c. ketchup
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/4 c. crushed Ritz crackers
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and bake in a loaf pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Yummy! Serve with mashed potatoes and a large green salad.

On The Light Side With Humor

On the Light side with Humor

As soon as you pass the last rest-stop for the next 90 miles, someone will need to stop.

At birthday parties, parents are usually early to drop off their kids, and late to pick them up.

The child you are currently dealing with is always treated more unfairly than his siblings.

The child you are currently dealing with is always required to do more work than his siblings.

You no longer have to lock up your favorite candy stash. Just put it on the stairs under the folded laundry and no one will touch it.

If a kid suddenly offers to do dishes or clean the house, it is either for money or credit for a school project.

I don't have to use a road map-- I can just use the veins on my legs.

If I had to choose one voice in the world to have instead of my own, it would be Daddy's.

Your teens get more enjoyment out of watching you cry at the sad parts of the video than they do in watching the video.

Hearing your three teens singing their way through the hymnbook "just for fun" is more gratifying than any CD you will ever buy.

"An object at rest tends to stay at rest" is a law written to describe the contents of your child's bedroom.

"An object in motion tends to stay in motion" is a law written by a parent with toddlers.

I've learned to quickly tell the difference between a good disposable diaper and a bad one.

If you say, "It looks like I'll get to bed early tonight," you won't.

A child's thank-you letter takes 25 times as long to formulate as a Christmas/birthday wish list.
There is no use crying over spilled baby cereal on a wicker chair.

The people that know best how you should be raising your kids are never free to baby-sit.

An Emmy is never more deserved than by a child just asked to clean her room.

Fridges were designed because children needed a cardboard box big enough to make a slide or playhouse.

Every parent possesses many valuable pieces of artwork that didn't cost them a thing.

Your child driving at 50 miles an hour is suddenly much faster than when you drive at 50 miles an hour.

When you help your children with their math homework, you suddenly realize how little you learned in math.

The bags under your eyes do not disappear until at least three years after the birth of your last child.

Mothers alone hold the secret recipe for refilling ice-cube trays.

Tip Of The Day

Wax paper is endlessly useful. Use it: To catch grated cheese, to place under seasoned flour for breading or spices for blackening, to tear into strips to slip under a cake you are icing, to cover a dish you are microwaving.

Easy Bunny Cake

Easy Bunny Cake

SUBMITTED BY: Joni Ehman PHOTO BY: HoschPosch

"A simple version of a coconut white cake shaped like a bunny head! "

PREP TIME 45 Min
COOK TIME 40 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 25 Min

INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 3/4 cups flaked coconut
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla frosting
30 small jellybeans
4 red licorice

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven and prepare two 9 inch round baking pans as directed on cake box. Prepare cake batter with as directed on package adding in 1/2 cup of coconut. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake and cool cake as directed on package.

When cooled, place one whole 9 inch cake layer on serving tray, forming the bunny's head. Cut 2 convex shaped ears from each side of the second layer, place on each side of head to form ears. Use concave shaped piece for the bowtie, place about 1/2 inch below head.

Frost entire bunny covering top and sides of bunny. Pat remaining 3 1/4 cup coconut evenly over top and sides. Decorate the bunny face and bowtie with jellybeans and use the licorice to make whiskers

Creating a Healthy Easter Basket for your Child

Creating a Healthy Easter Basket for your Child

With childhood obesity rates on the rise, this may be the year to try something new for your child's Easter basket. This year, consider buying healthy snacks instead of only candy. Low-calorie or low-fat options don't have to taste bad, and your child may just find a new favorite snack.

Consider Toys for Treats
Keep in mind that you don't just have to stick to edible treats. According to my kids, you can never have too many toys. An Easter basket is about getting a special treat. No one said those treats had to be in the form of candy. Small hand-held electronic games are available at many stores for a reasonable price. For the younger set, try dolls or action figures for great Easter options.

Jelly Beans vs Dried Fruit
Jelly beans taste great, but are packed with sugar. Dried fruit offers nutrition and taste in the same bite-sized portions as jelly beans. Ocean Spray® makes a snack called Craisins®. They are dried sweet cranberry snacks, and come in a variety of different flavors. Also, Sun-Maid®, best known for their raisins, makes dried fruit treats, as well as yogurt- and chocolate-covered raisins. My personal favorite is chopped dates. Try replacing your child's jelly beans with dried fruit this year. Your kids won’t believe that they’re eating something that’s good for them, and you'll have the satisfaction of feeding them a healthy treat.

Snack Size vs Regular Size
If you do choose to add candy to your child's basket, smaller is better. Choose snack-sized morsels like mini sized candy bars or Peppermint Patties®. These candy treats are lower in calories than other, larger, choices. Add three or four for a sweet treat in your child's basket instead of chocolate bunnies or large cream eggs.

Store Bought vs Homemade Treats
We all enjoy going to the store and sweets and snacks, but do you really know what’s in the foods you're eating? Many marketable treats started in someone’s kitchen, and were homemade at one time. Rice Krispy treats®, for example, used to always be homemade. The recipe was on the cereal box long before they became a pre-packaged snack item in the store. Take the time to make healthy low-fat treats for your child's basket. When you know ingredients are in your food, you feel better about serving it to your kids.

Easter baskets don’t have to be chock full of sugar to be enjoyable. Healthy additions provide holiday fun without sacrificing taste.

Article Source: Christian Work From Home Moms- Faithful Grannies

Mother Teresa's Favorite Sayings

Mother Teresa's Favorite Sayings

I work for the people, because I feel I must do something.

People are generally irrational, unreasonable and selfish. They deserve to be loved, anyway.
It's law of nature that the good you do, will be forgotten tomorrow. But the good work must be carried on.

Your honesty and frankness will expose you to problems but your work should not stop for it means the world to so many people.

Years of your hard work may be destroyed overnight, that should not deter you from building upon your hard work.

Despite giving your best to the world, you may be kicked in the teeth. Give the best you've got anyway.

Places like Calcutta can be seen all over the world if you have eyes to see.

Developed countries suffer from poverty of understanding, poverty of will, of loneliness, of lack of love and spirit. There is no greater disease in the world today than this.

When you don't have anything, then you have everything.

The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.
It is not the size of our actions but the amount of love and care that is put into them that matters.

You should never lose heart. God is merciful and kind- he has endowed you with the best gift- smile, which can make millions happy.

Show kindness through your face, your eyes, your smile and through the warmth of your greetings. You must bear a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.

Mexican Bean Pie

Mexican Bean Pie

SUBMITTED BY: ADELE21 PHOTO BY: Kristen

"A quick easy tortilla pie filled with a spicy bean and veggie filling. You can replace the Cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or any other cheese you like. Top the pie with sour cream and your favorite salsa. Add extra fiber to your diet by using whole wheat tortillas!"

PREP TIME
15 Min
COOK TIME
30 Min
READY IN
45 Min

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
1/2 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
ground black pepper to taste
5 (10 inch) whole wheat tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup salsa (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch round cake pan or springform pan.

2.In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, mix black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, olives, corn, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper. Season with cumin, chili power, and black pepper. Cook and stir until thickened, about 10 minutes.

3.Lay one tortilla flat on the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Spread 1/4 of the bean mixture on the tortilla. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese lightly over the bean mixture. Repeat layering, ending with a tortilla. Top with remaining Cheddar cheese.

4.Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with salsa and sour cream for garnish

Easter Crafts You Can Do with Your Kids

Easter Crafts You Can Do with Your Kids

Easter is a good time to make fun crafts that can then be displayed throughout the Spring season. Here are three ideas for fun crafts that your kids can make with a little help.

Egg Maracas

You will need:
Plastic eggs
Glue
Rice, BB pellets, or marbles (filling material)
Enamel craft paint
Newspaper
Paint brushes
Bowls of water

Clear a space on the table and cover with newspaper. Each child will need a bowl of water, a paint brush, and a few plastic eggs.

1. Choose a filling material for the egg.

2. Once the filling has been added, dribble a thin line of white glue around the egg opening. Snap the egg shut. Wipe off any excess glue with a paper towel and some water.

3. After the glue dries, let the children choose a paint color to decorate their eggs.

4. Let the eggs dry on newspaper until the glue has hardened.

Tissue Paper Easter Bouquets

You will need:
Tissue paper in assorted colors
Green pipe cleaners (eight per child)
Styrofoam blocks (optional)
Plastic or glass vases
Safety Scissors
Ribbon in assorted colors

Clear a space on the kitchen table and give each child a vase, 8 pipe cleaners, and a pair of safety scissors.

1. Pick the colors for the flowers from the tissue paper pile.

2. Have the children take several sheets of paper. Roll them up together. Wrap one end of a pipe cleaner around the center of the tissue paper and twist to secure it. This will form the flower.

3. Separate each sheet of paper, creating folds. Pull the edges up so that they surround the end of the pipe cleaner. If the paper is too long, cut it down.

4. Continue making flowers until the bouquet is finished. Wrap a piece of ribbon around the flowers.

5. The flowers can now be placed in the vase. If you want to keep them from falling out of the vase, stick the free end of the pipe cleaner into a piece of Styrofoam that has been cut to fit the bottom of the vase.

Easter cards

You will need:
Card stock paper
Markers
Stickers (Easter themes)
Scissors
Glue
Construction paper

1. Cut the paper to the size wanted for the Easter cards. Fold the paper in half. The children can also cut the paper into shapes like eggs or bunny rabbits.

2. Decorate the outside of the card with pictures and/or stickers.

3. Using a marker, have the children write their own special greeting on the inside of the cards.

Craft making is even more fun when shared with the whole family. Consider adding seasonal crafts to your daily or weekly routine, instead of saving them just for holidays.

Article Source: Faithful Grannies- Chrisitan Work From Home Moms and Grandparents

More Recipes for Babies

Banana Farina

1 small ripe banana1 cup unsweetened applesauce2 cups Cream of Wheat farina2 1/2 cups water1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)Boil water in a medium-size pot. Stir in the farina. Cook until the cereal is thick (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes. Put cereal, banana, applesauce and sugar into a blender. Blend until smooth. If the cereal is not cool enough, let cool. Add cereal to a bowl.


Zwieback Biscuits

For 10 months or older.1/2 cup formula or breast milk (whole milk for babies over 12 months)1 envelope active dry yeast1/4 cup granulated sugar1/4 cup melted butter1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground anise (or cinnamon)3 unbeaten eggs3 cups unbleached flour (may use white, but it has less nutrients)
Heat the formula or milk until very hot, but not boiling (scald). Set aside and let it cool to lukewarm.
Add yeast to the milk. Stir until well blended and let it rest for 6 minutes.Add the sugar, butter, anise (or cinnamon) and eggs. Stir until well blended. Add enough flour to handle the dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth, adding flour as needed. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into strips 1 inch wide, then cut the strips to 3 inches long. Place on a buttered cookie sheet, 1 and a half inches apart. Let rise again for 30 minutes.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake biscuits for 20 minutes. Set on wire rack to cool.
Makes about 18.


Chicken and Rice For 10 months or older.

1/4 pound ground chicken*1/2 cup peeled and chopped zucchini1/2 cup sweet potato, peeled and chopped1/4 cup frozen, fresh or canned corn1/2 teaspoon parsley1 cup long grain, enriched rice3 cups water
Boil chicken in water for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Mash or purée to serve.


Pedialyte Substitute

1/2 teaspoon table salt1/4 teaspoon salt substitute1/2 teaspoon baking soda2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Mix all in 1 liter of boiled water.
Feed 1 liter daily to supplement the regular nutrition of a baby six months or older with severe diarrhea.

Toddler SlushiesFor 18 months or older.

Ice Fruit juice or juice concentrateCrush ice in blender to make snow. Use an ice cream scoop to shape and pack “snowballs” and place in bowls or use paper cups for easy cleanup. Pour fruit juice or juice concentrate over snowballs.

Vegetable Custard

Source:
The Complete New Guide to Preparing Baby Foods - Sue Castle (Bantam Books)For babies 6-12 months.
1 teaspoon butter or margarine1 teaspoon whole wheat or enriched flour1/4 cup hot milk1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk1 large egg, beaten1/2 cup cooked, mashed vegetables
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 custard cups.Melt butter in medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Gradually add hot milk and nonfat dry milk. Cook and stir until thickened. Stir a small amount of hot sauce into egg in small size bowl, then mix egg into rest of sauce. Add mashed vegetables. Pour mixture into custard cups. Place the cups in a pan of hot water that comes up to level of mixture. Bake 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Store covered in the refrigerator.


Teething Sticks

2/3 cup milk4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled1 tablespoon brown sugar1 cup plain, untoasted wheat germ1 cup whole wheat flour
Beat together the milk, butter and sugar. Stir in the wheat germ and enough flour to make a dough. Knead until smooth and satiny, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Pinch off balls of dough and roll them into sticks about 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches long. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until browned and hard.Yields 20.

Rice Pudding For 6 to 9 months.

1 cup cooked rice1 cup warmed milkCouple drops vanilla extract1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Combine all ingredients. Cook very gently for 10 minutes until the rice is heated through. Check the temperature before serving.


Chicken Stew For 10 months and older.

1 medium potato, peeled and chopped1 cup water1/4 pound ground chicken (may use boneless breast cut into cubes if it will be puréed)1 carrot, peeled and chopped1/2 cup yellow squash or summer squash, peeled and chopped1/4 cup prepared barley (prepared according to package directions)Bring chicken and water to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.Add vegetables. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.Add prepared barley. Mash or purée, depending on desired consistency. The stew may be seasoned mildly with herbs or salt.

Recipes for Babies

Green Beans - Age 4 Months

Top, tail, remove any stringy beans and cut into 100g(4oz) beans diagonally into thin slices. Steam them until tender(approx 8-10 minutes), then put in a blender and process. Add a little boiled water or baby/breast milk to make a smooth puree. You can use any variety of green beans but smaller, younger ones are more tender. When your baby gets older, green beans make great finger foods.

Baby Teething Crackers

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour1/4 cup cornmeal1/4 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons granulated sugar1 egg, beaten3/4 cup milk (try a little less first)Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In food processor or in large bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, salt and sugar. Add the egg and mix well. Blend in enough of the milk to form a dough that will hold together in a cohesive ball.On a floured surface or pastry cloth, roll into a rectangle about 3/8 inch thick. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2 x 3-inch rectangles. Place them on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick each cracker 2 or 3 times with the tines of a fork. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the crackers are thoroughly dry. Cool on a rack. These crackers should be hard. If necessary, put them back in the oven for a few minutes.
Yields 10 to 15.

Baby Jigglers

This serves one baby for days.1 envelope unflavored gelatine1 cup hot milk or soy milk4 ounces cream cheese2 cups of any combination of the following: Shredded cooked zucchini, squash, onions, eggplant, carrots, green beans, peas, or any other vegetable; chopped cooked apples, pears, peaches, apricots, mangoes, plums, berries, or any other fruitSalt and/or granulated sugar, to taste2 teaspoons lemon juice, if desired
In a blender or food processor process the gelatin and milk for 30 seconds. Add the cream cheese and lemon juice (if using) and process for 10 seconds. Add the fruits and/or vegetables and blend until thoroughly puréed. Don't over process or this will become foamy. Pour into an 8-inch square or loaf pan and chill until firm. Cut into squares and serve.

Carrot Puree

1 carrot1/4 teaspoon sweet butter
Scrub the carrot thoroughly and chop into pieces. Put into a small saucepan and cover with plenty of water. Boil until the carrot is very tender and mushy (about 30 minutes).
Place the carrot in a blender or food processor and add the butter and a little bit of the cooking water. Blend until smooth

Home Made Organic Baby Cereal

Using a food processor or blender, blend organic brown rice until it is finely ground, like a flour. Boil some water in a saucepan with a lid, about 2 cups, slowly whisk in about 1/4 cup of the rice flour. Cover and turn down to minimum heat. Stir every 2 minutes for 10 minutes.
This will last in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days. As your baby gets older, you can begin using all sorts of different grains and then legumes such as brown rice, oatmeal, millet, garbanzo beans and black beans. Just blend into flour and cook.

Dr. Seuss Recipes

Dr. Seuss Recipes


What child doesn’t grow up with Dr. Seuss books? We have quite a few of them lying around the house. The kids love the silly characters and the rhymes. The Dr. Seuss inspired recipes and activities that I’m about to share with you have been a great hit in our house. Of course the famous green eggs and ham are included, but there are also quite a few other snack and meal ideas. Create a fun Dr. Seuss inspired afternoon with some of these recipes and of course don’t forget to read a few of the books with your kids. (If you don’t own any, enjoy a trip to your local library.)


Green Eggs and Ham

This has to be the most famous Dr. Seuss inspired dish. Scramble a few eggs, add a couple of drops of blue food coloring to the mixture and cook as usual. You can serve a warmed up slice of ham with it, and if you want to go all out, brush the ham with a little green food coloring. My kids love either biscuits, or mashed potatoes with this dish. Add a little food coloring (either green, or a complimentary color like red) to the biscuit dough or the finished mashed potatoes for even more fun.


Cat in The Hat Snack

Make the Cat’s Hat for a fun snack. All you need is a few Ritz crackers, gummy lifesavers (preferably in white/clear and red) and a little vanilla frosting. Put the Ritz cracker on a plate. Use a little bit of vanilla frosting to glue the first lifesaver on the cracker. “Glue” more lifesavers on top of the first one alternating between red and white.


Wiggly Fish

This snack was inspired by “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Prepare several different colors of Jello according to package directions and pour each flavor into a shallow pan. Use a fish shaped cookie cutter to cut the Jello into fish shapes. (If you don’t have a fish shaped cookie cutter you could also just cut fish shapes with a knife.) You can also add small pieces of fruit to the Jello mixture before it cools. This is a great way to sneak an extra serving of fruit into your child’s diet.


Pink Ink for The Yink

The Yink in “One Fish, Two Fish” love to drink pink ink. Make your own version by combining a few strawberries (either fresh, or frozen and thawed) and some milk in a blender. Add a few drops of red food coloring if the “ink” isn’t pink enough.


A Fruity Hat For The Cat

How about this for a fun Sunday breakfast? Whip up a batch of silver dollar pancakes and cut up some fresh strawberries. Grab some whipped cream and let the kids assemble the Cat’s hat by stacking pancakes, and strawberries on top of each other using the whipped cream as “glue”. Enjoy a few of these Dr. Seuss recipes and activities with your family, or invite a few neighbor kids over for a Dr. Seuss party. Either way they are a lot of fun and a great way to bring some of the Seuss stories to life.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

Shamrock Pin

Materials

Green lollipops

Aluminum foil

Twist tie

Plastic wrap

Green or white ribbon

TapeSafety pin

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Unwrap three green lollipops and lay them on a piece of aluminum foil. With the sides butting and the sticks overlapping, form a shamrock and secure it with a twist tie.
2. next, cover the candy tightly with a circle of plastic wrap and twist the excess wrap around the sticks. Tie a length of narrow green or white ribbon into a bow around the twist tie.
3. Use a strong piece of tape to attach a large safety pin to the back of the top lollipop.

Source: FamilyFun.com

Silly Craft Recipes for Kids

Silly Craft Recipes for Kids

Glurch
1/2 C liquid starch1 C glue
Put starch into mixing bowl first. Add glue and mix with hands. Knead until elastic and smooth. Food coloring may be added to the starch if desired.

Playdough
1/2 C salt1 C flour1 tsp cream of tartar1 TB oil1 C waterfood coloring
Cook over low heat until mixture forms a ball (it only takes a few minutes) Recipe may be doubled. You can also microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Creative Clay
1 C cornstarch2 C baking soda (1 lb box)1 1/4 C cold water
Stir starch and soda together. Mix thoroughly. Mix in cold water and stir over medium heat until mixture has the consistency of mashed potatoes. Cool completely and knead until smooth.

Goop
1 C corn starch4 C water1/3 C sugarfood coloring
Combine and cook until thick. It doesn't take long. Put in a Ziplock bag and duct tape shut.

Finger Jello

2 large pkgs of Jello3 envelopes of Knox Gelatin4 C boiling water
Mix in 9x13 pan. Let harden in the counter, then store in the refrigerator.

Soap Crayons
1 C laundry soap. Add 30-40 drops of food coloring. Add water by teaspoonful until soap is liquid. Stir well. Pack soap into ice cube trays. Set in sunny place to dry for 2 days. Crayons will become hard and great for writing in sink or tub.

Soap Bubbles
1 C water2 tsp. liquid dish soap /2 tsp sugar1 tsp glycerin
Use immediately

Finger Paints
3 TBsp sugar1/2 C cornstarch2 C cold waterfood coloringdetergent
Mix sugar and cornstarch then add the water. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until well blended. Divide the mixture. Add a little food coloring and some detergent to make colors.

Di's Delicious Deluxe Deviled Eggs

Di's Delicious Deluxe Deviled Eggs

SUBMITTED BY: HIPPS PHOTO BY: Athena

"These tasty deviled eggs are always a BIG hit. I'm constantly asked to share the recipe. You'll love them, too! Add more hot sauce if you really want to make them deviled!"

PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 15 Min
READY IN 45 Min

INGREDIENTS
6 eggs
1/2 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
salt to taste
1 dash hot pepper sauce
paprika, for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool and peel.

Cut eggs in half. Remove yolks and place in a medium bowl. Mash together with celery, onion, mayonnaise, salt and hot pepper sauce.

Stuff the egg white halves with the egg yolk mixture. Sprinkle eggs with paprika. Chill covered in the refrigerator until serving.

Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Activities

Green Eggs and Ham: Activities

Breakfast

Before breakfast read Green Eggs and Ham; then show the children you only add food coloring to the food and then prepare the food. Talk about how the food tastes. Is it any different because of the coloring?

Musical Hats

After reading "Cat in the hat" you can play musical hats. This is a quieter version of musical chairs. The kids sit in a circle and while the music plays they have to put the stoching cap on and pull it over their ears and then take it of again and pass it to the child next to them. Who ever has the hat when the music stops gets to start and stop the music for the next round. This way all the kids are involved and nobody has to sit out. The kids also like the way their hair stands up after they pull of the hats!!!

Source: ChildFun.com

Dr. Seuss Activities The Cat In The Hat

The Cat in the Hat: Activities

Balance it.

We read cat in the hat book - balanced the book then a tea cup and a few other small items on our heads like the cat. Kids really loved this (they are only 3)

Cat in the Hat Hats

We also made Cat in the Hat hats out of paper plate (cut out middle and use as the rim of the hat)and contruction paper (white paper with cut out red stripes) We did this activity on a rainy day.

Cat in the Hat Relay

We make hats using black construction paper, and tails using old black pantyhose, and then I give each child a paper plate and a paper cup on top. Each child then carries the plate and cup with one hand to a specific point and back, and then places their plate on top of the next person in line's plate, and they carry two, and so on. The children love to practice balancing, and even figure out how they can switch places, so that the older children carry more, so they can make it through the whole line! Pretty smart!

Dr. Seuss Activities

One Fish, Two Fish: Activities

Fish Snack

For snack, we either have tuna fish on crackers, or just Goldfish brand snacks. Although, we have made blue jello in clear plastic cups with gummy fish too!

Fish Art

For art, we paint blue tinted corn syrup onto fish bowl shaped construction paper, and glue paper fish and plants. It's messy, but the results are beautiful. After the syrup has set for about two hours, I cover them with plastic wrap to cut down on stickiness.

Fish Shapes

We also use fish shapes to cut patterns through for puzzles, and then attach paper clips, and "fish" for them, using a magnet fishing pole and a pool, trying to catch the match to our fish!

Source: ChildFun.com

How to Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday - March 2, 2008

Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, created some of the most famous character in the world of children's literature, including the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat. Even years after his death, his popularity lives on. You can celebrate his birthday every March 2.

Step 1: Talk about your favorite Dr. Seuss books, including "Green Eggs and Ham," "Cat in the Hat" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Discuss your favorite lines and characters.

Step 2: Read the books. Take turns reading Dr. Seuss aloud with other Seuss fans. You are never too old to enjoy silly rhymes, and you may be surprised how fun it is.

Step 3: Enjoy other Dr. Seuss media, whether it be Moxy Fruvous or Jesse Jackson performing "Green Eggs and Ham," the Chuck Jones or Jim Carrey versions of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," or even "The Seussical."

Step 4: Spend the day talking in rhyme, as if you were the Seuss, Stick your thumbs in your ears to make antlers like a moose, Try to act very silly, try to act quite absurd, And if stuck for a rhyme, simply make up a word. Because Dr. Seuss made up words all the darn time, So just make up a creature, like Fremblety-Frime.

Step 5: Write down some of your rhymes so you can enjoy them later. Once you have a collection of your own rhymes, you can read them aloud every March 2.

Step 6: Have some Seuss re-enactments. Make some green eggs and ham with a little food coloring, or buy some sticker-stars to become Sneeches.

Child-Friendly St. Patrick's Day Recipes

Pot o’ Gold Trail Mix

Mix together 1 cup each of cheese puffs, cheddar-flavored popcorn, small cheddar-flavored crackers, chow-mein noodles, peanuts, and french fried onion pieces. Serve the mix in waffle bowls.

Tip Of The Day

When chopping onions, dip your fingers into vinegar beforehand to stop the smell getting onto your hands.