Fishing While It Snows

Winter has set in and we've already gone sledding and played in the snow. The snow is great for a day or so, but the on-going cold and snow can make for some stir crazy kids. Today, we are fishing in the living room! This craft/activity is really easy, keeps the kids busy, and best of all...doesn't take up a lot of room.

You will need:

• Twine or string
• Magnet(s)
• Construction paper
• Paper clips
• Tape
• Scissors
• Optional: hot glue/hot glue gun

Directions:
1. Tie a long piece of string to a dowel rod. I used a craft knife and made a notch about 1/4 inch from the top to keep the string in place better.
2. Glue, tape, or tie a small magnet to the end of the string. DM Tip: If you can find a magnet with a hole in the middle (like the one on the left in the picture), it will probably be easier to tie the magnet on. I used the small round magnet for these poles and taped the magnet on, but it did come off after a few uses. I ended up placing a dot of glue on the magnet, placed the string on, and then taped the string in place. It helped it keep the magnet on better.

 3. Cut out fish shapes from the construction paper. Tape a paper clip to the back of the fish.

4. Place the fish on the floor and let the kids go fishing! Optional: Place a blue piece of fabric/drop cloth/towel on the floor to create water for the fish.

My kids had fun just fishing, but you could make it into a competition too!

DM Alternatives:

1. Play for points.
1. Write points on the bottom of the fish. 
2. Smaller fish or certain color fish could be worth more points.
3. Have fish that are with 2 times/3 times/etc. the points of other fish. I had two fish with colored paper clips. The kids loved trying to find them. These could also be the game winners.
2. Make it more challenging.
1. Have the kids stand on a step stool or chair to fish.
2. Place the kids near the fishing pond, hand them the fishing pole, and blindfold them. It's a lot harder to fish when they have a blindfold on!

National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

Today is Bicarbonate of Soda Day! 

What is Bicarbonate of Soda?: Bicarbonate of Soda is also known as NaHCO3, sodium bicarb, bread soda or cooking soda, and baking soda. Baking soda, as I am sure most of you know, is white and slightly salty in taste. I have some information on baking soda and my favorite Soda Bread recipe below!

What Are Its Uses?: Baking soda has many different uses.

• Cleaning: 
• I use baking soda to scrub off difficult spots on my pans. 
• It is found in toothpaste and many laundry detergents. 
• You can also put a box of baking soda in you refrigerator to keep it smelling fresh. 
• Sprinkle carpet with baking soda and let sit at least 20 minutes before vacuuming for a clean smelling carpet. 
• To help keep drains clean, pout about a 1/4 cup baking soda down the drains, followed by hot water.
• Baking: Heating baking soda causes a release of carbon dioxide, which will cause the bread to rise. It also reacts with acid components in other ingredients.
• What Reacts With Baking Soda?: Lemon juice, yogurt, cream of tarter, buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar
• Medical: There are many different medical uses for bicarbonate of soda. 
• If you mix with water, it can be used to treat heartburn and indigestion. 
• If you mix with water to create a paste, you can use it to treat burns to prevent blisters (always seek medical attention for serious burns). 
• If you run into poison ivy/sumac/oak and do not have Benadryl/hydrocortisone cream handy, cover with baking soda to relieve the itching. 
• If you were stung by a bee, make a paste of baking soda and water and cover the stung area (some places call for a paste of vinegar and baking soda).
• Other Properties: 
• It can even put out a small grease fire.
• It neutralizes acids and bases. 

Here's my favorite baking soda recipe!

IRISH SODA BREAD

Prep time 15 min, Cook time 45 min.

DM Tip: I found the bread tastes best when you make the morning of or the day before you eat it.

You will need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1  1/2 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1  1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheet

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients with a whisk.
3. Add 1 cup buttermilk. 
4. Combine flour mix and buttermilk with a fork, gradually add rest of milk until a soft dough is formed. 
5. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 1 minute. DM Tip: For less of a mess, knead right in the bowl!
6. Form dough into a slightly flattened circle and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. 
7. In the middle of the bread make a 1/2 inch deep X with a sharp knife. 
8. Bake 40-45 minutes. Bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. 

DM Alternative: Mix in 1 cup raisins to dough before baking.


LINKS:
Wiki, Bicarbonate of Soda

Snow Time Fun With Potato Stamps

It's been a little too cold to play outside for long, so I've been trying to come up with ideas to keep the kids busy inside. Today I cut up a few potatoes into snow flake and snowman shapes. I gave the kids white craft paint, glitter, and blue paper and let them stamp away. They had a blast!

To make the potato stamps, you will need:

• Potatoes
• Sharp knife (like a paring knife)

Directions:

1. Cut potato in half. This will make two stamps.

2. Cut out shape out of flat part of the potato. DM Tip: Use a pen/marker to trace out the shape on the flat part of the potato before you cut out the shape. Be careful not to cut yourself!

3. Dip the cut out stamp part in paint and stamp away! 

4. Optional: Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint.

Christmas Thank You's

We always have the boys send Thank You notes for any gifts they receive. Bernardo is just learning to write and Higgins isn't there yet, but we usually have them color on the note and sign their name. We feel it is important to teach the kids the importance of sending thank you notes early on. Here are two Christmas thank you note templates that you can print and have your kids color or sign.

Poker, Gin, Euchre, Old Maid...What's Your Poison?

Today is Card Playing Day! I remember sitting around my Grandma's table playing Crazy 8's and other card games. My boys love playing Memory and Uno. We're starting to branch out into other games, although Higgins is still too young for a lot of them. We play poker, Euchre, and a few other games with friends and family. Whenever we go on vacation, I make sure to throw in a couple decks of cards.

What are your favorite card games?

History of Playing Cards:

• Playing cards were invented in ancient China.
• In the late 14th century, playing cards made their way into Europe.
• The heart, spade, diamond, and club suits came from France (about 1480).
• The joker was introduced by the United States, probably for the game of Euchre.
• There are different sizes of cards. The two most common sizes are poker (or B8) at 2.5x3.5 inches, and bridge at 2.25x3.5 inches.

GAMES:
Uno Mickey Mouse
Uno Moo
Curious George Memory
Super Mario Memory
Crazy 8's

LINKS:
Wiki, Playing Card
Bicycle Cards
How To Play Poker
How To Play Euchre

It's Snowing...Paper Snowflakes!

Today is Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day and National Fruitcake Day. Since we're bigger fans of snowflakes, we're going to make snowflakes today. Higgins is just starting to use scissors and is super excited to use his new ones.

Here are some instructions on how to make a snowflake. Trust me, I tried lots of different ways and this one worked.
1. Get a square piece of paper. DM Tip: The thinner the paper, the easier it is to cut.
2. Fold over to make a triangle.

3. Fold over again to make a smaller triangle.

4. Place the triangle, point facing you, down on a solid surface. You are going to fold it in thirds.
5. Take the right side and fold over towards the middle, keeping the point intact.

6. Fold the left side over, keeping the point intact.

7. You want the edges to line up evenly, so refold if necessary. It should resemble an arrow.
8. Next, cut off the arrow "tips", so you are left with a tall triangle.

9. Cut out various shapes around the edges, but make sure you leave enough of the sides intact so the snowflake stays in one piece. The bottom of the triangle will become the outer edges of the snowflake, the triangles point will be the center.

Successful snowflakes on the left.
Several unsuccessful  attempts on
the right. Make sure you leave some
of the edges intact :)

Edible Igloo

For these fun and delicious snacks, you will need:

• White frosting/icingg
• Mini Marshmallows
• Paper or Styrofoam Cups

Directions:
1. Cut 1 inch off top of cup.
2. "Glue" to a plate with icing, cut side down.
3. Use the icing to attach marshmallows, starting at the base. Cover the entire cup.
4. Stack marshmallows in front to form a door.
 (I ran out of mini marshmallows and cut a large marshmallow into slices to finish the roof and the doorway roof.)

We then got a little ambitious and added in a candy cane pole. I stuck it through chocolate marshmallows and "glued" on with white icing.

DM Tip: You can also use large marshmallows for larger sized cups, or cut the large marshmallows into pieces if you cannot find mini-marshmallows.

Elf On The Shelf: Day 25

Eugene went back to his home today, but he left the present for the boys!

Identify This: Part 43

If you know what it is or just want to make a guess, post below in the Comments!

STOP! ANSWER BELOW!

Christmas Word Scramble

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas Day! Here is a Christmas themed word scramble for today.

STOP! ANSWERS BELOW!

Elf On The Shelf: Day 24

It looks like we interrupted Eugene wrapping a present today. I wonder who it's for?

Our Elf On The Shelf

Snowman On A Stick

My kids love marshmallows and I thought they would make the perfect winter time snack...as snowman!

You will need:

• Thin skewers/kabob sticks
• Mini chocolate chips
• Chocolate Marshmallows
• Large Marshmallows
• Thin pretzel sticks

Directions:
1. Place three marshmallows onto the top of a skewer.
2. Cut the bottom of a chocolate marshmallow and flatten to form the hat rim. Attach rest to the marshmallow to finish that hat and place on skewer.
3. Stick in pretzel sticks and chips for eyes and buttons.

DM Alternative: Chunks of banana works well for a healthier alternative for the snowman!

Elf On The Shelf: Day 23

Eugene must have seen me getting the ingredients out for the shakes and wanted a drink of his own. It looks like he's drinking elf hot chocolate.

Our Elf On The Shelf

Gingerbread House

Our gingerbread house. The kids each have their own
side of the house to decorate. We get the front and back.

For the last several years, we have made a gingerbread house near Christmas. I haven't baked my own gingerbread yet; when it comes to this, I am super lazy and buy a gingerbread house kit. The kids still love it and I have a lot less mess and hassle to deal with.

Last year, the house did not come already assembled. The walls and roof had to be "glued" on with the icing. It takes awhile for the icing to set (about 1 hour), and I did not want to sit there holding the house together! :)  Luckily for me, I have a very smart engineering husband who came up with this solution.

We have a slate topped table, so he placed some duct tape on the
corner of the cardboard base to hold the house in place. He blew
up a balloon so it applied a little pressure to the roof and duct
taped that down too. (For both sides of the roof.)

Elf On The Shelf: Day 22

Eugene headed back out to the family room and hid in the poinsettia.

Our Elf On The Shelf

Peppermint Shakes

For a special dessert drink serve Peppermint Shakes with dinner in peppermint candy rimmed glasses.

To make the cups, you will need:
Peppermint candy canes or hard candies
Cookie icing
Clear plastic cups
Wax Paper

Cup Directions:
1. Place candy canes or peppermint candies in a Ziploc bag. Crush with rolling pin. DM Tip: Use a cutting board to smash the candy cane on the counter. This is a great way to relieve frustration!
2. Place crushed candies in a flat bottom container.
3. Dip or ice rim of cup with white icing.
4. Roll rims of cups in crushed candies.
5. Place rim side down on a piece of wax paper and allow to harden/set.

For the non-alcoholic shake you will need: (Serves 2)

• 6 oz low fat milk
• 4oz Vanilla Half & Half
• Peppermint Extract, 1 drop
• Vanilla Extract, 2 drops
• Green Food Coloring
• Peppermint ice cream, about 2 cups
• Reddi-Whip, optional

Directions:
1. Pour milk and half/half into a blender.
2. Add a drop of peppermint extract and a drop of the vanilla extract.
3. Add in ice cream.
4. Add green food coloring to taste/color desired.
5. Mix together until smooth, but still has a shake consistency. Add more ice cream if needed to thicken.
6. Serve in peppermint rimmed cups. Top with Reddi-Whip or whipped cream. For younger kids, add in a red and white striped straw.



For the alcoholic shake, you will need: (Serves 7)

• 8 oz milk
• 3.5 oz vodka
• 10.5 oz Baileys
• 14 oz peppermint ice cream
• 5 drops Peppermint extract
• 7 drops Vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Reddi-Whip, optional

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Mix until smooth, but still shake consistency.
3. If needed, add more ice cream.
4. Serve in peppermint rimmed cups. Top for Reddi-Whip or whipped cream.

Elf On The Shelf: Day 21

Eugene decided that take advantage of the fact I was behind on laundry to hide in the towel cabinet.

Our Elf On The Shelf

Cookie Time!

I always wanted to make those "pretty" iced cookies you see at bakeries. They are super easy to make if you buy cookie icing (Betty Crocker and Wilton both sell it). I'm still working on my technique, but so far I've been happy with the way cookie icing turns out. It is a lot easier to make than you think! We served them at Christmas dinner and even brought plates to our neighbors.

I used a gingerbread cookie mix to make the gingerbread men. I baked according to the package directions and let cool completely. I then added on the white lines, face, and "glued" on the candy buttons (I used M&M's this year) with icing.

I tried a new cookie recipe that was a big hit. Sugar cookie dough with dried cranberries, dipped in dark chocolate and sugar cookie dough with dried apricot pieces dipped in white chocolate. (See recipes below)

The snowman, candy cane, star, and tree cookies are made with a sugar cookie dough (recipe below). Once they bake and are completely cooled, they are ready to decorate. I used a cookie icing to get the nice smooth finish. The cookie icing recommends heating in the microwave to make the icing thinner. You are also supposed to knead the bottle to help mix it up: this is a must! For the cookies with different layers of colors (tree trunk, snowman hat and buttons), I would recommend that you let the icing sit for a little bit to thicken up so the colors don't all run together. Also, I wait until the icing starts to harden a little before I put the sprinkles on (otherwise, they can just run off if the icing is too thin).

If you are tired of regular sugar cookies, try making brownie trees! These are awesome and are unique for a Christmas cookie platter. Make brownie mix according to directions. Spray the inside of tree mold and fill about 2/3 full. Bake until done (toothpick comes out clean) and let cool before pushing out of mold. To decorate, place a piece of wax paper under a cooling rack. Cover trees with green cookie icing (or green Candy melts). Decorate with sprinkles! There are several baking molds available, but I think the Wilton ones work great.

SUGAR COOKIES:
I found this recipe in a magazine a few years ago and love it! It makes about 24 cookies.

You will need:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 egg yolks
2 1/4 cups flour
Pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Mix butter, powdered sugar and salt together in a bowl. I used my KitchenAid mixer and it worked great.
2. Add in egg yolks and mix until creamy.
3. Gradually add in flour and mix until a smooth dough forms. Don't over mix though, stop once a nice dough forms.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
6. Sprinkle work area with powdered sugar. I used a silicone mat this time, although I have used just a clean counter top before.
7. Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out shapes.
8. Place cookies on the cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes. You want the cookie set but still pale in color. Sugar cookies tend to keep baking after you take them out due to the sugar in them.

Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies:
Make sugar cookie recipe above. Add 1 cup dried cranberries to the dough, mix together and chill. Roll dough out and cut out 2 inch circles. Bake and cool. Once the cookies have cooled, melt dark chocolate chips. I used my Nordic Ware Double Broiler Insert (love it!). Dip half of the cookie into the the melted chocolate. Lay on a piece of wax paper to set.

Apricot and White Chocolate Sugar Cookies: (I think this would be great with dried orange pieces as well.)
Make sugar cookie recipe above. Add 1 cup dried apricots to the dough, mix together and chill. Roll dough out and cut out 2 inch circles. Bake and cool. Once the cookies have cooled, melt white chocolate chips. I used my Nordic Ware Double Broiler Insert (love it!). Dip half of the cookie into the the melted chocolate. Lay on a piece of wax paper to set.

Elf On The Shelf: Day 20

Eugene saw me making delicious snacks yesterday and came to hang out in the kitchen. I think he wants to sneak some when I'm not looking. I'm watching you, Elf.

Our Elf On The Shelf

Identify This: Part 42

If you think you know what it is, or just want to guess, post in the Comments! For the answer, scroll down to the bottom!

Christmas Time Word Find

STOP! ANSWERS BELOW!

Elf On The Shelf: Day 19

Eugene saw me making the Christmas Scavenger Hunt Card and apparently went on his own hunt.

Our Elf On The Shelf

Don't Forget The Batteries: Tech Gifts

The gift buying season is upon us. Every year I sit down and make a list of the people I need to buy for and struggle to match that list to gift ideas. Face it, some people are harder to shop for than others. Since I'm probably not the only one with this problem, I thought I would share some of my ideas. It seems like every year new technology comes out just in time for Christmas. It can be a hit or miss adventure. Today's list is about tech gifts. Check back often throughout the month for more gift buying ideas! Good luck shopping! May the deals be plentiful, your cart overflowing, and your wallet not emptied.

Here's some of my top tech gifts that should be a hit:

• Cameras. I love cameras and taking pictures. I love the simple point and shoots and I also love my SLR. Nikon came out with their SLR D5100 that takes pictures, video, and offers special effects for the pictures right from the camera. I love my Canon, but I've had my eye on this one since it came out. UPDATE: Canon has their own version out now too! DM FYI: SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. These cameras generally are larger in camera body and lens size. The lens can be removed and a different one placed on. You can also manually focus or auto focus the camera. When buying a SLR, make sure it comes with the lens and the body! Many are sold body only.

• Video Camera. These keep getting smaller and smaller. I love it! I still remember the huge one with VHS tapes that my parents had. I received a Flip as a Christmas gift a few years ago and it still works great! It easily fits in my purse.

• iPad or Mini iPad. Hubby and I don't really exchange gifts at Christmas; we usually buy a gift for the family or the house. Last year it was an iPad. I love this thing for so many reasons: it can fit in my larger purse because it is thin, it keeps the kids busy when we are standing in line or waiting at a restaurant, there are bunch of free apps (for kids and adults), I can work on blog posts while I am waiting at my doctor's office...the list goes on and on. We bought the basic model (iPad WiFi)that picks up surrounding WiFi signals, but doesn't have it's own service. There are versions that have their own internet service (iPad WiFi +3G). Also, the camera works great outside or in bright light, but gets grainy in dim light.

• LeapPad by LeapFrog. Bernardo had really wanted one of these last year and used the birthday money he received to buy one. These things are great. There are games (mostly educational) and books you can download onto the computer. The LeapPad reads the books to the kids and highlights the words as it goes. This is also a great way to keep the kids busy while waiting somewhere. The LeapPad Tablets have wi-fi.

• Now that Bernardo is older, he got a Nintendo DS for his birthday. He got a regular DS, not the 3DS, but he loves it. There are a lot of games and it's great for keeping them busy just like the LeapPad used to do. I don't see much in terms of education games, but he still has fun with it.
• Nook or Kindle. I have a slight addiction to books. I have run out of room on my bookcase. A few years ago I bought the Nook and love it. I still love holding a paper book, but the book readers allow you to have lots of books stored on one small device. They also have WiFi, so you can check out your favorite websites like Daily Messes! There are a lot of varieties: larger sized, color, glow-light, HD (soft glow for night time reading). There is also the Kindle Fire for kids, which comes with a case and 2 year warranty.

• iPhone or other smartphone.
• Car holder for the smartphone. It makes a huge difference in my car! No more trying to glance down to see how close the street is to turn onto, the Maps/Waze apps are now in eyesight range.
• Bluetooth Home Phone. There are a few options available. One option is to have a land line and a cell phone. The Bluetooth land line phone can link to the cell phone and when you are in range of the home phone, calls from your cell phone can be answered on the home phone. If you do not have a home phone/land line, another option is to have a cordless handset that links to the cell phone. It looks and acts line a regular cordless phone, but it connects to and uses you cell phone minutes.
• Ring Doorbell 
• Yi Security Cameras: We use these inside to keep track of the dog when we are not home. The work great and even have night vision so we can still keep an eye on J with the lights out.

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. If you buy an item from Amazon using my links, I may receive a small commission for the referral. It does not affect your cost at all! If you want more information, please visit my Disclosure page.

Mmm...Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn

I would like to take credit for this, but hubby actually created this deliciousness for me. I did help eat it though!

You will need:

• Popcorn
• Chocolate syrup (I used a dark chocolate)
• Bowl
• Cookie Sheet

Directions:
1. Pop popcorn and place in a bowl.
2. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the popcorn and toss to coat.
3. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 150 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until popcorn is not sticky. Be careful not to burn the popcorn!

Gifts of Fitness

The gift buying season is upon us. Every year I sit down and make a list of the people I need to buy for and struggle to match that list to gift ideas. Face it, some people are harder to shop for than others. Since I'm probably not the only one with this problem, I thought I would share some of my ideas. Today's list is fitness themed. Check back often throughout the month for more gift buying ideas! Good luck shopping! May the deals be plentiful, your cart overflowing, and your wallet not emptied.

Anyone who knows me, knows I hate to exercise and sweat (especially around other people). However, I know plenty of other people who enjoy working out. For those of you have fitness people in your life, here's a list!

• Workout DVD
• Boxing/Training Gloves
• Fitbit
• Adjustable Dumbbells
• Hourglass Shaped Dumbbell Set
• Wii with Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board

• Runner's Vest
• Compact Elliptical Trainer
• Running Shoes
• Zumba DVD Set
• My Fitness Coach (Wii)
• Barbell Fitness Bench
• Resistance Exercise Band Set
• Gift Card
• GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
• Yoga Mat
• Wicking T-Shirts

Elf On The Shelf: Day 18

Apparently, we interrupted Eugene in the middle of a hockey game.

I know, I know. It's pretty much the same as yesterday, but I had to get at least one more use out of the ice rink!

Stained Glass Cookies

If you are looking for new ideas, these are a unique Christmas cookie. The cookies are super sweet because of the candy, so they are a big hit with my kids.

These take about 12 minutes. You will need:

• Sugar cookie dough
• Hard candy (like Life Savers or Butterscotch candies)
• Plastic sandwich bag for each color candy
• Rolling pin
• Parchment paper. DM Tip: Use parchment paper, not wax paper. The melted candies will stick to the wax paper.

Directions:
1. Make cookie dough and chill for 15 minutes. I find that chilling makes it easier to roll the dough out.
2. Cover a cookie tray with a piece of parchment paper.
3. Roll dough out and cut into shapes (snowflake, circle, etc.).
4. Create a space for the candy to go.
     a. For the snowflake cookies, I cut out the center with a small cookie cutter.
     b. For the circle cookies, I cut out the middle with a medium cookie cutter. I cut two strips out of the dough and placed in the middle to form a cross shape (or X shape). I gently pinched the ends together.
5. Place the candy in plastic bags by color and crush with the rolling pin. (DM Tip: Use a freezer bag. If you use a regular bag, double bag the candies before crushing. I used a regular sandwich bag and it ripped while crushing the candies.)
6. Fill in the cookie openings with the candy.
7. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. The candies will melt and bubble while cooking. Once the cookies/candies cool, the candy will form a more stained glass look.

Left: Bubble center. Right: Cooled center, more stained glass looking.

8. Remove from oven and set parchment paper and cookies on a cooling rack. Once the cookies are cooled completely, peel off the parchment paper.

If your kids are having a holiday party at school, these would be a big hit! Higgins had Show & Tell  at school and the theme was "something your family uses to celebrate the holidays". He brought in bags of the stained glass cookies for the class. The bags were tied with ribbon and had a little ornament on them (Target, 16/$1).

DM Tip: For a really easy cookie, buy a tube of cookie dough, slice into circles, cut out the center and fill with candies.

DM Alternative: If you don't have a round cookie cutter, you can also roll small pieces of dough out in strips. Arrange the dough on the parchment paper to make circles. Add in the cross shape. Pinch together. Fill with crushed candy and bake.