Search Results for: blog sweet treats to make on a snow day

Snow Day Part III

In the midst of my phone conversation with my husband, our son noticed that his aunt (my sister), who lives next door in the other side of the duplex, was outside shoveling the driveway.  Since her work was canceled because of the snow too, I invited her to spend the day with us. While I started making the coffee ice cream base, my sister entertained my three year old and one year old by reading books and singing songs with them. So far they were really enjoying the snow day. Soon enough my husband arrived at home with a work … Continue reading →

Getting Ready for Groundhog Day

There are a slew of other ways you can have fun on February 2nd besides watching Bill Murray live the same day over and over again. Besides, if you have young children, I highly doubt that they will sit through the movie once, let alone over and over again. If you can’t make it to Philadelphia this Thursday to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, then recreate the magical moment at home. Kids love playing with flashlights, so break out some new batteries and let them go wild hunting for shadows with this fun Groundhog’s Day activity: Materials: Thick … Continue reading →

Dressing Up for the Holidays

About a decade ago I scored an invitation to a huge New Year’s Eve masquerade ball. The annual shindig is a fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club and is held at the swankiest hotel in our city. It is one of the hottest social events of the year, so dressing down is not an option. Actually, if you are a female, all you have to wear to get in is a formal dress topped with a masquerade mask that matches your outfit. Men don tuxedos and throw on a small mask to cover their eyes. In some cases, … Continue reading →

Homemade Holiday Decorations for the Craft-Challenged

I am no Martha Stewart, but that doesn’t stop me from having fun tackling artsy holiday projects to display during this magical time of the year. Shortly after Thanksgiving, my 7-year-old and I took on a candy cane craft project we first saw hanging at a Ben Franklin store. Nearly three weeks later we are finally done putting together the seasonal showpiece. Okay, it didn’t really take us three full weeks to craft the minty, blinged out wreath. It just seems that way. Truth be told, you could easily construct the sweet masterpiece in a single afternoon. Here’s what you … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Holiday Decorations

If you are on a fixed income, but you still want your home to look festive during the holiday season, then consider making your own Christmas decorations. Doing so will help you save money, avoid chaotic shopping malls, and allow you to exercise your creative side. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a craft queen to piece together stunning seasonal decorations. There a thousands of simple projects that can be made with just a few materials and little if any skill. For example, last year my five-year-old helped me make a sensational centerpiece for our dining room table. All we … Continue reading →

Fun After School Treats for Kids

This is my daughter’s first year attending all-day school. I knew she would do well academically and socially. However, I was unprepared for how hungry she would be upon returning from seven hours of class. The kid eats like a rhino when she gets home, despite the fact that I fill her lunchbox to the brim each morning. After three weeks of meeting a famished 6-year-old in the school parking lot, I devised a new after school snack routine. Each night my daughter and I choose a fun recipe to make together, so when 3:30 p.m. rolls around the following … Continue reading →

Ways to Make Back-to-School Fun

If these back-to-school fun facts were not enough to get your kids revved up for the first day of class, then consider making the transition a bit easier by heading to the… kitchen. Kids love to eat and often they are more likely to consume healthy meals if they have a hand at making them and the foods are fun to eat. Before the first day of school rolls around, try out these fun recipes for nutritious back-to-school snacks that can be packed in a lunch box or eaten when class is over for the day. MUNCHY MOUTH Ingredients: 1/4 … Continue reading →

Make Teacher Gift Giving Fun

The end of May is like Christmas around here, in terms of gift buying. With Mother’s Day, graduation, and various weddings, I’m just about tapped out. Then, just when I think I’ve caught a break, I get an email from my kindergartner’s room moms reminding me that the end of school is just around the corner and I’m responsible for coughing up a thank you and birthday gift for my daughter’s teacher. The email was sent to the parents of all the kindergartners offering to pool our money to purchase a large gift. We also have the option to make … Continue reading →

Throw a Snowman Party

Whether you are looking for a cool way to keep the kids occupied while they are on Christmas break, or you need a few kid-friendly activities for your upcoming New Year’s Eve party, these snowman-themed games and projects are sure to put the freeze on complaints and whines: SNOWMAN DRESS-UP RELAY Fill up two boxes or laundry baskets with items that a snowman would wear, such as scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, boots, buttons (with double-sided tape) and brooms. You can create a carrot nose by using orange felt and elastic. Next, divide the kids into two groups and have each form … Continue reading →

All Aboard for More Holiday Fun

Many people are surprised to learn that a version of the Polar Express runs in the state of Hawaii. The snow may be fake, but the merriment involved is 100 percent authentic. In fact, the popular holiday-themed train ride is available in cities around the country. It gives families a chance to see Santa without having to brave mall crowds and train-loving kids get a ride of a lifetime. The following are just two railways across the nation that are decked out for the season: CALIFORNIA In Fillmore, California, the Fillmore & Western Railway Company offers multiple Christmas-themed train rides … Continue reading →