Very Special Reindeer Food

Everyone leaves milk and cookies out for Santa as he has a very busy night but, what about his reindeer? They need a snack to give them energy to fly all over the world. Santa?s reindeer need a special magical treat that you can make and give to all of your friends and family.

Supplies

Snack size zip close bags or colored cling wrap
Oatmeal
Raisins
Glitter

Directions

Mix together the special blend of oatmeal and raisins to give the reindeer energy. Then, add some glitter to help keep Rudolph?s nose shining bright. Place the tasty treat into the Ziploc bags or in the cling wrap tied with a pretty ribbon. The next step is very important. On Christmas Eve before you go to bed, sprinkle the reindeer food on the ground in front of your house.

Santa and his reindeer will sure appreciate the wonderful snacks made by you.

The holidays are here and what better way to greet Santa than with his very own ornament on the tree.

Supplies

White Paper
Glue
Scissors
Pencil
Cotton Balls
Googly Eyes
Crayons, paint or markers
Hole Punch
Yarn or String

Directions

With a parents help, trace your handprint onto the sheet of white paper. Make sure to keep your hand nice and steady. Next, using the scissors cut along the hand print shape. After you have completed cutting out your shape, glue cotton balls at the end of each finger. Using a crayon or marker, color the top portion of the palm red, including the thumb. Finally, glue a pair of googly eyes or draw a pair of eyes in the center of the palm. Have a parent punch a hole in the hat part of your Santa and thread some string or yarn through, tying it in a knot at the end.

A beautiful tribute to Jolly Old St. Nick and a wonderful memory that will adorn your Christmas tree for years to come.

By

Toni Kelley

Spooky creatures and things that go bump in the night are all signs that Halloween will soon be here. Shrieks of delight ring through the night as children of all ages enjoy Haunted Houses, hayrides and trick or treating. Mountains of sugary treats are creeping ever closer as moms everywhere tremble with fear. Well here is a great way to have a healthy snack for all those ghoulish gatherings that is sure to be a spooktacular hit.

Ingredients

Peanut Butter

Ritz Crackers

Raisins

Pretzel Styx

Directions

The first step is to gather all the ghosts, witches, goblins and vampires. Next, place all your spooky ingredients on a clean dry surface. Spread some peanut butter on one side of a cracker and then place 3 or 4 pretzel styx in the peanut butter on opposite sides so that they are pointing slightly outward. These are the legs for our edible spider. Next, spread more peanut butter on another cracker and place it on top of the other cracker making sure it is slightly off center. The last step is to give your spider some eyes. Place two raisins in the peanut butter you left open between the two crackers.

There you have it, a fun, healthy, creepy snack perfect for any ghoulish affair.

Happy Halloween!

A great idea to beat the summer heat is to throw a tropical Hawaiian themed party. Every guest at your summer time fun fest will need one of these beautiful flowered lei’s. A fun and creative project for everyone young and old.

Supplies

Thick multi-colored construction paper or cardstock

Drinking straws

Yarn

Scissors

Paint, markers, glitter

Directions

The first step in this creative project is to draw out several different size flowers on your choice of paper. With a parents help, cut out each flower making sure to punch a small hole in the center of each one as this is where you will thread the yarn. The next step calls for imagination. Color and decorate your flowers with paint, markers, crayons, glitter, or even glue on some shiny beads. After your flowers are completely decorated put them aside and use the scissors to cut your drinking straws into one and a half inch lengths. One great thing about this craft is each straw section does not have to be perfect. When all your straw pieces are cut and ready, tie a thick knot at the end of a two foot long section of yarn. Thread a small flower onto the yarn pushing it all the way to the knot. Next, thread a section of straw. It’s that easy. Continue threading each flower and straw section until your lei is complete. Finally, tie each end of the yarn together with a nice strong knot.

There you have it an easy, creative and beautiful flowered lei. The perfect colorful addition to bring funky fun and whimsy to any festive summer party in the backyard or at the pool.

Summer is here and for most of us the cry of boredom has become an everyday song. How many of you out there have a garage, basement, or shed full of leftover paint? Well, here is a fun, inexpensive way to let our children become involved in making a colorful addition to any garden.

Supplies

Patio Pavers

Paint

Paintbrush

Spray Sealer

Directions

The first step is to find the size, shape, and color of the patio paver you wish to use. Leftover ones work great or you can purchase them for less than a dollar a piece at any home improvement or garden center. With a parents help, gather all the paint colors you have to choose from. Next, clean the blocks with water making sure to get all the dirt off before painting and makes sure to dry them as well. Now comes the fun part, decorate your patio paver with whatever the imagination creates. One idea is to use handprints; using your child’s handprint for this project gives us a lasting memory to cherish and share with them as they get older. Another great idea would be to paint flowers, bugs, stars, sun or moon, or a beautiful and memorable scene. After the paint has dried, preferably over night, have an adult spray the blocks with the sealer. When that has dried over night as well, it is now time to place them for display in a flower or rock garden. Another great idea is to use them for drink coasters depending on the size of the blocks you have chosen. Walkways, patios, or even hang them on the wall. This project also makes a great gift idea.

This project is great for outdoor fun and gives children a chance to let their creativity shine. Everyone will be amazed at all the pretty colors and mom will be happy for a chance to get rid of those extra cans of paint.

A dog is not only man’s best friend, but is also a child’s. They lick their faces, give hugs, and cuddle up with lots of fluffy love. What better way to show your dog how much you love them than with some homemade doggie treats.

Ingredients

2C. Whole Wheat Flour

1C. Oatmeal

1C. Peanut Butter

1 Egg

¼ C. Vegetable Oil

1C. Water

Directions

With a parents help, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together, making sure they are well blended. The dough may be heavy, but that is okay. Sprinkle flour on a flat service, and then roll the dough to about ¾ of an inch thick. Using doggie cookie cutters, or any cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on a cookie sheet. Bake the biscuits for 20 minutes, then turn them over and bake for another 20 minutes. After the biscuits are done, turn off the oven but, leave the biscuits in the oven to dry out for about one to two hours.

Another great addition to your homemade dog treats is to personalize your very own dog treat jar. A mason jar, powdered lemonade or tea container, or any plastic or glass container with a lid works great. The imagination can run free. Construction paper, gems, glitter, photos, the possibilities are endless.

This project is also a wonderful idea for holiday gift giving. Children will enjoy the fun, creative way they can express their love for their faithful family friend.

Father’s Day is June 18^th and here is a wonderful idea to show your Dad just how much you love him.

Supplies

12-16 twigs

Twine or string

Glue

Photo

Embellishments

Directions

The first step in this fun project is to pick your favorite photo. It can be of you and dad or even a favorite vacation photograph. After you have collected your twigs, make sure half of them are about 2inches longer than your photo and the other half are about 2 inches wider than your photo. Next, arrange your twigs in the shape of a square frame around your photo making sure they extend outward about an inch in each direction. Now, using your twine or string, tie the twigs together making an “X” shape at each corner to create the frame. The next step is to glue your photo to the frame. After you are finished, remember to glue a piece of twine or string at the top in the shape of a loop so the picture can be hung.

Other ways to personalize your frame are to use embellishments such as foam shapes, buttons, pennies, gems, or even glitter. Whatever you choose, your gift will be extra special. This project is easy to do and doesn’t cost a thing. Imagination is the sole key and Dad will love the fact that it was made with your own two hands.

Memorial Day will soon be here, and what better way to show your patriotism than a star necklace with a penny in the middle.

Supplies

Red, White, and Blue construction paper

Penny

Glue

Scissors

Hole punch

Yarn

Directions

Start by cutting out three stars. Making sure to make one big, then the next smaller, and the last one even smaller so they can stack on top of each other while still displaying the patriotic colors. Using your glue, secure the stars together. Allow a little time to dry. After your star is completely dry, glue your penny, Lincoln head up in the middle of your stars. Using your hole punch, make a hole at the top of one point, making sure not to make it so close to the edge that the stars rip or tear. String your yarn or ribbon through the hole and tie at the end.

There you have it, a fun, creative way to display our flags colors and show our patriotism.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and what a wonderful way to let her know how much you love and appreciate her then with a beautiful handmade necklace created by you.

Supplies

Yarn or Ribbon

Tubular shaped uncooked macaroni

Scissors

Optional (for colored macaroni, use rubbing alcohol, food coloring, plastic baggies, and paper towel)

Beads or Gems (optional)

Directions

If you wish to color your macaroni, first get a parent to help you. Then, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the rubbing alcohol with a few drops of the food coloring in a plastic baggie. Use separate baggies for each color. Drop your macaroni inside; making sure the color mixture fully saturates the macaroni. After coloring is complete, place macaroni on paper towel, and allow it to dry.

The next step is to cut a piece of yarn or ribbon into enough length to make a necklace. Next, wrap some clear tape around the end to make it easier to string the macaroni or beads. Use your imagination to create different color, bead, or sizing patterns. After you have strung your macaroni or beads, make sure to leave enough room to tie it together at the end. Voila! There you have a beautiful necklace made by you just for mom.

This project has many creative possibilities. You can even color a picture, or use your photo and glue it to a piece of construction paper to personalize your necklace. Another great idea is to decorate and create a nice gift bag out of a paper lunch sack or a gift box out of a shoe box, cereal box etc. The possibilities are endless, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Do you remember the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” In keeping with that same idea, I believe “A candle a day keeps stress at bay.”

Have you ever noticed that certain smells make you feel a certain way? The smell of roses makes you smile, the smell of popcorn makes you hungry, and cookies baking in the oven make us think of home.

In our busy daily lives, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for us to stop and smell the roses. However, aromatherapy is one of the quickest, most popular, and inexpensive ways to give ourselves a well needed boost, or break.

Certain smells or scents help us to store and recall memories, as well as process our emotions and reactions. Stress, is one of the most harmful strains on the body, and one of the most ignored. Using this simple and quick method can help in our fight to live a long and healthy life. The negative effects of stress on our bodies can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease (which is the number one disease in women), and osteoporosis.

Here is a list of popular scents, and what they are used for.

Relaxation: chamomile, lavender, and jasmine

Energy: peppermint, juniper, and lemon

Focus: basil, and rosemary

The research into aromatherapy has greatly increased with its growing popularity. There are many books and websites filled with information to help get you on the proper path according to your specific needs.

So, just remember, as mother’s we tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, and that can take its toll on our minds and our bodies. Light a candle, or use essential oils to calm your mood and restore your focus for another busy day. You may find it’s just what you need to melt the stress away.