Since the majority of people over 5 and under 50 have begun playing Pokemon Go, Pokemon©, has suddenly jumped in popularity again, despite that they have now been around for 20 years. We love to include Pokemon© everywhere we can and I figured out a great way to get the kids off the App and into reading more. I created these Pokemon© Bookmarks that can also be used as pointers. They are perfect for holding their place, tracking words as they read, or even as a pointer for whiteboards, blackboards, and posters. They can also used as puppets, in play dough or sensory bins. All you have to do is follow these basic steps to create any of your favorite Pokemon© characters. I kept it simple with a Pokeball and a Pikachu to capture the kids' attention and wanted to share how we did it with all of you. You will need: Wide craft sticks Yellow, Red, White, and Black Craft foam Yellow paint Red and black markers School glue Single hole … [Read more...]
Piggie Grahams Recipe
We are two days from the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation here in New York City and I'm so excited! Our family joined a pool club this summer and we will be going there almost every day so I have been trying to come up with easy snack ideas that we could take with us that the kids could enjoy. What's summer without some sweet treats to let the kids indulge in? Piggie Grahams are so easy to make and my boys love to eat them. I like that they don't take up a lot of my time to make and that they are so adorable! The only bad part is that I end up eating some of them as I am packing them in the picnic basket and the boys are always asking where all the extra Piggie Grahams went. I always plead the fifth so, if I don't tell and you don't tell, there is nothing to worry about. Ingredients - white frosting, any brand pink gel food coloring graham cracker squares Wilton pink … [Read more...]
7 Ways To Save Money At The Fair
Do you love the fair but feel like it always leaves you broke? Do you wish there was a more budget friendly way to visit and enjoy all of your favorite games, rides, and food? If so, take a look below at 7 ways to save money at the fair. With these simple tips, you will find that you can have a wonderful time with family and friends while still keeping some cash in your pocket! Here is what you need to know: 1. Buy tickets in advance. In many cases you can buy entrance tickets in advance, which saves you some cash up front. See if the fair company has an online site you can buy from, or see if any local businesses will be selling discount tickets in advance. 2. Go on wristband night. Although this is one of the busier nights, it is a great time to save money. On wristband night you can usually ride all the rides you want for one fee. This saves you from having to buy tickets and you can ride anything you want as many times as you … [Read more...]
Patriotic Jello Cups
Next weekend is Memorial Day and many people forget that this special holiday is for remembering the men and women who died while serving in this country's armed forces. Although most usually spend this day surrounded by family and friends outdoors, it's very important to be reminded of the sacrifices that these brave people have made for all of us. There is no better way to show your patriotism than by using the colors red, white and blue in everything that you do during this weekend. My ten year-old son loves eating jello so I knew that making a special dessert that includes his favorite dessert will be a great way to teach him about our servicemen and servicewomen. Patriotic Jello Cups Ingredients- 2-3oz packs blue jello 2-3oz packs red jello 2-small envelopes of unflavored gelatin Whipped cream Red, white, and blue sprinkles Directions- 1. In a small pot, boil 1 cup of water and mix in two … [Read more...]
Strawberry Bread Recipe
Lately, I have been seeing photos all over social media of my friends and colleagues baking bread. I'm not sure if it is a new foodie trend but, what I do know, is that there is nothing like fresh, homemade bread when it is right out of the oven. You guys know that my number one requirement when it comes to cooking or baking is convenience. The following recipe is not only delicious, but it is also very easy to make for busy moms. I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it as much as my family did. STRAWBERRY BREAD Yields: 2 loaves (9 x 5” pan) Prep: 30 minutes | Bake: 50 minutes | Total: 1 hour 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries 3 1/8 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil 4 eggs, beaten 1 ¼ cups chopped pecans Directions: - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 x … [Read more...]
Dairy Free Blueberry Pecan Popsicles
They are dairy-free, gluten-free, and processed sugar-free but these Blueberry Pecan Popsicles are far from taste-free! Giving up milk is hard-replacing that creaminess especially in ice cream and other milk based desserts has been a bit of a challenge. Then I discovered canned coconut milk and realized how delicious it was, it is now my go to replacement in everything from coffee to homemade whipped cream to these popsicles. While the kids also love this popsicle recipe I made this one with the grown-ups in mind and with just 4 simple ingredients- creamy coconut milk, crunchy pecans, raw honey, and fresh blueberries...and yes they are as good as they look! These dairy free popsicles are so delicious and quite healthy- that makes for a great snack, dessert, or even breakfast treat on a hot day! Ingredients: 1 oz. can coconut milk ½ cup fresh blueberries 3 T. chopped pecans 2 T. raw honey Directions: -Wash your fresh blueberries well, … [Read more...]
Cinco de Mayo Sombrero Cookies Recipe
Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and, for those of you who don't know the history behind this day, it commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. I actually know facts like these from the years that I taught middle school Social Studies and planned multicultural lessons for my students. The Battle of Puebla is significant because it is the classic story of the underdog defying all the odds to come out ahead. In this case, Mexicans were greatly outnumbered by the French who had not been defeated for almost 50 years. It's a wonderful story that I love telling to my Mexican students to instill pride in their heritage. This year, I thought I would also create some delicious treats to give out to my students as we discuss the day's historical significance. Cinco de Mayo Sombrero Cookies Recipe Ingredients: 12 Pillsbury Ready To Bake Sugar Cookies (or can use store bought) … [Read more...]
7 Tips For Planning The Perfect Picnic
The arrival of spring means it is time to get outdoors and dine alfresco style! Eating a meal outdoors can be wonderfully relaxing and entertaining, and it can be beautifully budget friendly as well. If you want to prepare a picnic for your family or someone special, take a look below at 7 tips for planning the perfect picnic and creating a meal they will always remember! 1. Choose a scenic spot. You want the location to be beautiful and pleasing to the eye, so consider a park or field with some nice landscape. You also want to be sure the spot has trees, so if it gets too warm and you crave some shade you have it. Check out local nature conservatories, parks, and orchards to find the perfect spot. 2. Take comfortable blankets and chairs. Not everyone is use to dining outdoors, so you want to be sure everyone is comfortable. Large blankets and pop up chairs are perfect for giving everyone a cozy place to rest and eat. If you are worried about a wet ground, take a tarp to place … [Read more...]
Science Project Idea: Cloud Experiment
Those of you who follow me on social media know that, last month, I helped my twelve year-old son with his Science project for school. Although I am an educator, Science has never been my strongest subject and I struggled to find a project idea that I could help him with while enjoying ourselves at the same time. We eventually settled on analyzing food dyes in a variety of popular candies. Next year, when my younger son enters fifth grade, I will have to help both of my boys with their Science projects and I know that it is going to be a lot of work. As a result, I have already begun to experiment with some fun ideas that I have found online and I'm hoping to choose some of them next spring when it's time for my boys to submit their finished projects to their school's yearly Science Fair. This experiment is to teach kids how rain happens. Clouds form when water droplets from the earth evaporate into the air. They are … [Read more...]
7 Tips For Cleaning Produce
Do you love cooking with fresh fruits and vegetables? If so, you might be wondering what the best way is to clean these items. Making sure your produce items are properly cleaned is the best and safest way to enjoy them, and doing this only takes minutes. If you want to be sure you are enjoying the cleanest produce, take a peek below at 7 tips for cleaning produce. You will be amazed at how easy it is. 1. Buy a vegetable peeler Many contaminates can find their way into vegetable skins and even if washed, can still hang on. Buy a quality vegetable peeler so you can remove the peels from items such as cucumbers, zucchini, and of course potatoes prior to preparation. 2. Rinse peeled vegetables Just because you removed the dirty skin, you still need to wash the inside of your produce items. Rinse the items under running water for a good 30 seconds so clean away any debris or dirt, even the stuff that is too small for the eye to see. 3. Buy a produce brush A produce brush is … [Read more...]
