Bird Nest Cookies

These cookies are darling, delicious, and perfect for Easter. Or for Spring. I mean, who really needs an excuse to eat cookies?!

Peanut Butter Bird Nest Cookies

2 2/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional sugar (for rolling)
Cadbury mini eggs (solid chocolate with a shell) or peanut M & Ms in pastel colors

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Add butter and peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Make balls out of level tablespoon of dough -- add flour if needed. Roll in sugar.

Bake 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and press 3 chocolate candies into the center of each cookie. Return to the oven and bake for 2 more minutes.

Cool and enjoy!

All Ages Valentine

I love this project for creating Valentine cards because even younger kiddos can participate. Both my boys did this project this year and it was a hit with everyone (even me - I was so impressed with the end result!)

Supplies:

A roll of clear contact paper
Scraps of paper, tissue, light-weight fabric, foil, etc.
A variety of hearts (in different sizes)
Glitter and/or sequins
Scissors
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Masking or painter's tape

Cut out two pieces of contact paper in the same size. Peel off the backing of one sheet and place it on the workspace, sticky side up. Secure corners with tape to hold the contact paper in place. Let your child use the paper, scraps, glitter, etc. to decorate the entire sheet (if your child is older and can use scissors, have them help prepare the scraps by cutting and tearing them before they begin). When they've finished decorating, peel the backing off the second sheet of contact paper and cover the decorated sheet, sticky side to sticky side. Work from one side to the other making sure to smooth out the wrinkles as you go. Cut out heart shapes from the sheet, punch a hole in the top of each one and tie with a ribbon.

Check out the pictures from our project, including the finished product above.