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.

New Favorite Resource for Kid Crafts

I am creative. I am crafty. I also spent years in my former, pre-mama life as an elementary school teacher. Despite all this, I still seem to find that I need inspiration for projects and activities to do with my little guys. Crafty Crow to the rescue. I just stumbled on a wonderful blog for child craft projects that has so many lovely, inspiring ideas I can hardly stand it! The Crafty Crow has a huge archive of projects and so many different categories (age, event, medium just to name a few), you are bound to find something perfect for everyone. I also love that there are projects for even the littlest of hands. (Plus they have awesome giveaways.) Check them out!

P.S. --I know I've been absolutely terrible about updating this blog. I've got lots of posts from recent plum tot newsletters to add and some great post ideas that have just not made their way here...yet. Check back soon. They'll be here-I promise.

Flower Pressing

I had a flower press when I was a kid. From time to time, I'd unscrew the knobs and look through the different layers to see all the paper thin memories from summers' past. Many of the flowers and leaves that I'd pressed were from my neighborhood walks and from my backyard. This year, my oldest son and I plan to press some flowers from our backyard garden.

If you's like to press flowers with your child, you will need:
*tissue or blotting paper (construction paper can also work)
*cardboard
*large, heavy books for pressing
*an assortment of flowers and leaves

Lay a sheet of tissue paper over a piece of cardboard. Arrange your flowers and leaves on the tissue. It's also fun to include a small note tucked in with the flowers detailing where they came from to help your child remember what you collected and why. Cover with another sheet of tissue paper, a piece of cardboard and a very heavy book (or two). Leave pressed for at least two weeks and up to six months. The longer the press, the better the preservation.

Marble Painting-- Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

I'm always looking for fun things to do with my kids. I found this project idea from FamilyFun.com.
This project is a lot of fun for little ones and looks beautiful with bright colors!

You will need:
*A handful of marbles
*A sturdy (non-breakable) plate or flat-bottomed container with a lip
*A muffin tin (or small dishes) and tempera paints
*Paper
*Spoons

First, trim a sheet of paper to fit on your plate (or in your container). Fill the cups of a muffin tin with different colored tempera paints. Show your child how to gently drop a marble into the paint and roll it around with the bowl of a spoon. When the marble is well coated, transfer it by spoon to the paper-lined plate. Use a gentle wrist action to swirl the marble around until the paint wears off. Or try using two or three marbles simultaneously. To preserve the hues, use a different marble for each color. Lift the artwork from the paper plate to dry.

Science for Munchkins

Rainbow Flowers

Introduce the concept of osmosis with flowers, water, and food coloring. I found this activity on the National Geographic Little Kids page and thought it would be a perfect--if not a little messy--science experiment for preschoolers. (If you missed my Little Kids Magazine rave, read it below.) Instead of typing it out in my newsletter, I've provided a link to the directions, which are complete with pictures and notes for parents (so you can look extra smart).

Check it out here.

"Gingerbread" Houses

Instead of taking the time to bake separate pieces of gingerbread for a house, use graham crackers instead. For a pint size house perfect for a child, take three standard size graham crackers (like HoneyMaid brand) and break them in half to total six squares. "Glue" them together using royal icing (four for the sides and two for the roof) and let it set up on a small piece of cardboard covered in foil. Then take a variety of decorative candy and the remaining frosting and let your child decorate away. You may want to make an extra one for you to decorate as well!

You need:
-3 graham crackers
-foil covered cardboard base
-assorted decorative candy
-Royal icing Royal Icing:
-2 egg whites (pasteurized, if possible)
-2 teaspoons lemon juice
-3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

Beat the egg whites and lemon juice together using an electric mixer. Slowly add the powdered sugar at a low speed to mix smoothly. Store in an airtight container when not using (icing dries out quickly). To pipe onto the seams of the house use a plastic bag with the corner cut off or a piping bag. *Please note that this recipe contains raw egg whites and is not recommended for little munchkins to eat. There are alternative recipes for Royal icing that call for substitutions if preferred.

Yogurt Dip for Fruit

In a snack rut? Here's a quick, easy, and healthy snack that's great for adults and kids alike. This recipe is simple and perfect for little ones to help make.

Ingredients:
-1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
-1/4 cup applesauce
-1 Tbsp. cinnamon and sugar mixture (I use about a 1/4 Tbsp. cinnamon to 3/4 Tbsp. sugar)
-Fruit (You can use whatever fruit you like. We like bananas, apples, strawberries, peaches, or nectarines best.)

Directions:
Mix first 3 ingredients in a bowl and serve with slices of fruit cut for dipping.

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Beat the heat this summer by making yogurt pops that you and your little one can enjoy. If you have a toddler or an older child, include them in the process--they will enjoy the popsicles even more.

Ingredients:
-2 cups plain lowfat yogurt
-2 cups frozen berries
-1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar (raspberries should get 3/4 cups sugar because of their tartness)


Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Recipe from the Deceptively Delicious cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld

Making Freezer Jam

Freezer Jam is a great way to use lots of ripe fruit and save it for later. It's also super easy to make and a fun activity for your child to help with as well. Many freezer jam recipes require no cooking and will keep for up to a year in the freezer. You can enjoy that fresh fruit flavor until next season (if the jam lasts that long!)

You will need:
-Ripe fruit
-Pectin (look on the pectin box for the freezer jam recipe)
-Sugar
-containers for freezing

Tips:
*Use perfectly ripe fruit
*Make sure your containers are meant for the freezer. Plastic or special freezer safe glass jars work well.
*Use pint-size containers or less as the jam will not set up as well.
*Follow the specific freezer jam recipe on the pectin you purchase for the best results.

Local U-Pick Produce

Tis' the season for fresh fruit and veggies. This year, try doing some of your shopping at a local farm. And if you're up for it, try picking the produce yourself. It's a fun outing for the whole family and it's often much cheaper to pick your own fruits and vegetables. Many farms also sell already picked produce at cheaper than grocery prices so you can pick what's in the fields and still buy a wide variety of produce. Some local farms in your area may also be organic. If you're not sure, ask the farmer about their farming practices. Often, small farms have not gone through the arduous process of having their farm certified as organic but practice sustainable farming nonetheless.
Go to www.pickyourown.org to find local farms in your area. This website also has picking tips, canning recipes, and lots of extra information to help you find resources wherever you live.

Bubbles for All Ages

Blowing bubbles is an activity that children of all ages can learn from and enjoy. Infants learn to track moving objects while older children can participate in making the bubble solution and blowing the bubbles themselves. Here's an easy bubble recipe for you to try at home. Double it if you want to make really BIG BUBBLES! Bubble Solution 4 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup hand dishwashing detergent (Dawn is recommended) 4 oz. glycerin or corn syrup Stir ingredients together gently and let stand for at least a few hours for the solution to come together.

TP Roll Fun!

Here are some fun and easy activities using toilet paper rolls (and other household items): *Create art. Have your child dip the ends of tp rolls into different colored paints and press them onto construction paper or recycled newspaper, creating "circle" art. *Make a bird feeder. With your child, take a tp roll, roll it in peanut butter and bird seed, then hang it in a tree in your yard. You and your child can watch the birds come to feed. *Make a musical instrument. Tape one end of the tube with masking tape, fill the tube about 1/3 full of dry rice, lentils, or beans. Tape the other end shut, then decorate and rock out! *Set up a creation station. Give your child an assortment of household items (tp rolls, cardboard boxes, empty yogurt containers, string, etc.), tape, and markers or crayons. Give them free reign to create whatever they want.

Planting a Child's Garden

The first summer my son Alex was walking, we planted a small garden with some herbs, flowers, and quite a few tomato plants. It was a hot summer and the garden went crazy. The tomato plants became the focus of endless fascination for Alex. He loved to help me pick the tomatoes and would definitely eat more than his share. He now has his own little plot where he gets to choose what to plant each year. He really loves having some ownership in his garden and definitely enjoys the fruits of his labor!

Plant a garden with your child! Here are some tips and suggestions for getting started: *Choose plants that are colorful and edible (flowers can also be a nice addition--just make sure they're nontoxic) *If you don't have space for a garden, us a pot and start small. *Include your child in the planning, tending, and harvesting. Even very little ones will enjoy helping with the, digging, watering, and eating. *Make sure to use organic fertilizers and avoid pesticides! *Give your child their own trowel and watering can so they can feel some ownership and responsibility in the garden. *Plant suggestions- cherry tomatoes, snap peas, strawberries, chives, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers (if you have the room), pansies, nasturtiums