Patriotic Summertime Cherry Jello Poke Cake With summer comes BBQs (one of my favorite things!) and I'm always looking for great easy items to bring along with me! This Patriotic Summertime Cherry Jello Poke Cake is so easy and always gets rave reviews. My kids love poking the holes and it's a great way to involved in cooking. Ingredients for Cake: 1 box white cake mix eggs, water, oil for cake as directed on the box 1 pack cherry Jello Ingredients for Frosting 1 cup butter, softened 3 - 4 cups powder sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla pinch salt 2-3 tablespoons milk Directions Prepare boxed cake mix according to directions. Once baked and cooled slightly, poke holes into cake. I have used several things to do this but many times it's a handle of some … [Read more...]
Kool-Aid Patriotic Snow Cones
Kool-Aid Patriotic Snow Cones How easy and simple are these?! PLUS what kid doesn't like snow cones? You can make the color syrup and let the kids make their own designs they would love this! INGREDIENTS 2 lb Sugar 1 packet Red Kool-Aid, Cherry or Strawberry 1 packet Blue Kool-Aid, Blue Raspberry 1 Packet Clear Kool- Aid, Lemon 1 qt Water Lots of ice DIRECTIONS Combine sugar and water in a large pot and bring to a boil, then turn off heat and allow mixture to cool. Put each flavor of Kool-Aid into a separate container, I like using these squeeze bottles. Pour 1/3 of sugar and syrup mixture in each bottle. Replace cap and and shake well then refrigerate. Use either an Ice Shaver or blender to crush ice. Scoop shaved ice to form a ball on top of your cup. Pour … [Read more...]
Red White and Blue Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich Recipe
Get patriotic with this yummy ice cream cookie sandwich recipe. During the summer ice cream, anything is a hit at my house. Well ok, anything cold, popsicles, ice cream, slushies, other frozen drinks. Any way we can think of to cool off! Us adults even switch to iced coffee! So it really shouldn't be a surprise we are slightly addicted to ice cream with our cookies. This addiction is what fueled the need for this ice cream cookie sandwich. We have experimented and had some home runs and some utter fails. One we love around July 4th is this red white and blue version! Oh and here's how to keep your ice cream cold at a picnic in case your 4th of July is on the go. Red White and Blue Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich Recipe Ingredients 1 cup Butter, Softened (2 … [Read more...]
Benefits of Color Coding Your Homeschool Classroom
Benefits of Color Coding Your Homeschool Classroom As a homeschooling parent you already know how difficult it can be to keep all of your kids materials in their proper location. Mix into that educating multiple children at once, and you have a recipe for disorganization if you don't take control quickly. The Benefits of Color Coding Your Homeschool Classroom are numerous. Many families have found this method to be one of the easiest ways to stay on top of daily tasks, clutter and manipulatives without fuss. Not only can children of any age help keep things in order, it makes it easier for mom at the end of a day, week or school year to quickly grab things as needed. Even Non Readers Know What Is Theirs. Many moms and dads have struggled with how to get a non reader to … [Read more...]
Fun Fruity Pebbles Cupcakes
Fun Fruity Pebbles Cupcakes How colorful are these cupcakes? Great for parties, perfect in the summer too! Using a box cake mix the possibilities on favors are endless, but it also couldn't be easier to make! My kid LOVE sprinkling the Fruity Pebbles on top of the cupcakes! These are a a great treat for any school activity you need to bring in snacks or potlucks! INGREDIENTS 1 box Yellow Cake Mix (this recipe is great with chocolate too!) 1/2 cup of Oil (I prefer Vegetable Oil) 1 cup softened Butter (not margarine) 3 Large Eggs 3 tablespoon Milk (I prefer whole milk for taste) 1 teaspoon Vanilla 4 cup Powdered Sugar 2 cup Fruity Pebbles DIRECTIONS Mix cup cake batter according to box directions. Add 1 3/4 cup Fruity pebbles to batter then bake according to … [Read more...]
Cherry Spritzer Drink Recipe
Cherry Spritzer Drink Recipe I love simple easy recipes and during the summer I love to use fruit in my drinks. One of the the big hits in my house is this Cherry Spritzer Drink Recipe. I think it's a hit because we have an adults version and a kids version and the kids never know the difference that mommy and daddy has the good stuff they think they are getting a special treat to drink what mommy and daddy are! Ingredients 1 oz of grenadine 1 1/2 cup of sprite 1 oz of vodka Cherries and blackberries for looks. splash of cherry juice First start by adding your grenadine and sprite together. Then toss in some fruit for looks. The fruit taste really good at the end of the drink. An extra Oomf of yum! Then add in your vodka and splash in some cherry juice right … [Read more...]
How to Keep Towels Soft Without Using Fabric Softener
I don't know about you but the water we have in our house takes the softness out of our towels and kind of gives them an off smell. This drives me crazy so I started looking for how to keep towels soft and keep the smell out. Here are some tips that don't include using fabric softener. 5 Ways to Keep Towels soft without using fabric softener. 1. Vinegar - The first way we can make our old towels like new is by looking at our old friend plain white distilled vinegar. Just toss your towels into the wash with a single cup of vinegar and let it run. If the vinegar scent is too much for you, just put the towels through another wash without the vinegar. 2. Wind Drying - The second way you can have softer towels is a rather old-fashioned method of drying your clothes. Just wait around … [Read more...]
Cheap Wine Tasting in Napa Valley
When thinking about going wine tasting, Napa Valley is on the top of most people’s lists. In years past it wasn’t uncommon to find free tastings and free winery tours available. Those days have passed unfortunately as spending a day wine tasting in Napa is anything but cheap. The best way to keep the costs down is to combine a tour with your wine tastings. The days of learning about the winemaking process and seeing behind the scenes with the winemaker for free are long gone. Here is a guide to help you navigate cheap wine tastings in Napa Valley – well, as cheap as we can find! Cheap Wine Tasting in Napa Valley Hess Collection: Hess has great wines, especially their Chardonnay that are available at excellent price points. Their grounds are breathtakingly beautiful and access to the … [Read more...]
Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor Unit Study
Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor Unit Study I have been wanting to do this unit study with my kids for a while. I actually got the idea from the Doc Mcstuffins show on Disney Jr but since my kids love the Berenstain Bears books I wanted to do it based of the book. Adding in the Doc Mcstuffins shows was a great add on to this unit study! We based the unit study around the book Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor book. We did a Doctor Activity for the unit study. We used our Doc McStuffins Doctor Bag and the Doc Mcstuffins Doctor Coat we had from Christmas. The kids had a blast giving each other check ups and practicing on baby dolls! Related: The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV Lesson Plan We also did a Doctor Art Activity using items that Doctors use. Many of which are … [Read more...]
Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor Unit Study Snack
Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor Unit Study Snack Rounding out our fun visit to the doctor with the Berenstain Bears was a yummy and fun themed snack to go along with our story. Kids love fun shapes and any snack presented in a new way is an an exciting and therefore tastier treat. Use whatever items you have on hand in your pantry or pick up a few at the store to make a simple and themed lunch for your little one. Graham Cracker Band Aids-Break graham crackers down into small rectangles. Spread peanut butter on the center- there you have it a band-aid. I have seen some other versions with a dab of strawberry jam for blood but I didnt think the kids or I were up to such a graphic snack. String Cheese Stethoscope-Slice string cheese, form into the ear pieces and finish off with a … [Read more...]
Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor Unit Study Art Activity
Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor Unit Study Art Activity This art project gives you a great opportunity to discuss the different tools a doctor has and what they might be used for. This is helpful especially if you have a child that is apprehensive about visiting the doctors office. Some are used when you are sick or have a problem, sore are used during regular checkups. Gather materials that are likely already on hand in your medicine cabinet to complete a fun Doctor themed collage. This is also great for fine motor skills as they use their pincer grasp to pick up and position items and tape. Supplies Needed: File Folder 2- 8” pieces of ribbon medical supplies like; cotton balls, cotton swabs, bandage tape, tongue depressors (craft sticks) band aids, rubber … [Read more...]
Berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor Unit Study Activity
Berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor Unit Study Activity Berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor book from the beloved furry pals we know so well takes a peek at visiting the doctor for a checkup for the cubs with a sneezing, sniffling papa along. If your child has fears about the doctor or you just want to teach them some additional doctor information this is a great book and I have put together an activity, a craft, and a snack that I did with my kids, I hope you enjoy. Dramatic play is a fantastic way for children to learn to differentiate real vs. fantasy, develop social skills, it gives them a feeling of power, and releases stress for them. I am a firm believer in learning through play, so I gave the kids their own doctors office to learn and play in. Discuss with children that in … [Read more...]