Nothing Like It!

You want to keep a preschooler busy for about an hour? Give them a cheap (or old) shirt and some puff paints! They will love to show it off the next day with a cute pair of shorts! If you don't have any of these things try old socks and a permanent marker... then put on a puppet show!

Get Creative!

Yesterday we finished off the oatmeal and had a left over oatmeal container. I couldn't stand to toss it. Surely there must be a use for it. So, I asked my four year old what we should do with it. I gave her paper, crayons, glue and scissors. She decided she wanted to make a pig... here is what she did:

Colored the paper just the way she wanted-

Draw and cut out the pig face-

Glued the paper, face, paper ears and rock feet onto the oatmeal container.

Waited about an hour for it all to dry and... you have a pig!

Watermelon Shapes!

Use cookie cutters to make watermelon shapes.

Your kiddos will gobble them up!

See the original recipe at: http://thislittleproject.blogspot.com/2010/07/watermelon-stamping-treat.html

4th of July Cheesecake

Cheesecake is always a hit at any party. How fun, festive and easy is this? You can use the recipe found here: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/red-white-blue-cheesecake-688032/ or all you have to do is buy and make a no bake cheesecake mix (I used cherry) and when its finished, garnish with blueberries. If you want to go the super duper easy route, buy an already made cheesecake, top with red berries and garnish with blueberries. So easy!

4th of July Yumminess!

I was asked to make a dessert for our 4th of July family gathering. This is very simple, festive and not that bad for you either!

Ingredients

• 1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
• 4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 to 36 ladyfingers

Instructions

1. To make the fillings, prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill it.

2. Slice the strawberries, if you're using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.

4. To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers (around 7 or 8) on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.

5. Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.

6. Refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.

   
   

   For more info and original recipe: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/summer-berry-trifle-683851/

   
   

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

How cute are these?

There require a lot of steps but are pretty easy!

Click on the above picture for the recipe

Thanks Michele!

Camping...

The weather hasn't been cooperating where we live so I was thinking about this to keep summer alive this season. Plus, it will be a trial run to see if I can actually take my kiddos camping outside when the sun decides to come out.

Camping in your living room:

Move your furniture and pitch a tent

Use sleeping bags

Use flash lights

Turn off all lights

Play card games

Read/tell stories

Open the window or screen to get some fresh air

Make smores

Grill hot dogs

Turn on the fire place

Get a wild life CD for wilderness noise

Use only camping gear when cooking

Go for a walk outside when you all wake up

I am sure you get the idea! Have fun with it... the kiddos will have a blast!