Wordless Wednesday: My Little Chefs

I'm learning to enjoy cooking more with my girls!! We even made homemade tortillas last week. Please don't ask how they turned out! Ha, Ha!!!



Check out Go Graham Go , Punky Monkey's and 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday!!





Angry Chef?? Oh my!!






Happy Wordless Wednesday!!
Jen

"Martin's Big Words"

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day right around the corner, here is my literature pic for the week! I came across this book a couple of years ago and fell in love with it! I introduced it to my girls last year and plan on checking it out from the library again this week. Sunshine is actually researching him for a Social Studies project.(PowerPoint) Isn't it amazing what a 6 year old can do technology wise now a days!! Now of course I have to guide her as to where to click, etc, but she is having fun choosing her background colors, photos, and animations!

Anyways, back to the book!! I highly recommend Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. I loved the illustrations and the narration. I believe that the end of the book may mention his assassination. Of course every child is different, but I chose not to share these details. Yes, I shelter my children. I'm probably going to skim over that page again. At this age, I think it is important to teach what he did that was so important more than how he died. We can save that for when they are older. If you decide to check this out this week, let me know what you think!!




For a couple of more professional reviews- check out below!!

Reviews:

Child Magazine
A Child Magazine Best Book of 2001 Pick
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of love, justice, and freedom shines through every page of this powerhouse of a book. Watercolor and cut-paper collages pack a visual punch, and the fluid narrative is simple enough for young readers.

From the Publisher
This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words. Martin Luther King, Jr. , was one of the most influential and gifted speakers of all time. Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of his most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in a simple, direct way. Bryan Collier's stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and a list of additional books and web sites help make this a standout biography of Dr. King.

Happy Reading!!
Jen

Marshmallow Snowmen

Another tradition passed down from my Mom- Marshmallow Snowmen!! She would make them for us and practically all of the kiddos in the neighborhood. When I was teaching, I made them for my students as well. This year, my husband and I helped our girls make their very first snowman out of marshmallows and they loved it! This activity is fun to do with the kids around Christmas, but also a fun January activity. That's the great thing about snowmen- you can keep them out until March!!


Materials needed: Bag of large marshmallows, gumdrops, candy canes, toothpicks, 3 Musketeers bars or Milky Way Bars, Aluminum Foil, blue food coloring

1. Wrap a candy bar with aluminum foil. Tape candy canes on each side of the wrapped candy bar to make your snowman's sled.

2. Connect 3 large marshmallows with toothpicks. You may want to double up on the toothpicks so that they hold. Using toothpicks, put the snowman on the sled.

3. Next, make arms,legs, and a hat out of the gumdrops by connecting them on toothpicks. (3 for each leg, 2 for each arm, 1 for a hat) Attach into the marshmallows.
(This part is a little tricky- we kept poking ourselves with the toothpicks! Ouch!)

4. Finish your snowman by making a face. Dip tip of a toothpick into food coloring.

5. Wrap with plastic wrap and ribbon to decorate.

6. Don't wait too long to eat your creation or give it as gift for a fun winter surprise!!




After a day of sledding and hot cocoa, try the above family activity!
Take Care and Happy Winter!

Jen

Let it Snow, Let it Snow.....

Things are getting pretty white around my neck of the woods! My girls are so excited because they can't wait to try out their new purple sleds from SANTA! Also, they want to have a snow ball battle. This is so my fault! One day last winter,I thought it would be so funny to hide behind the bushes and sabotage my husband with snowballs. As we were anxiously awaiting his return, one of my girls looked up at me and asks- "Why are we doing this again?"
"Because it's fun, silly!!"
Actually, it is because Mommy is immature and wants to get back at Daddy for all of the "bad" things he has done over the years! (Ha! Ha!)Ever since then, they want to beat up Mom and Dad with snowballs. They also can't wait to be snow angels and build a snowman.
I love watching them try to catch snowflakes on their tongues! I'd love to capture this moment on film. Especially my six year old! It is so great to see her just being a kid! She's trying to grow up too fast, so it is pure joy to see snow falling on her little face as she struggles to catch just one!
Although this weather makes me want to hibernate, it is hard not to appreciate the beauty of it all. The snow brightens up the dreary days of winter. The trees looks so beautiful when they are snow covered and I love watching the light reflect off snowflakes as they fall.
If you love this weather or if your children are fascinated with snowflakes, you'll have to share the story of "The Snowflake Man" with them. I came across a book titled Snow Crystals about Bently at the library and was impressed by his passion and work.

For the little ones, be sure to share the book, Snowflake Bently by Jacqueline Briggs Martin.














"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley 1925


Enjoy the Snow and the books!
Jen

Hershey Kisses!!

Yum!! Who can't resist a Hershey kiss?? I wish I invented this little drop of heaven!! Every Christmas when I was a little girl, my mother would make Hershey Kiss wreaths with us. I can remember looking at that little wreath on the tree and wanting to eat it before Christmas arrived. What a great lesson in patience! This year, my husband and I made them with our girls! They loved talking about how their mommy made these when she was a little girl with their special Grammy! It is so simple and be sure to have some extra kisses on hand to eat while you are creating!


Materials: a bag of Hershey Kisses, curling ribbon, a piece of cardboard, Aluminum foil, glue

Directions:
1. Draw or trace a 4 inch circle onto cardboard. Cut out.
2. Next, cut out a circle in the center to make the shape of small wreath- with enough space to glue Hershey kisses around it.
3. Cover the cardboard wreath with aluminum foil.
4. Glue red, silver,and green Hershey kisses around the wreath.(put just a small dab of glue on the bottom of each kiss. Let dry.
5. Tie a piece of ribbon on the wreath.
6. Let your child hang their Hershey Kiss Wreath on your Christmas tree or give to someone special for a gift!!

Have a Very Merry Christmas filled with lots of chocolate and
have fun celebrating the birth of Jesus with your families!!

Blessings,
Jen