The Mom I Want to Be

Storytelling is an art. Use funny voices and sound effects as well as dramatic facial expressions while you weave your tale, and your child will surely be captivated. It is also fun to make up stories together. For example, you begin, “Once upon a time there was a frog who thought he was a pig.” Then your child builds on the story by supplying the next sentence. Then it’s your turn again, and so on. If a story turns out especially well, you may want to write it down, date it, and save it to share in years to come.

The word pretzel comes from the Latin word “pretzola,” meaning “little reward.” Your reward will not only be these tasty pretzels, but the together-time you share with your child while making them. Here’s what you’ll need:

Mommy & Me Pretzels

Mommy’s Materials for the pretzels:
2 packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
1 tbsp. sugar or honey
2 tsp. salt (preferably sea salt)
6 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour, or a combination

Mommy’s Materials for the egg wash:
1 egg beaten,
1/4 cup water,
Coarse kosher salt.

How To:
1. Put the yeast in a bowl with the warm water and whisk with sugar or honey. As the yeast activates, it will give off an aroma. Explain to your child that the sugar helps the yeast grow. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. When tiny bubbles appear and the mixture starts to expand, you’re ready to move on.
2. Mix in the flour and salt. Stir with a spoon and finish mixing with your hands as the dough becomes stiff. It’s ready when it’s a little crumbly and flaky.
3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead it like you are playing with clay. Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (up to 10 minutes).
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (1-2 hours).
5. Punch the dough down and knead it again to remove any air bubbles.
6. Divide the dough in half and cut each half into ten equal sections.
7. Form each section into any design, shapes, or letters you desire.
8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
9. Cover pretzels with a damp cloth, and let rise for about 30 minutes.
10. Place pretzels on baking sheet, brush on egg wash, and sprinkle with course salt.
11. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.
Makes ten pretzels.

The celebration of Easter is considered to be the most important events in the Christian religion. The holiday celebrates new life through a variety of rituals including worship, songs, stories, and the giving of gifts. Fittingly, many of these are representative of the signs of rebirth that spring brings. For little children, Easter signifies more than a religious holiday. It means the Easter Bunny, colorful Easter Eggs, and Easter baskets foil of delicious candy! For many families, the Easter egg hunt is the most popular part of the celebration. If several children are participating in an egg hunt, give each child a specific colored egg to look for. The children will collect only the eggs that are their color, limiting the competitive factor. Each child receives the same number of eggs, and this version of the egg hunt also reinforces color identification.

Try this kid-pleasing favorite for lunch: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Slice hot dogs lengthwise (but not completely through) and tuck a slice of American cheese inside. Wrap each hot dog in a section of crescent roll dough (available in the refrigerated section of your grocery store). Bake on a cookie sheet for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Get ready for “squeals” of delight! Just remember, for little ones, cut up the piggies into little pieces. For some extra fun, play the game: This Little Piggy!

This year, it is also Easter 😉

It doesn’t matter what you sing, or how well you sing it- your baby loves the sound or your voice. And singing just makes you feel good. Start singing and before you know it, the rest of the family just might join in the fun.

Today is Earth Day! 

On this day honoring the environment and the earth’s natural resources, make a three-dimensional “found art” collage to introduce children to the idea of recycling. Collect items such as newspapers, aluminum foil, plastic cups, and egg cartons, and glue them in an artistic arrangement on a large piece of cardboard. Admire your child’s creation, and congratulate him or her on recycling “trash” into a work of art.

For more ideas visit About.com’s earth day page.

Scissors

Old magazines

Glue stick

Paper fastener

 

To make a bloom, cut two to four flower shapes in various sizes and patterns, as shown. Ours measure 1 1/4 to 5 1/2 inches. Tip: For a symmetrical flower like the ones pictured, trace a circle onto a magazine page and cut it out (we used an old CD as a template). Fold the circle in half several times, as you would a paper snowflake, then cut the folded paper into the desired petal shape, making sure you don’t cut through the pointed tip. Roll a single magazine page into a slim tube for a stem and secure it using a glue stick. Stack the floral shapes and secure them to the top of the stem with a paper fastener. Pinch or fold the edges of the petals to add dimension.

 

 

 

Find a page in a magazine that has color printed right to the edge (this is called a “bleed”) and carefully tear it out. Roll this page around a pencil, with the torn edge on the inside. Shake your pencil out and glue the loose edge down. Use a 1/8″ paper punch to punch a hole at one end. This will become your stem! Now, trace at least three circles using plastic lids or old CD’s as templates. Fold each circle in half several times, like you would to make a paper snowflake. Cut your folded circles into petal shapes, varying the sizes and/or shapes of each one. (Be careful not to cut through the folded point!) Stack your circles and push a brass paper fastener through the center, then through the hole in your stem, and secure in back. Add some leaves and glue them to your stem. (Cut two matching leaves and glue together for added strength!)

Who says the Easter Bunny doesn’t need a little help once in awhile? Make these cute Yoda and Chewbacca Papercraft Easter Egg Boxes, illustrated by Star Wars artist Katie Cook, to hold your favorite decorated eggs.

Print out the PDF designs, follow the easy instructions and fill them with candy or even a very special Easter egg! Use them year-round to store your Star Wars action figures, miniatures, cards and other collectibles.

 

Materials to Use:

·         Computer printer

·         Sturdy white paper

·         Scissors

·         Double-sided tape or glue stick

·         Chewbacca Box Design

·         Yoda Box Design

 

1. Print out Yoda and Chewbacca Easter Box designs.

2. Cut on the solid lines.

3. Fold on the dotted lines.

4. Use either double-sided tape or a glue stick to assemble the box.

5. Fill with goodies!