Duct Tape is an essential tool in our household.
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4 Grown-Ups
Puppy Love ~ Toys to Make for Your Pup!
This is an unusual topic for CCK, but we are going to make DIY dog toys. It is likely that many of you have pets who are beloved furry family members. This post is for them!
Our grand-pup is Amelia. She is a mini aussie-poo, which is an Australian shepherd and poodle mix adopted Bethany and Adam, my daughter and son-in-law. She is a high energy dog, super smart, and lightening fast. She loves people and has a friendly, sunny disposition. However, she has to be kept busy or she finds trouble!
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HopeFULLs ~ Nutritional Pops for Children and Adults
The HopeFULL Company is working to meet the needs of children and adults who have trouble eating by providing nutrient-dense, easily edible food. Whether you have a child who is ill or maybe you know an adult who is suffering side effects from chemotherapy; these products might help meet their nutritional needs.
Through the magic of cyber space connections and relationships I was contacted by the ladies from the HopeFULL Company. I described to them that we have a friend who is suffering from severe side effects from cancer treatments and had sent the family the website. After another contact through a Facebook group, the HopeFULL ladies generously sent me their kits and recipes so that I could make some pops to share.
This is the HopeFULL Kit. It focuses on the needs of adults. It comes with a popsicle mold, insulated bag, spoons, and beautiful recipes cards. Some of the recipes can be eaten warm which suits the need of our friend.
The BellyFULL Kit is designed for children and comes with a cute little chef’s hat instead of the insulated bag. The recipes are very kid friendly.
It is all simple! My friend choose a few recipes that appealed a bit and could be warmed. Here are some of the ingredients for a peanut butter and jelly pop:
Pour the ingredients into a blender and give a whir until all ingredients are fully pureed:
Pour into the molds, place the birchwood spoons (their version of a popsicle stick) and freeze:
To help them loosen just a bit I set them into container of warm water for just few moments:
Yes, I managed to leave out a spoon, but considering these are going to be warmed up, I should have left out all of the spoons.
I have fixed three of the recipes and each one was smooth and tasty.
I was given the HopeFULL kits with no strings attached, the HopeFULL company did not request a review. Their recipes and products were wonderful and I wanted to share them with you. I would recommend the kits for: children, picky eaters, adults and children who have eating difficulties.
Many thanks to the ladies of the HopeFULL company for sharing the products with me! This is the HopeFULL Company’s website. Go check them out!
A Cup of Chocolate Cake!
After a long day when the kids are in bed, have you ever yearned for just a bite or two of chocolate to go with a cup of tea?
~Warning~ If you are committed to healthy eating habits you may want to click away.
I had this experience just the other evening. I wanted a little something chocolatey, but didn’t want any leftovers. After a quick peruse of the kitchen I put together this sweet little concoction to appease the need…er..want.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp of chocolate cake mix
- 2 tbsp of diet coke
- nuts, chocolate chips – optional
Put 3 tbsp of cake mix into a small microwave safe bowl or cup:
Then add 2 tbsp of diet coke (or any cola):
Stir it until smooth, then sprinkle with nuts and chocolate chips:
I microwaved this for 30 seconds on high, then checked it and microwaved it for 10 more seconds. It will be piping hot, let it set for a few minutes before serving. You will need to monitor your cooking time as it will vary depending on your microwave. It will easily over cook.
This is a quick and tasty treat!
I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I was inspired by this brownie recipe I found on Pinterest.
To take care of that opened cake mix, I’m using it in a dessert for work on Friday. It will be gone for good!
Enjoy your delicious chocolate cake!
Connect with Creative Connections for Kids on Facebook!
We are pleased to share this post with these great sites. Go check out all of the great ideas!
Like a squirrel, I’m ready for winter…
Teaching Thankfulness
Favorite Link-ups ~ Sharing the Love
During the past year, I have linked my posts to various link-ups and blog hops across the net. I so appreciate the hosts who have created these rich hubs of resources, ideas, creativity, and crafts that I thought you might like having a list of the them to explore and connect to as well.
My sincere thanks to all of the bloggers below for your hospitality!
They are listed by the day of the week they are posted. Here you go!
Wednesday:
“Happiness is…” at Rub Some Dirty On It
“The Mommy Club Solutions and Resources” at Crystal and Company and Milk and Cuddles
Thursday:
“It’s Play Time” hosted by Let the Children Play, Hands On as We Grow, The Imagination Tree, Messy Kids, Quirky Momma
Friday:
“For the Kids Friday” at Sun Scholars
“The Play Academy” at NurtureStore
“Read, Explore, Learn” at JDaniel4s Mom
Saturday:
“What My Child is Reading” at Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns
“Show and Share Saturday” at I Can Teach My Child
Sunday:
“The Sunday Showcase” at Mom 2 Posh Little Divas and Classified Mom.
“Science Sunday” at Adventures in Mommydom
“Strut Your Stuff Sunday” at J and M’s Eye Candy
“Link and Learn” at No Time for Flash Cards
“Say Hi Sunday” at Three Peas in a Pod
“Craft Schooling Sunday” at Creative Jewish Mom
“The Weekend Hop” at Planet Weidknecht
We’ve also linked-up at Angelique Felix ‘s wonderful website. She shares play ideas and resources in three languages!
Quirkymama has compiled a comprehensive list of 100 family friendly link-up and memes. Be sure and check them out too!
A Blogiversary “Thank You”
Creative Connections for Kids has been in existence one year today!
First and foremost, thank you, thank you for taking time out of your busy life to read and follow my sporadic posting.
My first post was sad and pathetic, with lots of frustration behind those lines! lol I knew nothing, nothing, nothing about setting up a blog…until I found Blogging with Amy.
Blogging with Amy and Google were my “keys to the car”. I followed Amy’s 28 steps to setting up a blog… and the dozens of steps in between. Thanks Amy for a wonderful resource and for patiently answering my questions on your FB page.
After sending posts out into the wild blue yonder with no traffic, I must confess to becoming discouraged. Then out of the blue Cathy from NurtureStore, commented on a post and invited me to share an activity on her Play Academy; later she featured CCK on her blog. Because of Cathy, people were actually reading CCK! Thank you Cathy for your wonderful site and for sharing CCK with others. Your kind, lovely comments have been so encouraging.
On a December Sunday I noticed a big jump in traffic! Woohoo! Deborah from Teach Preschool had plugged a CCK activity on her Facebook page. As many know, she has built an amazing online early childhood community. Thank you Deborah, for sharing so many posts of mine and others! You’ve helped get CCK ‘out there’. I have become a better educator because of all of the blogs that I’ve learned about and now follow via Teach Preschool.
After being featured on Teach Preschool, I decided CCK needed a Facebook page and my daughter, Bethany helped me set it up; and she redesigned my headers. My girls and son-in-law have provided technical support, have endured my blogging talk; and I have truly enjoyed their input.
Thank you Ivy…for being my first Facebook ‘liker’!!!
Thank you to the wonderful early childhood blogging community. I continue to learn from you every day.
Many thanks to my cousin Kelly, for providing photography tips and information. She takes beautiful pictures of her little boy!
My husband has endured countless hours of blogging talk, Google Analytics chatter, and has patiently proofed many posts. Thank you Doug, for being my cheerleader extraordinaire.
While I may be an educator with the goal of teaching parents and children, I have been and continue to be the student. There is always something new to learn.
Thank you readers, Facebook ‘likers’, Tweeters, bloggers, and Pinterest followers for reading CCK!
Let’s go play, learn, and have fun together!
I like…Dry Erase Crayons
Hello!
This glorious summer break is quickly ending, so I’ve been shopping for school and work supplies.
I discovered Crayola Dry Erase Crayons. I thought you might like them too!
I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to find these little gems!
Why are they a new fav?
- They are much cleaner to use than dry erase markers. They don’t smudge, get on hands, or ‘leak’ onto fabric, paper…
- They don’t stink.
- The colors are vivid.
- They wipe off easily and it comes with a wipe off mitten.
I will no longer purchase dry erase markers because these are so much more preschooler and family friendly.
The negative is – they are NOT washable. So if someone marks on fabric or carpet…the color doesn’t come out.
This box was found at Walmart, but I plan to buy them by the dozen at Discount Supply so I can give them to my families at work.
Dry erase markers and white boards are loved by children. But you can also just place a piece of construction paper, or white copy paper into plastic sheet protector or ziploc bag and use it just like a white board. This is a light weight, compact option; and you can put a sheet protector into a three ring binder for travel or storage.
Have a great weekend!
Kristi
