Quick and Easy Treat

I got this recipe from my friend and thought it was so perfect for the holidays, I had to share it.
You will need:
mini pretzels
Hershey chocolate kisses
M&M candies
Rolo candies
pecan halves

For the chocolate pretzel candy, place pretzels on a greased cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Place a chocolate kiss in the middle of each pretzel. Bake at 275 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes until the chocolate is soft. Remove from oven and press an M&M down to spread the chocolate into the spaces. Let them rest for a few minutes and then refrigerate until the chocolate is firm again.
For the Pecan caramel candy, place the pretzels onto foil or parchment lined cookie sheets. Place a Rolo candy in the middle. Bake at 250 degrees for 4 minutes (they will keep their shape) and then press the pecan into the softened candy. Cool for a few minutes, then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes until firm again.

It's a perfect recipe if you have children who want to help, since they can easily place the M&Ms or nuts into the softened chocolates. The candies make a nice display or a attractive gift plate for a hostess.

Ways To Ease the Stress of Travelling With the Kids

Here are some great tips to help make your holiday travel safe and healthy.

Quick Easy Breakfasts For Kids

Want some good ideas for the busy weeks ahead? Here's a link to great ideas.

Math Topic -Patterning Part 1

Holiday time is a wonderful time to start working with kids on patterning. Since our number system is based on patterns, which can easily be seen if looking at a chart of numbers from 1 to 100, children should be able to first identify patterns in concrete things in their world. If you decorate your house for winter or put up a Christmas tree, making garland is a wonderful activity. Simple patterns would be just two colors or two symbols, such as red, white, red, white, or star, snowflake, star, snowflake. This is called an AB pattern. The idea is to see what the established pattern is and then to be able to answer the question "what comes next?"  Saying the pattern aloud while pointing to each piece often helps. Patterns can become more difficult such as using three items (or an ABC pattern)  such as red, green, white, or AABB such as snowflake, snowflake, star, star. Young children should work with no more than three items, while older children can work with more. There are many combinations that can be used such as ABBA, ABCA,  AABBCC, and so forth. After the child can say the pattern, and add on the pieces continuing the pattern, the last step would be for them to be able to create their own pattern. Children can also use beads, popcorn, or  buttons to string. Working with an adult can reinforce color patterns by arranging a string of colored lights into a color pattern. Don't forget to look at gift wrap since they always have patterns in them. Then, they can use stickers or stamps on plain craft or white drawing sheets to make their own wrapping paper.  Have fun with it. Next month I will continue the topic of patterns in other areas.

Foods To Fight Your Cold

Follow this link to see which foods will help your fight the cold germs that can ruin your holidays!

December 2010 Books and Craft Idea

Pooch on the Loose, A Christmas Adventure, written by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Michael Garland, published by Marshall Cavendish, Tarrytown, NY. This adventure takes place in New York City. The children are invited to follow Bart, a cute little terrier, as he escapes his apartment and scampers around to see the Christmas sights. Any child who has visited the city will recognize the famous locations. Anyone who loves dogs will love this book.

A Very Marley Christmas, written by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey, published by Harper Collins, NY. This is another great holiday dog story, continuing in the Marley series. You can imagine how tempting all the holiday decorations are for Marley. While the family waits for snow, they try to keep Marley's excitement contained.

Christmas Craft: Rudolph magnet

Supplies include 2 corks, one brown pipe cleaner, one red pom pom, two wiggle eyes, magnet tape and glue.
Directions: Glue the two corks together, narrow ends together. Let dry completely. Glue eyes in  place and red pom pom as the nose. Let dry completely. Cut the pipe cleaner into four equal lengths. Poke them into the end and bend the tips to look like antlers. Cut a piece of magnet tape and place on the back. Use your magnet to hold recipes to the range hood, photos to the refrigerator or notes to the file cabinet.

November Product Recalls

Follow this link to check to see if you have purchased any children's products which have been recalled.

Worry About Head Lice?

Now that the kids are back in day care or schools, do you worry about them picking up head lice? Follow this link to get some helpful tips about preventing them and what to do if they do bring them home.