2012 Father's Day gifts

Here are two ideas for you and the kids to make some father's day gifts. Both are recipes. One is for great and easy cookies. The other is for home made finger paint which the kids can use to make a card or a painting. Choose one or both to make. The kids will have so much fun. BOTH RECIPES REQUIRE ADULT SUPERVISION SINCE YOU MUST USE THE STOVE.

Finger Paint:
I envelope of unflavored gelatin
cold water
1/2 cup cornstarch
4 Tbsp dishwashing liquid
food coloring clean jars

1-Stir gelatin into 1/3 cup of cold water. Stir well. Set aside.
2-Add cornstarch to 2 1/2 cups of cold water. Stir until dissolved. Simmer until it starts to thicken.
3-Remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin mixture and the dishwashing liquid.
4-Allow mixture to cool, then spoon it into jars.
5-Stir in a generous amount of food coloring.
6-Store at room temperature in airtight containers.

Amazing Cookies-makes 3 doz
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 jar of peanut butter (I prefer creamy but you choose)
6 cups of corn flakes
3 oz chocolate for melting

1-Combine sugar and cornstarch. Cook over medium-high heat. Stir until it reaches a full boil.
2-Stir in peanut butter and mix well.
3-Add cornflakes and mix well
4-Scoop out dough and form into 1-2 inch balls
5-Place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet.
6-Melt the chocolate for 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir until smooth
7-Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies.
8-Serve them to Dad with kisses and hugs

May 2012 Safety Recalls

Here's the list. Check it carefully and share it with friends and neighbors.

Washing Machine Dangers!

This is just incredible. Never let young children get into washers or dryers, even if you are right there.

Do You Know About Magnet Poisoning?

Follow this link to read about how to prevent your children from this horrible accident!

New Additions

I have added a current list of the most popular children's books and a pool of swimming fish to feed (with a click of your mouse) at the bottom of the blog. Hope you enjoy both! Let me know.

Protect Your Child From Drowning

Keep summer fun AND safe. Read these tips to protect the children in your family and their friends.

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day Gift Idea

How about some beautiful modern bookmarks?

I made mine about 6 inches by 3 inches. Use heavy oak tag or card stock in Mom's favorite colors or a favorite theme. Cut smaller panels out of watercolor paper or thick card stock and let the kids draw items from nature like my flowers, bees or dragonfly. The panels can be mounted on patterned paper, wrapping paper. wallpaper, figure painted paper, or solid colored card stock. You can color the edges with marker or taper the corners. I added stickers with sayings to some of mine or the kids can write "Mom" or their name. I used white pre-cut flowers for the one on the far right and colored it with markers, adding a flat marble in the middle. The options are pretty much limitless. Don't forget to punch a hole at the top and add some matching ribbon. Add the date and some x's and o's and Mom will be thrilled to use it with her latest book or magazine choice.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothering caregivers out there!

April 2012 Product Recalls

Go to Safe Kids and review this month's list.

15 Signs Your child May Have ADHD

Follow this link to read the list that describes the behaviors.

Product Recalls for March 2012

Here is the list. Check your purchases!

Sneak Peak into a Great Blue Heron Nest!

Follow this link to visit a webcam live broadcast of a pair of Great Blue Herons as they care for their eggs. When will they be hatching? There is also one on the nest of a pair of Redtailed Hawks whose chicks should hatch in a few days!! What fun for kids and adults as well.

Easter Books and Craft 2012

Here are some terrific books for the holiday:
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Duck and Goose by Tod Hills
The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
Junie B. First Grader-Dumb Bunny by Barbara Park
Story of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing
Peepsqueak by Ann Clark

Paper Plate Bunny

You will need 2 white paper plates, a pink crayon or marker, some pom poms and a small piece of colored construction paper.
First, glue two big white pom poms next to each other in the middle of the plate. Place a small pink pom pom right above them to be the nose.
Next, draw the eyes with a crayon or marker.
Then, cut a bow tie of any color and glue at the bottom of the plate.
Finally, take the second plate and cut two ears by cutting and removing a "v" shaped piece. Color the insides pink and attach them to the back of the plate, cut sides toward the middle (see my picture for placement.

This cute bunny can hang at your door or in your window.