Save time when baking cookies by making cookie bars. Pour cookie batter in an 11×17 inch pan. Bake and Slice! Fall vegetables like squash can be substituted for pumpkin in recipes. This is a good tasting way for children to eat veggies! Continue reading Kitchen Kapers
We’ve found some simple and fun crafts for children as young as 3 or 4. Older children can cut their own shapes. Most importantly, remember this is supposed to be fun! There is no right or wrong way to make a pumpkin! Creativity is limited only by your child’s imagination. The colors are suggestions, however, ask your child what color pumpkin they want to make! … Continue reading Fun Halloween Crafts and Games
Why put healthy foods in lunch boxes? The foods children eat affect their performance at school. Healthy foods increases resistance to infections Eating foods low in granulated sugars and saturates fats helps children concentrate better in school. Natural carbohydrates give them energy. Protein and calcium are needed for bone and muscle growth. To fulfill all of these requirements, make everything you put in your child’s … Continue reading Healthy Lunches and Snacks
Place a Flashlight instead of a candle inside of a carved pumpkin for safety. Delegate when there are several jobs to be done. Enlist the help of children by giving them a choice. For example: to the first child: Do you want to sweep the floor or would you rather water the plants? To the next child: Would you rather water the plants or vacuum the rug? … Continue reading This Works for Me!
Purchase a THREE-RING BINDER with sheet spacer. When you find a recipe you want, cut it out and glue or tape it to papers. Organize by course, fruits, veggies, etc. This helps organize all your recipes. (Alison Seymour) Designs for CAKE DECORATING: Lay a stencil or a cookie cutter on top of icing, fill in with sprinkles or colored sugar crystals. Remove stencil. Treat your … Continue reading Kitchen Kapers
FALL CENTERPIECE: Start with a wicker plate used to support paper plates. Supply bump chenille, hay, styrofoam, silk leaves and flowers, ribbon, small decoration, glue, scissors. Let imagination go! Will you have a pumpkin patch, a scarecrow, a candle in the middle? This is a great family night project. Also a good ice breaker for groups. Easy PAPER BAG Decorations from HIGHLIGHTS Creative Crafts Series: … Continue reading Kid’s Korner: Harvest
Shopping with a Toddler: Before you go into the store, tell your child how to act, what behavior is and is not acceptable. They need lots of reminders and they are still learning what is appropriate in what place. Do not assume that after running around the playground this afternoon, your child will remember to be calm prepare them, this gives you an opportunity to say, “Remember, … Continue reading This Works for Me!
My 8 year old daughter can be much quicker to forgive than I. It is really humbling when she reminds me, “Mommy, people make mistakes.” (Angela DiCicco) Continue reading Heartwarmers
It is not your responsibility to get your children out the door on time. It’s theirs! Your only contribution is to complete your assigned tasks on time (making their lunch or combing their hair). As long as you are not hindering your child’s progress in the morning, you can not be blamed if they miss the bus or the carpool. Once a child realizes that … Continue reading How to Empower you Children to get to School on Time
Sewing lace-up cards: Make your own easily by using the cover of a coloring book, back of a cereal box or a Christmas card that has something interesting to your child. Cut out the picture, punch holes around sides, add shoelace or yarn. Good examples would be Barbie coloring book or Batman cereal. Coloring Savvy: It’s so easy to “get involved” with our child as they color or draw … Continue reading This Works for Me!
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 