Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Pom Pom Scoop

 

These cold and windy winter days with an active toddler have been interesting to say the least, ha! On a whim, I dug out a few supplies from a craft/homeschool box and set them in front of my 16 month old in hopes it would give us just a few minutes of entertainment. 

And thankfully, she was INTO it!

She wouldn't even look up at me for a picture, the concentration was real!

We're trying to work on more independent eating with utensils (all. the. messes.), so this scooping activity was perfect for her. It also helps that the pom poms are soft and sparkly...she was ready to dive in!

All of these supplies can be found at the dollar store, but I'm pretty sure the pom poms came from Hobby Lobby. 

Here's what you'll need:

  • a medium sized bin (or shoebox or tupperware container...anything to hold the pom poms!)
  • pom poms
  • a scoop (mine is an ice scoop from the Dollar Tree)
  • a plastic cup or bowl (or any other containers for pom pom transfer
Tips for the parent:
  • These fuzzy little pom poms will be tempting for your toddler to put in his/her mouth, so don't leave your little one unattended! I fully expected mine to pop one in her mouth....and she only did it once as we were cleaning up. Be sure to watch the whole time!
  • You'll probably have to model what to do a few times before your toddler understands what to do. Show what to do and then pass the scoop with an exciting, "Your turn!". Put your hand over theirs and make the wrist turns together. 
  • Stay positive if they don't get it! These moves are new and difficult for your little one, so they may need lots of encouragement. 
  • Talk through it! Use this as an opportunity for some language development. Talk about everything...the different colors, "Now it's your turn!", words of encouragement, "thank you!", praise...anything!
If you try this activity, tag me on Instagram @the_elementary_mama and share your little one at work!

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Our Favorite Valentine's Day Books 2021

My 4 year old has recently discovered that I like to decorate for holidays early. What can I say? It makes me happy. :) We've been ready for Valentine's Day for a couple of weeks now, and since it's the first week of February, I guess we can start talking about all things Valentine's Day! 

I've shared before that my girls love, and I mean LOVE, books. I'm on my fifth book of 2021, so they come by it honestly, ha! 

Today, I'm sharing the Valentine's Day books we're loving around here. And surprise! Some of them have extra little goodies that are included! I ordered all mine from Amazon, but if you find another deal somewhere else, feel free to share!

Click on any title or picture to be directed to the book!
*May contain affiliate links*

Avery - 16 months old
Llama Llama I love you by Anna Dewdney: We're Llama Llama fans over here! These books are always sweet, short, and fun.


My Fuzzy Valentine: I'm pretty Avery's love for Elmo has only grown over the months, ha! This one has a little velvet touch to Elmo which your toddler will love!


Where is Baby's Valentine?: This was Ella Mae's book when she was a toddler, and I promise you she is still obsessed with it. It has flaps, need I say more? :)


Ella Mae - 4 years old
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart - Her vocabulary has grown so much with her love for Fancy Nancy! It's a sweet, short story for a Fancy Nancy book. 
*BONUS* it comes with a sheet of stickers!


Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day is Cool by Kimberly and James Dean - Yes, Pete the Cat is still around our house, and Ella Mae says quotes from this book all the time now. It's a cute one!
*BONUS* it includes 12 Valentine's Day cards, a fold-out poster, AND stickers! Is the poster hanging on the back of her bedroom door as we speak? Yup. 


There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Colandro - My 4 year laughs at every. single. page. in these books! She thinks that old lady is "so silly, Mama!".  I guess we'll be getting one for every holiday. 


Pinkalicious: Pink of Hearts by Victoria Kann - All the little girls in her class love Pinkalicious. It's a sweet story about friendship!
*BONUS* includes 8 Valentine's Day cards, a fold-out poster, and stickers!



Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Our Favorite Christmas Books 2020


With my oldest daughter, we started the tradition of letting her open a new Christmas book on Christmas Eve to read before she goes to bed. Between the books from my childhood and some I kept from my elementary classroom, we have quite a collection of Christmas books over here! And thankfully, my girls love them as much as I do. Today, I'm sharing the books my girls are loving this Christmas. Many of these are heavily discounted right now. You still have time to grab one if you need it for Christmas Eve!

Click on any title or picture to be directed to the book!
*May contain affiliate links*


Avery - 14 months old

Elmo's Christmas Hugs - We are big into all things Elmo right now, so to say that she loves this book is an understatement! Make Elmo decorate trees, play the piano, and give his friends a hug. It's CUTE. 


Christmas Surprise - We're at the stage where any book with flaps is an instant hit. I love this one because it has real pictures of Christmas objects and answers questions in complete sentences...great for language development! It also has a handle at the top to make it easy for toddler traveling all over the house, ha!


Babies Love Christmas - I mean, it's in the title! More flaps, more fun Christmas things. My baby loves it, I'm sure yours will, too!


Christmas in the Manger - I really love this illustrator, Felicia Bond! Her books are always so kid friendly and cute. This little rhyming book introduces all the characters in the nativity story. Somehow we got our hands on this book in July and we've been reading it ever since, ha!


The Itsy Bitsy Angel - It's what it sounds like - a Christmas remake of the Itsy Bitsy Spider but with an angel. It's about a little angel discovering the nativity story. It's really cute and catchy!




Ella Mae- 4 years old
Clifford's Christmas - I feel like Clifford will always be a classic! (P.S.....all the shows are on Amazon Prime Video!) She adores Clifford and we've read this no less than 85 times already this season. 


There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell - She thinks the "Old Lady" series is hilarious! She giggles and giggles and talks about how silly it all is. It's also a short read which is a plus, ha!


Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas - If you have a Pete the Cat lover in your house, you need to order this ASAP! My big girl has asked almost every grown up that has been in her house to read this to her and sing along, so be prepared for that! 


Merry Christmas, Curious George - Another classic character we are obsessed with. We love all the movies, shows, and books! Your George loving kid will ask for this book on repeat. 


How the Grinch Stole Christmas - ahh, a classic!! I'm so glad she loves this one as much as I do! She loves all 3 versions of The Grinch movies. She loves to see Grinch decorations. She HATES to see the Grinch in person, ha! I think this story will always be a favorite in her heart, though. 


Are your kids loving any of these this year? Which one is your favorite?

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Christmas Crunch

 


WARNING: this stuff is addicting!!!

It's easy. 

It's delicious.

It's great for a crowd. 

It's great to bag up and give as gifts.

It's great to eat a whole bowl on the couch during movie night......oops. 

I promise you'll want to make this ASAP!


Yummmmmmm. Here's the step-by-step:

Go ahead and start melting your vanilla almond bark in the microwave. About 9 squares will do. Start with 60 seconds, stir, and then melt in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted. 


While the vanilla almond bark is melting, mix together your cereal, marshmallows, and pretzels in a large bowl.


Once the vanilla almond bark is melted and smooth, combine it with the cereal mixture and lay on wax paper on a rimmed cookie sheet. Add the sprinkles on top. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, break into smaller pieces.


In a gallon sealable bag, pour in half the cereal mixture and half the powdered sugar and give it a good shake. Add it into a bowl/container, and then repeat with the other half of the cereal mixture and powdered sugar. 


Mix in the holiday M&Ms and it's good to go!

Find the original recipe from Chex HERE


Christmas Crunch

  • 6 cups Chex cereal
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup mini pretzels
  • 15 oz vanilla almond bark (about 9 squares)
  • 3 tbsp holiday sprinkles
  • 1/4 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 cup holiday M&Ms
  1. Line large rimmed cookie sheet with waxed paper. In large bowl, mix cereal, marshmallows and pretzels.
  2. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave almond bark uncovered on high 60-90 seconds, stir, and then heat in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour onto cereal mixture; mix well.
  3. Spread mixture on the cookie sheet; cover with holiday sprinkles and cool completely, about 15 minutes. Break into bite-size pieces.
  4. In a gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag, add half of the coated cereal pieces and powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake to coat. Remove from bag and repeat with the other half of the cereal and powdered sugar.
  5. In large serving bowl, mix coated cereal mixture and chocolate candies.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Fall Snack Mix

 

I have made this on repeat for the past 2 months. 

Literally. 

If you have seen me or had me deliver anything to you, theres a 99.9% chance you got a bag of this stuff. 

It's easy. 

It's delicious.

It makes A LOT. 

It's pretty and fun to share. :)

It's a hit with the kids and the adults. #winning

First, you're gonna mix together the Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and Bugles in a large bowl. After making the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla mixture, pour it over the bowl slowly. I like to pour a little, mix a little, pour a little, mix a little......and repeat until it's nice and covered in the yummy butter sauce. Once mixed together, cover two sheet pans with parchment paper and spread out the mixture between both of the pans. Pop them in the oven at 275 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring the mixtures every 15 minutes. 

After they've had a few minutes to cool down, mix in the candy corn, Reese's pieces, and caramel popcorn. It's ready to be bagged up for treats or thrown into a big bowl for a crowd!

Our favorite festive snack bowl for Halloween :) 

You can also add in the candy corn pumpkins to the mix if you're a big fan of candy corn! One year, I was able to find football shaped pretzels which was super fun for football games. However you make it, you're gonna love it! 

Original recipe from One Little Project.

Fall Snack Mix

Sauce:

3/4 cup butter, melted (1 1/2 sticks)

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp. vanilla

Mix:

1 box Rice Chex mix (12 oz.)

1 bag Bugles (7 oz.)

4 cups mini pretzels

1 box Crunch n Munch caramel popcorn (6 oz.)

1 cup candy corn

1 cup Reese's pieces

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 275°F.
  • Melt the butter on the stovetop. Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract and whisk well until combined and dissolved.
  • In a VERY large bowl, add the Chex cereal, pretzels and Bugles.
  • Pour the sauce over the cereal mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide mixture on the two baking sheets and spread in even layers.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow it to cool. Sprinkle on the candy corn, popcorn, and Reese's Pieces.