Happy New Year's Kids Celebration

New Years Eve is often reserved for adults to celebrate--but I think it is a great holiday to celebrate with children. I take the opportunity to discuss and recall all of our past years events and plan for the new year. It is also a great opportunity to discuss the calendar and time. We set up a celebration table filled with treats and clocks and I found these great free printables at Love the Day! These printables are in support of Operation Shower, which I am a big fan of--so check it out and spread the word! Happy New year everyone!!!!

Christmas Sparkle Brownies

I love ANYTHING mint it is my absolute favorite flavor and I always get excited for all of the Christmas peppermint treats and hot drinks...but even as a mint lover I start to long for other flavors towards the end of December....so we decided to make brownies and top them with crushed up old fashioned candy sticks. They turned out soo good...especially the mix of flavors like the banana flavored candy mixed with the chocolate brownie...yummy--and they even sparkle like beautiful Christmas lights!!

Nutcracker Party

My husband and son planned and surprised me with tickets to The Nutcracker ballet this weekend--so sweet! So I decided to throw a little Nutcracker party to get us into the spirit! I have seen it twice--once in San Francisco and once in Paris....but going to see it with my little guy is going to be the best show ever--can not wait!!

Decorating The Doll House

The dolls are ready to celebrate Christmas....pink Christmas tree and all!

Christmas Treat Wreath

Here is a fun Christmas treat to make for a part or for a friend, neighbor or teacher.......
We use the rice crispy treat recipe but use pop corn instead of rice crispy cereal and add green food coloring................
We used candy corns for the 'berries'---I like the Jelly Belly brand candy corns, they come in the most vibrant colors and they are delicious.....here is a fun fact for all of you........Did you know that the Jelly Belly company invented the candy corn??....that is why they are the best!!!

Winter Wonderland

We had a looong rainy day yesterday--so we decided to create a winter wonderland full of treats! After all, this is 'the most wonderful time of the year' we can not let a little rain bring us down!

USC / UCLA Game

Well today is the big game...we have huge USC fans in this house...and the boys are at the USC vs UCLA game as I write this post!! My daughter and I stayed home and decided to surprise them with cupcakes! If USC wins they can come home and celebrate with a cupcake---and if they lose....well-- a cupcake always makes everything better right??

Hot Chocolate stir sticks

I made these marshmallow stir sticks to melt in all of our favorite winter drinks! It is like a little Christmas on a stick and when it melts in your hot drink it is delicious!!
I placed a marshmallow on a stick and then dipped it in melted chocolate followed by crushed candy cane....and then topped it with a red hot and you get.................
Yummy stir sticks for hot chocolate or coffee!!....This would also be a cute addition in gift baskets with mugs and coffee house gift cards!
I made these hot chocolate gifts last year.....I used frosting bags and filled them with hot chocolate mix to look like a cone and then used extra large marshmallows to look like a scoop of ice cream and then added crushed candy canes!! Can you tell that we love hot chocolate in this house?

Pardon my horrible photo--this was taken pre-Christmas gift ie: fabulous new camera!!