Easter Fun & Homegrown Mother’s Day Out

Blue Bird Eggs

Both of my granddaughters go to a church sponsored Mother’s Day Out Program to give their mamas and nanny a break to do errands, work, clean, etc. However, both programs are in a town 20 miles away, which can be a problem, depending on who is doing what, going where and can be a day spent in town trying to find something to do until 3:00 o’clock. We have decided not to enroll the girls in the Summer Program but still give everyone a break. One girl will go to her aunt’s house to spend the day with her cousin and one day both will come to nanny’s house.

So I have made some plans for both girls on the days they are at my house and I thought I would share the plans with my friends.

Fun Things

Homemade Playdough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup salt
• few drops of food coloring

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until a dough forms a ball. Stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and put on wax paper and knead until smooth.
4. Will keep for a long time in a plastic container.
5. Make several different colors.

Find cookie cutters, small wooden rolling pin and other items to have fun with the playdough. I have bought both girls a themed (I let them choose the theme; their choice; no fussing, etc.) plastic placemat for rolling out the playdough. Here is another recipe for playdough which would be fun to eat (only when fresh!)

Peanut Butter Playdough

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2/3 to 1 cup non-fat dry milk
• 2 tbsp. honey

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Add enough powdered milk to make playdough dry enough to handle.
3. Shape into balls.
4. Use chocolate chips, raisins, dry cranberries, seasonal sprinkles for decorating.
5. Easter: Stir in chow main noodles for bird’s nest and use small jelly beans for the eggs.

Floppy

 

Fun Food

Using the small refrigerated biscuits.

Mini-Pizzas

• 1 can Refrigerated Biscuits
• 1 jar Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni Slices
• Mozzarella Cheese

1. Flatten biscuits, either by hand or a small rolling pin.
2. Spread sauce on top.
3. Put a layer of pepperoni.
4. Cover with the cheese.
5. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Pigs in a Blanket

• 1 10-count refrigerated biscuits
• 5 hot dogs
• 5 slices of cheese

1. Flatten out biscuits.
2. Cut hot dogs and cheese in half.
3. Cut a slit in the hod dog and insert a piece of cheese.
4. Place the hot dog in the middle of the biscuit and then wrap the biscuit around it.
5. Bake at 350 degrees until biscuits are browned.
6. Must haves: ketchup and honey mustard for dipping.

 Peanut Butter n’ Jelly Hot Pockets

• 1 can of large biscuits
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 8 tsp of jelly (your choice)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Flatten biscuits into a round circle.
3. On the center place 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 1 tsp jelly.
4. Fold the biscuit over and use a fork to crimp the edges.
5. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until browned.
6. Let biscuits cool slightly (8to 10 minutes) before eating, we do not want any burned tongues!

Fruit Juice Popsicles

1. Buy a set of  freezer popsicles forms; these can usually be found in the “summer” section of the discount stores or $1 shops.
2. Pour fruit juice into the forms and put in freezer until frozen. Great for a hot afternoon outside, less mess.

Bunny Salad

• 1 can of halved pears
• red hot candies
• raisins
• slivered almonds
• cottage cheese

1. On a small plate put one of the pear halves upside down.
2. Make very small slits for a red hot candy for a nose, raisins for eyes and almonds for ears.
3. Put a small dip of cottage cheese at the large end of the pear for the bunny’s tail.

Just a few of the plans for a fun and active summer for two little girls. I will keep you updated on the exciting home-grown Mother’s Day Out that will be starting in late May! I hope the weather is warmer! It is a cold and sunny April day!

Sweet Baby Bird