Green Eggs and Ham

An "oldie but goodie" book that can be read and then turned into wonderful weekend breakfast (Green Eggs and Ham Recipe) fun with the family!

Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss

I Love You Through and Through

What child doesn’t love books; in honor of the littlest book worms, I give to you BOOK WEEK! My first choice is a book I hold near and dear to my heart, my sister presented this book to Benjamin upon his entrance into the world, the cardboard pages are worn but we continue to read it at least once a month. Knowing the time was coming that I would have to tuck the “original” copy away in Benjamin’s memory box and a new copy would need purchased; I stumbled across O My Family's blog and a seven month project is underway. I ABSOLUTELY loved her idea of posting pictures that reflect the words from the book, the light bulb turned on and I began working on a “I Love You Through and Through” photo book for each of the boys and plan to give them their personalized book on their birthday.

I Love You Through and Through
by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

Create Your Own Coloring Book

Create Your Own Coloring Book

My toddler absolutely LOVES to color, it's one of the few activities that will occupy him for 45+ minutes at a time, my only problem with his coloring addiction is he goes through coloring books like there’s no tomorrow or paper ends up all over the house. I came up with the simple solution of creating a coloring book, I Googled coloring pages of his favorite shows (Thomas the Tank Engine ["Tommy"], Bob the Builder and Curious George), merged all the files together creating an 80 page PDF document and I designed a simple but nifty personalized cover. I sent the files to a local printer, requested 100 blank pages added to the back and spiral bind the "book"...instant coloring book that cost a few bucks, while cutting down on paper clutter.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Shake, Rattle and Roll
Baby Play (Gymboree)

"By six months, your baby has a pretty good sense that his hands are connected to his arms and has pretty good control of the movements of both his arms and hands. Now he wants to use his hands to explore his environment, whether by patting, stroking or grabbing at nearly everything around him. As he discovers the properties of the objects he touches-there shape, weight, texture and of course taste- he'll be particular amazed by the various sounds they make. You can help his early experiments by providing an elementary maraca made from a plastic bottle filled with something that will make noise. Show him how to shake it- but once he gets the idea, it may be hard to get him to stop!"

Material
Sealable Containers
Sand, dried bean, pebbles, noodles, etc

Instructions
Fill container with something that will make noise, tightly secure container and let your child shake.

Mini Caesar Salad

Mini Caesar Salad
The Toodler Cookbook

Ingredients
for croutons
3 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese
2-3 slices White Bread

for dressing
1/2 clove garlic (optional)
6 tbsp Mayonnaise
1/4 tsp Lemon Juice
4-5 drops Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbsp cold Water

for salad
2 hearts of romaine or 4 small bibb lettuces, leaves washed and dried

Directions
Using a small cookie cutter, cut shapes into bread. Arrange breadon a tray, toast under a broiler. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese over toasted croutons, place back in broiler until cheese is melted. Crush the garlic, put in a salad bowl with other dressing ingredients and remaining Parmesan, mix well. Toss lettuce with dressing, place croutons on top.

Try it...
with chicken
Griddle 2 chicken breasts that have been marinated for an hour in olive oil, a little lemon juice and a clove of crushed garlic. Slice and scatter over salad.

with Bacon
Broil 8 strips of bacon until crisp. Crumble and scatter over the salad.

Personal Pizzas

Personal Pizzas
Kids Cooking: A Very Slightly Messy Manual

Ingredients
4 English Muffins
8 oz Pizza Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese (as much as you like)
Parmesan Cheese (as much as you like)

Topping Suggestions
Mini Pepperoni
Cherry Tomatoes, sliced
Scallions
Ham
Black Olives, sliced
Sweet Pepers, sliced
Garlic

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carefully split open the English Muffins, place on a cookie sheet. Open pizza sauce, spread 1-2 tablespoons of sauce evenly on each muffin. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, place desired topping on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Watering Can Greeting Card

Watering Can Greeting Card
Family Fun

Happy Mother's Day! I am truly blessed to have my awesome mom and wonderful boys; a special thank you to my dear loving husband for making me a mommy of two adorable, loving, happy, amazing... boys that are my everything!

I had a completely different Mother’s Day project in mind for my 2 ½ year old, however I failed to read the instructions beforehand (hey-it’s Mother’s Day, I’m allowed to mess up) and didn’t realize I needed 24 hours to do the project…onto plan B.

Materials
Silver card stock
Scissors
Seed packet
Tape

Instructions
Print this watering can template on a piece of card stock. Cut out, let your child finger paint, glitter, markers, crayon…whatever his/her preference of the day is, then cut a horizontal slit across the front. Slip in a seed packet (add a piece of tape at the back to keep it in place), then write a message on the can.