Kraft~ 4th of July cupcakes

Check these out!


http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/firecracker-cupcakes-53449.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbe-_-20110628-_-1127

What You Need
1-1/2 cups BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, divided


4 drops each: blue and red food colorings

24 yellow cupcakes

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

24 red string licorice pieces (4 inch)

Make It
PLACE 1/2 cup of the coconut in each of two separate resealable plastic bags; set remaining 1/2 cup coconut aside. Add blue food coloring to coconut in one bag and red food coloring to coconut in second bag. Seal bags; shake until coconut is evenly tinted.

SPREAD tops of cupcakes with whipped topping. Sprinkle with red, white (uncolored) and blue coconut as desired; press coconut gently into whipped topping to secure.

INSERT licorice piece into top of each cupcake for the firecracker's fuse. Store in refrigerator.

Kraft Kitchens Tips:
Divide whipped topping into thirds. Color one portion with 4 drops red food coloring and second portion with 4 drops blue food coloring. Leave remaining portion white. Spread onto cupcakes and continue as directed.  Have children decorate their own cupcakes. 

Father's Day Gifts For Children To Make

     Get your children thinking about what they would like to make for Father's Day gifts. We always include their Papa and Grampy!  One tradition that we started, I found in a magazine.  That is is a great way to find creative ideas.  We head to Border's each year and pick out a favorite children's book that reminds them of Dad... Then they get to work glueing photographs, or drawing artwork to the inside page.  We also include the year and a note.  They still love to pull those books out and read them.  Its really fun to see how much they have grown year after year.

Coupons for Dad are always fun...

http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/0607a_coupons.pdf


http://familycrafts.about.com/od/fathersdaycrafts/ig/Printable-Father-s-Day-Coupons/Control-of-the-Remote-Coupon.--Qm.htm

Car Wash Kit


Have the kids decorate a bucket using permanent markers or non-washable paint.
Place somewhere to dry
Once the work of art is dry have them fill it with everything dad needs to wash his car. Examples include sponges, paper towels, cleaning products and an IOU to wash his car for him
http://www.allstaractivities.com/general/Holidays/Fathers-day.htm

Check out these great sayings to go with a candy bar treat for Dad:
http://www.allstaractivities.com/general/Holidays/Fathers-day.htm
YOUR ARE THE GREATEST DAD IN THE WORLD BECAUSE…


“You make us roll with laughter”






“You’re the jolliest, sweetest Dad in the world”





"You are an All-American classic”

“You work so hard for all of us”

Betty Crocker The Big Book Of Cupcakes~ Recipe Book

    I received Betty Crocker's The big book of cupcakes  as a gift this past weekend...  It was full of delicious looking cupcakes! The pictures were large, and the book was simple, and easy to follow.  I think it would make a great gift for anyone who likes to bakes. 

     The beginning of the book provided instructions on how to store, decorate and "tote" your cupcakes.  Short and to the point! Not too wordy.  Some of the information you may already know, but sometimes it is good to see it on paper.  Sometimes I found myself saying "Oh, I forgot about that!". 

     Frosting recipes were also in the book, along with fun, out of the box recipes for cupcakes.  Cupcakes for all occasions.  Some cupcake recipes that sparked my interest were "Strawberry Colada cupcakes", "snickerdoodle cupcakes", and the "orange soda cupcakes".  With all of the frosting recipes listed in front of the book, you can go back and change up the cupcakes any way you like.   Also listed at the bottom of each recipe is the "cake box" version of the cupcake.  If you are short on time, just follow the recipe using a store bought cake mix.  The book lists what flavor box to use, any add-ons needed and directions on how to make them. 

     Betty Crocker's The big book of cupcakes makes a really nice, useful gift for someone else or a fantastic gift for yourself!!!

Memorial Day Fun With Kids

MEMORIAL DAY FLAG ROCK PAINTING 






http://www.examiner.com/article/patriotic-pebble-memorial-day-or-4th-of-july-craft-for-kids-paint-a-flag-rock
Teach children about Memorial Day and then watch them have a blast making this super fun American Flag Rock Painting craft for Memorial Day!
Craft supplies you will need:
■Paint

■Rock

■Paint brushes

Craft instructions:
Take the children outside to find a rock.
Have the children wash and dry the rock.
Next, pour blue paint in a small plastic cup.
Then, have the children paint a blue square in the upper left side of the rock.
Let dry.
While the blue square is drying, pour red paint in a cup and white paint in another cup.
Then, painting around the blue square, have the children paint a red stripe across the rock and then a white stripe.
Have the children continue till they get to the bottom of the rock.
Lastly, have the children paint white stars in the blue square.


PARTY CRACKERS

http://www.kidactivities.net/category/Holidays-All-the-Patriotic-Red-White-Blue-Days.aspx
To make party crackers, take an old paper towel roll and cut it in half or thirds.
Place small favors such as erasers, tiny toys, stickers, or small wrapped candy inside.
Roll the filled paper towel roll in party wrapping paper allowing extra paper at both ends.
Twist the excess wrapping paper at each end and tie with ribbon or yarn. Party crackers!!!

RED, WHITE AND BLUE PUFFY ART
Materials:
Flour, Salt, Water, Red and blue food coloring, Empty squeeze bottles (mustard bottles work well), Cardboard
Directions:
1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.
2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.
3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).
4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.
5. When they're dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

TEAR PAPER ART

Have a flag as a guide for the kids to follow. Tearing strips of red, white and blue paper, have children glue them onto a large sheet of construction paper. Make sure they know what size they should be trying to tear for the stars, stripes, etc.

OUTDOOR CANVAS ART- A FLAG, OR A PATRIOTIC THEME...
http://health.kaboose.com/active-kids/summer-backyard-games.html
Create an outdoor canvas. Hang an old sheet on a clothesline or tape paper to a fence for your budding artist to paint on. Encourage them to try painting with different kinds of brushes, says Warner. “Try dipping grass into paint and swishing it on paper, then try painting with a leaf or a twig. The kids can also try painting rocks and creating little people or bugs with them.” 
*Use star sponge shapes, or cookie cutters to create patterns on your canvas!