Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Elf on the shelf Diaries

Small snapshots of where we find "Cutie" our Scout Elf every morning...

 






Where will she be next?  We still have 6 days left to find out!

The Elf Tradition

Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot!  While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.

Elf on the Shelf 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

my urban garden in a new home

My summer garden's first pickings!  


 I know summer is half way over... but I just started our summer garden a month and a half ago when we moved. 

Alice in Artichoke land


my first tomato of the season

the queen is angry!

Morning Glories and mint
I wish I had taken some before pictures...


Monday, July 16, 2012

Summer Bowling Fun!


This is our second year participating in the  Kids Bowl Free Program.  Each child you sign up is able to bowl two games a day all summer long and for $29.95 you can add up to four adults.  This is an awesome summer program!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Garden Heaven found in the back of an antique shop

After our weekly breakfast trips to Kimmie's Coffee Cup (in old town Orange) I love to browse the antique shops.  When we were walking around this particular shop my daughter noticed a back door and asked me if I wanted to go in the garden.  Garden?  Really? 










Country Roads Antiques & Gardens

Address: 204 W. Chapman Avenue
Orange, Ca 92866

Phone: 714.532.3041
Email: mailto:cradealers@aol.com
Hours: Daily: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed 4th of July,
Thanksgiving &
Christmas


Tons of rare, heirloom & unusual plants from Annie's Annuals & Perennials  http://anniesannuals.com/

Monday, March 12, 2012

Shamrock Pie

I make this with my kids at school every year, but just recently I made it for our Super Brownie troop 2829!  Of course if their are tree nut allergies substitute the pistachio pudding for vanilla pudding with a little green food coloring.


I found these St. Patrick's day rings and gold coins at a local cake shop


I sprinkled some graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of a clear plastic cup and topped it with a chocolate gold coin

Make the pudding according to the box directions and fill the cup up halfway with pudding

top with whip cream and shamrock ring
*remember to tell the kiddos that there is a chocolate coin at the bottom

Friday, March 2, 2012

Family Reading Night

Eader’s Annual Family Reading Night. It was a pajama and book filled evening to celebrate reading, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and The Lorax.






Thursday, March 1, 2012

Green Eggs and Ham

paper mache over balloons that is fully dried

cut in half

paint with green paint

cut 2 equal egg whites out of butcher paper and staple together.   leave the seal open large enough to stuff it with your crumpled scraps 

fully seal shut


tape the green half circle on


 
Green Eggs



Tuesday, February 28, 2012

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish



Some super fast and easy goodie bags to reinforce the book we read.


look at some other really great ideas at  seussville

Read Across America Day

NEA's Read Across America Day, takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning.

We celebrate all week long, picking a new book every day.  The kids also read Dr. Seuss books all week at home and bring in white slips to fill up the cat in the hat's.  




Read Across America

Friday, February 24, 2012

Maple French Toast and Bacon Cupcakes

I actually ripped this recipe out of a Food Network Magazine  a couple years ago and recently found it shoved in one of my cookbooks.  I thought it would be the perfect Superbowl treat, and it was!  This posting is for my my friends who requested the recipe.

xoxo
Jen

maple french toast and bacon cupcakes