Nursery Rhyme Scavenger Hunt

My kids love scavenger hunts--most likely because they usually get a treat at the end of them.  A few weeks ago when I was at the library with my four year old we picked up this cute book called Max and Ruby's Treasure Hunt.  I loved how the grandma in the story used nursery rhymes for the treasure hunt clues.  The book had cute little lift the flap envelopes on each page and my four year old had so much fun trying to figure out the clues along with Max and Ruby.

I thought it was such a fun idea that I decided to recreate something similar for a fun St. Patrick's Day surprise for my kids. I created eight clues using nursery rhymes and placed them around the house.

When the kids arrived home from school they were greeted with this sign.  

The first clue was inside. The clue read:

Jack be nimble,

Jack be quick,

Jack jump over the ________.

By the candlestick they found their second clue.  It read:

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?

I've been to London to see the queen.

Pussy cat, pussy cat what did you there?

I frightened a little mouse under her ________.

By a chair was clue number three. It read:

There was an old women who lived in a ________.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do.

By the shoe tray was clue number four. It said:

Hickory, dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the ________.

The clock struck one,

The mouse ran down.

Hickory, dickory dock.

By the clock was clue number five. It read:

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle.

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the ________.

By the spoons was clue number six. It said:

Little boy blue, come blow your ________!

The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.

Clue number seven was in the car by the horn. It said:

Miss Marry Mack, Mack, Mack,

All dressed in black, black, black,

Had silver ________, ________, ________,

All down her back, back, back.

 Clue number eight was by my sewing machine near the button box. The clue said:

Old Mother Hubbard, went to her ________,

To fetch her poor dog a bone.

When she got there the ________ was bare,

And so her poor dog had none.

And at last in they headed to the cupboard! This was end of the treasure hunt and where they found their treat--little pots filled with the best treasure ever, chocolate!

We usually don't do much to celebrate St. Patrick's day at our house but if I have the time to throw something together I do think it's a fun way to make childhood magical.  The kids had a blast tracking down the clues and the joy on their face made it very much worth my time putting it together. These kiddos of mine won't be little forever. We also had our traditional rainbow fruit salad for lunch.  Healthy and delicious!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A New Holiday Tradition: The Christmas Star From Afar

December is practically here!  My family and I decorated our tree yesterday and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I love this time of year and all the traditions associated with it.  I'm especially excited to start a new tradition this year.  One that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas.  I was thrilled to be introduced to a new book and game called The Christmas Star From Afar.

This beautiful gift set comes with a book that tells the story of the wise men following the star and also a lovely, child friendly nativity.  After reading the book with your children set up the nativity together--and then the fun part--each night the star is hid in a new place to be found by the children each morning.  When the star is found all three wise men are moved to that location.  On Christmas morning the wise men reach their final destination when the star is found above the stable.

Does the whole hiding an object to be found by children the next morning sound familiar?  Yep.  It's sort of a Christ centered Elf on the Shelf alternative.  That's what I love so much about this.  The magic and joy of finding and object each morning but still keeping focused on why we celebrate Christmas--because I don't think we can get too much of that.  I also love that the book includes daily scripture verses that you can incorporate into the daily star finding if you choose to.  

Want your own Christmas Star from Afar to celebrate with your children?  Find it HERE.

Also, LIKE Star from Afar on Facebook to learn about giveaways and more.

How do you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with your children?

Madeline Costume

In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.
They left the house at half past nine
In two straight lines in rain or shine.
The smallest one was Madeline.

(-from Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans)

I just can't get over my cute little Madeline!

I've said before that I'm kind of a Halloween Grinch.  My sweet little one year old almost didn't get a costume for Halloween this year since I figure if she's young enough to not care then I don't care to take the time to make a costume.  I know.  I'm no fun.  Super Grinchy.

I decided to browse Pinterest for costume ideas anyway--just for fun--to see what was out there because I was drawing a blank.  I had ZERO ideas.  As I scrolled through Pinterest the costume that stood out to me the most was Madeline.  We have loved the books at our house and I thought a little Madeline would be so sweet.  After all, my spunky little one year old is the smallest one in our family--like it says in the book.  It all just seemed to fit.

My little Madeline just loves her costume and she thinks wearing her sweet little hat is too much fun.




Here's a view of the back.



I tried to talk myself out of the costume but I just couldn't.  It all came together so flawlessly.  I already had the blue fabric to make the dress so I had no excuse.  I used a nightgown pattern from my stash that had raglan sleeves making it super simple to put together.  I got out of having to sew a collar for the dress by using a collared shirt I already had.  Last I added a ribbon around the neck.




Here it is all put together.



The hat I found at Target on clearance for a few dollars.  This was the only purchase I made for the costume.  Everything else I already owned--which is how I like to do Halloween costumes.  I added a black ribbon and it was all ready for Miss Madeline to wear.

I'm so glad I got over my ginchy-ness because I had so much fun putting this consume together.  I really don't remember the last time I was this excited about a project.  I even wrote a little poem about my own "smallest one" to go along with it--but I'm not really much of a poet so I'll save that one for the family blog.




So, what are your kids being for Halloween this year?  Do you make or buy your costumes or do a little of both?

Celebrating Pi Day

March 14th is Pi day (you know... 3.14?)  So to help you celebrate here are a few fun books about pie you and your little ones can read together.

Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler

Bear wakes up with a craving for some Ugly Pie.  As he makes the rounds to his neighbors he finds lots of wonderful pies--but no Ugly Pie.  He gathers ingredients along the way and goes home to bake his Ugly Pie--which he generously shares with his neighbors. 

 Pie in the Sky by Lois Ehlert

I always love the illustrations in Lois Ehlert's books.  This story follows a father and son as they watch their cherry tree throughout the seasons--with a delicious ending!

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

 When a boy moves down the street during the summer he becomes neighborhood enemy number one.  Dad happens to know how to get rid of enemies: with Enemy Pie.  However, the secret ingredient is to spend the entire day playing with the enemy.  Will it work?  Can Enemy Pie turn worst enemies into best friends?

* * * * *

Back in the day when I only had one little boy I entered the local pie contest which was touted as the "biggest pie festival west of the Mississippi." I was so surprised when I won first place for my apple pie!  So in honor of pi day I'm sharing my recipe with you!

Jeanine's Blue Ribbon Apple Pie

Crust:

3 cups flour

1 cup Crisco shortening

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

7-9 Tablespoons ice cold water

Mix flour and salt.  Cut in shortening.  Slowly add the ice water while you mix, until you have dough.  Divide into 2 equal sections (one for the top and one for bottom). Roll out on a floured surface.

Filling:

6 Granny Smith apples, pared, cored and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons of flour

1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of salt

dash of nutmeg

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt.  Mix with apples.  (Sometimes I let this mixture set overnight or for a few hours to let the juices come out.)  Line your pie plate with pastry.  Fill with the apple mixture and dot the top with butter.  Adjust the top crust, cutting slits for steam.  Seal the edges and sprinkle the top with sugar.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Lower the over to 400 degrees and cook for about 35 more minutes or until golden brown.

 

Apple Cake (for the ones you love)

I love just browsing the children's section of the library.  I always find something new and interesting.  A few weeks ago I picked up the book Apple Cake: A Recipe for Love.

I wasn't sure that my boys would really like it but it looked like it might be fun so I picked it up and brought it home.  My 4-year-old loved it and insisted that we read it to his older brothers.  And guess what?  They loved it too!  

Throughout the book love-struck Alfonso is baking a cake to woo his love away from her books.  Will it work?  You'll have to read it to find out!  

At the end of the book you'll find Alfonso's recipe for apple cake which my boys couldn't wait to try out.  It was delicious--and it got gobbled up so fast that I was only able to grab a picture of the very last slice!

Apple Cake

3 small apples

2 TB butter, at room temperature

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

2 TB sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

Grease a 9x9 inch baking dish.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Peel and slice apples into 3/4-inch size pieces and put them in cold water.

In a large bowl, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy.  Add the egg and beat until it is mixed in.

In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Add this mixture to the batter and mix well.  The batter will be stiff.

Shake the water off the apples and gently stir them into the batter.  Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 TB sugar and the cinnamon.  Sprinkle the mixture over the cake batter.

Bake the cake until it pulls away from the pan and the top is golden brown--about 55 minutes.  (The cake will be moist and the topping will be crispy.)  

Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes.  Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.  

(We also ate it for breakfast!)

This would be a fun read (and treat) for Valentine's day!  What are some of your favorite books about love?

Christmas Books

I have discovered some Christmas books this year that I am just loving.  Just in case you haven't discovered them for yourself I thought I would share!

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

 

I grew up watching The Gift but never realized that it was based on this story written by Pearl S. Buck. It's about a young boy who wants to get his father something really special for Christmas.  He has no money to spend but ends up giving the best Christmas gift of all.

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo

 

A story about an organ grinder and his monkey--and the kindness they receive from a little girl.

Helping Santa by Bert Dodson 

 

Told by his older sister that there is no Santa, a little boy rushes off to his grandma's house.  In a way that only a grandma can she brushes the accusation aside and helps the boy to become one of Santa's helpers.

Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers


A touching story of a little orphan girl and the act of kindness she received.



The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke

John is a man who wanted the best of everything.  One evening he has a dream and learns what it means to give unselfishly.

  

And one of my favorites:

Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson

The story of a little mouse who finds a new house and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.


What are your favorite Christmas books?

Dragon Books For Kids!

Dragons have been very popular at our house lately.  Not only do my kiddos love to pretend they're brave knights slaying dragons but we've also been devouring any dragon book we can find at our local library.  Below are some of our very favorites, along with our top picks.



My #1 pick

Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el

Everyone knows your typical dragon breathes fire.  But when it's time for Crispin to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn't come out--only whipped cream!  When Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up with band-aids, marshmallows, teddy bears!  Crispin wonders if he'll ever find his inner fire.  But when a family emergency breaks out, it takes a little dragon with not-so-typical abilities to save the day.  

My daughters #1 pick

The Dragon's Pearl by Julie Lawson

Xiao Sheng loves to sing--to celebrate the beauty of the river on which he and his mother live, and to lift his spirits during times of hardship.  Each day, as he sets off to cut grass to sell in the village, he comforts his mother: "Who knows what the gods have in store for us.  Today may not be the same as yesterday.

In spite of Xiao Sheng's hopes, every day is as hard as the last.  A terrible drought comes.  The sun burns down from the cloudless sky onto the parched land, and Xiao Sheng has to go farther and farther for green grass.  Then, one day, he finds a magic, shimmering pearl that glows like a rose-colored sunset.  The pearl brings Xiao Sheng and his mother good luck--and forever alters Xiao Sheng's destiny.

My son's #1 pick
Super-Dragon by Steven Kroll

Dragon Contest in two weeks!  Stunts!  Flying Competition!  Prizes $$$.
Great Balls of fire!  Drago wants to be in the flying contest.  But he hasn't learned to fly yet, and his family says he's too little to learn.  That doesn't stop Drago!  When his family's asleep, he tries and tries, but SPLAT! he fails.  Then he asks a bird to help him learn to fly, and they practice, practice, practice.  When the big day of the contest arrives, Drago proves that being little can't stop big dreams.



King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently and Helen Oxenbury

Night is falling . . . playtime is nearly over . . . But brave King Jack and his band of faithful knights are still protecting the castle from fierce dragons and terrible beasts!  This captivating, joyful take of make-believe is just perfect for brave children everywhere.



Jane and the Dragon by Martin Baynton

Everyone laughs at Jane for wanting to be a knight, except the court jester, who loans her his small suit of armor, and she spends her days practicing knightly duties.  When a dragon steals the prince, Jane sets out to rescue him.  After a long wearisome battle, they sit down and talk about what's expected of dragons (stealing the prince) and knights (being men).  In the end, she turns an enemy into a friend.



OH NO, Little Dragon!

 With a PHOOSH and a Grrrrrr and a CANONBAAAALLLLLL!, Little Dragon tears through his day (and the house)--but there's no OH NO! that can't be fixed by Mama's kiss.

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore

If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in - and that's exactly what happens to one very lucky boy on the beach.  The boy and his dragon brave the waves, roast marshmallows, roam the shore, and have a perfectly amazing time together.  But when the boy tries to share the news of his magnificent dragon, no one believes him.  That's when the mischief begins.  The dragon devours every last sandwich, blows bubbles in the lemonade, and leaves claw prints in the brownies.  Is there really a dragon running around on the beach, or is someone's imagination running wild?



East Dragon, West Dragon by Robyn Eversole

East Dragon and West Dragon live on opposite sides of the world, have never met, and like it that way.  East Dragon is sure that West Dragon's huge wings mean that he is very, very strong.  West Dragon fears that East Dragon's looong, swishy tail means that he is very, very fierce.  What will happen when these two powerful, gigantic, and slightly terrified dragons finally meet?

Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joosse

Once there was a girl, an all-alone girl, who didn't have a dragon for a friend.  And there was a dragon, and all-alone dragon, who dreamed of a girl for a friend.  When they meet, life is sweet!

Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nolen

It just does to show you how an innocent Sunday-before-supper walk can lead to just about anything.  Who could have known that it would lead to a pulsing egg, a baby dragon, and the best friend a girl could ever wish for.  Raised with love and care day by day, the dragon grows big, bigger, and still bigger until . . .  There's every chance that after reading Raising Dragons, you'll want to go searching for a dragon's egg of your very own!  You never know.

The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann

Meet Lin and her pet dragon!  When the dragon mysteriously disappears, Lin sets off on a journey to find her best friend . . . and readers set off on a journey of learning and discovery.

By ingeniously integrating written Chinese characters into the illustrations as the story progresses, Christoph Niemann has created a book that is engrossing, unique, and memorable.  The Pet Dragon is a playful introduction to the fascinating world of Chinese language and culture . . . and a terrific story to share with children everywhere.

Be sure to check out our other book review collections:
Monster Books
Princess Stories
New Favorites
Big Sisters and Little Brothers
Butterfly Books


 Enjoy reading together!