Friday, August 17, 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Your Parenting tips

Comment below with your tips on parenting and playtime -- we'd like to share your words of wisdom!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Friday, August 3, 2012

Sand Art Brownie Gift Mix




Kids really get into the gift-giving spirit and here’s a delicious one they can make themselves (with just a little help from you). They’ll feel so proud, and just think of what they’ll learn!

Materials

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1-quart canning jar with lid
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • Child’s blunt-tip safety scissors
  • Fabric (choose seasonal fabric if giving a holiday gift)
  • Ribbon
  • Pen
  • Decorative tag
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch or peanut butter chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix the flour with the salt in a small bowl.
  2. Help your child layer the ingredients in the jar, beginning with the flour/salt mixture, continuing in order, and ending with the white chocolate chips. (You may not need as many chips if there's little room left in the jar.)
  3. Screw on the lid.
  4. Cut a circle of fabric about 4 inches wider than the diameter of the jar.
  5. Tie the fabric circle around the lid with ribbon.
  6. Write the following directions on a decorative tag:

    Sand Art Brownies: Combine the contents of the jar with 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, and 4 eggs. Beat until just mixed. Pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake at 350ºF for 25–30 minutes.
  7. Attach the tag to the jar.
  8. If you like, substitute butterscotch or peanut butter chips for either of the chocolate chips.