Puppy Chow

This was the snack we made to fill Alivia's birthday treats. This snack is really easy and always seems to be a hit.

What You Need

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

9 cups Crispix/Chex Cereal

3 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microve safe bowl. Microwave for 30 second increments. Stir every 30 seconds until all ingredients are blended thoroughly.

2. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir well.

3. Place the 9 cups of Crispix/Chex into a very large bowl.

4. Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mix over the cereal and toss evenly. Be sure the the cereal gets a good covering.

5. Place the powdered suger in a large zip-lock bag.

6. Add the chocolate/peanut butter mix to the bag. Be sure to leave enough room for the puppy chow to be shaken (we used two separate gallon size baggies for this).

7. Shake the bag until each piece is coated with powdered sugar.

8. Eat and enjoy!

This was always a favorite growing up. But seriously what is not to love. Peanut butter and chocolate are two of my favorite things.

WARNING: Hide the extras because there may be a temper tantrum in the morning when "Puppy Chow" is not on the menu.

Birthday Interview

Today Alivia turned 3. We spent part of the afternoon at the Children's Museum (love that place) and then had pizza and cake for dinner tonight. I also got to scratch an item off of my to do list. A while back I came across the idea of interviewing your child on their birthday. So I compiled a list of questions, set up the video camera, and asked away. It was fun to hear her response to my questions. Honestly I have no idea where she comes up with half of the stuff she comes up with. Hopefully I can remember to do this for many years to come. If this sounds like something you would like to try with your tot here are some questions to get you started (and Alivia's responses just for fun).

1. What is today?     My Happy Birthday
2. How old are you?     This many(holds up 3 fingers)
3. What makes you happy?     Sundays and playing iwth daisylions (aka weeds)
4. What is your favorite flower?     Daisylions (aka weeds)
5. What do you like to do?     Play with toys and playdoh
6. What is your favorite food?     Pizza with sauce and black olives
7. What is your favorite animal?     Elephant, baby elephant
8. What is your favorite color?     Purple
9. What is your favorite show?     Dora, Jake and the Neverland Pirates
10. What is your favorite song?     Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
11. What is your favorite book?     Curious George - when he gets in trouble for feeding the animals
12. What is your favorite toy?     Watertable
13. What do you like to do with your mom?     Play
14. What do you like to do with your dad?    Play
15. Where is your favorite place to go?     Zoo
16. What do you want to be when you grow up?     Cinderella

Of course this is the short version of the interview. Some of her responses went on and on and on. What I love the most is that someday when she is grown up I will be able to watch this video and hear that sweet voice. Happy Birthday Baby Girl! Mommy loves you!

Butterfly Treats

Tomorrow Alivia turns 3! I think the day before the actual birthday may be just as busy as the day of. My evening was full of baking and crafting. Tomorrow Alivia will go to school (daycare) in the morning and no birthday is complete without taking treats for all of your friends! This craft was a lot of fun and really easy.

What You Need

Ziploc baggies

Clothespins

Paint

Snack (cereal, candy, or in our case "Puppy Chow")

Pipe Cleaner

Your Imagination

Directions

1) We started this project out by having Liv paint all of the clothespins while I got busy making the snack to go inside.

I am pretty sure she is painting her hand here!

2) Stuff each sandwich size Ziploc baggie with about 1 cup of the snack.

3) Twist the baggie in half making sure to evenly distribute the snack on each side.

4) Secure the center with a pipe cleaner that has been cut in half (this will become the butterfly antennas).

5) Place clothespin over pipe cleaner.

6) Finish decorating however you choose.

Don't they look so cute all together? I am sure Liv's classmates are going to love them!