Kids Homemade Breadsticks and Pretzels

The kids have been baking bread this winter. We read the Walter the Baker by Eric Carle and then they wanted to make pretzels. We also tried a Little Caesars Breadsticks.

Bavarian Soft Pretzels

Dough Ingredients:

  • 3 tea instant dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 Cup warm water (100-110 degrees F)
  • 2 TBS granulated sugar
  • 4 Cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tea salt

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup water
  • 2 tea basking soda
  • Coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 Cup butter

Directions:

  1. Combine warm water, sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it set for about 10 minutes.
  2. Add in flour and salt and knead in the mixer.
  3. Grease bowl and place dough in the bowl. Cover it and leave it in a warm place for 30 minutes to let it rise.
  4. Preheat the oven 25 degrees F.
  5. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and toll each part into a 2 foot rope.
  6. Form 8 pretzels and set aside.
  7. Combine water and baking soda in a shallow stovetop pan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and submerge each pretzel in the water for a second and place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 11-12 minutes.
  8. Melt the butter and use a basting brush to spread the melted butter onto the warm pretzels.
  9. Eat with nacho cheese sauce.

Little Caesars Breadsticks

Dough Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 tea instant dry yeast
  • 1/4 Cup warm water (100-110 degrees F)
  • 1 TBS granulated sugar
  • 3 Cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tea salt
  • 1 Cup hot water

Basting Ingredients:

  • 1/4 Cup melted butter
  • 1/2 tea garlic salt
  • 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and prepare 2 2 baking sheets.
  2. Combine water and sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it set for 10 minutes.
  3. Mix in 2 cups of the flour, salt and hot water.
  4. Mix on low in your mixer and slowly add 1 more cup of flour until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  5. Dump the dough on flour surface and cup into fourths, then cup each piece into 3 equal pieces making 12 pieces.
  6. Roll the pieces into 10 inch ropes and place on the baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 11-12 minutes.
  8. Mix the melted butter and garlic salt and the brush it on the sticks. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Olive Garden Breadsticks

Dough Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 tea instant dry yeast
  • 1/4 Cup warm water (100-110 degrees F)
  • 1 TBS granulated sugar
  • 3 Cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tea salt
  • 1 Cup hot water

Basting Ingredients:

  • 1/4 Cup melted butter
  • 1/2 tea garlic salt
  • 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and prepare 2 2 baking sheets.
  2. Combine water and sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it set for 10 minutes.
  3. Mix in 2 cups of the flour, salt and hot water.
  4. Mix on low in the mixer and slowly add 1 more cup of flour until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  5. Dump the dough on flour surface and cup into fourths, then cup each piece into 3 equal pieces making 12 pieces.
  6. Roll the pieces into 10 inch ropes and place on the baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 11-12 minutes.
  8. Mix the melted butter and garlic salt and the brush it on the sticks.

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3 Year Old Elsa Preschool Photos

Storm loves Frozen like every other young girl. She likes the snow and the thought winter. She wanted to take her Stuffed Olaf outside with us to.

Elsa is extremely protective of her loved ones, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. She is a very powerful young lady at the same time as having kind and creative spirit.

Storm also is very powerful (I describe her as my Perfect Storm), and empathetic of other’s feelings as well. She is always trying to comfort me even if I just stub my toe.

Lucky for us it snowed yesterday, so we got to take her Elsa pictures outside this year. She wore an Elsa dress that someone had given to us last year with a crown that we found with blue hearts. She wore these white flats and she wore her blue  earrings are from a multi color pack that I bought when she was a baby. I put a loose braid in her hair and tried to put it over their shoulder.

Matthew 19:26 “With God all things are possible.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Elsa photoshoots: 

2 Year Old Elsa
17 Month Old Elsa
5 Month Old Elsa

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

3 Year Old Belle
3 Year Old Pocahontas
3 Year Old Cinderella

DIY Cinnamon Christmas Candles

I made these Cinnamon Stick Candles for Christmas gifts. Each year we give small gifts to all of teachers, coaches, neighbors, coworkers, and our church pastors along with our family Christmas card and photo.

Supplies:

I used the hot glue to attach the cinnamon sticks to the outside of the candles. Some taller candles needed two rows of cinnamon sticks, one above the ribbon and one below. Then I glued the twine and ribbon around the candle and added the holly and jingle bells.

Each year we take a Christmas photo to put in our cards. This year I had the kids dress in their Christmas pajamas!

Merry Christmas!

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3 Year Old Belle Preschool Photos

Beauty and the Beast is probably one of my favorite Disney movies, and Storm looked so beautiful in her yellow dress. My husband got me this Chip tea cup for Christmas a couple years ago!

Belle is curious for adventure and is capable of seeing past the rough exterior of the Beast. She is a strong woman who stands up for herself to the gossiping town folk, Gaston, and the Beast. She also gives her life to save her father’s.

I try to teach Storms that beauty is more than skin deep. Storm is also a strong girl who is not afraid of anybody. Bugs, sure she’s afraid; but not of people. She will speak to all people no matter how they look.

Her beautiful yellow dress was given to us when she was a baby, and I’ve been saving it for her. I curled her hair and pulled the top portion of it back into a bun with a bun shaper. Then I wrapped a yellow ribbon around the bun. She wore her gold earrings that have the screw on backings. I made the fire place out of some diaper boxes last Christmas and took the girls pictures in front of it. The Bible that she is holding is my favorite Thomas Kinkade Bible. and the rest of the props came from the local thrift store a few years ago.

Proverbs 31:26 “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Belle photoshoots: 

2 Year Old Belle
16 Month Old Belle
4 Month Old Belle

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

3 Year Old Pocahontas
3 Year Old Cinderella
3 Year Old Snow White

Gingerbread House Tradition -23

Our family Thanksgiving tradition is making Gingerbread Houses. This year we used a Wilton House Kit with the icing and candies.

We use the icing like the glue to hold the gingerbread house together. Then once it was pretty sturdy, we used the glue to attach the candy decorations.

This is a tradition that my little sister and I started when we were teenagers. I have continued it with my kids (and sometimes their cousins) for over 20 years now.

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3 Year Old Pocahontas Preschool Photos

Pocahontas is the only Disney princess based on a real person. I love this story; even though it isn’t historically accurate, it is still a fun way to introduce young children to a real princess. The animals made a fun addition as well.

Pocahontas means “Little Mischief”, which fits with her playful and adventurous self. She respects nature and seeks peace for her people. She teaches John Smith about respecting nature and so it can take care for humans as well. And she also tells her father, the chief, that they can live in peace with the Europeans.

Storm is definitely mischievous as well, she also loves to adventure outdoors too. She plays outside as much as possible and is always bringing me nature treasures that she finds.

I found this Pocahontas dress at a local resale store after Halloween. I was so excited, it was just in time for her pictures. She wore her brown sandals. I just combed her hair straight after her bath and parted it on the side. She also has these turquoise earrings to wear. We also used fabric sunflowers in these photos, and shot them in our front yard.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Pocahontas photoshoots: 

2 Year Old Pocahontas
15 Month Old Pocahontas
3 Month Old Pocahontas

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

3 Year Old Cinderella
3 Year Old Snow White
3 Year Old Sleeping Beauty

3 Year Old Cinderella Preschool Photos

Disney Cinderella is such a classic fairy tale, and adding all the fun animals make it that much better. She was such a little lady today!

Cinderella is a great role model, showing kids to keep a good attitude even when everything is going badly. Such a mentally strong individual, she is polite and soft spoken when most people would explode. She is kind to animals and even to the people who mistreat her.

She is what I strive for in my own personal life and want to teach my daughter as well. Being elegant in time of torment is something that can only happen with God’s help. Storm is a very kind young lady, and learning everyday how to get along with people who are not so kind.

When we drove up to the location for our photoshoot; she pointed and said, “My castle!” We found her dress at a consignment shop and I bought the gloves, headband, and necklace to go with it. She wore some white flats with sliver flowers. She wore her white pearl earrings and I put her hair up in a bun with a bun shaper. The clock in the background was given to me on Facebook. I sprayed the pumpkins silver and found some ivy to go with them. AND… she loves her star wand!

Isaiah 46:4 says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you”.

You might enjoy Storm’s other Cinderella photoshoots: 

2 Year Old Cinderella
14 Month Old Cinderella
2 Month Old Cinderella

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

3 Year Old Snow White
3 Year Old Sleeping Beauty
2 Year Old Ariel

3 Year Old Snow White Preschool Photos

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first Disney movie in the animated studios series.  Storm just loves it, and can’t even tell that it is so old! She took out some of her Ty Beanie Baby forest animals.

Snow White simply sings when she is experiencing difficulty, she mentally picks herself up and chooses happiness even during the injustices done to her.  She is a gentle, trusting girl who loves all living things. She loves mothering the Dwarfs and brings them joy to their daily lives too.

Storm likes to sing and dance as well, and I try to teach her to be gentle with animals and babies as well.  She enjoys playing with her babies; feeding them, diapering them, and putting them to bath and bed!

We took these picture in our back yard again this year. She wore a Snow White dress that a friend had given to her. Her shoes are the black flats with a bow and her red earrings are from a multi color pack. We loved these earrings because they have the twist on backing. The red bow in her hair came from a colorful pack of bow that I had bought when she was a baby as well. This oval gold mirror I also found at a resale store several years ago.

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Snow White photoshoots: 

2 Year Old Snow White
13 Month Old Snow White
1 Month Old Snow White

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

3 Year Old Sleeping Beauty
2 Year Old Ariel
2 Year Old Moana

3 Year Old Sleeping Beauty Preschool Photos

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty is one of Storm’s favorites. Basically any movie with animal friends is admired in our house.

Sleeping Beauty is graceful, elegant, and romantic girl who loves her three “aunts” and her animal friends. She dreams of meeting her prince charming even though she believes that she is just a peasant girl.

I plan to teach Storm that with God all things are possible. We try to model grace and elegance for her as well; we will forever be working on this since she very much is “My Perfect Storm”.

This year we took her Sleeping Beauty pictures in the front yard instead of going to our local Rose Garden like in the past. We bought her this new Sleeping Beauty dress last year and happily it fits again this year. It came with a crown and necklace too.  She wore her sparkly white flats with a bow. I curled her hair before we left the house while she ate her lunch. Lastly we put in the gold and pink earrings that I had bought a few years ago for these photoshoots. Then she just held the single red rose too. I was able to get her to lay on a pillow this year and to close her eyes of couple times.

Matthew 16:26 “With God all things are possible.”

You might enjoy Storm’s other Sleeping Beauty photoshoots: 

24 Month Sleeping Beauty
12 Month Sleeping Beauty
Newborn Sleeping Beauty

Or some of her other Princess Photoshoots:

2 Year Old Ariel
2 Year Old Moana
2 Year Old Mulan

Minnie Mouse Party -3

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are her absolute favorite thing right now. Pink is currently her favorite color, but I tried to decorate with red also since her dress is red.

Minnie Mouse Dress

She wore her Minnie Mouse dress and her Gold sparkly Converse shoes. She also had her pearl earrings and Minnie Mouse bows.  I wore a red shirt with white polka dots.

Minnie Mouse Decorations

We decorated mostly with pink and white polka dots with a little red and black added. I found these Pink Bow Balloons that matched perfectly. I used a pink and white polka dot table cloth to create a giant bow on the food table too.

Minnie Mouse Food

I found these fun Mickey Mouse Fruit Snacks and Mickey Goldfish.

I made the Pink and White Polka Dot Napkins into bows and attached the pink forks and spoons to the back of them with clear elastics.

Tickle Me Pink Punch

  • 1 gallon pink lemonade
  • 2 litters sprite
  • 2 cups berry sherbet

I found these fun Minnie Mouse cups for the kids.

Berry Bows

I used strawberries and red grapes and placed them on sucker sticks.

Minnie Watermelon Berry Mix

I cut off each end of the watermelon to use as the mouse ears. Then I scooped out the watermelon from the inside. I placed a mix of strawberries, cherries, red grapes, and watermelon balls inside of the watermelon. I used toothpicks to attach the mouse ears. Then I added a napkin bow.

Minnie’s Bow Tie Pasta

Ingrediengs:

  • 1 box bowtie noodles
  • 4 TBS butter
  • 2 TBS olive oil
  • Garlic Salt
  • Parsley
  • Pink food coloring

Directions:

  1. Boil noodles for 10 minutes and drain.
  2. Add pink food coloring, oil and butter, then stir.
  3. Season with garlic salt and parsley.

Hot Diggity Dogs

We served Chili and Hot Dogs with cheese, onions, tomatoes, relish, Fritos, and Cheetos for toppings.

Minnie Mouse Cake

Candy Bows

I melted strawberry candy melts in a glass bowl sitting on a pot of boiling water. Then I put some white candy pearls into my bow mold and poured the melted pink candy in the mold. Refrigerate for 10 minutes and them pop them out.

Minnie Cupcakes

I made chocolate cupcakes and placed them in gold cupcake liners. Then I swirled strawberry icing on top and added white candy pearls. I put mini Oreo’s for mouse ears and a pink candy bow.

Minnie Cake

I made 2 eight inch rounds and 2 four inch rounds to form the Minnie Mouse cake. I used strawberry cake and strawberry icing . I made swirls with the icing and sprinkled white candy pearls over it. Then I put one of my napkin bow on the ear. I found a gold number 3 candle for the middle.

Happy Birthday, My Love.

Here are some of our other party themes:

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