April 18th - National Animal Crackers Day

Today is National Animal Cracker day, what a yummy day to celebrate. The thought of animal crackers instantaneously sparks memories of childhood. Maybe you enjoyed them at your grandma’s house or maybe you ate them after school. Animal crackers may have been a special treat you anticipated in your lunch box. No matter how you remember these cute little cookies, they are symbolic to the simple life most of us enjoyed as children. We were loved, we were happy, we were fearless, and we were pleasantly naive about the difficulties of life. Therefore we gladly commemorate the animal cracker.Animal crackers were imported from England to the United States in the late 1800s. They are crackers due to the way they are made, but pleasantly taste more like a cookie. At the time of their release, animal crackers retailed for five cents. Traditionally animal crackers are purchased in a charming little box resembling a circus cart, but did you know the handle was added during the holiday season so that the box could be hung on a Christmas tree.

In total, 54 different animals have been represented by animal crackers since 1902. The current crackers are tiger, cougar, camel, rhinoceros, kangaroo, hippopotamus, bison, lion, hyena, zebra, elephant, sheep, bear, gorilla, monkey, polar bear, seal and giraffe. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Barnum's added the koala in September 2002. No one brought attention to the animal cracker quite like Shirley Temple. Here are the lyrics to Animal Crackers in my soup. Go ahead sing along and teach your children how to sing it too.

Animal Crackers In My Soup
Lyrics/Music T.Koehler & I.Caesar/R.Henderson

Once Mother said My little pet

You ought to learn your alphabet

So in my soup I used to get

All the letters of the alphabet

I learned them all from A to Z

And now my Mothers giving me

Animal crackers in my soup

Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

Gosh oh gee but I have fun

Swallowing animals one by one I

n every bowl of soup I see

Lions and Tigers watching me

I make 'em jump right through a hoop

Those animal crackers in my soup

When I get hold of the big bad wolf

I just push him under to drown

Then I bite him in a million bits

And I gobble him right down

When their inside me where its dark

I walk around like Noah’s Arc

I stuff my tummy like a goop

With animal crackers in my soup

Animal crackers in my soup

Do funny things to me

They make me think my neighborhood

Is a big menagerie

For instance there's our Janitor

His name is Mr Klein

And when he Hollers at us kids

He reminds me of a Lion The Grocer is so big and fat

He has a big moustache

He looks just like a Walrus

Just before he takes a splash

Let the fun continue with this sweet animal cracker game.

Animal Cracker Charades
Materials: 1 Box of Animal.

Choose a child to pick out an animal cracker, make sure no one can see which animal is picked. Let the child eat the cracker. Once he or she eats the cracker they "become" they animal they ate. Encourage the child to pretend to be the animal by making motions and sounds similar to the animal. The other children must guess what animal it is. The person who guesses correctly is the next cracker eater.

If you don’t eat all of the animal crackers playing animal cracker charades, you can make these yummy snacks.

Chocolate PB Crackers

Ingredients:
1 box animal crackers
1 cup (or more to taste) peanut butter
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp. vegetable shortening

Directions:

1. Lay a sheet of wax paper put on the table.
2. Spread peanut butter on the top of each animal cracker and palce them on the wax paper.
3. Melt chocolate chips and shortening together in top of double boiler. Dip each cracker into the chocolate mixture. To keep the chocolate soft, leave it in the double boiler over low heat while you dip each candy.
4. Place candy on sheet to cool.

Animal Cracker Pie

Ingredients:
1/2 gallon Rocky road ice cream
One 9-inch graham cracker crust
1/4 cup hot fudge sauce; warmed
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 package Animal crackers

Directions:
1. Place individual scoops of ice cream into the pie crust, forming a mountain of ice cream (with the center scoop as the highest point).
2. Drizzle with hot fudge sauce and sprinkle with walnuts.
3. Place animal crackers on top of each scoop and serve immediately.

If not planning to serve right away, then place the ice cream scoops into the crust, cover loosely, and store in the freezer. Just before serving, drizzle with hot fudge sauce, sprinkle with walnuts, and place the animal crackers on each scoop.

Happy Birthday Daffy Duck

Daffy Duck has been entertaining us for 72 years. He was created by Warner Brothers and first appeared in the cartoon Porky’s Duck Hunt on April 17th, 1937. Bugs Bunny is known as Daffy’s best friend and at times rival. Believe it or not, in the beginning Sylvester the Cat and Daffy Duck shared the same voice. The only difference was Daffy’s voice was played back at a faster speed. Over time his voice has changed. Originally he had a slight lisp, but now you can’t miss his exaggerated lisp. You might remember his lispy catchphrase "you're desthpicable (despicable.)" Other zany quotes by Daffy include, “ridicule is the burden of genius” and “Consequences, Schmonsequences, as long as I'm rich.” Daffy was a bachelor duck for many years, but in the 60’s he was swept away by the female version of Daffy, Daphane Duck. If you fondly remember being swept away by Daffy, celebrate his birthday by catching up on a few Daffy cartoons or enjoy playing these fun duck games with your children.

Find the Duck Egg

Pick one child to be the parent duck. Have the parent duck cover his eyes or go leave the room. Next have the adult hide the egg. Tell the parent duck to open his eyes or come back into the room and encourage him to find the egg. All the ducklings (other children) will quack softly and progressively get louder and louder as the parent duck gets closer to where the egg is hidden. When the egg is found choose another Parent Duck and repeat.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Children sit in a circle. One child walks around the circle touching each child on the head saying saying, "Duck, duck..." The child chooses a person and says "Goose." That child gets up and chases the other around the circle back to his/her spot where the first child sits down. The second child begins the game again.

Missing Duck Eggs

Create a home base or a nest for the eggs to be returned to and then place eggs on the ground for the children to gather and return to the nest. Have the children squat down and tuck their hands under their armpits, like ducks. As a duck they cannot use their hands to pick up the eggs, but must find other ways to get the eggs back to the nest. Kick it with their foot, without standing up, or butting it with head. The first one to get an egg back to the nest, is the winner.

Duck Watching

Children enjoy feeding ducks. Take your day old bread to a duck pond and watch the satisfaction in your children as the ducks eat the bread they toss into the water.

If playing duck games and watching the Looney Tunes makes you feel cheesy. You are in luck my friend because today is also National Cheese ball day. Here is a twist on the cheese ball I hope you will enjoy. If you love chocolate chip cheesecake you will love this recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Ingredients:
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup (real) butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp brown sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup toffee bits
1 box gram cracker sticks

Directions:

(Tip: Soften the cream cheese and butter to room temperature. Do not put it in the microwave because it will become to sticky to work with.)

1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in ¾ cup chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

2. Shape the chilled mixture into a ball. Wrap it with plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 1 more hour.

3. Roll the cheese ball in the remaining chocolate chips and toffee bits. Serve with gram cracker sticks.

April 16 – National Stress Awareness Day

It is no accident today is National Stress Awareness Day. April 16th was designated as Stress Awareness Day because it is the day after taxes are due! If you suffer from stress you do not need me to give you a tutorial of how to expand your awareness of it. However, it might be helpful to expand your knowledge of the symptoms of stress in your children and what you can do to help.

Adults and children alike experience “good stress” and “bad stress.” A fair amount of stress is a normal and natural part of life. “Good stress” occurs when it inspires us to do our best. “Bad stress” occurs when we believe we are unable to cope. Below is a list of signs your child may be suffering from “bad stress.”

Symptoms of Stress in Children by Ellis P. Copeland and the NASP
Irritability
Sleep difficulty or nightmares
Inability to concentrate
Drop in grades or other functioning
Toilet or eating concerns
Headaches or stomachaches
Unexplained fears or increased anxiety


You might be thinking, Kelci, I thought your blog was about celebrations. What does this have to do with celebrating? Although this is a rather heavy topic, I think it is important to celebrate your ability to help your child cope with stress. Here is a list of things you can do to help your child overcome “bad stress.”

How Parents Can Help by Ellis P. Copeland and the NASP
Build trust with your child
Teach and model good emotional responses
Encourage them to tell you if they feel overwhelmed
Encourage physical activity, good nutrition, and rest.
Teach your child to problem solve.
Help your child feel a part of decision-making when appropriate.
Remind your child of his or her ability to get through tough times, particularly with the love and
support of family and friends.
Help your child select appropriate extracurricular activities and limit over-scheduling.
Monitor your own stress level. Take care of yourself.
Seek the assistance of a physician, school psychologist, school counselor.

If you find yourself overwhelmed or consumed by stress try these stress relievers

Stress Relievers
Eliminate destructive self-talk ("I'm stupid, "I'm fat," etc.)
Listen to music
Play games
Unplug your phone
Take a long bath
Laugh
Exercise
Meditate
Write
Sleep

Today let’s celebrate taking control of our stress. Here is a list of family activities to erase stress. Remind your family members not to be too competitive when playing. The idea behind these activities is to eliminate stress, not create it.

Family Stress Erasers
Play basketball
Go swimming
Play baseball
Ride bicycles
Play tennis
Go to the playground
Fly kites
Play board games
Cook together
Play charades

April 15th - Rubber Eraser day!

April 15th is tax day. It is also Rubber Eraser day. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this day, than to share with you a great visualization technique that will erase your worries away. You can practice this technique a few times on your own and then once you feel comfortable you can share it with your family.

Visualization Technique

While lying in bed or sitting in a quite place take three deep breaths. Then close your eyes and visualize what is stressing you out. Focus on these things. Next imagine erasing your worries away (with a rubber eraser;)). Go back and forth over the images until they disappear and all you have left is a blank sheet of paper. Now in your mind, take your blank sheet of paper and draw something on it that makes you happy.

If your children are too young to comprehend the visualization technique, have no fear. You can celebrate Rubber Eraser Day by creating a toy car out of erasers.

How to Make Cars Out of Erasers Provided by eHow.com

Things You’ll Need:
Erasers, various kinds
Thumbtacks
Glue
Knife
Markers

Instructions:
1. Gather a bunch of rectangle shaped erasers. Leave some long and cut some with a knife to give you various-sized rectangle pieces.

2. Take one of the whole erasers and stick a halved eraser on top, to make the cab of a truck or car. Glue the top to the bottom.

3. Use pencil-cap erasers or those tiny pre-made animal-shaped erasers as cargo for the back of the trucks.

4. Color the car erasers with designs and shapes, or make car doors and windows.

5. Color the tops of the thumbtacks and then stick them into the sides of the erasers as wheels for the cars and trucks.

April 14th - National Pecan Day

Are you feeling a little nutty today? Perhaps this is because it is National Pecan Day. Pecans are delicious nuts that pack a big nutritious punch. Pecans are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Just eating a handful of pecans each day may help prevent heart disease, cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In addition to these benefits, pecans may promote weight loss and lower cholesterol. No wonder this little nut has a day of celebration all to itself.

In honor of the pecan, lets get a little nutty today. Tell knock knock jokes. Here is one that is sure to make you smile.

Knock knock

Who's there?

Pecan

Pecan who?

Pecan somebody your own size!

Just by doing a quick search online you can find hundreds of clean jokes to share with your family.

Another nutty activity you might like is to play “who’s the nuttiest.” Put on a competition with the members of your family and whoever comes up with the nuttiest costume wins.

Whatever you do, just be nutty today. Children and adults alike get a kick out of being nutty once in a while. You can say silly things, sing silly songs or show off a couple silly dance moves.

You can’t truly celebrate National Pecan Day without making your favorite pecan recipe. Although this may not be the healthiest way to enjoy pecans, here is my favorite pecan recipe.

Chunky Pecan Pie Bars by Nestle

CRUST

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

FILLING

3 large eggs

3/4 cup corn syrup

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (11.5 oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks

1 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

FOR CRUST: Beat flour, butter and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

FOR FILLING: Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in medium bowl with wire whisk. Stir in chunks and nuts. Pour evenly over baked crust. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Happy Birthday to the late President Thomas Jefferson!

Today is Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday. American history is a rich part of our culture and it is important to give homage to those who played a large role in shaping America into the country it is today. Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13th 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. He was the third president of the United States and he is most famous for being the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence. Beyond this remarkable accomplishment, Jefferson was a man of many talents, he was an architect, an inventor and a scientist. He was skilled in reading five different languages and before he became president of the United States he was the U.S. minister to France for several years. While in France, Jefferson enjoyed several culinary treats. Some of his favorite dishes were pasta, peach flambé (flaming peaches), and ice cream! Despite his taste for delectable foods, he lived to be 84 years old with little illness. It is said this was due to his healthy living habits.

Jefferson’s eye for architecture led him to build the Monticello, a famous landmark and once his home. For an engaging activity you can have children create their own version of the Monticello by decorating shoe boxes with colored macaroni or other fun pasta shapes. If you have younger children, you can guide them in making a macaroni necklace by lacing macaroni on a string or you can simply help them make a macaroni picture by gluing macaroni to a sheet of colored paper.

Colored macaroni

1. Mix 2 tbsp. rubbing alcohol and 3 or 4 drops food coloring in a small container. Set aside.
2. Pour 1 cup uncooked macaroni into a large plastic bag with a zipper-type seal.
3. Add the colored rubbing alcohol to the bag.
4. Zip the bag closed and squeeze the bag gently with your hands for 1 or 2 minutes until the macaroni is evenly colored.
5. Cover a cookie sheet with paper towels and pour the macaroni out of the bag onto the cookie sheet. Spread it out and let it dry.

You can store the colored macaroni in small, plastic containers with lids.

To celebrate Jefferson’s Birthday make a pasta dish and have vanilla ice cream for dessert. Here is my favorite recipe for macaroni and cheese. For an easy meal, mix diced ham into the mac and cheese and serve with your favorite vegetable.

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups milk
8 ounces American cheese or Velveeta, cubed
8 ounces shredded cheese (of your choice)

Directions:
1. Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook to al dente or about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Drain.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour, mustard powder, salt and pepper and stir until smooth. Slowly stir in the milk, beating out any lumps. Add the American and shredded cheeses, and stir constantly until the sauce is thick and smooth.
3. Stir the cheese sauce into the noodles and heat to desired temperature.

Happy Easter!

Next to Christmas, Easter is the most important holiday for Christians. Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is about renewal and new life. As you may know the egg is a symbol of new life, but are you aware the rabbit has long been a symbol of fertility and birth. The legend of the Easter bunny originated in Germany. The classic story suggests that a poor woman decorated eggs for her children to find. As soon as the children discovered the hidden eggs, a large bunny was seen hopping away. In celebration of Easter I wanted to share with you a fun little Easter poem.

Bunnies

Bunnies are brown

Bunnies are white

Bunnies are always An Easter delight

Bunnies are cuddly

Bunnies are large

Bunnies are small

But I like the chocolate ones best of all

-Author unknown

If you are celebrating Easter with lots of children, here is an Easter spin on a few classic games the children are sure to enjoy.

Easter Bunny Says

This is the Easter Bunny’s version of Simon Says. Pick a player to be the "Easter Bunny". The "Easter Bunny" will say "Easter Bunny says hop on one foot". The children will hop on one foot. The "Easter Bunny"will say "Stop". The children are to keep hopping on one foot until the "Easter Bunny"says "Easter Bunny says stop". Repeat for additional activities such as take one baby step forward, step backwards, turn around, sit down.

Bunny, Bunny, Rabbit

Have children sit in a circle. One child is "it" and hops around the circle tapping each child on the head and saying, "bunny, bunny, bunny..." until he/she finally says, "RABBIT". Both children hop around the circle trying to reach the empty spot first.

Bunny Tag

Pick a child to be "it". Everyone else hops around like a bunny trying to keep from getting tagged by the child that's "it". Watch out, if you run you're "it".