Candy Canes, Reindeer, and Cookies!

In the days leading up to Christmas, we had time for a few last minute activities.

I made candy cane scented play dough for Kate using peppermint essential oil, food coloring, and glitter; we also made a batch for the Davidson boys across the street.

What looked like this when I gave it to Kate,

quickly turned into this!

 As long as she enjoys the play dough, it's fine with me.  Who cares if the colors get mixed together?!

 Kate and I made Rudolph Rolo pretzel treats.

Rolo pretzel treats never last long in our house!

Reagan, Collin, Kate, and a friend (Sydney) decorated sugar cookies and sugar cone Christmas trees.  It's all about the decorating, because no one really wants to eat cookies piled with frosting, sprinkles, and candies.  Even Collin, who seriously thought he would eat his sugar laden concoctions, never actually ate much.

Candy Cane Play Dough

I made a batch of candy cane play dough today.  I used my regular play dough recipe and just added peppermint extract and a whole lot of red glitter.  Kate poured in the glitter for me.

 I gave Kate red and white striped pipe cleaners and showed her how to curve one end to make them look like candy canes.  She stuck them into the play dough.

H is for Hearts

 Kate has fun with the different shaped ice cubes I have been making for her.

 When she was done playing with the ice hearts, she worked hard to put the slightly smaller heart shaped ice cubes back into the tray.  This was all her idea, her way of putting them away!!

I cut an H out of construction paper, and gave Kate some hearts I had punched out.  She really likes to use glue sticks, so she enjoyed gluing hearts on the H.

I merged Kate's H is for hearts theme with our current Christmas theme - candy canes - to make a special treat.

These are super easy to make.  I used regular candy canes, but for less sugar just use the mini candy canes.  I placed the candy canes in heart shape form on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and filled the middle with melted chocolate.  I then added a few sprinkles, and put the baking sheet in the freezer for a few minutes.  It doesn't get much easier.