Mini Pumpkin Pies at Preschool

Pumpkin Pie? Ummm.... do you even have to ask? YES, PLEASE!!!! 

It does not get any better than that. 

Oh wait, yes it does. 

Make them mini... of course! 

This makes 18 mini pies 

I basically followed the Libby's pumpkin pie recipe on the back of the can... or found here, minus the pie shell. 

When I say "basically" followed the recipe... it is because we made these in preschool. 

So I helped measure... and the kids were pretty close. :) The only big change I made, was adding a few shakes of pumpkin pie spice in addition to the other spices. 

Try it! It was really yummy! 

I allow the kids to measure, open cans, dump, mix, pour, shake and sprinkle. Their favorite part was cracking the eggs! Don't be scared. Let 'em do it. ;) I just have them crack them into separate cups, so digging out the shell is rather easy. :) And surprisingly, there was hardly any shell to remove!

Fill the pie shells and bake... I preheated my oven to 400 degrees. But turned it down to 375 when  I put the pies in. I started checking them after 20 minutes... but it took more like 26-27 minutes. The way you can tell is by gently touching the center of the pie, if your finger does not leave a mark, then they are ready. But if you get some pumpkin stuck to your finger, they can go a little longer. I would say no more than 30 minutes though. And the graham cracker crust makes all the difference in the world! 

So get the kids in the kitchen. Let them make a mess and enjoy this yummy treat! 

Tye Dye Cookies

So if you have not read or tried my Tye Dye Cake post, you should sooo check it out. I have had a lot of FB friends try the cake with great results :) Or you could just keep reading this post and try Tye Dye Cookies instead! :)

Shi wanted to make cookies for her birthday, so in about 30 seconds I came up with these. Super Simple. Seriously, try it. You won't be disappointed. :) 

Grab:

 1 box or pack of sugar cookie mix ( or you can use your own recipe)

ingredients needed to mix up the cookies (my box mix called for a stick of butter and an egg)

3 colors of food coloring ( I used the gel color b/c it is so much more vibrant)

Go:

1. Mix up the cookies as directed on the package.

2. Separate the dough into 3 piles or bowls. 

3. Add one color to each pile and mix it up.

4. Slap the 3 separate piles on to a cookie sheet.

5. Use a cookie scoop and scoop up a little of each color.

6. Place each dough ball onto a separate cookie sheet.

Don't worry if your dough gets a little mixed up, it just adds to the look!

7. Fill your sheet, then bake according to the package instructions ( Mine was 375 for 10 mins)

8. Let them cool for a few minutes before removing from the cookie sheet. 

9. Eat, eat, eat some more!!!! And smile while you do it! :) :) :) 

   

        Happy Birthday Shi! :) :) :) :) :) :) 

Finger Food Fun

For cryin' out loud people, sometimes you just have to set aside manners and etiquette and have FUN! Right? Of course I am right! You all know food tastes better when you eat it with your hands. 

I am a big fan of creating experiences that make wonderful memories for your kiddos. Moments that they will randomly remember when they are older and make them smile. :) :) :) So lay aside your inhibitions... and your forks and have fun with your food! 

 ~For all of you who eat finger food with a fork, take a deep breathe before you read this post. *inhale slowly*~

 Who said food can't be fun? Not me! I say, who is it hurting by letting the munchkins play a little?

Here is C-belle demonstrating how to eat rigatoni the best way! So convenient! Just pop them on your fingers! Who needs a fork? 

Starfish and Snails for Lunch

Starfish- Bread cut in the shape of a star with a cookie cutter, slathered in peanut butter and sprinkled with crushed graham crackers for that "Starfish" texture

Snails-Hamburger Mac and Cheese

Some pretzels and strawberry bar complete the meal. Lots of seconds were requested with this one! Simple and fun as always! :)

A Patriotic Kind of Lunch

Stars and stripes for lunch today.

I used a cookie cutter to cut bread in the shape of a star, then toasted it. 

The butter is just softened and dyed with a few drops of food color.

Syrup in the corner cubby for dipping their stars. (This is the kiddos favorite version of french toast)

Red Seedless grapes.

Strawberry yogurt with Blueberry syrup. Find the recipe for the blueberry syrup here.

I used a pizza cutter to cut 'stripes' of cheese. 

Simple, fast, fun!

Cars, Trains, Trucks, and Planes!

Wheels, Watermelon and Whales
For lunch today we had simple sandwiches cut in the shape of a race cars ( used a cookie cutter) with wheels made out of watermelon balls. They also had spiced cookies in the shape of 'wheels'  and some whale crackers and some cheese in the shape of a flower. Everybody cleaned their plates and asked for seconds! :)

Following lunch, it was time to do some crafts. Over the weekend I picked up some cardstock die cuts in the shape of cars, trucks, plaines, etc. I got a pack of like 30 shapes for 79 cents at Michael's yesterday. Love me a deal! So Everyone chose a form of transportation and decorated them with the handy-dandy dot painters. (you can use bingo blotters or DO-A-DOT painters as well). After they were dry, we used construction paper and some electrical tape to make a scene on the picture window. The whole thing was quick and easy! And the window looks beautiful!

 Kids at work!

 VROOM!

 The completed window scene!

 Chug-a-chug-a CHOO-CHOO!

 The highway is all backed up!

 Ry's dump truck is full and he is on his way down the dirt mountain!

 It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!--- NO, wait... it is just a plane! 

It makes me happy!