Peonies and Poppyseeds

Faux Eggs and Bacon Snack

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

This snack is STICKY. But awesome. And I sent it to school, so it wasn't like I had to deal with all the messy preschoolers.

For two "fried eggs" melt about 12 marshmallows and 1 tsp. of butter on medium-low heat. (You can multiple this by however many finished snacks you'll need.)

Pour the melted goo into two globs on some HEAVILY GREASED tin foil (I suggest greasing with butter or butter flavored spray, because it will pick up a little of the flavor). And smear the globs into egg shapes.

Take a couple of dried apricots, smoosh the centers with your thumb so they look like bubbled yolks and stick them to the centers of your marshmallow globs.

Let them cool before you take them off the tin foil.

(I found this idea here, where it has a few more details, you know, if you like details.)

For the bacon I bought some raspberry flavored fruit roll ups and cut them into bacon shaped strips. Then, when I placed them on the plates, I made them look wavy, like cooked bacon tends to look. (I think it would have looked better with thicker fruit leather, but I couldn't find bacon colored fruit leather.)

I wonder if the preschool teacher was mad that I sent highly sugared food glue to class? Because I think I'm making this one again.

Beach Girl: Free Coloring Page

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

With summer coming up I know the kids are going to need a few extra activities for when they get tired of running around outside. My kids love to color, so I'm going to be making lots of coloring pages for them. And who knows, maybe it will bring a little bit of quiet to our summer.....at least for a few minutes.

This free printable coloring page is of a little girl on the beach.

Printable Sight Words Flashcards

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Now that the school year is almost over I want to make sure my kindergartener has all of his sight words memorized. I think in his class they call them "popcorn words" or something like that, but I call them sight words because you know them by sight not by sounding them out.

All the words included can be seen in the preview image - I think it's a good amount (although, I think the english language is easier if you just memorize all words since most of them don't follow the phonics rules).

Free Mustache Party Cupcake Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a good mustache printable? These cupcake wrappers and circle toppers are perfect for any kind of mustache party with six different wrappers and a full sheet of 1.25" circles.

Snail Trails: Practice Tracing or Cutting

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I don't know about your kids, but mine need some serious handwriting and cutting practice. We're pretty big into art around here so they have some great experience, but accuracy doesn't really come into play. With these printable worksheets they can either trace the lines or cut along the lines (some of these are way more tricky than others, but I figure that's good for my second and fourth graders to practice with).

Free Mother's Day Gift Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

It is scientifically proven that moms love treats that they don't have to share with any one else. Also, most moms love cute packaging that doesn't cost a lot. So for Mother's Day this year, check out our "Sweets for Mom" printable treat pack.

This set of Mother's Day Printables includes:

• 2 baggy toppers
• 1 take-out box printable with instructions
• 1 mini purse printable with instructions
• a king size candy bar wrapper
• a standard size candy bar wrapper

May 2013 Computer Desktop Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:14:00 +0000

Happy, happy May friends! I was looking at our previous desktops, and I noticed that I've never really used orange! WHAT? Naturally, I had to fix that ASAP. Hope this month's desktop calendar adds a bright spot to your day!

1024x768 version | 1280x800 version

(regular sized monitor) (Wide screen monitor)

11 Books to Read for Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Reading is a big part of our day, and while the kids would be content with reading the same books over and over, I like to change it up every once in awhile. I figured while we were going for something new they might as well go with a theme.

So here are 11 Children's Book Suggestions on the theme of Mother's Day:

	"Are You My Mother?" by P.D. Eastman is my one of my favorite books from my own childhood. My kids love it a lot too.
	"If I Could: A Mother's Promise" by Susan Milford looks quite endearing - it lists all the things the mom raccoon would do for her child if she could. The pictures in this book are super cute.
	"Mother, Mother, I Want Another" by Maria Poluskin Robbins seems like a silly and fun book about a baby mouse wanting his mom to give him another kiss, but the mom thinks her baby is asking for a different mother entirely and goes off to find one.
	"Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch" by Jane O'Connor is definitely on our list because I find that one can never go wrong with Fancy Nancy.
	"Hero Mom" by Melinda Hardin looks interesting because it's all about moms that serve in the military. And all military moms (and dads, and people in general) are heroes.
	"I Love Ewe" by Aaron Zenz is good for a fast read for the little kids. The cute animal pictures and fun word play are sure for a quick smile.
	"Just Me and My Mom" by Mercer Mayer looks awesome to read, because I love that little critter lots and lots. I had a little critter book when I was young and I remember relating to him a lot because he kept making messes no matter how hard he tried not to. So, naturally, he'll always be a favorite.
	"Me and My Mom!" by Alison Ritchie caught my attention because of the picture on the front of the book - it's just so cute!
	"My Mom is the Best Circus" by Luciana Navaro Powell is another quick read, and looks really promising. Because sometimes, as a mom, I feel like I'm living in a circus too.
	"Pirate Mom" by Deborah Underwood looks perfect for my second grader. I think he'll find it hilarious to read about a mom being hypnotized into thinking she's a pirate.
	"Ramona and her Mother" by Beverly Cleary is for sure on our reading list. Because Ramona's antics are timeless and hilarious. Plus I haven't read this for one for a really long time.

Now we just need to get started on our list - which I'm now excited to begin. And hopefully that will inspire you into a little mom-themed reading of your own!

First Communion Candy Bar Wrappers

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:40:00 +0000

One of our Facebook friends asked for some candy bar wrappers for first communion. We obliged.

Click to download these first communion (or baptism) candy bar wrappers, then "like" us on Facebook!

Vegetable Wordstrip Printable Puzzles

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

My kids love to do puzzles, so I like to find ways to make them cheaply and also maybe sort of teach them something. These printable wordstrip puzzles have vegetables on them - they include a riddle about each vegetable and spell out the word as the puzzle comes together.

Make sure to print these on thick paper and then laminate the pieces so that they last longer in the hands of little kids.

Check out our animal wordstrip puzzles too!

Pink and Zebra Cupcake Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

If you're having a pink and zebra birthday party these cupcake wrappers and toppers are perfect-o. They come with 3 cupcake wrappers and a sheet of 1.25" circles as toppers.

Six Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:37:00 +0000

The end of the school year is heading our way and we've really enjoyed our teachers so we want to show our appreciation. But creative ideas just weren't flowing in the way of teacher appreciation gifts, so I decided to see what other people have done. These are my six favorite gift ideas:

This is an adorable bucket from Simply Organized. In the post she even lists what she put inside and how she made it. My favorite part is that flower pinwheel that apparently only cost a $1.50.

I know this one says "swim teacher" but I like the idea for a regular teacher, and the container and colors are super adorable. You can get the full tutorial at Lil' Luna.

This is a cute candybar wrapper that sells on etsy. I really like the look and idea of it - the lined paper is a good touch.

These cards are great, and funny, and are kind of the way I'm leaning. Then all I have to do is print something instead of taking time to put something together. Plus, who doesn't love a good giftcard? You can download the printables for free from Chicka Bug.

This is just a small printable note, a CD sleeve, and some homemade cookies - so easy and cost-effective. And if there's one thing that I love, it's being lazy and cheap. You can get see the tutorial and printables at Nothing But Country.

This is a super simple idea, and different than the usual edible treat. Skip to my Lou has a short tutorial about it, and says that it makes a great last-minute gift (which is they way I tend to do things).

So now, all I have to do is decide which gift idea I'm going to go with....I can't decide. Which idea is your number one favorite?

Monster Match: Printable Matching Game

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Monsters are awesome. And playing games with monsters - also awesome. This printable game teaches basic matching skills and turn taking. Plus, it's just fun to play.

This printable includes:
• 6 different cards (so you can play with a total of 6 players)
• a printable die
• instructions

Disney Princess Party Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:19:00 +0000

This download features 12 Disney princesses. You get cupcake toppers and garlands, and this set coordinates with all our Disney Princess printables. This download makes is easy to mix and match so that you can have the party of your little one's dream!

For the other princess printables, click the links below:

Ariel	Aurora	Belle	Cinderella
Jasmine	Merida	Mulan	Pocahontas
Rapunzel	Snow White	Sofia	Tiana

Princess Merida Party Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:28:00 +0000

Princess Merida is the download of the day. This freebie includes:

5x7 blank cards
cupcake toppers/favor tags
cupcake wrappers
fry box
5 inch party circles
foldable place cards

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

My daughter loves this show. If you have your own Daniel fan you'll love this free Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood printable party pack.

It includes:

• 3 cupcake wrappers
• 4 little fry boxes
• 6 tent lables
• a sheet of 1.25" circles

Free Bubble Guppies Party Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

How awesome is that mermaids are now boy friendly? We love this show, and hopefully you'll love this Bubble Guppy Printable Party Pack.

It includes:
• 6 tent labels
• 2 small fry boxes
• a sheet of 1.25" circles
• 2 water bottle labels
• 6 cupcake wrappers

Animals Word Strip Puzzles Printable

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

These printable animal puzzles are lots of fun for little fingers. Just print them on thick paper and laminate them so that your kids can play with them over and over. All the cut lines are on the pictures so it's super easy to make the puzzles. And as your kids are putting the picture together they're also spelling the word.

Make a Wish Party Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I love the idea of pink and green party printables - they just jive well together, I think. This printable pack features the saying "Make a Wish" and stars. It would be great for a birthday part for any age of girl.

This set includes:
• 1 party hat
• 2 water bottle labels
• 3 cupcake wrappers
• 4 tent labels
• a sheet of circle labels

Snacks celebrating the number 100

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Bastow) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

We took this snack to school on the 100the day of school, but it would be great anytime you want to highlight the number 100 in a yummy and fun way. Our snacks were: 100 Skittles, 100 green grapes, 100 purple grapes and 100 curly herb breadsticks (recipe found here).

I had the glass containers just hanging around, but I had to make the big box -it's one of those massive goldfish cracker boxes with the top cut off. I just covered the outside in scrapbook paper. It was amazingly easy and the kids thought it was fab.

Then I cut out the number 100 on some matching scrapbook paper and taped it to some bamboo skewers to put in the containers of snacks.

I love when snacks are easy and fun and can be passed off as a lesson about numbers.

Rapunzel Birthday Freebies

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Last but not least, we have RAPUNZEL! Currently, both of my daughters are trying to grow out their hair "like Tangled" so we're very familiar with this movie. In the Rapunzel download, you get:

5x7 blank cards
cupcake toppers/favor tags
cupcake wrappers
fry box
5 inch party circles
foldable place cards

Princess Tiana Party Set

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Princess Tiana is our Princess of the Day! This printable party set includes:

5x7 blank cards
cupcake toppers/favor tags
cupcake wrappers
fry box
5 inch party circles
foldable place cards

Sleeping Beauty Printables: Princess Aurora

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A dream is a wish your heart makes.... and this heart is loving these free Princess Aurora party printables.

Download includes:

5x7 blank cards
cupcake toppers/favor tags
cupcake wrappers
fry box
5 inch party circles
foldable place cards

Princess Ariel Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Who doesn't love the Little Mermaid? Make your birthday special with these Princess Ariel printables. Download includes:

5x7 blank cards
cupcake toppers/favor tags
cupcake wrappers
fry box
5 inch party circles
foldable place cards

Free April 2013 Computer Desktop Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline Bingham) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:38:00 +0000

Happy April everyone! After that weird March weather, I was excited to wake up to a beautiful warm spring day... no joke!

And this month's desktop is sure to bring a little happiness to your day!

1024x768 version | 1280x800 version

(regular sized monitor) (Wide screen monitor)