Kids in the Kitchen: Patriotic Popsicles

It has been a long time since I have posted a "Kids in the Kitchen" post.  This past week I was encouraged to jump back into things and plan on a Kids in the Kitchen post once a week.

Hopefully I can keep up.  (Thanks for the encouragement, Diane) 

This week, in honor of the upcoming 4th of July, we decided to make patriotic popsicles.

I found the idea on the Family Fun website.

 For these popsicles you need:

blue kool aid (and sugar)

red kool aid (and sugar)

vanilla yogurt

Cool whip

plastic cups

craft sticks

 Make up the blue Kool aid.

This is the first layer in your cup.

 Clear cups make is more fun, as you watch your patriotic progress.

 As we proceeded with this, I realized we added too much "blue" to our popsicles. About an inch of each layer would be plenty.

Put this blue layer in the freezer for about an hour--until it is beginning to freeze, but not yet hard.

 For the white layer, mix about 1 cup vanilla yogurt and 1 cup whipped topping.

 This is a very yummy, white layer.

 Spoon the yogurt mixture onto the blue, semi frozen blue kool aid.

 Add the craft sticks at this time.

 We are able to place the sticks all the way to the bottom of the cup.

Freeze this layer until solid. (The yogurt never got completely hard--but was very firm when we added the red layer.)

Pour red Kool aid over the yogurt layer....this completes our patriotic popsicles.

I froze these overnight.

 To remove popsicles from the cups, we simply held them in our hands for a few minutes (it also was very hot outside)  and them they "popped" out of the cups.

Enjoy!!!

A Great Day of Fishing

A great day of fishing for Dad and Mark.

Final tally: 

Mark-6 fish

Dad-4 fish

Amy saved lives today

Amy  saved some lives today for the first time!!
There is a very big shortage of all blood types right now...so go donate if you can.
My life was saved 3 times because someone took the time to donate.

Amy's sideways valedictorian speech

Just tip your head sideways, Grandpa, and enjoy Amy's speech!

Holy Cross Graduation--2012 Version

I'm feeling lonely....no one ever leaves any comments anymore.  In fact, I am starting to think only my parents check out this blog.

Please leave a comment it you happen upon this post, and tell us where you live....my homeschoolers are going to map the visitors...of course, if only Grandma and Grandpa see this, we, in fact, know where you live.

 The choir is ready---Laura

 The alter boys are ready--Mark is on the right

 The graduate (and valedictorian) is ready--although looking pretty nervous--Amy

 The music was heavenly

 Mrs. Maciag congratulates Amy

 Amy--the graduate....preparing to give the valedictorian address

 Father O'Conner did a fabulous job.

His sermon during Mass was inspiring for everyone present.

 Gorgeous Amy and Becky

 The class of 2012

 A well deserved hug from dad

 Dad, Mom and Amy

 Steve and Amy--What a handsome couple they make

 The 3 Musketeers--since 7th grade

Don't worry, Maggie...you'll get out next year.

Exciting backyard bird of the day....

the pileated woodpecker.

The 2012 great Goldfinch rescue

 This poor goldfinch had the unfortunate luck of running into our back door this afternoon.  He was stunned and appeared "stuck" in the dog fence.

But Mark came to the rescue and got him off the fence and then we had the opportunity to spend a little close-up quality time with one of God's beautiful creatures.

 We thought that maybe he broke a wing, but during Mark's inspection, he thought that probably the goldfinch was just stunned.

 Here, you can see that he is finally standing up.

And here he is, Goldie the Goldfinch, just moments before flying to the top of a maple tree.

It is so wonderful to get to experience God's beauty up close and with the kids, thanks to having them home with me everyday....check "science" off today's schoolwork list.

needle and thREAD

Elizabeth started needle and thREAD a few months ago, and I have to say, I am very thankful!

On the first week of this linky party, Elizabeth wrote:
"I welcome you to needle and thREAD. What have you been sewing lately? Or are you embroidering? Pulling a needle with thread through lovely fabric to make life more beautiful somehow? Would you share with us just a single photo (or more) and a description of what you're up to? Would you talk sewing and books with us? I'd love that so much."

This week I enjoyed a little sewing....I have been slacking lately and it felt good to jump back on the bandwagon.  As it happened, both articles I sewed were for Kimberly, which caused quite a bit a whining from the other kids.

Hopefully, before next week, I will have something sewn for someone other than Kim. 
This week, I sewed Kim a pair of summer pajamas using a pattern that,  is so old and well used that it is taped together.  It is Simplicity pattern # 9942.  I believe I have used this pattern at least 20 times over the past 22 years...the copywrite on the pattern says 1990. 

This is an easy pattern and quick to sew up.

A few weeks ago hubby and I stopped by Joann's Fabrics after a wedding.  (If we are in the city, I HAVE to go to the fabric store and wonderful hubby always obliges.:-)  I didn't have any coupons with me, but found this great soft denim with embroidered cherries on it.  It was 50% off--that makes it my kind of fabric.  I knew it was destined for capris for Kimmy.  For these I used McCall's pattern # 4006.  They are a perfect size--the size 6 patten perfectly fit my size 6 child.

I have been on a reading blitz lately....quick easy reads are just the right ticket during these recent crazy days.  This series of books, Annie's Attic Mysteries are a perfect fit for what I am lookink for these days.

These are nice "cozy reads" set in a small main town.  Annie grandmother has died and left Annie her home.

The attic is full of treasures...and mysteries.  What also makes these fun reads is the fact that the main characters are members of the Hook and Needle club,  A group that meets weekly and shares crafting and mysteries.

Head on over the Elizabeth's blog and check out the rest of this week's needle and thREAD posts.

Lowes Build and Grow

 We enjoyed making a real cute Madagascar 3 helicopter at the free  Lowe's Build and Grow program this morning.

I was also happy to find out that the free Build and Grow program is now offered on both Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 2:00.  This will help our busy weekend scheduling.