Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on its way

Easter is coming up soon. So many people spend LOTS of money on baskets, eggs, candy, and other Easter items when we can use many items from around the house. Many of us spend too much money on prepacked baskets or fancy empty baskets. Instead of buying prepacked baskets, stuff your own baskets. I go to Dollar Tree, one of my favorite stores, and get the packs of two or more small baskets for everyone. I don't know about you, but I don't like to give the kids too much candy for Easter, so I came up with a few suggestions.

Boil Eggs - Do this with the kids. I find that kids LOVE to help in the kitchen. I know my nieces do; I can't keep them out of the kitchen. After the eggs have boiled get Snap Colors to let the kids decorate the eggs. They will have a blast and you don't have to do it. I would make them wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained in case they do get it on their clothes, and put down newspaper on the surface they are using to decorate on.  You could also do this instead of stuffing candy into plastic eggs.  Save money while doing activities with the kids.

Make egg shaped cakes (or cupcakes) - I like to make the egg shaped cakes.  They are inspired by cake pops.  Cook a cake according to package and let it cool.  Once cooled cut off the harder browned areas of it; a very thin layer of the brown.  You don't want to take too much of it off.  Use the rest of the cake and crumble it up in a large bowl.  Add a just enough icing to make the cake crumbs stick together and shape into an egg shape.  Let them cool.  While the "eggs" are cooling melt a portion of a chocolate block (I use 1/3 bar of  chocolate or white chocolate Almond Bark).  When  the chocolate is melted and the eggs have cooled and are keeping their egg shape, dip them in chocolate on wooden sewers or baking sticks.  Make sure to coat the whole egg.  After each egg has been dipped in chocolate, place in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to harden (I put mine in the freezer for just a few seconds to allow them to harden quicker but not to freeze).  Next you can leave your egg as is or (do what I would do) take white icing and dye it or different colors and drizzle on top of them to decorate them and refrigerate again to harden.  You can also use the white chocolate, dye it and decorate the eggs with it.  Either way they have to harden after decoration is complete.  Also, you may leave your eggs on the sticks and have egg pops to put in the children's baskets or you can take them off of the sticks, wrap them in a clear cling wrapping and place them in their Easter baskets.

If you decide that you just want something small for a basket you can make your own baskets or bags. 
This would be cute with a few of your cake eggs in it as a small Easter basket or you can allow your children to make these for friends or family members.

To find more fun ideas, like the ones above, visit the website that I found the Easter bunny treat bags on.  Gramma's Easter Crafts and Fun has lots of fun ideas for Easter that you can do and do with your little ones.  I hope you all enjoyed this post.  Have a Happy Easter!

Hair bows by Jesstastic Creations

Okay, so I've been working on a few new Hair bows. I've also been trying to learn a few new ways to make others, but this is what I have come up with so far. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I've been asking others who make bow and I have been watching video tutorials and looking up other information online.

I also sell these bows. If you would like to order one contact me for prices via e-mail at jesstastic.creations@gmail.com. These bows range anywhere from $2 each to $6 each. Also, if you buy more you save money.

I am hoping to have more up on here soon. I hope you enjoy these!

Internet for children

So many of adults that have children, have children who wish to explore the internet. How do we know that the children aren't getting into something they shouldn't be? My brother told me about a website that parents can go to and download a FREE kids browser called KidZui.

Once this is downloaded, you will have to click installation button that will be saved to your desktop. Click it and it will open a small window. Click the "Install" button and follow the setup wizard.

After installation and setup is completed click on the large "K" on your desktop to start the KidZui browser. When the browser opens the only things your children will be able to access are the items shown.

Your children will be able to learn, play various games, watch child suitable Youtube videos, and so much more. All this without the worry of your child talking to dangerous people or visiting inappropriate sites. They will have so much fun and you will not have to worry about what they are doing online.

I hope this is helpful and that you all enjoy it!

Mardi Gras in September

This month was my two oldest nieces birthday.  Every year they decide on a theme for their party and this year their theme was Mardi Gras!

I was not personally born in Louisiana, however, the majority of my family is or was born and raised in Louisiana.  Being from a family who was raised with the type of cultures and traditions that is shared among all of those who are from there, I was also taught many of their cultures and traditions, including one of the state favorites, Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras facts and a slight history:
To read about the history click here.  This will open the East Jefferson Parrish: The History of Mardi Gras website and you can read it all.  

For the girls birthday party we made the majority of their decorations and activities.  Any of you who enjoy celebrating or are interested in celebrating would have loved our party.  We had games such as:  Pin the baby on the King Cake (our own version of pin the tail on the donkey), a doubloon hunt (our version of an Easter egg hunt), and Mardi Gras hot potato (hot potato with a Mardi Gras stuffed animal).  We were able to make everything from items caught at parades threw out the years.  Because it is Sepetember, we couldn't find any Mardi Gras items out for sale so instead we bought plain white t-shirts and "puffy" paint to make the girls Mardi Gras shirts to wear on their special day.  We also had lots of help from the girls grandpa who is a Mardi Gras fanatic and happened to have LOTS of decorations that we could use.

I am so happy that we were able to have a birthday party that everyone was able to interact with and the girls were able to celebrate their own traditions and learn more about them while having fun!

Do you know YOU?

My six year old niece came home from school today asking a LOT of questions about where she is from. I have been trying to explain to her about her back culture; she's Guatemalan. So I've been researching foods, attire, traditions, and other fun facts about her heritage so that we can have a "Guatemalan" day for her to help her learn more about herself and her heritage.

I found information on the history of Guatemala and many of the cultures of the people there. I also found out about lots of different foods. The Guatemalan people are of a Hispanic heritage and love to use fresh exotic fruits such as bananas, papayas, and mango's along with many others. Corn, cocoa, and rice are some of the primary foods used to make many different stews, coffees, and light dishes.

This would be a fun project for any family. Even as Americans, we forget to remember how we got to where we are today and what a better way to remember than to celebrate our past. My family has lots of Italian, German, and French, but your family may have Indian, Mexican, Irish, Swedish, etc. Research and learn how much you really know about yourself. I can't wait to have our Guatemalan day so my wonderful niece can learn more about herself.

Remember, just because you have a past heritage, doesn't mean you aren't American. Americans are made up of all types of people including Guatemalan. I hope that I can help her learn and grow but also make her understand that no matter where she is from that she is where she belongs and that she IS an American.