Ah-Choo! teaches Compromising with Siblings

Ah-Choo! a picture book for children by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams, and illustrated by Ken Min is about a boy looking for a pet that will not make his sister sneeze. He goes through a list of animals from A to Z such as antelope, bobolink birds, cats and dogs to wolves and zebras and brings them home, to find out that each creature makes his sister go Ah-Choo! Children will enjoy reading what the boy does with the all the animals, and the pet he settles for, which does not make his sister sneeze.

Lemon preserve and jam jar kit

Lemons are cheaper in the summer, so it is a good time to take advantage of this and make lemon preserve to use off-season.

This lemon preserve will come handy in cooking i.e. chicken or to add into other pickles.  For this basic lemon preserve recipe you will  need...

unbruised clean Meyer lemons

coarse sea salt or kosher salt (not table salt)

Trim the top and bottom of the lemon to keep it flat.  Then cut the lemons into quarters vertically up to 3/4 way (the lemon should not split so don't slice it all the way).

Stuff the lemon with salt and pack it into a clean jar.  Cover the lemons with its own juice, when you press the lemons into the jar it will produce its own juice.  You might have to add fresh juice of 1/2 lemon if need be.

Let it sit for 3 weeks or more in a cool dark place.  I usually keep them for longer before opening the container.  Over time the lemons will reduce and become soft. 

As soon as the lemons are soft it is ready to be used.  Once you open the container store in the fridge for up to 6 months or more.  

If the lemons are not fully submerged in its own juice then a white film will appear.  If this happens just remove it with a spoon or lightly wash it off and use.

If you wish when packing the lemons to preserve you can add whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns or cloves.

Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

I used the creative Jam Jar kit from Cath Kidston Ltd to decorate preserve containers.  
This kit has 20 jar toppers in 5 different patterns, 8 sticker sheets, elastic strings and 6 easy delicious recipes.  
The kit is useful in decorating our homemade preserves, before giving it as gifts to family and friends.
The Cath Kidston Jam Jar kit is available online, bookstores and amazon.

Barbies, accessories upcoming coupons

Barbie has been there for a long time and it isn’t about fashion and girlie accessories; it’s also about imagination, creativity and the importance of play.  
When we play with dolls and change their wardrobe, it opens a world of imagination.  I remember making clothes for Barbie with my grandma.  My daughter enjoys playing with Barbie as she tries different hairstyles and puts on accessories.
Save With Barbie Coupons 
Starting August 7th, every week either on Tuesday or Thursday I will be posting coupons that you can use to purchase Barbie dolls, accessories and many more essentials :) on my Facebook and Twitter.  
Please follow so you will easily get to know about these deals and save.
Disclosure: I am participating in the MC campaign for Barbie and receive compensation.  All rights reserved on opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Crafts with clay

Creative play is very important in my home, as it is a key element in children's development.  As a parent, I like getting involved and giving my children the opportunity to become creative.  It also allows me to have fun and be a child again :)

Crayola has lots of products that inspire us to become creative.  I bought this tub of air drying clay, which is available at craft stores and office supply sections.  The clay was available in natural clay and white, we chose the white one.

To do this activity we need...

1 tub of Crayola air drying clay

beads optional

our hands and imagination :)

Let children create whatever they like using their imagination.  I liked that the clay wasn't drying too fast, which is important with little hands working and reworking the clay.  

My son created this submarine and many little fun figures, which he accompanied with his stories.  

My daughter wanted to make a big bowl, so I showed her the coiling method by rolling the clay into ropes then shaping it.  After we made it into the shape we like, we pressed in some beads for colour.

After many hours of drying we placed our finished products on our worktables for decor and to hold pens, pencils/ accessories.  

This would be a good activity to do in the summer for fun. We can create useful homemade gifts that grandparents and family will appreciate :) 

Here is a list of more creative ideas that you can do with your children.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Cake pops for any occasion

I used this cake pop kit from Bakerella that came with instructions and useful tools to make these delicious treats.  The cake pop kit includes a colourful booklet with instructions, a cake pop stand, cello bags to place each cake pop, cake pop sticks, gift tags and ribbons.  The kit is available on Amazon and in bookstores.  
This creative treat is a lot of fun to make and is the new trend :)  

My kids were super excited to help me make these cake pops.  It would be a lovely treat for any day, which can be served as dessert or at a party.  It would also be a good homemade gift to take to family and friends.


We need...
1 box cake mix
1 16 oz container frosting
candy melts (I used the Wilton brand)


Follow the instruction on the cake mix and bake the cake; don't forget to get some help from the little ones to make it.
When the cake is completely cool crumble the cake with clean hands in a big bowl and add 3/4 of the frosting from the container.
Mix the cake with the frosting and then make balls about 2" diameter.  Leave the cake ball on a baking sheet that is lined with wax paper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate the cake balls until it is firm.  We can also shape the cake balls into any shape we like and then place it in the fridge.
Make sure the cake pops are firm before coating with the candy melts.
Melt the candy coating in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave.  Make sure to choose a bowl that is about 3" deep, which makes it easy to dip.  Put in 30 second interval and stir in between.  Repeat this till the candy coating melts and is smooth.
Work with a few cake balls at a time and leave the rest in the fridge.  The candy melts harden pretty fast so if you want to add sprinkles or decoration do it soon :)

Dip the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating then insert into the bottom of the cake ball half way and then place it in the stand for it to dry.
Dip the entire cake pop into the candy coating.  Dip and remove in one motion without stirring.
If the coating is thick add few drops of vegetable oil to thin it, I didn't have to do this.


These cake pops can be stored in an airtight container or in the fridge.  Hope you get to try these fun cake pops with your family.

Check out Life Made Delicious for fun ideas and fun offers.  To cheer our athletes that are going to the Olympics 2012, General Mills has a lovely offer of fun Free cheer gear t-shirts and flip-flops on their specially marked packages of cereal, Nature Valley granola bars and Betty Crocker child snacks.  

All we have to do is buy one of these, find the code inside the package, visit this link, select a size and get the shirt or flip-flops for free.  Life Made Delicious covers the shipping and handling fees, so we don't have to pay anything to get the cheer gear that will arrive in 8 to 10 weeks.
Also follow their Facebook to get free coupons.

Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa holds a special place for us, as it was my daughter's first movie at the theatre. Madagascar has been one of our favourite movies. My children and I have watched part 1 and 2 several times at home. We are excited to watch Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted in the theatre on June 8th.

Clearasil ultra perfectawash

We all either have or had blemishes, which has impacted us in some way. Clearasil Ultra PerfectaWash a new system that gives visibly clearer skin will help those who have blemishes and pimples.

It automatically dispenses a dose of cleanser each time. It doesn't over dry the skin; it deep cleans the pores, and treats acne for a clearer complexion. It is made with soothing plant extract. Refill contains extracts from daisy, rockrose, lavender which are known to calm the skin.

Read the directions, warning and ingredients before using the product to make sure there are no allergies. Each kit has a dispenser, 2 cleanser refills which can be used for 3 months as a daily cleanser.

Disclosure: I am part of the Clearasil PerfectaWash program by MC Canada on behalf of Reckitt Benckiser. I receive perks for being part of it. All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Painting eggs and Joy to share Kinder Canada

We painted eggs using two different techniques. If the egg has been out for more than 2 hours don't consume.

To paint the eggs you will need...

eggs

food colouring

rubber band

kitchen paper towel

water

vinegar

The tie dye method

Damp a paper towel with water and put about a 1 tbsp of vinegar all over the paper towel. Spread different colour food colouring in a pattern. Place the egg and fold the paper towel to wrap the egg. Pour or sprinkle some water over it. Place a rubber band around it and leave it until the paper towel is dry. Remove the paper towel and see the colourful egg.

Rubber band method

Place a few rubber bands around the egg. Place the egg in 1 tbsp vinegar mixed with 1/2 cup water and 1/2 tsp food colouring for a few hours until it becomes the colour that is preferred.

Kinder values the time we spend with our children throughout the year. Kinder Canada has partnered with Children's Miracle Network to bring joy to families in need. It is important to remember, reflect and be thankful for our blessings and help others in need.

Many families have benefited from Children's Miracle Network, check the Kinder Facebook page to read their stories. It is important for all of us to help our communities in some way i.e. donating or volunteering our time and to remind ourselves and teach our children to be thankful, this will make us humble.

Follow Kinder on twitter @KinderCanada or @KinderCanadaFR, they are giving away 100 Kinder eggs a day for 10 days from March 19th to 30th.

Disclosure: I am part of the Kinder mom program and receive special perks for being part. All opinion and rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Stained vase craft and Kinder® contest to win $500

The Family day long weekend and the March break is just around the corner. I am planning on spending some quality time during the day with the children making crafts and food. I am also looking forward to relax, stay close to home and visit local attractions like the Ontario Science Centre :)

Tofu stir fried with Chinese cuisine inspired VH sauces

Tofu stir fried with VH sweet and sour sauce

I like the variety of VH products that are available. This is a lovely way to start introducing diversity to our meals. These sauces will impress anyone. Whoever tastes the dishes made with VH sauce will know that it tastes just like the cuisine is supposed to taste. They might even think that you got take out because the food is ready within minutes.

Savoury snack and Barbie I Can Be blog tour

As a young girl, I would say my grandmother has given me a lot of motivation and valuable inspiration. I try to teach these values I learned to my daughter.