I may get all bogged down in the stress and high expectations of Christmas, but I truly love MLK Jr. Day. I so enjoy having meaningful discussions with my kids and seeing/hearing the world through them.
(I know it's a day late, but maybe you could do this next year or use this for anytime of the year.)
Every year we read an age-appropriate book about Martin Luther King's life. (Our favorite especially for younger kids is Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport.) Then we create a wall of words, words that they feel represent Dr. King's message. This year, I switched it up a bit, inspired by Pinterest, I asked them to write/draw about what their dreams were for our family and the world. And this is what we ended up with:
For years, my kids have been writing, directing and performing a skit based on the teachings of Dr. King. Some years all the kids have wanted to perform, other years not so much. It's not mandatory. But they usually dig it.
This year's is short, but awesome.
Both these projects are easy and free and wonderful and inspiring and funny and full of love.
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Sometimes it's good to be a little fancy. Sometimes it's good to over the top. But sometimes it just isn't worth it. Sometimes Nutella Hot Cocoa is no better than good old instant Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa. Yeah, I said it. Now all you homemade, creative organic hot cocoa types are cringing and I'm sorry. But hey listen I am no Pinterest Poser. I tried it and Swiss Miss won the taste test (and it was a hell of a lot easier).
I hooked my family on Nutella a couple years ago. It tastes delicious and it's gluten free which is a big bonus in our house. But the hot cocoa took it too far.
The recipe is easy. I managed to "burn" it, but still, it's easy for most people. I served up a non-burned batch of the fancy hot cocoa to my kids and.....I got a "eh, yeah, it's okay." Um, what? "Here, give me that," I said grabbing it out of his hands. "Kid, it's Nutella, it has to be amazing."
But eh, yeah, it was okay.
Let me tell you what would have been better, heating up a some water and dumping in a cheap, gluten free packet of Swiss Miss. Top it off with a little whipped cream and BAM instant crowd pleaser.
Sometimes fancy isn't better. Sometimes over the top isn't so good. Sometimes an old-school instant is the best.
Here's the recipe if you want to go ahead and try it though:
-2-5 Teaspoons of Nutella
-2 cups of Milk
Add the ingredients into a saucepan and whisk until well mixed. Heat to desired temp and serve.
(I screwed up on the whisking the first time, it's very important.)
*************
This past summer on Instagram I used the hashtag #frontporchchronicles because it was my most favorite space and where so much love and life happened. It was all because of Pinterest-inspired projects--the door turned into a table, the artwork, the paper garland, etc.
And now, my indoor favorite space, where so much love and life happens is getting it's own Instagram hashtag-- #dixiecuplightschronicles. I am obsessed.
Come on over and follow me on Instagram and play.
And while you're following me, head on over and follow my Pinterest boards.
Here are some of the projects I've attempted--the good and the bad:
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here
(I know it's a day late, but maybe you could do this next year or use this for anytime of the year.)
Every year we read an age-appropriate book about Martin Luther King's life. (Our favorite especially for younger kids is Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport.) Then we create a wall of words, words that they feel represent Dr. King's message. This year, I switched it up a bit, inspired by Pinterest, I asked them to write/draw about what their dreams were for our family and the world. And this is what we ended up with:
 |
| Some of them got very specific. |
 |
| Some of them were a bit more abstract. |
 |
This year's is short, but awesome.
Both these projects are easy and free and wonderful and inspiring and funny and full of love.
*****************
Sometimes it's good to be a little fancy. Sometimes it's good to over the top. But sometimes it just isn't worth it. Sometimes Nutella Hot Cocoa is no better than good old instant Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa. Yeah, I said it. Now all you homemade, creative organic hot cocoa types are cringing and I'm sorry. But hey listen I am no Pinterest Poser. I tried it and Swiss Miss won the taste test (and it was a hell of a lot easier).
*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week I detail a new Pinterest challenge whether it be a new recipe or a craft.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.**
I hooked my family on Nutella a couple years ago. It tastes delicious and it's gluten free which is a big bonus in our house. But the hot cocoa took it too far.
The recipe is easy. I managed to "burn" it, but still, it's easy for most people. I served up a non-burned batch of the fancy hot cocoa to my kids and.....I got a "eh, yeah, it's okay." Um, what? "Here, give me that," I said grabbing it out of his hands. "Kid, it's Nutella, it has to be amazing."
But eh, yeah, it was okay.
Let me tell you what would have been better, heating up a some water and dumping in a cheap, gluten free packet of Swiss Miss. Top it off with a little whipped cream and BAM instant crowd pleaser.
Sometimes fancy isn't better. Sometimes over the top isn't so good. Sometimes an old-school instant is the best.
Here's the recipe if you want to go ahead and try it though:
-2-5 Teaspoons of Nutella
-2 cups of Milk
Add the ingredients into a saucepan and whisk until well mixed. Heat to desired temp and serve.
(I screwed up on the whisking the first time, it's very important.)
*************
This past summer on Instagram I used the hashtag #frontporchchronicles because it was my most favorite space and where so much love and life happened. It was all because of Pinterest-inspired projects--the door turned into a table, the artwork, the paper garland, etc.
And now, my indoor favorite space, where so much love and life happens is getting it's own Instagram hashtag-- #dixiecuplightschronicles. I am obsessed.
Come on over and follow me on Instagram and play.
And while you're following me, head on over and follow my Pinterest boards.
Here are some of the projects I've attempted--the good and the bad:
Dixie Cup Lights- click here
DIY Ornaments-click here
Gluten Free Clay- click here
Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here
Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here
Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here
Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here
Earth Day Cupcakes- Click here
Nail Art-click here
Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here
Fake Bangs- click here
DIY Subway Art- click here
Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here
Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here
The chalk board-click hereSeven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here
Oh yeah, and come follow me on Twitter @AngelaYBlood and subscribe to my MomPulse YouTube channel here.
My kids went drink a whole cup of hot cocoa anyway, and the wisking of nutella sounds like way too much work! I love what you do for MLK Day. You're such a good mom.
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