Peppermint Candy Cane Bark

I love making candy for Christmas.  I especially enjoy making candy that my three-year-old can help me with.  His job today was smashing the candy canes.  I am not a professional candy maker, so I try and find recipes that are easy and tasty.  This recipe definitely fits both requirements.

Pete the Cat

My three-year-old keeps talking abut "Pete the Cat."  I had no idea who or what he was talking about.  After researching, I found several books his teachers are reading to him in preschool.  I found some videos that went along with some of the books they are reading and thought I would share with any other mommies out there who have a toddler who is obsessed with Pete the Cat.  I guess I know what my toddler will be getting for Christmas.

Vanilla Granola

My family and I enjoy our fair share of granola.  I eat it mixed with my yogurt for breakfast.  It's also good warm on ice cream or sprinkled over baked fruit for an added crunch.  My three year old loves it as a snack.  My husband usually has a cup with a glass of milk before bed.  Before discovering this recipe, I was spending $4-$5 for a bag of granola.  Now, I make this weekly and put it in a plastic bag for the week.  I have most ingredients readily available, so it makes it simple.  

You will need honey, cinnamon, pure vanilla, sliced almonds, quick oatmeal, and vegetable oil.

Homemade Maple Syrup

This is a quick recipe when you are in need of some maple syrup for pancakes, waffles, or other breakfast items. I found myself out of syrup one morning and my son wanted pancakes (again). I had remembered my mother-in-law making it when we were visiting and it tasted great so I thought I would give it a try. Now, I don't buy syrup. I usually have all the items in my pantry so I just make it and then store it in the refrigerator.  

Pumpkin Pancakes

It's that time of the year when I like pumpkin everything.  Pumpkin flavored coffee, bread, candles, you name it.  So, this morning when my 3-year-old asked for his usual breakfast consisting of pancakes.  I thought why not?  Let's make them pumpkin.  

Ingredients:  Milk, Brown Sugar, Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves, Ground Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Egg, Vegetable Oil, Vinegar, and Bisquick.

Homemade Peach Jam

My husband and three year old love peaches!  I believe they would both eat peach cobbler daily if it was in the house.  I have lived in Colorado for four years now and have most recently discovered Palisade peaches.  My three year old calls the peaches "tasty." I would agree with my bright young boy.  They are extremely tasty.  This is my second year of buying a couple of boxes, one box to eat, one to freeze.  However, we purchased three boxes this year.  One to eat, one to freeze, and I thought I would make jam with the third box.  Below is the jam directions I used which can be found in the box of most fruit pectin.

Bubble Guppies Birthday Party

My little boy just turned three.  I can't even believe it!  One of his favorite shows is Bubble Guppies.  Because he has a summer birthday, it was perfect.  We went to a public park that has a huge splash pad.  The kids loved it.  We had Bubble Guppies themed food and snacks.

The Cake:  I had a little help with a sore bought confetti cake.  I thought it looked like colored "bubbles."  I made the buttercream icing from scratch.  Make sure you use gel food coloring with the icing.  I ordered the edible icing sheet online and had it customized.