Easter "Nest-Krispie" Treats

Spring Break just kicked off for my little pre-schoolers (nearly 3 and 5) so for the rest of this week all three are home with me for 10hrs a day before heading out on a family vacation next week.

While it can be exhausting entertaining three little ones so close in age yet still with such different attention spans, it is also really, really fun when 1) you live in NYC with loads of outing options 2) the weather is beautiful and spring is in the air! and 3) you love what you do and love planning activities because *you* get to do them too! I fall into all three of these categories, and today was no exception.

Today we played at a local park in the morning. My 16 month old little girl LOVES the slide and for the past month has spent all her time climbing stairs and sliding down on her bum rather than her stomach. It's a bigger thrill for us both that way! The boys ran all over the place, directed a "Pirate Ship", traveled to "Neverland" on the wooden train, collected stick-weapons for me to protect myself, and made a new friend in the sandbox where all three children finally ended up for the remainder of the outing building and crashing castles and playing make-believe among themselves.

Once the baby was down for her nap, the boys and I had time to make some Easter treats. (Easter crafting to be done later this week). This year I decided to make Robin's Egg Nest Treats because they are quick, easy, and delicious! And the boys could help with just about every step (not that that matters as much to them--so long as they can help with the tasting step!).

They turned out absolutely adorable and yummy, if I do say so myself.

(We had grass and grass free nests depending on taste buds.)

HERE'S HOW:

For the "Grass":

1/4 teaspoon water

2 to 4 drops green food coloring (I use 4)

1/2 cup shredded coconut

In a small bowl, stir together water and green food coloring. Add coconut. Stir until coconut is tinted. Spread on a baking sheet to dry a couple minutes.

For the "Nests" (Basic Rice Krispie Treats recipe):

1 pkg (10oz) Marshmallows

3 tblsp butter or margarine

6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal

In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. 

Divide the warm mixture into a standard muffin-pan (grease or spray beforehand--you may want to grease your fingers too for easier handling) and pack down lightly, shaping a small indent into the center of each cup (where your grass and eggs will sit). Let the filled cups cool for a couple minutes, then remove and place on cooling rack or flat tray for decorating. 

Last but not least, decorate your nests with coconut grass, jelly bean eggs, chocolate eggs, or whatever other edible and festive creation you desire!

With this recipe we made 12 nests plus a small cereal bowl size of left over plain Rice Krispie Treats. 

The Yummiest Chocolate Chip Cookies

This week I tried a new Chocolate Chip cookie recipe (thanks Pinterest!) with my kids.

First, I tested it out on my roommates, who ate the entire batch within 24hrs and asked me to make more! I'm happy to say it went over equally well with my 5, 3, and 1 year old charges the next day. The best part about this recipe is how the cookies stay perfectly soft and chewy well after they've come out of the oven. DELISH!

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a bowl cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown on the edges. The tops will not brown, but don't worry they are done.(DO NOT bake over 10 minutes). *NOTE: Since each oven is different, I would check the cookies at 8 minutes and gauge if they need the extra 1-2 minutes. My home oven is 10mins exactly, but my work oven is 8 minutes.*

5. Let cook and enjoy! Makes around 3 dozen depending on size.

(Found HERE)

Jobs and Rewards

If you're looking for a way to encourage your child or charge to take on some responsibility, improve on behavior, or learn the value of earning and saving without necessarily involving money, but certainly providing incentive, here is a fun, easy system I created a few years ago and have used with a couple of my charges starting at age five (younger siblings can participate on a smaller scale as well to feel included). I call it the Jobs and Rewards Board.

YOU WILL NEED: 

1 Foam Poster Board (any color)

1 Pack of Velcro pieces

Colored Markers

1 Pack Large Multi-colored Index Cards

1Pack Small Multi-colored Index Cards

HERE'S HOW:

Split the board into two sections and label each:

Using the Large Index Cards, draw (or print / glue) easily recognizable images to represent the JOBS your child can do to earn points (stickers on a numbered card), tokens (pirate coins from a party store), or whatever "monetary" representation you choose. It helps to note on the card or discuss with the child how much each job is worth.

JOB EXAMPLES: Clearing your place, put away shoes / coats / backpacks when returning from outings, make your bed, be a good listener, use kind words, feed the [pet], play nicely with siblings, etc. 

I try to incorporate at least two "chore" type jobs and a few "personal" jobs that the child struggles with, but could easily improve on with a little more focus and incentive. This way you are not harping on the negative, but encouraging the positive!

Using the Small Index Cards, draw (or print / glue) easily recognizable images to represent the REWARDS your child can earn once he or she has collected a certain amount of tokens or points. Be sure to not the amount of points or "price" each reward is worth.

REWARDS EXAMPLES: New sticker / activity book, special snack (instead of fruit, fruit snacks!) or special treat, no jobs for a day, new board game or toy, extra time using electronics (iPad, TV, computer), a special outing (bowling, movie, carriage ride in Central Park--for us New Yorkers, etc). I think it is important to find a balance between activities vs treats. Personally, I try not to offer more than two food rewards.

You know your child best, so pick things they love and let them earn them! Obviously, the smaller rewards are worth less (and earned faster), the bigger rewards are worth more (and take longer to save for). It is up to your child when he or she wants to spend what they've earned.

What I like most about this board is the velcro, so that jobs and rewards can easily be changed or rotated to keep it fresh, new, and consistently used! Often, after the board is introduced, my kids get very excited about helping add new jobs and rewards for the next rotation and helping draw the images, which increases their excitement and involvement even more.

Display the board in a prominent, easily visible space in a commonly used room and let the earning begin!

Here is what my very first board looked like: 

And here is what my most recent board looks like:

Each board is different and caters to the needs and likes of the child(ren) it is for.

BONUS POINTS: Sometimes there may be things that aren't on the board, but you need to give a little nudge of encouragement to your child in the moment. Offer a Bonus Point! (Or two or three).

--Slow eater? Set the timer for lunch or dinner and, if the child finishes before the timer goes off, bonus!

--Getting out of bed early? Bonus point(s) if they stay in until they're supposed to.

--Need help with a task? Bonus point(s)!

Happy New Year!

I don't know about you, but I can always use a good laugh. Especially when it involves adorable kiddos (and dashing accents!). I can't think of a better way to kick off the New Year of Nanny Blogs can you?! YAY!

The Business of... Santa and No Chimeny?

As the holidays approached this year I began thinking about my family more than usual. Family is VERY important to me (as if my career choice didn't make that obvious) and I really look forward to having to my own one day. I love spending the holidays with my family as it is one of the few times during the year I get to see them and we get to have quality time uninterrupted by work or busy schedules. I cherish it.

This year, for the first time, I'll get to participate in some of the traditions my boyfriend's family does or has started over the past few years as Grandkids entered the picture. This got me thinking about traditions I want to pass on or begin. I look forward to passing religious and spiritual beliefs based on the season, and I am also totally excited about the superficial parts too! It will be so exciting to play Santa, take my kids to "meet" Santa, play games, leave things out for Santa, etc. And then I had a terrible thought.