Penguin in a Pear Tree

On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me... a Penguin in a Pear Tree (maybe make that an Olive tree).

Speaking of Penguins, did you see the Living Planet Aquarium is hosting a FREE day on Dec. 13, 2010 from 11 am to 6 pm in Salt Lake City.  Our kids love the new Penguin Encounter.  (See more free admision info for Hogle Zoo, Red Butte Garden and several UT museums at ZAP.)

We love Christmas books during the holidays. Several books feature these cute waddling penguins.  As you read books, have your kids try making this cute Penguin olive appetizers.

Our kids had a blast making these. They realized you can do more with olives than just put them on every finger. They look a little sloppy because that's what happens when kids get in on the fun.  The kids loved eating them too I just had to swat their hands away a few times while we were making them.

My neighbor introduced me to these darling penguins made out of olives, carrots and cream cheese. I'm not sure where she originally got the idea but I'm glad she shared it.

Now see my neighbor's beautiful version. I love her cheese ball igloo made out of softened cream cheese, mixed with chives and garlic salt. She also cut pimentos for the bow ties.  Don't forget the decorative toothpicks. Kids love making these.

All Recipes.com has a great recipe to make these.

If you want to see some perfect penguins go to Once Upon a Plate.

Or see this tutorial at Paper Caper.

Serious Eats uses a mozzarella ball instead of cream cheese.

You might like Mr. Popper's Penguins. Try finding a penguin book at your library or online.

Linking to Today's Creative, Get Your Craft On Tues.
Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Thursday
House of Hepworths Rock your Recipes.
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Feature Yourself Fridays
Tatertots and Jello, Weekend Wrap-up Party
Show and Tell Saturdays at Be Different Act Normal

DIY Holiday Toy Guide, Featuring Your Toys

Make your own Holiday Toy Guide featuring the toys you already have.

#1 tip before hitting the Holiday Toy Sales:

Take inventory of the toys you already have.

Free Printable Cover for your DIY Toy Guide

 After seeing how excited our kids get looking at the newspaper Holiday Toy guide ads, I thought I'd make my own Toy Guide of toys we already own for my kids to look at when they think they are bored or when I am working and need something to keep them busy.  Instead of asking them to go play, I hand them the Toy Guide and say, what do you feel like playing today? The visuals really help them want to play with their toys. It seems the only time they really want to play with their toys is when I'm cleaning or organizing their rooms when they see toys they don't remember they have. "Oh ya, I love this toy" (that they lost under their pile of dress-ups).
This process also helped me realize we already have way too many toys and  helped me to better plan for my holiday shopping this week. This will help reduce my kids' Christmas List.
Try making one of your own and use the free graphic above as your cover.

How to:

1. Open Microsoft Word, create a 'table' with 3 columns and tons of rows (as needed).

2. Search the internet to find pics of toys you have. This was quicker than laying our actual toys out and taking photos to upload. I did that for a few of our unique toys or things I've made, and if I had pix of my kids already playing with a toy I used that but for the majority I found a pic online using Google Image Search. I would cut and paste it right into my document.

3. Label all the toys - this was helpful for my 7 year old

4. Organize pages into categories. I called them "Centers" since that is what my child has at school for play time and she loves having "Centers".  Here are my "Centers":

Activity Center: (ball/bean bag toss, board games, box games, Sit 'N Spin, Hula Hoop, Jump Rope, Hallway Bowling

Creation Center: Playdough, Moon Sand, Bendaroos, Coloring books, foam stickers, lacing cards, Dry Erase Kit, Stacking Blocks, Mr. Potato Head

Exploring Center: Reading spot, felt story board, Puppets, View Master, Magnetic letters & games, Puzzles, ABC Magnet Fishing Game, Pretend Grocery store, restaurant at our Diner, Librarian.

STUFFED ANIMAL TIP:

Our kids like to make a zoo by grouping their 'like' animals, play Veterinarian, Dog Catcher, Parades, Animal Saffari (like hide and seek or an egg hunt with the stuffed animals) & Puppet Shows.

Music & Computer Center: Instruments, Juke Box Dancing, Player Piano Dancing, Beatles Rock Band, Click Start, kid lap tops, Online approved games.

Girl Center: Dress-ups, dolls, kitchen, rubber stamps, craft kits, etc...

Boy Center: Dinosaurs, Building Set, Trains, Cars, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Magnetix, Dress-Up, Pirate Treasure Box Hunt.

Outdoor Center: Sidewalk Chalk, Fort, Sandbox, Scooters, Bikes, Bubbles, I plan to add more in the summer time - like going on walks or to the park.

I Plan to add more to this guide as we get new toys or get rid of toys they grow out of.

You get the idea. Look through your house and compile your own list or categories.

5. Print pages out, put in sheet protectors and put inside a folder with 3 prongs. Print out the cover pic above or make your own then let your kids start shopping at home.

After School Tip: This is our routine

Wash Hands, Snack time, Homework & Reading Time, Center Time (pick an activity from the Toy Guide)

ObSEUSSed Book Suggestion: Too Many Toys by David Shannon. One of our favorites, read my post about having Too Many Toys.

Linked to Today's Creative Blog, Get Your Craft On Tues.