Friday Fun: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
January 29, 2010 at 15:51 | In ALEX Toys, Family Time, Friday Fun, Holidays | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Family, Friday Fun
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! With about two weeks until the big day, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you’d like to celebrate with your children.
The final product!
Chocolate covered strawberries are an easy, fun, and delicious way to enjoy February 14th with your youngest Valentines. Try the simple recipe below! If you can’t get strawberries in the winter, try dipping marshmallows, pretzels…whatever sounds good to you!
What you need:
12oz good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of butter
1 quart of strawberries
Line two baking sheets with wax paper. Wash and dry your strawberries making sure they are free of all water. Leave the stems on as they’ll be the perfect handle for dipping time. Place your chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on 50% power for 60 seconds. Repeat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until completely melted.
Dip the strawberries, one at a time. Lay strawberries flat on the baking sheet until the chocolate is cool and hard.
Share with someone you care about.
*Little hands will enjoy patting the washed strawberries dry. Be careful with small children and hot chocolate.
Contest! Enter to win a ALEX Hearts & Crafts kit complete with everything you’ll need to make Valentine’s Day special. Go to the Facebook Fan page to enter: http://www.facebook.com/ALEXtoys
photo from ifood.tv
Ask Nurit: Scrapbooking. Fun?
January 26, 2010 at 16:37 | In ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit
Dear Nurit,
I’ve been looking for a fun way to help my tween preserve her memories. Scrapbooking sounds fun but the technical side of cutting photos, buying the ribbons, stickers, and decorations for the pages would be a bit daunting for my 10 year-old. How can I introduce her to scrapbooking in a way that won’t require multiple trips to the craft store or a Fine Arts degree?
Scrapbooking has recently increased in popularity as people have realized how enjoyable and easy it is. Why just plop photos into an album when you can really decorate each page to your liking? While there is a serious side to scrapbooking, complete with conventions and seminars, your 10 year-old can get in on the action on a level that is more compatible with her age group.
I’m particularly fond of the ALEX Scrapbook Kit because it contains all of the supplies your daughter needs to embark on her memory preservation journey. It was recently reviewed on a favorite website of mine, Learning Expressions.
The purpose of scrapbooking is to celebrate memories, keep it fun!
Friday Fun: Random Facts
January 22, 2010 at 14:25 | In ALEX Toys, ALEX Worldwide, Friday Fun | Leave a CommentTags: Family, Friday Fun
Who doesn’t love a piece of whimsical information? Wow your kids at the dinner table with these ones!
Fun Random Facts
- Karaoke means “empty orchestra” in Japan
-Cats sleep 16-18 hours a day
-Every year about 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced
-American cars beep in the tone of F
-Elephants are the only mammals that can’t jump
Ask Nurit: Boys & Crafts
January 21, 2010 at 11:44 | In ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit, Family Time | 1 CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit
Dear Nurit,
It seems as if most crafting websites and groups are geared towards girls. I have a very enthusiastic crafting son who has had enough of the pink and purple themed crafting supplies. Do you have any suggestions?
Both girls and boys love crafts and understandably so! Some people think that creating art with one’s hands is a feminine art, but I don’t agree. Just as many boys like to participate which is why ALEX Toys carries many different gender-neutral crafting kits. Below is just a sampling. Enjoy!
Read All About Me Activity Book
*photo by Jean Allsopp of myhomeideas.com
5 Reasons to Start Crafting Now
January 15, 2010 at 15:18 | In ALEX Toys, Family Time, Friday Fun | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Crafts, Friday Fun
5. Spending time crafting with your child encourages him or her to open up and talk to you.
4. You’re creating memories and keepsakes at the same time.
3. Children are naturally creative. Crafting encourages them to express themselves.
2. Quell sibling rivalries by helping them create a communal piece of art.
1. While your child is creating something wonderful you’ll never hear, “I’m bored!”
*photo from activityvillage.co.u
Babble & Droolicious, Heart Tin Tea Set
January 13, 2010 at 12:04 | In ALEX Toys, All About ALEX, Media, Reviews | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys
Elizabeth Leach of Babble’s Droolicious wrote a flattering review about the ALEX Toys Heart Tin Tea Set.
Made from durable tin, there’s no need to worry about pieces breaking and the colorful design will help set the mood for a whimsical and playful treat of tea and pretend cookies.”
Tea party play is a favorite amongst creative young children. To learn more about the ALEX Toys Heart Tin Tea Set go here: http://www.alextoys.com
/product/132746/704H/_/Heart_Tea_SetRead the rest of the review here: http://blogs.babble.com/droolicious/2009/12/07/tea-parties-with-alex-toys/
Ask Nurit: Sharing is Caring
January 11, 2010 at 13:05 | In ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit, Family Time, Little Hands | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit
Dear Nurit,
I have two children 2 and 5. They usually play quite well together but as my youngest has grown in awareness she’s become somewhat grabby with communal toys. My 5 year-old is being as gracious as his age level allows him to be but I can tell he’s getting frustrated. How can I help my toddler learn to share?
Sharing is a developmental process that comes with time, patience, and guidance. Here are a few tips that will make learning to share less stressful for everyone.
1. Before play time or playdates, prepare your child for sharing situations. Role play at home how they should ask for a toy a friend is playing with and how to wait if the answer is, “No.”
2. Communicate with your child that grabbing toys from other children is not acceptable. Gently return the toy back to the child playing with it.
3. If your child has a tantrum or breakdown over a toy remove him from the situation calmly until peaceful play can be resumed
4. Expect a young toddler to behave like a young toddler. Set age appropriate expectations and share them with older children in the home.
Friday Fun: Easy Taco Night
January 8, 2010 at 15:23 | In General | Leave a CommentThis week’s Ask Nurit was all about how to establish family dinners. If you’re looking for a fun, casual dinner idea that the whole family will enjoy consider having a regular Taco Night! These south of the border culinary treats are not only customizable to the pickiest eater’s specifications, they’re easy to make and everyone can help.
myrecipes.com photo
AllRecipes.com has several taco recipes. Pick your favorite here.
Taco ingredient basics:
-Ground turkey or beef
-Shredded cheddar cheese
-Shredded lettuce
-Diced onions
-Salsa
-Sour cream
-Taco shells
So easy!
Younger children can help spoon sour cream and cheese into bowls. Older children, depending on their age, can wash vegetables. Arrange your prepared ingredients on your dining table and let your children assemble their own tacos.
Have fun!
ALEX Toys on Fox 4 News
January 7, 2010 at 10:12 | In ALEX Toys, Media | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys
Watch this Fox 4 News Kansas City segment on the topic of gift ideas for girls. Whether you’re attending a birthday party or just want to surprise a special little girl in your life, these items are sure to be a big hit.
Products featured:
Sweetheart Cafe: http://www.alextoys.com/product/135473/791W/_/Sweetheart_Cafe
Spiffy Spa- Assortment: http://www.alextoys.com/product/132745/126W/_/Spiffy_Spa_-_Assortment
Patchwork Quilt: http://www.alextoys.com/product/132755/376W/_/Patchwork_Quilt
Ask Nurit: Making Family Meals Work
January 6, 2010 at 21:20 | In ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit | Leave a CommentTags: ALEX Toys, Ask Nurit
Dear Nurit,
It’s my New Year’s Resolution to get my family eating together more often. To be honest, our dining table serves as more of a place for mail and coats rather than a center of togetherness. Do you have any tips for making this happen?
Eating dinner as a family is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your children. It will strengthen your family’s bond and encourage healthy eating habits. These days many parents find that sitting down together for dinner is difficult due to busy schedules, team practices, and a lack of planning. Here are a few tips to make sure your resolution is one you can keep.
1. Start with 3 family dinners a week. Set yourself up for success and pick three days out of seven to start, perhaps Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Be sure to pick days that are free from regularly scheduled conflicts. Let everyone in the family know what times and days their presence at the table is requested.
2. Announce meals beforehand. In a highly visible area, such as the refrigerator, keep a calender of the meals you will serve on family dinner nights. Ask for input the week before. Opt for fun, easy, family favorites such as tacos, casseroles, and don’t forget to include in-season vegetables!
3. Create an inviting space. Assign an older child with the task of clearing the dining table and setting the table at least 30 minutes before dinner will be served. Encourage them to get creative and make a centerpiece or decorative napkins.
4. Little Helpers. Make meal prep a family affair by allowing younger children to accompany you to the market to purchase ingredients. Talk about the meal as you shop. Invite older children to help chop, bake, and serve the meals. If you have a budding chef on your hands who would like to take over the planning and prep of an entire night’s meal, let them!
Good luck and Bon appétit!
Photo from HealthyAlberta.com
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