Have you ever wondered what to do with those old crayons?  One idea is to melt them all up into a super sized crayon.  We tried this a while ago and my four year old keeps asking to do it again!

What I learned: Do not use a favorite pan, you can spray pan or use foil lining.  You can also buy any shaped tins you would like to match a theme.  Wouldn’t it be fun to use flower shaped crayons at a spring themed party or Easter?

Here they are cooling down.

All you need:

OLD non-stick muffin pans

crayons

What to do:
Preheat your oven to 250

Peel the paper off the crayons

Break up crayons and place in muffin tins, this is the favorite part, mixina all different colors!

Place the muffin tins in the oven until the crayons melt

Let the new crayons cool

Remove the crayons and color away!

They are super fun to use on large paper.

A yummy and fun to make treat any time of year.  We especially like them at our house in the summer to cool down!

Ingredients:

8 medium bananas, peeled
8 wooden popsicle sticks
32 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or chips
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Decorations for dipping the banana:   granola, chopped nuts, sprinkles, jimmies, crushed cookies, and toasted coconut, chopped chocolate or candy bars.

For holidays use the color sprinkles of the holiday. For example, green or red sprinkles.

Directions:

Line a sheet pan with waxed paper. Cut 1-inch off the end of each banana. Insert a popsicle stick into the cut-end of each banana, pushing the stick halfway in, leaving the other end exposed for use as a handle. Place the bananas on the sheet pan and freeze one hour.

These were done by a five and seven year old.  They cut the banana with a butter knife and prepared bananas for freezing.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.

Arrange the dipping decorations on several flat plates. Working with 1 banana at a time, dip it in the chocolate and turn to completely coat (spoon some on, if needed). Roll the dipped banana in the desired decorations, transfer to the sheet pan, and return to the freezer.

Once frozen, store the bananas in an airtight container.

TIP: When having little ones over we cut the banana in half making two chocolate covered bananas out of one.  It is also much easier for the children to help make and decorate.

Both of my children have this fond memory of their grandma and grandpa giving them rock candy.  So, we are attempting to make this week and I found an easy step by step guide on About.com.  It looks like you need to plan a week and can make into a learning experience. I always love science when it involves sugar.

Wish us sweet and sticky luck!

http://candy.about.com/od/phototutorials/ss/sbs_rock_candy.htm

A creative way to journal and/or sketch for any age child is to go on a hunt in your own yard or neighborhood!  Bring a pad of paper, we keep a spiral notebook for each kiddo in the kitchen that is easy to grab . Get on your walking shoes and just observe and listen. Have each child choose one thing to draw or write about.  On this day we found a lizard (or something like that) in a bush right outside out front door. What a lucky day!

Organizing tip: You can tape or tie a string to the pencil and to the end of the notebook.

                          I keep two holders/cans on the counter, one for me and for the children.

                             This way my favorite pens or permanent markers will not get lost or used.

Here is our new little lizard friend!