Thursday, April 23, 2009

It's Snow Cone Time! And Super Easy Spring Snacks!

Today the temperature is in the lower 80's and it seems quite muggy out, probably because it rained a little last night and this morning.  At any rate, it's WARM.  Even when it's only 60 degrees out, the boys come in from outside asking me if they can have a "water party" because they're "SOOO HOT" (said with a big whine!).  I have told them if it's 85 or more we can talk about a water party, which to them just means getting out the kiddie pool and playing with the hose and water guns.  It's only supposed to get up to 82 today (Darn, no water. ha)  But Taylor did talk me in to buying some snow cone syrup while we were at the store today and insisted we make snow cones with our GREAT (read as cheap) hand cranked snow cone maker.  So we went to town cranking out the ice.  It really wasn't too bad, but a nice little arm workout.  Taylor and Sam LOVED it.

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Such intensity in his face!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  (That'll be stuck in your heads now, sorry!)  Taylor also saw these rubber reusable snow cone cups and we bought a 4 pack of them, too.

Squeeze that syrup bottle!

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"Hey, Taylor, look at the camera."

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So much fun!

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Taylor was snack for preschool again a few days ago.  They are talking about springtime this week and I always try to think of a snack that is appropriate for the week's theme.  Well, I couldn't think of anything and ended up buying some Honeymaid graham cracker bumble bees and some fruit roll ups.  That would have been plenty and  it really was, but for some reason while I was working out early that morning, I thought of these cute bird's nests and decided to make them last minute, literally, moments before we needed to leave for school that morning!  That's how easy they were and shock my shorts, Taylor just asked me to make more of them today.  This is a really picky kid, but he actually asked me for something that had peanut butter (no brainer, what kid doesn't like peanut butter--besides the ones allergic), honey, some oats and Wheaties!  "Taylor ate Wheaties, Taylor ate Wheaties!"  Shhh, don't tell him. ;)  I wasn't even sure they would hold together and firm up, but I knew if you take peanut butter and sticky honey that they were bound to do some holding together.

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I don't even have a recipe and totally made this up.  Here's a good guesstimate of what I threw in the bowl.

Peanut Butter Honey Wheaties No Bake Cookie Mounds

about 3/4 cup honey

about 3/4 cup peanut butter (I used Skippy Natural)

about 1 cup old fashioned oats

about 4-5 cups Wheaties cereal, crushed slightly (Total would work, too, or Raisin Bran)

Put the honey and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl.  Nuke it for about 30-60 seconds, stir to combine.  Stir in oats and cereal until well combined.  Scoop into balls and flatten slightly, setting them on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper, let set.  For even quicker set, put the sheet in the freezer for about 15 minutes.  Perfect.

(For bird's nests, add 2-3 jelly beans to each one, pressing down slightly, before letting set.)

While I was scooping them into the nests, Taylor exclaimed that they needed chocolate chips!  While I fully agree, I explained to him that bird's nests don't have chocolate in them.  ;)  Since he wants me to make them again (I'll get whatever fiber I can in this kid!), I'll put some chocolate in for him.

Pretty healthy, I'd say!  I know I kept picking on the leftovers that day. 

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17 comments:

noble pig said...

My kids yesterdya were begging me for a snowcone! What a cute little maker! And their faces say it all.

Nick said...

Oh wow, those look tastier than my PB nests, healthier too. I gotta get to making those, they probably stick together better than mine too!

Eliana said...

Your boys are so adorable. I usually have the same smiles they have on my face at the mention of snow cones.

Elyse said...

Hahaha, oh Taylor, he's eating healthy and he doesn't even know it! I love how you sneaked those wheaties in on him; good job! And by the way, I LOVE water parties. I wish I lived closer; I would so come "supervise" (read: participate)!

Anonymous said...

Snow cones sound and look like fun! Love it!

Amy Franklin said...

I just made "nests" today, too! Only they were of the dinosaur variety, for a pack meeting. I did the traditional kind with choc. chips and chow mein noodles. But someone at the meeting thought it was fiber cereal, which would have been a great (and much healthier) idea. Especially using peanut butter. Yum!

Megan said...

Sabrina asked if we could break out the snow cone maker the other day. Of course, they've been in the pool every day this week, temps have been 90+ every day. Phew it's hot!

Becky said...

Did the Easter Bunny bring you guys nerd jelly beans too! My monkeys loved them. It is so snow cone time, ick, I hate the heat. Give me 60's forever.

Liz said...

These look great! I'm super-impressed you invented this recipe yourself. :) Kind of remind me of those no-bake chocolate, oat, and PB cookies, only thankfully healthier.

Shari said...

What adorable little bird nests! And how appropriate for spring! I'm sure they were a huge hit at school!!

Maria said...

I used to love snow cones as a kid. What a fun snack too!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Snow cones sound so much fun! I love the snowman! And the Spring snacks couldn't be easy!!! Spring is a little late here, we had really hot weather lasta week and not we're back to winter. Bummer!

Jaime said...

omg are those the "nerds" jelly eggs?!?! i did not know they made them for Easter... i got some for xmas and was addicted.... i can't believe i missed them for easter!!!

Mermaid Sews said...

You are so creative with your kids, they are so lucky to have such a great and fun mom. they always look like they are having so much fun.

Risa said...

Wow, this brings me back to my childhood and my Snoopy snow cone maker. Looks like you guys had a ton of fun!

RecipeGirl said...

How fun :)

I sure love those little cookies you put together!

Sharon said...

Oh my gosh - snow cones totally remind me of being a kid! I had a snoopy sno cone maker.

Your kids are adorable!!