Thursday, December 20, 2012

happy birthday Jesus and holiday treats.

Last Saturday my mom, sister and I made holiday treats. There is nothing better then homemade gifts, especially when they are covered in chocolate! There was fudge, s'mores mix, brownies, peanut clusters and more! My favorite are peanut cluster. They are easy and the recipe makes a lot!

Peanut Clusters
You will need:
2 pounds of dry roasted peanuts (1/2 salted 1/2 unsalted)
48 ounces of white chocolate almond bark
4 ounces of sweet German chocolate
10-12 ounces of dark chocolate chips (you can substitute with milk chocolate)

Place all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 3 hours. Then turn off crockpot and let sit for 20 minutes. Stir mixture completely. Drop by tablespoon full onto wax or parchment paper. Let it cool and harden. Store in airtight container or ziplock bag.
Making memories in the kitchen.

While things were cooling we threw the kids a Happy Birthday Jesus party! We made salt dough ornaments with cookie cutters and they had a blast painting them. Then we read the Christmas Story, colored a nativity sheet, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and dug into some cupcakes! My sister got the kids veggietales coloring books. They had a wonderful time. Michael and I knew we wanted to make a Happy Birthday Jesus Party a family tradition since we don't celebrate Santa Claus. We wanted Gavin to focus on the true Christmas story and that everything is about Jesus. He is starting to get it but is still constantly focused on presents.  He is understanding the idea that God gave us the ultimate present on Christmas by giving us his Son and it melts my heart. 


The difference in how boys and girls eat.

Be sure to find time during this season to slow down, spend time with your family and make memories. And squeeze the kids in your life a little tighter. 

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, 
for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21