October 24th is United Nations Day, which means a big school program for us parents where we’ll be getting to see our kids dress up and do a dance number or two. It also can mean that the school will be roping us parents in for a (dreaded) “parent activity”, which is what happened to me.

So at the beginning of the month, we were told by the school administrator that my daughter’s Kindergarten class would be representing Mexico for the big UN celebrations this year. It was to be a pretty big event - several classrooms representing different countries, and there was to be a big show (where the kids and teachers did several song and dance numbers), followed by an international food fair where each classroom/country would be serving food from our alloted country.

At the first big moms-meeting, only 8 of us showed up, out of a total 12. Not a bad turnout. We broke up into pairs, and yours truly was put into the costume committee with my pal and fellow mom, M. The decorations were to be taken care of by an art teacher and an architect and food by a factory owner and a very Martha-esque type (much warmer though) - a very workable team, I thought.

Out of all the Moms, I only knew one of them well (meaning that I could call her for a coffee), two so-so, and the rest merely by “hi!” at drop-off and pick up times at school. But by the end of it, we were all friends and having a laugh in spite of probably not having too much in common except for our kids. I guess thats one of the reasons why teachers make us do these things.

[tags]United Nations,UN,school presentation,food,Mexico[/tags]

I was about to post another totally adorable DIY costume, but I came across these totally disgusting appetisers, which are just too horrible not to share.

To be honest, I feel physically sick when I look at these, but I’m pretty sure it will elicit joy from my daughter and her kindergarten gang. I’m debating whether I should serve it at my next drinks party……just to see the faces of my friends.

These grotesque digits are actually delicious pretzels, and the recipe makes about 45 of them - so perfect for a party (or scaring your husband when he raids the fridge in the middle of the night). The recipe also suggests you sprinkle the fingers with rosemary, to complete the freakish, bristle-laden look.

Ingredients:

24 blanched almonds, halved lengthwise
Red food coloring, optional
1 tablespoon sugar
1 scant tablespoon active dry yeast (one 1/4-ounce package)
5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 large egg
Sea salt
Dried rosemary (optional)
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

1. Place a small amount of food coloring in a shallow bowl, and, using a paintbrush, color the rounded side of each split almond; set aside to dry.

2. Pour 2 cups warm water (110°) into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until yeast begins to bubble, about 5 minutes.

3. Beat 1 cup flour into yeast on low speed until combined. Beat in salt; add 3 1/2 cups flour until combined. Beat until dough pulls away from bowl, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add 1/2 cup flour. Knead 1 minute more. If dough is sticky, add up to 1 cup more flour. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 minute.

4. Coat a large bowl with cooking spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning dough to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

5. Heat oven to 450°. Heat 3 quarts water to boil in a 6-quart straightsided saucepan over high heat; reduce to a simmer. Add baking soda. Lightly coat two baking sheets with cooking spray. Divide dough into quarters. Work with one quarter at a time, and cover remaining dough with plastic wrap. Divide the first quarter into twelve pieces. On a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece back and forth with your palm into a long finger shape, about 3 to 4 inches. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. When all twelve fingers are formed, transfer to simmering water. Poach for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fingers to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, blanching each set of 12 fingers before making more.

6. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush pretzel fingers with egg wash. Using a sharp knife, lightly score each knuckle about three times. Sprinkle with salt and rosemary, if using. Position almond nails; push into dough to attach. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on wire rack. Fingers are best eaten the same day; or store, covered, up to 2 days at room temperature.

[tags]Recipes,Halloween,Appetizers,Pretzels[/tags]

One of my 20-month-old son’s favourite words are “Fshhhh” (and he also gets into a near-hypnotic state with his Grandma’s fishtank), so when I saw this costume I was overwhelmed with “awwwww!!!” picturing him in full adorable goldfish glory.

But like I said, I have already purchased a costly Thomas number(again, drat!), so this will have to wait in the wings until baby #3 arrives (?). Martha (who else could concoct such perfect cuteness?) also recommends that this one only works with babies who dont walk yet, so my little O already missed the boat about a year ago!

MATERIALS
60-inch-long piece of kraft paper
1 1/2 yards of orange wool felt
1 yard of 1/4-inch-thick polyurethane foam or one bag of wool-blanket batting
4 sets of Velcro fastener dots, 1/2 yard of pink wool felt
Scraps of black and white felt
White craft glue.

1. To make patterns, draw a grid of 2-inch squares on kraft paper; copy templates by hand onto it. Using fish pattern, cut one piece of orange felt and foam with front scoop neckline and one piece orange felt and foam with back neckline. Use orange part of pattern to cut one front and one back from orange felt for lining. For the front, layer foam, then whole felt, then half felt; stitch around top from notch A to notch B, with 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn right side out so foam is between felt pieces. Quilt front from top to bottom, making rows of 4 1/2-inch scallops 2 1/2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining pieces for back. Place front and back together, right sides facing. Sew around tail from notch A to notch B, with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn right side out. Sew Velcro fastener dots at shoulders and underarms, as shown on template.

2. Use hat pattern to cut two pieces of felt, one orange and one pink, and one piece of foam. Layer pieces: foam, pink felt, and orange felt. Sew top, bottom, and one side closed with 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn right side out. Quilt as above. Fold in half, pink side out; sew along short edge. Turn orange side out. Cut eye from black and white felt scraps. Glue on as shown.

[tags]Halloween,Halloween Costumes,Baby, Baby Costume,Goldfish Costume[/tags]

What is it with scary things and kids? My daughter LOVES Halloween. If it weren’t for the presents factor of Christmas, Halloween would probably win hands down. Like most of her 4-year-old pals, monsters, ghosts, vampires and other nasties elicit more thrills than anything on Nick Jr. or indeed, the man in the red suit.

So with all the decorative gruesome ghouls out at the mall, we embarked on our quest for the coveted costume this year. A couple of months ago, we had already settled on Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (how nice and old fashioned, and a great way for her to use those ruby slippers before she grows out of them), with her little brother as the scarecrow or lion (how cute is that?).

But, as things usually go with kids, Dorothy it wasn’t to be, because she saw a Jessie (Toy Story) costume at the mall and insisted that was “it“. It wasn’t cheap, but hey, it had the real red hat. We picked a “Thomas the Tank Engine” costume for little bro, and he seemed genuinely thrilled as he’s obsessed with Thomas at the moment.

I was hoping this year to pull a “Martha” and do something unique, creative and homemade, but as my kids opted for the pre-packed “Genuine Disney” article from the mall, I’ll have to save that for next year. But just in case you’re interested, I’ll post some of the cutest DIY ideas I found in the next.

[tags]Haloween,kids,halloween costumes,toy story,costumes[/tags]