A Summer of Fairy Magic

This post was originally shared over at Nap Time Creations but if you missed it there, I'm going to highlight a few of the things I shared. This summer I've planned a little extra special magic for my grandchildren when they come to visit us. Since I have some pretty girly little granddaughters, I've planned several activities around fairies, including stories, treats, crafts and fun outdoor activities. Take note of these ideas and join us in the fun!

FAIRY STORIES

To start out that fun, I plan on reading to my three and five year old grandchildren, "The Night Fairy" by Laura Amy Schlitz.  This is a chapter book with beautiful illustrations. The story is about a night fairy named Flory. When she was three months old, her wings were injured by a bat. She falls into a human's garden and because of her injury, she can't fly away. It's a darling book I know they will enjoy.    

Reading chapter books with younger children can also be entertaining. Another fun chapter book to read to older children is "The Fairy Rebel" by Lynne Reid Banks.  This is a fun chapter book about a woman who is sad. When she goes to her garden, she meets a fairy and then confesses to that fairy that she really wants a baby.  Let's just say this fairy livens up this women's life.

If you have younger children, a really enchanting fairy book is "The Faerie's Gift" by Yanya Robyn Batt. The illustrations are beautiful. In the story, a kind woodcutter helps a faerie that's in trouble.  In return, that faerie gives the woodcutter a very special gift. I loved this story and how the woodcutter uses his gift to help his family. 

When you're done reading this book, ask your child what wish they would ask for if they were given just one wish.  My grandson said he would wish for all the bad guys to go away and then all the jails could be taken down.  I told him that sounded wonderful.

FAIRY TREATS

When stories are through, doesn't everyone like a good treat? My grandkids do! We'll be making fairy dust. My grandchildren helped by stirring the ingredients together.  This magical treat is so easy to make and the best part is there is no hot summer baking. Here's how to make it:

Fairy Dust Recipe

•  1/4 c. powdered sugar
•  1/4 c. granulated sugar 
•  Red or pink food dye. 
•  Strawberries, raspberries, grapes or bananas
•  Colored toothpicks

With a spoon, mix together the sugars and stir in two to five drop of food gel or food dye until the sugars have speckles of color.  Cut up fruit as desired and add colored toothpicks to each piece of fruit. Dip the fruit into the fairy dust.  

We'll fill a very small container (I'm talking really small, like a toothpaste cap) with this mixture and then I'll have the children take it to our garden and leave it for the fairies to enjoy.  Make sure you don't put it where ants frequent...that could bring unwanted guests to your party!

ACTIVITIES

Online at Flower Fairies Fun and Games there are free computer games, printable activity sheets, and coloring pages which are always fun for children.

Please join me tomorrow for more fairy ideas.  I'm enjoying my son's family this week.  I hope you get to enjoy family too! -xoxo Grandma

Other posts about fairy crafts:

How to Make a Fairy Cottage go HERE or house go HERE.

Guest Post - A Summer of Fairy Magic

Hi, today I'm happy to be a guest blogger over at the cutest blog, Nap Time Creations. My guest post is about as whimsical as they come (at least for me). It's called, "A Summer of Fairy Magic".  Go read about the fairy magic activities I've planned for my little summer visitors HERE.  

Three of my grandkids arrived with their mom this week to spend nearly a month at my house.  Needless to say, this Grandma and my husband (aka Grandpa) are thrilled to have them!  Below are some photos with the grandchildren participating in a little fairy magic. I hope this makes their summer a little more magical! Enjoy!  

Making Fairy Dust

Before you go, check out all the other fun posts going up today!

A Summer of Fairy Magic on Nap-Time Creations by XOXO Grandma

Nail Stamping Fun by Rae Gun Ramblings

Mini Minion Bowling Set Craft by Boy Oh Boy oh Boy Crafts

Cookie Butter Ice Cream from Kojo Designs

Enjoy your children and grandchildren this summer! - xoxo Grandma

Ebleskiver - Breakfast Choice of Grandchildren

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We are taking a break from our regularly scheduled craft time to bring you this very important post on breakfast.  Yes, breakfast. These babies in that above photo are the most requested item I get from grandkids to make for breakfast. They are called Swedish Ebleskiver or aebleskivers. They are light, small pancakes, They take longer than regular pancakes to make but they are so worth it!  Just ask any of my grandchildren!

To make these, you'll need a special pan that looks like this:

This is the recipe that I use.  If you want to download this recipe go HERE.

While you're mixing up the ebleskivers, let your pan heat up on the stove.

Danish Ebleskievers

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups flour

3 eggs, separated

½ teaspoon salt

1 tsp. soda

2 T sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

Put egg whites in one bowl and the yolks in another bowl.   Beat egg whites and set aside.  Beat egg yolks , add sugar & buttermilk, then slowly add flour, soda and baking powder.  Lastly, fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.  Place small amount of butter in each depression of the ebleskiver pan.  Fill 2/3 full of dough.  Cook over low temperature.  Turn with a fork or skewer.  Serve with maple syrup.

I like to make all the batter into ebleskivers and then put the ones we don't eat into a storage bag or container for later.  Later just warm them up in a microwave and watch your little ones be happy because they can eat these every day while their grandmother is taking care of them.  xoxo Grandma

Polo shirt Post HERE
Photo taken by Nu Image Studios

Shared at: Crafty Allie, Sustaining the Powers, Nap-Time Creations, Diane Rambles

Kid Friendly Sea Food

A little over a week ago, my adorable niece came for dinner with her boys.  I wanted to have a kid friendly meal and this is what I came up with - thanks to Pinterest for the crab sandwich idea.  

MENU

Main Course: crab sandwich or octopus 

Vegetable: olives, carrots and radish

Salad: blue jello with Swedish Fish

Side: Chips & dip

Dessert:  Red Velvet Cake

To make a crab sandwich, slice a croissant in half, cut the ends removing a "v" shape" from the cooked hot dog to look like a crab's pincer, add a radish smile, two eyeball attached with toothpicks & carrot legs - crabs are anatomy correct with 8 legs but the child this was made for only wanted four carrots but you get the idea, right?

To make an octopus hot dog, cut two-thirds of the hot dog into 8 long stripes then place in boiling water and watch the legs of your octopus curl.

This was a red velvet cake.  I didn't have blue frosting so I added green food coloring and then the boys added the blue sprinkles and the fondant shark head and fins.  When we cut into the cake, the oldest cried, "Look it's shark's blood!"

Thanks Joy for sharing your photos!   The cute boys are my great nephews & they really were great kids; playing so happily together while my niece and I talked for hours.  My niece said that the shark head was the first thing her older son showed to everyone when he got back to his home in Oregon. 

*The fondant shark head was made by Sprinklebelle Cakes