Pickle - Day 5 (Dec. 1)

Due to some friendly competition with another elf, Belf, Pickle has decided to up his game...he's now sharing what he does BEFORE he gets ready for the kids...this could get messy!

*******************************************************

Hey folks - Pickle here...I hope I don't get into trouble...I've been getting into Al's beverage supply.  I thought it was soda...but man...if that's soda then I don't like soda any more.  No way.  That stuff tasted like fermented liquified rice...Nasty.  

Anyhow...I had a good trip up North.  Santa is gearing up for the big day.  He said he hopes the weather is nice on Christmas Eve...Rudolph is getting old...and his nose doesn't always shine so bright anymore.  Poor Rudolph!  The kids are still on the nice list - even with Conner's biting incident.  Apparently Santa has a soft spot for kids who are genuinely sorry. 

I thought the house could use a little more decoration tonight.  So I used the skills I learned in Elfing 101...paper chain making...to spice it up a little.  I hope Conner and Kellen like it!  

 

 

Elf Adventures Day 4 (Nov. 30)

Hi Folks!  Your trusty friend Pickle the Elf here.  I had quite a bit of fun last night...shhh don't tell...but I broke into the secret stash of mini-marshmallows and had a marshmallow fight with the boys' animals.  That Llama sure can throw a mean fast ball!  Sophie the Giraffe is pretty stealth with her curve ball, too!  I'm going to have to practice my aim for next year. 

Conner wasn't too pleased when he first saw my marshmallow mess. 

He said, "Oh, no...Pickle made a mess! Pickle's naughty!" 

But he sure loved it when his mom said he could eat the marshmallows!  

Elf Adventures: Day 3

Howdy folks, it's me...Pickle!  Wondering what I was up to last night?  Well I made a quick trip back home to the North Pole to catch up with the big guy (you know, SC...Santa Claus).  He's pretty busy now...so we only chatted for a minute or two.  I am happy to say that Conner and Kellen are being great kids...although I did hear through the grapevine that Conner bit someone at day care yesterday...I'm going to have to report that one.  Such a surprise since Conner has been so nice and is always saying please, thank you and knows how to use gentle hands.  I guess he felt pretty bad about biting and put himself into time out.  He also stayed there for longer than he needed to.  I suppose that's because he really is a good kid.  We'll see what the big guy has to say about it.  I sure hope he gets to stay on the nice list!

When I got back to the house, I decided I'd make a painting for the kids.  So, I wrote Merry Christmas in red and green paint and hopped up onto the picture gallery wall.  Those sneaky kids woke up early and caught me while I was signing my name...

Guest BLOGGER!! PICKLE the Elf!

So far I haven't been the greatest at keeping up on this...life is busy - I spend most of my time working or with my kids...so that's where I put most of my effort.  You'll just have to deal with it...which I am sure you will as I don't think any of you are leaping out of bed each day to run and see what I may have written!
In any case, we have a guest blogger that will be making an honest effort to write a quick blurb each day leading up to the big day.  The big day? Yes.  That would be Christmas.  Why would our guest write about Christmas each day?  Well...our guest blogger is an elf.  And he (or she - it depends on Conner's mood) is quite a mischievous magical elf.  As a matter of fact, the Shelf Elf is going to be taking over the writing of the blog for the whole month of December!

So without further ado...here is Pickle the Elf!

It's a (rice crispie) TURKEY INVASION!

It's been a while since I've posted...life has gotten busier than it was before.  I'm working on choregraphy for at least a dozen dances because I am now a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor (stay tuned for more info on that at a later date).  Al and I have been busy pretty much every weekend since Halloween. 

The wee little ones and I are home alone this weekend...and I was inspired by a student at school who brought these in for her birthday.  So we've been busy making turkeys!  Conner loved this project - and though it has quite a few small steps...it's totally doable for a 2 1/2 year old to help out! 

Here is the Recipe:

Rice Crispie Treat Turkeys

• 1/4 cup butter
• package of mini or large marshmallows
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 package round Fudge covered cookies (find the ones that are all fudge covered on at least one side)
• chocolate chips or chocolate bar
• candy corn

Conner stirring the butter.

Melt the butter.  Add marshmallows and stir.  Heat until marshmallows are melted.  Stir in cereal.  Let cool for 10 minutes.

hard at work

While the mixture is cooling, turn the oven on to 300 and place 1/2 of the package of cookies (fudge side up) onto a baking sheet.  Leave in oven for 3-5 minutes.  Take cookies out and press 3-5 candy corns (points towards each other in a fan-like shape) into the fudge.  Set aside to cool.

trying to steal a bit

Lightly wet your hands and shape the cereal mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls.

Melt chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir.  Keep microwaving for 10-15 seconds and stirring until completely melted. 

Dip one side of the cereal ball into the chocolate and press into the cookie with the fan-shaped candy corn. 

Pressing cereal balls into fudge cookies

Put the other 1/2 package of cookies into the oven (fudge side up) for 3-5 minutes.  Remove.  Place one cereal ball/cookie combo onto the cookie.  Let cool completely.

And Voila!  You have the cutest little turkeys taking over your kitchen!

And a pic of Kellen being awesome while we made the turkeys!

Happy Turkey Making!!