Pretzel Rod Sparklers

Today's Fourth of July post is all about these cute Pretzel Rod Sparklers! They are a quick and easy treat that the kids could help out with and they will be super cute for the 4th! My oldest daughter helped me make these last night. I dipped them and she took care of the sprinkles. Oh, forgot to mention that these little sparklers taste pretty good, too! They would also make a fun party favor for guests at your barbecue or celebration. Just package a few of them in a cellophane bag and tie on a cute ribbon. Get the recipe below!



Pretzel Rod Sparklers
pretzel rods
vanilla almond bark
red, white and blue sprinkles, jimmies
wax paper or foil

Melt almond bark on low heat until smooth. Dip or spoon on almond bark covering about half the pretzel rod. Sprinkle on jimmies or sprinkles. Lay flat on wax paper or foil and let dry.**I used 1/4 of the block of almond bark and made 10 pretzels, but their was more almond bark left. I could have made about 6 more, but I was just out of time.**

Festive Fourth Centerpiece

I've got a cute centerpiece idea today that would be great for your July 4th table, an outdoor barbecue or just as decoration in your house. I used a metal striped bucket I found at the Target dollar spot and filled it with red and white carnations. Mine are fake or as I like to say, faux.(That makes them sound better.) Real ones would be prettier I'm sure and smell nice,too. Hydrangeas would look very nice, but I didn't have real ones and the faux were quite expensive, so I passed on those. I finished the centerpiece off with a blue ribbon around the top to give it that Independence Day feel. I think I'll take it to our celebration with my family on July 3rd to liven up the table a bit.

Peanut Butter Pie

As you know, July 4th is Sunday, so I wanted to take this week to share some ideas for your 4th!
That's the plan anyway. Hopefully I will get to blog everyday to share these fun things with you.

Today I thought I'd share a peanut butter pie with you that would be great for your 4th of July dessert table. I figure you can always do the traditional apple pie and watermelon, which is yummy. Don't get me wrong, I love both of those. Why not add a rich , peanut butter pie to the mix. Have your glass of water nearby because it is sweet and rich with it's chocolate crust, peanut butter filling and peanut butter cups to top it off. Find the recipe below.



Peanut Butter Pie
1/2 c. smooth peanut butter
4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 Oreo pie crust
2 regular size Reese's Cups, broken apart

In a mixing bowl, whip peanut butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Place Cool Whip in another bowl and fold peanut butter mixture into it.Spoon mixture into pie shell and top with broken up Reese's Cups. Refrigerate pie until firm.

We Are Fa-mi-ly

Our vacation to Panama City Beach was great! I think I could have stayed another week. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there. We couldn't pass up the chance to take some family pictures of everyone in our blue & khaki. A special thanks to my husband for hobbling down to the beach with his bum knee. It was a real task for him since his knee is still healing. Thanks honey. You're a trooper!

Lena,Kyle,Sam,Dana,Dad,Mom,Laci,Trent,Will,Ivy and Missy

This picture is the best one I had of all of us even though my bro. in-law's eyes are closed(sorry Sam), Laci is flashing the peace sign and Trent is looking away. I love it anyways.

Laci, Ivy and Trent outside our condo.

My family. I love this one too with the palm trees in the background. It was so hot, though.

My nephew, Kyle, Trent, Laci and Ivy.

My dad and mom.They looooove the beach!

Fun At The Beach

Well, I have been a blog slacker lately. I have either been busy getting things ready for vacation, then on vacation and I am trying to get back into the swing of things. However, summer break is always busier with all the kids home. Maybe I can manage to get a few more things posted this week. Who knows?!

Our vacation was to Panama City Beach, FL a couple weeks ago and we had the best time!! We went with my parents, sister, bro. in-law, nephew and his girl friend. The beach was gorgeous and there was no oil or tar balls to be found. We had so much fun with our family! Yay!!


The kids loved building sand castles, boogie boarding, swimming in the pool and playing in the ocean. We discovered that Ivy, our 2 yr. old, LOVES being in the ocean. She probably could have stayed out there all day.

Ivy burying Lena's feet in the sand.

Honors Day 2010

Tuesday was a busy day filled with Honors/Awards Days for Trent and Laci. They both did a great job in school this year. So now it's my time to brag on them a little.

Trent's was first up. He received an A-B Honor Roll certificate for having made honor roll the whole school year, he was recognized for being on the 5th grade robotics team and for his team placing 3rd in regional competition, an Accelerated Reader goal award and the one he was most proud of, top scorer in the 5th grade in Accelerated Reader points with 458 points and 94% correct. The child loves to read and I'm so glad he does. Oh, he also received a $25 cash prize along with that.Great job Trent!



I headed over to the elementary school right after Trent's program to see Laci's awards day and party. She received an A Honor Roll award for making A's the entire school year, and an Accelerated Reader Goal award. Her teacher also gave each student an award especially from her that she thought of that was individually for them. Laci was given the Miss Manners Award. Mrs. Heaton prefaced it by saying that this child is always nice to others, very polite, proper and acts like a lady. She also said that Laci could have an adult conversation with you. I have to say I'm so proud of her achievements in academics, but as her mom, the manners award made me feel very happy inside! Afterwards they enjoyed a picnic lunch put together by their teacher, and parents snacked on cake and finger foods. We also got to see the kids perform a cute song and dance they put together. Mrs. Heaton was so nice to personalize pillow cases for them, as well as a framed picture and fun slide show that they each received a copy of. Great Job, Lace!

Thank You Teachers

Today is the last day of school for my kids. They are so excited for summer break! I didn't want to let these last days of school go by without giving their teachers a little gift of thanks. They have been blessed with AWESOME teachers this year!

This gift was a bit different than what I normally give, but I knew it would be appreciated by her teacher.We took her this basket of goodies for her to use next year in her class. They will not be getting any funds for supplies, so I hope this will help out just a little. It is a plastic tote I filled with copy paper, colored copy paper, dry erase markers, post its, Lysol wipes and a handmade card from Laci. I also attached a thank you note from my husband and I. Thanks Mrs. Deem!



My son has 3 teachers, so I opted to give all of them a potted flower with a little pick that says,"Thanks for helping Trent bloom!" I saw this cute idea at Skip To My Lou and thought it was perfect! I thought giving a flower was great because it's something that is different and they can enjoy it longer. I simply printed out the center for the pick and then punched a cute scalloped circle and glued them together. I then taped that onto a wooden stick. I also covered up the black pot with a piece of Kraft paper and tied on a ribbon. This one was still a bit wet as you can see. The teachers were thankful for the flowers and I'm thankful they were my son's teachers. Thanks Mrs. Parmer, Mrs. Pendergast and Mrs. Hurst!