Don't look now, but it's summer!
A fact that I'm sure you are aware of.
You are also most likely aware that
summer
means
kids don't have to go to school.
I know.....what an obvious observation.
It also means that Moms and Dads
turn into
The Entertainment Committee Extraordinaire.
You know it won't be long before you hear the words....
"What should we do today?
What's goin' down around the town?
I'm bored.
It's hot.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO????"
I hope you will find comfort in knowing,
I am right there with ya.
I need ideas!
Activities, projects, fun things for my kidlets to do this summer.
And so I've come up with a little plan.
Each Wednesday for the next 10 weeks
(That should get us to the middle of August)
I'll be posting a fun recipe, craft or kitchen project
perfect for entertaining kids.
I have some great posts in store for you,
as well as some great giveaways.
I'm going to call this little mini series
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WEDNESDAY
I hope you enjoy it!
And now, after that long introduction....
lets get to the first post and GIVEAWAY!
These Rainbow Cookies are a great cooking project for kids. The dough is very easy to work with and the colors are so vibrant and fun. My little guys had a great time playing with the dough and watching their creations bake up in the stove.
These Wilton Icing Colors are what make the dough so vibrant. Regular food coloring just won't do the trick. You can find Wilton Icing Colors at Walmart and most craft stores.
While at the store this week I picked up this box of
Wilton Food Coloring for one of you dear readers.
***To enter the giveaway leave me a comment telling me what your favorite
summer time activity is.
Please leave your email address
with your comment.
You may enter until Sunday night at midnight.
Winners will be announced on Monday morning.
For an extra entry post a link to this giveaway on Facebook, or post about it on your blog. Then leave me a comment telling me you did so.
Good Luck!***
Rainbow Sugar Cookies
Time: 60 minutes
Yield: about 30 cookies
Sugar Cookie Recipe from Bake at 350
3 C flour
2 t baking powder
1 C sugar
1 C cold butter
1 egg
3/4 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract
1/8 t salt
Wilton Icing Colors
1. Throw your butter and sugar into your stand mixer or into a large mixing bowl. Cream it all together for about 3 minutes.
2. Add your egg, vanilla and almond extract. Beat for 2 more minutes.
3. In a separate bowl combine the flour and baking powder. Add it to your creamed mixture...
and mix until the ingredients are combined. The dough will be a bit crumbly. Separate the dough into four pieces and press each piece into a large ball.
4. Choose your Wilton Colors!
To add the coloring to your dough, take a butter knife and scoop out about 3/4 t of coloring. Press the coloring into the dough. You will need to knead the coloring into the dough with your hands. I like to cover my hands with plastic baggies for this kneading process.
5. After you have the color added to each piece of dough....
cut each color into small 1 inch chunks. Then play away!
6. Shape the dough however you would like. Place your fabulous creations on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray and bake at 350 for about 8 minutes.
Enjoy!
Those are adorable and I love the new feature. I have four kids so I need ideas too! Our favorite activity would be swimming. The kids never get bored with it!
ReplyDeleteShared on Facebook too :)
ReplyDeleteHow cute and FUN! My girls will love this:) Our favorite summer activity is swimming...they have so much fun and it wears thems out for afternoon naps:)
ReplyDeletetjurkash@gmail.com
ps - I love the new Wednesday activity suggestions. Perfect:)
I also shared the link on facebook:) !!!
ReplyDeletetjurkash@gmail.com
I Love the caterpillar cookie!
ReplyDeleteMy husband, son and I love going to Waterparks! We were just in Wisconsin Dells yesterday, which a little over an hour away from us.
When my kids were small, our summer times were spent camping up in the woods & hiking into mountain lakes to fish.
ReplyDeletenineteen19 at blackfoot dot net
The cookies are very cool! Our family enjoys going to the free concerts that our local college has once a week. Music and ice cream-yay!
ReplyDeleteShared this link on my FB page
ReplyDeletenineteen19 at blackfoot dot net
Ooooohhh...GREAT giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer activity is playing on the lake--waterskiing, jetskiing, and just riding on the waves. I also love camping, hiking, and just hanging out with my kiddos!
What fun cookies! I love the little catepatiller :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really dreading the 12 weeks of "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" summer vacation. I'll definitely be checking out your Wednesday posts!
Our favorite summer activity is going to the beach..I know, it's not very creative but we're surrounded by great lakes and beaches and there's nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach while watching the kids entertain themselves with water, sand, sticks, rocks and the occasional dead fish that has washes ashore,LOL. Just kidding, I don't let them play with dead fish...not all the time anyway. ;)
mama_mint64 at hotmail dot com
These cookies are cute! My favorite summer activity is getting out, going to the pool, finding little stores in small towns, and bbq!
ReplyDeleteanna(dot)dykman(at)yahoo(dot)com
We love to play in the water in the summer....slip-n-slide, water sprinkler and water guns make for hours of fun in the backyard :)
ReplyDeletecdhamilton at hotmail dot com
As a mom of 4 kids (all under the age of 7) we are always looking for fun things to do during the summer. We live in a really hot place in the USA so anything inside or in the water is what we shot for. So far on our schedule we have swim lessons, storytime at the public library, a few family trips and of course many hours spent at the YMCA using the pool. If all else fails, a trip to Chick Fil A for a ice cream and playing in their kid playland always solves lot of "I'm bored" problems. My girls love crafts and my two year old son always wants to "help" cook. These fun rainbow cookies look like a great project for all of them.
ReplyDeleteheather_rowe@juno.com
Amid all the swimming and BBQ/s'mores fun of summer we always participate in the SL County Library summer reading program along with the summer reading programs at Barnes and Noble and Borders.
ReplyDeleteWe'll definitey be making those adorable cookies too!
Thanks - - Tanya
trpusey@hotmail.com
Those look great! We live in HOT Arizona so we stay inside with A/C unless we are swimming.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite activity is probably swimming!
ReplyDeleteThese look awesome!
sharidandillon@yahoo.com
sharidan
These cookies are so much fun! I love them! Every summer, my youngest siblings (ages 9 & 12) come to stay with my husband and I and I usually have a difficult time coming up with things to do with them. These cookies are for sure going to go on the itinerary. Thanks so much!! (this little series may save me this summer!)
ReplyDeleteOh, and my favorite thing to do in the summer is have BBQs with friends and family. Love love love it! Seriously, you cant go wrong with good food and great people.
musicalmaestro {at} gmail {dot} com
my favorite summertime activity is swimming.
ReplyDeleteMeggs♥
urbakinmecrazyy@aol.com
Our house is divided on the fun. Some of us love to spend cool summer evenings hiking through county parks and trails. The others can't get enough time spent in our family garden. Even my little guy has his own plant to care for and we look forward to a summer of fresh yumminess!
ReplyDeleteLinked on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look so fun!! Our favorite summer activity is swimming and camping!
ReplyDeletethecloers (at) gmail (dot) com
We like to go and play at the splash pad by our house. We also like to go camping. (I asked both of my girls, so you get 2 answers) :)
ReplyDeletelashlie_a at hotmail dot com
Looking forward to your Wed posts--just what this grandma needs. My favorite activity with my gs is to find a fun/cool place to read books--under the blanket tent, under a breezy tree, or in the haymow. Thanks for the chance to win the icing colors!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer activity is fishing off the dock at the dam and jumping in the cool water. When your pole starts dipping, swim back to the dock and reel in your catch!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of my childhood. Reminds me of a more carefree time.
These cookies are so much fun!! Great idea!!
gokarleejo@yahoo.com
I have a few but one is going along the beach and the pier.
ReplyDeleteTaking a walk with my husband and also going to an outdoor music arena.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
we love the kiddie area at the waterslides. with a 1, 3 & 5 year old, everyone can play and keep cool :)
ReplyDeletesharabachman (at) gmail (dot) com
I love to grill out, of course, and also go kayaking with my man and friends! I love being in nature, with friends and a couple beers :)
ReplyDeletevickdn512@gmail.com
My favorite summertime activity is swimming, for sure. In a pool, in a lake, splashing in a puddle... it just has to involve water!
ReplyDeleteshannonaufman at gmail dot com. :)
It's so hot here that our favorite activities include anything with water! Splash pads are the best!
ReplyDeletelizsaves at hotmail dot com
we love to swim and go in the sprinklers! anything outdoors is fun for us!
ReplyDeleteerynlee7905@verizon.net
Waterballoons on the tramp and pleying in the sprinklers! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteshakenafist at yahoo dot com
We spend all summer on our bikes. It is so much fun!! lindseyzander@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSummers here are super hot, most days are over 100 degrees, so we spend a lot of time in the pool and enjoy family barbecues, and cooler inside activities such as crafts and some movie watching.
ReplyDeletelyndaclark81@yahoo.com
I Tweeted about this giveaway and shared a link @lyndacooks
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/lyndacooks/status/78495565465395201
lyndaclark81@yahoo.com
We love to have a family picnic either at a park or up in the mountains. We roast hot dogs, smores, hamburgers, and just spend time together. We look forward to it every summer! beckilwells@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThose are seriously darling!
ReplyDeleteWe love to have backyard BBQ's in the summer. Complete with ribs on the smoker and the pool and slip 'n slide!
tamwallis@gmail.com
Our favorite summer activity is playing at the water park! There is a great one downtown that we head to when its just too hot for anything else! katiefisher05@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOur favorite summertime activity is heading to the beach or camping. Love your blog! Use your recipes often and it's helped me find new variety and joy in the kitchen. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHansens911@aol.com
We are going to make these right this minute, they look so fun!! Our favorite summer activity is going hiking at Zion National Park, since we live a mere 45 minutes away! We have to take advantage of it! Thanks for the giveaways too!!
ReplyDeletejesicajm@msn.com
We like to play in the water and enjoy camping, even though it doesn't happen very often.
ReplyDeleteHow fun. We've done that before, but we never had such vibrant colors! One of our favorite summer acitivites is camping. We go at least once a year, and this year it will be more like 3 or 4 times. We also love eating cool treats - popsicles, ice cream smoothies - mmm!
ReplyDeleteemmalgrigg at yahoo dot com
Left a link on facebook as well.
ReplyDeletebeebefox@hotmail.com
These cookies are adorable and I can't wait to try them out!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer activity is camping out in the backyard! Put up a tent, and get the sleeping bags ready to go. Start the firepit and roast hot dogs and smores!
My parents started this tradition when I was a kid and they are some of the best memories that I have with my family. No tv, no computer, just ghost stories and maybe a board game.
Hope everyone has a wonderful summer!!
allygirl5@msn.com
Linked to your post on Facebook also!
ReplyDeleteallygirl5@msn.com
I love these cookies. The colors are SO VIVID! I posted a link to this on my Facebook as well :-) radioheart (at)comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work, Jamie!!
Michelle
I think I might even make these with my two-year-old, they're so cute.
ReplyDeleteWe love barbecuing and going to local festivals and events, especially if they involve either fireworks or ice cream.
burkejuliamanning at gmail dot com
My favorite summer activity is going to the mall. rhisomers(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love using wilton food coloring! My favorite summer activity is camping. I just with I could go more often!
ReplyDeletesweetkristiehill@gmail.com
I shared a link on facebook!
ReplyDeletesweetkristiehill@gmail.com
I love to swim, watch fireworks, have bbq & potluck dinners, making homemade ice cream, etc.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite summer activity is swinging. My dauger would swing all day long!
ReplyDeleteWe love to go on the lake in the boat.
ReplyDeletekatiemur@gmail.com
We mostly love to hang out in the backyard in our pool or sprinklers! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleterobertjenny@comcast.net
Awesome!! I'm a recreation therapist always looking for great ideas for clients of all ages! These look great! My favorite summer leisure activity would be camping and hiking in the mountains! The fresh mountain air combined with getting away from the daily grind is ever so lovely!
ReplyDeletejenny.taylor.e@gmail.com
Our favorite summer activity is many different things: cooking,sewing,reading, and just down time.
ReplyDeleteI love a good summer BBQ! katenhansen(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! I made a goal to do something fun everyday during summer with my children whether big or small (what was I thinking) !! this will be a life saver. Our favorite thing is anything to do with water! Also I wonder if you will be posting any kid friendly lunch ideas,! As much as my kids love pb&j I would love for them to have a little more varity this summer. Thank you again! Jill
ReplyDeleteKjbcox@hotmail.com
Riding our four wheelers and cooling off swimming.
ReplyDeletegezuchel@sbcglobal.net
I can't wait for What Should We Do Wednesday!!!! You are a Maternal Genius! Right now What Should We Do Wednesday at my house has consisted of a blanket fort, 754 snacks, and a battle royal over what we should watch on Netflix. All while I try to clean house and wash 754 loads of laundry. Glorious, simply glorious!
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun activity, but I wouldn't let the kids eat them; the icing is all chemicals!
ReplyDeleteFavorite family activity: barbequing with the family in the back yard! I love your blog! Love the stories and GREAT recipes!
ReplyDeleteFUN!
ReplyDeleteMy family & I like to go 4-Wheeling on Summer evenings. We ride out to our favorite
"Mom -n- Pop" store for a HUGE Shake. :)
Family bbq's while enjoying the warm summer evenings. We also love to jump on the trampoline with the sprinklers underneath and visit the local splash pad.
ReplyDeletewhat a great colorful project! adding it to my summer list of activities! One of my favorite activities in the summer is having bbqs with friends in our circle, talk and laugh until late in the night. looking forward to wednesdays!! emilyhattaway@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome! Our favorite summertime activity was/is swimming. While my kids are grown, I'm starting a "things to do with Grandkids" file & this will be there waiting :)
ReplyDeleteI also shared a link on facebook!
applegatejean@yahoo.com
What a fabulous idea. I am totally on board. One of my favorite summer activities is going to the library. However, I managed to lose three different children at the library this week (and it is only WED.) I may be slightly outnumbered and my two year old may have decided to use the bathroom on her own, but chose the wrong bathroom. I admit that I didn't think to look in the MEN'S room. My mistake.
ReplyDeleteBut regardless of those mishaps, we will probably attend the library still.
Thanks for giving me other ideas as well.
Going swimming is our favorite activity!
ReplyDeleteemilou84037 at yahoo dot com
Sprinklers! Making homemade ice cream, watching softball, swimming, camping, crafting, who doesn't love summer?!
ReplyDeletejellosquares@yahoo.com
What a fun idea! We love going to the water park, the zoo, and visiting friends across town that we don't get to see much during the "busy-ness" of school activities! Jennifer stormy2996@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMmmm, our favorite activity is sprinklers. (but really I think it is no homework and sleeping a little later :) ) But sprinklers are a definite must!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I shared the link on facebook!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it's "my" favorite activity, but definitely the kids;--water balloons. It's the filling that tiring, but the throwing--loads of fun!!
ReplyDeletekgdasilva2002 at yahoo dot com
Our favorite summer activity is getting together with friends to play in the pool, run through the sprinklers, or play games.
ReplyDeletejdcarnavale@gmail.com
I think I probably missed something but is there a reason why "Wednesday" is spelled "Wednsday?"
ReplyDeleteThese remind me of that superman ice-cream.
I am so excited to share this with my kiddos! They will love it! What isn't our favorite summer activity? Summer is so dang fun! If we had to choose a favorite I think it would be anything to do with water. Thanks for the great idea. We will be looking forward to Wednesdays all summer long!
ReplyDeletewhat fun colors to play with. i love it. I love hanging out at the pool and going camping. My email if i win is e717ml@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing about summer is being able to spend all day and no time limits with the joy of my life, Henry, my Grandson. A day without Henry is like a day without sunshine. These cookies will be a fun rainy day project for us!!!! Thank You!!!!! strick60@live.com
ReplyDeleteFamily gatherings, 4-wheeling at bubble rock, homemade ice cream and vacations! Love it all! And making yummy food for my family, using YOUR recipes!!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteMy kids love to hang a sprinkler above the trampoline and jump with water. We do it almost every day of summer.
makopp47@yahoo.com
My favorite summer time activity is going out on the lake. Boating, swimming, jet skiing, anything goes and it is a blast.
ReplyDeleteSpencerfamily7@q.com
We LOVE swimming in the summer!! (kristy.knowlton@gmail.com)
ReplyDeletewe just love swimming in our pool!
ReplyDeleteykatrina at hotmail dot com
We are having a "baking birthday party" on Tuesday, and this recipe will be perfect! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! Do you use Soda or Baking Powder? The list says one and the instructions say another. :) I may be a little special for asking, but I have to have the exact recipe because as sure as I choose one thinking, "This MUST be it!" it'll be the other. It's my curse. Can't wait to try them!
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for bringing it to my attention. It is baking powder you want, not baking soda.
Thanks again! Hope they turn out great!
~Jamie
What a great idea! I've been looking for something to do with my grandkids this summer. I guess spending time with them is my favorite way to spend my summer!
ReplyDeleteI love an old fashioned afternoon of popsicles and running through the sprinkler.
ReplyDeleteJessie
j_wilson04@yahoo dot com
Our favorite thing to do is make cold treats. Pudding pops or even better frozen Banana Chocolate Pops!! heididoxey15@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh this is a wonderful idea! My daughter would love it. She loves helping me in the kitchen :) My favorite summer activity is to swim. AZ is hot! thewaywesave@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI shared on FB too! And I am now a follower on FB. I am in love with your site. thewaywesave@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe love the beach. It is the ultimate summertime activity!
ReplyDelete