My kids love steamers. When my husband and I have coffee, you can be sure there are children around begging for their own version. I found that we can make a version of our own steamers that will warm up your little snowmen in no time.

Ginger Bread Steamers

Ingredients:

1 cup milk (skim, 2% or whole)
1/2 tsp. molasses
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Preparation:


Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe container. Heat on high 1 to 2 minutes until milk is scalded, but not boiling.
Stir.
Beat with an immersion blender, magic bullet, or just in a regular blender for 1 to 2 minutes.
Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Serve imm ediately.T o make a vanilla steamer omit molasses, cloves and brown sugar. Add 2 Tablespoons white sugar and 1 tea spoon vanilla extract or 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup.

We love when the snow starts flying and we can get all the neighborhood kids out to play together. Bundled up and warm, the kids have fun sliding down the sidewalks, having snowball wars, and smiling for the camera.
While snowball fights can be random pick up games, or planned and full of strategy and scoring, we prefer to just have fun. We do not keep score, but we do have rules. If you throw a snowball, you joined the game. Unless you have special permission or are under 4. We do not throw snowballs at the face or head. Snowballs can not be soaked in water, or full of rocks, ice or anything but snow. The goal of the game is to have fun, and come inside for hot cocoa and more laughing.

We love to take pictures and let everyone see them, however the best format is using a video camera to capture real time action and be able to replay the funny parts.

Buy some bubble soap, and blow soap bubbles when it is below freezing, just to see what happens. Put some food coloring in the soap, and see what sorts of patterns you can make by popping the bubbles on a snow bank.

If you have time make your own bubble solution so you can make lots of different colors. Make sure to take a picture before it all melts away.

Bubble Solution

1 cup water
2 tablespoons light Karo syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dish washing liquid

Mix together and have fun!

Our family loves winter where we live. We have skiing, sledding, and ice skating all with in a few miles from our doorstep. While skiing tends to be on the more expensive side, sledding and ice skating are almost free.
Here we have a local pond that freezes over in the winter and for years they have rented ice skates for $1.00 and provided all the hot chocolate you can drink. While the pond is not as smooth as an indoor skating rink at the mall, the outdoor skating experience just can not be replicated indoors. Falling into snow banks instead of hanging for dear life on the rails, maybe that is just me, provides laughs for many. Nothing beats a red nose and a grin from ear to ear. We can easily spend several hours skating around the pond enjoying each others company and talking non stop all the way home.

Oh the suspense and wonder on their little faces when their dad and I told them we were going to turn all that snow outside into ice cream. I can only imagine what their little minds had conjured up.
To make snow ice cream, you need to find a perfect patch of clean snow. The best way to do this is to put a large bowl out and collect the snow as it falls. However, if you are a little late in thinking about it, finding a nice clean area in which to harvest your snow will do.

After your have your snow inside, measure out about 8 cups. Mix in 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. It is amazing how much this tastes just like the ice cream out of the carton. Your kids will think it's even better.

My children had fun adding lots of sprinkles to their ice cream, even though it didn't last long.

If you have a little one that wants to play in the snow like the big kids, bring some of that snow fun in. When my twins were little I wanted to let them play in the snow. I got my big roasting pan and went outside and scooped up a big pan full of snow. I brought it into the warm kitchen, placed a towel down to keep the mess somewhat contained and gave them each a spoon, some measuring cups and bowls. They thought it was the best thing they had ever done and I felt good knowing that they were warm and toasty in the house.
Over the years it has been one of those winter fun ideas that I have brought out on many occasions when it was too cold to go out. It's a super easy clean up and as the snow melts it is fun to measure, pour and pretend with.

Keep your littlest ones warm while they play in the snow and you will both be very happy.

If your like me, nothing says winter like a big cup of hot chocolate next to the fire place. While playing in the snow and having snowball fights are fun, sharing a cup of hot chocolate afterward can be a wonderful tradition to start with your kids.

Before you head out to play, make up this quick little recipe and put it in your crock pot on high. Then your cocoa will be hot and ready when you are.

Cook Time: 2-3 hours
Ingredients:

* 3 cups dry milk powder
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 3/4 cup cocoa powder
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 tsp. sea salt
* 2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
* 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
* 7 cups water

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients except for the water in a 4 quart slow cooker and stir well to combine. Then gradually add water, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir before serving. This makes about 10 cups, or enough for everyone to have seconds.

The first snow fall is always the best. Everything seems quiet, you're ready to drink your cocoa, curl up next to the fire place and enjoy winter. Then day two comes. The kids are restless, they have run circles in the once beautiful snowy landscape, your carpet is wet from them coming in and out and their bored.

Time to pull out the snow paints. It's best if you have stocked up before hand on empty spray bottles, but in a bind old cleaning bottles will work provided you wash them out thoroughly. Fill the spray bottle half way with water, add several drops of the food coloring of your choice. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water and shake. Bundle up the kids again and send them on their way to turn your snowy white canvas into a work of art.

The wonderful thing about this activity, besides how cheap it is, is the easy clean up. Just wait for the weather man to tell you when it will snow again and they can have another clean canvas to create their masterpieces.