Winter and Christmas 2012

Looking for family-friendly or kid-friendly Winter and Christmas events? Here's what I know about happening in Prince William County this year!! Please share this link with your religious groups and community organizations, because I'm more than happy to keep adding!

November 10th Santa's Old Bridge Parade will run from Lake Ridge Middle School to the Exxon at the corner of Old Bridge and Smoketown Roads. 10am start time.

November 18th Santa Breakfast and Craft Fair at St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow Don't miss the annual Holyday/Holiday Sale at the St. Benedict Monastery. Unique gifts and handcrafted items made by the Sisters, Oblates and friends as well as homemade goodies from the Monastery pantry -- jams, jellies and breads. Holiday decorations including advent wreaths, exquisite ornaments and roping. Be sure to join us on Saturday for complimentary wine tasting. Santa joins the fun on Sunday for a pancake breakfast. 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow VA 703-361-0106


November 18th from 2-4pm, Gainesville Ballet School and Tea Time Tea Room will host a Nutcracker Tea Party.  Tickets are $15 and available online. 

• November 23rd, 2012 at 7:00 pm, the Hylton Performing Arts Center presents "All I Want for Christmas". When a letter arrives at the North Pole infected with the highly contagous "Gimme! Gimme! Flu Virus", chaos ensues. Will the elves conquer the flu? Will they get the toys ready in time? From the treasured holiday favorites to thilling new discoveries around every corner, a tale that twists and entertains as it transports you from the exciting lights of New York City to the charm of Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Kick off the holiday season with Encore Theatrical Arts Project's "All I Want For Christmas". This enchanting song and dance extravaganza is a delight for all audiences young and old alike. Tickets are available online.

November 23rd at Pump It Up Manassas- Looking for a fun night out after too much turkey? House full of family & friends that you need to entertain? We'll have DJ Derrick with the tunes, Karaoke, GLOW, plenty of playtime, pizza dinner and a sweet treat to round out the night of fun! Special early bird pricing of 20% off until 11/18!

November 24th, 2012 at 1:00 pm, November 24, 2012 at 5:00 pm the Hylton Performing Arts Center presents "All I Want for Christmas". When a letter arrives at the North Pole infected with the highly contagous "Gimme! Gimme! Flu Virus", chaos ensues. Will the elves conquer the flu? Will they get the toys ready in time? From the treasured holiday favorites to thilling new discoveries around every corner, a tale that twists and entertains as it transports you from the exciting lights of New York City to the charm of Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Kick off the holiday season with Encore Theatrical Arts Project's "All I Want For Christmas". This enchanting song and dance extravaganza is a delight for all audiences young and old alike. Tickets are available online.

November 25th, the Hylton Performing Arts Center will present Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas at 4:00pm. Tickets are avialable online.  (As a personal aside, I geek out on a cappella groups, so I highly recommend this concert.)

November 30th, Historic Manassas will host their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 9101 Prince William Street (the Manassas Museum Lawn).  This event runs from 5:30-8pm.

November 30th, you can float in the (Indoor) pool and watch "Arthur Christmas"which my favorite move review company (Common Sense Media) ranks as being good for ages 5 and up with no religious undertones (Santa Only).

 

November 30th, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes.  Details and tickets on their website.

December 1st, Old Town Manassas will host its annual Christmas Parade at 10am. For more details or a map, visit their website here. 

December 1st at 8pm, the Hylton Performing Arts Center will feature Dailey & Vincent: A Bluegrass Christmas.  Tickets are available online. 

December 1st, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes. Details and tickets on their website.

December 1st, Town of Dumfries invites you to join us for an evening of fun decorating the Town’s Christmas tree, holiday poetry readings, caroling, and spreading Holiday Cheer with Santa! Join us at the Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 1st from 5pm-7pm at Garrison, behind Town Hall (17755 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026).

December 2nd, Old Town Manassas will have decorations and open houses at all the shops from 12-5pm.  There will be refreshments in every store, entertainment in several, and Santa will be on the walkway for pictures.  Free carriage rides will leave from the Train Depot from 1-4pm. 

December 2nd, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes. Details and tickets on their website.

December 6th at 8pm, the Hylton Performing Arts Center will present "Swing Machine Big Band Christmas Celebration".  Tickets are available online. 

December 6th, Manassas Park Community Center will offer a decorate your own ornament craft.  $3/pp all supplies provided. 

December 7th at 8pm, the Hylton Performing Arts Center presents "Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton".  Tickets are available online.

December 7th, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes. Details and tickets on their website.

December 8th- 5:45-7pm Manassas Parks and Recreation will host a Light Parade

December 8th- A 1940s Christmas will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge. What were holiday celebrations like during World War II? The Ellis family hosted many a party here at the Lodge during the war. Join in for music, refreshments and holiday crafts for kids. Dress for the weather. Call 703-499-9812 or visit www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation. Cost is $7, children under 6 free.

December 8th from 11am-4pm, the History of Santa Claus and the Gift Giver at Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge. Learn about the customs and traditions of this mysterious fellow who brings gifts to children. Crafts, games and stories will be offered throughout the day. Call 703-499-9812 or visit www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation. Cost is $7.


December 8th from 9am-3pm, OBUMC Women's Bible Study will offer a craft fair at Tiptoe Eagle HAll (13456 Minnieville Road Woodbridge) 

December 8th at 8:30am, come meet Santa while enjoying breakfast, games, and arts & crafts! This is a non-religious community event open to everyone. Gainesville United Methodist Church (13710 Milestone Ct Gainesville, VA 20155) Free event for ages 0-12 years. Sponsored by Patriot High School Leadership Class in partnership with Gainesville United Methodist Church and The Arc of Greater Prince William.

December 8th Chick-fil-A Warrenton (256 West Lee Highway, Warrenton) will host a breakfast with Santa from 8:30-10:30am.  Each child will recieve a treat from Santa and from the CFA Cow.  

December 8th from 9am-3pm Gar-Field High School, located at 14000 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge will host its 28th annual Holiday Craft Show. The show will be held indoors and features over 150 spaces of homemade craft and food items and benefits the music department. 

December 8th, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes. Details and tickets on their website.

December 8th The Town of Dumfries invites you to join us for our “38th Annual Christmas-Holiday Parade!” The parade will begin promptly at 1pm at Town Hall (17755 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026), and will end in the far end of Dumfries Shopping Plaza-where we will have a festive area featuring a DJ in the Showmobile, time for pictures with Santa, and parade winners will be announced here! Bring the family and join us for our annual parade!

December 8th at 5:00pm and 8:00pm, the Manassas Chorale will present "Glorious Noel" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available online. 

December 8th from 1:00-2:30pm, Edgemoor Art Studio will offer a Chocolate Sculpting Class for ages 4-6. The class is $35 and all materials are provided. 

December 8th at 3pm, the Nokesville Ruritans will offer their annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, which Delegate Anderson touts as the best in PWC. 

December 8th at 5pm, Gainesville Ballet School presents their annual Children's Nutcracker at Battlefield High School (15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket VA 20169) Tickets are available online. 

December 8th from 4:00-6:00pm, Edgemoor Art Studio will offer a Chocolate Sculpting Class for ages 7 and up. The class is $45 and all materials are provided. 

December 8th from 11am-3pm build a Gingerbread House at Leesylvania State Park and support "Trevor's Treasures". Build a holiday memory by donating a toy for a good cause and decorating gingerbread houses, a sweet tradition for all ages. All proceeds will go to Trevor's Treasures (http://trevorstreasures.org). We ask that there are no stuffed animals and prefer packaged toys so that they can be wiped down prior to entering the Pediatric Oncology Unit.

December 8th at 7pm, The Prince William County Children's Choir and New Dominion Choraliers will offer a Christmas Performance.  Adults are $15 and children are $5.  Tickets will be available at the door.  Hylton Memorial Chapel 14640 Potomac Mills Road Woodbridge, VA 22192

December 8th from 5-7pm Kick off the holidays with a tree lighting, music and refreshments at historic Lucasville School (10516 Godwin Drive Manassas). Lucasville is a reconstructed one-room school house used to interpret post- Civil War African American education in the community. Tour the facility and also listen while the Christmas classic "Twas the night before Christmas" is read. Staff will also be on hand to collect donations for Toys for Tots. Parking is available on Godwin Drive. Please arrive a few minutes before the  5 p.m. tree lighting event. Rain date: Dec. 15

December 8th Pink Bicycle Tea Room will host breakfast with Santa.  Reservations required.

December 9th Pink Bicycle Tea Room will host breakfast with Santa. Reservations required.

December 9th at 7pm, The Prince William County Children's Choir and New Dominion Choraliers will offer a Christmas Performance. Adults are $15 and children are $5. Tickets will be available at the door. Hylton Memorial Chapel 14640 Potomac Mills Road Woodbridge, VA 22192

December 9th, the Workhouse will host Arts on the Horizon's "Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition", which is aimed at children ages 0-6 and runs 35 minutes. Details and tickets on their website.

December 9th Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (13999 Birchdale Avenue Dale City) will offer a "Night in Bethlehem" from 6pm to 8pm.  This event has a $5 per family donation requested. 

December 9th Potomac Mills Mall will offer a "Caring Santa" experience for children with sensory sensitivity issues. Details here. 

December 9th, Free carriage rides will leave from the Train Depot in Old Town Manassas from 1-4pm. 

December 9th at 3:30pm and 7:30pm, the Hylton Performing Arts Center will present the Asaph Dance Ensemble's "Clara's Christmas".  Tickets are available online.

December 10th and 17th (2 part class), Edgemoor Art Studio will offer a Holiday Ornament Class for ages 4-6. The class is $40 and all materials are provided. 

December 14th at 7:30 pm, the Manassas Ballet Theatre will present "The Nutcracker" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available online. 

December 15th at 3:00 pm, the Manassas Ballet Theatre will present "The Nutcracker" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available online. 

December 15th and 20th (2 part class), Edgemoor Art Studio will offer a Holiday Ornament Class for ages 7 and up. The class is $40 and all materials are provided. 

December 19th from 5:00-7:00pm, Edgemoor Art Studio will offer a Chocolate Sculpting Class for ages 7 and up. The class is $45 and all materials are provided. 

December 21st at 8:00pm the Hylton Performing Arts Center presents Pops: Songs of the Season.  Tickets are available online. 

December 22nd at 7:30 pm, the Manassas Ballet Theatre will present "The Nutcracker" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available online. 

December 23rd at 3:00 pm, the Manassas Ballet Theatre will present "The Nutcracker" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available online. 

December 24th Children's Services:
Good Shepherd United Methodist (14999 Birchdale Ave Dale City) will offer a 6pm Family Service and Birthday Party for Jesus, games & birthday cake will begin the evening.  Please bring a new baby item as your gift to baby Jesus.  We will then have a family friendly worship service in our sanctuary with hands on music & message.  Our special time will conclude with Silent Night sung with glow sticks you get to keep.  No childcare available because we want all the children in worship to celebrate Jesus birthday!  Adult services will be at 8pm (nursery available) and 11pm (no childcare)



Willing to leave PWC? Check out my friend SuperNovaMommy's Guide for Fairfax/Lorton

Hey Hey Chick-Fil-A

Or, "I'm Going to HotLanta, People!"

Chick-Fil-A had a contest.  I will enter their contest, I said.
(This is a childhood book reference.  Did anyone get it?)

Anyway.  Then, I won, which was both amazing and terrifying!  Let's start with amazing!

The very fabulous owners of Chick-Fil-A Woodbridge invited my family and me to come for a VIP dinner.  It was only slightly embarrassing because the whole staff clapped for me, and I'm not really clap-worthy.  Then, we got to have dinner at a lovely table that had balloons and cows everywhere!  The kids loved it, and I did, too! Stars are my favorite :)

(My kids realized we had more candy and balloons and cows than we needed for our family of 5, so they proceeded to frustrate every parent in the store by handing them out to other kids. If you were one of the parents forcibly given candy by my children, I apologize)

 (This is Helen, who was our hostess with the mostess)

So then, we got to go on a tour! This was actually neat, and you can have a tour, too, by appointment. It's a fairly short experience, but they start with the history of Chick-Fil-A (did you know the chicken figure in the logo has a name? It's "Doodle".) and then take you in the back and show you the products, storage areas, production line, and fryers.

I think that this tour is the PERFECT length for a preschool class- not too long, not too short, they can all talk about how much they love cookies and....

Ohmigosh! The cow jumped out of the fridge!!  The cow!!  Come on, you guys know you love the cow!  Okay, well, I love the cow.

This kid is an EXPERT at photo bombing, but here he's just making the lemon face while we check out how CFA makes their lemonade.  Did you know some sweet person actually juices lemons each day so that your lemonade can be tasty? Like, actually stands at the back, cuts the lemons open, and puts them on a lemon juicer.

We had so much fun on our VIP night, and loved getting to meet Luis, the operator, and Helen,  who's the Marketing Manager.  Incidentally, these two are married and two of their children also own Virginia Chick-Fil-A's.  Apparently it's a great business to get in to.  (Heads up to all of you who are always complaining there's not one in Dumfries!)

So, this part was super awesome!  And, I get to go to Atlanta with my hubby, to see the CFA headquarters, which is fun, too! I've never been to Atlanta.

The downside to all of this is that I'm TERRIFIED of flying! Like, shaking in my boots stealing a Pamper from the kid next to me freaked out.  Okay, maybe not stealing a Pamper....I'd totally ask first.

I'm really excited to go, though, and especially excited for probably the best date ever (that's right, hubby- I'm throwing the gauntlet here!) since we'll fly down, take our tour and fly back all without the kids, that's our first (and probably only) jet-set date ever.  #Winning.

Anyone else not a flying fan? Because I'm taking suggestions on calming down :)

Also, thanks to Chick-Fil-A and especially CFA Woodbridge for the great time and awesome prize! We're really excited, even if I'm a little nervous about the traveling! Also, thanks to you guys if you voted!

A Crochety Old Lady

I hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween! Whether you celebrate by going out trick-or-treating, staying in and having a family night, or going to an event, I hope that it was a good night for you and your family.  We had fun around our neighborhood and my parent's neighborhood (because grammy needs to show off the grandkids).  In fact, my parents neighborhood was extra awesome this year because they had an ACTUAL man on an ACTUAL horse with an ACTUAL sword dressed up as the headless horseman.

I'm not going to lie, he scared the bejeebus out of me.

Here are my little trick-or-treaters this year.  We had an army man (bonus mom points for making camouflage makeup using nothing but eye shadow), a ninja, and Supergirl- which isn't so much a costume as a statement of fact. ;)

Every year after Halloween, even though we have fun, I have to contend with the hard truth that I have turned into a crochety old lady.  Why, you ask?  Because there is a candy system at my house:

Ages 0-12 months old---> sorry parents, but in an effort to be nice to the non-candy eaters, I actually stock up on Halloween goldfish or teddy grahams in individual packets.  Most parents of children who can eat already actually appreciate the gesture.

Ages 1-12 in costume--->a giant handful of whatever mix I pull out

Ages 12 and up in costume---> two or three pieces of candy for the effort

Ages 12 and up not in costume---> one piece of candy because I don't want my house egged

Adults (seriously?) not in costume/the moms who are "trick or treating for my kids who are too old to go" (there were two of them, and, seriously?)--->one lollipop

I'm sure that some of you are probably still nice people who give equal candy to both the young and old, the costumed and uncostumed, but it makes me sad that the average age of trick-or-treater in our neighborhood was probably 16 last night and there were just giant groups of older teens and several random adults out without children with them.  It's probably some kind of Freudian anger about the fact that my mom cut me off before I was a teenager, but I at least want to see you in a costume!

At least I'm not walloping anyone with my cane yet ;)

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Halloween Frankenstein Pops

Since you guys seem to enjoy craft and food ideas, I've been trying to share more of them since I really like to Martha Stewart it up as much as possible.

I especially like it when it's REALLY easy.  The Frankenstein Pops I shared on Facebook? They're so easy a four year old can do it.

Assemble your troops.  You'll need frosting, sugar bones, sugar eyes, lollipop sticks, and black sugar or chocolate jimmies, oh, and marshmallows.

 Step One: Get a bag of frosting out of your freezer.  Here we have cream cheese frosting, vanilla buttercream, and hot pink lemonade buttercream.  What's that? You don't make a double batch of frosting every time and freeze the leftovers for emergency cake-frosting? You don't MAKE your own frosting? Sigh.  Yes, go ask Betty Crocker for a can of white frosting...that'll work, too.

 Step Two: Plop your frosting into a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds if it's room temperature, or about a minute if it was a popsicle when you put it in there.  You're looking for fondue-consistency frosting.

 Step Three: Curse yourself for not getting green food dye at the Walmart when you were JUST THERE.  Remember that yellow an blue make green.  Mix well. (These are Wilton gel dyes, which I love because they don't water down whatever you're tinting.  However, for this, you could use the liquid dye you get at the grocery store, too.  Wilton gels are sold at craft stores like JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels and Walmart stores)

Step Four: Pop a marshmallow onto a lollipop stick and dunk it in your frosting.  Tap gently on the side of the bowl to remove any excess and then set the stick into a heavy glass cup set over a plate to let the frosting set just slightly (a minute or two, tops).

 Step Five: After your frosting has had a minute to settle and drip off and excess, give your marshmallow a roll in the black sugar or chocolate jimmies to add hair.

 Step Six: Add eyes (you could pipe these on, but this whole treat was inspired by the sugar candy eyeballs being on sale for $2) and imbed a sugar bone on either side of your Frankenstein's head.  You could also pipe on a mouth, but if I was creating a monster, it would do my bidding without talking back.  I'm just saying.

Optional Bonus Points For Step Seven: Pop some floral foam covered in a seasonal napkin inside your Frankenstein Can and go on a shock and awe campaign at your preschool party.  Winning.

You could also do these heads with cake pops, you'd just want to form them into squares instead of balls.  Witches would be cute, too, with purple frosting, a mini green m&m nose, and just the cookie part of an Oreo with a Hershey's Kiss glued on top with some melted chocolate.

Have fun!

Trick or Treating in Prince William County

Many of you have asked what day and time Prince William County trick or treating is.  Apparently in some parts of the country they change trick-or-treat to be a weekend night each year so that children aren't tripped out on candy and less sleep than normal on a school night.

Please, we know how much our teachers love overtired children with a sugar buzz ;)

In Prince William County (with possible exceptions if you live in a neighborhood with a home owners association) whether you're in Woodbridge, Gainesville, Haymarket, or Lake Ridge, trick-or-treat happens on October 31st, regardless of the day of the week, from dusk to 9pm.  As a general courtesy, and for safety reasons, only knock on doors that have well-lit porches and interiors.  

The Department of Fire and Rescue reminds you that when trick-or-treating:
Child Pedestrians
• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.

Drivers
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Remember costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

If you would rather not trick-or-treat in your neighborhood, there are several local churches and areas that typically offer trunk or treat options on halloween night (but check their website to make sure):
~First Baptist Church of Woodbridge (not in 2012)
~Potomac Mills Mall beginning at 6pm
~Christ Chapel (not in 2012)
~ Manassas St. Thomas  (appears to be on- 6:30pm)
~Manassas Baptist (appears to be on- 6pm)
~First Nazarene Woodbridge (appears to be on- 7pm)

If you'd like to add your church or location to the list, please just shoot me an email. 

Readers Recommend: Bad Weather Fun

So we all made it relatively unscathed by Frankenstorm, thank God.  As we go about the next few days, please keep an ear out for opportunities to help those who were not so fortunate.  The pictures of New York and New Jersey are heartbreaking.

Photo Credit: The Washington Post.  Check out their storm coverage here. 

Also, if you're of the praying persuasion, you could continue to offer petitions on behalf of the first responders and National Guard who will be continuing to pick up the pieces today.

In the meantime, it's mushy and grey outside, which means that we've all got to keep our kiddos happy inside.  Well, almost all of us- some of us are going to make them do schoolwork anyway because we're mean horrible people sent here to ruin their childhoods responsible homeschoolers.

I asked yesterday what you guys recommended to beat the weather-based blues, and here's what you guys sent me:

For the Adults:
*Poker tournament with the neighbors
*Wine
*Crocheting
*Wine
*Online Shopping
*Wine is a great idea!
Sounds like you guys rather enjoy your vino.

In the Kitchen:
*Baking- apple pie,
*Make Stone Soup
*Quesadillas
*Fresh Ice Cream Sandwiches with homemade cookies (hey, Beth! You sent a picture!! Email me your address and I'm mailing you something cool.)

Kickin' it Frankenstorm-Style

With the Kids:
*Reading books
*Stacking the tea lights
*Glow Bracelet War
*Uno
*Indoor Tent

For Those Who Like to Live Dangerously:
*Monopoly
(If you don't have little ears around and aren't easily offended, I tend to agree with Dane Cook's assessment of monopoly- but he does drop an f-bomb, so watch out.)

Bonus Points To:
Jennifer Peterson Singh who did a whole Pinterest Board! I've got a PwcMoms one, too, but that's not news.

Thanks for sharing what you did this Frankenstorm!

What To Do During a Frankenstorm, Day 1

As of right now, it's not so bad out there.  Better safe than sorry, of course, but that fans that you're probably at home with some kiddos who need some entertainment.  While TV and video games are definitely an option, here's a few fun plans to try, too.

My kids spent the night with PwcGrammy on Saturday night so that we could go to a Halloween party.  Being the awesome grandma that she is, she had a whole night of fun planned for the kids including pumpkin carving, seed roasting, caramel apple making, and crafting.  I thought the crafts were adorable, and could be adapted to use what you have at home (or you could pop out to Walmart before the wind gets bad, but that's a personal judgement call).

Idea 1: Frankenstorm Can

 Alright, he's really supposed to be Frankenstein, but it's kinda funny to call him Frankenstorm :) This one is made with a #10 (Food Service Size) can painted green.  The "knobs" are wooden pieces that were painted silver.  You could just as easily use game pieces that have lost their home or empty prescription bottles.  Don't have silver paint? Glitter would work, too.  The smile is sharpie marker, the nose is another painted wooden piece, but you could substitute for a button or draw the nose, too.  The hair is sparkle felt cut to be pointed on one side and folded over the top of the can, but you could easily swap that out for construction paper if that's what you have at home!

Idea #2 Halloween Bat

 This little guy is also made from a can, but this time it's standard soup-can size.  (I don't think I mentioned this on Frankencan, but obviously you're going to want to wash your can thoroughly and dry it well before starting). Our bad is covered with glitter felt, but you could use black paint or black construction paper.  The smile is made of tiny jewels, but you could use pony beads or crayon.  I think googly-eyes should be a household staple if you have kids, but you could also do the eyes in paint or crayon.  My 4 year old made this craft, so you can see she added lots of pink using a crayon or chalk, and both showed up well on the black felt.  For the wings, use a black pipe cleaner (or you could use a wooden skewer, pencil, or other straight object) and roll it under a piece of cut felt or construction paper and then glue the wings to the back of your can.

Idea 3: Caramel Apples

We've always got apples in our fruit drawer.  That used to be because they were a cheap fruit option, but I refuse to say that about anything that's almost $2 a pound, so I guess it's just a habit at this point.  If you don't have craft sticks, you can use a turning fork to dunk your apples in caramel and then cut them into wedges after they dry.  If you still want the stick, use a toothpick on the wedges you cut.  Caramels are super easy to melt following the package directions, or, if you are a baker and keep the ingredients on hand, you can make your own caramel:
1 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups corn syrup
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup heavy cream. Heat mixture to a boil just over medium heat stirring frequently. Once it boils, stir the other one cup heavy cream. Then without stirring, bring mixture to exactly 239 degrees then immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow to cool 10-15 minutes before dipping apples.
The kids decorated their apples with fall M&Ms and sprinkles, but if you really want to go all-out, melt a couple of Hershey bars or chocolate chips in the microwave (30 seconds at a time, stirring frequently) and after you dip your apples in caramel, dip them in chocolate and then add your decorations.  Yum!

Also, you can engage your kids in some fun learning online about the storm! Try the Weather Channel for Kids or Oklahoma News 9s Interactive Weather Tracker, which even offers streaming video.

Stay Safe and Have Fun!! (And no matter how bad it gets, don't bring out Monopoly! That never ends without a fight!)