Check out these fun Valentine's gag gifts for the kids!

Tweet
Share

I love fun gifts that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't y'all?  I've mentioned here before that I shop the day after holidays to stock up for the next year or the next holiday.  So the day after Christmas, I grabbed a bag of super-cheap, Christmas (red and green) m&m's - perfect for my Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day celebrations!

For Valentine's Day next week, one of my treats for the kids will be Cupid's Poop.  I'll separate the red and green m&m's, (green will go in a bag til next month!) and the reds will go into 2 baggies - one for David, one for Katie.  I printed out bag toppers from this site - so cute - to put across the top of each closed bag.  Next month,  I'll do the same with the printable Leprechaun Poop bag toppers. 

I'm also heading to Bojangles on Monday to get some of their heart-shaped biscuits, which I'll serve to my kiddos on Tuesday morning.  And Tuesday's after-school snack?  I'll pick up a few heart shaped donuts at either Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts.  I hit up Target's Dollar Spot for some cute gifts to give each kiddo too.  But mostly, I'll hug and kiss them, and tell them how much I love them both!!

Need something to do this weekend? Try SNOW MOUNTAIN!!

Tweet
Share

We visited Snow Mountain at Snow Mountain back before the holidays, but I didn't want to post my review til now.  The holidays keep us all so crazy busy, but around February,  the kids will start that familiar refrain: "I'm bored, Mom"!   So now is the absolute perfect time to head over to Stone Mountain and hit the "slopes" of Snow Mountain! (But hurry - it closes February 20th!)

Stone Mountain is the only place in Atlanta where you can enjoy tons of snow! Being in the South, we don't always get snow days, so this is a great place for fun winter-memory making with your family.  This attraction features more than 20 snow-tubing slides,  located on Stone Mountain's Laser Lawn.  There is a family tube ride, called Avalanche Alley, as well as individual snow tubing.   Guests must be 42 inches or taller to ride the single tube.  For Avalanche Alley, guests must be 36 inches or taller.   My oldest went with her boyfriend, and they had such a great time.  And my little one, who is 8, loved the tubing too.  This is some serious fun for all ages!

Bringing younger kids with you?  They will really enjoy the Snow Zone ~ acres of fun can be found here for everyone in the family.   Little Angels is designed for kids 3 and under - they can try tubing on Snoboggans to experience tubing at their level.  The Snowball Shootin' Gallery is a great place to pack snowballs, then use them to shoot at crazy spinning, flipping targets! Igloo City is the place to build a fort, a tower or even your own city - all out of snow!  There are friendly attendants nearby to help you, too.  Visit Snowman Valley  to create your own snow friend!! My kids loved the snow closet, where you will find scarves, hats and more to decorate your new pal.   Fort Snow is a cool place for kidswho are under 54 inches.  They can explore turrets, tunnels and slides!   And when you have finished exploring all of the fun to be had here in Snow Zone, visit the SnoDeck for a hot chocolate or popcorn!  Still too chilly?  Head to SnoFire Point and roast some delicious ooey-gooey S'mores over a warm bonfire!

We had such a wonderful afternoon at Snow Mountain, and it was nice to have some fluffy white stuff to play in for a change!  Don't forget to dress for snow - you will want a warm hat, coat, mittens and scarf, too! It really is cold out there in the snowy area! And make sure you take your camera - photo opportunities are everywhere, y'all!

Snow Mountain is open through February 20 on weekends and daily during school holidays.  Just two more weekends left to enjoy this family-fun Atlanta tradition!  Visit the website for ticket prices, reservations (strongly recommended!), and full operating schedule.  Check here for special promotions & packages.

For more information, special promotions and giveaways, like Stone Mountain Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stonemountainpark.  (Don't forget to leave a comment telling them you read about Snow Mountain on JustKiddingAroundAtlanta.blogspot.com!) 



Disclaimer:  The kids & I received 4 passes to visit Stone Mountain/Snow Mountain in order to review it.  All opinions given are my own!  No other compensation was received.

Chocolate Cherry Surprise Cookies ~ perfect for Valentines Day!

Tweet
Share

Hello sweet bloggy friends!  Are y'all ready for Valentine's Day? Gosh, I can't believe it is almost here!  I love making these cookies all winter long.  I made them for New Year's Eve, but they are perfect for Valentine's Day.  How can you go wrong making rich chocolate cookies with a cherry hidden under a lucious chocolate frosting ~ delicious! : )  This recipe originally came from Ms. Jill, who was the Children's Pastor at the church I worked at from 1998- 2003.  I always think of her when I make these yummy cookies!



Chocolate Cherry Surprise Cookies
•1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

•1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

•1/4 teaspoon salt

•1/4 teaspoon baking soda

•1/4 teaspoon baking powder

•1/2 cup butter, room temperature

•1 cup granulated sugar

•1 egg

•1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

•1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice

•1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

•1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk


In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda, blend well; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter or margarine and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; beat until smooth and well blended. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheet. (I used foil to line my stonewear, but I did spray it with Pam!) Press down the center of each ball with thumb. Drain Maraschino cherries well, reserving juice. Place a cherry in the indention of each cookie.

In small saucepan combine chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk; heat over low heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of the reserved cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the topping over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. If frosting seems too thick, thin with a little more cherry juice.

 Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, or until done. Cool on wire rack.   Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!