Pinwheel Craft | Kids' Crafts | FirstPalette.com

Here's a fun 4th of July craft, courtesy of FirstPallette.com, that the entire family can enjoy. Here's hoping that there's enough wind to keep the pinwheel moving.

Detailed instructions can be found on the following link: 

Pinwheel Craft | Kids' Crafts | FirstPalette.com

You can check out some of the fun activities around town by clicking here.  Have a safe and fun holiday.  Remember to thank our Military members for allowing us our freedoms. God bless the U.S.A. 

Kegg's Handmade Candies Factory Tour

When I think candy factory I think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. My sister and I use to wish for an opportunity to leap into the movie screen and taste the delicious goodness. (With permission from Mr. Wonka of course: we wouldn't want to turn out like Violet or be escorted away by an army Oompa-Loompas.) I recently discovered that you can bring a little of the movie magic to life by taking a tour of Houston's own chocolate Factory at Kegg's Handmade Candies!

Come and Take A Tour for FREE!

Reservations may be made online by clicking this link: Reserve online

• When: Weekdays(Monday Thru Friday)
• Times: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Type: Self-Guided for Groups of less than 10 People.
• Reservations Required: For Groups of 10 People or More
• Length of Tour: Approximately 30 Minutes

  

The Kegg’s Candies Chocolate Factory is a customer friendly production facility. It was built with a factory tour entrance and a 90 foot long glass wall exposing a clear view of the entire chocolate making process.  The tour ends in Kegg’s 2,000 sq. ft. colorful chocolate factory retail store where you’ll find over 600 handmade candies, frozen custard and Italian ice.  Free samples of signature confections can be had with ease.

You will learn about the cocoa processing, the chocolate and confectionery manufacturing process as well as the history and tradition of Kegg’s Candies.  You will see, touch and feel an actual cocoa pod and learn how the cocoa plant, the cocoa pod and the cocoa bean play an important role in producing the chocolate candies we all love to consume.

Group tours that are scheduled in advance are met by a Kegg’s Factory Tour representative that will guide you through the facility and provide information and answer questions. For groups smaller than 10 people or individuals, tours are self guided at the customers own schedule and pace. So just stop by any time during tour hours when it’s convenient for you.

Don’t forget to bring a few dollars to buy some souvenirs as a memory of your visit. Stop by and experience what life at the chocolate factory is really like. They guarantee you’ll have a really “sweet” experience!

Click here for Maps & Directions to the Kegg's Candy Factory

For more information on Kegg's Candy Factory click here!

Fun with Glow Sticks

We had so much fun playing with glow sticks tonight!  Who knew that a $5.00 trip to the dollar store would produce so much fun.  I think my older kiddos enjoyed it more than my 7 year old (but don't tell them I said so).  Here are a few photos of what we did. 

Top row L to R:  Glow in the dark hopscotch, name in lights, glow stick taped to Nerf gun, glowing target for Nerf darts.

Middle row L to R:  Hula-Hoop w/glow sticks taped to it, hula-hoop in action, cup w/glow stick taped, enjoying lemonade.

Bottom row L to R:  Bubble bath w/glow sticks, swimming in neon lights, glow stickes rubber band to a headband, indoor fireworks in July!

Check out this video of my daughter dancing in the dark!

 
We also enjoyed a glow in the dark dance production by Marisa. The cartwheels did not record well but we hope you enjoy her video.

Craft/Treat: Red, White and Blue Ice Pops

Here's a fun 4th of July treat you can make as a family.

Celebrate red, white, and blue all summer long with these patriotic ice pops. The secret ingredient is a blue sports drink, along with cranberrry juice and lemonade.

Yield: 8 ice pops

Cost Per Serving:$.15

Ingredients

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup lemonade
• 1 cup blue sports drink, such as Gatorade

Preparation

Arrange 8 3-oz. paper or plastic cups on a baking sheet and divide cranberry juice evenly among them. Place baking sheet in freezer and freeze until juice is almost firm, about 1 hour.
Insert craft sticks into center of slightly frozen juice. (If sticks won't quite stand up straight, you can repositions them when the next layer starts to solidify.)
Divide lemonade evenly among cups to make a second layer. Freeze until hard, about 2 hours. Pour Gatorade over lemonade layer and freeze until solid, about 3 hours. Gently pull each ice pop out of its cup (it helps to squeeze the cup lightly from bottom) and serve immediately.

All You JUNE 2008

NOTE:  Do you like the recipe but too many steps?  Simply fill ice cubes trays with red, white, and blue liquids.  Once set serve with gingerale. 

FREE Kids Build & Grow Clinics at Lowe's

Register your Kiddos for a FREE Build and Grow Clinic at your local Lowe's Saturdays at 10 a.m. or Sundays at 2 p.m.   They will build a wooden project they can keep.  Registration is required.  They will also receive a free apron, goggles, patch, amnd much more!   Good for children ages 2-13.  Click here for more information.  Happy building!

Kids Skate FREE

A huge THANK YOU to my friend, Brenda, for sharing this information with me! 

If you have kids under 12 go to this site and register them for free roller
skating passes: http://kidsskatefree.com/funcity.

Once registered you will receive an email every Sunday with 2 passes for each kid to skate for FREE. You only have to pay for skate rental unless you have your own skates. Good on certain days/times. Fun City Sk8 even has free wi-fi!  It's a good deal. American Heart Association sponsors it. Let's all meet on a Friday and do the hokey pokey :)

4th of July Events in Houston 2012

I can already smell the bar-b-que, taste the cool watermellon, and hear the music as we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July!  There are so many great events to attend in the Houston area.  Gather your family and freinds for a fun filled evening.  Don't forget to thank our Military members for allowing us our freedoms.  God bless the U.S.A. 

 

 

Freedom Over Texas

 

Fireworks will ignite the sky and tunes will set the stage for an extraordinary patriotic celebration at Mayor Annise D. Parker’s official Fourth of July event, Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas featuring Billy Currington and Sara Evans presented by Reliant. Country music artists Billy Currington and Sara Evans will perform at the annual event held from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4th. The night culminates with a spectacular fireworks show that will light up the downtown skyline.

Star-Spangled Salute Miller Outdoor Theatre

Enjoy an evening with Michael Krajewski and the Houston Symphony listening to patriotic, toe-tapping American music.  Simon & Garfunkel tribute artists Jonathan Beedle and AJ Swearingen join us for an evening you will not soon forget!  Make sure to stay  until the end for the 1812 Overture - complete with booming cannons!  This celebration concludes with a magnificent display of fireworks provided by Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

City of Webster's Independence Day

Webster's Independence Day festivities will begin at 5 p.m. at Texas Avenue Park, 17100 N. Texas Ave.  In addition to a veterans' ceremony, bingo, entertainers, inflatables, concessions, games, and free watermelon and snow cones, a fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m.



City of Friendswood 4th of July Celebration

This fun-filled event begins at 10 a.m. with a parade featuring over 100 floats. Immediately following is a festival packed with games, rides and carnival food. At 7:30, the live musical performances commence and end with headliners THE BIG TIME. Be sure to stick around until 9:20 for a brilliant fireworks display.

City of Galveston's Independence Day Celebration

Galveston's annual downtown parade, set to begin at 10 a.m. July 4, will feature floats, decorated military vehicles and performers.  The parade will begin at Santa Fe and 25th Street and progress downtown and end at the Galveston Railroad Museum, which will host a patriotic celebration with music and refreshments.  The celebration will continue that evening with a fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico at 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard. The show, sponsored by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, will begin at 9:15 p.m.



Pearland July 4th Celebration of Freedom

Pearland High School will host this year’s July 4th celebration which will commence with a dramatic military fly-over and salute and singing of the National Anthem. Other highlights include live musical performances by Drywater, face painting, and a 20 minute firework display. Start the party as early as 2 p.m at the on-site full size carnival.The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.

 

Red, Hot, and Blue Festival: Woodlands Town Center

 

The Woodlands Town Center will host its 13th annual Fourth of July Celebration. The festivities kick off at 9:00 am with a parade featuring clowns, horses and fire engines, and end at dusk with a 20 minute fireworks show. From noon to 4 at all Woodlands pools, enjoy fun splash activities. And for a fun competition or just a good laugh, check out the hot dog eating and watermelon eating contests.