Almost Funfetti Cake Pops

Oliver was nice to all the kids at the park a few days ago, so Dad took him to the store and bought him cake pop kit! These poor kids have had it rough the last couple weeks. There have been many long hours of us working while the kids are left to play in their room. I feel awful about it, but the work is almost done (now we just need to get carpet installed...).

This morning, I told Oliver it was time to make them. He got so excited!

Oliver got to do the mixing. There's not that much cake, so it only bakes about 12 minutes. As it baked, Jo checked out the batter in the bowl. She even got a little taste and let me know it was pretty good stuff.

After it came out of the oven, we let it cool. Oliver then broke up all the cake with his fingers.

He mixed it with the frosting, and then I formed it into tight balls. We dipped the cake pop sticks in the melted chocolate and stuck them into the cake balls. Most of the cake balls held up for this part. Two broke a bit, and I had to use my hands to really mash them together over the stick.

After the cake pops cooled for a full half hour, we pulled them out of the fridge. I told Oliver that I'd dip them in the melted white chocolate, and he could put the sprinkles on. The cake pops did not hold up to dipping. Not even a little bit. After the second one bit the dust, I just spooned the melted white chocolate on. That ended up using too much white chocolate, and we started to run out near the end. I only lightly topped the last few with chocolate to stretch it out.

Of the 12 cake pops we made, four broke off. I used white chocolate to sort of mash them back together. They look like turds.

I poked holes into the box to hold up our pops. Pillsbury should totally do this as part of their kit.

It was still fun. I would definitely make these again with Oliver. He loved it!

The down-side to these were 1) they make a huge mess, 2) they take a long time, and 3) are very unpredictable. I would never make them for a birthday party or gathering just because there would be so much waste to get a few good quality ones. When we make them again, I might try freezing the cake pops solid before dipping.

Pre-School Science: Color Eruption

For Easter, Grandpa Paul & Grandma Colleen gave Oliver an egg beater. We spent part of Easter with Paul's family, and Oliver had fun sitting on the counter, beating a mixture of water and soap in the sink. I wanted to give him something to beat at home, and so I decided to let him beat together baking soda and vinegar.

Here's what you need for this activity:

*Vinegar
*Baking soda
*food coloring (optional)
*a large bowl
*a small pitcher or measuring cup with a spout
*a whisk

First, I took a pitcher of vinegar and dyed it blue. Warning: this can stain!

Then, in a large mixing bowl, I added about a quarter cup of baking soda. I dyed it yellow and added just enough water so I could stir it.

                                                                            

Here's Oliver's activity, all set up:

Oliver poured the blue vinegar into the yellow baking soda, and it foamed up to the top of the bowl! Of course, it also turned green.

                      

Oliver kept asking for more vinegar. I gave him a few pitchers full of plain vinegar to pour in again and again. It continued to foam, but the "eruption" got less and less each time.

The mixture continued to fizzle and foam a bit as Oliver mixed away. He loved it! It kept him busy until quiet time, actually!

We used blue and yellow to make green. You can use blue and red to make purple, or you can use red and yellow to make orange. Remember that this stuff can stain your kitchen towels, table, floor, skin, and clothes!

Enjoyed this activity? Check out a similar one that is better suited for younger kids here:
http://becky-shattuck.blogspot.com/2012/08/100-attempted-ways-to-entertain-young_13.html