Community Highlight: Allen Community Band

Our very own Studio Director, Cara Phillips, will be performing tomorrow night with the Allen Community Band as part of a Christmas concert series. Here are the details:

When: Refreshments served at 7:30, concert begins at 8 pm

Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Allen (821 S. Greenville Ave., Allen)

Cost: FREE

Who: Everyone is invited!

Playdate: It's Your Lucky Day!

We will dance an Irish jig, sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and much more! 

Playdate: It's Your Lucky Day (themed for St. Patrick's Day)

When: March 12, 2013

Time: 10-10:45 a.m.

Where: Holford Recreation Center (2314 Homestead Place, Garland TX 75044)

Love & Grow Recipes: Valentine's Truffles

Looking for a creative but economical Valentine's Day treat? Have I got the recipe for you: pretzel truffles! These are super simple to make and will be gobbled up in a flash!

What you will need:

-1 Bag of Heart-shaped pretzels
-1 Bag of Hershey's Kisses (you can use whatever flavor you like; they even have pink raspberry!)
-1 Bag of Valentine's M&Ms

To make them:

-Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
-Line pan with parchment paper
-Line pan with pretzels and top with one Hershey's kiss
-Bake 4-5 minutes or until soft and shiny. Chocolate should retain its shape
-Remove from oven and quickly press one M&M into the chocolate

These truffles are always a huge hit and I have been known to make them for different holidays using tree-shaped pretzels at Christmas, etc. You can also use a mini Rolo or peanut butter cup instead of a Hershey's kiss, use a flavored M&M, etc. So many easy possibilities!

FREE Gift In Classes This Week: Heart Shakers

We were very busy this weekend in my house preparing a special free gift to be handed out in this week's classes. To celebrate Valentine's Day, I made heart shakers! Students will be receiving them in all cities: Allen, McKinney and Garland!

It's fun to make instruments at home, and this sweet version of a maraca is entertaining and easy! My staff and I are excited to play and learn with you this week!

Sweetheart Playdate for Your Sweetheart In Allen, TX

Tomorrow is our Valentine's themed playdate, "Love Me Tender." Join us at Joe Farmer Recreation Center, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen, TX! 

Make Your Own Snowflake!

As a former chemistry teacher, this craft is right up my alley! Aside from being incredibly easy, all of the supplies for this project can be found at home! For those that don't know, Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral that is used for cleaning; you can buy it for super cheap at stores like Walmart. You can find the original "recipe" here. I recommend you use gloves when handling the Borax. Adult supervision is always required and you can also make a snowflake using sugar or salt!

Source: www.ask.com

1.            The first step of making borax crystal snowflakes is to make the snowflake shape. Cut a pipe cleaner into three equal sections.

2.            Twist the sections together at their centers to form a six-sided snowflake shape. Don't worry if an end isn't even, just trim to get the desired shape. The snowflake should fit inside the jar.

3.            Tie the string to the end of one of the snowflake arms. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil. You want the length to be such that the pencil hangs the snowflake into the jar.

4.            Fill the widemouthed pint jar with boiling water.

5.            Add borax one tablespoon at a time to the boiling water, stirring to dissolve after each addition. The amount used is 3 tablespoons borax per cup of water. It is okay if some undissolved borax settles to the bottom of the jar.

6.            If desired, you may tint the mixture with food color.

7.            Hang the pipe cleaner snowflake into the jar so that the pencil rests on top of the jar and the snowflake is completely covered with liquid and hangs freely (not touching the bottom of the jar).

8.            Allow the jar to sit in an undisturbed location overnight.

9.            Look at the pretty crystals!!! You can hang your snowflake as a decoration or in a window to catch the sunlight :-)

Tips:

1.            Borax is available at grocery stores in the laundry soap section, such as 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster. Do not use Boraxo soap.

2.            Because boiling water is used and because borax isn't intended for eating, adult supervision is recommended for this project.

3.            If you can't find borax, you can use sugar or salt (may take longer to grow the crystals, so be patient). Add sugar or salt to the boiling water until it stops dissolving. Ideally you want no crystals at the bottom of the jar.

What You Need

•               string

•               wide mouth jar (pint)

•               white pipe cleaners

•               borax (see tips)

•               pencil

•               boiling water

•               food coloring (opt.)

•               scissors

Halloween Happenings

As a professional educator, but more importantly, a mom, I know how precious and fleeting childhood is. It is my goal to create as many positive memories for you and your child as I can! In that spirit, I planned a couple of special surprises for your classes this week, and I know where you can get a FREE spooky treat, too!

Classes this week were invited to wear their costumes. Next week I will showcase more of the great ensembles but here is a sneak peek:

In today's class, students will also be receiving a free gift - a pumpkin maraca! The better to dance with on Halloween!

And now for details on a FREE Spooky Treat: Today only (Halloween) head on over to Frost It Cafe in Frisco while your child is in costume and receive a free mini cupcake! Frost It Cafe is one of our local favorites and they even have a line of gluten-free goodies, too.