Friendship Blossoms

Here is something sweet and pretty for your gives to give at Valentine's Day. It's easy, fun and tastes good!

Materials
• Scrapbooking paper or card stock
• Scissors
• Lollipops
• Tape

1. For each, cut three heart-shaped petals, two leaves, and two flower centers from scrapbooking paper or card stock.
2. Poke a small hole in each, crease the petals as shown, and slide the pieces onto a lollipop stem. Tape the bottom to secure.
3. Poke a small hole in each leaf and slide them onto the lollipop stem. Tape the Bottom to secure. (Hint, you might want to write your message on the leaf first.)

Always Make It Fun!
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

MVP Popcorn Balls

These snacks are great for any party but are perfect for sports themed parties.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 quarts popcorn
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Supplies:
waxed paper
food coloring (optional)
clear or colored cellophane
ribbon
paper
pen

Directions:
Pop 2 1/2 quarts of popcorn and set aside. Combine 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/3 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a medium-boil stage.

Quickly whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup butter or margarine. If desired, add food coloring. Pour mixture over popcorn and toss until well coated. Spread mixture on large baking sheets or pieces of waxed paper and let it cool slightly before forming it into balls. Lay popcorn balls on pieces of clear or colored cellophane. Gather excess at the top, and tie it with a ribbon. Add special MVP tags or draw lines on each to look like a basket ball. For fun, let your child autograph the outside of each ball just like a pro ball player.

This would even be great for kids to do as a craft.

Always Have Fun!
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

Carrot Scavenger Hunt

Your kids will not only love their vegetables, they'll seek them out.

Supplies:
-Orange construction paper
-Green construction paper
-Scissors
-Glue
-Snacks

Directions:
1. Cut out 20 carrots from orange construction paper and glue on the green construction paper tops.
2. "Plant" them all around the house--under sofa cushions, in the silverware drawer, or taped to the refrigerator door, for example.
3. Then send your kids around the house to gather all the carrots. Let them redeem their carrots for snacks, such as a small box of raisins, a pack of gum, a bag of pretzels, or a piece of carrot cake.

Another great twist is to let each child cut out their own carrot and green top, decorate it, write their name on it and then "plant" them. After all carrots are found, make sure each carrot gets back to its owner. This way, the party guests gets to make a craft and they have a great reminder of the fun they had to take home with them!