In This Issue
MBF Superstars
Holiday Craft
Fun Recipes
Social Networking

nannies and sitters logoHoliday Edition 2010

 

Happy holidays! It's hard to believe that December is already here and Christmas right around the corner!  I love the cold weather that calls for warm sweaters and boots, fires in the fireplace and especially hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.

 

This is such a busy time of year and our client families generally need extra support in their homes during this season.  They largely depend upon the extra pair of hands you offer to get it all done.  Your work behind the scenes makes everything "seamlessly" come together!  We so appreciate you and all you do to enrich the lives of your charges and employers! 

 

Going the extra mile this time of year and showcasing your value to your employer is not only important because you should strive to demonstrate excellence in all you do all the time, but also in light of a possible year-end bonus and/or annual review/raise potentials. 

 

If you need extra spending money for gifts, consider picking up some babysitting jobs. We are especially busythrough our temporary division on New Year's Eve if you are available and want to make holiday pay. 

Kathy Dupuy, Owner
 
MBF Superstars
Featured San Antonio Long-term Nanny: Juana M. 

SA perm superstar We are so lucky at MBF to have Juana as one of our nannies! She has been working as a professional nanny for 20 years and strives to provide the best care and guidance for her charges. Juana takes her role very seriously and thinks it is important to always support the decisions and beliefs of the parents and to help them in the upbringing of their children. She believes children fill our lives with laughter, happiness, and a great sense of purpose.In addition to working with children as a nanny, she is currently in school getting a degree in education.

Featured San Antonio Temporary Nanny:  Viviana A.
 
SA temp superstar
 Viviana is a wonderful member of our temp team. She has her associates degree in Medical Assisting, and has been a nanny for over 12 years.  Viviana has also owned her own daycare center. In her free time, she loves any type of arts & crafts. You might find Viviana working on a scrapbook or upholstering furniture. She also loves reading magazines, trying new recipes, and spending time with her family.  She is fluent in Spanish and is described as "active, responsible, and caring."
Winter Craft

 

Pinecone Snowman 

This little pinecone snowman is ready to hit the slopes! This simple project is fun for kids -- just leave extra time for painting.

 
What you'll need: 
  • pinecone snowmanPinecone
  • White, light blue, and black craft paint
  • 1 brown chenille stem
  • 1" piece of orange chenille stem
  • 2 medium light blue pom-poms
  • 2" piece of light blue felt
  • 12" light blue scrap fabric, cut to 1" width
  • 2 medium white glittery pom-poms
  • 2 toothpicks
  • 2 jumbo craft sticks
  • Blue glitter glue
  • Snow texture medium (recommended: Snow-tex)
  • Blue chenille stem
  • White craft glue or hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  •  

    How to make it:
    1. Paint pinecone with white paint. A second coat may be needed. Allow to dry completely.
    2. When pinecone is dry, tie blue fabric strip around the top 1/3 of the pinecone as the scarf. Fringe the ends of the scarf by cutting thin strips with scissors.
    3. Paint jumbo craft sticks with light blue paint and set aside to dry.
    4. Glue blue felt strip to the top of the pinecone for the ear muff band. Glue the blue pom-poms to the ends of the felt strip.
    5. Assemble ski poles by gluing white glitter pom-poms to the end of the two toothpicks.
    6. Cut brown chenille into thirds. Set one piece aside for another project. Insert a brown chenille piece into the side of the pinecone for the arm and glue in place. Repeat on other side.
    7. Hold the "ski pole" up to the "arm" and once you have it where you want it, trim the end of the chenille to about ¾" away from the pole. Wrap the end of the chenille arm around the pole and add a dab of glue to hold in place.
    8. Glue the pinecone to the jumbo craft stick skis. Paint the craft sticks with a bit of blue glitter glue. Dab on some snow texture medium to the skis.
    9. Dot on two eyes with black paint using the handle end of the paintbrush. Glue the orange chenille piece in as the nose.
    10. Add a chenille hanger for your ornament by bending a piece of blue chenille in half and gluing the open ends onto the back of the pinecone.

    Find this craft and others at www.kaboose.com!

     

    Fun Recipes
    Chocolate-Covered Pretzels 

    These are perfect for a holiday gift or next to the fire with a cup of hot chocolate!

     

    pretzel snackIngredients:

    • 1 12-ounce package milk chocolate chips
    • 1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips
    • 24 large pretzel rods
    • Assorted holiday sprinkles

    Instructions:

    1. Place the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and the white chocolate chips in another. Microwave one bowl on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir with a rubber spatula.
    2. Microwave the other bowl on high for 1 minute, and stir until the chocolate is melted.
    3. Dip one pretzel rod into the milk chocolate; use a spoon or butter knife to spread the chocolate about halfway up the rod. Twist the rod to let the excess chocolate drip off.
    4. Hold the rod over a piece of wax paper and shake sprinkles on all sides.
    5. Place the pretzel on another piece of wax paper to dry.
    6. Coat another pretzel with white chocolate and sprinkles.
    7. Repeat until you've coated all the pretzels, half with milk chocolate, half with white chocolate, and let dry completely, about 24 hours.

    *For this and similar recipes visit www.foodnetwork.com.

     

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