Welcome to Macaroni Kid!  I hope you will find Macaroni Kid your new go to place for all the happenings in our area.   Keep reading this article as you will learn how to use Macaroni to your advantage. 

In this week's edition you'll find ou everything needed for some fun including  a Giveaway, crafts, recipes, exciting events, great articles, and fun to be had with your family.

Be sure to check out our new calendar feature Here for even more events to plan for.  In your newsletter we ...

All the sunshine this past weekend made me realized that summer is just around the corner.  Of course we all know that we are in Texas and that means the weather can and will change every 5 mintues so I'm not putting away the sweaters just yet.  However, believe it or not, it is time to start planning for SUMMER CAMPS!  And Macaroni Kid is here to give you the inside scoop on some truly fantastic local SUMMER CAMPS!

2012 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Coming Soon!

The 2012 Summer Camp ...

Treasure Buddies

Disney’s talking canine superstars are back in “Treasure Buddies,” their 6th all-new adventure. This latest story is told from the perspective of the Buddies’ newest friend, a mischievous Egyptian monkey named Babi. As Babi tells us, more than 40 years ago, a young archeologist named Thomas Howard, travelled to Egypt with his dog Digger to search for the lost necklace of Cleocatra. They managed to discover half of an artifact, the Bronze of Bastet, but their find triggered a booby-trapped cave-in, which they barely escaped. Forty years later, Thomas is living in Fernfield where he manages a museum. Digger’s grandpups, Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud also live in Fernfield and, in fact, Mudbud belongs to Thomas’ grandson, Pete.

Thomas is about to close his museum due to lack of funding when he gets a visit from a mysterious stranger, Dr. Philip Wellington, who reveals the other half of the Bronze of Bastet and invites Thomas and Pete to accompany him back to Egypt to resume the quest for the legendary Cat’s Eye Jewel. Pete offers to bring Mudbud along, but Wellington refuses as he travels with Ubasti, a hairless cat who is allergic to dogs. When Mudbud learns that Ubasti plans to steal the necklace for herself and use its power to dominate both dogs and humans, he rallies the other Buddies to stow away on the private plane in order to overtake the expedition and thwart Ubasti’s plan.

Once they get to Egypt, danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid. With help from lovable new friends including Cammy, a baby camel and the clever Babi, the Buddies avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

Directed by Robert Vince, written and produced by Vince and Anna McRoberts. Original music is by Brahm Wenger (“The Search for Santa Paws”) and Animal Coordinator is Mark Forbes (“Zoo Keeper”).
Treasure Buddies comes out on DVD and Blu-ray on January 31st. Order your copy here!

This Week's Picks:

Teen Scene:

Plan Ahead:

We are thrilled to bring you a new addition to Macaroni Kid - our Business Directory. This new resource will feature the best kid-friendly products, services, stores, restaurants, and other businesses catering to families in the Collin County area.  It is just starting to take off, so please take a moment to check out and support these local businesses.  You can CLICK HERE or check out the link to the left of your screen, under Connect.


For Local Businesses:
Macaroni Kid would like to invite you to be a part of ...

Football games just aren't the same without wings.  Well this year put a twist on those messy wings and try these fabulous Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.  The great thing about these is that you don't have people struggling to eat wings, worrying about what to do with their bones and their ridiculously messy face and hands.  I love a neat appetizer!

1 pound of ground chicken
1/2 of one medium onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic grated or finely chopped
1 tablespoon of Lawry's Seasoning Salt or ...

Need a reason to go out and celebrate without waiting until the next big one?  How about celebrating some of these!!!

Jan 31st is  Brandy Alexander Day

Feb 1st is National Baked Alaska Day

Feb 2nd is  Groundhog Day

Feb 3rd is National Carrot Cake Day

Feb 4th is National Stuffed Mushroom Day

Feb 5th is Super Bowl Day

Feb 6th is Waitangi Day 

Do you tire of hearing "I Can't" from your Macaroni Kid?  Or maybe you get tired of saying it yourself or hearing it from you spouse?  I know I do.  Teaching our toddler to say "I Can" instead of "I Can't" starts with me practicing saying "I Can" myself.  And with a little help from the I CAn Can, it's proven to be a lot easier than I thought it would be.  Don't you just love that name for their product?!

Haven't heard of the ...

Every year we make Valentines to send out to family and friends.  It's pretty easy, personable and can be less expensive than buying store bought ones.  There are so many wonderful ideas out there and here are few ideas to get you started.  All of them can be made with construction paper, markers, scotch tape (or glue), sandwich bags and of course candy.

Rocket Valentine
A package of Rolos and a Hershey Kiss and few pieces of construction paper and tape make this cute Valentine.

Starburst Valentine
Starbursts, construction ...

For the Superbowl, we wanted to do a special craft.  A craft that makes a lot of fantastic noises when your team gets a TOUCHDOWN!!  Your little football fans will get a kick out of these jersey shakers.  And since the Cowboys are not in the Superbowl and I refuse to cheer for the Giants, we are going for the Patriots.  But in case you are a Giants Fan, here's a pic of your team as well.

What you will need:

- Cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Rice
- Glue and ...

The Buddies are back,  Mudbud, Budderball, Buddha, Rosebud, and B-Dawg! And my little Macaroni Kid and about 20 of her friends got to screen the movie this past weekend.  The verdict is out and we all loved it!

My Mac Kid thinks the pups are so "cuuuuuuttttteeee," as she says, and I agree.  The kiddos really got into the movie and it was a treat watching them enjoy it.  There were both boys and girls ranging from age 2 to 11 plus a few older pre teens, adults and babies ...