After School Snacks

As a homeschooling family, we've never really done "After School Snacks".  You know . . . the classic "picture" of Mom with her apron on, baking cookies as the kids come in from school every afternoon, and pouring them a big glass of milk to go with their hot-out-of-the-oven Chocolate Chip Cookies.

So . . . all of you moms who's kids do go to school . . . are you ready and waiting with homemade snacks every afternoon?  Just wondering . . .

Anyway . . . this past week, Hosanna's schedule changed just a bit.  Rather than having Play Practice at 3:00 every afternoon, it was pushed back until 4:00.  So, the high schoolers got out of school at 2:15, and then had almost 2 hours before they had to arrive at the Middle School Auditorium for Play Practice.

We happen to live just a mile from the Middle School, while several of Hosanna's closest friends live "out in the county", further from the schools.  On Monday, Hosanna asked if she could have a few friends over between school and play practice.  "Of course," I said, "maybe I'll bake you some After School Snacks."

Tuesday, I pulled out a cookbook and thought I would try something new.  I found a recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars.  It looked good, but I knew immediately that I would need to make a little change:  White Chocolate is always in order with Raspberries.

When the girls walked in the door after school . . .

Mama pulled a pan of hot White Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars out of the oven.

They were a hit.

One of the girls immediately asked me for the recipe.

The Young Ones loved them, too.

After their snack, Mama sent the girls off to Play Practice with

Hot White Chocolate Peppermint Mochas.

(It was funny to see Hosanna walk in the door after practice

with her arms FULL of all of our Travel Mugs.)

Wednesday arrived.  Hosanna asked if she could once again have the girls over.  "Of course," Mama said, thinking "What kind of treat can I bake for them today?"

A few days before, Ben had nonchalantly commented, "Mom, it's sure been a long time since you've made Cappuccino Brownies." (hint, hint)  So, I decided to whip up a batch of Cappuccino Brownies with Cappuccino Frosting (a long time Family Favorite) for the girls' After School Snack.  I knew that the Young Ones would love to have some, as well, and I would set some aside for Ben, too.  I actually sent Ben a text picture, inviting him over for dinner and dessert.  He already had plans for  the evening, but I promised to save him some.

Shortly after Hosanna & Friends walked in the door after school . . .

Mama pulled a pan of hot Cappuccino Brownies out of the oven.

The girls played a game or two while the brownies cooled, and then Mama frosted them.

I then had Elijah take the girls "Orders" for Italian Sodas, 

as I pulled all of the fun fruity flavors out of the cupboard..

They all enjoyed their After School Snack . . . and so did the Young Ones.

Thursday arrived.  I asked Hosanna if she was having her friends over after school again.  She said, "Yes.  But, you don't have to make us another snack.  We can just eat the leftovers from the last two days."  "Oh, no." I assured her, "It's Valentines Day, so we need a Valentine's Snack."

Elijah loves to light the candles on the dining table,

so I told him we could have Candlelight Snacks for Valentines Day.

(I popped a little votive candle in the Coffee Mug, too.)

I had no problem knowing what to make for Thursday's After School Snack.

While looking for a new recipe on Tuesday, Elijah was looking over my shoulder

and he said, "We could make those on Valentines Day."

So, Mint Chocolate Cookies with Mint Chocolate Glaze were on the menu.

(I have made these several times over the years, on Valentines Day,

and knew they would be a hit with Hosanna & Friends.)

Somehow (only with the Lord's strength) I was able to bake all of these YUMMY treats

three days in a row . . . and I only took 1 very small bite of each treat, on the day that I baked it.  

Thank You, Jesus!  White Chocolate Raspberry is one of my favorite flavor combinations;  Cappuccino Brownies are my absolute FAVORITE brownie of all time;

and Mint Chocolate Cookies are definitely on my Top 5 Favorite Cookies list.

I would call that "Success", wouldn't you?

Now . . . 

after making the dough for the Mint Chocolate Cookies . . .

it had to chill in the refrigerator for an hour before I could roll it out and cut the hearts.

Hmmmmm ???

What should Mama do now ???

Maybe Hosanna & Friends . . . and the Young Ones . . . would like to decorate

Valentine Sugar Cookies.

The kids had already put away all of the ingredients from the first batch of cookies,

so I called them back to the kitchen and we all quickly got to work on a 2nd batch of dough.

When Hosanna & Friends walked through the door on Thursday . . .

I was pulling the Chocolate Mint Cookies out of the oven . . .

and I was also rolling out the dough and cutting Sugar Cookie Hearts out.

I pulled out some red sprinkles.

Hosanna whipped up some Powdered Sugar Icing.

And . . .

I had a serious . . .

CAMERA FAIL.

Seriously.

The high school girls and the young ones all had so much fun decorating their cookies.

Mama took lots of pictures.

But . . . when I tried to upload the pictures of the 

Valentine's Cookie Decorating Party . . .

they failed.  

Oh. So. Sad.

Here are some of Hosanna's Decorated Cookies.

Mama even got to decorate a few to give to Papa.

(I didn't even take a little bite of this treat.)

(I didn't get any pics of the Young One's cookies, 

because they ate them as fast as they decorated them.)

When they were nearly done with their Cookie Decorating . . .

and it was nearly time to head over to Play Practice . . .

I served them each a cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate to savor their cookies with.

Then, I took all of the extra Icing and made some Graham Cracker Treats,

so that the Young Ones can have some After School Snacks next week.

I am sure enjoying having the time to do more baking this year.

I am sure enjoying having Hosanna's friends fill our house day after day.

(Some of her friends have even asked if they can plan get-togethers

at our house.  So fun.  So blessed with a great group of Christian friends.)

I think we all enjoyed our After School Snacks this week.

(I enjoyed baking them, while the kids enjoyed eating them.)

It may just have to become a new Family Tradition.

Do you make After School Snacks for your kids???